Official Character Descriptions from "The Muppets"

Earlier this weekend, our friends over at Stitch Kingdom were provided with some fantastic, official info from Disney about The Muppets. Over the next two days we'll be sharing with you what they've shared already, starting today with The Muppets Official Character Descriptions. Enjoy these fun, insightful looks at the characters we'll meet (and we've already met) in The Muppets this fall. Also, be sure to click on the links for Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal, and Walter, so you can check out the new, official Facebook fan pages for each character!

GARY (Jason Segel) is loyal to his brother Walter—the two do everything together. "Gary is from Smalltown, USA," says Jason Segel (TV's "How I Met Your Mother," Forgetting Sarah Marshall), a longtime Muppet fan who created the role with himself in mind. "He's very naïve, sweet and innocent, and he's very much in love with his girlfriend Mary. He's torn between his brother and growing into a new phase of maturation where it's time to be with his girlfriend. He's lived with his brother forever so that is his big struggle."

The plot thickens when the trio decides to take a vacation. Says Segel, "The movie starts out with me and my brother Walter, whose wildest fantasy is to meet the Muppets. My goal is to take a vacation to L.A. with my girlfriend Mary. So we all come to L.A. and while taking a tour of Muppet Studios, which are now decrepit, we find out that they're going to be torn down to drill for oil. So we have to find Kermit, reunite the Muppets—who have disbanded because of professional rivalries—and put on a show to raise enough money to save the studio."

Gary throws himself into the effort, putting his relationship with Mary on the back burner—again. Will he ever be able to grow up and embrace true love?

With his Kermit t-shirt and watch, WALTER (Walter) is a devoted fan of the Muppets. The lifelong resident of Smalltown, USA, dreams of meeting his heroes one day, and feels that—just maybe—he belongs with them. So when brother Gary and his girlfriend Mary plan a trip to Los Angeles, Walter joins them with hopes of realizing his dream once and for all.

The role marks the big-screen debut for Walter, and one seemingly written for him. "I play Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan," says the star, "which is a real coincidence, since I happen to be the world's biggest Muppet fan and my name is Walter. It's like I was made to play this part."

Walter finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time—or is it the right time?—when he overhears evil oil baron Tex Richman discussing a plot to destroy Muppet Studios. With the help of Gary and Mary, it's Walter who sets the plan in motion to reunite the Muppets and save the studio. His pure-hearted enthusiasm for all things Muppets just might save more than the studio, too.

MARY (Amy Adams) is a valued shop teacher in Smalltown, USA—at least if the number of apples on her desk are any indication. She is Gary's longtime girlfriend who often finds herself playing third wheel to Gary and his brother Walter.

Mary shares Gary and Walter's sweet, innocent disposition, but she's growing weary of sharing her boyfriend with Walter. She can’t help but hope for a magical proposal during their Los Angeles vacation, but her plans are derailed when news of Muppet Studios' pending demise spur the trio into expressly non-marriage-proposal action.

Amy Adams (The Fighter, Julie & Julia) was called on for the role—in a way that was impossible to miss, says the actress. "Jason and Kermit sent me an invitation to be in Disney's The Muppets—they asked if I'd read the script and consider the role of Mary. Kermit was a big part of my decision. I don't like to tell Jason that 'cause he’s a little sensitive that I might be partial to Kermit, but I am."

In Disney's The Muppets, KERMIT THE FROG (Kermit the Frog) lives a quiet, solitary life. It's been a few years since the Muppets last performed together and Kermit doesn't realize how much he misses his friends until he's tracked down by Walter, Gary and Mary from Smalltown, USA, and convinced to reunite with the rest of the Muppets to save Muppet Studios.

Returning to the role he made famous in six previous Muppet movies, "The Muppet Show" and countless TV specials and internet videos, is Kermit the Frog. "I've played other parts, like Bob Crachit  in A Muppet Christmas Carol and Captain Smollett in Muppet Treasure Island, says Kermit, "but I think me is my favorite part."

The role is a bit of a departure for the frog known for his unifying spirit and award-winning songs like "The Rainbow Connection." "The movie is filled with comedy, music and adventure—like all the Muppet movies," says Kermit. "But I play quite a dramatic role. You see a side of me that maybe you haven't see before—and I'm not just taking about new camera angles. Acting wise, I really stretch to play me. One of my favorite moments is singing a brand new original song called 'Pictures in my Head.' I walk through the halls of a big mansion looking at portraits of my Muppet friends and missing those guys. It was very emotional…and I think it will disprove critics who've said 'the frog can't emote.'"

Kermit, who's always the glue that holds the Muppets together, has a big job in this movie, going head to head with Tex Richman—a guy who's lost his laugh—to save the studio.

