Muppets and Disney

[kybred72]

OK, flame away, I'm a HUGE lover of the Disney parks but not very knowledgeable on the history of Disney. But I'm wondering how does Muppets tie in with Disney? I thought Muppets was a Jim Henson creation. And did The Muppets break off from Sesame Street? For some reason, I'm thinking Kermit used to show up on Sesame St from time to time...

Thanks for the 411 :wave:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Dont know most of the history but I think Disney re purchased the Muppet franchise rights last year or the year before. Still popular so why not make the most of it?

Yes Sesame St was part of Hensons creature Shop works and Im sure when my kids were young Kermit popped up now and then too.

 

[marni1971]

I`m possibly a bit off but I think Disney entered into talks with Henson about a merger/buy out/franchise, and got permision for the stage show and film before he died. The will executors (family) wanted different terms and the talks stalled for quite some time.

 

[WelshBatman]

Disney bought the Muppets in (I believe) 2002, but have had interests in the Muppets from before that. Disney produced both the Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island before ever owning the Muppets. Not to mention Jim Henson worked with Disney to produce the Muppets 4-D (which was Jim Henson's last performance).

Also, Kermit did show up on Sesame Street but the roots of the Muppets go back even further to the Ed Sullivan Show. Kermit and Rowlf the Dog made appearances there (as well as a few other characters). Kermit has been around since 1955 making appearances.

Currently Disney owns the Muppet properties but hasn't done much with it besides rereleasing 4 muppet films on DVD and producing The Muppets Wizard of Oz. Apparently, though, Disney has attempted to film a pilot for a new Muppet show.

Disney does not own the other two big properties from Jim Henson are Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock.

 

[jcc0621]

After Jim Henson passed away the family sold off parts of the franchise. Disney bought the Muppets. Children's television network bought the rights to all the Sesame Street Characters (Elmo, Grover, etc) but Kermit went with the Muppets and this why you no longer see Kermit on Sesame Street.

I believe the Muppets were part of the studios prior to Henson's death. Entered into an agreement with much like the one with George Lucas for Star Wars and Indy (neither of which are Disney properties)

 

[cloudboy]

Disney an Henson were in discussions to sell the Muppets to Disney just before Henson's death in 1990. Almost went through, and there were rumors to them playing a bigger role in Disney MGM Studios. However after his death there was some kind of disagreement between Henson's heirs and Eisner, and the deal fell through. Eventually in 2004 I believe the Hensons finally sold the Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House to Disney. Hensons still own the Creature Workshop, which creates many of the puppet figures you find in Hollywood including Dinosaurs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Personally, I think Disney is missing out on a great opportunity with these characters. They are milking some of their other holdings to death, and yet they are doing nothing with the Muppets. Other than the Bunsen Honeydew mobile lab, I don't know of any other Muppet projects in the works.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppets_Holding_Company

 

[PaisleyMF]

When Jim Henson died Disney and the Henson Co. where working on a deal to have presence of the Muppets on Disney (they did one Special "The Muppets on Disney World" and Disney produced the Jim Henson Tribute). The deal was cut short, and that why is only Muppet Vision 3d and a Stage show.

The Henson Company sell the Muppets to a Germany company with all the rights, Fraggle, Muppets and so On, Children Television Workshop becomes Sesame Workshop and owns their muppets.

That Germany Company then again is sold, and that other company (sorry i can remember names) sold back to Henson everything. After that Disney buys Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House.

 

[disneyphilip]

Don't worry. Disney will give us some more new Muppet stuff soon.

They're just not a high priority right now. The Muppets just aren't as popular as they were back in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, so it's going to take some time to get them back into the spotlight and get things to a point where the overall general public will actually start to love them and want to see them again.

They DO have new projects in the works.

I also think that Disney has been doing a better job in keeping the Muppets visible than the Jim Henson Company did before they sold them. For one thing, we've been seeing more Muppet merchandise and collectibles on Disney's store shelves and they're pretty good. They even released the first season of The Muppet Show on DVD in the summer of 2005 with a second season set still in the works.

 

[MJMcBride]

one rumor I heard was Mama Melrose's would be converted into a Muppet themed restaurant. Maybe they will put together the old ride concept of the Muppets showing guest how movies are made.

 

[kybred72]

one rumor I heard was Mama Melrose's would be converted into a Muppet themed restaurant. Maybe they will put together the old ride concept of the Muppets showing guest how movies are made.

