Casting for "A Sesame Street Christmas Carol" DVD

[GonzoLeaper]

I don't know if anyone else is thoroughly excited about this- but I'm ecstatic about it and can't wait to see it- okay, yes Sesame Street Old School Volume 1 on DVD- but I was actually talking about "A Sesame Street Christmas Carol" on DVD!!!:)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H6SY8W/ref=pd_rvi_gw_2/102-0793992-9716940?ie=UTF8

It's due to come out on November 14th.!!! I can't wait. I love the Muppets and I really love Christmas- and so it's awesome to see those two combined. As far as I'm concerned, you can never have too many Christmas specials.
We've seen The Muppet Christmas Carol, featuring the characters from The Muppet Show and that was great. So it's about time for Sesame Street to do their own version.
I don't know that any SS Christmas special will ever be as good as "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street"- but hopefully this one will be a bit better than "A Special Sesame Street Christmas" and "Elmo Loves Christmas" (I've seen the latter of those two- and it wasn't terrible, just not my favorite)

Anyway- who do you think should fill the roles of the characters?
(Note- I'm thinking mainly established Muppets here. They can always throw in Anything Muppets- and they could use the human cast too. I'm not sure which way that would go.)

My picks-

Oscar the Grouch as Ebenezer Scrooge (well, that was a natural!):grouchy:

Big Bird as Bob Cratchit (I'd pick Big Bird just because of the relationship he has with Oscar- I could maybe also see Telly as he's put up with some abuse from Oscar before too- but then, so has everyone)

Rosita as Emily Cratchit (It was tough thinking of a good female character for this, but Rosita seemed to go well...though certainly, others could do... maybe even Little Bird!!! (who is a girl, right?)

Cratchit kids-
Elmo as Tiny Tim (judging by the box art, I think this is what they're going with anyway...And Elmo being the youngest does seem to fit the part)

I'm thinking maybe Grover (or Baby Bear or Telly) as the older brother Peter...And for the sisters perhaps Betty Lou and Prairie Dawn (though others could do it, like maybe Zoe and Ruby...)

Cousin Fred and wife- I tend to think of Bob immediately for Fred- but since he has a wife, it'd be easier to use Gordon and Susan or Maria and Luis. Though I'd love to see Bob and Linda paired together again!
From the Muppets- I'd go with maybe Herry and Ruby- they seem to be a good combo)

Bert and Ernie- as Charity fund-raisers? (I'm thinking of them because of the great team of Bunsen and Beaker used in The Muppets Christmas Carol- however, if that model was fully followed- I also think it'd be great to see Ernie and Bert as Charles Dickens and friend- serving as narrators.)

But if we're gonna have a narrator- then I'd ultimately love to see Kermit make a special appearance as narrator- he'd be perfect in his reporter role- and maybe Grover could accompany him and annoy him!:)

And for Joe and the people that raid Scrooge's house in his vision of the future-
Maybe Herry and Ruby if they weren't already used as Cousin Fred and wife...these could always be AMs though I suppose...but it'd be neat to see some more random older characters for these kind of bit roles- like Sherlock Hemlock, Guy Smiley, and maybe even Bruno

Fezziwig- I'm kinda torn here. I guess I'll have to say Cookie Monster, but I kinda want to use him for something else. If not him, then maybe The Count.

Scrooge's lover- I'm basically thinking Grungetta here- though she'd be a lot sweeter than usual!

Ghost of Christmas Past- I'm wanting to say someone like Prairie Dawn if she wasn't already used...or maybe The Count just to make sure he's used somewhere

Ghost of Christmas Present- I really wanted Cookie Monster for this role...though I suppose someone else could do it- The Count maybe... or this may be a stretch but I think Harvey Kneeslapper would be hilarious!

Ghost of Christmas Future- I definitely want to use him somewhere and I think Snuffy would be a great imposing figure to use...though I also think it'd be awesome to see Bruno in this role (just because he's silent already to begin with, generally)

Oh and the kid who buys the turkey for Scrooge- could just be AM- but it'd be nice to see someone like Farley in the role...