TEX RICHMAN (Chris Cooper) is a rich oil baron who's concocted a devious plan to destroy Muppet Studios, presumably to dig for the oil he claims is underneath.

But the truth, says Chris Cooper (Adaptation, The Bourne Identity), who portrays the villain, is that Tex has a personal vendetta against the Muppets. "He blames the Muppets for a terrible event that happened to him at his 10th birthday party," says Cooper. "He is unable to laugh and has vowed to destroy the Muppets."

But Tex Richman's inability to laugh doesn't stop him from taking part in other Muppet antics. He may be cold-hearted and conniving, but this oil magnate has a few secrets up his sleeve that are more fun than fiendish.

MISS PIGGY (Miss Piggy) showcases her diva attitude and big personality in a new made-to-order gig in Disney's The Muppets. As plus-size editor of Vogue Paris, she shares her sublime fashion sensibilities with readers worldwide... at least until Kermit shows up.

The Frog is there, of course, as part of his mission to reunite all the Muppets to save Muppet Studios from Tex Richman. But Miss Piggy can read between the lines: she knows an invitation for love when she sees it.  And really—how could she say no to Kermie?

Playing the role of Miss Piggy is none other than Miss Piggy (Muppets from Space, TV's "The Muppet Show"). "It's the role I was born to play," says the internationally famous star. "Moi plays a high-powered, confident, charismatic, gorgeous, scene-stealing star who saves the day and wins her frog’s heart." Her fans would expect nothing less.

FOZZIE BEAR (Fozzie Bear) lives to make people laugh. So during the Muppets' extended hiatus depicted in Disney's The Muppets, the stand-up comic bear was determined to keep his act and the spirit of the Muppets alive—even if it meant joining up with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Moopets may be sincere, but they're also a little creepy.

"The Moopets recreate great Muppet moments," says Fozzie Bear (The Great Muppet Caper, TV's "The Muppet Show"), who is back on the big screen as his namesake, "at least that’s what they told me we were doing. Could've fooled me."

Regardless of who he shares the stage with, Fozzie will try anything to tickle the audience's funny bones: gags, novelties, whoopee cushions, banana peels, custard pies and recycled jokes that earn more winces than laughs—particularly from his in-house hecklers, Statler and Waldorf (aka "those two old guys in the balcony") In truth, Statler and Waldorf just might be the bear's biggest fans. Though they'd never admit it, they may actually be happy to see Fozzie and the Muppets reunited—and they might have to throw the bear a laugh or two this time if it means saving Muppet Studios.

VERONICA (Rashida Jones) is a network executive called on by the Muppets to air their studio-saving telethon. She's not easily swayed, and it'll take a big-name star to seal the deal.

Actress Rashida Jones (The Social Network, TV's "The Office") portrays the tough-as-nails woman to impress. "I play a hard-nosed, stressed-out TV executive," says Jones, "but I am the only one who gives the Muppets the chance to air their fundraising telethon. I definitely crack the whip, though, because I'm scared of losing my job and I’m scared it’s not going to be successful—I yell at Kermit a lot."

It won't be easy, but hopefully, Kermit can charm Veronica like he charms every woman, network exec and diva pig he encounters.

GONZO THE GREAT (The Great Gonzo) has been very busy since the Muppets last performed. In Disney's The Muppets, Kermit, Walter and the gang find that Gonzo's career is down the drain—literally. "I play a plumbing magnate," says the daredevil who returns to the role he single-handedly made famous. "In this movie, we see what happens when I pursue plumbing — my original career choice. Actually, show business and plumbing have a lot in common—especially when it comes to clogs and snakes."

It takes some convincing—and an increase in health insurance coverage—to get Gonzo back on stage. Fortunately, Gonzo (The Muppets Take Manhattan,  TV's "The Muppet Show"), a pioneer of all things weird, can't resist the temptation of the wild and wacky stunts he performs to earn the eternal admiration (not to mention shock and awe) of his audience—and one very special chicken named Camilla.

Gonzo's stage act, which includes shooting himself from a cannon, balancing a piano on his nose, or eating radial tires to classical music, will likely always end in disaster... but that's the whole point!

ANIMAL (Animal), the ultimate rock n' roll survivor, finally addresses a troublesome personality trait and finds himself in an anger management program in Disney's The Muppets. He's traded in his drums for a flute and is struggling to redefine his identity. As if...

But fear not, fans of the over-the-top, monosyllabic, appetite-with-legs drummer from Dr. Teeth's Electric Mayhem Band. Once reunited with the Muppets, Animal's incessant (yet innocent) pursuit of rock n' roll, food and women (not necessarily in that order) returns. "Me like," says Animal (Muppet Treasure Island, TV's "The Muppet Show"). "Movie good."

