C'est Les Muppets Showue!

[Fozzie Bear]

I made up the last word, but:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117950189?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2565

[OverUnderAround]

None of the french puppeteers are Muppeteers, there for (in my opinion) this is not now or ever will be a Muppet show.

Perhaps I can throw escargot at Disney and MHC in protest for continuing to hurt the Muppets.

[Ilikemuppets]

Sounds cool!

[MuppetMarc]

What ticks me off is Disney is just doing this to get a European market! Remember EuroDisnyland?

[muppetperson]

Mmmm, Muppets on a French roll!!! Will they serve Mayonnaise on that too??
Oh la la. Well at least it will create Muppet awareness, so even though it is using foreign puppeteers, I beleive it will create jobs for the American puppeteers in the long run, so I think it is a positive thing.Thanks for the link, Fozzie.

[beaker]

So pretty much, Disney is letting them use Muppet puppet replicas and make their own little show. How cute.

Too bad no serious Muppet fan would consider this canon or even the real Muppets or a real Muppet production.

They should create new original puppets, period.

Sadly, Disney has relegated the "muppets" as nothing more than empty puppets to be handed out to whomever(cruiselines and this france show are just the beginning) the point where we wont even know when something is a REAL Muppet production, since it'll be so cheapened and watered down...meanwhile there seems to be ZERO real Muppet productions in the works.

Anyways, just seems strange they are going to all this work for the small niche France audience, but not make this universal...the MAGIC of the Muppets appeals on a universal level.

[MWoO]

Well, I don't think there is any muppet canon. I mean, it's not like you can make a realistic timeline out of any of the productions.

This is another sign that the muppets are being used the same as cartoon charatcers. It's not the same. You can't just hand puppets over to a bunch of people and have a muppet show. That's not how it works. The characters are more than the puppets.

[beaker]

Well, I don't think there is any muppet canon. I mean, it's not like you can make a realistic timeline out of any of the productions.

This is another sign that the muppets are being used the same as cartoon charatcers. It's not the same. You can't just hand puppets over to a bunch of people and have a muppet show. That's not how it works. The characters are more than the puppets.

I concur. Thats why they should have just made original muppets for this venture. France, like Germany just HAS to dub everything which is lame.

Btw, has there ever been a Muppet fan from France on here? Just curious.
They were the first to get the Fraggle dvds, again...dubbed in French.

I myself love hearing the original language of which say, a Sesame show originates. Theres a powerful new documentary on world sesame street coming to dvd soon.

[Frogster]

I guess the Muppets aren't much, anymore... that's sad, but we still have the past to enjoy.

(100 left!)

[MrsPepper]

What the sad part is, is that it's all business. Where's the art?

[Drtooth]

None of the french puppeteers are Muppeteers, there for (in my opinion) this is not now or ever will be a Muppet show.

I would agree, but I don't see how that's too much different from them making different co-productions of Sesame Street. Besides, if they're trianed Puppeteers, they could theoretically be good. It's just that... well... it would be great to make them use the original Muppeteers trying to speak parrot French, like (as I've said before) Monty Python's unsellable 1970 German Language episode.

>>Sadly, Disney has relegated the "muppets" as nothing more than empty puppets to be handed out to whomever(cruiselines and this france show are just the beginning) the point where we wont even know when something is a REAL Muppet production, since it'll be so cheapened and watered down...meanwhile there seems to be ZERO real Muppet productions in the works.

Anyways, just seems strange they are going to all this work for the small niche France audience, but not make this universal...the MAGIC of the Muppets appeals on a universal level.<<

I'm more upset that this is a French TV thing. Basically the only thing we can look forward to are probable DVD releases of old stuff and crap like stage shows an not aired on American TV crap like that. It's still not as bad as the McDonalds ad in which Kermit was made out of a hollowed out doll. Remember how they had to do that because they weren;t going to send the puppet over to amatures, but they couldn't fly Steve out too?
(BTW, if anyone has that ad and the UK ad with Steve as the REAL Kermit, please put it on Youtube)

[Fozzie Bear]

I wish Diz/MHC would let me play with their Muppets, too!! I mean, so we could get somethign going here in the States!

WE need a new show.

[Ilikemuppets]

You said it Fozzie!

[Cherrymoon]

I am not sure how bad this might be. It might be quite good. The french don't make that bad shows. There just so french. The problem is one does not know how they translated the original series. Jokes don't always translate so you have to change them to fit the culture. The basis I read seem to be the right idea.

[Blinky_Fish]

It kinda makes sense... French... Frogs... Kermit is a frog - No communication issues at all! although Kemie really is Cajun-esque being from Mississsipi - like speaking the Queens English as opposed to Brooklyn English... Might do well. Maybe it will keep those Frogs out of World politics if they have real entertainment. ;)


What are the odds it will translate to us?

Anyone know how the Muppeteers feel about other hands on they're character's?

[heralde]

I don't mind the idea too much. I mean, we tend to get everything in the U.S., it's a bit unbalanced. If they want to try it in France, that's fine. We'll see how it goes.

"We've tried to modernize the show," says Cauet. "But you have to be careful because you are playing with people's memories."

Amen! Someone realizes that!

[Vic Romano]

Whether it will be good or bad is still up in the air, that's not my issue here, I have several:
1. Why the **** does France get a brand new original show? beaker made a good point about not ever remembering seeing any French members here on the boards. I'm willing to admit that the Muppets seem to be notably more popular in the UK then here in the States, but if we're talking original characters here, well; these aren't one time movie stars like Mike & Sully from "Monsters Inc." who can appear randomly in Japanese car commercials or stuff like that. Let's be reasonable here.

2. Assuming this is a good idea, for the longest time I was a defender of Disney stating that if the Muppets weren't like they used to be, then that's the Muppets problem, not Disneys. However, after reading this article, Disney's presence around the set comes off more like the mafia then protectors of cherished characters. Understanding they don't want a shoddy product like the rest of us, this director makes Disney sound possesive with dollar signs flashing in their eyes.

3. Knowing the American/French relationship (especially as of late) isn't a stellar one, I feel a little uneasy that clearly American characters will be used to make fun of American culture. That just feels like turning our own children against us. Just my opinion. :attitude:

[Drtooth]

Knowing the American/French relationship (especially as of late) isn't a stellar one, I feel a little uneasy that clearly American characters will be used to make fun of American culture. That just feels like turning our own children against us. Just my opinion. :attitude:

Oddly, since Sam was created as a send up of overly patriotic censorship worshippers.

I still hate the fact we weren't considered first... or even second after the UK.

[MWoO]

It was asked what the difference between this and the different sesame productions is. Well the difference is that the seame productions for the most part use original characters and dub over other bits. I think Elmo isu sed in a few different shows and I believe China or Japan has their own Big Bird, but other than that they are mostly new productions. This is different. From the sound of it they are just using all the muppet show characters to make new shows, which is not the same as having a French version of the muppets show with it's own characters and maybe one or two carry overs. Not to mention most of us here won't be able to see the show, and even if we do most won't understand it. And that isj ust wrong.

The muppets are diffrerent than puppets. They have had consistant performers for a long time. When Gonzo was on UK tv they didn't just send the puppet over. They sent Gonzo. Dave is Gonzo, until he decides to hand the hcaracter over to someone else. There was no handing over with this. Disney decided to hand over the characters for them.

Frankl;y i don't see why the show oculdn't be done for the UK audience and then dubbed for the french. You'll get a lot more of an audience with an English show you can syndicate than a french show that has to be dubbed. There are just more English speaking countries.

[Marky]

Whether it will be good or bad is still up in the air, that's not my issue here, I have several:
1. Why the **** does France get a brand new original show? beaker made a good point about not ever remembering seeing any French members here on the boards. I'm willing to admit that the Muppets seem to be notably more popular in the UK then here in the States, but if we're talking original characters here, well; these aren't one time movie stars like Mike & Sully from "Monsters Inc." who can appear randomly in Japanese car commercials or stuff like that. Let's be reasonable here.

2. Assuming this is a good idea, for the longest time I was a defender of Disney stating that if the Muppets weren't like they used to be, then that's the Muppets problem, not Disneys. However, after reading this article, Disney's presence around the set comes off more like the mafia then protectors of cherished characters. Understanding they don't want a shoddy product like the rest of us, this director makes Disney sound possesive with dollar signs flashing in their eyes.

3. Knowing the American/French relationship (especially as of late) isn't a stellar one, I feel a little uneasy that clearly American characters will be used to make fun of American culture. That just feels like turning our own children against us. Just my opinion. :attitude:

Perhaps you should look into the roots of the Muppet humor (particularily its strong British ones).

The existence of Sam the Eagle says it all. It had spent years lampooning American culture while celebrating British culture. Henson saw himself not as much as an American citizen than a citizen of Planet Earth. This obviously allowed more open mind and a more intelligent, universal imagination which the rest of the world appreciates.

[beaker]

The muppets are diffrerent than puppets. They have had consistant performers for a long time. When Gonzo was on UK tv they didn't just send the puppet over. They sent Gonzo. Dave is Gonzo, until he decides to hand the hcaracter over to someone else. There was no handing over with this. Disney decided to hand over the characters for them.

Frankl;y i don't see why the show oculdn't be done for the UK audience and then dubbed for the french. You'll get a lot more of an audience with an English show you can syndicate than a french show that has to be dubbed. There are just more English speaking countries.

HERE HERE! By all means create a UK Muppet show using the original characters...IF they are to be performed by their principle Muppeteer. OTHERWISE they need to create new characters.

