THE LAST WALTZ: To say farewell to Late Night, Jimmy Fallon was joined by the Muppets to sing The Weight. (I am interested in the prominence of Walter both in this and in the marketing for Muppets Most Wanted--maybe he tests really well with kids?)
When I showed this video to my kids, my son's first really excited reaction was when Walter showed up, though he was also very happy to see Miss Piggy, Kermit and a few of the other big guns as the video went on. But Walter's by far the most prominent Muppet in the last movie, so if that's a new generation's introduction to the characters, he's going to loom large for them.
I loved it, but I was confused about Walter's prominence also. Should I be worried for Fozzie? He used to up front and center as Kermit's pal. He was my favorite as a kid, but he's fading into the background.
I think part of the problem with Fozzie is that he's the one Frank Oz character whose voice Eric Jacobson really struggles with. Miss Piggy still sounds like Miss Piggy, Sam like Sam, etc., but Fozzy's voice is all over the map, which may be why they don't use him as much. (See also Rowlf.)
I also expect that this might be part of what led to the development of the plot for Most Wanted--I've heard several folks complain that Kermit hasn't sounded like Kermit since Henson's death.
I forgot about the Frank Oz thing. If I can deal with Kermit not really sounding like the Kermit I knew and loved, then I can deal with a not-quite-authentic Fozzie. Can't Disney find someone who can do a Fozzie voice? There's gotta be someone out there, right?
Rant over. I'm just happy to see the Muppets back in pop culture. They were such a huge part of my childhood, and I'm glad they're back.
And what happened with Jason Segal and the Muppets? I get that he didn't want to go there again, but I'd have thought if there wasn't emnity, then a little cameo or something?
When I showed this video to my kids, my son's first really excited reaction was when Walter showed up, though he was also very happy to see Miss Piggy, Kermit and a few of the other big guns as the video went on. But Walter's by far the most prominent Muppet in the last movie, so if that's a new generation's introduction to the characters, he's going to loom large for them.
ReplyDeleteI loved it, but I was confused about Walter's prominence also. Should I be worried for Fozzie? He used to up front and center as Kermit's pal. He was my favorite as a kid, but he's fading into the background.
ReplyDeleteI think part of the problem with Fozzie is that he's the one Frank Oz character whose voice Eric Jacobson really struggles with. Miss Piggy still sounds like Miss Piggy, Sam like Sam, etc., but Fozzy's voice is all over the map, which may be why they don't use him as much. (See also Rowlf.)
ReplyDeleteI also expect that this might be part of what led to the development of the plot for Most Wanted--I've heard several folks complain that Kermit hasn't sounded like Kermit since Henson's death.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about the Frank Oz thing. If I can deal with Kermit not really sounding like the Kermit I knew and loved, then I can deal with a not-quite-authentic Fozzie. Can't Disney find someone who can do a Fozzie voice? There's gotta be someone out there, right?
ReplyDeleteRant over. I'm just happy to see the Muppets back in pop culture. They were such a huge part of my childhood, and I'm glad they're back.
And what happened with Jason Segal and the Muppets? I get that he didn't want to go there again, but I'd have thought if there wasn't emnity, then a little cameo or something?
ReplyDelete