Be sure to visit StitchKingdom.com for even more Muppety goodness!

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

News Update: September 9, 2011

NEWS UPDATE: September 9, 2011

All week long, MTV.com has been showcasing its Fall Movie Preview. And one of the films that the folks over at MTV are most excited about is, of course, The Muppets. They're so excited, in fact, that they sat down for an interview with Jason Segel, who apparently likes Muppets quite a bit. In the interview, Segel discusses Walter's favorite Muppet, great Fozzie Bear puns, how Rowlf just loves a nap, and much, much more. Be sure to give it a read, because it really is quite awesome.



Speaking of The Muppets, big news this week as the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) granted the movie an official rating. The Muppets is rated PG for mild rude humor. Who knows what that pertains to in the film... but I like to think that they just gave it that rating as a precaution because Jason Segel and Jack Black are in it. I think it's an excellent sign that the film is rated PG, rather than G. A G rating would have turned away a lot of older movie-goers, but PG is the perfect spot for the Muppets to be to hit the widest amount of people.

Two more Muppet-related books have been announced as tie-ins to the movie. Oddly enough, information on either book can only be found on the UK Amazon, not the US. Check out the information and cover art for both below!

The Muppets: Lights, Camera, Action! Fan Book

Frogs, Hogs, Weirdos, and What-nots: An Unauthorised Guide to The Muppets

In other merchandise news for The Muppets, Adidas has announced that they will be releasing a limited edition set of Kermit the Frog sneakers called "Kermit the Frog x Adidas Superstar II." You can see a picture of one of the shoes at right, complete with an awesome froggy collar above the laces. I have to own these... no way around it.

In even more merchandise news, the first wave of readily-available Muppet stuff related to the movie has officially been released! Wal-Mart stores are now carrying numerous Muppet keychains to make your keys a little bit happier. There are numerous Miss Piggy variations, quite a few Kermits and Animals, at least one Gonzo, a nice group shot (with Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, and Gonzo), a rubber Kermit M as used in the movie logo, and, finally, an awesome Electric Mayhem keychain (see at right). There are at least fifteen different keychains available... so if this is any sign of what we'll be getting come November, we're in for a treat!

Finally, yesterday marked the beginning of Fashion Week in New York, and you couldn't keep Miss Piggy away from it. The porcine diva showed up last night to be beautiful and mingle with fashionistas. Opening Cermony (which is apparently a company?) posted an interview with Miss P. that sheds some insight into her forays into fashion and her thoughts on numerous other things. But, luckily for us, our good friends at Stitch Kingdom were live at Miss Piggy's appearance and captured some excellent photos and video for us. Check out the video below, and look for the pictures on the link above!









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

(Kind of) Weekly Muppet Quotes Spotlight: Miss Piggy

Casey Daron - Welcome again to (Kind Of) Weekly Muppet Quotes. This week we will be spotlighting the karate master diva, Miss Piggy! Miss Piggy is probably one of the best known characters in the Muppet repertoire, as well as an instant fan-favorite. I mean, what would the Muppets be without Miss Piggy? (Certainly less bruised!) I hope you enjoy this week's round of Muppet Quotes!

"Hang out with weirdos. It will make you look fabulous in comparison!"
~ Miss Piggy, The Diva Code

"We're going to pause here, and we'll be right back with Gonzo, the geek who fell to earth."
~ Miss Piggy, Muppets From Space

"You! It was you! Kermit was right! You’re a phony! Yes, you are! And you know what, you can't even sing! Your voice was dubbed!"
~ Miss Piggy, The Great Muppet Caper

"Listen, high pockets, here's how things work in enchanted lands. Shoes have magical powers. If you have the shoes, you get the powers. But if you're going to question every little detail, the whole thing's gonna fall apart and we might as well call it a day, okay?"
~ Miss Piggy (as Tattypoo), The Muppets Wizard of Oz

"Holy Guacamole! This looks like a job for Wonder Pig!"
~ Miss Piggy, The Muppet Show, Episode 419
"Moi believes that Hollywood gives too many awards... to other people."
~ Miss Piggy, The Diva Code

"Alright, cut the chatter! Let’s get this party started! I’ve gotta shoot a celebrity Eyebrow Threading infomercial at two thirty!"
~ Miss Piggy, Tales of a Sixth Grade Muppet

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

The Muppets and Me at D23, Part 1

Ryan Dosier - Oh, hiya Muppet fans! How long it's been... I see that The British Correspondent reaped his patented havoc upon you all while I was away. Well, I think it was worth it. Let's see if you agree. This past weekend I journeyed out West, and like my pioneer brothers before me, I went in search of talking mice and singing frogs and dancing ducks. Well... maybe not exactly like the pioneers. But who cares about them? I got to go to the Disney D23 Expo 2011 from Friday, August 19th until Sunday, August 21st. While I was in the neighborhood (Anaheim, California, to be specific) I got to visit the Disneyland Resort as well.

