The Muppets and Me at D23, Part 2

For The Muppets and Me at D23, Part 1, check out yesterday's post!

Ryan Dosier - Welcome back to The Muppet Mindset's coverage of the 2011 Disney D23 Expo and beyond! How can our coverage get any better than Kermit and Rowlf sharing a duet and break downs of two exclusive clips from The Muppets? Well... how about two Muppet performers? Curious? Good. Follow along, won't you?

On Saturday at the Expo I was walking around the show floor, making my way to the back of the line to see The Lion King 3D. Lucky for me (and unlucky for Simba), as I was making my way there I happened to see two very familiar looking men hanging around at one of the booths on the show floor chatting away to an exhibitor. I wandered closer and realized, much to my extreme delight, that it was none other than Steve Whitmire and Eric Jacobson. Lucky for me, I was wearing my "themuppetmindset.com" t-shirt on Saturday, so when I introduced myself to Steve he became ecstatic upon reading my shirt and meeting a Muppet fan-site operator. Here, have a picture...

Steve Whitmire is an amazing person to meet. He is so approachable and funny and friendly from the get-go. It's really quite difficult to describe him... but he really is just brilliant. Smart and wise and hilarious. Steve and I talked for about twenty minutes after I introduced myself and once we got past my string of compliments and near-fainting spells we had a great conversation about the new movie and Steve's thoughts--a conversation completely started and steered by him. He mentioned that, in the beginning of The Muppets, Kermit is very much restrained and somewhat defeated by his friends leaving. However, even though he didn't tell me out right, based on what Steve said Kermit returns exactly to form by the end of the film. It's great to know that there is growth and development for the Frog.

Steve also said that he hadn't seen any footage from the movie--other than the trailers--were the two clips shown earlier that day. He was really excited by how they looked. Then he asked how I liked the clips, and I told him my honest opinion--which we'll get to later--and he made me promise that when the movie came out and I reviewed it for the Mindset I would be honest about my thoughts. He was very adamant in saying that fan reactions are the ways in which both the performers and Disney see what they could do better. So, of course, I promised I would--and then the full force of the fact that I had just made a promise to Kermit the Frog hit me.

Then Steve pulled Eric over and introduced me to him--but it turned out, again, that I didn't really need much introduction. Once Eric saw the shirt he knew who I was. It's such a weird thing, having Muppet performers recognize and know of you--that's the fan's job! But I'm not complaining. Have another picture...

Eric was just as humble and friendly and complimentary as Steve, with the added bonus that he comes off as just as huge of a Muppet fan as me, or you, or anyone who reads the site. He talked about the Muppets and their projects with gusto and appreciation. I could just tell that he loves and respects them immensely. I mentioned the great viral videos and Eric told me that those were his favorite projects that he's worked on. We also talked a bit about his being cramped in the motorcycle side-car earlier (I think he said something about "the diva demands it"), Muppet fan sites, and the new movie. He said, quite excitedly, "If the movie is half as good as the trailers, we're in for a great time." Like Steve, Eric felt great about the work they had done on the movie and kept reiterating how much he was looking forward to seeing it.

Afterwards I took the pictures above with them and, being the amazing two individuals that they are, both Steve and Eric (and Kermit and Piggy) signed a mini-poster for me that the El Capitan Theatre Hollywood booth was handing out (see right). I really just can't even describe the magic and enthusiasm and heart that comes from these guys. Both Steve and Eric (and every other Muppeteer I've met, for that matter) are nothing short of awesome, wonderful, friendly, humble, smart, and complimentary. Both of their closing words to me were, "Keep up the great work! We need you guys to love us and tell us when we mess up!" I couldn't--and still can't--thank either of them enough. Steve, Eric, if you happen to be reading thank you a million times again. You made my Expo! (And you have my email... just a reminder.)

And then, as if all that weren't enough, after the Expo on Saturday I met up with Danny Horn who is really (or at least should be) a Muppet celebrity in his own right. Danny started ToughPigs.com and Muppet Wiki and, as someone said the other day, really made online Muppet fandom what it is today. Anyway, Danny and I and his awesome friends Ed, Kyle, and Rolf, went to Disneyland where we messed around Muppet*Vision 3-D, rode it's a small world, Pirates of the Caribbean, and saw the amazing fireworks show, "Magical." Danny is awesome... simply put. We had a great time and then hung out on the last day of the Expo. A fun, fun guy and one of very few people I've ever met who I can have a real, educated, and intensely-charged "flat-head Kermit" discussion with. Oh, and thanks for the crown. It made my day--and then a small child's day too.