That would be cool! I love the Muppets. My current ringtone is the Muppet Show theme song. It's so me!

 

[erasure fan1]

Personally, I think Disney is missing out on a great opportunity with these characters. They are milking some of their other holdings to death, and yet they are doing nothing with the Muppets. Other than the Bunsen Honeydew mobile lab, I don't know of any other Muppet projects in the works.

This is SOOOOOO true. They are missing big because kids love the muppets. When my sisters kids come over they always want us to put on the muppets. If Disney would acually try to market them they could be popular again. The last 2 TV movies are not good at all, and the merch in the parks is just about nothing. Yet muppet vision is always very popular, Hmmmm what would happen if they actually tried?

Last time we went to MGM the muppet fountain was behind walls. Did they do anything to it or was it just a cleaning?

 

[disneyphilip]

This is SOOOOOO true. They are missing big because kids love the muppets. When my sisters kids come over they always want us to put on the muppets. If Disney would acually try to market them they could be popular again. The last 2 TV movies are not good at all, and the merch in the parks is just about nothing. Yet muppet vision is always very popular, Hmmmm what would happen if they actually tried?

They ARE trying to bring the Muppets back--it's going to take time to rebuild a big following among today's newer audiences, so please be optimistic and give Disney a break, for everyone's sake--our beloved Muppets are not going to go away anytime in the future!

Last time we went to MGM the muppet fountain was behind walls. Did they do anything to it or was it just a cleaning?

Don't worry. It was only a cleaning and repairs. The fountain is still there, still spinning Piggy around and spewing water.

 

[erasure fan1]

(1)They ARE trying to bring the Muppets back--it's going to take time to rebuild a big following among today's newer audiences, so please be optimistic and give Disney a break, for everyone's sake--our beloved Muppets are not going to go away anytime in the future!

(2)Don't worry. It was only a cleaning and repairs. The fountain is still there, still spinning Piggy around and spewing water.

1. I sure hope you are right. The easy first step would be get some good plush or other merch. in the store. So I hope thats sooner rather than later.

2. Im glad to hear this. My daughter was mad last year because she couldnt get a picture in front of it like every year.

 

[mitchk]

one rumor I heard was Mama Melrose's would be converted into a Muppet themed restaurant. Maybe they will put together the old ride concept of the Muppets showing guest how movies are made.

Actually, Mamma Melrose was supposed to be a Muppets themed restaurant back when the whole area was going to be Muppet Studios (along with The Great Muppet Movie Ride) Sadly these ideas were scrapped when Jim died, and Disney started having problems with the Henson family. I read an article on Jim Hill's site a few years back that went into detail about all the Muppet stuff that was supposed to happen, but never did. It's a real shame, I love the Muppets

 

[ImaYoyo]

Don't forget about the Mobile Muppet Lab! That thing is GREAT!

 

[erasure fan1]

Don't forget about the Mobile Muppet Lab! That thing is GREAT!

Yea if you can get to Cali. I hope they bring it to the WDW.

 

[figmntal95]

Disney bought the Muppets in (I believe) 2002, but have had interests in the Muppets from before that. Disney produced both the Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island before ever owning the Muppets. Not to mention Jim Henson worked with Disney to produce the Muppets 4-D (which was Jim Henson's last performance).

Also, Kermit did show up on Sesame Street but the roots of the Muppets go back even further to the Ed Sullivan Show. Kermit and Rowlf the Dog made appearances there (as well as a few other characters). Kermit has been around since 1955 making appearances.

Currently Disney owns the Muppet properties but hasn't done much with it besides rereleasing 4 muppet films on DVD and producing The Muppets Wizard of Oz. Apparently, though, Disney has attempted to film a pilot for a new Muppet show.

Disney does not own the other two big properties from Jim Henson are Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock.

Yes but they do own The Bear In The Big Blue House Property.

 

[MJMcBride]

Actually, Mamma Melrose was supposed to be a Muppets themed restaurant back when the whole area was going to be Muppet Studios (along with The Great Muppet Movie Ride) Sadly these ideas were scrapped when Jim died, and Disney started having problems with the Henson family. I read an article on Jim Hill's site a few years back that went into detail about all the Muppet stuff that was supposed to happen, but never did. It's a real shame, I love the Muppets

But thats water under the bridge and the muppets are back into the fold. Perhaps we will see some of those ideas come to fruition.

 

[k.hunter30]

Speaking of Jim Henson's productions - I would LOVE to see Fraggle Rock brought to WDW.