1 The Muppet Mindset: February 2013

Feb 28, 2013

Muppet Retro Reviews: Rocky Mountain Holiday

Michael Wermuth, Jr. - The Muppet Retro Reviews article series is among my favorite Muppet Mindset articles (along with Weekly Muppet Wednesday and The Great Muppet Survey), but one thing I've noticed about the article series is that, as of this writing, all of the reviews have been positive. Well, I'm gonna attempt to change that. So today I'll review one of my least-favorite Muppet specials, Rocky Mountain Holiday. It's not a bad special, but it's also one of my least-favorite pre-1990 Muppet productions. It was only broadcast once, in 1983, and when it was first released on DVD ten years ago, I was happy to have this once-rare special, and yet all of the problems I have with it now I had even back then.

Anyway, Rocky Mountain Holiday is the second of two "John Denver and the Muppets" specials. This one doesn't have much of a plot, which can be summed up in one sentence: John Denver takes the Muppets on a comping trip to the rocky mountains, and they sing many songs. There are a few other running gags and "plot" points--Statler and Waldorf also camp out in the Rockies and observe the Muppets, Fozzie has trouble interacting with nature, and there's a nice bit where John gets mad at Robin for only setting up the clothesline as high as John's ankles, causing him to trip, but then apologizes because that's as high as Robin could reach. But most of the special is singing, with a number of flashbacks thrown in. The second half takes place at nighttime, where they sing more campfire songs, and John tells a story about a giant man-eating chicken, and then becomes surprised when he learns that the giant man-eating chicken is real.

I'll talk about what I dislike about this special first, before I get to what I like. First of all, the special kinda drags a bit after the first 15 minutes or so. While John Denver is a good singer, he gets a few solo numbers which are hard to sit through, made even more hard to appreciate when his singing plays over wildlife footage. Some moments feel a bit awkward, such as when (after being there for at least half an hour) the gang suddenly notices bad odor from a letter Miss Piggy had given Fozzie to give John, only for John to have Kermit read the letter, which concerns a previous camping trip Kermit didn't know about, with some suspiciously romantic language, and ends with Piggy asking John not to let Kermit read (too late!). That's just... a really awkward scene.

Another thing I don't like is the small group of characters. John only brings a small amount of major and secondary characters (and Rizzo, who was a minor character at the time) on the trip. Specials don't really need a lot of characters to be great, but many of my favorite specials have a lot of characters, major and minor. It would have been great to have seen Bunsen, Beaker, Link, Sam, Beauregard, Sweetums, Lew Zealand, and The Swedish Chef on this trip, and I feel they would have all fit in with the camp setting. I especially wish that the whole Electric Mayhem would have gone on the trip. Floyd, Janice, and Animal are the only members who go on the trip, though for some reason Zoot makes a random appearance playing the saxophone at one point (though it is one of the specials best scenes). It would have been great if Dr. Teeth joined them, and of course I really wish Lips was in this special. I'm not bothered by the fact that Miss Piggy only appeared in a couple of flashbacks, though, as she was never one of my favorites (though I appreciate her better now), and I am glad that Lubbock Lou and His Jughuggers made a cameo.

And now it's time for what I liked about this special. Well, I like the first fifteen or so minutes, which contains four great numbers, which all belong on a comprehensive collection of Muppet music (if one ever comes out). I especially like "Gone Fishing", sung by John Denver and Floyd, and the environmental "Take 'em Away", performed by the Jugband. This was the Jugband's last number, and it's a great last appearance. A few scenes feature an animatronic version of Robin, which is cool, and it's great to watch Miss Piggy riding on a real horse. While I am bored with the numbers that feature John's vocals over wildlife footage of the Rocky Mountains, I do like to watch the nature setting, especially during the nighttime scenes. There's also quite a few scenes where we see full body shots of Rowlf. That might not be much, but it's not often we see Rowlf's legs.

And that's Rocky Mountain Holiday. It's not the greatest special ever, but I recommend seeing it if you can. And if there's ever a "John Denver Mindset" I'd like to see a review from a John Denver fan.






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

Feb 27, 2013

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Penguins

Written by Ryan Dosier.

PENGUINS

Performed by...
Various

First appearance...
The Muppet Show Episode 304 (1979)

Most recent appearance...
Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Best known role...
Nameless, interchangeable arctic water fowl known for flipping around in the air, playing in orchestras, and harmonizing. 