Whats so difficult about coming up with a whole new cast...sure they can use penguins or obscure background characters here and there, but this SHOULD be newly made original puppets. I'd be FULLY supportive of that. The core Muppets are not some cartoon characters that can be randomly used in whatever.

And why France? Didnt the youth of that country recently burn down and riot major portions of the country? The Muppets are known as unifiers of deep cultural divide(like the joint Kuwaiti, Egyptian, Israeli Palestinian, Jordanian, Bosnian productions) but Disney cant even keep the core Muppets together.
With Disney's total control, I can just imagine the monstrosity of this endeavor.


2. Assuming this is a good idea, for the longest time I was a defender of Disney stating that if the Muppets weren't like they used to be, then that's the Muppets problem, not Disneys. However, after reading this article, Disney's presence around the set comes off more like the mafia then protectors of cherished characters. Understanding they don't want a shoddy product like the rest of us, this director makes Disney sound possesive with dollar signs flashing in their eyes.

Look how Disney handled the "Path To 9/11" fiasco...of course they are totally controlled by the bottom line, and are great controllers.

I don't mind the idea too much. I mean, we tend to get everything in the U.S., it's a bit unbalanced. If they want to try it in France, that's fine. We'll see how it goes.


Because without the principle Muppeteers its not the muppets. Thats why I consider international Sesame Muppet canon, since they are using originally created puppets.


Anyone know how the Muppeteers feel about other hands on they're character's?

good question...how do they feel that their characters have pretty much been killed off by the mouse?

I guess the Muppets aren't much, anymore... that's sad, but we still have the past to enjoy.

(100 left!)

Yes, lets just give up and be happy with the past:rolleyes:

I would agree, but I don't see how that's too much different from them making different co-productions of Sesame Street. Besides, if they're trianed Puppeteers, they could theoretically be good. It's just that... well... it would be great to make them use the original Muppeteers trying to speak parrot French, like (as I've said before) Monty Python's unsellable 1970 German Language episode.


The difference is they created ORIGINAL Muppets for International Sesame Street. I refuse to acknowlege this as Muppet canon...its pretty much like if I broke into their wherehouse, and my friends and I made short films of the real puppets. Yeah, ok...technically they are the actual puppets, but its all hollow.

[beaker]

The existence of Sam the Eagle says it all. It had spent years lampooning American culture while celebrating British culture. Henson saw himself not as much as an American citizen than a citizen of Planet Earth. This obviously allowed more open mind and a more intelligent, universal imagination which the rest of the world appreciates.

Oh I agree... the Muppets are ALL about bridging cultural divide, promoting peace, tolerence, laughter, love and friendship in this crazy world. they are also about parody...and I don't mean to be ethnocentric.

But come on, ever since the Henson family pretty much eythenized and aborted the Muppets to Disney, Disney has done NOTHING with them...and then this, THIS is the new Muppet show weve waited eons for? And its going to be made for a small niche audience...THAT is not what the Muppets were about. They were about universal appeal.

[Punch'n'Judy]

Steve Whitmire said he (and others) was "with us guys" in support of the One Muppet One Voice type campaign.

[Marky]

Oh I agree... the Muppets are ALL about bridging cultural divide, promoting peace, tolerence, laughter, love and friendship in this crazy world. they are also about parody...and I don't mean to be ethnocentric.

But come on, ever since the Henson family pretty much eythenized and aborted the Muppets to Disney, Disney has done NOTHING with them...and then this, THIS is the new Muppet show weve waited eons for? And its going to be made for a small niche audience...THAT is not what the Muppets were about. They were about universal appeal.

I see your point, and for that I agree. Fortunately I can understand French fairly well (being Canadian). But I do agree with everything you've typed there!

[TheJimHensonHour]

Cauet has made a few changes to the original format. The Gallic show's action has shifted from the original's old- fashioned theater setting to a modern TV studio. There will be fewer singing and dancing numbers and more parodies of French and American TV.

"We've tried to modernize the show," says Cauet. "But you have to be careful because you are playing with people's memories. We hope the new show will appeal to fans of the original, and that a new generation will also want to get to know the Muppets."

ok 2 things...this could either turn out to be realy great like the jim henson hour or like utter bull dung like muppets tonight...depends on the writter though in my opinion.
and thing 2 why does this guy care so much if old fans like it or not I have a fealing allot of people are worrying over nothing and perhaps just perhaps this show could be done in english also i mean the major part of the muppet fandom speaks nothing but english it being an english/american show.
I don't see why it wouldnt ever come out that way in some shape or form.
I say more power to them for doing something interesting and new and I am sending allot of positive energy their way and I hope the show goes well!
I know I'll be looking forward to it!:D

[Marky]

ok 2 things...this could either turn out to be realy great like the jim henson hour or like utter bull dung like muppets tonight...depends on the writter though in my opinion.
and thing 2 why does this guy care so much if old fans like it or not I have a fealing allot of people are worrying over nothing and perhaps just perhaps this show could be done in english also i mean the major part of the muppet fandom speaks nothing but english it being an english/american show.
I don't see why it wouldnt ever come out that way in some shape or form.
I say more power to them for doing something interesting and new and I am sending allot of positive energy their way and I hope the show goes well!
I know I'll be looking forward to it!:D

Moi, aussi, bien sur!

[TheJimHensonHour]

Moi, aussi, bien sur!
des mercis de haha je suis heureux des environ garde la foi sans compter que me. Je souhait immobile qu'ils feraient une nouvelle fonte entière bien que des thats quel henson de jim aurait fait. :D :zany:

[Marky]

des mercis de haha je suis heureux des environ garde la foi sans compter que me. Je souhait immobile qu'ils feraient une nouvelle fonte entière bien que des thats quel henson de jim aurait fait. :D :zany:

Je pense qu'il aurait ri des mauvaises traductions des plaisanteries!

:crazy:

[KermieBaby47]

Ou Alta Vista est une plaisanterie, ou vous des types n'avez aucune idée de ce que vous parlez! LOL!

[TheJimHensonHour]

Je pense qu'il aurait ri des mauvaises traductions des plaisanteries!
:crazy:
hahah if it's half as bad as my translation then it would have me crying and my sides hurting hahahahah
Ou Alta Vista est une plaisanterie, ou vous des types n'avez aucune idée de ce que vous parlez! LOL!
it very well could be!

[Fozzie Bear]

I'm actually a fan of Muppets Tonight! I wish they'd have had more Kermit, Fozzie, and Piggy, though.

[TheJimHensonHour]

I'm actually a fan of Muppets Tonight! I wish they'd have had more Kermit, Fozzie, and Piggy, though.
ah to each there own I always say! but I liked jim henson hours muppet tv better it was just like the muppet show with a modern twist that i loved oh so much shame it was cut short by his death..
I must admit though the second season of muppets tonight was great I just think clifford was a bas choice for a host...floyd or some one else who had been in the room would have been great. Nothing against Kevin Clash as a person but his characters kind of Erk me besides Leon he's awsome.

[Marky]

ah to each there own I always say! but I liked jim henson hours muppet tv better it was just like the muppet show with a modern twist that i loved oh so much shame it was cut short by his death..
I must admit though the second season of muppets tonight was great I just think clifford was a bas choice for a host...floyd or some one else who had been in the room would have been great. Nothing against Kevin Clash as a person but his characters kind of Erk me besides Leon he's awsome.


Yeah, like I've said before...

"I'm your homey made of foamy!"... (shudder shudder)

[beaker]

ah to each there own I always say! but I liked jim henson hours muppet tv better it was just like the muppet show with a modern twist that i loved oh so much shame it was cut short by his death..
I must admit though the second season of muppets tonight was great I just think clifford was a bas choice for a host...floyd or some one else who had been in the room would have been great. Nothing against Kevin Clash as a person but his characters kind of Erk me besides Leon he's awsome.

I agree. The first half hour portion of The Jim Henson Hour IS my fave muppet show ever, and was so very edgy. I have the 13 episodes on vhs and still consider my favorite. IT's all about Digit!

[TheJimHensonHour]

I agree. The first half hour portion of The Jim Henson Hour IS my fave muppet show ever, and was so very edgy. I have the 13 episodes on vhs and still consider my favorite. IT's all about Digit!
same here :) and Digit is my hero! heh

[beaker]

same here :) and Digit is my hero! heh

Gosh, when was that...April or May of 1989? I forget, but I remember being 11 years old. I had been obsessed with anything Muppet related since before I can remember. I had grown up on Sesame, TMS, Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies, the movies, the specials...but for some reason Jim Henson Hour blew me away. I even have the lunchbox! Too bad they only made 13 episodes, but if you look back on the episodes, ya can see how it was even edgier and ahead of its time than Muppets Tonight which came 7 years later.
I still really dig Digit, Leon, Linburgh, Zondra, Chip, and the other guys.
It was also this odd time where they were experimenting with amixture of the old Muppet look and the more organic Creature Shop look.

In the 1987 Inner Tube pilot two years prior, they pretty much use the same full bodied humanoid look that they are using with TBS' Late Night Buffet coming next year. I think the last Jim Henson Hour thing was the january 1990 episode of the Cosby Show where Clifford eats something bad and ends up surrounded by the Jim Henson Hour era Muppets.

On a side note, last time I believe we saw any of the JHH era characters was either Muppets In Space or AVMMCM. PErsonally, I'm hoping by some miracle Disney releases Muppets@WDW which is one of my top 3 Muppet productions ever.

