America's Next Muppet
10-27-05, 10:00 AM
#1
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America's Next Muppet
Yes, a Muppet reality show.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/10/2...z/index.html#2
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/10/2...z/index.html#2
A Muppet comeback?
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The Muppets could come back to primetime television with their own reality show.
ABC has ordered a script and five episode outlines for "America's Next Muppet," in which viewers may join in choosing the newest member of the puppet family that includes Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, a network spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The premise has the ring of such shows as "American Idol" or "America's Next Top Model," in which the audience picks potential new stars.
ABC is part of the Walt Disney Co., which purchased the Muppets franchise from the Jim Henson Co. in 2004 and the right to use the characters in its theme parks, movies, TV shows and retail products. The ABC television movie "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" aired earlier this year.
The late Jim Henson's Muppets got their first regular, widespread exposure on PBS' "Sesame Street" starting in 1969.
The syndicated "The Muppet Show" aired from 1976-81 and was seen in more than 100 countries. The characters also briefly starred in "Muppets Tonight," which aired for four months in 1996 as part of ABC's primetime lineup.
Henson's puppets moved to the big screen in 1979 with "The Muppet Movie," followed by movies including "The Great Muppet Caper" and "The Muppets Take Manhattan."
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The Muppets could come back to primetime television with their own reality show.
ABC has ordered a script and five episode outlines for "America's Next Muppet," in which viewers may join in choosing the newest member of the puppet family that includes Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, a network spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The premise has the ring of such shows as "American Idol" or "America's Next Top Model," in which the audience picks potential new stars.
ABC is part of the Walt Disney Co., which purchased the Muppets franchise from the Jim Henson Co. in 2004 and the right to use the characters in its theme parks, movies, TV shows and retail products. The ABC television movie "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" aired earlier this year.
The late Jim Henson's Muppets got their first regular, widespread exposure on PBS' "Sesame Street" starting in 1969.
The syndicated "The Muppet Show" aired from 1976-81 and was seen in more than 100 countries. The characters also briefly starred in "Muppets Tonight," which aired for four months in 1996 as part of ABC's primetime lineup.
Henson's puppets moved to the big screen in 1979 with "The Muppet Movie," followed by movies including "The Great Muppet Caper" and "The Muppets Take Manhattan."
10-27-05, 10:20 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
I don't exactly get how this works. Is it all a mostly staged thing, where the Henson company creates a bunch of new muppets and the only 'real' element is when the audience votes through the ones they like? Or are there going to be contestants creating their own muppets and entering them into a real competition where one becomes an actual muppet?
10-27-05, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by DRG
I don't exactly get how this works. Is it all a mostly staged thing, where the Henson company creates a bunch of new muppets and the only 'real' element is when the audience votes through the ones they like? Or are there going to be contestants creating their own muppets and entering them into a real competition where one becomes an actual muppet?
10-27-05, 10:32 AM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by RichardW
Sounds like a great way to ruin the Muppets. 
This idea sounds good for about 2 episodes, then it'll get old.
But, I'm a Muppet nerd. I'll still watch.
10-27-05, 11:26 AM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
On one level, this could be really, really funny...
... on another, I'm convinced that Disney has absolutely no frigging clue what made the Muppets wonderful and they're going work very hard over the next few years to completely ruin them (as evidenced by the Muppet Wizard of Oz). This is likely going to be just a bunch of unfunny, 'hip' pop culture references.
... on another, I'm convinced that Disney has absolutely no frigging clue what made the Muppets wonderful and they're going work very hard over the next few years to completely ruin them (as evidenced by the Muppet Wizard of Oz). This is likely going to be just a bunch of unfunny, 'hip' pop culture references.
10-27-05, 02:16 PM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Now *that* would be worth watching! If only the rights issues didn't prevent it. Toss in a Sesame Street character (Oscar, who would hate everyone; or Elmo, who would be overly polite to everyone) and you've got a classic panel there! 
10-28-05, 08:40 AM
#11
DVD Talk Godfather
America's Next Muppet
America's Next Muppet Idol Makeover Survivor?
Dateline: Thursday, October 27, 2005
By: NEWS EDITOR
By:
Source: E! Online
Disney and ABC are looking to bring the Muppets in a prime time series that would spoof such unscripted shows as American Idol and America's Next Top Model.
Though the show is still in the very early stages of development ABC has ordered a pilot script and five additional script outlines for America's Next Muppet. Kermit's team will look to find a new Muppet to join the likes of Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, the Swedish Chef, Scooter, Rowlf, Janice, Dr. Teeth, Animal, and others.
Dateline: Thursday, October 27, 2005
By: NEWS EDITOR
By:
Source: E! Online
Disney and ABC are looking to bring the Muppets in a prime time series that would spoof such unscripted shows as American Idol and America's Next Top Model.
Though the show is still in the very early stages of development ABC has ordered a pilot script and five additional script outlines for America's Next Muppet. Kermit's team will look to find a new Muppet to join the likes of Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, the Swedish Chef, Scooter, Rowlf, Janice, Dr. Teeth, Animal, and others.
They could even do a call in so viewers can vote.
10-28-05, 08:46 AM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