WHO ARE PENGUINS?
The Muppet penguins are those black and white birds who pop up in countless Muppet productions over the years. Usually traveling in packs and seen quacking about, the penguins are perhaps best known for flipping themselves into the air or being thrown in the air by others. The penguins have appeared in many places that penguins don't normally appear... but the Muppets have had a pig at the Oscars, so it's not too bizarre.

The first Muppet penguin appeared in the "Lullaby of Broadway" number in Episode 304 of The Muppet Show in 1979. The penguin in the song performed with a Muppet walrus and a chorus of Eskimo pigs. The first penguin had a smaller head than the modern day penguins and was designed and performed by Brain Henson for the show. Groups of penguins would appear sporadically throughout the show, including Pilgrim Penguins in the "Alabamy Bound" number and as members of the Endangered Species Chorus Line.

After The Muppet Show ended the penguins continued to make cameos in later Muppet projects, including an unforgettable moment in The Muppets Take Manhattan where a group of penguins ask for a job at Pete's Luncheonette. ("Well excuse us for living!") Penguins also appeared in The Muppets Go to the Movies, The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years, A Muppet Family Christmas, and The Jim Henson Hour.

In the 1990s, the penguins began performing in an all-penguin orchestra in productions such as Muppet Classic Theater and most notably at Muppet*Vision 3-D, where they perform live every day. The 90s were good to the penguins as they went ice skating in The Muppet Christmas Carol, appearing in Muppets Tonight, and diving into bathtubs and being scrubbed by Sweetums in Muppets From Space.

Then came the 2000s, and the penguins stuck around for most every Muppet production in the new millennium, including The Muppet Show Live in 2001, Kermit's Swamp Years and It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie in 2002, The Muppets' Wizard of Oz and From the Balcony in 2005, Muppets.com and the VirMup YouTube videos, Studio DC: Almost Live, and A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa in 2008.

Recently, the penguins popped up in The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora online and on The X Factor in Britain. In 2011, they promoted the upcoming Muppet movie in an introductory film for AMC Theaters and promotional videos for Bounty called "Kermit's Party." The most notable recent appearance of the penguins was in The Muppets. They appeared during the Muppet Telethon show and quacked a line during the finale of "Life's a Happy Song."

The penguins have been immortalized as action figures and toys by Palisades Toys. An exclusive two-pack of penguin figures was released through OMGCNFO.com in 2005 and a figure of the ice skating penguins from The Muppet Christmas Carol was released as part of the Mini Muppets line. Penguins also showed up in The Muppet Show Comic Book and the Muppet Classics series from BOOM! Studios.

WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED PENGUINS?
Oh please, who doesn't need some flipping, quacking, orchestrating, random penguins in their lives? I know I do.






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

Feb 26, 2013

120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 3

Ryan Dosier - Our countdown of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs, presented in completely random order, continues today! Be sure to check out the first 30 songs on Part 1 and Part 2 before jumping in to the 15 we've got for you today. Remember, the song order was chosen by iTunes shuffling, which explains why there are three Fraggle Rock songs in a row (not that there's anything wrong with that). Tune up and get down!

31.   "Merry Christmas, Baby" from The Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas
Oh goodness I adore this little number. Bill Barretta and Pepe have never been in better voice than they are in this classic, rocking Christmas tune. Pepe is clearly in yuletide heaven as he sings with a backup chorus of girls. This song is so perfect and fitting for everyone's favorite King Prawn. It's a crying shame that Pepe doesn't get to sing more, because when he does, he absolutely kills it. Favorite lyrics: "Santa came down the chimney, half past three/With lots'a little presents for my babies and me!"

32.   "Fun is Here to Stay" from Fraggle Rock
Brace yourselves, we've got four songs from Fraggle Rock in Part 3. Blame the shuffling iTunes! Anyway, "Fun is Here to Stay" is both an exceptionally accurate title for the song and a magnificent motto for Fraggle Rock as a whole. Led by Boober's alter-ego Sidebottom as he manipulates Junior Gorg into thinking he's a Fraggle, the four other Fraggles join in as well. It's rollicking and joyful and uplifting and great. Favorite lyrics: "Fraggles come for fun from near and far/Fraggles know that fun is what they are!/No one could be dumb enough to say/Fun could come in any other way/Any Fraggle's brave enough to say--Fun is here to stay!"