[TheJimHensonHour]

Gosh, when was that...April or May of 1989? I forget, but I remember being 11 years old. I had been obsessed with anything Muppet related since before I can remember. I had grown up on Sesame, TMS, Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies, the movies, the specials...but for some reason Jim Henson Hour blew me away. I even have the lunchbox! Too bad they only made 13 episodes, but if you look back on the episodes, ya can see how it was even edgier and ahead of its time than Muppets Tonight which came 7 years later.
I still really dig Digit, Leon, Linburgh, Zondra, Chip, and the other guys.
It was also this odd time where they were experimenting with amixture of the old Muppet look and the more organic Creature Shop look.

In the 1987 Inner Tube pilot two years prior, they pretty much use the same full bodied humanoid look that they are using with TBS' Late Night Buffet coming next year. I think the last Jim Henson Hour thing was the january 1990 episode of the Cosby Show where Clifford eats something bad and ends up surrounded by the Jim Henson Hour era Muppets.

On a side note, last time I believe we saw any of the JHH era characters was either Muppets In Space or AVMMCM. PErsonally, I'm hoping by some miracle Disney releases Muppets@WDW which is one of my top 3 Muppet productions ever.
you know it's very funny me to and the jim henson hour (obviously look a tmy name) had such a huge impact on me! :)
One thing Disney could do to win me over for sure would be to bring the Jim Henson Hour Characters back I really miss digit, Leon, heck I even miss bean bunny!

[Fozzie Bear]

It's funny how things work out. I wonder if choices for Jim Henson Hour or Muppets Tonight might be forged by the generation by which people watched TV at the time?

Example, I can remember during the Muppet Babies series when my little cousin finally saw The Muppet Show and asked me, "Why'd they grow them up?" Then I had to explain.

I was raised on Muppets. Obviously, I can remember watching The Muppet Show as a kid, but through time I don't think I really enjoyed the later shows as much as The Muppet Show. I enjoyed them each as much as the other by their seperate series.

I do not think I will like the French version of The Muppet Show. It isn't fair to me, for some reason. Bah!

I want to see DVD sets of The Jim Henson Hour and Muppets Tonight released.

[Vic Romano]

Yeah, JHH definitely, and with some decent behind the scenes stuff and interviews too!

[Marky]

Yeah, JHH definitely, and with some decent behind the scenes stuff and interviews too!

I never saw the Jim Henson Hour. Was it better than Muppets Tonight? I thought MT was okay - not as bad as people say. Half of the episodes were unavailable in Canada.

:cry:

[heralde]

I personally thought the Jim Henson Hour was good. A little unfocused like everyone says, but not enough to warrant being cancelled, in my opinion. The thing was, it was perfect for hard-core Muppet fans but probably didn't reach a big enough overall audience. Plus, I think the TV people took it for granted The Muppets would be around forever!

And yes, in my opinion, better than Muppets Tonight. That was the first Muppet thing I was shocked to realize I couldn't sit through. Just trying too hard to be 'modern'.

If the French show proves to be good, then I don't mind its existence. A lot of the recent "American" stuff just hasn't been the Muppets.

[Vic Romano]

IMO, The Jim Henson Hour was so out there and creative, that a lot of people didn't really get it. It simply refused to be categorized and be like everything else. It clearly marched to the beat of it's own drum and was just way ahead of it's time.

I haven't watched every episode of MT, nothing personal, I just haven't gotten around to it, but what I have seen was entertaining. Maybe I'll watch 'em over the weekend and finally see what it's like.

[Marky]

Well, French humor is sooooo different from English humor. Or American humor for that matter. Or Canadian (which is basically English with American accents themed often and heavily to poke jibes at the entire U.S. culture).

Hoo-boy.

[heralde]

That's true, the French like Jerry Lewis right? Or is that a myth? (Nothing against Lewis).

[Marky]

That's true, the French like Jerry Lewis right? Or is that a myth? (Nothing against Lewis).

Well, that's a running gag found all over American pop culture. A cliche started likely by a popular sub-culture. But with every cliche, there's a grain of truth buried there.

French humor is very exagerated and visual. Absent from irony, mimes, clowns, pratfalls, etc. are very prominent, as is crude humor. Hence Jerry Lewis' and Jim Carey's popularity there, and their blank faces drawn from verbal witicisms.

For comic actors in Ottawa (right across the bridge from Quebec), this fact is very well known - being aware of the audience is important, and the difference is very distinct.

[Drtooth]

The difference is they created ORIGINAL Muppets for International Sesame Street. I refuse to acknowlege this as Muppet canon...its pretty much like if I broke into their wherehouse, and my friends and I made short films of the real puppets. Yeah, ok...technically they are the actual puppets, but its all hollow.

I've changed my position on this recently. I agree with you now. Unless the puppeteers are at least trained- like international versions of Bozo the Clown- to act like the characters and take on their personalities... and of course, puppeteer well, this really could be a fiasco. Even if they do the best they can, it won't be too enjoyable.

I'd love to see clips of this on Youtube to at least look at the quality of it, but they're going to protect their ownership of the Muppets fiercely from showing free clips, and yet... not offer anything as an alternative. Y'know... like most companies.

[Stulz]

Although I love the characters and spirit the French production is going for, my deep down feeling about this that it's such a short sighted concept.

I would rather have them make they show in english using the real Muppet perfomers, then dub it into Frech. That way if it caught on Disney could air it anywhere and release it on DVD or any other format here in the states as well.

If Disney thinks the market for Muppet projects here in the states is low, just think of the market for subtitles or re-dubbed BACK into English Muppet projects! Yeah .. those would just fly off the shelves!

Whereas if they did it in english it could be at leat be released in England as well, where even though I don't live, the muppet market is much larger then the french market and if we bought region free DVD players we could actually see and UNDERSTAND the show!

To summerize my take on the Muppets TV - Great concept. Great Characters. Great look puppets ('cept for maybe Gonzo and Staler). Wrong Performers. Wrong Language. Sort Sighted.

I hope it does well, but the sad truth is most of us will never see it, and if we do will we need a translator to enjoy it?

[Fozzie Bear]

Closed-captioning subtitles for those of us who don't know French.

I know FrenGlish, but that doesn't count! Unless I'm talking to Inspector Clouseau or Pepe Le Pew.

[Luke]

Actually i don't get this, because as people have said, they could have made so much more out of this by making an English version and then selling it overseas. Wierd! Only thing i think can be said here is that right now, Disney must have absolutely no intentions whatsoever of reviving the Muppet Show in the UK/USA otherwise they would have taken the other option. Unless for some wierd reason they've decided to make versions of the show for each different country but that would just be stupid.

It's good to see they are emphasizing how closely Disney are involved with the look and script, and i would expect Henson have been involved in advising on the puppeteering and stuff.

So there are pictures of these puppets?

[Fozzie Bear]

I would imagine they would be using the same looking puppets of The Muppets. Probably some new background characters for those versions, mais non?

Mayonnaise?

[KermieBaby47]

So there are pictures of these puppets?
Yup, check out the gallery on this page (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Muppets_TV_%28France%29) of Muppet Wiki.

It's really cool that they took pictures of the actual puppets, and not posers.

[Fozzie Bear]

WHAT?! THEY GET SCOOTER AND ROWLF AND THE EM BAND?!

I'm officially jealous and disappointed.

[Vic Romano]

Okay that sucks, I am so ****** off, what the ****!?!?! I got no problem if France gets their own show, but share the wealth, man! Who thought this lame *** retarded deal was a good idea!? :grouchy: :boo: :mad:

[Fozzie Bear]

I was thinking...maybe this was their way of testing waters? See, if it's successful there then MAYBE...

[muppetperson]

Well, I see now why we didnt have the reality show-Americas's Next Muppet.The French have already created the next Muppet-Denise!!!

[TheJimHensonHour]

wow I don't care if it's in french or not some one needs to find this stuff sub title it and put it up on youtube.com !!!!:D :crazy: :excited:

[Marky]

Chances are great that this'll be on the French channels here in Canada.

[Luke]

The puppets look cool and the show looks cool. Lets hope they are testing the waters, but testing the waters in France is probably not the right market to be testing em in .. but hey, least they dipped their toes!!! lol

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

cool... but WHY does the Chef have gloves on?

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Image:TF1-MuppetsTV-PhotoGallery-32-SwedishChef.jpg

[MrsPepper]

Chances are great that this'll be on the French channels here in Canada.
Oh man, I do hope so.

[King Prawn]

I can not believe this, I am both happy yet jealous and a bit angered at the same time. I'm glad the French get a new Muppet tv show (after all it has been French people doing all the work to get this show running) but had it been coming out in English we would have all been so excited the past couple of months and from what i'm reading and the picture on the Muppet Wiki it does look like a good show.

Disney are dumb, yes Disney are dumb whoever thinks otherwise then so be it but in my opinion Disney have no idea what there doing with the Muppets. I've been waiting patiently, hoping that they'll prove me wrong and hopefully one day they will but i've had enough of waiting. :mad:

Sorry about this little outburst, this is all coming from me being really jealous that there's finally something new and cool being done with the Muppets and even if I get to see it, I wont even understand it.

What a dissapointment:(

Though I can't say I would have rather them have not done it at all than doing it in French, so I am happy at least something has been done with them

[Marky]

Bien, comme je dis, l'Amérique est le dernier pays unilingue du monde.
:p

[Smiles]

This pretty much blows my mind.

A Muppet Show in FRANCE?!?!?! What? But Why???

I can't even comprehend.......

I wish I was French. Or rather, I wish muppets weren't.

[muppetperson]

Swedish Chef is probably wearing gloves because the French must have ugly hands!!! But they could of gone for skin toned puppet gloves.It wouldnt of looked so conspicious, like the Chef is doing a medical procedure!!!

[MWoO]

Why doesi t have to be france! Judging from those pics the show looksl ike itm ight actually be good!