That's about all we can fit in this post without scaring away all of our readers. But check back tomorrow for the third and final part of coverage of my trip to California including my once-in-a-lifetime journey to The Walt Disney Studios and my thoughts and opinions on the exclusive clips from The Muppets that I got a chance to see!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

News Update: June 18, 2011

With all the Muppet movie excitement that has been sweeping all around us these past few days, we have missed out on some fun, cool news items from other branches of Muppet fandom. Let's get caught up some, shall we? And, of course, this News Update ends with even more news about The Muppets.

Those lucky ToughPigs, Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe, have been posting videos from their oh-so-awesome visit to the set of Sesame Street. First, they talked to Emilio Delgado and Roscoe Orman, then it was Carmen Oshbar, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Rosita, and Abby Cadabby, and now they got to talk to Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, and Matt Vogel. If I didn't like them (and this video) so much, I'd hate them (and plus they managed to mention The Muppet Mindset... so all is forgiven). Check it out!



The D23 Expo will be held once again this year in Anaheim, California on August 19-21. A tradition for Disney for years has been inducting new members into its distinguished Disney Legends Awards, honoring individuals who have contributed quite a bit to the Disney stable. 2009's honorees included Betty White and Tony Anselmo, voice of Donald Duck. The honorees at this year's expo include Regis Philbin, the voices of Disney Princesses, the original Zorro, and none other than Jim Henson. It is unknown who will be on-hand (that's a joke, son) to accept the award for Jim, but I'll be sure to let you know, because I've officially decided that I will be attending and live-blogging from the D23 Expo this year! So... yeah, there's that to look forward to.

Late this past Wednesday night I got a text from Lisa the Intern saying, "Paul Williams on Jimmy Fallon NOW! Watch!" Unfortunately, I was with four friends in the middle of a movie that I don't remember, so I couldn't watch. However, thanks to the magic of Hulu, Paul Williams' appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon is now online for all of us to see. Here's the video of Paul closing the show performing "Rainbow Connection" with The Roots.



A week ago, Sesame Street posted a preview of a brand new sketch from Season 42 on their YouTube page called SpiderMonster, The Musical and somehow we missed that too. It's hysterical and charming and features a (semi) cameo by Bono. We have received confirmation that the performers in this sketch are indeed Jerry Nelson as Mr. Johnson/Fat Blue and Frank Oz as Grover. How awesome is that?



Rolling Stone magazine is reporting that the band Scissor Sisters have been tapped to score the music for the Fraggle Rock feature film, but then quickly edited the article with a quote from The Jim Henson Company saying no deal has been made with the band, but they are in talks with Scissor Sisters and others. This is odd for many reasons, since we have no idea who even owns distribution/production rights for the film (we've heard through the grapevine that The Weinstein Company is out). So... take this article as you will. Could be vastly old, unreported news from when the film was still maybe happening, or it could be something else entirely. In other words... we have no idea.

In "movies that are actually happening" news, ComingSoon.net has posted a fantastic new article, "It's Time to Light the Lights!: On Set with The Muppets" chronicling their visit to the set of The Muppets. They get to talk with Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and producers Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman. It's a really well-written, heartfelt article that also provides us with some information we didn't know.

Remember that robot seen driving the car in the full length trailer? Well, apparently his name is 80's Robot, "'80s Robot looks exactly like a larger scale version of any generic sci-fi toy you would have seen on your local drug store toy aisle back in the early '80s. Unlike most Muppets, '80s Robot appeared to be almost 100% plastic. Not the traditional felt and cloth we associate with Muppets. To that end, it is probably incorrect to label '80s Robot a Muppet at all. What we do know is that '80s Robot is Kermit's driver... as it is him in the driver's seat of the Rolls for the scene. This was later confirmed on set by Debbie McClellan, Disney's creative director for the Muppets (and again confirmed in the new trailer)."

And the burly looking pig we've been wondering about since the first teaser trailer? That's Miss Poogy. According to the article, "Poogy is the anti-Piggy. A ruddy, rough-looking pig adorned in leather and chains, Poogy addressed the others while sharpening a knife in her left hand. She was obviously getting the crew mixed up in something bad, telling them not to 'worry about it' and expressing surprise that they'd never 'done this before.'"

We can't even go two days without more movie news--and I'm not complaining! Be sure to read the whole article because it's a real treat with some fun pictures included as well!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Fozzie Bear

FOZZIE BEAR

Performed by...
Frank Oz (1976-1999)
Eric Jacobson (2002-present)

First appearance...
The Muppet Show Episode 101: Juliet Prowse (1976)

Most recent appearance...
The Muppets (2011)

Best known role...
The Muppet Show's in-house comedian. Teller of bad jokes. Performer of bad novelty acts. Heckle-target of Statler and Waldorf. Kermit's best friend.