And I'd definitely want to have Barkley running around somewhere...and others like Gladys and Biff and Sully and Forgetful Jones having cameos somewhere...


Well- I know some of those are just dreaming... but it'd be cool to see more of the classic characters coming back... Anyway- anyone else want to take a crack?

[GonzoLeaper]

Well, I just found a little more info on this title- looks like the 3 Ghosts of Christmas won't be any established Sesame Street characters...unless of course that robot is Sam the Robot!!! :-)
http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D91527&mscssid=DL2M90D0GXLW9JKAM4N0RNLHNC3ECBW1

But you can still pitch your own cast lists just for fun anyway.

[Big Bird Fan]

I hope they put this on TV. I always like to watch before I buy.

[travellingpat]

Sounds Great!

[D'Snowth]

I for one can't wait for this one, sounds like fun!

[Ilikemuppets]

I want to see this too!

[BEAR]

I don't know that any SS Christmas special will ever be as good as "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street"- but hopefully this one will be a bit better than "A Special Sesame Street Christmas" and "Elmo Loves Christmas" (I've seen the latter of those two- and it wasn't terrible, just not my favorite)




I think you meant "Elmo Saves Christmas," which I loved by the way.

[BEAR]

I'm also looking forward to this! It's a good time to have a new Sesame Street Christmas special.

[Beauregard]

Abby Cadabby for the Ghost of Christmas Past! - Although I suspect she's still too new to have such a large role...

[BEAR]

I think that Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Elmo, et all, will be most likely playing themselves and not characters directly from the story. I don't think it will be the same kind of thing as the Muppet Christmas Carol where Kermit was called Bob Crachet or anything like that. After all, Oscar does not need to be renamed Ebineezer Scrooge. He is already that character. It is a parody of sorts but loose. Just like Elmo Saves Christmas was loosly based on It's a Wonderful Life.

[minor muppetz]

Here is who I would cast:

Big Bird- Bob Cratchet
Elmo- Tiny Tim
Oscar the Grouch- Ebeneezer Scrooge
Telly Monster- Fred
Zoe- Fred's wife
Bruno and the Grouches- The Bookkeepers
Ernie and Bert- Charity Collectors
Professor Hastings- Jacop Marley
Little Bird (or Prairie dawn, or Slimey)- The Ghost of Christmas Past
Mr. Snuffleupagus- The Ghost of Christmas Present
A Honker- The Ghost of Christmas Future
The Count (or The Amazing Mumford)- Feziwig
Grungetta- Belle
Grover- boy who tells Scrooge that today if Christmas Day

Perhaps Cookie Monster could appear as Allistar Cookie and narrarate it.

[BEAR]

Some of your fantasy cast lists look very interesting, but what about the human characters (Bob, Susan, Gordon, Maria, Luis, Gina, Alan, Miles, Gabbi)? Where do they come into play? Also...Professor Hastings? Come on, he hasn't been around for a million years and won't. Bruno, on the other hand, would be awesome to see again. Even if it is in a minor cameo or something. That probably will not happen though.

I think this will be an awesome special whatever happens as it will give Oscar the starring role for once. Sure, he had very prominant roles in Follow That Bird, Elmo in Grouchland and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, but this time he is THE star and focal point. Also a wonderful performance opportunity for Caroll Spinney once again. I am not usually the one to bring this up, but he is getting older and towards the end of his time with Sesame Street. This could be his last big role in a SS special.

[anythingmuppet]

Woah, this is cool! I can't wait to see this new special, hopefully it'll be good :p :grouchy:

[GonzoLeaper]

Well, I'm sure Elmo loves Christmas- yeah, I love Christmas too!
But I did actually mean "Elmo Saves Christmas"!:)

(You wouldn't believe how many times Christmas has been "saved"! I mean, everyone from Elmo to The Flintstones to Inspector Gadget to Felix the Cat to Noddy to the GLO Friends to VeggieTales to Ernest has saved Christmas!!!)
:D

[BEAR]

Also, remember the one movie they used to play on tv every year where the North Pole was threatened and going to be blown up by oil minors (or something)? It had Art Carney as Santa and Paul Williams (Muppet alum) as the head elf. There were a few other famous faces in it too. It was actually a great movie. It was called "The Night They Saved Christmas" (ironically enough)

[minor muppetz]

Also...Professor Hastings? Come on, he hasn't been around for a million years and won't.

