What will Disney do with Muppet Babies?

[dwayne1115]

This is a question i have been really asking myself for the last few days. What is going to be done with the Muppet Babies? We can kind of see where Sesame Street, the Classic Muppets and even Fragle Rock are going. They have Dvd's and their shows and movies are hitting main stream somewhat again. But what about Muppet Babies? Really what if anything do we really know about what is going to come of them.

[Bean Bunny]

Two words: Playhouse Disney

[maxdrive]

yeah muppet babies could fit on playhouse disney i would also like to see them bakc on saterday monrings as well remeber back int he day where they would show an hour od muppet babys ever saterday

[bobhopesite]

I wonder. Maybe they will put the Complete first season on dvd. I hope.

[Luke]

Henson were developing a new CGI "Muppet Babies" style show. That's not to say it will happen under Disney, but there have been tests for it. The promotional push for Muppet Babies merchandise based on the old cartoon didn't go down all that well last year, the retro market was very crowded already with more popular properties although it may have lost a lot of momentum what with all the Disney sale business going down. I doubt you'll see much based on the "Babies" until they have the Classic Muppets more established first.

[maxdrive]

one reason i think the toys didnt sell as good was because kids would not have known about the series if they had a new series or pushed the old series on dysney before putting out the toy line it would have done better.

[froggiegirl18]

I don't think they will probably put it back on the air. Cartoon Network are already showing baby looney toons which is very similar. It doesn't seem like it would fit nowadays in the line up of Disney. Does anyone know why Bear was switched to nearly 6am in the morning?

[timrikthegorf]

I've seen baby Looney Tunes. It's not like Muppet Babies. I think Muppet Babies would fit during the morning on that Play House disney thing.

[McFraggle]

Two words: Playhouse Disney

This is true. :)

[Tera]

I just don't think MB tests well. It's a bit like Captain Planet - great mesage, good talent, and parents are happy to let their kids watch it...but children just aren't interested. I admit, this is only from experience with about 5 families worth of kids (I have some tapes and loaned them out) but none of the kids liked it. Even those who knew the Muppets well were bored.

That's why I think it's likely to have a small toy line, but not end up on the air much. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but it's my bet.

[dwayne1115]

So who cares if it is for kids or not i still think the shows are funny i really think they got a lot funnyier when Bean and Statlar and Woldorf came on. They where rich new and had some really really funny things. Its kind of funny to me i think Fozzie was more funny as a baby then as a "Classic Muppet".

[McFraggle]

I wouldn't personally compare it to "Captain Planet." "CP" was always preachier than "Muppet Babies," and it suffers because of that.

[DanDanStrawberry]

Two words: Playhouse DisneyThat would be fab!! I'd deffo watch that, especially if it was on near Play With Me Sesame!!

[Kimp the Shrimp]

they have passed disney has sead the have no intrest in cartoons on playhouse disney

[Bean Bunny]

they have passed disney has sead the have no intrest in cartoons on playhouse disney

Umm, What do you called the upcoming Mouse House series, P.B. and J Oyster, Stanley, and Rollie Pollie Ollie? :confused: Disney look at all options for programing on Playhouse Disney. The preschool market is a big demographic to tap and so Disney will use program featuring live-action, puppets, CGI, or traditinal animation to their best beneift.

Right now Disney is trying to rebuild the Muppet brand, so the Muppet Babies may have to wait for a little bit. Henson try to bring the babies back with plushes but they didn't really do that well. It didn't help that their wasn't big marketing push to relaunch the brand. Sure there were commerials on Nick and other networks, but in order to get people interest you need to have a new production or a re-release of the material.

[baby sinclair]

I dont mean to sound rude but i honestly dont want to see muppet babies anytime soon because they helped contribute to the death of classic muppets.I mean with my generation muppets are only seen as a baby show that came on nick jr.And no one ever thinks that muppets were once good family shows that every one could enjoy.I think this disney deal is our best and possibly last chance to have muppets back in every ones lives and if they relaunch muppet babies then we will end up right where we started.And if any one at disney is listening please keep what i said in mind. :crazy:

[unclematt]

I dont mean to sound rude but i honestly dont want to see muppet babies anytime soon because they helped contribute to the death of classic muppets.I mean with my generation muppets are only seen as a baby show that came on nick jr.And no one ever thinks that muppets were once good family shows that every one could enjoy.I think this disney deal is our best and possibly last chance to have muppets back in every ones lives and if they relaunch muppet babies then we will end up right where we started.And if any one at disney is listening please keep what i said in mind. :crazy:

That is a very good point. You need to be able to keep the classic Muppet on a seperate field from the Muppet Babies.