33.   "Petals of the Rose" from Fraggle Rock
This song is so incredibly beautiful. With this song alone, Jerry Nelson shows unequivocally that he is the greatest singer the Muppets ever had. Gobo's heart-wrenching lyrics and the melodic ups and downs of his voice are just pure perfection. This is the song that made me cry the first time I listened to it after Jerry passed away last year. It's so fitting and it will break your heart every single time. I still tear up listening to it. I probably always will. Favorite lyrics: "Ain't it just the way it seems/We pull the petals off our dreams/Our hearts can say we're here to stay/But we always say goodbye/We always say goodbye..." 

34.   "Wemblin' Fool" from Fraggle Rock
(Please ignore the odd YouTube video.) Another one of Gobo's best songs also happens to be one of Wembley's best too. This is a personal favorite--maybe in my top ten Muppet songs--and it was one of Jim Henson's as well. Jerry Nelson and Steve Whitmire sang this song at Jim's public memorial. The song is bouncy and lively and fun as heck. Wembley's trademark grunts are fantastic, Gobo's scatting is great, and the entire song plays perfectly every time you listen to it. Favorite lyrics: "When we're wemblin' south/We stick our feet in our mouth/And we just wemble, wemble, wemble as we ride!"

35.   "Sing After Me" from Sesame Street
If there is a more hysterical Grover sketch out there, someone please let me know. My favorite blue monster's antics and banter with Madeline Kahn in this song are top notch. Frank Oz was truly at the apex of his powers here, even cracking up a seasoned pro like Kahn. But Madeline was no straight-woman, she gives it back to Grover just as much and just as hilariously. The lyrics are sort of nonsense, but the performance makes it a true classic. My favorite lyrics actually aren't lyrics, they're just a line spoken near the end by Grover, who says, "You've got to be putting me on!" after Madeline hits an amazing note.

36.   "It's Hard to Be Humble" from The Muppet Show
This may be the most random song choice in the entire list, but this song performed by Mac Davis and Link Hogthrob on The Muppet Show is another of my favorites. The duo sings about how difficult it is to remain humble when one is as handsome and perfect as they are. It's such a defining song for Link to sing and Jim handles it deftly. For the final chorus, a bunch of Muppets join in. It's fairly ironic for Lew Zealand to sing "I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better lookin' each day," but I love it. Favorite lyrics: "To know me is to love me/I must be a hell of a man/Oh lord, it's hard to be humble/But we're doin' the best that we can."

37.   "Dance Myself to Sleep" from Sesame Street
One of the greatest Ernie and Bert songs ever. It defines their relationship perfectly. Bert is sound asleep, but Ernie fall asleep. What does he do? A soft-shoe tap dance around his bed while playing the bugle and enjoying the company of the Boogie Woogie Sheep. This wakes Bert up, and he is just completely baffled by the whole thing. Eventually he's taken out of the room by the sheep and left outside. It's funny, it's fun, and it allows Bert to ask the immortal question, "When did sheep get tap shoes?" Favorite lyrics: "Well I'm gettin' kinda drowsy so the moment has come/To grab my Rubber Duckie while the sheep take my chum/Time to shuffle off to dream-land, got a date to keep/I'll dance myself to sleep!"

38.   "New York State of Mind" from The Muppet Show
Right now I cannot come up with a Jerry Nelson/Floyd Pepper song that I enjoy more. I truly believe that this is far and away the best version of this song ever performed--and I adore this song. Floyd sings with such soul and such longing that it is incredibly difficult to match. I'll give a shout out to Rowlf's version from Old Brown Ears is Back, but Floyd is still king. Jerry owns this song completely when he performs it. Pure perfection. Favorite lyrics: "Come down to reality and it's fine with me 'cause I let it slide/Don't care if it's Chinatown or rounded riverside/I don't have any reasons, left them all behind/I'm in a New York state of mind."

39.   "Ode to Joy" from YouTube
The new-age Beaker classic that first brought attention back to the Muppets with their hugely popular viral videos. This 2008 piece of brilliance might be Beaker's best vocal work (but don't worry, "Feelings" is coming later on the list). His obvious dedication to performing properly is a really interesting aspect to Beaker's character. He longs to be a great singer but at the end of the day he's just a squeaky red head with awful luck... and we wouldn't have it any other way. Favorite lyrics: "Mee me mee me/Me mee me mee/Me me me me mee me me."

