Muppet Review Mondays: Jim Henson on Arsenio Hall ( 1990)

 Hello! It is me, themuppetfan, once again!! I was thinking of a series that I could do here on TheMuppetFan and it finally got to me: Muppet reviews! I know The Muppet Mindset does a series of Muppet reviews called Muppet Retro Reviews, which I love and by no means want to copy, and I'm calling it Muppet Review Mondays.
Scooter: Uh, chief, it's.. uh... Saturday!
 Yes, I know. I had no other ideas, so I posted Monday's post today!
Scooter: Well, then, what are you going to be posting on Monday?

 

 

 Good point. Anyways, the way I'm going to do this is I'm going to watch a piece of Muppet history, and at times I think are interesting, I will STOP and write down the number of seconds in which these events occur and write down what I thought was interesting, and the pattern continues. Sometimes, these videos will be in several parts, and today I will welcome to you the only part of Muppet Review Mondays' first review in which we will review..

We took up much time explaining how Muppet Review Mondays works, so this time we will be exploring a 10-minute video of Jim Henson on Arsenio Hall, which is his last appearance on television.

 

0:00-0:12: What a great introduction to the wonderful Jim Henson!

0:13-0:25: Ah, always a wonder to see... Jim Henson wearing.. umm... I don't know??

0:26-0:35: That deal with Disney wouldn't work out until 2004, Jim. Just thought I'd let you know.

0:36-0:46: I'm sorry, the way he says " Sunday" is hilarious. He says it like " Sundey." I'm sorry. I'll proceed..

0:47-0:51: Arsenio Hall reveals that we will be seeing a clip from The Muppets at Walt Disney World, which would premiere shortly after this appearance was made.

0:52-1:20: One of the cutest moments in Muppet history. BRAVO! BRAVO! More! More!!

1:21-1:31: Wait, he's been on this show.. before?? Someone please tell me in the comments if you have found a video of the other time Jim went on this show. I gots to know!

1:32-1:44: Ah, Jim Henson was never afraid to reveal that The Muppets were puppets. On the other hand, Disney loves to keep it a secret. Just one reference! ONE!

1:45-2:04: I can imagine! What a diva Miss Piggy is..

2:05-2:23: A sad situation, indeed. Poor Miss Piggy was yelling " HELP!" when the cement hardened at the end of the show.

2:24-2:34: Kermit, I'd like to hear about these problems s well. Go on!

2:35-2:42: So, uh, would a good translation for that be a karate chop?

2:43-2:54: And, quite a life-style it is! Karate chops and fashion, that's her four words that would sum her up.

2:55-3:09: Hmm, so far. Not quite my description of her lifestyle. But, she has " aims and goals different than mine" as Kermit said which is exactly why they've never gotten married.

3:10-3:27: I really don't know how to comment with all this talk about Kermit and Piggy's relationship. Hopefully, they move on to another topic, soon.

3:28-3:39: Kermit also eats moths, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and worms! And, when Kermit grows older, he could also eat smaller frogs, small snakes, mice, and baby turtles.

3:40-3:53: Again with the Kermit and Piggy talk!! Why can't we move on to another topic?

3:54-4:06: Jim coughs, and Arsenio replies, " Mosquito stuck in your throat?" and that sparks a conversation. Little did Jim know he would eventually die of that cold more than a week later.

4:07-4:19: Yeah, Kermit moves us away from the subject of Kermit and Piggy!

4:20-4:29: Now, we're talking about Clifford, the character we know from The Muppets at Walt Disney World, The Jim Henson Hour, and Muppets Tonight.

4:30-4:45: So, Kermit says we will be seeing Clifford, which happens in...

4:46-4:47: 1 second!!

4:48-5:05: Ah, Clifford, always with the jokes. ( And always the show-stealing performances that draws attention from Jim and Kermit!!! But, I won't rant on about that.. Wait, yes, I will.)

5:06-5:19: And, Arsenio now wants CLIFFORD to talk about Kermit and Piggy's relationship, since Kermit won't budge... UGH!

5:20-5:39: In those 19 seconds, Clifford sure said, " Hey!!" a lot.. But, Clifford is making no attention whatsoever drawn to Jim and Kermit. Jim still seems to be enjoying himself, though.

