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New Collectibles •11/01 - The Muppet Christmas Carol Pop! Figures: Bob Cratchit with Tiny Tim, Mrs. Cratchit, Charles Dickens with Rizzo, Fozziwig, The Marley Brothers, Scrooge
•10/24 - The Muppets Take Manhattan 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with Frank Oz Commentary •10/1 - Supersize Count von Count •10/01 - Sesame Street Action Figures Wave 1: Ernie with Rubber Duckie, Bert with Bernice, Count von Count, Yip Yip Martians •9/1 - Fraggle Rock Action Figures Wave 1: Gobo, Red, Traveling Matt, Architect and Cotterpin, Flange |
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The 2003 Muppet Holiday Gift Guide
By
Phillip and Cindy Chapman
December 1, 2003
Well,
it’s that wonderful time of year again. The time when the snow starts
falling, twinkling lights decorate our homes, and those annoying cranky
holiday shoppers fill the streets. No matter how you celebrate this Christmas
season, it’s inevitable you will have to buy at least one
present. So why not make it a Muppet present? Now, you can either
go to the mall on Christmas Eve and battle other holiday-challenged shoppers,
or you can start your planning now.
To assist, here is a list of the hottest Muppet items available this year. So whether you’re starting your Christmas list to Santa, or if you're Santa to a Muppet fan we’ve got exactly what you’re looking for. From games to figures to DVDs this has been one exciting year for Muppet fans. Santa, you just might need a bigger sleigh.
Choose
a category:
DVD | CD | Video
Game | Board/Card Game | Plush
Toy | Book | Accessory
| High-End | Surprise Release
Product of the Year
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OUR PICK: Muppets Magic From The Ed Sullivan Show, Goodtimes Home Video
The Storyteller is such a close second, it hardly seems fair to rate it as such. Anyone who enjoyed watching the Jim Henson Hour during its brief appearance will absolutely love this collection. Like Muppets Magic, you may not recognize any of these creatures, but the beauty and soulfulness of each story will touch your heart. The Storyteller Collection wins a prize for being true to form. All nine episodes appear uncut. Great gift for Lord of the Rings fans.
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OUR PICK: Songs From The Street Boxed Set, Legacy/Sony Wonder
HONORABLE MENTION: Dark Crystal Soundtrack, Manufacturer
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It’s finally here, a PlayStation2/GameCube Muppet video game. It’s been a long time since RaceMania and Muppets Party Cruise was sure worth the wait. Designed for multi-players and, though not as fun, it can be played alone. The Muppets are in top form with 30 different party games featuring the voices of all your favorite Henson performers. Muppet fans get ready: your ship has come in! HONORABLE MENTION: Spy Muppets, TDK Mediactive
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OUR PICK: Muppet Monopoly, USAopoly
HONORABLE MENTION: Tie-Muppet Uno, Sababa Toys and Muppet Playing Cards, RIX Tins
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OUR PICK: 15-18” Poseable Plush, Sababa
HONORABLE MENTION: Electric Mayhem, Sababa
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OUR PICK: Tie-Swedish Kitchen and Pigs in Space Playsets, Pallisades Toys
If PVC figures are more your style, you will be amazed at the quality of these four sets. Don't think they are normal PVC's though, they are larger than you'd expect and the quality is that of a miniature model, not a cheap kid's toy. These are the best Muppet PVC's ever, bar none. Highlights for the year include Thog and Mahna Mahna along with the themed Muppet Christmas Carol sets.
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Ever wondered what makes Oscar so grouchy? Or Big Bird’s most embarrassing moment? Carroll Spinney is the man behind the Bird and trashy guy and he tells nearly all in this book. A wonderful and delightful read, Spinney shares his and Big Bird’s thoughts regarding his successful career on Sesame Street.
HONORABLE MENTION: The World of the Dark Crystal, Harry N Abrams
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Did you ever think you'd see a Muppet Dart Board? Well the fine folks at RIX Tins bring this gameroom accessory to life. The board is made of metal and includes six magnetic darts. It's great to see rarer characters like Dr. Teeth and Janice on the board. Wild-drummer Animal is right at home in the center. So why not gather your friends and challenge each other to a game.
HONORABLE MENTION: Antenna Toppers, Blum
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While priced at $50 a sculpt, Sideshow's busts are some of the nicest high-end Muppet collectibles ever released. Our favorites from the year include Gonzo and Sam from series 2, Janice and the Swedish Chef from series 3, and Zoot and Beau from series 4. They make amazing display pieces. We only wish they wouldn't have ommitted Floyd from the set, so he could be right at home with his Electric Mayhem comrads.