[King Prawn]

It does indeed

this picture really has a Muppety feel to it seeing those two dressed the same, kind of makes me think Gonzo's suckered poor Fozzie into doing one of his stupid dangerous yet entertaining stunts with him.

They've actually added a new female Muppet and has Animal had so much hair under his chin recently, if not they've even gone that step further and brought him back to the Muppet Show Animal which was more hairy.

Does anyone know if Pepe is in this show, I'm not one who hates Pepe, Johnny Fiama, Sal and the more newer characters but I wonder if they are in this or not?

I might actually have to learn French one day, though you know your a true Muppet fan when you're willing to sit down for 30 minutes straight and watch something you wouldn't even understand just because it had the Muppets.

BTW is it me or does Piggy look really ugly, I think its the shape of her head, mainly her chin that looks diffrent but she looks bloated. Looks like the French havn't gone for the glamorous Miss Piggy look or maybe it's just those two pictures because she doesn't look that bad on the first two on the main page

[Vic Romano]

Judging from those pics the show looksl ike itm ight actually be good!
That's why I'm so jealous and upset! :crazy:

[MrsPepper]

Bien, comme je dis, l'Amérique est le dernier pays unilingue du monde.
:p
C'est vrai. I mean, even our anthem is in two languages.

[Punch'n'Judy]

Nigel Plaskitt has been running workshops with the new French cast. Although not always succesfully, there has been numerous problems with puppets not turning up etc etc. He also performed Kermit in a pilot made to help get the show off the ground, presumably with a dubbed voice.

Apparently the general consensus of those involved in the production is that at least the characters are alive again, and they haven't been boxed away and forgotten.

[pepestarr]

I'm also jealous that this isn't being shown anywhere else apart from France and agree with many of you!

King Prawn, I don't think the newer characters will be in it because they weren't in the original muppet shows. But it would be good if they were.

I hope it will prove a success and Disney think about pulling it back to a National level.

[Marky]

I'm also jealous that this isn't being shown anywhere else apart from France and agree with many of you!

King Prawn, I don't think the newer characters will be in it because they weren't in the original muppet shows. But it would be good if they were.

I hope it will prove a success and Disney think about pulling it back to a National level.

A National level?

(shakes head)

Funny, I thought France was a nation. Then again, I've been told by Americans that Canada's not a country either.

C'est la vie.

[Fozzie Bear]

Then again, I've been told by Americans that Canada's not a country either.

Canada IS a country?!?! The things they can do with technology these days!!
:confused: :eek:


(Just kidding, of course! Apologies to my friends and neighbors to the north.)

[Marky]

Canada IS a country?!?! The things they can do with technology these days!!
:confused: :eek:


(Just kidding, of course! Apologies to my friends and neighbors to the north.)

Apology accepted, Captain Needa.
(insert Vader breathing)

[MrsPepper]

Canada IS a country?!?! The things they can do with technology these days!!
:confused: :eek:


(Just kidding, of course! Apologies to my friends and neighbors to the north.)
No apologies necessary. ;)

[Vic Romano]

I'd like to quote Homer Simpson here, and lovingly call it "America Jr."

[pepestarr]

A National level?

(shakes head)


Sorry got mixed up. I meant international :)

[Marky]

Sorry got mixed up. I meant international :)

(trumpet/plungerhead wah noise)

wah
wah
wah
waaaaaaaahhhhhh

[unclematt]

To be honest with everyone I dont ever want to see this show. It gets me so frustrated that Disney would do this. I was a big Disney supporter in the beginning but they really havent given us much.

At this point our only hope lies in the Fraggle Rock movie being a hit. If it is a hit maybe Disney will see that and realize that they need to do something with Kermit and the gang

[MWoO]

Except if Disney goes by the Fraggle Rock movie, we could end up with a muppet movie for children. And getting a g rating these days is no the same as it was in the 70's.

[beaker]

To be honest with everyone I dont ever want to see this show. It gets me so frustrated that Disney would do this. I was a big Disney supporter in the beginning but they really havent given us much.

At this point our only hope lies in the Fraggle Rock movie being a hit. If it is a hit maybe Disney will see that and realize that they need to do something with Kermit and the gang

Yeah funny how whats left of the Jim Henson company is the only ones making Muppet related productions.

Why cant Muppet fans have the zeal of Firefly/Wheadon and Farscape affacianados? Tell Disney WE DEMAND you not simply sheleve the Muppets.

Disney needs to sell the Muppets to a much better suiter, or Jim Henson Company should try and get them back.

[Fozzie Bear]

I think you can forget the idea that Disney will part with The Muppets at all.

Isn't the Diz still in a state of flux with people changing positions in different areas? The sad thing is that in the meantime those who are listed to take care of The Muppets have no idea what to do with them. Honestly, JHC was having problems figuring out what to do with them.

I don't think the 'fix' will be in fans writing to Disney demanding that we see the Muppets. I think the 'fix' is going to happen when we fans begin to support what Diz does with The Muppets--even if it's just retro merchandising--and when they see the interest peaked they'll do something new.

The other thing that would help The Mouse House do good by our beloved Muppets is if they began to LISTEN to what the fans want!! If they could do that then they would realize that what we want is what we'll buy, whether merchandising, TV/movies, CD's, etc.

I never have understood the "Hollywood mentality," where companies try to guess what we'll buy--especially with the internet and fan message boards! If they would just check out what we're writing they'd realize what we want, cut back on their guess work, and we'd be happy!!

[Marky]

I can understand how this new show upsets Americans - or at least makes them a little jealous - for now. But hey - at least they're not sitting in a mothballed closet, so to speak.

I hope Disney gets organized, lets the dust settle, and then starts to make some creative and productive decisions on where to take the franchise. I'm not going to rag on them anymore, all that does it make me look disgruntled to people in a muppet forum who don't know me from Adam. It accomplishes nothing.

There's another thread around here about writing to Disney - that's not a bad idea. If they can't or don't read this forum (which we can never tell when or what threads, etc), writing them would be a logical action to take; keeping it simple, with a similar theme.

Dear Disney,

Would you please look into creating something new for us Muppet fans?

Thanks, we look forward to the magic that awaits!

Sincerely,

The Muppet Fans of the World.

[muppetperson]

So, Phillip, are you able to tell us yet what is happening in the Muppets department yet?Or when do you think you can announce it?

[Vector]

I'm not really sure that I can post this here. If it isn't allowed please delete the message.

I'm a french viewer and I hope you'll enjoy the show as much as me.

dailymotion.com/nours59/video/xkq71_muppets-tv-01-obispo-karembeu

[Marky]

I'm not really sure that I can post this here. If it isn't allowed please delete the message.

I'm a french viewer and I hope you'll enjoy the show as much as me.

dailymotion.com/nours59/video/xkq71_muppets-tv-01-obispo-karembeu

Merci tres bien, Vector! It looks filmed, not video-taped. Cool!

LOL! I like it!

For you non-French speakers, it's easy & simple like season one of the first show. As a puppeteer, I'd say that I've no complaints with the movements. It's as if they just all started speaking French!!

[Vector]

You're welcome! :)

If you want to keep this video: javimoya.com/blog/youtube_en.php

[King Prawn]

Oh My God! :) ;) :)

I'm watching it as it d/l with no sound at the moment (not that it's going to make a diffrence) but i've just seen Kermit & Scooter and wow talk about feeling like these were the Muppets, I don't know why but I loved how Kermit & Scooter looked together. I'm off now to actually watch the whole thing. I'm very excited though I keep forgetting i'm not going to understand a word of it.

Thanks for the link Vector

[Punch'n'Judy]

Thanks. My French isn't what it used to be but some of it is quite funny. Not overly impressed with Clifford...but hey...what's new?!

[Vic Romano]

I'm not really sure that I can post this here. If it isn't allowed please delete the message.

I'm a french viewer and I hope you'll enjoy the show as much as me.

dailymotion.com/nours59/video/xkq71_muppets-tv-01-obispo-karembeu
Thanks for the link and welcome, vector.

Not sure how I feel about this yet... gotta' think about it. :smirk:

EDIT: Don't like it, something feels very wrong about seeing the Muppets used just for France and not for the rest of the world, especially because other performers are using them. It may be funny, it may be Muppety, but I don't know if that makes it right. My 2 cents.

[Punch'n'Judy]

Oh the irony...there's an advert for the Series 1 DVD set during the ad break. Someone has a sense of humour over there.

On a more positive note...Nice to see long time British Hensons associate Janet Knechtel is credited as a rigger.

[Luke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3UXCF44JhA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=lafleurdunord59

I think it looks good, maybe a bit too simple (like all the Muppets dancing in the background) and cheesy but overall, very good. The puppets are being used very well, and the sets nice.

[King Prawn]

I just finished watching the whole thing and even though I didn't understand it I did enjoy it, finally something new being done with the Muppets. Now I did enjoy it but truthfuly the format they always use is getting old, I don't know if it was the fact that I didn't understand it and just wanted to see diffrent scenes but when they were singing I was always waiting for them to just finish and move on to the next thing. The Muppets should have a go at a sitcom type show, maybe of what happens after the finish working on the show.

I liked the Puppets, though I hope they bring in more characters in future episodes but the backstage sets in my opinion were ugly. I did not like them at all besides that it did look like an okay show, I think I'd have liked it more than Muppet Tonight had it been in English. I liked seeing Kermit, Piggy & Fozzie interacting with each other, especially in the space skit and I also like the ammount of screen time Scooter had.

;)

[Barry Lee]

My aunt is a French teacher, so I will try to get this translated ASAP. But anyways, this is rather interesting, great to see Scooter getting ample amounts of time. But the set? Very weird, its looks like a talk show more than a variety type show. They could do better in my opinion. But the character choices are wonderful and they look WONDERFUL!