40.   "One Small Voice" from Sesame Street
One of the most beautiful and touching songs written for Sesame Street. It has been performed a handful of times over the years, but my favorite is from Elmopalooza sung by Kenny Loggins, joined in by the kids and, more importantly, Big Bird. The lyrics are indescribably great, singing the importance of both music itself and knowing you can do anything. The music video for the song (which you can see above) makes my spirit soar every time I watch it. I dare you not to feel totally moved when Big Bird says, "Alex, you did great!" and Alex replies, so honestly, "Thanks Big Bird, I had fun!" Favorite lyrics: "No tune is too simple/No voice can be wrong/Music can come from any heart/And anyone's voice can lead the song."

41.   "Imagination" from Sesame Street
Another classic Bert and Ernie song. This beautiful tune is all about finding comfort and happiness by retreating into your own imagination and I think that's a wonderful notion. What I think makes this song truly special is that it is Bert, not Ernie, who first sings of the power of an imagination. One would think Ernie would be in touch with his imagination already, but I love that it is Bert who puts him in touch with it by singing him this song. Also... "I like big balloons!" is a line that is delivered perfectly. Favorite lyrics: "Here in the middle of imagination/Right in the middle of my mind/I close my eyes and the night isn't dark/And the things that I lose, I find."

42.   "Together Again" from The Muppets Take Manhattan
I wish that I could whistle well, if only so I could whistle the opening to this lovely tune. It's fun and pretty free-wheeling. I love the colorful vests the Muppets wear in the movie when they sing this. But mostly, this song works as a perfect reminder of the fact that the Muppets will always get back together. This is easily proven by my favorite lyrics: "I just can't imagine that you've ever been gone/It's not starting over, it's just going on./Together again, now we're here and there's no need remembering when."

43.   "Convincing John" from Fraggle Rock
It's strange to think that Convincing John was only on Fraggle Rock three times. The amount of energy and fun that Jim Henson poured into the character makes it seem like he was there constantly. John was never better than when he sang his titular song. It's fast, it's lively, it's erratic, and it's just plain awesome. Jim performed this song incredibly well and I can't imagine what a strain it must've put on his voice to sing it. And what would the song be without the Fragglettes providing back-up? I absolutely love it. Favorite lyrics: "C'mon listen to me Fraggles/With your Fraggle mouths a'waggle/You can chew a Doozer tower till you're blue/But there's a mighty day a'comin'/When the food'll hit your tummy/And you'll know that what I'm tellin' you is true!"

44.   "What's the Name of That Song?" from Sesame Street
How am I supposed to talk about this song? It just says "What's the Name of That Song?" If we don't even know the name of that song, how am I supposed to know which song to talk about?! It's confusion like this that makes this song so delightfully wicked and incredibly fun. In fact, the entire 35th anniversary DVD special What's the Name of That Song? is based around this confusion. My favorite version of this Sesame classic is probably from Bert & Ernie Sing-Along with the whole cast, but I also love the more recent version that Bert and Ernie sing. Favorite lyrics: "I've heard it said with words and music, a fella can't go wrong/So la de da de dum, la de da de dum... What's the name of that song?"

45.   "Just a Dream Away" from Fraggle Rock 
This is one of the few songs on this list that is sung by a one-shot character. In this case, it's the Mudbunny, who appears to Wembley in an episode of Fraggle Rock. Performed by Richard Hunt, this creature had a very interesting life cycle that played out in the episode. Before all that, however, the Mudbunny sings this gorgeous, much too short song. Richard Hunt's voice has never sounded better than it does here. He sings with such mystery and even some omnipotence. It's gorgeous. Favorite lyrics: "Once I wasn't here and then I suddenly appeared/And now I seem to be at home in earth and air/Just like water flowing, I know where I'm going/Look beneath your boots and I'll be there."

Well that's it for today, Muppet fans! Check back next week, same time, same place, for 15 more tunes on our countdown of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs!





