Muppets.com relaunches with Disney XD

[dwayne1115]

At the far left hand corner you will see a pic of the Muppets. I think it looks a lot like the pic on the Muppets take Manhaten DVD. there are diffrent things under that and you will find it there.

 

[uppitymuppity]

The site is so-so to me. It could have been better. I wished that it would be more like Muppet wiki where it has loads of information. There should be a Muppet video Beta sort or thing.

While I love the new material and look of the site I would have to agree with you. The site is somewhat useless and not interactive. How many times can you log-on to see the same skits? In the marketing world this effort wouldn't really register.

 

[frogboy4]

While I love the new material and look of the site I would have to agree with you. The site is somewhat useless and not interactive. How many times can you log-on to see the same skits? In the marketing world this effort wouldn't really register.

I see this as a good start. Let's face it; most entertainment sites aren't very well designed. This one has substance, somewhat frequent updates and an attractive enough style that relates to the rest of the Disney umbrella of properties. I see this as Kermit sticking his flipper in the water. It's also a much more serious effort than anything past.

Muppetworld had such high promise, but Henson Interactive let it die on the vine before anything could ripen. Heck, this has video clips - old and new - with the Muppets as themselves behind the scenes (like the backstage of the Muppet Theater where most antics took place) doing what Muppets do. That's exactly what was needed. When more areas, games and -most importantly- doors open on the site I think we'll be pleasantly surprised. I don't think the point is to be blown away...simply entertained by Muppetyness. Such Muppetyness, I might add, has not been seen like presented here since The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson special - in my opinion.

I don't see anything disappointing about the site thus far - just possibilities. Yeah, as a designer I would do some things differently. What the hey, I might even consider applying for such a position in the future. My only concern with the site is that they continue to update it frequently and freshen things up from time to time. It appears that's their active intention for the time being.

 

[uppitymuppity]

I happily agree with all those points Frogboy. I do like the site and I think you are right - it is just a start.

I suppose I am looking thru the jaded eyes of someone who has been in marketing and business for a lifetime now. I look at these things thru Hollywood business eyes but, when I sit down to watch the Muppet's/Show - I look at that totally differently and with humbleness.

When I go onto their shop part of the Disney site there isn't one thing listed as the muppets. It's like when I went into the new TCM store here in Hollywood - I looked around and loved the store and everything in it. It was set up like a museum with old hollywood sets and photographs of things I adore. There were books for sale, no cd's or movies, teacups, shot glasses... I walked up to the manager and said I absolutely love your store but, it will be out of business within three months. I think it took two and a half and I walked by and the locks were on the doors. I think the space is kids clothing now. My point to all this is that looking at it from a moneymaker for Disney standpoint the site would have to be new and starting or I would say the same things... Lock the doors.

I agree Frogboy - it will change and open up - I'm excited to see what else they do...

 

[frogboy4]

I love the site as is, but if I were the designer...

All that being said, I still would have made the site look and feel a little different personally and clips chosen and organized differently as well. But that's my particular take. This serves its purpose better than any official Muppet site has before.

My take - make it look like the Muppet Theater. Have the viewer able to take a virtual tour and specifically navigate to character's dressing room and/or specifically ordained areas. Let's face it; Gonzo doesn't have a dressing room. He'd likely have some funky area under the steps or part of a broom closet.

I'd also organize the clips a little better and create links to the Disney Store where the user could purchase the DVDs and relevant merchandise.

All this would take a lot more work - more art, more organization and more money. Disney has done a good job, but when it's brought up that the site is not perfect I would agree and felt that I’d list my ideas of what it should be.

Nonetheless, I love it! No griping from me. Just fan-dreaming as we tend to do. The new clip content makes me very happy (unlike the old lonely zoo-like place that used to be Muppets.com).

 

[SgtGonzoPepper]

All that being said, I still would have made the site look and feel a little different personally and clips chosen and organized differently as well. But that's my particular take. This serves its purpose better than any official Muppet site has before.

My take - make it look like the Muppet Theater. Have the viewer able to take a virtual tour and specifically navigate to character's dressing room and/or specifically ordained areas. Let's face it; Gonzo doesn't have a dressing room. He'd likely have some funky area under the steps or part of a broom closet.

I'd also organize the clips a little better and create links to the Disney Store where the user could purchase the DVDs and relevant merchandise.

All this would take a lot more work - more art, more organization and more money. Disney has done a good job, but when it's brought up that the site is not perfect I would agree and felt that I’d list my ideas of what it should be.

Nonetheless, I love it! No griping from me. Just fan-dreaming as we tend to do. The new clip content makes me very happy (unlike the old lonely zoo-like place that used to be Muppets.com).

Now that would be cool. I'd love to see something like that. I think gonzo's dressing room would be in the ally though. In like a crate.

 

[TheJimHensonHour]

anyone else missing the updates as much as I am?

 

[SgtGonzoPepper]

anyone else missing the updates as much as I am?

Yep. I need me some Muppets!

 

[TheJimHensonHour]

Yep. I need me some Muppets!

One lil Mupdate is all I'm asking for

 

[frogboy4]

One lil Mupdate is all I'm asking for

Okay, you have now coined the word - Mupdate! No, it's not my dream of having an intimate dinner with Beaker (he he, must be the cute red hair) , it means any new addition of Muppety goodness.