Who owns the Gorch characters?

[Convincing John]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering, with Disney owning the Muppets...does JHC still own the Land of Gorch characters? Since they were referred to as "Muppets", does Disney technically own them? Does SNL own them?

These guys are among my most favorite of Jim Henson's creations, and I just wonder who owns 'em now. I think it's pretty safe to say that Sesame Workshop doesn't own them. I don't think we'll be seeing Scred guest starring on "Elmo's World" anytime soon...

Elmo: "Guess what Elmo's thinking about today? Da da da daaaahhhhh!"
(Closet opens to reveal Scred)
Scred: "I'm thinking about stuffing Elmo down the Mighty Favog! We're all outta chickens! C'mere, you little throw rug! Hee hee hee!" (Scred chases Elmo around the room)
Elmo: "Help!"
(Now, that would be an Elmo's World to see!)

Seriously though. Anyone know who owns the Gorch characters?

Convincing John

 

[GelflingWaldo]

From what I've read they are not Muppets - in the way that they were part of the "Muppets" deal with disney) they were Muppets in the same way that The Fraggles and Sesame characters are sometimes called Muppets. I also think that the NBC-Universial (Saturday Night Live) people own the rights to the characters and the appearances by them.