TV Review: "The Muppets" on ABC

I have been excited about this Muppets TV show for a while now. Go re-read my post from May about it (also find a brief history of all of the Muppets previous appearances). The reviews of the pilot have been mixed, but the negative ones stick out more with critics claiming that the show is a far cry from the previous "Muppet Show" and is too crude to have puppets (*cough* One Million Moms- Here's a rebuttal to that).

Here is my take.

The Story

It's a show within a show. These are the backstage moments of the new show "Up Late with Miss Piggy". Get inside the minds' of your favorite Muppets like Kermit, Piggy, Fozie, Gonzo, Scooter, Pepe, Rizzo and many more. Kermit and Piggy are dating new people. Fozzie is dating a human. Gonzo is probably dating a chicken like usual. And they are all trying to put on the best show they can.

The Stars

So far we have seen: Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Rizzo, Pepe, Gonzo, Scooter, Electric Mayhem, Animal, Dr. Honeydew, Sam Eagle, Beaker, Denise (Kermit's girlfriend), Bobo, Rowlf, and Swedish Chef. We hope there will be even more Muppets to come.

The Message

Even puppets made of felt have feelings.

Overall

In recent Muppet installations (see my reviews of "The Muppets" and "Muppets Most Wanted"), there has been a serious lack of felt- the green fuzzy kind. In part, I believe this was done in fear that the Muppets could no longer bring out the big bucks as they had in their prime. It was feared that the Muppets would be associated with Sesame Street and children's entertainment.

This happens to be something that Jim Henson himself fought throughout his career. He was constantly trying to prove that the Muppets were not just for kids and that they could handle a whole show on their own. That is part of the reason, the show only lasted 5 years. Henson moved onto "Dark Crystal", a movie made entirely of Muppet characters and nothing that was light and cheery. (If you want to learn more about Jim Henson, watch this great documentary about his life from PBS).

The problem is that today the world only knows the Muppets through their family friendly show and appearances on Sesame Street. But I think this show is what Jim Henson would have wanted. He would have wanted his characters to be more than flat stereotypes but real living people- just made of felt.

There are moments of the pilot that my parents and I laughed out loud at, whether it was Fozzie's meeting with his human girlfriend's parents or the well-played pop culture references, I think that this new show has the potential to be something I keep on my regular TV schedule. But, I think that the show #1 needs to be longer- at least an hour. Seeing that this show is more about character development, we need more time to spend with the characters. #2 needs more songs. They don't need to be huge numbers, but since the world has grown up with singing and dancing Muppets, we will need to have that desire satisfied at least once. (Maybe a musical episode?) #3 bring in the next generation. If we want the Muppets to live on past this show, we need to relate to the younger generation (preferably the teens) by including celebs that they know. Who watches "Dancing with the Stars"?? Mostly moms. Although I love Elizabeth Banks, Jennifer Lawrence would have been a better choice for this generation.

With all of this in mind, I will continue to watch this show in hopes that they find their place in this time period and genre.

2 out of 4 Pigs (ggies)

The Muppets: A Collection

If you haven't heard, ABC will produce a new Muppet show this fall. The show will air Tuesday nights every week and will be a mockumentary-sort-of show like "The Office".

I'm not 100% sold on the angle of this new show (Who is the audience? It's definitely not a kids' show. Will there be guest stars? Songs? Dances? Where is the vaudeville?), but they are still my favorite bunch of felt puppets so this week's post is for them.

Here is a collection of everything Muppets-- every movie, every straight-to-DVD movie, every TV show, every TV special-- to get you prepared for this new show or help you say goodbye to the "Old" Muppets. I have starred the ones that are definitely worth a watch. Either way... it's time to light the lights.

Movies

**The Muppet Movie (1979)
You can't mess with the original. With Muppets riding bikes, singing about rainbows and trying to make it big.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

**The Muppets Christmas Carol (1991)
Still one of my favorite Christmas movies, and a very accurate telling of the original Dickens. Sadly, when the movies was transferred to DVD, it lost one of the best songs ("When Love is Gone"- below video). Make sure you check it out or watch the movie online.

**The Muppets Treasure Island (1996)
This is when the Muppets are at their best- retelling classics in the fun way that only the Muppets can do.