And what a time I had, let me tell you! I arrived in Anaheim on Thursday afternoon, the day before the Expo. And what is a young Muppet fan in Anaheim to do with so much time on his hands? Go to Disneyland, of course! So off I went, towards the land of mice and FastPasses, and made my way to Disney California Adventure, home of Muppet*Vision 3-D. You'd think this means loads of Muppet stuff, yes? Well, unfortunately, no. As we've learned from Disney Parks visits in recent years, there is very little new Muppet stuff to buy. They did, however, have the new Muppet Monopoly and Muppet Yahtzee for sale, but other than that it was the same old stuff: old plush dolls, a Kermit mug, a Kermit water bottle, two t-shirts, two hats, and not much else. Slightly disappointing, but not surprising enough to be completely disappointing.

However, over in Downtown Disney, the shopping district adjacent to the Disneyland Resort, they have a store called D-Street where they sell the popular Vinylmation figures, including many exclusives. Some of these exclusives were the four 9" Muppet Vinylmation figures, Muppet*Vision Kermit, Animal, Sam the Eagle, and Gonzo the Great with a 3" Camilla the Chicken. On Thursday I bought Gonzo and Camilla, and by Sunday I bought Sam as well... and I'd rather not talk about how much of a dent that put in my wallet. However, once I got them home and displayed on my shelf with the rest of the Vinylmation figures (see right), I didn't think twice. They're awesome. D-Street still has plenty of each figure and DisneyStore.com has Gonzo and Animal for sale there as well.

But the exciting part of the trip came on Friday when the Expo began. Walking into the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo is an overwhelming experience. The entire covering of the first floor is flooded with Mickey Mouse, Lightning McQueen, Donald Duck, Stitch, Goofy, and, yes, even Kermit. On the show floor I found Amy Mebberson (artist of Muppet Peter Pan and others) and James Silvani (artist of Muppet King Arthur) working their own booth where they spent the entire weekend drawing Disney for people--including myself! Check out their amazingly beautiful work (Amy on the left, James on the right) that is currently on my wall (see the picture on the right). Yup. That really is Scrooge McDuck arguing intensely with Angus McGonagle. It is heavenly.

Anyway... also on the show floor was the booth for WeLoveFine T-Shirts, a website that we've promoted multiple times on the Mindset. They were handing out, free to everyone, paper Kermit "crowns" for Expo guests to wear on their heads (see right). WeLoveFine was also selling some awesome Muppet t-shirts including Kermit in a tuxedo, Muppets 8-Bit, The Great Muppet Caper, and a women's shirt with Kermit Springsteen. Other than WeLoveFine, a couple other exhibitors were selling Muppet stuff including the upcoming makeup and nail polish lines, a preview of the 2011 Fozzie Bear Christmas ornament from Hallmark, and some new keychains featuring Kermit, Animal, and Beaker.

And then... it happened. The 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony. Hosted by Tom Bergeron (of America's Funniest Home Videos), the ceremony continues The Walt Disney Company's long-standing tradition of honoring those who contribute greatly to their success. Among this year's honorees were Regis Philbin, Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana), Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O'Hara (Belle), and, the final induction, someone named Jim Henson. It all started with Lisa Henson coming out to speak about her father, saying that her favorite Muppet had always been Rowlf. Then she introduced her brother, Brian Henson and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, who would be performing the Jim and Jane Henson classic "I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face." It was extraordinary... and you can see it here:



Then Brian Henson said some nice things about Jim, saying that he could never do anything without making sound effects to go along with his movements. Even miniscule things like handing someone a pen, and Jim would make a goofy sound effect--a sort of "bwoooop," if you will. Then Brian and Lisa accepted the award and took a picture with the walk-around Sweetums from Disneyland, and walked off stage. Soon, the stage curtains opened, and a smaller stage rolled out carrying a piano, lots of foliage, a dog, and a frog.



