Kermit's Swamp Years News

[Thog]

Not sure if anyone posted this yet. So here it is.

Dan


Having completed postproduction work last month on the first live action Muppet video premiere movie, Kermit’s Swamp Years: The Real Story Behind Kermit the Frog’s Early Years, Jim Henson Home Entertainment has delivered the finished film to Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment for a planned debut in September. Henson senior VP Michael Polis, who is executive producer on the film, told Video Premiere Awards that the company is now working on extras for the DVD. In addition to outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage, extras include a new Muppet armadillo character providing quasieducational interviews of members of the cast and crew (to the best boy: "Did you work your way up from Good Boy?") and a new Muppet horsefly character named Horace who is interviewed along with Kermit.
A rock version of the popular 'The Rainbow Connection' theme song from the first theatrical Muppet movie is performed by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes with the outtakes on the DVD edition. The movie itself features two original songs, one of which takes place in a pet store where the other animals describe how great it is to be a pet and have owners clean up your "number two." Henson has many hopes pinned on the success of this 82-minute video premiere movie, with outlines for follow-ups already drawn up. Henson is also developing original video premiere movie franchise projects to be announced in August that would build on strong consumer sales of the company’s fantasy films, including Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Henson might partner with Columbia or another distributor on those projects.

Link:
http://members.fortunecity.com/backtodisney/News.html

[Phillip Chapman]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for posting the link. Great news!

[EmmyMik]

The movie itself features two original songs, one of which takes place in a pet store where the other animals describe how great it is to be a pet and have owners clean up your "number two."

That song sounds like a classic already...

[BoyRaisin2]

This announcement that's supposed to happen in August sounds pretty interesting.

[Luke]

For those interested, the audio of the Rainbow Connection remake can be found here :- http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IPAQ/qid=1006633266/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_14_3/104-8254968-7699127 (Track 6)

Apparently it's pretty good and theres quite a lengthy sample clip on that Amazon page. Comments anyone ?

[scarecroe]

Originally posted by Luke
Apparently it's pretty good and theres quite a lengthy sample clip on that Amazon page. Comments anyone ? ToughPigs (http://toughpigs.com/) reported on that months ago declaring it as the ToughPigs "theme song" (LOL:))

Personally, I think it's pretty lame. Their version of The Phantom of the Opera is quite good though.

But the cutest part of the story comes from the original report at Video Premiere Awards (http://www.videopremiereawards.com/) with this pic of Kermit (http://www.videopremiereawards.com/images/kermit2.jpg).

[Crazy Harry]

:D Lil' Kewmit is just so fweaking cute it makes me want to twough up on my keyboad.:D

[radionate]

Originally posted by Thog
A rock version of the popular 'The Rainbow Connection' theme song from the first theatrical Muppet movie is performed by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes with the outtakes on the DVD edition. on those projects.

Has nobody on this board heard this song before? I'm such a HUGE fan of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes!!!!!! If you guys haven't heard of them, and like quirky punk/ska music, check it out. The Rainbow Connection remake is on their CD entitled, "Are a Drag". On it they cover songs from "Sound of Music", "Annie", and more. They have a new CD out too (came out last year) called "Blowin in the Wind" (I think thats the name). You gotta here they're version of "Who Put The Bomp"!

Anyway, its a fun song!! Check it out!!

Oh yeah, this is for Jamie. Did you see Divas Live last night, Cyndi Lauper was on and was awsome! (Yeah Yeah, I watched Divas Las Vegas last night, anyone have a problem with it?) :rolleyes:

[frogboy4]

Oh no, I hope they haven't opened the floodgates - Piggy's Barn Years, Fozzie's Cave Years and Kermit's Swamp Years 2. And from the sound of it, a possible Dark Crystal direct to video sequel. That really doesn't sit well with me, but we'll see how things turn out. I am excited to hear about the treatment of this DVD release and its commentary. Very cool.

Hey Nate!
On the topic of Cyndi - I was actually seeing a friend off last night. He's moving this weekend. I'm sure they will re-run Divas. I heard she didn't have a big part in the show, but she was a special guest. I do not understand a world where Brandy is considered a diva and Cyndi a special guest. Anyway, the most fun girl in the world will be appearing at a local club here in San Francisco tomorrow so I hope to see her! It may be sold out because it's the club is closing that night, but I'll try.

[beaker]

>>>And from the sound of it, a possible Dark Crystal direct to video sequel<<<

First off, yeah a Piggy's Barn years etc would just be lame. To me this special feels to much like those 1993 released Disney 'specials' with Bean Bunny and (pre-cursor) Bobo Bear.