The Muppets (2011)

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

It's a Very Merry Muppets Christmas (2002)- TV

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2006)- TV

TV Shows

**Sam and Friends (1955-61)
The very first time we see Kermit the Frog.

**The Muppet Show (1976-81)
Funny, no one realizes that the "Muppet Show" didn't last as long as the cartoon "Muppet Babies". People kept watching this show because of its musical numbers and to catch what guest stars were on. (Just a tip for the upcoming show)

Muppet Babies (1984-90)

Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters (Sept. 14 1985- Sept. 16 1985)

**The Jim Henson Hour (April 14 1989- July 30 1989)
Like "Walt Disney presents...", Jim Henson talks to his audience about how he created his world. Sadly, it didn't last that long.

Muppets Tonight (1996-98)

**Muppet Moments (April 2015-present) Disney Channel
The Muppets and kids! You can't help but smile at the Muppets improvising with some kids.

Specials

**Muppet Classic Theater (1994)
"The Elves and the Shoemaker" is probably my favorite- little Elvises!

Kermit's Swamp Years (2002)

The Muppets on Puppets (1970)

Hey, Cinderella! (1970)

The Great Santa Claus Switch (1970)

The Frog Prince (1971)

The Muppet Musicians of Bremen (1972)

The Muppets Valentine Show (1974)

The Muppets Show: Sex and Violence (1975)

The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979)

**John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979)
A great Christmas soundtrack!

**The Muppets Go to the Movies (1981)
Lily Tomlin and the Muppets parody some classic films like Casablanca.

Of Muppets and Men (1981)

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show (1982)

Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets (1983)

**The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986)
Muppets from Seaseme Street, Sam and Friends, Fraggle Rock and, of course, the original Muppets celebrate 30 years.

The Tale of the Bunny Picnic (1986)

The Christmas Toy (1986)

**A Muppet Family Christmas (1987)
The Fraggles and Seaseme Street join the Muppets for some classic Christmas tunes and heartwarming moments.

The Song of the Cloud Forest (1989)

**The Muppets at Walt Disney World (1990)
The Muppets run around Disney World, riding rides, and just being adorable.

Disneyland's 35th Anniversary (1990)

**The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)
The most melancholy of the shows says goodbye to the creator. It was also Steve Whitmire's first onscreen appearance as Kermit.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (1995)

Studio DC hosted by Dylan and Cole Sprouse (2008)

Studio DC hosted BY Selena Gomez (2008)

Muppets Christmas Letters to Santa (2008)

Laldy Gaga and the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular (2013)

Best YouTube Appearances

Muppisodes (2013-2014)

Bohemian Rhapsady

Ode to Joy

What's your favorite Muppets moment? Please share in the comments!

My Desert Island Christmas Movies

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Yes, there are presents and loads of family time and delicious ham and sugar cookies and twinkling lights. But I really love Christmas because it is the only holiday that has its own songs and movies. Halloween has plenty of movies, but not many theme songs. While my family is decorating our tree, we are also listening to Christmas music. My iPod is full with only Christmas songs. And I don't watch anything but Christmas movies from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24. (We usually get movies on Christmas Day so that's what we watch after we open presents)

Below is my personal list of favorite Christmas movies. These are movies you could loop on ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas and I would not be even slightly annoyed. If I was stuck on a desert island at Christmas with only these movies, a TV and DVD player, I would choose these movies. (Of course, there are 12 for the 12 Days of Christmas)

1. "The Santa Clause" (1994)

This movie is our Christmas Eve tradition and has been for many, many years. I know everyone probably says this but, my dad really does look and act like Tim Allen in this movie. And when I was little, I would dream about my dad becoming Santa Clause because to me no man was more loving, caring, and generous then my dad. Every time I watch this movie, I am so thankful for such an awesome dad and still secretly wish he could push Santa off a roof.

2. "White Christmas" (1954)

No one makes movies like this anymore. All you need to make a movie is a velvety voice (Bing Crosby) and some really fun dance numbers that last for as long as they want to. This movie is a clear example of the music and movie magic of Christmas. The story is all about letting go for love, and what could be a better theme for Christmas? You know you can't help but sing along to all of these songs (and continue to wonder how Vera-Ellen's, who plays Judy, waist was so skinny)

3. "The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992)

The Muppets show up a few times on my list because you really can't beat em. Christmas and the Muppets are the two things that make you feel like a kid no matter what age you are. As the Muppets do best, they take a classic tale and tell it in their own family-friendly way that still has me laughing and singing along all of these years later. P.S.- This movie needs to be re-released on DVD in its entirety. I have lamented for years that this song below was not in the DVD release, and the reason for this makes no sense. Supposedly, the story is that the theatrical release of this movie DID include the song, but when the movie was aired on TV, it was cut for time. Somebody decided it was a good idea to grab the TV version for the DVD instead of the entire theatrical version. Muppets, please fix this.