Now all I need to see is a future episode with the Electric Mayhem and I will be a happy little boy. :sing:

[Luke]

I think in some places the cameramen really needed to shoot the puppets higher, but its early days yet. I did feel some of the talk segments and the music segments went on way too long - thats one thing Muppets Tonight got right, the segments were fairly short and snappy.

Interesting to see Clifford, but none of the other new guys. I guess Pepe, Johnny and Sal wouldn't really make sense in French though would they?

[King Prawn]

I think in some places the cameramen really needed to shoot the puppets higher, but its early days yet. I did feel some of the talk segments and the music segments went on way too long - thats one thing Muppets Tonight got right, the segments were fairly short and snappy.

Yes Luke, I had noticed that but forgot to mention it in my post. Maybe they should start building the Puppets a little bigger, Kermit looked so small in some scenes, especially the backstage scenes with the guest star, you'd think he was the logo for the channel at some points.

[heralde]

Hmm, well I studied French, but it was way too fast for me! It looked good though, nice that The Muppets get this opportunity! And yay for Scooter screen time!

And it's cool that they included Clifford when they didn't have to. (Personally, I never liked Johnny and Sal, but that's just me.)

Having seen it, I really wish it could be in the U.S. as well.

[theprawncracker]

THIS IS AWESOME!! I have NO idea why a show like this wouldn't work here in the states! It's so upbeat! And so exciting and fast! It would do great I think!! And it's so great to see Scooter and Clifford! And Animal looks great! Piggy looks kinda strange...But Gonzo, Fozzie and the others look grrrreat!! I really hope that Diz gets their ideas straight and brings us English speaking folks something like this, and soon.

[unclematt]

Guys, I didnt like it. It did feel Muppety but it didnt feel right. I am with Vic on this one.

[muppetperson]

Kermit sounds more like he is performed by Frank Oz!!!

[Luke]

Yes Luke, I had noticed that but forgot to mention it in my post. Maybe they should start building the Puppets a little bigger, Kermit looked so small in some scenes, especially the backstage scenes with the guest star, you'd think he was the logo for the channel at some points.

I do agree that some Muppets (even USA ones) could do with being a little bigger, but really it's just cameramen with no experience of shooting puppets are always shooting them too wide or too low - like they're no different to humans. Kermit should have been shot higher and closer up in some places - if it was a true Henson production with Henson experienced people they would make sure of all that. It commonly happens with the Muppets when they do guest appearances and stuff - it's no biggie but it does take a little away from the whole "illusion" and make it look less polished. Also why don't puppeteers use clear plastic armrods? I've never got that one, i'm sure theres plenty here who could explain it.

[Fozzie Bear]

I don't care what language the show is in, "YMCA" is always funny for a joke! I suppose that Animal swallowed a radio? That as a running gag is funny.

The voices are not very good, and Piggy was painful; the puppetry was STIFF, and I saw the bottom parts of the puppets that we're not supposed to see in too many occasions. The puppet for Zoot seemed to be really stiff, or maybe it was the puppeteer's fault, but when he's using his sax his face folds in half! What's up with that?

I did like the song that the guest star sang and wouldn't mind having a CD.

[goshposh]

who did made the puppets for the show? they dont look like they were made by henson. did they send back up puppets over there?

[Beauregard]

I have to confess that I actually like this. I don't get a word, not a word, and the guuest star cracks up too much but I love the modern feel of the sets and the bright lighting, also Piggy's crazy shouting.

I am only halfway through but so far it's looking good.

Ok, now we get to Muppet's Anatomy and Clifford's guy cannot puppet at all, but Fozzie's looking good.

Ok, back to the talk-set, which reminds me of season-one of the Muppet show but modern. Oh, and now the guest star is singing, rather well, with a nice piano and close shots which remind me of the filming style of Elton John when he was on the Muppet Show. - Ok, he stopped singing well, but it's still hilarious.

Oh...Piggy is painfull in this scene. But from the way she is moving, she has a lot of energy and a big old Piggy nature to her. The flirting may be a little OTT, but her clothing is loverly. And as the song ends there is some feeling between Piggy and the guest star but Piggy keeps stareing into the distence.

(Side note: Kodous to anyone who decides to write a fan-fic about the Muppet learning French for this thing...)

Ooh, Scooter! Ooh, Animal. He seems a little caffinated here, but, heck, he is in a different country spreaking a different language so...understandable.

Another side note, I am glad that they called it Muppet's TV not Muppet Show, so it is different, not trying to recreate the same.

Oh! Gonzo is great in this basket-ball scene.

Back to the Talk-Set, which I am growing to love, believe it or not.

Animal seems a bit strangely made...and has he swallowed a CD player?

Kermit's overacting now but..*shrug*

Piggy again! her hair needs serious shampooing.

Gonzo, Scooter, Fozzie...Hmm, Fozzie is looking great and excited.

HEY! Zoot is here! That was unexpected.

Sidenote: Kermie is looking a bit skinny...perhaps to prevent anyone eating him?

Nice set for the final number! Piggy looks good. Zoot is a little sad, but without Dave performing him, what can we expect? Dave does him best of the best. Fozzie seems a bit stiff in the final. Piggy's bouncing along to the beat nicely though.

Like everyone else here, not sure why they can't do something like this for the UK and American, its not high budget, and with good writing it sounds be good, who knows.

[muppetperson]

I'm not really sure that I can post this here. If it isn't allowed please delete the message.

I'm a french viewer and I hope you'll enjoy the show as much as me.

dailymotion.com/nours59/video/xkq71_muppets-tv-01-obispo-karembeu
Hi Vector,
Have they started making Muppet TV merchandise yet?
I would love to import a Kermit the Frog doll that talks in french.It would make a great collectable!!!

[Vector]

I'll look for merchandise for Christmas, so stay tuned. :)

[Beauregard]

cool... but WHY does the Chef have gloves on?

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Image:TF1-MuppetsTV-PhotoGallery-32-SwedishChef.jpg

Yes, why? That is so wrong...

Bea:zany:{And my post is short, yet sweet}regard

[Barry Lee]

Yes, why? That is so wrong...

Bea:zany:{And my post is short, yet sweet}regard

Maybe the French think Swedens are dirty? So he has gloves on to no spread germs...? (ok really stupid joke)

[King Prawn]

I've been reading all the posts in this thread and I can't stop laughing. I watched the episode last night and didn't understand a word of it, I watched the whole thing and half way through my Dad comes in and says "what's this, why are you watching it in French?" and I said to him "Because at the moment it's the only new thing I can watch". He laughed and said "don't you think you might be taking it a little to far?" (refering to my obsession with the Muppets). Anyway my Dad left and I carried on watching the show but now I was questioning the fact if it was normal that I was watching something I didn't understand at all just for the sake of seeing the Muppets.

And by the looks of it, I'm not the only one, so that does make me feel better but everytime I think about Muppet fans all over the world (well not France) watching this on their computers for 40 minutes not understanding a word that's being said just because it's the Muppets makes me laugh. If people didn't think we were weird enough imagine when we all start buying Muppet TV Season 1 on DVD even though we wont understand a word of it.

Something I also found funny was that Animal swallowing the radio was one of the few if not the only gag I actually understood and could follow and by the looks of it it's also happened with many of you. Maybe some of us could start getting together to watch the show (like fans of other shows do). We could each have an English/Franch dictionary with us and maybe between all of us we can actually understand what it is we're watching.

:) :rolleyes: :o

[unclematt]

I've been reading all the posts in this thread and I can't stop laughing. I watched the episode last night and didn't understand a word of it, I watched the whole thing and half way through my Dad comes in and says "what's this, why are you watching it in French?" and I said to him "Because at the moment it's the only new thing I can watch". He laughed and said "don't you think you might be taking it a little to far?" (refering to my obsession with the Muppets). Anyway my Dad left and I carried on watching the show but now I was questioning the fact if it was normal that I was watching something I didn't understand at all just for the sake of seeing the Muppets.

And by the looks of it, I'm not the only one, so that does make me feel better but everytime I think about Muppet fans all over the world (well not France) watching this on their computers for 40 minutes not understanding a word that's being said just because it's the Muppets makes me laugh. If people didn't think we were weird enough imagine when we all start buying Muppet TV Season 1 on DVD even though we wont understand a word of it.

Something I also found funny was that Animal swallowing the radio was one of the few if not the only gag I actually understood and could follow and by the looks of it it's also happened with many of you. Maybe some of us could start getting together to watch the show (like fans of other shows do). We could each have an English/Franch dictionary with us and maybe between all of us we can actually understand what it is we're watching.

:) :rolleyes: :o
I found myself wondering the same thing as I watched it at work. But I came to the conclusion that I was unhappy with it.

[Fozzie Bear]

... my Dad comes in and says "what's this, why are you watching it in French?" and I said to him "Because at the moment it's the only new thing I can watch". He laughed and said "don't you think you might be taking it a little to far?" (refering to my obsession with the Muppets). Anyway my Dad left and I carried on watching the show but now I was questioning the fact if it was normal that I was watching something I didn't understand at all just for the sake of seeing the Muppets.

One of the things I've taken note of and one or two other people have pointed out that with some of the negativity that appears on the website (flame wars, etc.) is because we don't have anything NEW to discuss.

NOW, we do--but, none of us can discuss it very far because we don't know anything it says. Well, I can speak a few words of French, but wouldn't you know that the words I could speak aren't to be found on that episode??