But hold the phone...a dc sequel? I think that post meant fantasy films by creature shop in the vein of those great 80's fantasy(new fantasy films dont hold a candle to those classics) Though I remember that strong rumor 4 years ago about a dc prequel.

[Luke]

Scarecroe :-

Yep i know it came from Toughpigs, thats where i got it - i kinda spend a lotta time there now, as does everyone judging by all the TP references in this forum.


All :-

I think KSY is sounding a lot better than i originally thought - i think it's a rental at least. I'm happy at the way they are treating the DVD but then i'm not massively unhappy about the way the MTI DVD has been treated. I like the idea that Henson are doing lots of extras on their DVD's now, though widescreen on the Disney movies would have been nice.

On the subject of the Muppet Treasure Island DVD - i noticed that while this site went all out to sway people into being anti-Disney about the way it's been handled - it has absolutely no problem with displaying a nice large graphic on the main page of the DVD cover and an affiliate link to where you can buy the DVD at Amazon.com - isn't this just a little two faced ? On one hand there was an article on the site persuading us that this is terrible and on the other there is now a big free plug for Disney in prime position on the sites most viewed page. It's kinda confusing and suggests to people (whether correct or not) that the site cares more about the money than the way the Muppet product is being treated !

Just my 2 cents !

[frogboy4]

Yeah, I may be jumping the gun, but it really sounded like there may be a possibility of a DC direct-to-vid. Honestly, I can see a direct-to-vid with some of the characters in Labyrinth. Not that it is something I would recommend, but the film did end rather open. If a DC film were ever made, I hope it would be tastefully done and be a special event. Not a disposable release that disappoints the fans.

It could mean more fantasy films as you have stated, but why can't they release the projects in the theater. And if there ends up being a KSY series I will be very unhappy. It could diminish the perception of Kermit like the Muppet Babies did in mid/late 80s. Some of this talk has the old frogboy hopping mad, but I guess we'll have to wait for the real skinny before we can really comment on this news. It is good that future projects are planned no matter what they are; I just hope they are quality ones!

[beaker]

It is good that future projects are planned no matter what they are; I just hope they are quality ones!<<

yeah, i guess we'll have to wait for august to hear what else they got planned, but i know what ya mean about diminishing the property to super kiddy faire. I wasnt excited at all with the footage i saw of KSY, though the producers promise plenty of references to diehard fans.

It is great that starting now there will be a diluge of muppet stuff...from the new kermit/piggy denneys commerical/promotion, to muppet pinball mayhem finally freaking coming out tuesday, muppet figures ina couple weeks, etc.

[Phillip Chapman]

Luke,

I agree with your assessment of the MTI DVD picture on the front of the site, and I'll take the photo down. Didn't think about it the way you described.

[Luke]

Ok Phil, yeah i can kinda see both sides of it - on the one hand the site is there to tell people about what products are coming out and the latest news on Muppet stuff, and on the other theres the widescreen campaign where we are saying this isn't on.

It's a tough one, i think the first time this has ever come up over the years, but i think you've made the right decision because it shows a clear positive message to others. Trust it to be a Disney product ! LOL !

[scarylarrywolf]

Originally posted by frogboy4
Oh no, I hope they haven't opened the floodgates - Piggy's Barn Years, Fozzie's Cave Years and Kermit's Swamp Years 2.


Hey, if disney gets the Muppets, that's what you can expect!

--"Scary" Larry Wolf

[frogboy4]

I think it has happened anyway from the sound of things.

That's another thing that annoyed me about MFS. It was so boring and could have gone in so many directions - exploring Gonzo's teen years in space being one of them. Not Baby Gonzo of course, but I would have liked to see some space action in that movie. It was implied by the title and I think is a major point that upset people. Just an observation. LOL!

I do think that as far as longevity goes, Disney is really the best choice. Also, this talk of a company buying them to sit on a shelf and only be used for t-shrts buggs me too. Not that it would happen, but it sure wouldn't happen with the mouse. They go to far with their exploitation though. It's a weird situation, but I still feel they will end up at Disney so I'm just getting used to the idea.

[BoyRaisin2]

Yeah, although Disney is widely considered the most likely buyer of Henson, and probably (hopefully) WILL buy them, I still sometimes have this feeling way back in my head that Disney doesn't buy them. What if I wake up one Monday morning, go to "AOL Business News," type "Muppets," and after all this time, all these articles, all the mental anguish, I see...something I don't want to see. I'd consider throwing my monitor out the window. :-)

I remember going to the Muppet newsgroup in 2/00, and saw "German firm pursues Henson ownership." Didn't really take it THAT seriously. Then a few more articles appeared and on President's Day I go to Muppet Central, and in big letters on the front page, "Germany's EM.TV buys Henson for $680 million." Then five years of my life flashed before my eyes. Then a year later EM.TV, well you know. And ANOTHER year later, here we are.