Yeah, I was trying to think of a good elderly Muppet to portray Jacop Marley. It wouldn't be possible (and might also be a bit in bad taste) for Mr. Hooper to play the role, unless Sesame Workshop wanted to recast him to play Jacop Marley. Maybe The Count could be Jacop Marley.

[BEAR]

Yeah, I was trying to think of a good elderly Muppet to portray Jacop Marley. It wouldn't be possible (and might also be a bit in bad taste) for Mr. Hooper to play the role, unless Sesame Workshop wanted to recast him to play Jacop Marley. Maybe The Count could be Jacop Marley.

I understand what you're getting at. I also agree that using the character of Mr. Hooper for that would probably not be the best idea.
Could consider using another grouch though. Maybe someone like Osvaldo.

[Drtooth]

Maybe, just maybe we should consider another option.

It may not be a total retelling of the book. It may in fact take place Present Day. Oscar may NOT be Scrooge, but his old self. It would be an impressive spin on the idea.

With that said, am I the only one who thinks the subtext of the book is ruined by constant remakes, sendups, and retellings of the story? I mean, it's not about being a good person at Christmas time... the book was basically written as an editoral about the working conditions of Industrial age England.

[BEAR]

With that said, am I the only one who thinks the subtext of the book is ruined by constant remakes, sendups, and retellings of the story? I mean, it's not about being a good person at Christmas time... the book was basically written as an editoral about the working conditions of Industrial age England.


Why can't it be about both? I mean, the story has been known to be about doing good deeds at Christmas time and showing generosity and warmth toward our fellow men. What's wrong with that? No, I don't think the story has been ruined by constant "remakes" because there haven't been any "remakes". Just different retellings and adaptations of the story. They are all so different so there is no way you can get tired of it. Actually, the Muppet Christmas Carol is the one version that is most acurate to the original book.

[minor muppetz]

Now that I think about it, I think that it might be best not to include a part for Belle. After all, Grouches wouldn't really be too interested in love. A grouchy version of Belle wouldn't care if Scrooge cared more about money than her, and a grouch version of Scrooge would be happy that she left and became unhappy.

Most versions of A Christmas Carol that I've seen have left something out of the adaption (The Muppet Christmas Carol left out the part about Scrooge having a sister who eventually died).

[Drtooth]

Why can't it be about both? I mean, the story has been known to be about doing good deeds at Christmas time and showing generosity and warmth toward our fellow men. What's wrong with that? No, I don't think the story has been ruined by constant "remakes" because there haven't been any "remakes". Just different retellings and adaptations of the story.

I agree and disagree. The book was written about what happened to England in that economy...BUT... it also shows money isn't everything and one should help their fellow man. I just happen to find that funny, since few of these retellings adress it. I like most of them, but some are pointless. Really love the Mr. MaGoo one, tho.

>>Now that I think about it, I think that it might be best not to include a part for Belle. After all, Grouches wouldn't really be too interested in love. A grouchy version of Belle wouldn't care if Scrooge cared more about money than her, and a grouch version of Scrooge would be happy that she left and became unhappy.<<

That always confused me... do grouches fall in love? They have to for the sake of theor species, and all, but HOW do they get together? Do they purposely have bad dates? Do Grouch males purposely forget to call them back?

[Beauregard]

Hey DrTooth...now there is a deep questian that it may be best to leave unanswered...oh my...the possabilities opening before me are ever widening...what does a grouch do to make another grouch unhappy and thus happy...

And as for Marley (and Marley)...I think that The Count would be a mar(ley)volous character to play him *is tempted to say them*

[BEAR]

Hey DrTooth...now there is a deep questian that it may be best to leave unanswered...oh my...the possabilities opening before me are ever widening...what does a grouch do to make another grouch unhappy and thus happy...