We definitely are starving for something new from the Muppets in the form of a TV show or Movie. I mean, we get excited when they make special appearances on other shows, radio commercials, even billboards.

I'm whiney, i know, but I'm very jealous of their new show in France, PLUS they get all classic characters!!

King Prawn, I agree with you one hundred percent, and you aren't the only one--I've watched it all twice now just to get something new from teh Muppets.

it's just not fair.

[Beauregard]

Hey *refers to my post a little way back* I did a reveiw on what I thought was the show, but that's was only about 20 minutes long? Where can I find the 40 minute long version? The one I saw was on YouTube - following Luke's links.

And I think it is amazing that we are all sitting here watching the Muppet's speak in French with strange, strange voices and rather off characterisation, and loving it.

[muppetperson]

I'll look for merchandise for Christmas, so stay tuned. :)
Thanks.:)

[Vector]

Here it is a translation of the Animal & Piggy part at 34mn00. Please note that all muppets are swearing in the french version. It's totally usual in France, even in kid shows:

Piggy: You're coming at the right moment, Animal! What do you think of me to play in the musical?

Animal(singing): "Nothing to loose, nothing to take care, nothing to f-ucking take care, nothing to footle around, nothing to f-ucking take care!"

Piggy: Sorry? Is there a problem?!

Animal(singing): "I'm fed up of this chick! Fed up of this chick!"

Piggy: Listen to me carefully, you big pile of hair! You stop it right now!!

Animal(singing): "Shift out the way! Shift out the way!"

Piggy: Are you f-ucking messing with me? You know WHO I am?

Animal(singing): "The pretty Sausage! The pretty Sausage!"


Sausage in french means an ugly woman. :)

[Beauregard]

Well that was...surprising. Thank you so much for translating even a little of the show for us. It is surprising though. But, hey, different cultures have different levels of swearing.

Even MTI had to be adjusted for the UK.

[Punch'n'Judy]

Even MTI had to be adjusted for the UK.

Didn't know that (or heard but just forgot!). Can you elaborate when you've got a minute.

Cheers
J

[Beauregard]

Sure, in America Billy Bones says, "How does she bloody do that?" whereas in England he says, "How does she blooming do that?" Also, later, Silver asks Piggy, "Where's the bloody treasure?" while in the UK he says, "Where's the blasted treasure?"

[Luke]

I wonder if the Muppet Holding Company and Disney are aware the Classic Muppets are swearing. I know the scripts had to be reviewed but have a feeling they don't, lol.

[Luke]

Where can I find the 40 minute long version?


www.dailymotion.com/nours59/video/xkq71_muppets-tv-01-obispo-karembeu

[unclematt]

Now I really dont like it with the swearing thing. These just arent our muppets.

[Vector]

They're not swearing all the time. But when they do it, it's always funny for any french viewer. We're used to. :)

[Marky]

They're not swearing all the time. But when they do it, it's always funny for any french viewer. We're used to. :)

French swearing is not the same as English. What they consider really bad is not the same. ie, words against the church are far more troubling for them than simple crudeness.

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

Here it is a translation of the Animal & Piggy part at 34mn00. Please note that all muppets are swearing in the french version. It's totally usual in France, even in kid shows:

Piggy: You're coming at the right moment, Animal! What do you think of me to play in the musical?

Animal(singing): "Nothing to loose, nothing to take care, nothing to ******* take care, nothing to footle around, nothing to ******* take care!"

Piggy: Sorry? Is there a problem?!

Animal(singing): "I'm fed up of this chick! Fed up of this chick!"

Piggy: Listen to me carefully, you big pile of hair! You stop it right now!!

Animal(singing): "Shift out the way! Shift out the way!"

Piggy: Are you ******* messing with me? You know WHO I am?

Animal(singing): "The pretty Sausage! The pretty Sausage!"


Sausage in french means an ugly woman. :)




WOW! lol

[MuppetMarc]

Uuuuh maybe you should edit that a little better:p

[Meepsterboy]

*twitches*
Muppets... cursing.... Jim's probably rolling over in his grave right now...:sympathy: :attitude:
*dies*

[TheJimHensonHour]

*twitches*
Muppets... cursing.... Jim's probably rolling over in his grave right now...:sympathy: :attitude:
*dies*
why would he they had swearing parts in the muppet show..muppets movies..as well as tv spots way at the very start of the muppets.
But I will admit if they said the F word here people would really get bent out of shape over thats for sure:flirt:
But ok I've watched these clips so far don't understand a single word...stupid noah!(well if you believe in that lol).
I enjoy the puppets I think fozzie and animal are the best of the bunch though and I enjoyed the animal radio gag. I also enjoyed what I believe to be them making fun of the swedish chef.
I enjoyed seeing scooter even if his voice annoyed me.
Kermit was ok I dont even understand him but he's much better than steve witmire.
The sets are ok they're very 90's like and I love the logo everything sort of reminds me of everything the muppets have done all rolled into one..I really think people would have enjoyed leon and digit and lindberg on this show though I guess they are never coming back. Even if this show does have a slight jim henson hour feel to me.
Did anyone else notice during the bands song they got a close up of piggys chest I was shocked lol.
I also enjoyed the guests song and liked fozzie in the rubix cube outfit lol.
And it was very classic muppets that Animal messed up the guests song!!!
I also enjoyed the cell phone moment with piggy screaming...sorta oddly enough reminded me of mahna mahna lol. it's also very classic.
Wow Cliffords person is baaaaaaad..I may not like any of his characters besides leon but it just goes to show you what an amazing puppatier Kevin Clash is.
And what is this during muppets anatomy is that an x-ray of Palisades Animal toy? man thats great!
One thing I'm really noticing thats bad is the lack of good sets...but thats missing all over the place today...people just dont have any **** imagination today..it's really sad.
enjoyed the gonzo basketball bit also.
ok the first part was annoying and way to long as is this piggy part...could be only because i dont understand it all though.
And guys no one should be feeling bad we all want something new this bad I'm sure all of us have watched it. I may be sad but it's true.
Over all I'd say not bad at all for something I don't understand but whats lacking that no one not even the hensons seem to understand is that we want to see other characters besides the regular people.
The stage acts with other odd muppets is always what made the shows for me...I don't know about you guys but thats whats been lacking for me.

[Marky]

The the way swear in French is not the same.
(Piggy's name is Peggy. LOL!)

[TheJimHensonHour]

The the way swear in French is not the same.
(Piggy's name is Peggy. LOL!)
haha she looks like a peggy haha:mad:

[Vector]

One of the voice actor in Muppets TV:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynXd5-dNiec

[Fozzie Bear]

Hey, Vector--we have to maintain a cultural understanding of "family friendly" for USA and a few other countries. We can't say 'dirty words' on the forum. Now, if you get me in traffic it's a totally different story! :) Thanks for posting the links!

Wow, he's a busy man. I'm jealous you have a new show in France and we don't.

Maybe the jealousy of folks on this side of the pond will get Diz's attention and they'll give us a new show, too?

[Beauregard]

*watches the interveiw thing* *doesn't get a word* *watches it again*

Am I a fan, or what? :p

[MrsPepper]

Okay, I speak french. But I speak weird, quebecoise, franglais-type french. So naturally I didn't understand a word. :/ I'll half to watch it again!! The accent is so different.

(Franglais is a word I use to describe the way I speak french. Anglais is the french word for english, so it technically means Frenglish. Half french, half english. :o )

[Marky]

If I had the time, equipment and know-how, I'd save them and make a fan-edit by re-dubbing all the voices in English and posting them on a secret site for only us to view for free.

[Beauregard]

Gah! That is a fabulous idea! I wonder if there's anyone on here who could do that...

[Fozzie Bear]

I like that idea!

[unclematt]

I would love to see it dubbed over.

[King Prawn]

That's actually not a bad idea. I think if Disney or Henson found out fans were dubbing Muppet TV into English, maybe then they'd realise just how much The Muppets mean to us, well the Hensons most likley, I bet Disney would laugh at us:D I mean it's something very tricky to do and I'd be willing to help out as much as I could though I'd have no idea how to go about it. Maybe if we manage to translate it we could have diffrent members of MC voice a character in English, we could try and get the person who sounds most accurate to the actual Muppet and there weren't those many Muppets on it anyway (What were there like 9?) Not to mention that those good at voicing a particular Muppet would get to shine and show off what they could do (I'm not very good at this either, though I can do Swedish Chef but I bet most people can too)

So if we get an english translation of what they say and then have a few members of MC voice act it out whilst watching the show at the same time maybe then we could add our recording along with the Muppet TV episode and pretend as much as we can that we're watching a new english Muppet Show.

I don't know much about these things and wouldn't know how to go about it by myself but It could be done somehow I imagine. Maybe we could do this after all?

:cool:

[Beauregard]

The only person I know with the know-how to rip this thing off the internet doesn't come to MC anymore...but I could possibly catch him by e-mail. I've also dragged a friend in who I am close to convinceing to translate it...though she's afraid her translation will be rough compaired to the actually frenchies here at MC.

[Fozzie Bear]

Speaking of translation (and here's my Muffin for 2006): If you can speak FLUENT Spanish or French (or anything other than English) please PM me. I'll need a translator for Muley's Comix and Stories sometime in 2007.

I look forward to seeing how this Muppets TV translation project works out! HA HA!!

[Beauregard]

Another random thought of mine...when is the next episode to be aired?

[Mistersuperstar]

I didn't realise that Muppet TV was even being aired yet! lol. I've just watched the first episode and the lip syncing is awful. I guess the people in France are used to it tho considering everything else has to be dubbed for them.