Kermit the Frog and Rowlf the Dog, Jim Henson's first two superstar characters, coming out to sing and honor their friend, performer, and creator Jim Henson with his most prolific song, "Rainbow Connection." The last time that Kermit and Rowlf shared a duet was in 1979 in The Muppet Movie. It was an incredible experience. Mid-way through the song, Kermit and Rowlf asked us all to sing along with them and I can say here and now that getting a chance to sing a song with Kermit the Frog is something that I wish everyone everywhere could have the chance to do. It was the most magical moment I've experienced. Seeing Kermit and Rowlf together again at last, honoring Jim, and a Disney ceremony, was more than I ever expected. It gave me hope and happiness and everything in between.

Then came Saturday, the day of The Walt Disney Studios presentation where Disney would trot out big stars, directors, and more to show off their upcoming feature films. This included John Lasseter (head of Pixar and Disney animation), Robert Downey, Jr., Sarah Silverman, Jack MacBrayer, Jennifer Garner, Scarlet Johanson, Cobie Smulders, Jeremy Renner, and Jason Segel, Kermit the Frog, and Miss Piggy. It was just as great as you'd expect. Unfortunately, cameras and cell phones were strictly forbidden from the presentation, but the following is a very accurate transcript of what happened from ComingSoon.net and EW.com...

There was a star that was late for their big D23 appearance. When Disney's head of production Sean Bailey introduced Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog and Jason Segel to talk about The Muppets at D23 this Saturday, the curtain pulled back and revealed Kermit and Segel sitting in director's chairs--but Miss Piggy was nowhere to be seen.

"You've worked on a movie with her," said Kermit when Segel pointed this out, "was she ever on time?"

"I love you, Kermit!" shouted an audience member. "I love you too!" replied Kermit.

Kermit went on to thank his fellow cast members. "Our movie stars the beautiful and talented Amy Adams! ... And the equally talented but less beautiful Jason Segel--no offense."

"I love you, Jason!" shouted another audience member. "I love you too and look forward to meeting you in person someday!" responded Segel.

Segel turned his attention to the clips of the movie they brought, saying there was a problem as they did not include Miss Piggy.

"She'll tear this whole arena apart if she finds out!" said Kermit.

"But she's not here," said Segel.

"Good point," replied Kermit as a motorcycle revved it's engine from backstage. The curtain parted again to reveal a motorcycle with none other than Miss Piggy in the sidecar, soaking in the adoration from all of her fans.

Once Kermit nervously explained that the second clip would feature "...almost all the Muppets." Piggy wasn’t too pleased. "Where’s [chairman of Walt Disney Studios] Rich Ross?" shouted Piggy as she stormed off the stage.

And then we were treated to two clips from the movie. MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD.

Clip #1: Gary (Segel), his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), and their Muppet buddy Walter are driving around Bel Air, Calif. at night, trying to locate the home of Kermit. They finally find it: a deserted-looking mansion with a driveway fence that has the faces of Kermit and Miss Piggy painted on it. There’s no doorbell, so Walter asks Gary to throw him over the fence. But Gary fails to toss Walter high enough, and the fence that Walter slams into winds up being electrocuted—clearly Kermit and Piggy have encountered enough stalkers to warrant such an elaborate security system. (NOTE FROM RYAN: The Walter-shocking scene was MUCH shorter than in the trailer maybe two seconds long at most.)

Suddenly, Kermit appears on the driveway behind Gary, Mary, and Walter. As Kermit walks toward the trio, he’s silhouetted by an enormously bright white light and we hear an angelic choir singing. It’s as if God himself were approaching. But seconds later, we see the source of that blinding light and Messianic music: On the street, a bus carrying members of the Good Shepard Church Choir just happened to be driving by. Walter immediately faints.

Next, we’re inside Kermit’s home with Gary, Mary, and Walter. It’s clear that Kermit has been living in the past. During the middle of a conversation, a robot butler enters the room with a tray of outdated sodas such as New Coke and Tab. Kermit asks the robot, whom he simply calls "80s robot," to please leave and the clip ends.

Clip #2: Kermit, Rowlf, and Fozzie break off the chain around the door to the Muppet Theater. Kermit walks in slowly, nostalgically, hearing echoes of himself (Jim Henson) introducing "very special guest star, Bob Hope!!" and the announcer (Jerry Nelson) shouting "PIIIIIGS IIIIIIN SPAAAACE!" Most of the Muppets gang, plus Gary, Mary, and Walter, enter. Fozzie Bear insists that there's no way to rehearse with the theater in that condition, as Floyd Pepper remarks, "Who fired the maid service?" With offers to help from Gary, Mary, and Walter, the Muppets start cleaning. Smash cut to... Scooter sweeping. Very slowly. Cut to the Muppets gang watching as Kermit remarks, "Well this is boring." Walter looks at the group and says, "Don't you guys remember? You're the Muppets! You're supposed to do things like this with... with music!" Dr. Teeth pulls out a boom-box, presses play, and thus begins a montage set to Starship’s 1985 hit "We Built This City."