And as for Marley (and Marley)...I think that The Count would be a mar(ley)volous character to play him *is tempted to say them*


Count: You vill be wisited by three spirits. One, two, three! Ah ah ah!!

[Beauregard]

Yes! Exactly! *dances up and down in seat* Von, two, tree!

Sorry about that...excuse me for a second...

[BEAR]

Count would be good as a "Marley" type character. I always found Marley to be very wise and the same can certainly be said of The Count Von Count.

[Daffyfan2003]

Some of your fantasy cast lists look very interesting, but what about the human characters (Bob, Susan, Gordon, Maria, Luis, Gina, Alan, Miles, Gabbi)? Where do they come into play?

Yeah. It would be great to see the humans in this one, but that is kind of unlikely. None of the humans appeared in Cinderelmo. They just had celebrities for most of the major roles. (Kathy Najimi, Oliver Platt, etc.) I'm assuming they'll do the same thing here. Though I hope I'm wrong about this.

[GonzoLeaper]

Interesting ideas- I'm liking The Count as Jacob Marley. I could see that well! :)

(Though it might be funny to see one of Oscar's closest associates in the role- like Slimey!!!)

And I would think Grungetta would be the only choice for Belle. I mean, I know Oscar's a Grouch- but he manages to find some room in his heart for some love for Grungetta- so I don't think Grouches are all bad- you've just got to dig to find their soft tender-heartedness!:flirt: :halo:

[BEAR]

Yeah. It would be great to see the humans in this one, but that is kind of unlikely. None of the humans appeared in Cinderelmo. They just had celebrities for most of the major roles. (Kathy Najimi, Oliver Platt, etc.) I'm assuming they'll do the same thing here. Though I hope I'm wrong about this.


Just because the human cast wasn't seen in Cinderelmo doesn't mean they won't be in this one. They were in Elmopalooza and Elmo Saves Christmas and a lot of other specials.

[Drtooth]

I still have a feeling we shouldn't assume this will take place in Dickensian England, but might just be present day. I could be wrong, myself, but I have a feeling we should take all possibilities into consideration.

[BEAR]

My guess is that it will take place on Sesame Street in present day. It will be a retelling or adaptation and based on the Dickens novel but involve the Sesame Street characters and style.

[Drtooth]

Exactly... it seems like the tone of something they would do for a kid's special.

But if I'm wrong... who here hopes it could be a "Monsterpiece theater" and can be hosted by Allistair Cookie?

[BEAR]

There was a little more information put up on Amazon.com regarding the plot of this upcoming Sesame Street Christmas classic:

Product Description
Can a grouch find reason to enjoy the holiday season? It's Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, and Oscar has just received a Ghost-o-Gram. He will be visited by three ghosts tonight: a famous British Grouch, a talking Christmas Tree, and a Robot. They will help Oscar examine Christmases past, present, and future on Sesame Street. Will their adventures be enough to help Oscar put aside his grouchy ways in favor of the holiday spirit? Join Elmo, Big Bird, Bert, Ernie and the rest of the cast of Sesame Street in this heart-warming twist on the classic Charles Dickens tale.
* Features celebrity voices of Tim Curry (Broadway's "Monty Python's Spamalot") & Kristen Chenoweth (Broadway's "Wicked")!

[Ilikemuppets]

Thanks for the imformation Bear!

[Daffyfan2003]

A robot? Maybe they'll bring back Sam. Just a thought.

[Beauregard]

Tim Curry! Oh yey! Tim Curry as a Ghostly Ghostie voice! Oooh, I am pleased to hear that! *bounces with - very un-British - enthusiasm*

[muppet maniac]

I have a feeling this is going to be a very, VERY big mistake...

Why? Because they've ALREADY done something like this in the 70s. And that was "A Special Sesame Street Christmas". Seriously, why can't they come up with a new plot and not go back to something they've already done?

I'd rather see a special that looks at how the characters spend Christmas from different perspectives(like the Simpsons episode that told Bart, Homer and Lisa's day from three different perspectives). I believe it was called "Trilogy of Error".

