May 20th - ABC broadcasts The Muppets' Wizard of Oz. I watched it, and I enjoyed it, but it could have been better. Pacing was off, the ending fizzled, but MANY of the jokes were spot-on, containing the classic "Appeals to adults, but safe for kids" quality any Muppet fan has come to enjoy.
But before May 20th, there's been a lot of rumbling going around. A lot of news bits here and there that many Muppet fanatics have been collecting.
It started with a preliminary Wal-Mart exclusive pressing of a DVD. This DVD was 3 episodes of Fraggle Rock, entitled "Where it all Began." Sales were promising, so a widespread special edition was released, with extras and special features. Following that, two more DVDs (each containing 3 epsiodes of the show, but another episode or two as hidden bonuses) have been released.
And with the third release, the news that everyone knew, but nobody confirmed. Featured with the DVD, was the official announcement.
Fraggle Rock - Season 1 DVD. Fall 2005.
An another front, there had been equal rumblings regarding The Muppet Show. An unofficial announcement was made about season-by-season box sets being released, earlier this year at a special event, celebrating Jim Henson.
And we've still had no official announcement. We know they're coming, but nobody's said anything regarding them.
But now, UltimateDisney.com has commented on the matter. On May 20th, of all days, they claim that The Muppet Show - Season 1 will be a 4-disc boz set... Released August 9th.
Special features on both Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show are still being speculated. Muppetnewsflash.com has a supposedly real listing, but it's not confirmed.
For details about the speculation and the potential bonus features, I'll direct you to Muppet Central;
Fact of Fiction - The Muppet Show DVD season sets
http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2005/032005.shtml
Fraggle season 1 DVD's officially announced for fall 2005
http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2005/042505.shtml
The site also features reviews for the first two Fraggle DVDs (third DVD should be reviewed soon), if you're interested.
Related news:
-There are currently two DVDs out for The Storyteller, another Jim Henson project. Probably best known as being the stories shown at the end of The Jim Henson Hour. A young Sean Bean is in one of the stories.
-The Jim Henson Company is planning on a sequel to The Dark Crystal, which will use a combination of puppetry and CG. What the balance will be, and in what context the CG will be used, nobody knows.
-The JHC is also considering producing more Fraggle Rock shows.
-Disney's owned The Muppets for over a year now, if you didn't know.
-Jim Henson is still dead.
-Muppets' Wizard of Oz comes out on DVD in August, as well.
Jim Henson's creations are timeless and magical. He created so much with puppetry and animatronics, that most people only DREAM of making on a computer. His work should be cherished, and this is the kind of stuff you'd want to have in your home, to relive your childhood fondness, or to show your children one day. Would you rather your children be watching the next form of Teletubbies or Boohbah, or have them watch the Muppets speculate over Alicer Cooper worshipping Satan?
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