[unclematt]

The only person I know with the know-how to rip this thing off the internet doesn't come to MC anymore...but I could possibly catch him by e-mail. I've also dragged a friend in who I am close to convinceing to translate it...though she's afraid her translation will be rough compaired to the actually frenchies here at MC.
Beau, I would much rather have a rough translation than no translation at all.

[Marky]

Beau, I would much rather have a rough translation than no translation at all.

I'll tell you one thing: french humor doesn't use wordplay much, so translating from french to english isn't too bad. Going the otherway though, so much of the humor is either lost in translation or simply unfunny to the French.

... This project may require a complete re-write. Would anyone really object? I mean, does anyone really care what the Fruppets are saying?

FRUPPETS!

I made a word!
I made a word!

You guys, I am going to refer to them as Fruppets from now on.

[Mistersuperstar]

C'est Les Fruppet Show! Yaaaayyyy!

[unclematt]

I'll tell you one thing: french humor doesn't use wordplay much, so translating from french to english isn't too bad. Going the otherway though, so much of the humor is either lost in translation or simply unfunny to the French.

... This project may require a complete re-write. Would anyone really object? I mean, does anyone really care what the Fruppets are saying?

FRUPPETS!

I made a word!
I made a word!

You guys, I am going to refer to them as Fruppets from now on.
I do care what the "Fruppets" are saying

[Mistersuperstar]

Were the scripts written completey independantly to anything that the Disney Muppets have been involved in?

[unclematt]

I believe they were

[Mistersuperstar]

Why has France and no other country been granted the use of the original Muppet characters for there own show? Surely the Muppets have been as popular in the rest of Europe as they have in France over the years?

[Marky]

Why has France and no other country been granted the use of the original Muppet characters for there own show? Surely the Muppets have been as popular in the rest of Europe as they have in France over the years?

The French traded a caseload of wine and some berets pour le service de Les Fruppets!

[Mistersuperstar]

The French traded a caseload of wine and some berets pour le service de Les Fruppets!

Sounds like a fair swap if the new Muppet movies are anything to go by. :p

[Marky]

Sounds like a fair swap if the new Muppet movies are anything to go by. :p

You mean Oz and IAVMMCM? Well, I'll take those over nothing anyday.

And someday I must use my Frank Oz voice skills to translate some of the Fruppets! (evil organ music) I need a Henson voice person though, for my Kermit is not where-it's-at, baby...

[Mistersuperstar]

You mean Oz and IAVMMCM? Well, I'll take those over nothing anyday.

And someday I must use my Frank Oz voice skills to translate some of the Fruppets! (evil organ music) I need a Henson voice person though, for my Kermit is not where-it's-at, baby...

I can do a pretty convincing Kermit. I wish I could find a "Rainbow Connection" backing track somewhere. :smirk:

[unclematt]

I can do a pretty convincing Kermit. I wish I could find a "Rainbow Connection" backing track somewhere. :smirk:
If you ever do I would love to hear it.

[Aleal]

I don't post here often, but international Muppet stuff fascinates me, and through careful accretion of details and rough Babelfish translation as well as some rudimentary phrases, and English articles on the development, I've been piecing together the history of this fascinating and admittedly bizarre chapter in history.

So, why does France get it and no other country in Europe? First, the Muppets are popular in other countries, but France, from what I've been able to tell, has a rather unique take on it. The whole project isn't that different from the way Disney characters have been renamed and in different European countries taken on new life, with original stories produced in those countries (and until recent decades, many of the odder items were seldom if ever translated into English). And the best example of France's Muppet obsession and the odd form it can take is in the weird, long-running series "The Bebete Show," perhaps best described as "The Muppet Show" meets "Spitting Image." Literally. The faces and aspects of French politicians were combined with Muppet Show characters, as well as some generic animal puppet types; thus, Francois Mitterand, the President of France, became "Kermitterand," complete with green body and the Kermit collar but a human face. The results are truly bizarre and a bit unnerving, yet the whole idea is fascinating. two French politicians were paired as Statler and Waldorf take-offs (and recent French political blogging had also involved Muppet characters replacing politicos). Here's an image of what they came up with: http://www.reglesetjeux.com/page/jeu%20bebete%20show%20boite.jpg

Anyway, the "Muppets TV" project started in France because of one Philippe Laco, president of Disney France. Laco seems to have taken an interest and was aware that Disney how owned the Muppets and could use them in new projects, and since nothing was going on stateside, took the initiative. Sebastien Cauet, who seems to be a slightly bawdy radio and TV producer, was brought in on the creative end. Disney, or Disney France anyway, did vet the shows, it seems, and veteran British Muppet performer Nigel Plaskitt was sent as consultant. While the voices are provided seperately (apparently in post, I'm trying to figure out the specifics). The actual puppeteers are a definite mix, including old pros like Yves Brunier, who seems to be a TV puppetry legend in France and had previously worked on the French co-productions of "Big Bag" and "Sesame Street," and Regis Fassier, same CV, and a few people I can't seem to track down, which is probably why the puppetry is variable, from quite good to the very-off (like Clifford, who in his first scene, seems to have lockjaw, as if his performer can't figure out how to operate his mouth properly, so his dialogue is just floating in the air!) A test pilot was shot and aired back last November, using more of a talk show format than The Muppet Show, and spotlighting French celebrities. As mixes as the results might seem to Americans, a lot of care was definitely put into this; in interviews, Cauet has spoken of trying to come up with a compromise in voicing Kermit, studying tapes of Roger Carel (the original French dub voice of Kermit) and Jim Henson, and trying to find a middle-ground between the two, so as to be reminiscent and familiar to fans of either but not a precise impersonation.

So basically, what it seems to boil down to is, a Disney France exec and a TF1 producer loved the Muppets, realized they were laying dormant, and decided to do something about it, and create what would be exactly a *French* Muppet series, not just a dub. And why not? There's been some even odder recent exports from Disney-owned properties, such as a Russian remake of "The Golden Girls" (I'm not kidding).

Jealousy is natural, but then again, nobody on the North American side seems to be leading the charge to create new Muppet productions, outside of commercials and guest appearances and such. And actually, it does rather closely mirror the Sesame Street co-productions of recent decades. Originally, they were either just pure dubs, or as the process was refined, new Muppet characters and human street residents with dubbed and renamed footage of Ernie and Bert etc. to fit the specific culture. This was done, as cited in "The World According to Sesame Street," partially to mitigate potential accusations of cultural imperialism, by allowing the countries to decide what animal or characters would best reflect their needs and culture and designing it accordingly, and not forcing the American Muppets on them. But in the past 5 years or so, this has begun to change, with projects like the Chinese Sesame Street, where the local producers take the reverse stance: "Why won't you let us have Big Bird?" So China now has Big Bird (Da Niao, allegedly Big Bird's identical cousin), South Africa, Japan, and France all have Elmos (renamed in only one instance), Japan has a Big Bird and Cookie Monster too, and as of 2006, new episodes of Germany's "Sesamstrasse" feature Ernie and Bert as regulars. Not just the US puppets sent over for special events in the past, but their own puppets, with their own regular puppeteers (Martin Paas and Carsten Haffke respectively, who've played the German Muppets Wolle and Pferd for several years). See here for an image: http://www3.ndr.de/ndrtv_pages_slideshow/0,3146,OID3258976_IMG3258888_POS5,00.html

Welcome to the world of trans-global capitalism, and where cultural exports have as much cache as economic ones, but increasingly tailored and evolving to suit the needs and desires of the host country. It's bizarre at times, but on the other hand, if the French love the Muppets enough to take the initiative when nobody with the power to do so in the US is doing likewise, who are we to begrudge them? (While, naturally, pining for the return to their home state).

And it's worth noting that many "American" television shows and films, successful or otherwise, have been borrowed whole cloth and then "Americanized," from "Three's Company" and "The Office" (England) to "Kingdom Hospital" (Denmark) and "The Ring" (Japan). Most of which probably aren't big on Muppet fans' lists, but prove that this type of cultural exchange or re-appropriation is by no means one-sided.

And as a random note, the number of countries which rename Miss Piggy "Peggy" (Spain, Mexico, and now France have done so at various times) amuses me inordinately. Almost as much fun as Kermit in Mexico becoming "Rene la Rana" (or as Piggy calls him, "Ranito!")

[Mistersuperstar]

Thanks for the great info Aleal. That really helps me understand where this new show is coming from. I guess I just feel (selfishly) upset that it is no longer aimed at us English speaking fans and I feel a little left out.

[unclematt]

I feel alot left out

[TheJimHensonHour]

You mean Oz and IAVMMCM? Well, I'll take those over nothing anyday.

And someday I must use my Frank Oz voice skills to translate some of the Fruppets! (evil organ music) I need a Henson voice person though, for my Kermit is not where-it's-at, baby...
i'm pretty darn good at jims voices I'd like to give it a shot.

[RKUNKLER]

We will get a Muppets show soon. I feel that Disney is waiting till all of the seasons of THe Muppet Show are released before the start a new Muppets show. They want new and young fans to be able to see The Muppet Show and the specials before a new muppet show comes out. This is so the new Show makes sense because it would build off of The Muppet Show and so that its not just a memory because we can watch it. They are also probably waiting for the Muppets we havent seen in a while have muppeteers because they want to use all of the classic Muppets in the new show. Also they want to test the new Muppeteers and let people get used to the voices first.

[mrsieve]

Not sure if this has been suggested or not, and Im sorry if it has. Is there a way we could start a writing campaign to Disney to see if anything (tv, movie, anything, etc) is in the works.

[Marky]

i'm pretty darn good at jims voices I'd like to give it a shot.

