If you support Disney owning the Muppets...

[TheJimHensonHour]

We should remember that Jim Henson was selling the Muppets to Disney before he died. I know there was much fall-out after he passed, but he really dug the idea of the Muppets being under the Disney banner. Of course he would have had some say in the projects.

I also feel the Muppets had lost some of their shine before Jim Henson passed away and that the Disney deal was going to help boost them back up.

On another note, I have heard that MFS was plagued with more problems than have been reported. And that was, as stated, Sony (Columbia/Tri-Star). I feel MFS is the perfect example of feeding a project that just isn't working. If Disney is trying to keep that from happening (as I think they might be) than I'll be patient.

Thing is Disney didn't it was Michael Eisener not to bring up little points like that but that's who wanted them all along some times Disney makes me feel like ugh we're stuck with these characters other times it seems like they do care but I believe we will see soon enough if what brian henson and lil mr. gonzo are talking about comes to pass.

 

[Drtooth]

We should remember that Jim Henson was selling the Muppets to Disney before he died. I know there was much fall-out after he passed, but he really dug the idea of the Muppets being under the Disney banner. Of course he would have had some say in the projects.

I also feel the Muppets had lost some of their shine before Jim Henson passed away and that the Disney deal was going to help boost them back up.

I would have supported it more had he sold his soul to Disney himself. But then again, I guess Disney only REALLY wanted it if it included the Sesame Street characters (You think the Elmo blitz is bad under SW... could you imagine it under Disney?)

But I think the problem was that MTM underperformed and dispite the multiple specials in the 80's they really didn't do much with the TMS characters. That was when they were experimenting with other things like Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Storyteller and the like. The only TMS projects around before Henson's passing were Muppet Babies and the Play Along videos (which i think are more kiddified than MB ever was... but check out "Hey! You're a cartoonist" for Carol Spinny's original characters, Picklpuss and Pops). All that and JHH flopped due to NBC doing what it did best. underpromoting things.

On another note, I have heard that MFS was plagued with more problems than have been reported. And that was, as stated, Sony (Columbia/Tri-Star). I feel MFS is the perfect example of feeding a project that just isn't working. If Disney is trying to keep that from happening (as I think they might be) than I'll be patient.

I was right? I guessed from Hersay and stuff. Errrrr. that was the problem with MFS. It was plagued with multiple problems. It's like when a movie has to be rewritten multiple times due to various reasons. Look at Superman 2. It wasn't as good as it could have been.

Too bad unlike Superman 2, we won't see a Donner cut (or rather a Juhl cut) of MFS with the real script. I enjoyed the movie, but I have to admit, I agree what you said long long ago, Frogboy. It Does play better on TV than theaters. Especially with the commentary. The commentary was funnier than the actual film.

 

[Philip Kippel]

I think their worst recent move was putting out Season 1 of the Muppet Show edited. Don't tell me they couldn't get the rights. It's that they don't want to pay. I work in a DVD related industry and work with a lot of mom and pop public domain DVD companies as well as high end major studios. I think again Disney just couldn't be bothered or not caring enough to fork over the required funds needed to get those song rights so they can release those episodes properly. How come Time Life could put out the unedited Season 1 Vincent Price episode and Disney couldn't? They are both huge companies that can more than afford it.

You are so wrong.

They DID try to acquire certain song rights and they would've paid the necessary money, but the rights-holders are not obligated to grant licenses to anyone.

If someone doesn't want to grant you a license, no matter what you might try to offer, then it's their choice.

And Disney DOES NOT have as much money as you think they do.

 

[Drtooth]

They DID try to acquire certain song rights and they would've paid the necessary money, but the rights-holders are not obligated to grant licenses to anyone.

If someone doesn't want to grant you a license, no matter what you might try to offer, then it's their choice.

That I completely agree with. Remember, a lot of these songs aren't even owned by the original artist. Some are owned by greedy old men, some by Michael Jackson....

I just don't know who OK'd the use of All you need is Love for a diaper commercial, and that whole "Viva Viagra" thing (the widow and daughter are apparently not too happy themselves).

I do say, they did their best work getting the rights to everything in season 2. At least someone over there cares.

 

[MelissaY1]

You are so wrong.

They DID try to acquire certain song rights and they would've paid the necessary money, but the rights-holders are not obligated to grant licenses to anyone.

If someone doesn't want to grant you a license, no matter what you might try to offer, then it's their choice.