The point of this message: If you wanna buys the Muppets, just be careful. You could get sued, you can get a tarnished image, you can run into heavy debt, you can get investigated by German prosecutors! Just announce a joint Muppet project and HOPE it all goes smoothly from there. Let's hope nothing tragic happens to Disney (or whoever) by this time next year!

That's the most fun I've had all day. :-)

[Luke]

<<"Germany's EM.TV buys Henson for $680 million." Then five years of my life flashed before my eyes.>>

Thats exactly what happened to Brian Henson !

[BoyRaisin2]

No, that was nine years of his life, and he WANTED to sell. Didn't he? Whose fault was it that EM.TV bought Henson?

[Luke]

Who knows whether they wanted to sell out - depends what state the company was in financially i guess. Personally, i think i would have taken that money too - it's far more than the company was actually worth. Henson's were probably laughing before the share price dropped .... then the mass panic to sell, sell, sell set in !

[BoyRaisin2]

I'm still confused about how and/or why Henson sold to EM.TV. Did Henson put itself up for sale in mid- or late-1999? People keep saying EM.TV bid twice as much money than other Hollywood studios did. Were Disney, Viacom, etc. in talks with Henson in 1999/2000 or what? I just want to know how Henson ended up at some German company whose subsidiaries I can't even pronounce (except for Junior).

[Luke]

EMTV were already a partner of the Henson Companies - they bought a lot of the shows for German distribution.

[BoyRaisin2]

Yeah I know, but STILL. Oh, that's brings up something else. I remember reading the article, "The Muppet Show won't belong to EM.TV until 2050." What does that mean? I still don't get it. Could you or someone explain it in laymen's terms?

[Luke]

This one was to do with distributing Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show to German language countries. EMTV bought the shows when they bought the Henson company, but the Henson company had already licensed the German rights to Kirch (i think)up until 2050 and recieved the money. So basically EMTV has to wait until that deal has finished before they can start making money from those rights.

I don't know how this all works now though since Kirch went into liquidation - i haven't kept up with what happened with them.

[BoyRaisin2]

Makes sense. Would this mean Disney (or whoever) would have to wait 'til 2050(!) for German rights to these shows or would this not affect them at all?

[Luke]

It depends ! If it is Kirch, and they are insolvent - i'm not sure if they can sell on the rights to a new owner or whether they would revert back to Henson if the company went bust. In whatever case, until those rights come back under Henson control then any new parent company would have to wait until they did to do anything with them. So, in a nutshell, probably 2050 - but theres nothing to stop Disney, Time Warner, Viacom etc trying to buy themselves out of the deal !

This is basically the thing - the new owners will still have to take on all of the existing Henson deals be they merchandising or output (so Palisades, Sideshow, Columbia, Fox etc etc) but if they desperately don't want to continue and want to use their own people straight away then they could buy themselves out immediately (at serious cost) but in most cases new parent companies just go along with it until they can safely get out of the deal without paying up, then do their own thing.

[frogboy4]

How do you feel about the Rivkin angle? I know he's pretty much out of the picture, but if he werren't...

[Luke]

I like Rivkin as a person, but i don't feel like he has the backing, either financially or in the industry to make a success of the Henson company beyond what it is now. To go beyond this level, JHC needs a parent who can give them facilities, promotion, money etc etc and make them a powerful player. If not, the company will just stay stuck in the void it has been in since Jim's death. The changing times and attitudes of people don't help the brand but the Henson company have made some pretty bad calls over the years as well.

If he actually looked like he could do something for the company rather than just keep it ticking along i would probably be more positive - but if his offer is so weak that he'll only get JHC if nobody else bids or EMTV goes bankrupt then it just isnt worth it - they'll spend all the money they can get on aquiring the company and then have nothing to spend on the brand itself.

[frogboy4]

I have heard it said that he doesn't understand there is a 20-something market for the Muppets, but I could be wrong. I hope that isn't true. How could one that loves the Muppets not understand it's core appeal? Disney is a better bet if that is the case.

[danielromens]

I don't know if you noticed Jamie but their recent products haven't been getting all that good of reviews either. That includes their movies, direct to video work, tv shows, toys...

yeah sounds like they'd be great for the muppets. Just because they can make a bunch of crap isn't a good thing. Right now Disney is like McDonalds, they make money but making more stores and product, not by what a single product makes. Their good product has been from other peoples work, like movies they distribute and Pixar.

True Henson isn't exactly what it used to be, but anyone who thinks Disney still is needs to get his head checked.