[That Announcer]

To Baby Sinclair, I think you are right on all counts, except one: I think it was not Muppet Babies that killed off the Classic Muppets, but Elmo. It was right when Elmo came along that everyone suddenly began to think "The Muppets are just for kids!" Muppet Babies may have knocked out the Muppets, but Elmo was the stake in the heart.

[bazooka_beak]

Man, I haven't been here in a long time, now Muppet Babies has its own forum! Whoo!

Anyway, if Muppet Babies came out on DVD (and I don't mean those dinky single DVDs with the dolls) I wouldn't know what to do, I'd be so happy. I adore this show. I have a LOT taped from its Nick Jr. days, but tapes can't last forever.

[erniebert1234ss]

seriously, bazookabeak, I would love it too. After Muppets Wiz premieres on Friday, the brand is officially rebuilt. Let's hope all of America watches this!!! It's been hyped so much that I'm really dying to see it!

BJ

[Kimp the Shrimp]

This Friday release is stupid i'd do it on sunday but that is Desprete housewives and grey's antomey but that would of been perfect for them i'll have to see what happens but i don't expect much of a rating win

[SNLIM]

i don't see disney doing anything with the muppet babies, however i don't think it would fair horribly under the right circumstances. i understand the concerns that it contributes to the demise and downplay of the classic muppets, but i'm not sure any muppet shows would fair well in today's primetime line-ups. unless the muppets were reworked in some fashion for today's audiences... i'm a huge fan of all original stuff but the original show just plain wouldn't fly on today's tv schedule. and please, let's stay away from cgi- even though i thought the yoda light-saber fight scene in episode II was cool, all i can think about is that yoda began a puppet and he should remain that way. it was a sad day.

[dwayne1115]

i hate to start a fight but i dissagrre ya really never can tell what they may or may not put out on DVD i mean some of the things they do put on DVD i am kind of suprised.

The argument of well they tryed with the toys in Target and what not. The only way i knew about this was from this site, and im sure im not the only one. I never saw any commercales or anything so really you cant really say that JHC was really pushing MB's becaues i just dont think they could. Also on another side note, I really dont see why Alot of Teens and people in there early 20's havent got into the MB stuff like with the Fragle and muppet stuff at "Hot Topic" stores. They seem like the best clut classic 1980's Tv show for young people. I mean i could just see some girls te- shirt with baby piggy saying somthing like im a prinncess or scooter and sceeter te- shirt saying "look Twins". I know some of you will get that joke but some it will be over your heads. Im telling ya there would be a market for this stuff but i really dont think Disney would go for it, but i could be wrong i mean look at Nightmare before Christmass. :zany:

[Drtooth]

Well... I definately do not blaime MB for the classic Muppets slipping... just how Brian Henson treated the property after his father's death... but I won't go into that.

I could see some sporatic DVD releases... maybe, just maybe... but Considering how they tried to bring them back last year with no success....

>>Henson were developing a new CGI "Muppet Babies" style show. That's not to say it will happen under Disney, but there have been tests for it. The promotional push for Muppet Babies merchandise based on the old cartoon didn't go down all that well last year, the retro market was very crowded already with more popular properties although it may have lost a lot of momentum what with all the Disney sale business going down. <<

I will have to agree with you. A lot of retro things either stuck (like Ninja Turtles) or fell like rocks (like M.U.S.C.L.E.... still really ticked off at that. I'dv'e loved for it to become so popular we saw the 80's Japanese series the toy line was based off released in the US). Sadly, a lot of the ones that stuck were "those (crappy) Characters from Cleveland" properties. I mean, Care bears and Strawberry shortcake, and other cartoons based on greeting card lines were an embarassment to animation. And I can say that, as an animator.

I'd say it's a wait and see type deal. But hey, we weren't even expecting Fraggle Rock on DVD last year let alone box sets.

[Skeeter Cool]

I will certainly be flamed for this but I only care about Muppet Babies plush merchandise. Whoever owns the rights to manufacture please reissue them (primarily in the US).

As far as the original Muppet canon goes “The Great Muppet Caper” was the only thing I found great.

I am an 80s kid (b.1982 November 12) and the animated series “Muppet Babies” is certainly a childhood highlight: entertainment wise when I am reminiscing about Saturday morning programs.

