Statler & Waldorf on movies.com

[rtgentry]

I noticed that sam did not move his eyes side to side as much. His jaw did not open hardly at all either. But I think the eyes had a lot to do with it. I also agree with the comment about the wing movement.

 

[rexcrk]

Actually I noticed that Sam the Eagle didn't move his eyes either... that was the only problem I had with him though.

 

[MuppetfraggleEX]

He just wasn't the same. In many small, but important ways. The wings, the eyes. It is sad really. The end of an era.

 

[unclematt]

He just wasn't the same. In many small, but important ways. The wings, the eyes. It is sad really. The end of an era.

I think you are getting a little down on the new performers too soon. It is pertinant to have new performers honing and perfecting thier skill and it is even more important to do it now so you have someone to step in and take over if something tragic should happen. And I cant think of a better place to have them perfecting thier craft then in little segments such as this or the ESPN ones. No it is not perfect and no they are never going to be as good as they once were in many of our eyes but I would rather have them continuously get better than watch them disappear.

 

[Kynan Barker]

I can't think of a better place to have them perfecting their craft than in little segments such as this or the ESPN ones.

I can: Their parents' bedrooms. The way the Muppets work is, performers spend years learning their craft, and then, when they're ready, they start performing in front of an audience. They aren't just handed major characters, "Here's Piggy, see how you go."

Consider this: Eric Jacobson's first-ever public performance of Miss Piggy was at MuppetFest, in front of several hundred Muppet fans, and every single one of us thought it was Frank. That sets the bar pretty high for understudies, but that's how high it should be. If Eric's Piggy was anything less than flawless, I think there would have been a riot. Literally. And that's the standard we should be able to expect from every performer on every project.

Training understudies to step in when they're needed makes sense. But training them in front of an audience doesn't. Neither does releasing substandard work under the Muppet banner. It hurts the characters, it hurts the brand, and it hurts the fans.

Kynan
savethemuppets.com

 

[OverUnderAround]

I cant think of a better place to have them perfecting thier craft then in little segments such as this or the ESPN ones.

I can: Their parents' bedrooms.

Kynan, It's not necessary to be disrespectful to Yerrid and Massey. They are trying to live the Muppet dream. Your disapproval should stick to management.

 

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

I can: Their parents' bedrooms. The way the Muppets work is, performers spend years learning their craft, and then, when they're ready, they start performing in front of an audience. They aren't just handed major characters, "Here's Piggy, see how you go."

Consider this: Eric Jacobson's first-ever public performance of Miss Piggy was at MuppetFest, in front of several hundred Muppet fans, and every single one of us thought it was Frank. That sets the bar pretty high for understudies, but that's how high it should be. If Eric's Piggy was anything less than flawless, I think there would have been a riot. Literally. And that's the standard we should be able to expect from every performer on every project.

Training understudies to step in when they're needed makes sense. But training them in front of an audience doesn't. Neither does releasing substandard work under the Muppet banner. It hurts the characters, it hurts the brand, and it hurts the fans.

Kynan
savethemuppets.com

THERE STAND-INS!!!! and these guys where NOT part of any adutions as far as I know! and I for one LOVE the NEW guys! Steve and Dave are NOT out a job!!!!

 

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

just to let u know Barker, Marin G. Baker IS a part of this

**Baker's duties will include searching for ways to expand the Muppets' unparalleled talent base as demand for the brand grows. He will be leading a search for more multi-talented performers in the world of puppeteering who will serve as understudies to core Muppets performers and help the company develop new characters and service the growing international demands for the classic characters.**

heres the link: http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2005/050505.shtml

 

[Luke]

Yeah but Yerrid and Massey weren't exactly being "understudies" when the core Muppet performers WERE available. Both Yerrid and Massey DID attend the Muppeteer auditions held recently. This is a case of MHC saying one thing, that these people will only be used in low key things when the main performers aren't available and then actually doing a whole other thing when it actually comes to assigning the Muppeteers for projects. It's just public relations spin - they'll tell us whatever it takes to ease tensions, whether it's true or not and then go ahead and do whatever they want.

 

[OverUnderAround]

Were Yerrid and Massey picked for these roles prior to the current auditions?
I would think so.

True they auditioned as well in Los Angeles, but I think it was Buck-Beaver who went to the Toronto audition who was told that no decision as to the casting from the recent auditions will be done for at least a month or so.

Which makes me think that Yerrid and Massey had already been selected for those roles prior to any audition.