4. "Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" (1997)

Of course there can to be some Disney on here. "Beauty and the Beast" is still to this day one of my all-time favorite movies with my all-time favorite Disney princess. When this movie came out was right around the time I was learning about how amazing BATB was so naturally I bought the dress-up costume to go with this new movie and watched the movie over and over and over again. I still love it, even though I usually have to watch this one by myself every Christmas. Added bonus- Bernadette Peters is in it!

5. "The Polar Express" (2004)

Before Tom Hanks was cast as The Polar Express, there was a book about a little boy who had stopped believing in Santa Claus and the magical train that took him to the North Pole. Before the movie, my family would read this every year and ring the little bell that came with the book just to double check that we could still hear it. When the rumors began that a movie was going to be made about this special book, no one in my family could see how that worked. The book was no more than 20 pages and mostly consisted of pictures of a train riding through snowy scenery. But this movie was able to capture every bit of heart the book had, and then some. This movie got me through the doubting Santa years where I wasn't really sure if I was still allowed to believe anymore. Though that train may never come to my front door, I know that the bell will always ring for me, as it does for those who truly believe.

6. "Jack Frost" (1998)

Another Dad Christmas movie (someone needs to get on making a Mom Christmas movie). This one also holds very special memories for me. I remember the Christmas of 2008 I could barely watch this movie without drowning in a puddle of tears. That was the year my dad was in the hospital with cancer. For the first time, I watched Charlie fight to keep his snowman dad alive just another day longer, and I wished all I had to do was leave the door and windows open on a cold winter day to keep my dad. Now that he is well again, the movie does make me ugly cry. My dad has always made Christmas special every year. He helped my siblings and I build snowmen, he went sledding with us, he fills the Advent House with little presents for everyone every year, he eats all the burnt Christmas cookies that no one else will touch. It wouldn't be Christmas without those memories, and it wouldn't be Christmas without my dad.

7. "A Muppet Family Christmas" (1987)

I told you the Muppets would be back! This home released movie finds the gang traveling the Fozzie's Ma's house for Christmas where they meet other Jim Henson characters (Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock) as well as a special moment with Jim himself. The Muppets come together for a heart-warming tale of friendship and love. P.S.- I have never seen this movie on DVD in the stores, but it is still on YouTube if you are interested.

8. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (1970)

I'm not a big fan of claymation films. I know that tons of work goes into making them, and sometimes they can be really beautiful, it is not a style that I love. So that means Rudolph is off the table to begin with. But "Santa Claus" has its up sides that make me want to watch this movie. First of all, it covers every Santa question a kid has and answers them logically and creatively. Reindeer fly by eating magic reindeer feed corn. Santa goes down the chimney because it was the only way he could get the children of Sombertown their toys. Secondly, every 3 minutes there is a toe-tapping song that you will never get out of your head, and you will sing along even if you don't know all the words. "Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking 'cross the floo-oo-oor." "When you're the first toy makers to the kiiiiiing!" "If you sit on my lap today, a kiss a toy is the price you pay." Thirdly, Fred Astaire! Who doesn't want to watch a claymation of Fred Astaire?

9. "Arthur Christmas" (2011)

I have to admit that I was very wary of this movie when it first came out. Since "Jack Frost" I had yet to find a modern Christmas movie that was original and not too cheesy. There was also a previous film about the Claus family ("Fred Claus"), and it wasn't so great or reverent of the Christmas legends. But this movie takes a look at how Santa and his family are struggling to accept technology into this very traditional process. Also, the film puts the business of being Santa Claus as a family business, one that you inherent, which has never been done before. Of course there is more than one Santa. He can't live forever. Through this plot line, you can bring in another great Christmas movie trope- sibling rivalry.