[Drtooth]

I have a feeling this is going to be a very, VERY big mistake...

Why? Because they've ALREADY done something like this in the 70s. And that was "A Special Sesame Street Christmas". Seriously, why can't they come up with a new plot and not go back to something they've already done?

Other than the fact everyone and their mother has done Christmas Carol by DIckens (as opposed to Kristmas Karol with a K by Edmund Wells).

Tim Curry's involvement in SS is great. I mean, he was great with the Muppets in MTI, and I just love the fact someone who could play a character like Dr. Frankenfurter could be doing a children's program.

BTW, in a DIC animated Carol, Curry Played Scrooge. Interresting.

[Daffyfan2003]

I have a feeling this is going to be a very, VERY big mistake...

Why? Because they've ALREADY done something like this in the 70s. And that was "A Special Sesame Street Christmas". Seriously, why can't they come up with a new plot and not go back to something they've already done?

I'd rather see a special that looks at how the characters spend Christmas from different perspectives(like the Simpsons episode that told Bart, Homer and Lisa's day from three different perspectives). I believe it was called "Trilogy of Error".

Actually, that was sort of already done in "Elmo's World: Happy Holidays." I can't really comment on "A Special Sesame Street Christmas" because I haven't seen that one.

I see what you're saying though, especially considering the Muppets did "A Christmas Carol" a while back.

[BEAR]

Yes, but they've not done the story with a Sesame Street twist and I think it's about time they did. I think it will be brilliant and wonderful to see Oscar in the lead role for this one!

[travellingpat]

Oscar hasnt been in the limelight that much since Elmo in Grouhland or Follow that Bird (and there he wasnt a main character) I think thisll be good and enjoyable!!! I personally cant wait!!!!

[Drtooth]

I'm surprised you didn't notice. Aside from the Trash Gordon segments, there have been numerous new Fisher Price Oscar toys for babies coming out recently. Not to mention, Oscar is on almost EVERY adult sized T-shirt of SS I've seen lately.

[travellingpat]

Was that directed to me? (not trying to be mean i just couldnt tell who you were talking to) :)

[BEAR]

Oscar hasnt been in the limelight that much since Elmo in Grouhland or Follow that Bird (and there he wasnt a main character) I think thisll be good and enjoyable!!! I personally cant wait!!!!


Well, he actually WAS a main character in both of those. He had big roles in them, especially Follow That Bird. He wasn't THE LEAD though, but I'd consider him to be the second lead. Sesame Street Christmas Carol will give him the chance to be the central character though, which he never was before. He simply had supporting roles.

[Kimp the Shrimp]

I'm surprised you didn't notice. Aside from the Trash Gordon segments, there have been numerous new Fisher Price Oscar toys for babies coming out recently. Not to mention, Oscar is on almost EVERY adult sized T-shirt of SS I've seen lately.

he is the sinacal muppet

[Drtooth]

Was that directed to me? (not trying to be mean i just couldnt tell who you were talking to) :)


It was, but not to be mean. I'm just saying you probably have more imoprtant things to do than I do, and not spend so much time walking down target toy aisles. :halo:

Nah... Oscar's still popular. He just hasn't been too much of a main focus at the moment, but that's about it.

[Kimp the Shrimp]

comes out Tues the 14th

[GonzoLeaper]

Eager beavers may want to check their local Wal-Mart. I just got a copy of it last night! :)

[BEAR]

Eager beavers may want to check their local Wal-Mart. I just got a copy of it last night! :)


Really? How bizarre of you to get it 4 days before the official release date in a retail store. At any rate...if you have it, how is it? Would love a review.

[BEAR]

Actually, i just found it at my local Wal-Mart too. Funny it is out before it was supposed to. Well, I am happy to have it and am excited to watch and review. I put this on my Christmas/Birthday list, but I wanted to make sure I had it before Christmas. Plus, it was only $10.

[Kimp the Shrimp]

Walmart is known for setting their own rules

[BEAR]

I bought and watched this DVD yesterday. Check out my review thread.