In February of 2004 Disney Purchased two properties from the Jim Henson Company. The Bear in the Big Blue House and the other property was The Muppets. With the purchase of the Muppets we have seen a resurgence in their popularity due to 2011 movie release of The Muppets. Directed by James Bobin (Flight of the Concords) and written by Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Nicholas Stoller (Yes Man) and based on characters created by the late great Jim Henson.
With a budget of $45,000,000 and grossing $88,625,922 in domestic sales alone it spawned a sequel titled The Muppets: Most Wanted picking right up after the first film. The Muppets Most Wanted brought back director James Bobin and writer Nicholas Stoller with the addition of James Bobin. With a budget of $50,000,000 this film only grossed $51,178,893 in domestic ticket sales. Now we all know that sequels are not always good, but Most wanted was fair and enjoyable.
Now I have been a fan of The Muppets since I was a little kid, but my memories of The Muppets are on TV. Yes they made a few movies, but to me the Muppets belong on TV. Well, it looks like I will get my wish. ABC Television is planning on bringing back The Muppets to television, but in a different light.
In 1976 The Muppets struggled to put on a variety show with guest hosts like Steve Martin, Vincent Price, Bob Hope, Peter Sellers, Sylvester Stallone, Mark Hamill, and the list goes on. Now ABC Television is looking to re-invent The Muppets, but in the form of a mocumentary. Think of The Office Meets The Muppets. Entertainment Weekly lists it as “The Muppets return to prime time with a contemporary, documentary-style show that—for the first time ever—will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires; a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages.”
Will it be successful or am I just wanting to revisit my childhood? either way I am looking forward to revisiting and rediscovering the magical world of The Muppets becasue soon It will be time to play the music, It’s time to light the lights, It’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight.
#Disney #Muppets #ABCTelevision #Jimhenson