Really? Cool!
theforce.net (Star Wars fan site) has a huge fan activities section in their forum, including audio dramas, fan comics, fan fiction, and fan films....
Those crazy fans are always posting stuff up there.

Before anyone asks, Lucasfilm, GL in particular, loves this and they actively encourage this, even hosting these on atom films online. Heck GL holds annual contests for fan films and picks his Lucas' Choice winner every year.

I've always wondered what would happen if this site did something like this.

[Dprogo]

Well, I'm new here, and I've been waiting for my registration to go through for the better part of a week or so. And now that I can finally post, here goes.

I'm not sure if this interests anyone, but I'd be very interested in starting a translation project. My French isn't perfect, but I do teach 1st year french in a university, and will shortly be receiving my degree.

The upshot of this is that I understand what they're saying, however, I have to admit, some of the cultural references are lost on me.

I'd be interested in providing translations, though, as a guide sort of format, and then perhaps from there with the help of more qualified Francophones add cultural notes and explanations that will help the English speaking world understand.

Comments/input welcome if you got 'em.

[muppetperson]

So how do you plan to translate it? Will you be dubbing DVDs or have a website where we can download subtittle episodes or will you just do it in script form?
Just saw it will be guide form.Thanks.

[Vector]

Here it is Muppets TV #2!
dailymotion.com/Vector_the_Crocodile/video/1087286


I'd be glad to help you about the cultural notes.

[mrsieve]

I've watched the video. And in one scene (towards the beginning of the video approx 3mins 38-41 seconds in, when the guest star is about to walk thru two yellow swing doors. You can see the puppeteers head (follically challenged puppeteer). Then again at 7 mins 23sec (approx.). These are just two examples from the Muppets TV - 02 - Semoun & Sinclar esp. gotta love that.

[Dprogo]

So how do you plan to translate it? Will you be dubbing DVDs or have a website where we can download subtittle episodes or will you just do it in script form?
Just saw it will be guide form.Thanks.

To elaborate a bit, I thought I'd start by translating the script, broken down scene by scene so that the less French capable audience would be able to follow along. Then, add cultural notes and explanations.
Finally, if someone wanted to take this and (probably re-work the script a bit) either subtitle or dub it, that'd be up to them. I'd be glad to help, but as it stands, I don't know oodles about video-editing, though I could do it, given the time and enough help with the voices. (I can do a passable Kermit, and that's about it.)

So, I think I'll start with the script in French, then translate. After that, we'll see.

[Dprogo]

Here it is Muppets TV #2!
dailymotion.com/Vector_the_Crocodile/video/1087286


I'd be glad to help you about the cultural notes.


Much appreciated!

I'll let you know.

[Punch'n'Judy]

I've watched the video. And in one scene (towards the beginning of the video approx 3mins 38-41 seconds in, when the guest star is about to walk thru two yellow swing doors. You can see the puppeteers head (follically challenged puppeteer). Then again at 7 mins 23sec (approx.). These are just two examples from the Muppets TV - 02 - Semoun & Sinclar esp. gotta love that.

Jim and co were just as guilty of that at times, especially on the early stuff.

[Da Dogster]

I can not believe this, I am both happy yet jealous and a bit angered at the same time. I'm glad the French get a new Muppet tv show (after all it has been French people doing all the work to get this show running) but had it been coming out in English we would have all been so excited the past couple of months and from what i'm reading and the picture on the Muppet Wiki it does look like a good show.

Disney are dumb, yes Disney are dumb whoever thinks otherwise then so be it but in my opinion Disney have no idea what there doing with the Muppets. I've been waiting patiently, hoping that they'll prove me wrong and hopefully one day they will but i've had enough of waiting. :mad:

Sorry about this little outburst, this is all coming from me being really jealous that there's finally something new and cool being done with the Muppets and even if I get to see it, I wont even understand it.

What a dissapointment:(

Though I can't say I would have rather them have not done it at all than doing it in French, so I am happy at least something has been done with them

I agree I would love to see the all new muppet show over here in america.

[TheJimHensonHour]

I agree I would love to see the all new muppet show over here in america.
I think we all would but only with a good writter for sure!:flirt:

[Barry Lee]

Yeah, right now I don't think we're ready for a TMS until we find good writers who actually KNOW the Muppets!

[Vector]

Goodies available in France:
tf1store.fr/divertissement/muppets-tv

[muppetperson]

Thanks for the link, Vector.
www.tf1store.fr/divertissement/muppets-tv
I am still hanging out for a French talking Kermit!!

[unclematt]

Yeah, right now I don't think we're ready for a TMS until we find good writers who actually KNOW the Muppets!
Do you know if Disney is even looking for writiers who know the Muppets?

[Vector]

I'm afraid I have bad news about the french show.

They taped so far 10 episodes, and TF1 doesn't plan to continue the show in january, because of lower ratings than the previous show at that hour (sunday afternoon). :smirk:

They should have put this show at decent hours in the beginning of prime time, later in the day. Doesn't sound good for any US adaptation. :confused:

[TheJimHensonHour]

I'm afraid I have bad news about the french show.

They taped so far 10 episodes, and TF1 doesn't plan to continue the show in january, because of lower ratings than the previous show at that hour (sunday afternoon). :smirk:

They should have put this show at decent hours in the beginning of prime time, later in the day. Doesn't sound good for any US adaptation. :confused:
not good..not good at all..:boo:

[Marky]

C'est la vie.

Funny, on one hand, everyone was angry abou thte show, now those same people will be furious about the cancellation no doubt.

Still this is really going to give Disney more incentive to look into doing more with them. :rolleyes:

[muppetperson]

Bother! Why dont the Muppets seem to being having much luck lately.

[TheJimHensonHour]

Bother! Why dont the Muppets seem to being having much luck lately.
I blame the old gypsy woman who put a curse upon the show!:o :concern:

[muppetperson]

I thought it might be the Phantom of The muppet Theatre!!
I wonder if Disney France will now drop the project, or review it and find out why people werent watching it, make changes and give it a go on another TV Network if TF1 dont want to give it another go.

[SurfPark]

Well I never thought there was something wrong with the French show. They can't reproduce the characters 100% accurately, but they are still entitled to have a French-speaking version of each character, as long as they're kept up in the same spirit, right? Its a shame the show has been so short-lived. I never thought the French really were in tune with American or British humor in the first place. I can see how the show could have tanked after the initial "wow, talking puppets" novelty wore off.

[Vector]

News updated today by Cauet about the TV show:

The actual agreement was about only 10 episodes. So the show was planned to stop in december since the start.

So about the future, there are 3 levels to pass to continue the show:

-Disney level: they must now watch the show and grant Cauet to continue.

-TF1 level: they didn't say that ratings were too poor to continue the show (45% of childen and 30% of adults which is pretty good for a puppet show).

-Cauet level: he stated that Muppets TV is a big big work! If Disney & TF1 want to continue the show, Cauet will have to hire more people for a full time production.

So now, we have to wait Disney's answer, then TF1's answer and Cauet's answer. These 10 episodes were only a test. So nothing is lost at this state!

http://www.jeanmarcmorandini.com/news.php?id=1666

[muppetperson]

Yes!! There is still hope.Thanks for the update, Vector.

[fragglerockr]

Could any of our French Muppet fans possibly get a clean MP3 of the new show's funky theme? If so please PM me.

I'm hoping we can get a couple of people intrested enough to do the dub of the french show in english. It would be cool for those of us that are trapped in the Muppet-less states. :mad:

Fragglerockr

[MuppetDanny]

Could any of our French Muppet fans possibly get a clean MP3 of the new show's funky theme? If so please PM me.

I'm hoping we can get a couple of people intrested enough to do the dub of the french show in english. It would be cool for those of us that are trapped in the Muppet-less states. :mad:

Fragglerockr

How this ;) : http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=611760A349DAEB7C

[fragglerockr]

Muppetdanny,

Thank you so much!!!

Fragglerockr :)

[MuppetDanny]

You are welcome :p

[Kevin the Frog]

If anyone can ever figure out the translations, I'd love to try and dub over some of the voices. I could try to do all of them, and if any MC member has a better voice, they could re-do my bad ones. Now, how to figure out the best software / approach to dubbing the voices? I bet we could just watch it, record the audio onto computer, and then re-encode the video with the new audio track. It wouldn't sync perfectly, but I'm guessing it wouldn't anyway when comparing the french and english verbage. That approach would make it hard for others to add their own voices though.

[Dprogo]

Well, I think that it's possible, yah. I'm only about half way through transcribing (not translating, transcribing) the first episode. Come Christmas break, I should be able to spend more time on it.
I think voice auditions would be great. Just send a bit of the script out, and anyone who wants to participate, send in an audition.
As for software, it wouldn't be hard for me to do here on my end, with my trusty Mac. That is to say, I'd be willing to give it a go.
What might be more difficult would be the background noises and whatnot. I'm not sure it'd be worth trying to Dub Pascal's voice. Where he's singing a lot, it may be better to sub him.

If enough people are interested, we should set up a site where we can collaborate and make this happen.

[beaker]

So how do you guys feel about these, well "Muppet Episodes".

As exciting as it is seeing the Muppet puppets...is this considered the Muppet?
As in canon? I wonder if maybe they shoulda created their own original characters.

So Im conflicted...its great seeing a new Muppet show for the first time in almost 11 years...but um, Im just not sure if this could actually be considered the Muppets.

It's just doesnt seem like the Muppets without the principal characters.

Btw, this site is updated with all the available clips, episodes and info:
http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Muppets_TV

It would be cool to see fans "dub" these episodes...its never been done before. In anime circles, they "fansub"....but to dub with voices? Wowza. good luck!