As the group cleans, Kermit starts going through his old Rolodex, calling various celebrities with the hope that they may take part in a telethon (to presumably save the Muppet Theater from being demolished by an oil tycoon). Again, Kermit is a bit behind the times. We see him cross off Molly Ringwald’s name, and he doesn’t get very far in trying locate President Jimmy Carter.

Meanwhile, the Muppets are cleaning. We see Fozzie uses Walter tied to  a pole with a sponge on his back to clean higher places--Walter is elated. Rowlf hammers away at something. Floyd removes the tarp from Animal's drum set, and Animal goes berserk. Chickens feather-dust the seats. Mary changes a lightbulb while Marvin Suggs sits in the audience sits banging away on Muppaphones. Fozzie pulls out an old picture and shows it to Link Hogthrob and Gonzo and says, "Look at this goofy 80's haircut I had back then!" the picture is revealed to be exactly the same Fozzie we see today. Rats skate across the soapy floor on old toothbrushes. The Swedish Chef incinerates some moldy talking food in a refrigerator. Scooter opens a closet and there's Beauregard sweeping away, Scooter shouts, "Beauregard!" Beau just looks up and says, "Oh, Scooter, there you are! Where has everybody been?"

The clip ends with the camera circling around the large group of Muppets (as seen in the trailer). Cut to Kermit, still in his office, looking completely exasperated and somewhat distraught. Cut back to Dr. Teeth as he stops the tape and the gang surveys the now spotless theater.

That's all we can fit in for D23 coverage in this post! Check back tomorrow for even more coverage including two Muppet performers, a Muppet fan-site operator, and much, much more!

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

Everything I Know About Life, I Learned from Miss Piggy

Greetings, Muppet fans! It's over, it's finally, really over... The Muppet Madness Tournament 2011 has come to an end and a winner has been declared! Who is it? Well... he needs a proper introduction. Ladies and gentleman, the furriest, bluest, superest monster of them all...

...and he is cute, too! Yes, Super Grover is our winner, ladies and gents! Congratulations to everyone's favorite super monster--and my own pick to win. My ballot really did well this year... thank you Super Grover! And thank you Steve Swanson, Joe Hennes, Ryan Roe, and Dave Hulteen for letting The Muppet Mindset be a part of the tournament this year.

And without further ado... here's today's article.

Everything I Know About Life, I Learned From Miss Piggy

Hilarie Mukavitz - The divine Miss P. has been a role model of mine for quite some time. I thought it was about time I wrote about why that is.

1. Never miss an opportunity to make an entrance.
Forget less is more.  If you are a bona fide diva, MORE is more. She was also a prime example of when you blow said entrance... how to brush it off and move on, as you can see here:



2. Foreign languages are important, and can add a touch of class.
When I was 7 years old, I had two weeks of French in summer school. After that, naturally, I was an expert.  For months afterwards I insisted that everybody in my neighborhood speak to me in French. One of my childhood friends still bares the trauma of me trying to force him to pronounce "croissant" in the proper French pronunciation. Of course, when my very tolerant next door neighbor said "Parlez vous francais?" I had no idea what he was talking about. I suspect Miss Piggy went to the same language school for her French.



3. When you are having a bad day, the best way to deal with it is to have a good laugh with your best friend.
We've all had those days. The Broadway career isn't taking off and you are stuck in retail... and you've just caught the frog of your dreams being all kissy kissy with a cute young thing. Best thing to do is to get together with one of your gal pals, maybe give each other a makeup and laugh it off.



4. Being strong and tough and being a girlie girl are not mutually exclusive traits.
Miss Piggy and I were both products of the 1970's. The feminists of that era were rebelling against the whole June Cleaver image of women in the 50's. While I'm a big fan of Gloria Steinem and the like, and appreciate the strides forward they made that my generation benefits from... I didn't particularly care for the more masculine fashion sense that went with 1970's feminism. One thing I've appreciated about Miss Piggy is she showed you can wear pink poofy sparkly, clothing. However if a certain amphibian tries to mess with you, there is the option of SHFFITF... stomping his froggy face into the floor. You can pursue your mugger one minute, and show ladylike gentility to people coming to your aid the next.



5. Women can be the hero too!
I have always gravitated towards strong women characters. One of my first forensics pieces was the Japanese folk tale "Three Strong Women" about a mother, grandmother and daughter that help out a sumo wrestler... after they kick his butt first. Red was my favorite Fraggle because she took charge, and was a rival for Gobo.

