Muppet reality pilot taped last summer

[Vic Romano]

Okay, I can't seem to start a thread about this due to some sort of server error, so I'll bump this thread until I can, please forgive me.
I read over at the Palisades message boards about a guy who says he's a low level worker at Disney who read in a company news letter that Disney was planning to make a Muppet reality show, not a series but a special, and one guy even said that a pilot had already been filmed. Now this isn't exactly a brand new thread, but I am surprised I've not seen anything about it over here at MC's forums even if it is merely a rumor, and my feelings are that if there is such a thing, the members here would be more knowledgeable then over at Palisades. You can read all about what they know here.
It sounds like it could be a good idea or it could suck rully hard, so until I know more, I'm personally on the fence. So does anyone know anything?

[DanDanStrawberry]

That sounds cool! A muppet version of Big Brother has always been a dream of mine!

[Mickey Moose]

Originally Posted by TuttertheMouse

That sounds cool! A muppet version of Big Brother has always been a dream of mine!

They kinda did this on Muppets Tonight with the "Real World:Muppets" segments. Might be cool to devote a full show to it, even if it's just a special.

[Beauregard]

I think that a new Muppet Show would good if it was a day-to-day Muppet life. With the Muppets living in the Muppet Bording House, and putting on Shows at the theatre, and everything in between. I think the plots could be mainly between the characters, you know, like one where Gonzo admits he loves Miss Piggy, or one where the bording house is going to be sold, I don't know, stuff like that.

Like a soap-opra. Every show has it's own little story, but is part of a bigger patchwork Muppet story.

Would be good.

Maybe the entire thing could be set around, Kermit wanting to re-start the Muppet show, and they have to try new ways to get around things. They need to figure things out in how to make the show sutable for today's audience, and in teh mean time, they actually WILL make the show sutible for todays audience!

What do you guys think?

[dwayne1115]

I think thats a great plan. wonderfull. i hope it goes through.

[Phillip Chapman]

Vic,

I split this part of the discussion into a new thread for you. I'm looking into the error message you reported as well.

[Handy Andy]

Reality TV is the Devil's Tool.

Please don't commit the Muppets to purgatory, as Antron Fleece burns very quickly., and foam gives off a horrible odor.

It's bad enough they were forced by the hands that be to appear with Jessica Simpson and Nick whatever his name is.

-James

[Vic Romano]

Thanks Phil;
I think a reality spoof could be done very well if written properly. Reality TV is the most oppressing form of exploitation anywhere, and I think the Muppets could bring a redeeming quality to the whole genre, but in general, I do agree with you Handy Randy.

[JohnFranklin]

it's not a spoof. it's a bona-fide reality show.

jf

[WOCKA2416]

Originally Posted by JohnFranklin

it's not a spoof. it's a bona-fide reality show.

jf

Are you sure it's not a spoof?

[JohnFranklin]

the pitch pilot filmed back in the summer was not a spoof, it was a real live reality show.

jf

[Handy Andy]

Perhaps a reality show that involves the actual puppeteers? How they live through the characters? That might be interesting... maybe. As long as they don't get plastic surgery or lose weight or get fired by Donald Trump or eat bugs.

-James

P.S.... It's Handy Andy, Not Randy.

[GelflingWaldo]

Until more information is released I think that just knowing “reality” show is so broad and could be misleading. I would like to more detail before jumping to any conclusions. With that says; I think the Muppets could use the reality style as a great thing (if used properly), or they could misuse it and it could be a disaster. A “reality” type of show has great possibilities and could be an awesome style for the Muppets.

But let me start off by defining what type of "reality" show I'm talking about when I say it could be awesome. There are millions of reality shows and many different perceptions about them. So let me tell you what type of shows I am NOT talking about. I do not mean a realty show that is a competition, a game, or putting characters into a forced life-style or living condition. This would include shows like; Survivor, The Apprentice, The Real World, The Bachelor, American idol, The Simple Life, Joe Millionaire, For love or Money, The Benefactor, The Will, Road Rules, Big Brother, etc. This is what I think may not work and would just cheapen the Muppets to a parody bad.