I like Fraggle Rock as well. I even own a "HASBRO" Red Fraggle plush!

[unclematt]

Walgreens was selling a plush line of the Muppet Babies about a year ago. I do no know who produced them though.

[MustangRockstar]

The death of the muppets was not Muppet Babies....I can't stand those comments.

MB was an innovative show that represents some of the finest childrens programming ever made. The impact the show had on children's tv is still being felt.

The death of the muppets came from within. No one did anything with the franchise. Let's be honest MTM was released in 1984 and the Muppets essentially did nothing for 8 years in the movies. That was the first miscalculation.

The second event was Jim's death. Unfortunatly there wasn't a single person involved with the muppets who was on that super creative level Jim was. With all do respect to the muppet performers, they very much dropped the ball after Jim's death.

The problem wasn't kids exposure to the muppet babies it was that it never segwayed into anything when they outgrew it (The nick jr. generation that is). The generation from the 80's had no problems with it. But if you were a child in the early to mid 90's, where exactly did you go after the muppet babies? That's where that problem came from.

The muppets are in the same post-leader phase that Disney was after the passing of Walt. They aren't dead, it isn't time to retire, it's time to rebuild them. Just like the 70's were for Disney, the 90's were for the Muppets. The key to their revival will be creating some magic. That's what's been missing. It's not promotion or anything else, it's making a product that stands the test of time. THAT is completely up to the muppet people and their fans willingness to be less cynical and more supportive. The muppet community as a whole is probably one of the most hit or miss that i've seen, they are either in love with the product or they come off as borderline hating it.

[McFraggle]

The problem wasn't kids exposure to the muppet babies it was that it never segwayed into anything when they outgrew it (The nick jr. generation that is). The generation from the 80's had no problems with it. But if you were a child in the early to mid 90's, where exactly did you go after the muppet babies? That's where that problem came from.

The muppets are in the same post-leader phase that Disney was after the passing of Walt. They aren't dead, it isn't time to retire, it's time to rebuild them. Just like the 70's were for Disney, the 90's were for the Muppets. The key to their revival will be creating some magic. That's what's been missing. It's not promotion or anything else, it's making a product that stands the test of time. THAT is completely up to the muppet people and their fans willingness to be less cynical and more supportive. The muppet community as a whole is probably one of the most hit or miss that i've seen, they are either in love with the product or they come off as borderline hating it.

I agree. :D

[Kimp the Shrimp]

I Think The Muppets Monsters Cartoon would work today

[McFraggle]

I don't know if it would or not. :)

[MustangRockstar]

Well Disney announced today that they are releasing the first volumes of Ducktales and ChipN'Dale Rescue Rangers, so they are FINALLY going into their TV vaults.

Muppet Babies stands a chance yet.

[MrsPepper]

What?? I LOVED both those shows!! I had a book-on-tape of Chip and Dale.

[MustangRockstar]

www.tvshowsondvd.com is awesome for finding out about shows before they come out.

www.toonzone.com is a good site that was actually started for the sole purprose of ducktales and has since expanded.

www.ultimatedisney.com is great for all disney releases.

Yup its all official, November is the date.

I really think Muppet Babies isnt a pipe dreamanymore. The TV show market is huge.

[jamminjake]

I know. I am soooo excited!

[McFraggle]

I'm excited about those release as well. :excited: The only thing about "Muppet Babies" is they would have more rights (clearance) issues than "Ducktales" and "Rescue Rangers." I realize some of it is public domain, but some of it is not.

[MustangRockstar]

if not for that i think it'd already be out.

i think it'll happen eventually but its gonna be interesting to watch and see how it plays out.

[unclematt]

if not for that i think it'd already be out.

i think it'll happen eventually but its gonna be interesting to watch and see how it plays out.
What are you not for?

[MustangRockstar]

Hehe what i meant was i think that if not for the movie clips in the muppet babies, it'd already be out.

I think thats gonna be the hang up.

[unclematt]

Hehe what i meant was i think that if not for the movie clips in the muppet babies, it'd already be out.

I think thats gonna be the hang up.
Thank you for clarifing

[jamminjake]

I wish Disney would release Muppet Babies to DVD! I'll look for a pettition for it or I'll make one.:) That's how Fraggle Rock got released..

[jamminjake]

Here it is:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/muppetbabies
SIGN! lol

[muppetsforever]

how many signatures are we looking to get?