5:40-5:53: When these sort of Muppet conversations start, it kind of makes me feel uncomfortable.. I don't know why.

5:54-6:08: They clear up the conversation with some good old-fashioned Muppet vs. human argument. Now, I feel comfortable again.

6:09-6:28: Arsenio Hall sure likes to laugh at Clifford..... AND NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT TALKING WITH JIM AND KERMIT!!!!!

6:29-6:45: In the words of Clifford the Muppet, " Disney World is great." The most true statement I've ever heard.

6:46-6:54: There's forced laughter at Clifford's, " Funky!" which Clifford then replies and says, " So, you didn't like that one, huh?" I kind of feel bad for Jim Henson right now. He's probably feeling left out.

6:55-7:09: One of the best Muppet exhanges ever. Arsenio goes, " What did you do before you joined Kermit?" and Clifford says, " I was a sponge, man! What does it look like I was doing?"

7:10- 7:26: Yay! Now, Clifford is drawing back attention to Kermit by saying, " Kermit is cool!"

7:27-7:32: Clifford makes a remark where he says, " Kermit can get a laugh if people just look at him!" where Kermit gets a close-up and gives the camera his best " Yikes!" face.

7:33-7:47: Kermit IS real cool, Clifford.

7:48-7:52: Clifford then says, " But, Kermit can be a bit strange, sometimes. I mean, after all these years, he still goes out with the pig!" So, we get attention on Kermit, finally, but Clifford just makes bad remarks about him?? This appearance makes no sense.

7:53-8:14: Probably the best moment of this bit.

8:15-8:26: Kermit goes, " Muppets don't have last names!!!" Kermit's words of wisdom.

8:27-8:36: Then, Clifford steals the show again. It's a good special, but there's too much of Clifford, in my opinion.

8:37-8:54: The only reason I'm typing about this part is for, " Cl-ey-furd."

8:55-9:09: The Electric Mayhem do beat Arsenio Hall's band out of the sky. True 'dat. True 'dat.

9:10-9:25: We cut to a commercial break, but return after..

9:26-9:32: 6 seconds!!!

9:33-9:42: Now, we see Clifford's performer is... KEVIN CLASH!!! The performer who stole the show on Sesame Street as Elmo at the expense of all the other lovable characters you could find! That explains a WHOOLLLEE lot.

9:43-10:00: A bunch of useless credits.

 

 I would rate this 4 out of 5 stars, mainly because Clifford stole the show away from Henson and Kermit.. It's still a lovable appearance, though. Hope you enjoyed my useless review and be sure to leave comments as to what I'm doing correctly with my blog and what I'm doing horrible! Bye!

 

 



Constantine's Interview with the Lemur!

I am Constantine, world's most dangerous frog. At the end of Muppets Most Wanted, I got trapped in a gulag and I escaped. What do UUUUUUUU expect from world's most dangerous frog? So, today, I sat down with the Lemur and had a chat with him. DIM THE LIGHTS!!!!!!!

 

Constantine: Okay, so, HALLLLLOOOOOO!O!!!!!! Oh, wait, the cameras are rolling. I've got to act like Kermit.
Lemur: Don't reveal that! They think I'm Ricky Gervais! Don't let them know that you're Constantine and I'm the Lemur!
Police Officer: What did you just say?
Constantine: I said....

Police Officer: NO SONG-AND-DANCE NUMBERS!!!!!!
Lemur: Sorry, Officer...
Police Officer: Wait, so, you're Constantine and you're the Lemur?
Constantine: Maybe.. maybe not..
Lemur: Yes, we are! And, now, our names will go down in history as the best criminals ever!!!!

 

 

Constantine: Ahem... my name. Because..

Lemur: WE KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Police Officer: Let's take you down to the Gulag.. again.
Miss Piggy: NOT SO FAST!!!
Police Officer: Piggy? You're on his side?
Miss Piggy: HI-YAAA! ( karate-chops Police Officer)
Constantine: You do know I'm Constantine, world's most dangerous frog. Correct?
Miss Piggy: I THOUGHT YOU WERE KERMIT!!!

