Post by Forever Xena on Oct 30, 2005 1:56:02 GMT -6
The Muppets Take Reality TV
by Betsy Wasser -- 10/28/2005
Everyone’s favorite furry performance troupe, The Muppets, are joining the world of reality TV! When will the search for America’s Next Muppet begin? Muppet fan Betsy Wasser has the details right here.
View Printable version of this article
Hi, ho, Betsy Wasser here with a Muppet News Flash!
The Muppets, always ready to poke fun at popular culture, have set their sights on the world of reality TV. ABC currently has in development a reality TV parody called America’s Next Muppet, in which viewers may have a chance to pick Kermit and Miss Piggy’s next co-star.
ABC isn’t revealing much else about the show. It is expected that it will parody shows like American Idol and America’s Next Top Model to show several characters vying for a coveted spot working with the Muppets. One thing is for sure – Simon Cowell has nothing on potential Muppet judges Statler and Waldorf.
Disney has had the rights to the Muppets since 2004. Their most recent project was The Muppets Wizard of Oz, which aired last May and netted a solid 7.8 million viewers and is currently on my Amazon wishlist.
In the summer of 2004, the Muppets filmed a reality show pilot pitch, which made the rounds with Disney executives. Some changes were made to the concept, and what was a one-off special has turned into a six-episode miniseries. In addition to showing new characters auditioning for the Muppets, we’ll also see our old favorites like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie working behind the scenes to set up auditions and organize challenges on the show. Here’s hoping that the Great Gonzo, who dared such stunts as eating a rubber tire to the music of “Flight of the Bumblebee,” will have a major role in designing any challenges. I don’t doubt that Fozzie will feel a bit threatened by any comedy acts and that if there are young, attractive female contestants, they will face a mighty hi-ya if they come anywhere near Miss Piggy’s frog.
The success of America’s Next Muppet may determine how Disney will use the Muppets in the future. If the show attracts a large enough audience, the Muppets could be looking at a new full-time TV show, their first since Muppets Tonight. This prospect has Muppet fans like me giddy with excitement. Or, as Kermit would say, “Yaaaay!”
When will ABC get things started? Why don’t they get things started? No time has been confirmed to get things started on the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational new reality show, though rumors have it that it will air in spring or summer of 2006.
When it’s time to play the music and it’s time to light the lights, Reality News Online will be ready with recaps of each episode and, in the meantime, any further Muppet News flashes.
Betsy Wasser is the Associate Editor of Reality News Online. Since a very young age, she has joined the lovers and dreamers in searching for the Rainbow Connection. She can be reached with any comments at betsywasser .
by Betsy Wasser -- 10/28/2005
Everyone’s favorite furry performance troupe, The Muppets, are joining the world of reality TV! When will the search for America’s Next Muppet begin? Muppet fan Betsy Wasser has the details right here.
View Printable version of this article
Hi, ho, Betsy Wasser here with a Muppet News Flash!
The Muppets, always ready to poke fun at popular culture, have set their sights on the world of reality TV. ABC currently has in development a reality TV parody called America’s Next Muppet, in which viewers may have a chance to pick Kermit and Miss Piggy’s next co-star.
ABC isn’t revealing much else about the show. It is expected that it will parody shows like American Idol and America’s Next Top Model to show several characters vying for a coveted spot working with the Muppets. One thing is for sure – Simon Cowell has nothing on potential Muppet judges Statler and Waldorf.
Disney has had the rights to the Muppets since 2004. Their most recent project was The Muppets Wizard of Oz, which aired last May and netted a solid 7.8 million viewers and is currently on my Amazon wishlist.
In the summer of 2004, the Muppets filmed a reality show pilot pitch, which made the rounds with Disney executives. Some changes were made to the concept, and what was a one-off special has turned into a six-episode miniseries. In addition to showing new characters auditioning for the Muppets, we’ll also see our old favorites like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie working behind the scenes to set up auditions and organize challenges on the show. Here’s hoping that the Great Gonzo, who dared such stunts as eating a rubber tire to the music of “Flight of the Bumblebee,” will have a major role in designing any challenges. I don’t doubt that Fozzie will feel a bit threatened by any comedy acts and that if there are young, attractive female contestants, they will face a mighty hi-ya if they come anywhere near Miss Piggy’s frog.
The success of America’s Next Muppet may determine how Disney will use the Muppets in the future. If the show attracts a large enough audience, the Muppets could be looking at a new full-time TV show, their first since Muppets Tonight. This prospect has Muppet fans like me giddy with excitement. Or, as Kermit would say, “Yaaaay!”
When will ABC get things started? Why don’t they get things started? No time has been confirmed to get things started on the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational new reality show, though rumors have it that it will air in spring or summer of 2006.
When it’s time to play the music and it’s time to light the lights, Reality News Online will be ready with recaps of each episode and, in the meantime, any further Muppet News flashes.
Betsy Wasser is the Associate Editor of Reality News Online. Since a very young age, she has joined the lovers and dreamers in searching for the Rainbow Connection. She can be reached with any comments at betsywasser .