[jamminjake]

A lot! The more the better.:)

[muppetsforever]

well you'll be happy to know i was the first signature on :)

[tinweirdo]

I agree with Bean Bunny, I think they should move Muppet Babies to PLayhouse Disney. What do you think of this, have the puppet muppet babies from the "Muppet take manhatten" introduce the episode or talk to the viewers a little bit. "Goooo BYe Bye!!!" :o

[McFraggle]

I would love to see it again. :)

[minor muppetz]

I will have to agree with you. A lot of retro things either stuck (like Ninja Turtles) or fell like rocks (like M.U.S.C.L.E.... still really ticked off at that. I'dv'e loved for it to become so popular we saw the 80's Japanese series the toy line was based off released in the US). Sadly, a lot of the ones that stuck were "those (crappy) Characters from Cleveland" properties. I mean, Care bears and Strawberry shortcake, and other cartoons based on greeting card lines were an embarassment to animation. And I can say that, as an animator.

Would you mind telling us what you have animated?

Also, what was M.U.S.C.L.E?

[maxdrive]

Muscles was a great 80's toy line it stood for millions of universaly small creatures lurking everywhere. they were small pink little figures that were huge in the 80s they were like tiny intergalatic wrestlers

here is a pic

http://www.newellsystems.com/muscle/collecting/images/fourpack.jpg

arnt they the coolest i wish they would bring them back

[jamminjake]

Maybe for Disney to celebrate 50 years of Green Special they will have a clip of Muppet Babies. My dream would for there to be an advertisement from Muppet Babies volume 1 coming... during a commercial break.

[McFraggle]

I hope they acknowledge it as well. :D

[Drtooth]

Muscles was a great 80's toy line it stood for millions of universaly small creatures lurking everywhere. they were small pink little figures that were huge in the 80s they were like tiny intergalatic wrestlers

here is a pic

http://www.newellsystems.com/muscle/collecting/images/fourpack.jpg

arnt they the coolest i wish they would bring them back

To further expand on the idea.....

MUSCLE was based on Kinnikuman, a japanese manga and cartoon series which was originally a satire on their own "Ultraman" (Much like The Tick and Darkwing Duck being satires of American Superheroes). Down the line, they changed the comic's plot from Kinnikuman being a bad super hero to a wrestler. The cartoon was too violent for America back in the 80's, and was breifly shown in Europe, before a Character who was a Nazi (BTW, the characters were international stereotypes) caused so much controversy it was cancelled.

The idea was brought back in 1997, when the original creators decided to make a sequal of the series, Focusing on Kinnikuman's son, Kid Muscle (this is going to sound a bit familiar to some people). It was made into a cartoon in 2001, but flopped (the animation company moved alot around, and made everything a bit more juvenile) in Japan. It was brought over here in 2002, and called "Ultimate Muscle" which was a pretty good show... I liked it. They also, maxdrive, brought a toy line over here
Back in 2002 (http://kinnikuman.com/akia/g2toysusa_pvc1to4.htm) These didn't do too well, and although 12 sets were produced, only 4 were sold nationally in America.

For more info, check out www.kinnikuman.com

[Kimp the Shrimp]

i have a box of like 100 some muscle characters at home

[muppetsforlife]

I only have very vague memories of them M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. I had forgotten all about them. Now that takes me back a bit.

[Kimp the Shrimp]

they were pink you bought 5 or so in a foil pack or 25 cents in a gumball machine

yep i loved them

[McFraggle]

I remember when they used to put them in "Nestle's Quik."

[unclematt]

I dont remember the Nestle's Quik thing.

[maxdrive]

yeah they had soem that were exclusive to quik even had a spceal school deal where they gave out tubes of them to chidren at schools

[unclematt]

Wow you have a great memory

[McFraggle]

I think I might vaguely remember the school thing. :)

[unclematt]

God I feel like a loser

[maxdrive]

not so mcuha great memory but more reasearching skills i found that out from diffrent web sites about them. but thanks for the compliment ;)

[unclematt]

you should have just taken credit for the memory

[maxdrive]

oh and i do i do have a great memory that was jsut one thign i didnt know untill i saw the website so i stillt ake full credit for haveing a great memory because i do. shameless (self promotion about my great memory :D )

[unclematt]

oh and i do i do have a great memory that was jsut one thign i didnt know untill i saw the website so i stillt ake full credit for haveing a great memory because i do. shameless (self promotion about my great memory :D )
Max How come I do not see you on here more often?