Muppets Season 1 releases Aug 9, 2005

[GelflingWaldo]

Adding another disc or another side to the discs will increase the cost of production. They do not feel it is worth it to increase their space 25% (and increase the cost) just for another 22-mins of footage to squeeze in one more pilot that they could just hold for another set with room to kill. It's mainly a money issue on if they can fit both or not. Adding another disc or adding a double-sided disc will make the set not only cost more to buy but will cost more to make; and for one extra pilot they don't feel its worth it.

 

[Zack the Dog]

yeah well we gotta save some extras for hopeful future releases of TMS, It's seems that we at least get one as it is listed. I just hope that they are un-cut, When Nick aird the Muppet Valentine show back in like 1993 it was slightly edited from what i've heard, then Oddessy edited a lot more out of it when it aird on that former channle which is now the Halmark channle. the way the Oddessy channle ran, they eidted a lot of of the shows and movies they played, I was watching TGMC on Odd back a few years ago now and they edited the whole bike sceen out! that's like one of the most memorable Muppet sceens! So lets hope that the Pilot's are not edited.

 

[GelflingWaldo]

yeah well we gotta save some extras for hopeful future releases of TMS, It's seems that we at least get one as it is listed.

Yes there will be atleast one. And while you are on the subject of saving extras for future releases:

In talking with some of the people working on the sets I have heard a whole bunch of things about the hopes for future seasons – nothing to solid but a good idea that the other sets will be just as packed. The other seasons (if/when they are produced) will (most likely and hopefully) include: all the season specific episodes (with UK skits included), all new "Muppet Morsels" on each episodes, the specific season’s promo reel, Muppet-related sneak peeks, and much much more!
If both pilots don't make the cut for season 1, the one that was left out may go on the season 2 set. I’m also told that the "Of Muppet & Men" special is being held for season 5 (the season in which it was produced). Depending on the success of the season 1 set, Disney may produce more retrospectives for future sets too. Plus there is a lot of other season/show specific things in the Henson vault that Disney is working to uncover and hopefully work into future sets (such as interviews, behind the scenes footage, deleted/unused/alternate/test footage, and more).

The success of season one (and then the seasons to follow) will be used to gauge the amount Disney will be willing to invest into the production of the future seasons. The better season one does early on, the more likely Disney will give the season 2 production team the green light and the green stuff ($) to make the next set not only arrive quicker but also to make the next set greater (or equally great) for the fans and consumers.

I just hope that they are un-cut...lets hope that the Pilot's are not edited.

I’ve been told that Disney has worked on all the physical and legal stuff to keep the episodes in tact. Although some episodes/skits feature characters that are owned by other companies or feature music owned by other companies, Disney wants to release the show uncut and hopes to do so. Also content has been cut to fit the syndication time frame, but working from the original masters of the episodes they will be the uncut versions. I’ve been told not to worry about the episodes being edited.

 

[Beauregard]

Greg, you are afficially my favorite reporter, and the greatest digger0up f information I know. I think even Reporter Kermit canno hold a candle to you.

 

[Sean Gaffney]

I’ve been told that Disney has worked on all the physical and legal stuff to keep the episodes in tact. Although some episodes/skits feature characters that are owned by other companies or feature music owned by other companies, Disney wants to release the show uncut and hopes to do so. Also content has been cut to fit the syndication time frame, but working from the original masters of the episodes they will be the uncut versions. I’ve been told not to worry about the episodes being edited.

Do we know what characters might give rights problems? I can guess the Sesame Street ones, as I think the Sesame and Muppet licenses are different. Do they need to clear shows where there was a guest puppeteer like Bruce Schwartz?

 

[pppapazo]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with the music rights. When Henson paid for the rights to use the songs on the Muppet Show, they likely only payed for television/syndication rights. Oftentimes, additional royalties have to be paid for the rights to use the music on video/DVD.

As for the Sesame Street characters, I'm pretty sure that Disney's agreement with Henson and Sesame Workshop allows them to use all material with Sesame or Fraggle characters without editing so long as the merchandise is not marketed using any of these characters. The same goes for Sesame Street's use of Kermit.

 

[Drtooth]

Hmmmm... 40 bucks. Seems a might steep, but once the retailors get them out, maybe they'll be cheaper in certain locations. Anyway, this was one of the only Muppet projects I have really been looking forward too recently. Now, the Disney is trying to keep everything in tact gives me both reservations and hope. Maybe if they have this completely unedited, it'll give them the courage to release MFC Uncut, if Henson wants to make a deal, along with SW.

Whatever piolot it is, I'd love to see it. And if there's more than one set, maybe the other pilot will be on it. You know, when Disney first made Columbia give up it's license to release the Muppet show DVD's I was a bit spooked. But seeing as how these DVD's may have all the episodes on them (if they release all the seasons) I'm feelin' okay. Especially after I dropped my tape of Muppets with Star Wars and never was able to replace it.

 

[pppapazo]

Forty buck's not that steep, especially since Amazon already has it available for under thirty.

That's like $2.50 per hour of material.

 

[beaker]

At this point I have been unable to get a clear answer if the item everyone is calling "Original Pilot" means the set will have "The Muppets Valentine Show", "The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence", or both. I was told by someone working on the set that the DVD producers wanted to include both pilots but due to space avalible on the discs they may not be able to fit both (but they still hope both can be included), if both do not make the cut for season one the unreleased pilot may be included on the season 2 set. And if only one pilot makes it onto season 1, no one I've been able to get a hold of has been able to tell me which one it will be. Hopefully the answer to this surfaces before August 9th. Only time will tell if we get "Sex and Violence, "The Valentine Show", or both.

I can't see the words "sex and violence" being included on a Disney dvd...so Im guessing sadly it will be the Valentine special(which I didnt get too much into) or Sex and Violence with the titles cut. TMS: S&V is the only real pilot tho, so thwey could mean that. And yes, I give Disney props for putting this out with all the extra goodies. good thing I never got the Columbia dvds!

As for the Sesame Street characters, I'm pretty sure that Disney's agreement with Henson and Sesame Workshop allows them to use all material with Sesame or Fraggle characters without editing so long as the merchandise is not marketed using any of these characters. The same goes for Sesame Street's use of Kermit.

Good, as to us fans Sesame and Fraggle will always be Muppet universe canon. And notice, as of 2000 they were legally still apart of JHC

 

[rexcrk]

I'm definitely buying this set! 40 bucks seems like a really good price, that's like 10 bucks a disc. I hope the original pilots and openings are included...