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

Feb 25, 2013

The Great Muppet Survey - Danny Beckwith

Answers and Artwork by DANNY BECKWITH

1.   Who are your three favorite characters from The Muppet Show, Muppets Tonight, The Jim Henson Hour, the Muppet movies, etc. and why?
Gonzo the Great has always been my favorite Muppet. Gonzo's imagination knows no limit; he tries everything and anything with enthusiasm and doesn't care what others think. He knows who he is and shows it. There is nothing better than being yourself, or a whatever (plus, I love that sound-effect in The Muppet Show when he enters and exits a scene and he makes me laugh loud and hard!). Another favorite is Rowlf--the master of the double take, the witty comment and observation, and the best piano playing dog around. I love that he is so down to earth and easy going. He's not bothered by much, which I admire. And, since I can only choose three, my final choice would have to be Kermit. Not only is Kermit the best friend you can ask for, he's clever, smart, caring, and so many other things. I've also been compared to Kermit many times in terms of my personality, so I can relate to the little green guy.

2.   Who are your three favorite characters from Sesame Street and why?
Big Bird has always been my favorite Sesame Street character. What a sweet, kind, caring, innocent character. Always curious, not afraid to ask questions, and always sharing the things he loves with the people he loves. Big Bird definitely has a special place in my heart. I love Ernie. Ernie is a dreamer. He lets his imagination soar to heights beyond the bonds of Earth. He cares deeply for his friends, especially Bert, and loves to play games and have fun. What's not to like? Count Von Count has always made me laugh. I'm a huge fan of movie monsters, so the Count is easily one of my favorites. The Count is another character who has such a passion for something, in this case counting. He shares it with such enthusiasm you can't help but become a part of it!

3.   Who are your three favorite characters from Fraggle Rock and why?
Boober, for some reason, has always been one of my favorite characters. I think his paranoia is a friendly reminder to not take yourself too seriously. No matter how afraid he may be of something, he always comes through for his friends in the end (I think this is wonderfully shown in "The River of Life"). Cantus is high on this list as well. He helps everyone he comes in contact with to do things they didn't know they could do, helping them, in his sometimes confusing ways, to become a better person and look deep inside themselves. Wembley needs to be here as well. I see a lot of myself in Wembley, always wanting to please everyone, sometimes to a fault. But Wembley is also extremely easy going, light-hearted, and a great friend.

4.   What is your favorite television program starring any of Jim Henson's creations (e.g. The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Dinosaurs, etc.) and why?
I think I'm going to have to go with the classic--The Muppet Show. I can't imagine a time when I haven't been in the mood to watch The Muppet Show. I really think that this show helped influence much about what I think is funny. Puns, running gags, visual gags, no matter how terrible, make me laugh. But there is also a lot of heart in the show, as evident by the relationships the Muppets have with one another.  After watching The Muppet Show, any episode, it makes you think, "Anything is possible!" Even a frog putting on a variety show. It pushed so many bounds and still remains one of the best shows ever to grace television.

5.   What is your favorite Muppet movie and why?
It’s somewhat of a tie--The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper. But I really love The Muppet Movie. Here's why--it's the American dream of traveling west and making it big, meeting people who share in your dream and celebrating that, and it's flat out funny and full of heart. The music and songs are classic and spectacular, the jokes hilarious and often, and the human supporting cast is top-notch. But in the end, it's about having a dream and not giving it up, and I love that. (As a side note--The Great Muppet Caper is the pinnacle of Muppet hilarity, that's why it's a tie.)

6.   What is your favorite Muppet/Sesame/Fraggle song and why?
Tough, tough question! Okay, so "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" is on this list, as is "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" and "Let Me Be Your Song," among so many others. But ultimately, "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" wins. Why? Well, it's such a defining Gonzo moment. I think we know who Gonzo is with this song. But for myself, it’s a song about reaching for your dreams even though there are obstacles in the way and things you can't control. Plus, it has one of my favorite sentiments ever, "There's not a word yet/For old friends who've just met.” Too true Gonzo, too true.

7.   If you could have dinner with any living Muppet performer who would you choose and why?
Dave Goelz. So many of my favorite characters are performed by Dave. I think he's such an incredible performer. I think a dinner with him would be such a wonderful and enjoyable experience. And if Dave wasn't available, Caroll Spinney--the man is a legend. I think I would love to talk art, life, and everything with Caroll. I think he might be up for that.

8.   If you could tell Jim Henson one thing, what would it be?
"Thank you for the magic, the dreams, and everything."

9.   If the President called you and asked to discuss Muppet projects, what would you tell him was the "Greatest Muppet Moment of All Time"?
"The Greatest Muppet Moment of all Time," good grief, no pressure there. I think I'm going to go classic and say the end of The Muppet Movie. You know the scene when the rainbow comes in through the roof? Yes, Mr. President, the scene with the lyrics "Life's like a movie/Write your own ending/Keep believing, keep pretending/We've done just what we set out to do/Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers, and you." Indeed, Mr. President, it is the greatest.