I'd have to wait a couple of decades for Buffy the Vampire Slayer... but until then I had Miss Piggy. In the original Muppet trilogy, Kermit may have been the leading man, but Miss Piggy was the true hero. When Kermit was about to get an electronic cerebrectomy, it was Piggy who karate chopped their way to freedom.  It was Piggy who resisted the charms of Nicky Holiday's dubbed operatic charms, and broke out of prison just in time to save her precious time. Finally, when Kermit becomes an amnesiac right before their big Broadway debut, it's Piggy who makes sure that the show still goes on... and karate chops Kermit into remembering his true identity.



The divine Miss P. will continue to be an inspiration to me. Now, if you will excuse me, moi has to go exercise and do some phone lifts. Okay... maybe I should have chosen a different Muppet for my exercise regimen...

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

Jim Henson's Fantastic World Blows Away the Windy City

Today we have a very, very exciting article from new contributor Danny Beckwith. Danny visited the Jim Henson's Fantastic World exhibit last Thursday in Chicago, Illinois for its members-only preview night. He visited with The Jim Henson Legacy's Karen Falk and Arthur Novell, along with Muppet legend, now president of The Jim Henson Legacy, Bonnie Erickson. There's nothing more for me to say that Danny didn't already, so enjoy this look at an exclusive event!

Jim Henson's Fantastic World: Chicago
Member's Night Preview Event

Danny Beckwith - 5:30pm-9:00pm Members Night Preview, 7:00pm-8:00pm Lecture

I arrived at 5:24pm and a long line had already formed running the length of the main hall. At 5:30pm the line started moving and people began to experience Jim Henson’s Fantastic World.

The West Auditorium is where the lecture took place at 7:00pm. I arrived with a friend around 6:15 and the seats were virtually empty, and by 6:30 the room was filled. I had secured seats, however, right amongst the reserved seating for The Jim Henson Legacy members.

Besides the sound of the audience making small talk, songs from The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem, and More! CD could be heard. Above the stage on a large screen was projected a menu from a DVD created for the lecture that contained six video clips. The stage was still empty, but the seats around me were filling up. By 6:45 the auditorium was filled with Museum members and members of The Jim Henson Legacy, including Executive Director Arthur Novell. Seated nearby was also Chicago Museum of Science and Industry Director of Temporary Exhibits, Anna Rashford.

At 7:05, Anne Rashford took to the podium to make an introductory speech. During her time at the podium, she mentioned how Jim Henson was an “inventive genius,” likening his work to a scientist, which I was very pleased to hear. She also introduced The Jim Henson Legacy members, Arthur Novell, Karen Falk, and, special guest, President of The Jim Henson Legacy, Bonnie Erickson!

A representative of the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition spoke next. She spoke of the joy of working with the Jim Henson Legacy and Karen Falk, and introduced Karen as the next speaker. She came on the stage and acknowledged the Legacy members again and also Bill Grisham, whose wife was in the audience that night. Bill Grisham had worked with Jim Henson in the 1960’s. Karen Falk then explained how the lecture would consist of an overview of Jim’s work, using the six clips on the DVD. She started with Jim’s early career–mainly Sam and Friends and Wilkin’s Coffee commercials.

CLIPS -

• Sam and Friends: Harry the Hipster is in front of a weather map. He explains that he is the new weatherman for the station. Kermit enters the scene and says that the station already has a weatherman. Harry informs Kermit that he’s not giving the weather, he’s selling it. Kermit tells him that you can’t sell the weather. Harry shows Kermit the crates of weather he has for sale: sunshine, thunderstorm, fog, snowstorm, rain, monsoon season, and tempest (in a teapot). Each weather crate, as it opens, has hilarious results for Kermit.
• Wilkins Coffee: Karen Falk explained that this was the second audience in 55-60 years who got to see these commercials
• Construction Worker – Wontkins falls off a building structure
• Club – Wilkins hits Wontkins with a club
• Falling Safe – Wontkins is hit by a falling safe
• Biplane – Wilkins flies a plane upside and Wontkins falls out

Karen then explained the 1960’s of Jim’s career and how he had gained a national audience and a larger team: Jerry Juhl, Don Sahlin, Frank Oz, and Jane Henson. This was also the time that commercials like Purina Dog Chow with Rowlf, Chicago based Wilson’s Meat, and the La Choy Dragon were shown.