And Disney DOES NOT have as much money as you think they do.

I disagree. I think if the price was right, the license holders would cave. I work in the entertainment business for a film photo archive where we license photos for use in publications on DVD packaging, etc. My sister works for a music publishing/licensing company in NYC, so I know all about that stuff. Don't assume I'm "wrong" if you have no knowledge of my background.

Please, Disney has plenty of money and IF they didn't have the money to do these episodes right, then I'd rather see them not come out at all then on DVD. Again, why would a license holder of these songs grant them to Time Life for a 10 disc "Best of" collection, and not DISNEY?

 

[TheJimHensonHour]

You know I've been thinking Disney may not being doing as good as a job as I think they can be doing but I put it this way to myself We've sure seen allot more of Kermit and the gang in recent years on tv in prime time than we have any of Disneys orig. characters. Something to think about realy when you put it in that perspective.

 

[MelissaY1]

You know I've been thinking Disney may not being doing as good as a job as I think they can be doing but I put it this way to myself We've sure seen allot more of Kermit and the gang in recent years on tv in prime time than we have any of Disneys orig. characters. Something to think about realy when you put it in that perspective.

Yeah but on dopey reality shows that don't show off the characters nor the performers' capabilities. America's Got Talent? that house show where they pull the truck away and everyone cries? I'd rather see the Muppets having their OWN show instead of little guest spots on crappy shows.

 

[TheJimHensonHour]

Yeah but on dopey reality shows that don't show off the characters nor the performers' capabilities. America's Got Talent? that house show where they pull the truck away and everyone cries? I'd rather see the Muppets having their OWN show instead of little guest spots on crappy shows.

You're missing my point completely.
What I'm talking about is instead of having goofy, donald, and micky their own characters out there on tv over these past few years they are having the muppets out in the public eye and I happen to think even though I agree the muppets need their own show again that americas got talent and the jerry lewis telathon where both very nice.
I'm puting things in a differnt perspective and seeing it as they are using these characters and not letting them catch dust in the disney vaults.
Sure Disney may have little micky mouse shorts on the disney chanel but to me the muppets being on chanels like nbc and abc etc. are allot better because many people still dont have cable or just can't aford it.

 

[MelissaY1]

You're missing my point completely.
What I'm talking about is instead of having goofy, donald, and micky their own characters out there on tv over these past few years they are having the muppets out in the public eye and I happen to think even though I agree the muppets need their own show again that americas got talent and the jerry lewis telathon where both very nice.
I'm puting things in a differnt perspective and seeing it as they are using these characters and not letting them catch dust in the disney vaults.
Sure Disney may have little micky mouse shorts on the disney chanel but to me the muppets being on chanels like nbc and abc etc. are allot better because many people still dont have cable or just can't aford it.

I'm NOT missing your point. I understand what you're saying but why would you want to see little snippets of Muppets here and there on flash in the pan reality shows, or dopey commercials? It only waters down the characters more, and takes away from what made the Muppets great to begin with: that they were characters with their own distinct personalities and as a fan/viewer you bought into that they lived in the world. This has nothing to do with whether people have cable or not. If I couldn't afford cable I'd still pop in a Muppet DVD then sit and watch some lousy network show that's on now. And I DO even though I have cable. I don't really watch T.V. at all. There's nothing left on it for me except for baseball which I'm not even watching right now.

And the Disney Channel hasn't shown a Mickey Mouse short on their channel in at least 15 years. It's all "Hannah Montana" and teen shows. When we first got the Disney Channel it was great because they DID show old shorts and animated films, etc. Again, Disney ruins all their good products and they're sucking the Muppets in right with them.

 

[frogboy4]

Why oh why doesn't the Disney Channel at least show some Muppets Tonight from time to time? They're making me almost resent these tween children that Hanna Montana and High School Musical are made for. I just don't see them enduring. They're like potato chips - quick, easy and (sometimes) enjoyable, but not really food. (Ducks for the attacks by High School Musical fans! LOL) There's more to entertainment than pretty people (with a moderate level of talent) singing instantly forgettable pop songs in this frogboy’s opinion. Now, it would be fine if we could get both, but it does seem like the muck didn't just rise to the top at the Disney Channel - it took over!

My comments on the Disney Channel, however, do not reflect my view of the company itself. Maybe they should make a Disney Channel for more discerning older viewers. Like a Disney TV Land or something?