Constantine: What a woman.. ( falls over)
Lemur: Piggy! No! There goes Constantine!
Kermit: What was that for, Piggy? I am Constantine!
( Piggy faints)

So, I recovered from my injury, and, then, I came to post this article! Leave your thoughts in the interview down below.
Person: What's down below?
I give up... A-buh-bye!

Muppet Babies Reviews: Part 1

 Hi-ho, Muppet fans! Today, I will be reporting about Muppet Babies!! That seems like a quite weird topic, though, now that I think about it... Anyhow, the show began in 1984 and ran until 1991. This weekend, my quest was to set out and watch season 1 of Muppet Babies, which I did. But, however, we're going to take this show 5 episodes at a time, which will lead to my ( 21-part) Muppet Babies adventure! That's right, I'm going to review the whole entire show!! YAYYY! This will take up quite enough of my Muppet Fan ideas, but it'll be a fun one. So, let's get this show started!

 Episode 1: Noisy Neighbors!

This show definitely starts out with a bang with this episode. There's so many great jokes, and I would watch SuperGonzo if that was made into a 45-season show!
Plot: The Babies have to quiet Baby Animal down because Officer Caruthers is complaining about the noise.
Best Joke: In SuperGonzo, Gonzo announces that he's in love with Baby Piggy but doesn't want to show it. Piggy says, " I'm in love!" and Gonzo gets down on one knee, saying, " Me, too!"
Some Thoughts: I thought that this episode was funny because what everybody tried to do to get Animal to quiet down never worked, but that was the funny part, in my opinion.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Episode 2: Dental Hyjinks!

Plot: Baby Fozzie has a loose tooth, and is worried about having it pulled at the dentist.
Best Joke: At the end, when Baby Fozzie comes back and all the babies then want to go to the dentist because Fozzie got a sticker and a balloon!
Some Thoughts: Loose Tooth Boogie is such a catchy song! I've had it stuck in my head for a few days now, and I can't get it out. Loose Tooth Boogie..
Overall Rating: 5 stars/5 stars I LOVED IT!

Episode 3: Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Dark?

Plot: Baby Bunsen and Baby Beaker come over and need The Babies' help on how to help fix Beaker's fear of the dark.
Best Joke: When Fozzie says, " Spooky things can also happen in the dark!" and Beaker gets worried, and the rest of the Muppet Babies say, " Fozzie!"
Some Thoughts: This marks the first appearance of Baby Bunsen and Baby Beaker, and can I say one thing: The way they look and talk is adorable!!!
Overall Rating: 5.1/5 stars ( It's just so fantasticly fantastic!)

Episode 4: Raiders of the Lost Muppet

Plot: When Baby Animal goes missing during a game of hide-and-seek, the Muppet Babies have to conquer their fears of the basement while searching for him.
Best Joke: I love the part where they go on an epic mine cart chase, just like in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!! The Muppet Babies are always funny when they do parodies..
Some Thoughts: I like how when Baby Gonzo, Baby Scooter, Baby Rowlf, and Skeeter are searching, they find themselves in a jungle ( because Animal is often referenced to as an animal.).
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Episode 5: Scooter's Hidden Talent

Plot: The Muppet Babies all figure out their talents, but Scooter doesn't know yet what his talent could be.
Best Joke: In the Leonardo Da Frog part, the Mona Lisa ( Baby Piggy) exchange is really funny!
Some Thoughts: I'm sort of in awe of how talented Scott Brownlee is when he wrote Dream for Your Inspiration... That song deserves an Emmy...or 2.. or 3...or 4... or 5... or 6... or 7... or 592..
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

Well, I hope you enjoyed my little tiny reviews of the first 5 episodes of Muppet Babies! Stay tuned into my blog for more Muppet Babies reviews.

The Muppet Movement!!!