CLIPS -

• The La Choy Dragon: Karen introduced this clip as a presentation on the La Choy Dragon made by Jim that was a joke of sorts. The clip started with a meeting comprised of Jim Henson and the La Choy Company. Jim says, “The idea of a real fire-breathing dragon intrigued me.” The rest of the presentation shows the process of Jim, Jerry, Don, and Bill Grisham creating the La Choy Dragon. Don keeps making bigger and bigger explosions throughout the clip, eventually leading to everyone escaping out a window. The building then catches on fire, then the roof, and then the whole building is in flames and destroyed. The audience loved it!
• The Ed Sullivan Show: "Mahna Mahna"

Karen then explained how Jim had tried experimenting with film. She mentioned Timepiece and how Jim experimented in animation, as demonstrated by two clips.

CLIPS -

• Bufferin: A commercial for headache medicine that showed how a man was remembering a wonderful day with his family, then realized that that day was almost ruined with a headache. It showcased Jim’s fascination with visual thinking.
• NBC News – "The Ordeal of the American City;" The opening of an NBC news program

The second half of the lecture started with a brief discussion of the 1960’s and how Jim was thinking about how to focus his career. That’s when a call from Jon Stone would change everything. Sesame Street was about to be born. This was a time when Jim produced a whole slew of short films for the famous street, including ventures into the mediums of stop-motion, traditional animation, and computer animation.

CLIPS -

• "Henson King of Eight"
• "Dance Myself to Sleep"

The next step in Jim’s career from Sesame Street was the variety show, mainly The Muppet Show. Karen talked about how Lord Lew Grade would produce, as long as the show was filmed in London. Karen explained how The Muppet Show was instrumental to Jim’s success. It was seen by 235 million people a week in over 120 countries; an international success. This impact is what influenced Fraggle Rock in the 1980s. Jim wanted to make a show that promoted world peace, it’s now 20 years later, and as Karen Falk observed, that we will be “hopefully having world peace soon.

CLIPS -

• The Muppet Show: Pearl Bailey Episode - The final production number, a hilarious mash-up of musical numbers because Kermit couldn’t get the rights to Camelot
• Fraggle Rock: "Let Me Be Your Song;" introduction of Cantus the Minstrel

After the last clip, Karen introduces Bonnie Erickson. Bonnie takes the stage to thunderous applause. Bonnie was such a great speaker. She discussed how the opening in Chicago is very special: Miss Piggy makes here premiere! A glamorous premiere, too, in her wedding dress.

She recalls how Piggy came about when a call for a “sexy female character” caused a change in a sketch on Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Piggy began as a “shy and naïve” young pig named Miss Piggy Lee, but that name did not stay. But the shy and naïve disappeared during the karate chop eureka moment on The Muppet Show. Bonnie explained how Kermit is Miss Piggy’s rock, a calming influence for the pig. And of course, how could you talk about Miss Piggy without mentioning her perfume, books, and fan clubs right around the time The Great Muppet Caper premiered. Bonnie also mentioned the marriage at the end of The Muppet Takes Manhattan; are Kermit and Miss Piggy married? We know what Piggy would say!

CLIPS -

• “Return to Beneath the Planet of the Pigs”: Piggy’s big debut
• Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass: Piggy is the girl singer to perform with Herb
• The Muppet Show: Season 1; Miss Piggy as a chorus girl
• The Muppet Show: Ruth Buzzi Episode; the karate chop eureka moment
• The Muppet Show: Elton John Episode; Piggy sings “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Elton John
• The Great Muppet Caper: “The First Time It Happens”; Piggy the movie star
• The Muppets Take Manhattan: "Manhattan Melodies" marriage

Bonnie had a great sense of humor as displayed by her closing comment to the clips, “Kermit’s contract states he is at the beginning of the exhibit.” Bonnie also alluded to Miss Piggy coming back to Chicago in November to shoot a movie! Hmmm... does that mean the Muppets will be in the Windy City?!

I hung around after the lecture to talk to both Bonnie and Karen. Bonnie was the sweetest person and we had a wonderful conversation. Karen as well was great to talk to and meet. She even signed my Jim Henson’s Designs & Doodles book! Both ladies spoke amazingly well and gave avid fans and casual fans something to appreciate over the course of the presentation.

Afterward, I visited the exhibit and was ecstatic. I had already seen the exhibit in Orlando, Florida, but the addition of Miss Piggy, the wedding cake topper, and a “Manhattan Melodies” playbill.

Bonnie Erickson and Danny

Special thanks to Danny for the fantastic look into the preview event!

If you are in or near the Chicago area, be sure to visit the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry between now and January 23rd, 2011. Tickets cost just $5 for adults and seniors and $2 for children (ages 3-11)--if you're close, how can you pass it up? You're truly depriving yourself of an amazing, one of a kind experience if you pass up on this exhibit.

Our very own Lisa the Intern visited opening day of the exhibit and we'll have her article coming very soon to a blog near you (as in... this blog, that is currently near you)!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier