N E W S
   2006 | 2005 |
2004
   2003 | 2002 |
2001    2000 | 1999 | 1998



Shop for Muppet DVD's,
Replicas and Puppets

 

New Collectibles

• 9/14 - Fraggle Rock: Scared Silly DVD

• 9/14 - Preschool is Cool: Counting with Elmo DVD

• 9/10 - Muppet Monopoly and Muppet Yahtzee

• 8/3 - Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets DVD and Abby & Friends: P Is for Princess DVD

• 7/13 - Sesame Street: 20 Years and Still Counting DVD

• 7/8 - Who was Jim Henson? Book

• 7/6 - Muppet King Arthur Paperback and Preschool Is Cool: Abcs With Elmo DVD

• 7/6 - Preschool is Cool: ABCs with Elmo DVD

• 6/8 - Dog City: The Movie DVD

Join the Muppet Central Mailing List

 

NEWS

Pixar reviews live-action Muppet movie script

New Video: Muppets Popcorn

Frank Oz unveils tribute to the "Henson Pipes" at NBC Studios

Henson's adult "Late Night Liars" debuts June 10

New Video: Muppets' American Woman

More >>

MERCHANDISE

Fraggle Rock "Scared Silly" DVD debuts September 14

Classic "Henson's Place" special arrives on DVD August 3

Sesame Street games coming for the Wii, DS and PC

Rare Sesame Street 20th anniversary special debuts on DVD July 13

"Dog City: The Movie" coming to DVD June 8

More >>

New Muppet presentation pilot filmed

The 10-minute mock documentary follows the daily happenings of Kermit and the Muppets, both on and off stage. This pilot could lead to a new series featuring the Classic Muppet characters.

By Greg James, Muppet Central
January 13, 2007

For years we've heard all kinds of reports of "the new Muppet Show" - from an edgy prime-time variety show on FOX to a spoof of reality TV competitions on ABC. Well earlier this month a short presentation pilot for a proposed Muppet mini-series recently wrapped production. The project is being kept "under wraps" right now. It is still in development and subject to change. However the Walt Disney Company is currently considering a series that will relaunch the Muppets back onto television and in the public's eye.

This presentation pilot, completed in January 2007, proposes a mini-series shot in mock documentary style that continues to follow the adventures of the Muppets as they create a new show.

The short pilot uses the television syntax of a documentary (think "The Office" meets "The Muppet Show"). The series revolves around Kermit the Frog as he attempts to reassemble the Muppet troupe and launch a new Muppet show. The mockumentary mini-series would feature fictional English filmmaker Ian Bascombe who, with his film crew, follow the daily happenings Kermit and the Muppets, both on and off stage. Bascombe finds that many of the classic Muppets have gone off to other venues since we last saw them and follows Kermit as the frog attempts to track them down and get the whole troupe back together.

For example, Fozzie has gone off to a solo career in stand-up comedy, Sam Eagle is now a security personnel, and Miss Piggy has been a busy actress in Hollywood. Similar to The Muppet Movie, Kermit travels around getting the gang to come together for a common goal – putting on a show. But aside from just getting everyone onboard, Kermit and the gang have to plan and develop the show itself.

This test pilot, which is now beginning to circulate the inner management of the Walt Disney Company, was written and produced by Bill Prady and was directed by Bill Barretta. Muppeteers Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz and Bill Barretta were also involved in the project. Aside from the Muppets, this spec pilot also included cameo appearances from John Landis and Melina Kanakaredes.

Although a presentation pitch was filmed for the series, it is no guarantee that the project will be developed further or see the light of day. Muppet fans may already know that over the past decade more than three similar pilot pitches for a new Muppet show have been made, and almost half a dozen concepts for series have reached different stages of development as well. However insiders are currently hopeful for this pilot; they say it looks great and is truly entertaining and original. Sources say that it is likely the Disney executives, after seeing the presentation pitch, will in fact green-light the mini-series to move into production (and possibly air) later in 2007.

Rumor also has it that if successful, the mini-series could be used as a way to launch the Muppets with a new full-time series (which, like the previous Muppet series, would follow the misadventures of the weekly show they've now developed). However that wouldn't be until 2008 or 2009 (if at all).

Needless to say, this is very exciting new for Muppet fans. It shows hope for the franchise, and give some comfort to eager fans to know Disney is actively looking for ways to use and rejuvenate the characters. We will keep you posted as soon as we get more details on the development of this mockumentary mini-series, or any other information on the possible return of the Muppets to television.

Discuss this story  E-mail news alerts

   MORE MUPPET NEWS

Pixar reviews live-action Muppet movie script
New Video: Muppets Popcorn
New Video: Muppets' American Woman
The Muppets have a table read for the "Greatest" Muppet movie
Muppets Lost Promos
The Muppets win big at the Webby Awards
New Video: Kermit's Commentary on Bohemian Rhapsody

Vote for "Bohemian Rhapsody" for two Webby Awards

 

Search:
Keywords:
In Association with Amazon.com

home | news | collectibles | articles | forum | guides | radio | cards | help

Fan site Muppet Central created by Phillip Chapman. Multimedia design by James V. Carroll. Updates by Muppet Central Staff. All Muppets, Bear characters and photos are copyright of the Muppets Holding Company. Sesame Street characters and photos are copyright of Sesame Workshop. Fraggle Rock, Creature Shop and similar likenesses are copyright of The Jim Henson Company.