One Muppet, One Voice

[TheOtherVillainess]

I was actually looking for something else when this came up on a Google search for me. I had no idea that the MHC had done this and had planned on (for lack fo a better word)whoring out the Muppets in this fashion.

I have signed the petition and am planning on sending a letter to Russell Hampton, the exec. VP of MHC, letting him know how I feel.

It would be a shame,after all these years, to see the Muppets become just more soulless, gaudy, not-worth-remembering TV puppets.

Poor Jim must be spinning in his grave over this.

TOV

 

[Maleficent13]

Since the OP didn't provide a link, here it is:

http://www.savethemuppets.com/

And an alternate (and equally valid IMHO) view point:

http://www.mostlymuppet.com/archives/2005/12/09/save-the-muppets/

 

[cardaway]

I for one would be shocked if the auditions for these replacments didn't include them having to match the previous performances as closely as humanly possbile. I believe history has shown that Disney is quite good at doing just that.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I for one would be shocked if the auditions for these replacments didn't include them having to match the previous performances as closely as humanly possbile. I believe history has shown that Disney is quite good at doing just that.

I agree. I am not worried about this.

 

[precious pixie]

I for one would be shocked if the auditions for these replacments didn't include them having to match the previous performances as closely as humanly possbile. I believe history has shown that Disney is quite good at doing just that.

I agree. Look how many disney character voices have changed and we all still love them i understand that its not how Jim did it but we don't really know if he would rather them fade away or get new life, i for one am glad they will still be around

 

[Missy1961]

Since the OP didn't provide a link, here it is:

http://www.savethemuppets.com/

And an alternate (and equally valid IMHO) view point:

http://www.mostlymuppet.com/archives/2005/12/09/save-the-muppets/

Thanks! I was trying to figure out what the OP was about.

I think the second article was valid too.

 

[rayelias]

I would be concerned if it was anyone BUT Disney doing this.

For the most part, Disney has maintained the "heart" of their core group of characters.

You have 18 year olds playing , , , , , , , , , , roaming the park - and they do a pretty good job of playing the part, considering they, for the most part, are not "professional" actors. They are kids who were trained by Disney to play the roles of their most coveted creations.

I am certain that Disney will maintain the same level of consistency for the Muppets - ESPECIALLY for any large scale, preserved-for-all-time performances (TV, movies, music, etc.) It would be in their best interest.

No one could replace Walt & Roy Disney. But, their legacy lives on - in no small part to all of us who demand that the Disney companies maintain that standard.

No one can replace Jim Henson. But, their legacy will live on, as well.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

But that doesn't seem to be what Disney is doing. It seems that what they are doing is letting anybody with an arm and half a brain portray the characters, which is wrong.

TOV

 

[cardaway]

But that doesn't seem to be what Disney is doing. It seems that what they are doing is letting anybody with an arm and half a brain portray the characters, which is wrong.

TOV

What evidence do you have to back that up? They have too much to lose if the characters lost their character. The didn't buy them to turn Kermit into somebody that sounds like Stitch or turn Miss Piggy into a princess.

Did you like the performances in the recent Muppet specials?

 

[Maleficent13]

I'm with cardaway. Until I see a real decrease in quality (or some proof that such a decrease is soon to come), I'm not going to put too much stock in it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

FWIW none of our beloved Disney characters are their original voices.

As long as they try to replicate, I would much love to enjoy fresh banter from our beloved muppets.

I would also like to see the proof that they are changing the characters in anyway?

I would think Jim Henson would want his characters to continue hence his son carrying on the voice of Kermit. It took a while, but Kermie is starting to be somewhat indistinguisable for me from his original sound. It is different, but close enough to still have Kermie.

I would expect that Tigger and Piglet will get new voices as well with the passing of the originals.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

If they were willing to let them train proper replacements, then it probably wouldn't be so bad. But they aren't willing to let them train proper replacements, so Kermie, Piggy and the gang will be cheapened and eventually (so predicteth I...) become lost.

I bet not even half the kids who go see the Muppets 3-D realize they are sitting in a replication of the old Muppet Theatre from the original tv show. Or even who Waldorf and Statler are, or why they are there. The only Muppets seemingly with any prominence these days (outside the parks) are the Sesame Street gang, which has been taken over by the Evil Red One.

TOV

 

[Jennasis]

So how does this effect, say, WDW? Not at all. The costume characters don't speak, and the Muppetvision 3-D show is already recorded. The only thing that would be effected would be future films and Sesame Street (is it even on anymore??). FWIW, most kids don't know who Waldorf and Statler are because the Muppet-Show hasn't been on in DECADES!

I'm sure the replacements will sound just like the characters should.

OTOH, I though Brian Henson did kermits voice after Jim died?

 

[lindalinda]

If I'm reading this correctly, the issue isn't neccessarily that there are new puppeteers, its that the treatment of the old ones was poor. Hire in new cheap labor, fire the old pros......its just the almightly dollar at work. Where does a former muppet puppeteer go? I'm guessing theres not much demand.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If they were willing to let them train proper replacements, then it probably wouldn't be so bad. But they aren't willing to let them train proper replacements, so Kermie, Piggy and the gang will be cheapened and eventually (so predicteth I...) become lost.

I bet not even half the kids who go see the Muppets 3-D realize they are sitting in a replication of the old Muppet Theatre from the original tv show. Or even who Waldorf and Statler are, or why they are there. The only Muppets seemingly with any prominence these days (outside the parks) are the Sesame Street gang, which has been taken over by the Evil Red One.

TOV

My kids watch the old muppets on DVD. Now while they could probably not care less about the comparison--they may catch on soon.

I think the sky is falling mentality is not really apporpriate.

Have you signed up for the training classes or something and have an "in" on how they will be trained that we are not aware of?

Sesame Street (though not really my favorite show even as a kid...)---still gets raves after all these years.

I don't think they are crying over there.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OTOH, I though Brian Henson did kermits voice after Jim died?

I thought so too.

 

[Maleficent13]

Have you signed up for the training classes or something and have an "in" on how they will be trained that we are not aware of?

This is what I'm about. All we have is the word of one website, and even that is just some rhetoric.

 

[cardaway]

OTOH, I though Brian Henson did kermits voice after Jim died?

It's been Steve Whitmire for some time now.

http://imdb.com/name/nm0926209/

It's also been awhile since Frank Oz did Miss Piggy.

 

[Silly Larry]

Hello,
This is my first post.

I just want to add that I have followed this topic and the person who started the save the muppets website appears to have not done there research. That person anticipated something that never came to be.

Seems Disney ended up hiring only one person from theese auditions to be a back-up Gonzo and the new person worked with the regular muppeteers on the current Disney cruise show, muppets ahoy.