10. "The Holiday" (2006)

Ok, so it's not 100% a Christmas movie. It's not about Santa or the Christmas spirit. It's about how truly hard relationships are. And how much it really, really hurts when you get burned. So much so that you need to go away for a holiday. And it's about how love bites you on the butt when you least except it, and it can be really hard to open up to it. This movie shows Kate Winslet, one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, in her sweats cry-singing in her kitchen with her cat. The wisdom that is imparted to her by Arthur Abbott is the most brilliant advice ever. It's a movie about how the movies hold all of the keys to our love live-- AWESOME!!

P.S. Iris and I are the same person.- journalists who are truly hopeless romantics who also love movies and music. I should really just move to London.

11. "Rise of the Guardians" (2012)

Ok, again, not really a Christmas movie, but at least it has Santa Claus in it. Even if he is played by Alec Baldwin. The story is about the Guardians of the children- Santa Claus aka North, the Tooth Fairy aka Tooth, the East Bunny aka Bunny, the Sand Man aka Sandy and the newly admitted Jack Frost. The team must fight against the Boogey Man aka Pitch to protect the dreams of children, their memories, their awe of the world, and their hope. It's another original story that is heartfelt and truthful.

 12. "Scrooged" (1988)

I don't love Scrooge/Grinch movies. The whole idea about a Debbie-downer at Christmas is no fun to watch. You just want to skip to the end. But you can't help but love Bill Murray (see the Murray Effect in my previous blog). So this story of redemption with much more humor then you would ever except to see in a Scrooge/Grinch movie makes the last place on my list.

What are your desert island Christmas movies? Share them in the comments!

In Review: "Muppets Most Wanted"

In Review: "Muppets Most Wanted"

The hardest part of the Muppet revival is finding the right audience. My parents' generation grew up with these guys on TV every night. I grew up with second-rate TV shows like Baby Muppets and Muppets Tonight as well as amazing movies like Muppets Christmas Carol and Muppets Treasure Island. So for us, the Muppet revival is all about nostalgae. But what about the younger kids? They are used to optical spectaculars with maximum eye and ear candy. Instant satisfaction is what this generation has been criticized for, but it's true. The variety show is not a thing anymore. And that's exactly what the original Muppet show was. How can the Muppets compete with "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"? AND come up with something those loyal fans haven't seen before?

Plot

Hold on to your hats folks. This one's a whirlwind.

Right after the Muppets finish the first movie, they want to have another one so they call in the help of Dominic Badguy, who is really working with the evil Constantine, the world's most dangerous frog and Kermit's look-a-like, and wants to steal the crown jewels but has to get a map to get a key and a locket to get the jewels... *breath*... sooooo Constantine switches places with Kermit who gets put in a Serbian jail with Tina Fey while Constantine takes the Muppets on a world tour and steals the items he needs to get the jewels from museums and banks throughout the world.... meanwhile, Sam Eagle teams up with Ty Burrell who are trying to find out who keeps stealing this stuff.

You got that? Yeah, me neither.

Stars

This movie is packed with famous stars: Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, Rickey Gervais, Tony Bennett, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Sean Combs, Tom Hiddleston, Ray Liotta, Salma Hayek, Jemaine Clement, Kenneth Collard, Rob Corddry, Mackenzie Crook, Zack Galifianakis, Toby Jones, Tom Hollander, Frank Langella, Ross Lynch, James McAvoy, Chloe Grace Moretz, Usher, Danny Trejo, Stanley Tucci...the list goes on and on.

There was nothing wrong with all of these stars popping up and the main ones do a good job, but where are all my Muppets? Isn't that what the movie is called?

Message

Everyone needs family even if they are a mixture of pigs, chickens, frogs, birds, penguins, rats, scientists, and Gonzos, your family is always there for you when you need their help. Even if they mistake a world criminal for you, they do love you.

Overall

Muppets, you still need to work on establishing your audience. It was kind of funny that you made fun of your last movie and its lack of devotion to the original characters, but it's only funny once. Your next movie, if there will be one, should go back to your roots. Too bad if the little kids don't like you. That's not where your strength is any way. Play to the generations who remember you and will always love you even if you put out crappy material.

Also, the songs are not as spectacular as before. The last film harked back to the classics like "Rainbow Connection", and this film referenced "Together Again" but the rest of the songs were easily forgettable and huge time-wasters that didn't move the plot forward or let me laugh at any characters.

My rating for this film is because I can't hate the Muppets. It's just not in me, but I can shake my finger at them for a poor effort. (The first one was better)

2 out of 4 Kermits

(That does happen in this movie)