Catchphrase...
"Wocka! Wocka! Wocka!"

WHO IS FOZZIE BEAR?
Fozzie is the furry, fuzzy, funny-man of The Muppet Theater. He is ever-earnest in his quest for the title of World's Greatest Stand-up (Bear) Comedian and that attitude keeps his optimism high and his friendliness equally as high--unfortunately, sometimes his self-esteem falls to the lower end of the scale.

Fozzie's role on The Muppet Show went from comedian, to backstage character and comedian, to prop comic, to ventriloquist, to roller skating comic, and much, much more. Fozzie was originally conceived to be Frank Oz's main character on the show (until Miss Piggy stepped forward--Fozzie was probably more than happy to jump out of the way). Fozzie was an integral part of the cast and you would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of the 120 episodes of the show that didn't include Fozzie.

After The Muppet Show, Fozzie carried on with Kermit and followed him blindly. In The Muppet Movie, Fozzie was rescued by Kermit when the bear's gig in the El Sleezo Cafe went south; and they have been best friends ever since. Fozzie was the first Muppet Kermit met and invited along with him to Hollywood and he acted as Kermit's sort of first mate throughout the rest of the film and continues to do so today.

In The Great Muppet Caper, Fozzie played Kermit's twin brother (he's  the one in the hat), a role that was not much of a stretch for the bear, as he had been acting as Kermit's pseudo-brother for years prior to the film. This is where one of Fozzie's greatest moments comes into play as he provides the rousing speech (on the same level as the guy from Braveheart) to convince the Muppets to help Kermit by stealing the Fabulous Baseball Diamond (long story). "Shame on you!" Fozzie scolds the others. "We don't want the bad guys to win!" And, thanks to Fozzie, they don't.

The Muppets Take Manhattan saw Fozzie take a smaller role as the story turned to focus more on Kermit and Miss Piggy rather than a group dynamic. Fozzie did have some memorable scenes, however. He attempts to hibernate with a cave of bears ("How do they do it? I've been trying to fall asleep for days!") and even sings the climax of the song "Saying Goodbye" surrounded by the rest of the Muppets.

In the late 1980's and early 1990's, Fozzie was a huge big part of the Muppets. He was crucial to the plot of A Muppet Family Christmas, The Muppets at Walt Disney World, and The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson. In the first two, Fozzie's Ma also plays a big role.

Once the 1990's started chugging along, Fozzie was seen less and less. In The Muppet Christmas Carol he was relegated to a very small role as Fozziwig and was only seen for one short scene. He didn't fare much better in Muppet Treasure Island as Squire Trelawney--but, thankfully, his part was slightly more substantial than Fozziwig. In Muppets Tonight Fozzie only appeared a handful of times (mostly due to Frank Oz's other priorities at the time) in a few sketches such as "EIEIO-R" and "City Shtickers" with Kermit and Billy Crystal.

In Muppets From Space Fozzie finally returned as part of the main group of Muppets alongside Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Rizzo, Pepe, and Animal. He was once again portrayed as Kermit's best friend and showed off his driving skills from The Muppet Movie by driving the Electric Mayhem bus to rescue Gonzo.

All of these films portrayed Fozzie as a dim-witted character and not as the loving, endearing comedian bear he was on The Muppet Show and in earlier films. This all changed with It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (Eric Jacobson's first performance as Fozzie) where the bear was once again funny because of his endearing qualities. Fozzie's humor was drawn from his dedication to Kermit and the rest of his friends. (Running through a laser field three times just to save the theater? That takes chutzpah!)

In recent films and projects, Fozzie remains a main character. He played the Cowardly Lion in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, performed at "The North Pole Comedy Club" on The Muppets Red and Green Christmas album, and played a leading role in A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, where he sang a duet with Gonzo for the first time.

Recently, Fozzie has been seen as an integral part of the Muppets "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." promotions, at the D23 Expo with Gonzo and Pepe, and with Andrea Bocelli and the rest of the Muppets performing "Jingle Bells" all over the place this holiday season. Fozzie even sang a few lines in the latest, most successful viral video from the Muppets, "Bohemian Rhapsody." "Let me joke!" he begs Statler and Waldorf as they simply shake their heads and grumble "Do not like your jokes!"