The type of “reality” show I would love to see is the “fly on the wall” camera approach. Basically a loose and “real” look at the Muppets. No challenges, no confessionals, no forced conditions. Just the Muppets “lives” on cameras. Real life reality show like The Osbornes, or Nick & Jessica: Newlyweds. Now, being the Muppets are not real people and we can’t just follow there lives this leads to the fake, “reality” style, show. The best one is the show “Arrested Development”. The show is 100% scripted and 100% funny, and it is just a regular sit-com; but the style of the show is that of say a documentary. And it works; this type of show could work for the Muppets as the camera follows the “lives” of Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and the whole gang as they live their lives and get in to mix-ups.

I don’t think a reality show parody (like Drawn together) is right for the Muppets and putting the Muppets into a fake reality competition or game show does not seem sincere or right for the Muppets. But an “Arrested Development”- type (or even like “Reno 911” to an extent) show – scripted, unlocked camera, loose, and reality feeling - would be great for the Muppets. It could be that Muppet sit-com of the Muppets day-to-day life many of us have talked about, but with unlocked cameras rather than the standard 3-camera “traditional” sit-com. I think it has possibilities as long as it does not cheapen the Muppets by making them a novelty act or a pop-culture lampoon.

I hope more information on the style and direction of this is needed be fore we can make a good assessment of the show “Muppets Reality Show” is pretty vague, but just knowing a new show could be on the horizon makes me excited. Lets see what they come up with.

[ravagefrackle]

Originally Posted by Handy Andy

Reality TV is the Devil's Tool.

Please don't commit the Muppets to purgatory, as Antron Fleece burns very quickly., and foam gives off a horrible odor.

It's bad enough they were forced by the hands that be to appear with Jessica Simpson and Nick whatever his name is.

-James

i agree totally , but this is what happens when you promote someone thru the corporate chain, instead of seeking out someone to take charge of the creative endevaurs ,

from what i understand thru the rummmor mill this guy in charge of the Holding company is real gun-ho about this idea, why i have no idea, just seems like a really bad concept from the get go,

[GelflingWaldo]

The term "reality" is being thrown around a lot lately with people in TV-land. Today there are many type of "reality TV" shows, and the term has gotten a bad connotation. The term that TV executives use reality TV is varried. There are two major meanings for the term "reality" the first has to do with the conent of the show, the other has to do with the style (look-and-feel) of the show.

When they talk of the content being reality it means it is what most think of when they think of reality tv. It could be some outlandish contest, sticking people together to compeate wildly or tolerate wild situations (or each other). There are many things that people think of when they hear "reality tv" --- a) they think stupid contest (Survivor, The Apprentice, American Idol) or b) people looking for love (The Bachelor, For Love or Money, Joe Millionaire) or c) "stupid" people doing stupid things (Real World, Simple Life Osbornes, Newlyweds) or d) all of the above. But in today's TV world the term "reality" has taken on a new meaning.

But the second meaning of "Reality" refers to the feel of a show. Reality now basicly refers to any show with "unlocked" cameras (full sets 360 sets; no static/smooth cameras; no "perfect" lighting; and a real feel), no laugh track (or studio audiance reactions), and loose real-feel script (or even lack of script). It also means no "dream sequences" or other "un-filmable" segments. The term reality does not mean what you are seeing is real, that it is unscripted, that there are prizes, competions, love searching, stupid people, or what not. It is a term now used to determine not only the content of a show, but also just to look and feel of the show. Shows like Arrested Development, and Reno 911 are called "Reality" in feel, but sit-com in content (they are scripted, have actual plots and punchlines, and they have actors playing characters) but the style of the show is that of "reality". Even Malcom in the Middle (a normal sitcom, but with full sets, unlocked cameras and no audiance) was branded a reality show style by producers to explain the look of the show when in development (and is still kinda with the show).

Being the Muppets arn't real and have not reality of their own to offer to film (they are fictional characters) it is most likely that it will be a regular Muppet sit-com but with a full set, unlocked camera, and no laugh track; the term reality is used to describe the feel so people wouldn't think it's a regular static sitcom. But the term will probally drop after production gets going.