 Hello, everybody! It is me, once again, themuppetfan. Well, unfortunately, I did not post yesterday, but I have PERFECTLY good reason!!! Actually, no, I don't... but, just enjoy this article!
 Let me take it straight out of dwayne1115's mouth. He's a member over at the Muppet Central Forum, and he came up with a great idea:

           Some of you may have heard or had a soda here in the US produced by the Coke-a-Cola company in the late 90's- early 00's called Surge. The company had stopped making the soda for several years upsetting die-hard Surge fans. Some of those die-hard fans started a small movement and called it the Surge Movement, and over the years it has grown into a nation-wide event where thousands of folks would call the company and ask to bring Surge back. Coke has finally responded and is going to be selling Surge once again on the internet!
            If they can do it with a soda, why can we  not seem to get it together and let our voices be heard about The Muppet Show Seasons 4 and 5?

So, yes, Disney is too lazy to release The Muppet Show Seasons 4 and 5. They have already released seasons 1, 2, and 3 but the last release was in 2007.

We have also gotten Disney's number and we need you ( yes, YOU) to call that number on November 3rd. Please help us: Disney's number that we are calling is 1-800-723-4763. So, I guess that's it! And, keep doing the boomy-boomy Triss Brian Jacques Nolan Pigs Turtles Traffic Lights HEINZ!

Fan Fiction Fridays: The Muppets vs. The Villians

 Every week on Friday, I'll do a little series I like to call Fan Fiction Fridays. Today, I'm going to do a story about The Muppets facing all the villians they've had to face in the past. That sounds PRETTY odd. However, in between, all this, The Muppets are putting on a show with the cast of Sesame Street, The Fraggles, and The Muppeteers ( the people who puppeteer The Muppets.) Anyhow, I don't want to spoil it, but here is chapter 1:

Kermit: Okay, Scooter, let's run through our checklist!
Scooter: Yes, sir!
( Behind them, is Fozzie)
Fozzie: Hey, Gonzo, want to hear my jokes?
Gonzo: Sure, Fozzie!
Fozzie: Okay, why did a..
( Behind them is The Electric Mayhem)
Dr. Teeth: Let's rehearse our musical number!
Janice: Yeah, like, fer sure!
Kermit: Everybody, QUIET!!! We've got a show to put on and we can't all be talking when I'm trying to run through our plans for the show!
Miss Piggy: Uh.. Kermie, right now it's 7:29. The show starts at 7:30.
Kermit: I've got plans to run through!
Fozzie: Kermit, the show starts in 1 minute!
Kermit: Oh. Scooter, see if the guest stars are ready.
Scooter: Whatever you say, boss!
( Scooter goes up to dressing rooms and there's 6 of them: One for the large Sesame Street characters, one for small Sesame Street characters, one for the Fraggle Five, one for the rest of the Fraggles, and two dressing rooms for the Muppeteers)
Scooter: Well, this could take a while..

Kermit: ( behind the O in " The Muppet Show") It's The Muppet Show with our very special guest stars! YAYYY!
( The theme song goes on)
Kermit: Thank you! Thank you! Tonight sure is a very special show. Because, all of the creations of Jim Henson are here. The Sesame Street cast is here, so is The Fraggles, as well as The Muppeteers! But, before we have all that excitement on our show, we've got...
Constantine: ( pushes Kermit aside) We've got Dominic Badguy and Long John Silver doing a song-and-dance routine!
( audience throws things at Constantine)
Constantine: So, what? I'm Constantine, world's most dangerous frog. Does it really matter? Anyhow, tonight, instead of the goody-goody Muppets, we'll have the baddy-baddy villains blow up you guys, the audience! So, what do you say?
Audience: No! Boo!!!
Constantine: Well, it sucks to be you, I guess.
Fozzie: Hey, not so fast, Constantine!
Constantine: Oh, look, here comes bear. ( sarcastically) Yippee.
Fozzie: You can't take over this show! Kermit was looking forward to it a lot! Oh, and, he already has the opening number set up: The Sesame Street cast is going to be " Sing!"
Constantine: Oh, well, I don't care what that good frog, Kermit says. I won't go by rules. Oh, and The Moopets have already tied The Cast of Sesame Street up.
Kermit: Wait, what? Constantine, I thought you were supposed to be in the gulag.
Constantine: I am. But, I escaped. What do you expect from World's Number One Criminal?
Dominic Badguy: ( off-screen) THAT SHOULD BE MY TITLE!
Constantine: No, it shouldn't. And, I'm still taking over the show.
Kermit: I gotta save the cast of Sesame Street!
Miss Piggy: Listen, Constantine, you don't get away with this that easily, bucko!
Kermit: Thanks, Piggy!
Miss Piggy: Here's what'll happen to anyone that even TRIES to ruin our shows. ( karate-chops Constantine in the face, and he goes flying into the audience) AND, STAY THERE!!
Fozzie: Thanks, Piggy!
Miss Piggy: Anything to keep this show alive!
Kermit: Anyways, I'm sorry about that. Here is the opening number, " Sing!"