HONORABLE MENTION: The Dark Crystal Collector's Edition Boxed Set, Columbia Tri-Star
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OUR PICK: Fraggle Rock Plush, Sababa Toys
HONORABLE MENTION: John Denver & The Muppets: Rocky Mountain Holiday DVD, Columbia Tri-Star
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OUR PICK: Muppet Action Figures, Pallisades Toys
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HONORABLE
MENTION: The Storyteller Collection, Columbia Tri-Star
Songs
From The Street
This
long-awaited 
OUR
PICK:
Muppet Party Cruise, TDK Mediactive
On
this Game Boy Advance title, 
Muppet
Monopoly
As
far as card games go you can’t beat Uno. It’s a classic
game and now it has a great Muppet style. Every single card includes
a Muppet photo. Wild cards and reverse have a unique twist while
each individual numbered card displays your favorite characters.
Just don't forget to say Uno when you're down to one card.
Two
full decks of playing cards are perfect for playing poker, gin or
go fish. Not only do the backs of each card display a group photo
of the Muppets, but each face card (Jack, Queen, King, Ace) has
a different character. Even the ultimate jokers, Statler and Waldorf,
try to get in on the action. The set comes complete in a colorful
collectible tin.
We
chose the larger poseable plush over the other parody beanbags because
they bear a closer resemblance to the actual Muppets. Characters
include: Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal, Rizzo, Beaker and
Bunson. Be on the lookout for a cool white Christmas Kermit at a
Barnes and Noble near you. Hopefully, additions for 2004 include
Pepe and the remaining members of the Electric Mayhem. Muppet puppets
would be nice as well.
While
we like the other parody bean dolls, the Electric Mayhem was our
favorite. Muppet fans never got a Janice, Floyd, Dr. Teeth or Zoot
plush in the Fisher-Price boom of the late 70’s. We figured
it was about time these wonderful characters were made to snuggle
up with. Other bean sets on the way next year include Vet's Hospital
and Pigs in Space.
These
playsets are some of the most amazing toys released in ANY genre.
The Swedish Kitchen includes the Chef and more than 40 accessories,
many show specific. The Pigs in Space playset with First Mate Piggy
is nearly a dead-on replica from The Muppet Show. At this price
point, you won't find a better value than either of these works
of art.
HONORABLE
MENTION: Muppet PVC's, Palisades Toys
OUR
PICK:
The Wisdom of Big Bird, Villard Books
It
was a big year for Dark Crystal fans. Like the aforementioned CD,
OUR
PICK:
Muppet Show Dart Board, RIX Tins
It's
the accessory for your car. Put a Muppet on your antenna and show
everyone just how much of a Muppet fan you are. Choose from Kermit,
Piggy, Gonzo and Animal. There's just something wonderful about
having a Muppet on your favorite vehicle. We can't be responsible
for the looks you get though.
OUR
PICK:
Muppet Show Busts, Sideshow-Weta Collectibles
This
DVD boxed set is newly re-mastered with Jim Henson's sketches and
his original "Mithra" treatment of the film. In addition,
the box set includes collectible premium items: a limited edition
film frame senitype reproduction, a copy of Jim Henson's never before-seen
original handwritten production notes and a special forward by Cheryl
Henson.
The
honors for collectibles we thought we'd never see go to Sababa's
plush dolls of Gobo and Red Fraggle. The quality is so outstanding,
you'll be dancing your cares away. Word on the street is that Wembley,
Boober and Mokey are on the way in 2004. Now all we need is a Fraggle
DVD collection on this list next year...
This
1983 special has not been broadcast in 20 years, much less received
an official DVD release. Now you can watch 
What
seperates these Muppet action figures from the rest of the pack
is not only their high-quality sculpts and attention to detail,
but Palisades interaction with fans makes the difference. They care
about getting the character "right", not just meeting
sales numbers and quotas. Their dedication has proved that even
obscure Muppets can sell if designed and promoted well. Hopefully,
other retailers will follow in their footsteps and continue to raise
the bar in 2004.
While
everyone has their favorites, series 5 with Tux Gonzo, Janice, the
Newsman and Pepe the King Prawn was our highlight of the year. Target's
Koozebane Kermit is a must-have as well. Palisades released four
waves in 2003:
Editor's Note: The above designations are based solely on our opinions and are not based on any scientific data. The intent is to highlight many of the more popular releases throughout the year. Let us know what were your favorite products of 2003 in our discussion forum.
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