Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

[sidcrowe]

punkNpuppets, scarecroe...

First off....I DON'T go to church.

But, walk into any church for which this special is about (Christmas), and you'll find God depicted as a white male with a beard.

So, having a black woman play God is so totally different that it screws with your head too much....for THIS type of a production.

I found the character of God to be capricious and rude.

It was a Hollywood "Ha ha! Bet ya didn't see that coming!" kinda trip.

I'm not saying it is wrong to imagine God as a black woman, it's just that the writers did so merely to stand your expectations on their heads.

Including God in your story is a risky business. The best I ever saw was George Burns with John Denver in "Oh God!"

The writers chose a black woman to shock people.

IF WHOOPI HAD'VE SAID WISER THINGS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SWEET.

I WOULD HAVE ENJOYED IT!

But, the "God" character was played like a jerk; it was dishonest and contrived.

I don't think Jim Henson would've added a "God" character. I'm not aware of any time when he ever did.

I know I squawked a great deal on another thread about Snoop Dogg's inclusion in the first cut of the special, what with him releasing a porno tape so close to this special's release, and his history with an L.A. gang. So now you want to insinuate that I'm a racist. That's a pretty heavy charge, don't you think?

I wouldn't care if the person was orange; the "God " character was hardly sweet, and it is a Christmas special, is it not?

Please don't blame me for over 2000 years of history depicting God as a white man

 

[scarecroe]

Re: Oh boy...

Originally posted by beaker
Yes, there are apparently gay muppets. I firts got a sense of thi from that one frog in KSY.

My favorite gay reference has to be in Muppets From Space when Gonzo is explaining to Kermit that he didn't ask to be this way and that he knows how hard it might be for Kermit to accept him. Not that it implied that Gonzo was gay, but the mirroring concept was a nice addition.

Originally posted by beaker
You see a lot of parents dont let the kids think for themselves. How many kids have been sheltered from say The Simpsons or other shows without a choice?

It would have to be something pretty significant for me to censor my daughter from seeing something. My mother never allowed my siblings and I to watch Tom & Jerry when growing up because she thought they were too violent. I watch those shorts today and find them absolutely brilliant and wish I hadn't been deprived. I don't think I'd have had a problem deciding whether or not it was right to cut off a cat's tail and paint it red.

Originally posted by beaker
Language and inuendo. Well...that was the first time I ever heard a Muppet say the word 'sucks'...but oh boy, Ive heard the Muppets say things I would get bleeped for on here(pitch to CBS, Muppetfest q & a, Rowlf on Arsenio, Land of Gorch, etc)

Note how NONE of those things were family projects.

 

[frogboy4]

Actually, I'm 28, but if you want to say I'm 22 we'll go with that. People often mistake me for a teenager in public so I am certainly not offended. I don't think my age has ever been stated here.

I understand what you're saying about the compilation of data, but "she is hot" has no relevance in my eyes. Throwing that out of the list would make for a much stronger case. I'd still let my niece and nephew watch it. And I don't think kids should be watching any television alone unless they are pre-approved tapes or programs. Remember, this was TV G, not TVY or one of those other ratings for tots. But I do get what you mean. From the past several years you'd think the Muppets would be more kid-friendly. I am glad they've grown some teeth with this special.

 

[beaker]

Dude, youre 28? I SWEAR I thought you were 24 LOL

 

[Natalie]

I totally agree with Luke and punknpuppets. Yes, the movie disturbed me a bit. But that was only because it was seeing the muppets doing some of the things they were doing. Getting beyond that, how many of us would actually think any of it was inappropriate if it hadn't been a muppet movie at all and it was people saying things like "sucks" and being at a rave? It wasn't a family movie, which was a shame, but there were good ole muppet values in it (Everyone matters, the kermit statue, the positive attitude about the theater, etc.). The good thing is, it didn't push it too far, and I don't think the JHC will ever let the muppets become completely out of reach for children.

Also, I noticed that the movie just took place at night (with the exception of the "heaven" scenes). This could have turned off some children. I know when I was little, if a movie was too dark, it just plain seemed scarier, even if it was made for all audiences. So Jessica, did you actually ask your daughter what parts of the movie bothered her and made it unappealing?

 

[FellowWLover]

Originally posted by Luke
Basically (and i have this on incredibly good authority) the kid demographics suck - the Muppets just are not appealing to kids nowdays even when a project is specifically made for them. Henson cannot and will not stay afloat if they continue to cater to kids - and the people who own them will not let this happen...

I do agree with you though and think that perhaps Henson and NBC got the promotion wrong on this. The timeslot was very much a family one and when you look at the NBC promotion for it and also the title itself they've made absolutely no attempt to make it look different from any other family Muppet movie - without watching it you'd think it's 'Muppet Family Christmas' with guest stars. Obviously thats not the case - it's much edgier and to Henson's credit - much of the promotion they did pointed out this new style and more adult path so people were forewarned but NBC could have done a lot more to make parents aware.

... Its good for big kids like me but it is a shame for families with smaller children hoping to introduce them to the brand !

All interesting. I guess I wonder about the financial sense in not trying to market themselves to kids. I know that they are not popular in that market now (cause I asked all my neighbors and they all said that their children "don't really like muppets"), but wouldn't it make sense for them to try to become big with kids? I mean look at the money to be made there. Anyway, I see your point and know you are right.

As for the marketing, definately the title misled me. I didn't really see any commercials (that I paid attention to obviously) for it, so the tone of the film totally took me by surprise. I bet I am not alone. Also, a lot of parents probably just tuned in that night, saw the title, and watched. Not everyone plans out their TV viewing like some of us.

Hey big kids like you *will* love the new Muppets! As for introducing kids to the brand, well, I guess that will happen too. I know I am in the minority when it comes to stuff like this. The more I read here, the more I know it, believe me!

 

[punkNpuppets]

Originally posted by sidcrowe

God depicted as a white male with a beard.

dude, that's Jesus. but if that's what you think, that's what you think. and they never said that she was GOD, she was just the boss! AND I DIDN'T CARE IF SHE WAS A BLACK LADY! she was religious, i'll tell ya that! and whoopi goldberg IS a religious lady!

i just cant believe i got 2 replies just 10 seconds after i posted!

 

[beaker]

Originally posted by ngirl23
but there were good ole muppet values in it (Everyone matters, the kermit statue, the positive attitude about the theater, etc.). The good thing is, it didn't push it too far, and I don't think the JHC will ever let the muppets become completely out of reach for children.

Also, I noticed that the movie just took place at night (with the exception of the "heaven" scenes). This could have turned off some children. I know when I was little, if a movie was too dark, it just plain seemed scarier, even if it was made for all audiences. So Jessica, did you actually ask your daughter what parts of the movie bothered her and made it unappealing?

Good point...I think above all 'appropriateness' and whatnot... if the underlying message is that EVERYONE matters, the message of the rainbow connection etched in the statue is brought out, and staying positive(like with the theatre being bought out)
is made then it did its job. I would much rather have a psuedo inappropriate Muppet film with very positive messages then a self congradulating faux smug and warm 'strictly for the tots' movie.

 

[Natalie]

Good point. I was watching carefully throughout the movie to see if I'd catch them say she was actually God or they were angels or whatever, but they didn't. I personally saw nothing wrong with it except for the fact that Whoopi played it in a strange way. She seemed a little too "oh, whatever, I don't really care what happens".

 

[Natalie]

And this is totally a side note, but look at my too quotes in my sig

These are just a couple examples of things you might not want your young kids to go around saying!

So see, the muppets have always had a touch of adult humor.