America’s Next Muppet

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on October 27, 2005). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

I’m not sure what I got more excited about — the fact that there’s a Muppet-centric weblog that I just discovered, or that the Muppets may be coming back to TV!

People have been buzzing about “America’s Next Muppet” for months now. Disney is still planning to relaunch the Muppets with a prime-time ABC “reality” parody series. […]

A network representative has said that the Muppet project is still in the extremely early stages of development. But ABC has now officially ordered a pilot script and five additional script outlines for “America’s Next Muppet”. This will be shot in the format of a “reality show”, and will use a lot of the same syntax and cinematic grammar that the genre has developed, however like all past Muppet TV shows will be scripted. If ABC is impressed with the pilot episode script and the pilot episode, than the five outlines will start being turned into scripts and episodes. These six episodes are hoped to air in Spring/Summer 2006, and if successful then more episodes could be ordered, and the series continued.

Other fun news from the site: the short-lived “Muppets Tonight” show may be coming to DVD, and Palisades Toys have acquired the rights to create a line of Labrynth collectibles (including multiple Goblin King figurines with various outfits)!