Big Bird: I'm feeling a little down today...
Elmo: Elmo can cheer Big Bird today!
Big Bird: I don't think Elmo can cheer me up today.
Cookie Monster: ME HAVE IDEA FOR BIRD!
Big Bird: What, Cookie Monster?
Cookie Monster: SING!
Grover: Good idea, Cookie Monster! ( singing) Sing, sing a song.
Bert: Sing out loud!
Ernie: And, sing out strong.
Elmo: Don't worry if it's not good enough..
Cookie Monster: FOR ANYONE ELSE TO HEAR!
Abby Cadabby: Just sing!
Murray: Sing a song!
Oscar: ( speaking) Stop singing, and scram!
Kermit: Guys, I think we're helping. Let's start again!
All, except Big Bird: Sing, sing a song. Sing out loud! And, sing out strong. Don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing! Sing a song!
Big Bird: Hmm.. I don't think it's working.
Elmo: One more time!
Everyone, except Big Bird: Sing, sing a song. Sing out loud! And, sing out strong. Don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing! Sing a song!
Big Bird: ( singing) La de da da do do da de da da da da! La! ( speaking) Thanks, singing made me feel better. Thanks, guys!
Everyone: You're welcome, Big Bird!
Big Bird: Alright, well, I've got to help Chris with something at Sesame Street! Bye! ( starts walking, but falls in a trap)
Constantine: Done by me!
Kermit: Everybody! Let's save Big Bird!
Big Bird: Man, it's awful dark in here.. I mean, down here.

 Stay tuned for chapter 2 next Friday!

Fran Brill retires from puppeteering

 Breaking news and shocking news: Fran Brill, 68 years old, has retired from her work on Sesame Street. We all remember her as Zoe and Prairie Dawn on the show, and many, many more characters. A little bit this week, we'll be showing some of our favorite Fran Brill moments from over the years. Let us know in the comments who should take over Zoe and Prairie Dawn. Well, I'll see you tomorrow with hopefully some more happier news. ( Sesame Street will miss you, Fran Brill.)

We all remember Fran Brill as Zoe and Prairie Dawn.

The History of the Muppets

 Hello, guys! It's me, Themuppetfan, again, with some useless information about Muppets! Some of our younger faces or adult faces probably might not know the whole entire history of the whole entire Muppets. If you don't know the history of The Muppets, this website probably won't make much sense to you.. Anyhow, if you do know it, you'll feel comfortable with viewing this website. Let me explain to you the whole darn history of THE MUPPETS!! ( In blog form.)


  A long, long, long, long, LONG time ago ( 1936, to be precise) Jim Henson was born on September 24th, 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi. They later moved to Hyatsville, Maryland. ( They sure like living in " villes" apparently.)
 Henson was fascinated in the movies and his first movie he ever saw was The Wizard of Oz back in 1939. He really enjoyed that, and got a radio when it came out. He enjoyed Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. When he heard about television in the 1950's, he immediately wanted to get a TV. After
If you click here, you can see a picture of Edgar and Charlie! several years of harassment, they finally...
 You're not here for Jim's childhood. You're here for the history of Muppets! Anyhow, in 1955, Jim Henson saw an ad in the newspaper for puppeteers for a new TV show. He figured he could build an acting career off of puppeteering, since he always wanted to be a actor! Long story short, the show turned into.....
                                    Sam and Friends!!!!
It turned into a show called Sam and Friends. The first Muppet television show... ever. It didn't include your average cast of Muppets. In fact, the only Muppet from Sam and Friends that we see now is Kermit. The other characters were Sam, Harry the Hipster, Yorick, and a cast of many more.