Fozzie will return to the big screen in November 2011 in The Muppets feature film. In the movie, Fozzie has split up from the rest of the Muppets and finds himself performing with a troupe of gruff performers in Las Vegas called The Moopets. It takes Kermit, Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and new Muppet, Walter, to bring Fozzie back to the Muppet Theater and find the other Muppets.

FOZZIE BEAR AND FRANK OZ
As mentioned early, Fozzie was conceived as Frank Oz's main character on The Muppet Show. Frank really settled into Fozzie after the first season and fell in love with the bear right after. It is interesting to look at Frank's Fozzie in relation to Jim Henson's Kermit. They played off of each other much like Ernie and Bert, just with the roles/performers reversed. Fozzie would bug Kermit much like Ernie would bug Bert. But, in the end, they remained best friends--just like Jim and Frank.

FOZZIE BEAR AND ERIC JACOBSON
Fozzie is now performed by Eric Jacobson, who performs most of Frank's characters. Eric has really become Fozzie and understands the character extremely well--as his performances as the bear will show. When The Muppet Show Season 3 was released on DVD, Fozzie an Kermit made the interview rounds to promote it and Eric and Steve Whitmire played off of each other extremely well and it really felt like Fozzie was finally back. Kudos to Eric Jacobson for bringing back the bear!

FOZZIE BEAR SONGS
Although Fozzie is mostly comically inclined, every once in awhile he shows off his musical side. These are a few of his more famous numbers:

• "Wotcher Knocked 'Em in the Old Kent Road" - The Muppet Show Episode 201
• "The Pig Got Up and Slowly Walked Away" - The Muppet Show Episode 209
  
• "An Actor's Life for Me" (with Rowlf on piano) - The Muppet Show Episode 305
• "Green Door" - The Muppet Show Episode 422
• "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear" (with Scooter) - The Muppet Show Episode 101
• "Any Old Iron" (with Kermit) - The Muppet Show Episode 214
• "English Country Garden" (with Rowlf) - The Muppet Show Episode 218
• "Top Banana" (with Milton Berle) - The Muppet Show Episode 203
• "The Rhyming Song" (with Scooter, Link, and Annie Sue) - The Muppet Show Episode 308
• "Movin' Right Along" (with Kermit) - The Muppet Movie
• "Steppin' Out with a Star" (with Kermit and Gonzo) - The Great Muppet Caper
• "Saying Goodbye" (with The Muppet) - The Muppets Take Manhattan
• "Sleigh Ride" (with a Snowman) - A Muppet Family Christmas
• "Wooly Bully" (with Gonzo and Rizzo) - Muppet Beach Party album
• "Nothing's Too Good For You" (with Rizzo and the Rats) - Muppet Classic Theater
• "When I'm With You" (with Ashanti, Kermit, Gonzo, and Pepe) - The Muppets' Wizard of Oz

FOZZIE BEAR'S GREATEST (WORST) JOKES
"My apartment is so small, all of the mice have hunchbacks!"

Kermit: "Bear left."
Fozzie: "Right frog!"

Kermit: "Good grief, the comedian's a bear."
Fozzie: "No he's'a not! He's'a wearin' a neck'a'tie!"

Kermit: "Where did you learn to drive?"
Fozzie: "I took a correspondence course."

"If you think this crowd is ugly, you should see the dancing girls!"

Fozzie: "Ah, Christmas, time for Santa and his eight prancing reinbear."
Snowman: "That's reindeer."
Fozzie: "No... That's SNOW, darling! Ahhh!"

"Hey, that Gonzo is SO dumb, he just heard that we're running short of water, so he wants us to dilute it."

"New York is so crowded, even the cemeteries are standing room only!"

Rowlf: "Oh, Fozzie, what are you carrying the fish for?"
Fozzie: "Oh, for the halibut!"

WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED FOZZIE BEAR?
Fozzie is everyone's best friend. Not only is he Kermit's, but he's Gonzo's and Rowlf's and Scooter's and, she probably wouldn't admit it, probably Miss Piggy's too. Fozzie cares more about his friends than anything else. He cares about making sure that Kermit is happy--even if it takes a bad joke to do that. Even Statler and Waldorf probably secretly love the bear (but lord knows they won't show it). Although Fozzie may seem obsessed with jokes, he's really obsessed with something else: the dream. Yes, Kermit's dream of never giving up and singing and dancing and making people happy. No one represents this dream better than Fozzie Bear--even Kermit says so in the "Fridays with Fozzie" section of his book Before You Leap.

So honk a bicycle horn, throw a pie, squirt a flower--do something to show Fozzie Bear how much you love him. Wocka! Wocka! Wocka!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier.