Kermit's Swamp Years

[Beauregard]

Hi,

Does any one know any thing about Kirmet's Swamp Years? OK so it's Kirmet when he's young, but does anyone know anything else about what exactly will be in the film?

It won't have the traditional caracters. I don't wan't to sound cruel but I am glad Kirmet is the main character in this movie, not Gonzo, Rizzo, and Pepe.

Bye,
Beauregard

[frogboy4]

I know others will be able to give you more information, but I get to be first!

Swamp Years chronicles Kermit's life growing up with friends Goggles and Croaker (new frog characters). It will have a few unknown cameos from classic Muppet cast members (Statler, Waldorf, and possibly Rowlf or Rizzo). Sadly, it seems that Miss Piggy, Fozzie and Gonzo have not made it into this production, but the frog can definitely carry the movie. It is set for release on video and DVD late this summer or early fall. There is a bit of a dispute on the release date.

BTW- I'ms sure it is just an oversight, but Kermit is spelled K e r m i t. Just checking. Hope this helped!

[Luke]

nahhh - "Kirmets Swamp Years" is the evil twin indie production like that Bert & Ernie film. You can see it at most small seedy french theatres but you have to tip the hooker at the door to get in.

It's the film where :-

* A young Kermit learns all about where baby frogs come from (ie :- tadpoles)
* He loses his newspaper round to a frog named 'Bill' and starts drinking heavily ! (Kool Aid)
* In a deep depression he meets a pig called 'Miss Jiggy' who scams him off all his money and his banjo.
* He goes mad and blows up the swamp.
* A young german man called Haffa comes along and finds a pot of gold in the bottom of the crater where the swamp used to be.

I can get you a DVD if ya want !

[Warrick]

I dont think Rizzo will be in it, Joggy suggested that it might be
the debut of Rowlf with Bill's voice !

I hope so !

See ya

[Beauregard]

How can it have Rawlf in it if Kermit meets him for the first time in The Muppet Movie. I thought that "Kirmie's Swamp Years" was the prequal to it.:confused:

Maybe it will have Pepe in. He dosn't meet him in The Muppet Movie does he?

Also I think it has a pig in it. There is one chasing Kermit, I think down a hill, on the picture I saw of the vidio cover. I wander who that is. Not Miss Piggy obviously. Maybe all pigs think he is atractive!!!

Got to go,
Beauregard

[dwmckim]

Just because Kermit "meets" certain characters in The Muppet Movie doesn't necessairily mean that their paths may not have previously crossed before. How many of us remember every waiter who's taken our order since childhood or the face of every passerby on the street?

[frogboy4]

Where did you see the cover? Wow. A note about a possible Rowlf (R-o-w-l-f) cameo - just because he may be in the movie doesn't mean that he would see or even interact with Kermit. It is possible that he could appear in a scene that Kermit may not appear in or leave right before he gets there. That would be funny. The reason that people predict that it may be Rowlf is because he was Jim Henson's other prominent Muppet. It seems definite that Statler and Waldorf (younger) will make an appearance. There are reports of this. And lets not forget that the Muppet genealogy has never been that stable in the first place - lots of holes in it.

If you have a picture or a link to the video cover, we'd love to see it!

[frogboy4]

I think you're mistaking Swamp Years for the E True Hollywood Story. Hmmm.

[Warrick]

Hey,
There was the Poster for it at MuppetFest, If you go to the MuppetFest pictures section on Muppet Central you will find it in their.

see ya

[frogboy4]

Oh, yeah. That poster. I didn't notice the pig or that it would be the poster in the first place. Eeeek. Kind of cartoony. Nothing against cartoons, of course. Just that the Muppets are not cartoons.

[Warrick]

Yeah it does look a bit cartoony.

But i think the way they've made the Younger Kermit and his friends they actually look a little bit cartoony too.

See ya

[frogboy4]

Well have there been actual pics of the puppets yet (other than Kermit)? Because even Kermit looks cartoony on the poster. I have faith in the Muppet builders.

[Luke]

I have faith in the Muppet builders.

Did you have pledge to that before you took the mod job or are there no legal repurcussions if you say something looks rubbish ? ;-)

Seriously, i think the puppets are about the only thing they have got right in Swamp Years - well at least Kermit looks ok and the screenshots look good.

I honestly am not looking forward to Swamp Years - to put it mildly it looks like a pile of poo - even people who have seen it already think it's awful. It's just (in my opinion) a crappy idea at a time when i guess they were told to do something different. I can't imagine the regular muppet crew coming up with this idea so i guess input has come from somewhere else.

I know there are lots of people who wander around these forums hoping to god that everything is great, especially when things look dodgy. In this case i think we will be doing the JHC peeps a favor by slating this mess so that the suits don't commision any more of the lemons. Lets face it - its not the classic muppets, it's not the kermit we all know and love - at a time when we don;t get enough of the classic muppets why are they wasting their time with this ?

I know as good little muppet fans we should be reserving our judgement till we actually see it but c'mon, unless people are serious hardcore collectors (ie :- would buy Muppet toilet seats) then they would be out of their froggin minds if they bought this video, unless of course they have a 3 year old at home.

If it looks like a Turkey, Smells like a Turkey and acts like a Turkey - then chances are it ain't a chicken !!!!!! ;-)

[frogboy4]

Come on, dude. I think it's unfair to label me a blinded Henson advocate when I have been so vocal about mismanagement of their interactive media, marketing department and recent projects like Jack and Muppets From Space (which I all but completely pan).

Mod or not, I speak my mind. I may hold back sometimes, but you can be assured that I will certainly shoot straight with you. BTW - the mod thing is much more an honorary position as MC pretty much runs itself. I just tend to help people out when they seem to need it and not really much at that.

I also think it is incredibly unfair to critique a film before it comes out. I don't care if it's quacking "Howard the Duck", you have not seen one piece of media on the videopic and it isn't right to dismiss the film prematurely. It is entitled to a chance. I mean, really...

As for me, I am certainly skeptical and the pitch doesn't excite me much, but I'll reserve judgment until I see the whole thing with my own eyes.

[Beauregard]

I think that there are some pictures of the puppets on the pics from Muppet Fest. Yer, they could get Rawlf to be there before Kermit comes into the scene or somthing. I can't wait to see Stadler and Waldorf YOUNGER. Imagine it! With no Pace Makers to make jokes (BAD ONES I'LL ADMIT) about. But they can be in it anyway, he dosen't meet them in Muppet Movie, and he had to have meet them somewhere, before he invited? them to watch the muppet show. Pitty that the Electric Mayhem can't easilly be in it though. Do you think it will have "Why are There so Many Songs About Rainbows"???

Life goes on, Most of the time!
Beauregard

[frogboy4]

The fest pics only cover Kermit and not the other characters, but I'm sure we'll see some soon. There's apparently some commercial floating around.

By the way - I must make spelling corrections when it comes to the Muppets - it's Rowlf (not Rawlf) and Statler (not Stadler). I make many misspellings myself, but I get weird about the Muppets. LOL!

I hope The Rainbow Connection is featured in the film and it would have been cool if they snuck the Electric Mayhem in there somewhere. Muppet Movies have been all about the cameos anyway. Who would guess the cameos would be the Muppets themselves in this one. Weirdness.

[Beauregard]

Sorry about the speling.:( I'm not very good at spelinghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz. Is somthing spelt wrong here??

I hope they get lots of cameos in. It would be good if they could get Sweetums in.

Do you think they will have Bernie? the Aligater (bet I spelt that wrong too) in it from the begining of the Muppet Movie?

Life goes on, Most days,
Bearegard

[frogboy4]

Actually Arnie is the name of the alligator and Bernie is the name of the agent in The Muppet Movie, but many people get that wrong. I only know that because I've seen the film like 200 times in my life. LOL! I think it would be cool if Arnie made an appearance, though!

Don't worry about the spelling - I was just pointing it out because you kept misspelling the same names and I thought you'd like to know. I misspell stuff all the time.

[Luke]

Sorry i wasn't labelling you a blinded Henson advocate - i was talking generally about people who seem to walk around blindly and think everythings great. As for the mod thing - what you said (the faith thing) just sounded like an unintentional 'soundbyte' so i was only joking. I know you certainly do share your true opinions about Henson stuff.

As for critiquing a film before it's released - well unfortunately thats showbiz and it happens all the time. Everyone went to see Phantom Menace knowing that Jar Jar Binks was a Turkey.

There was a puppet guy here who had seen a rough cut of KSY and i also know people who have seen the EPK tape. All have basically implied or i have gotten the impression that it stinks, but then again i guess this is one Muppet video that is REALLY meant for kids, and not the adult/kids mixed audience that TMS had.

I actually think it's incredibly clever of the Henson people to keep it under wraps like this. If they do have a turkey on their hands and it's nothing like you would expect from the Muppets then if they make the whole thing as cloudy as possible they can get sales from Muppet fans buying it up thinking they are going to see something 'Classic Muppety' (like Baby Gonzo, Piggy, Fozzie in it as well).

Anyway thankfully this is a video release and not theater otherwise Henson would likely be getting another slamming in the media. I'm not so sure they could take another MFS panning. I do hope when people have seen it they are truthful about what they thought. We owe it to the Henson folks to give them honest feedback - being a Muppet site people seem to hold back a lot desperately struggling to find the positives when doing reviews and things.

I have much more faith in the new classic muppet projects (TV Movie & Series). They seem to look ok and have a good team behind them - just as long as the networks don't mess too much inserting totally lame guest stars. Seeing as they'll likely have Kermit out doing guest spots on the TV circuit for the KSY release - i hope that the public don't remember too much about it (IF it was a Turkey) when it comes to them doing publicity for the newer projects.

[Warrick]

It was already said that Arnie the Alligator is definetely in Kermits Swamp Years !

See ya

[Beauregard]

Actually I thought it was Algy the Aligator but my sister said it was Bernie. They sound similar I guess.

Beauregard

[frogboy4]

Honestly, who cares if I'm being optimistic? It's much better than predicting its failure without firsthand knowledge and it certainly doesn't make me blind.

I think you are considering too much about this release. It is straight to video in the first place so there is little chance it will be a bomb and will quickly be forgotten even it is.

Here in the US, people have fickle minds and short memories. I doubt that Henson is worried about this film at all. They certainly don't seem concerned about anything else these days. [That was a bit of a slam at them if you didn't pick that up. LOL!]

I too have faith in their new series. Competition with (the actually funny) Greg the Bunny could cause the new show some trouble. The Muppets are something completely different so I hope not. Absolutely love that Tardy the Turtle!!! Reminds me of myself. "Tastes like purple."

[Luke]

I also think that Greg could cause problems for the henson fox show - it's got such a head start against them and is much more suited to Fox. The cult following doesn't help the Muppets either and the show is much more suited to the channel.

Still - the Muppets have more on their side when it comes to international distribution so Fox/Henson should make more money there. I guess we shall see how Greg fares internationally - i doubt so good.

[frogboy4]

I doubt Greg the Bunny's international success, but I didn't expect it would have this much appeal so who knows. It certainly wont' be on par with the Muppets overseas.

I can't help but think of Greg as competition, but maybe it really is just another Fox program. It's not like the Simpsons battle The Family guy or King of the Hill so maybe the public and studio execs will be able to make that distinction.

You know, the only Fox program I know of that didn't receive proper support was Action with Jay Mohr. It was a very funny show (better suited for cable) that just didn't make it no matter how the critics raved. And every other word had to be bleeped out, but that became sort of a style thing.

[Luke]

Yeah Greg Vs Muppets won't be in competition publicly - there'll be in competition internally which is about a million times worse as most TV execs are middle aged boring men who rarely watch their own shows.

I think the problems will come when it comes to putting the Muppets on air and the execs sit in a board room and say we already have a puppet show, and it's got attitude and is popular so why should we give money to Henson. Obviously the answer there is that they are buying into the Henson 'name' and 'brand' which ensures it a good spot and hopefully a chance, but i doubt Fox will stick with the Muppets if it gets to a dodgy start IF they already have a successful cult puppet show on air too.

Publicly i do see the TV critics comparing the Muppets to Greg when it comes to previewing the new show, and also making a big deal that there are both on Fox. Thats not gonna be pretty but not devastatingly bad either.

Greg won't make it internationally - it's not the right type of humor for some foreign countries. It might do well here in the UK but its the type of show that will be stuck on at 1am on one of our network channels here. It's funny and ironic - but it's very American !