10.   What's the name of that song?
Hugga Wugga.

11.   If a judge ruled that Grover had to be your personal assistant for a month, what jobs would you have him do?
I would ask Grover to be my official Scheduler. What I mean is that Grover would be in charge of helping make sure I'm making the most of every moment. For instance, I have an open afternoon, what do I do? Well, Grover would help me decide that going under, over, around and through would be just the ticket to fun! Then tomorrow we can go near and far.

12.   In your opinion, what is the worst Muppet production ever made?
At the risk of being unpopular (get your tomatoes ready), I just wasn't a huge fan of The Muppets. I think it was a great attempt at bringing the characters back into mainstream culture and consciousness. But there were a few moments in the film that absolutely made me cringe (just a few, but many other moments were filled with nostalgia, laughter, and tears of joy). I don't think it's the absolutely worst, not by a long shot, but it's what comes to mind right now. Studio DC is right up there as well, as is The Muppets' Wizard of Oz. Let the heckling and tomato throwing begin.

13.   Who is one celebrity you would love to see cameo in the next Muppet movie?
David Tennant or Matt Smith--The Doctor did say that he loved The Muppet Movie in "Tooth and Claw." I think it would be such a clever cameo, especially with the Muppets being across the pond for the next film, for them to run into the TARDIS or The Doctor at some moment.

14.   If you could take a picture with any Muppet, who would you choose and how would you pose?
Uncle Deadly. I think it would be awesome. We could do the typical villain pose with incessant hand wringing and big smiles on our faces!

15.   What is your favorite piece of Muppet merchandise that you own? (Feel free to include a picture!)
I'd have to say the three original Muppet Scripts I own from the Henson Archives:
The Frog Prince--Original script by Jerry Juhl in binder, 1971
The Muppet Valentine Show--Original script, 1973
The Great Santa Claus Switch--Original script by Jerry Juhl in binder, 1970






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

Feb 24, 2013

The Muppets Predict the Oscar Winners

Ryan Dosier - Happy Oscar Sunday, Muppet fans! It's that magical day of the year where the unwashed masses get to feel a little more shiny by watching the Hollywood elite rub elbows and pat each other on the back by giving them golden statues! (Oh, who am I kidding? This is my Super Bowl!!) Anyway... I was having trouble making my pick for Best Picture this year, so I thought I would turn to the Muppets for a decision. Unfortunately, I got nine different answers... but they were entertaining, so I thought I would share them with you! Enjoy!

Statler and Waldorf chose the foreign-language film Amour. Not because it's about two old people at the end of their lives... but because it was boring enough for them to sleep right through the whole thing.
Animal kept shouting about Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Well, actually, he just kept shouting "unchained," but I assume this is what he meant.
Gonzo was partial to the lovely Beasts of the Southern Wild. But he was the first to admit that he's a sucker for anything involving beasts and wild. He also loves attempting to pronounce Quevenzhane Wallis' name while gargling gumbo.
Sam Eagle professed his love for Spielberg's Lincoln. "Finally," he said, "a film about the greatest American car of all time!" I didn't have the heart to correct him.
Rizzo the Rat chose Ang Lee's Life of Pi and can't wait for the sequel, Life of Cake.
Fozzie Bear was fully supportive of the indie-darling Silver Linings Jokebook. I tried to explain to him that it's actually called Silver Linings Playbook, but he was already coming up with a bit for his next act trying to tie together Bradley Cooper and a chicken. ("He wanted to coop-her! Ahh! Wocka! Wocka!")
When I asked Beaker, he meeped and squealed for a little bit before I called in Dr. Honeydew to translate. He told me that Beaker's choice for Best Picture is the war epic Zero Dark Thirty. Apparently Beaker sympathized with the torture victims that made the film so controversial.
Miss Piggy adored the epic musical Les Miserables. She hasn't seen it, but she insists that the title "means something beautiful in French."
Finally, Floyd Pepper chose Ben Affleck's Argo. When asked why, he said, "It's set in the 70s, right? Everything in the 70s was better, man."
And there you have... something! Anyway, enjoy the Oscars tonight, Muppet fans!





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