[frogboy4]

I understand your sentiment, but does it need to be expressed so harshly? :)

[radionate]

Originally posted by frogboy4
I understand your sentiment, but does it need to be expressed so harshly? :)
I can say it less harshly and in only two words:

Snow Dogs!!!!!!

[towels]

I think they're working on the sequel for Snow Dogs too...
:eek:

[frogboy4]

Yeah. Snow Dogs is pretty offensive. It's sad to see an Oscar winner do disposable kiddie flicks, but my feeling is that Disney may be the best bet. It doesn't come without bad feelings though.

Rivkin has helmed Henson Co under some really crummy projects (like MFS and Jack) that I don't even think Disney would release. If we can expect more of that, then they might as well be with Disney. But if they came out with The Great Muppet Caper 2, I'd just scream. I can see stuff like that happening.

On the other hand, Disney will ensure the permanent longevity of the characters. I think we have seen that in the 90s many kids didn't even know who the Muppet Show characters were. And when MCC or MTI would come out, people would ask me if they still made movies. Very disturbing. I'm so glad for this flood of Mupopet stuff hitting the market this year!

[danielromens]

I hardly think I was harsh. More sarcastic. You're a smart young man surely you can handle it.

Yes I agree with the importance of longevity. And Disney sure did let that longevity shine with their support of Muppets Tonight on ABC, and their promptness of bring MCC and MTI to DVD. They're really giving those releases the royal treatment aren't they. And the dolls at WDW, well they are just spitting images of our beloved. Pluh, could someone get me a bucket, I think I'm about to recycle a bowl of Total.

[frogboy4]

On the same sarcastic tone - I sure have seen a lot of Muppet merchancise out there in the stores the last decade or so. I see what you mean about quality of product, but you are dwelling in the negative here when there is an upside. Everything you have said is true and I have posted about my angst regarding the Disney Company, but in fairness there are upsides to a Disney buy out. Somebody's going to get them - would you rather Fox or AOL get them - they don't have a themepark and the WB stores were shut down pretty fast. I see all these top entertainment companies taking their cue from Disney. They really aren't much better than them as far as standards and practices. Disney is the big fish and that's who I'd rather have the Muppets pair with these days. They will always keep them in circulation.

Many people complain about what Disney did to Pooh, but I really don't see it. The original drawings had their own charm, but since it was animated - Disney has put out mostly high-quality projects - excluding the Book of Pooh, of course. But those unforunate projects are bound to happen anyway. Anybody remembber Muppets From Space?

About the lack of suppoirt for Muppets Tonight. I hated that it was canceled. There were certainly some problems with the show, but it did not deserve the axe. There were management changes around that time and many shows were effected but had they had more of an invested interest in it I am sure they would have kept it around a little longer.

You make some good points, but there are so many absolutes in them. I guess I'm not that extreme in my views. I have always been a moderate of sorts. I wish Jim were back and that we didn't have to worry about all this...oh yeah, if Jim were here we wouldn't be having this discussion. Food for thought. Just my opinion and no asteriscs used. ;)

[Warrick]

You know what ? Right now i just cant wait for Disney to buy the Muppets and do something with them.

If Disney own them they will survive, PERIOD ! They will then finish when Disney finishes, And personally i dont see an end to Disney. and they will keep on bringing stuff out be it TV Shows and Merchandise, It will be FOREVER !

So im just anxious for them to buy the Muppets now, Cause i know that they will get right down to making something new with them.

I know the Christmas Show and Fox Show is coming too, But Disney would make a permanent thing.

[frogboy4]

My thoughts exactly. I really don't like Disney all that much, but Jim saw them to be the best place for his creations and who am I to argue? His thinking was to let them do all the marketing and stuff because it's what they do best, but I do disagree with many of their decisions and things are different without Jim's leadership. Still the best bet for the Muppets. I just hope they'll give us WIDESCREEN! Eventually everything will be in widescreen though.

[danielromens]

Actually I thought the Book of Pooh was great. As far as the cartoon goes, I think they all but ruined the spirit of Milne's writings. They took everything that was smart about Pooh and stupified it. The original writings were just as much for adults as kids, and held messages in philosophy and life. There were actually some rather dark and sad stories as well. Disney put a sugar coating on Pooh that in my opinion has left him sticky and tainted. Give me the classic. I just don't like that when people think of Pooh, Milne is all but forgotten. The drawings used in the original stories have been overshaddowed by fluff. Tigger was the most popular character in the cartoon and low and behold a weak plotted movie is born. Again, innocense lost.

I've always thought it would be great to take one of Milnes writings and do a stop motion animated piece using the original art as inspiration. No diluting the substance either. Just non-Disneyfied, Milny goodness.