[frogboy4]

You are right; Greg is very American (unfortunately) though I do enjoy the show. Tardy the Turtle totally rocks. He's kind of slow, and shrieks like a girl when he's confused just like the frogboy. Only kidding. Kinda.

Anyway, Fox is known for backing their projects so I wouldn't completely agree with you. They have stood behind the critically acclaimed, though poorly rated Family Guy for a while now. Who knows, but it is definitely cause for concern. I just hope they get a Sunday night or Monday-Thursday timeslot. Being on Fox helps insure its success because the network is better known for counter-programming than runaway successes.

[dwmckim]

Fox may be good at counter-programming...but the only catch is...aren't people getting bored with watching programs about counters? (Count Von Count nonwithstanding!)

[Luke]

Yep i forgot that with Family Guy AND Simpsons they had two animation shows on air. I knew they backed projects but didn't think they would go that far when they already had a winning format in the same genre.

I'd think Fox are probably paying a LOT more to use an existing brand like the Muppets, than with a new animation from indie producers like Family Guy - so i wouldn't expect them to stand behind a failing Muppet show to a really massive extent but it's good that they have a good reputation and are prepared to stand up for their shows.

[frogboy4]

Actually Fox has many animated series: The Simpsons, Family Guy, Futurama, King of the Hill...I may be forgetting one. Anyway, They really give most of their shows a fair chance (actually a few chances). Action was cancelled early on, but I think they knew that from the beginning. It was a funny show (about network execs) but it didn't catch on in the few weeks it was given - but that is an extremely rare case that they axe something that quick. They did pass on the Sopranos (which they developed) but everyone is entitled to a goof or two. LOL! I just hope they don’t bring back celebrity boxing.

[Gorgon Heap]

"even people who have seen it already think it's awful"

Who has seen it already that you've gotten word from?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[King Prawn]

When i went to Disney World last September and we first leaned about this info i also posted that the women said a pet store for Rowlf would be made. I don't know if any of you remember this. But she aslo said a classroom would be built for Bunsen & Beaker and that all the Muppets except for Piggy & Fozzie had signed on. So i don't know what to tell you.

Maybe Rowlf is in a cage in the pet store and Kermit helps him escape like he has (in a way) from the Swamp.

[frogboy4]

That sounds closer to what logic would dictate. There would need to be Muppet cameos and I am thinking that even Fozzie and Piggy would pop up somewhere too even if it was in a credit sequence or modernday cutaway. Just an idea. Could be wrong. Cool to see that many Muppets will be in it!

[Luke]

Gordonheap :-

A puppeteer around here said they'd seen a rough cut from the people at Henson and they were saying nothing (as if - if you don't have anything nice to say shut up). A few people to do with my work have also seen the EPK - electronic press kit that is doing the rounds at the moment.

Jamie & All :-

I think it's been widely acknowledged (maybe people got this info from the muppeteers at Muppetfest ?) that there are three classic muppet cameos. Rowlf is a definite, while the other two are either Statler & Waldorf or Bunsen & Beaker. The whole point of the project is obviously to show Kermit before he was part of the Muppets and not do a live action "Muppet Babies" so thats why no Rizzo, Fozzie, Piggy - that and the script was probably written before they had a new person to take on Franks voices and knew there was no chance of getting him for a video release.

[frogboy4]

I certainly didn't mean they's jack the Muppets history by including new members, but I can see opportunities for cutaways, intros etc that the classic Muppets could appear in - away from the heart of the story. If there is no Piggy in this movie - even for a minute - I am sure there will be many upset fans.

[Luke]

Yeah there are lots of opportunities - obviously they have to show the current Kermit doing a flashback to his youth in some way so that the viewer actually 'gets' the fact they are seeing a younger Kermit. I suppose thats where the current muppet cast could come in but i'd have expected someone here to have got a sniff of that happening - certainly if Piggy was involved.

Actually a live auction video of 'Muppet Babies' wouldn't be a bad idea - probably a better one than Swamp Years ! Maybe if they continue with this series that could be next. LOL !

[frogboy4]

A live action Muppet Babies might help seperate the kiddie marked from the classic Muppets, but it could also do the opposite.