In each episode, it would probably be a song shown. But, in that rare episode, it turns out it was actually not a song!
 Although this show is not The Muppets at its finest, it's certainly worth watching.
 Everybody loved Jim's new show! He got offers for.....

                                                                    Commercials!!
 Jim got offers for The Jimmy Dean Show, The Today Show, and he also got offers for commercials. Most of them were for Purina Dog Chow, where Rowlf the Dog appeared in those. Rowlf was the first star of The Muppets. Sure, Sam and Kermit were popular, but Rowlf was fantastic! When Rowlf used to appear on The Jimmy Dean Show, he would get more fan mail than Rowlf! At that time, Frank Oz, one of Jim Henson's closest friends and workers, decided to work for the army. While that happened, Jim needed a new worker: Jerry Nelson. Although Frank Oz didn't get drafted, they both still remained in the Muppet business. They were also still making commercials. Another one of their hits were Wilkins and Wontkins:

In 1969, Jim got an offer to perform Muppets for the show.......

Sesame Street!

Yes, it's that show we know and love today called Sesame Street! He was asked to play Big Bird, but he handed the job over to Caroll Spinney. Back then, the only Muppets were Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie. It was a little more adult-like back then, but there was still many educational stuff still involved.

 The only four humans on the show back then were Gordon, Bob, Susan, and Mr. Hooper. And, it wasn't really sunny days when Big Bird was a dim-wit on the show and Oscar was ORANGE!! I'll let you see what I mean:

                                                                          

That shows how much the show has changed throughout the course of the years. Meanwhile, Jim was looking for a show that was a little more for adults rather than the preschool child. After making 2 pilots called The Muppets' Valentine Show and The Muppets: Sex and Violence ( proving that it was for adults, they finally came to an idea of a show that actually made it on the air called...

The Muppet Show!!



                                                                    The guest stars, the music, the comedy. This was The Muppets at their best. This is what adults remember even today. The show we all grew up with and loved: The Muppet Show! For those of you who haven't seen The Muppet Show, shame on you! The Muppet Show is really, truly wonderful. You might say, " No, it isn't!" but take a look at this video:

It's absolutely GENIUS! During the course of The Muppet Show, Jim wanted to do something even MORE ambitious: Something that would put his Muppets in the real world. Long story short, this is what it turned out to be:



In my opinion, the best Muppet movie ever. The Muppet Show was still running as strong as ever, until 1981. Some say the show was cancelled. The truth is, Jim wanted to move on to EVEN MORE ambitious projects. This was one of those ambitious projects:

Which turned out to be The Great Muppet Caper. Jim wanted something not just your average simple Muppets. Big. Scary. Dark. Muppets. He made two of these films, that are considered some of the greatest science-fiction movies ever:

Not too successful in the years they came out. But, now, film historians and science-fiction fans love this movie. Oh, and, in between all this, Jim also made a new Muppet movie! In this movie, there was a small segment with The Muppet Babies. That made its own 7-year TV series!! Along this time, Jim Henson made some new shows such as Little Muppet Monsters, The Storyteller, and The Jim Henson Hour! Jim Henson died on May 16th, 1990 of pneumonia. His legacy will live on.

 They proved that to us by releasing 3 Muppet movies: The Muppet Christmas Carol ( 1992), Muppet Treasure Island ( 1996), and Muppets from Space ( 1999). After a while, The Muppets dyed down. But, they rose to stardom in 2009 when they started making videos on YouTube. Most of them went viral!!! They also came out with a new Muppets movie called The Muppets in 2011, and a new movie called Muppets Most Wanted in March this year. Jim Henson's legacy will live on forever, no matter what. R.I.P. Jim Henson, R.I.P Jerry Nelson ( he passed away in 2012), R.I.P. Richard Hunt ( died in 1992), Jane Henson ( 2013) and this year, John Henson ( 2014.) You will all be missed so much.

 

 

If you want what I said in Muppet form, I suggest you watch:

 

 I guess I'll see you tomorrow with more Muppety goodness! Leave your thoughts on The Muppets' history in the comments down below!