The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History'

[Mickey5150]

What is so wrong about having Sam Eagle, the MOST patriotic citizen ever, entertaining us with a show celebrating the awesomeness of the United States of America? The muppets, created by a dreamer, in a theme park created by a dreamer, in a section of the park made possible because there were dreamers who believed it to be so. I can't think of a better place to celebrate the dreams that make our country great then in Liberty Square.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Sometimes, us MENSA members' sense of humor is lost on the plebs.

A Mensa member who still watches Sesame Street, apparently.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I would understand this if you're talking about Epcot, and its original intent upon opening. But this is MK, where people come to be entertained. I think your making a big deal out of one additional show that they decided to add in Liberty Square. They didn't replace HoP. They added additional entertainment as they should be doing..Overlays are lazy. Adding an additional show to a land is not.

It's creatively lazy.

 

[Magenta Panther]

My take on the whole thing is The Muppets are a great franchise. And Disney are horrible stewards of the franchise. Most output since Disney bought them has been disappointing at best. The Muppets are a product of depth and nuance. Disney is the shallowest of shallow entities. No surprise they couldn't make The Muppets works. The brain trust at Disney isn't intellectually mature enough to successfully guide The Muppets.

"Intellectually mature", hoo boy. Is that why Jim Henson's kids never even tried to guide the Muppets and sold them twice? Because they're even stupider?

 

[RSoxNo1]

You think the Muppets in Tri cornered hats, ruffled shirts, and teaching about American history would be better in Muppet Courtyard? Seriously?

This is why designing by survey is a bad idea. Most people can't see "vision" even when handed a picture.

No, but the Muppets doing a comedy/entertainment show in the windows of Muppets Courtyard would be far more appropriate.

 

[Andrew C]

It's creatively lazy.

Is it? Okay.

 

[Matt_Black]

"Intellectually mature", hoo boy. Is that why Jim Henson's kids never even tried to guide the Muppets and sold them twice? Because they're even stupider?

... I thought you said you were done talking about this?

 

[RSoxNo1]

Is it? Okay.

Yes, it absolutely is.

I wrote this article last May: http://micechat.com/101023-tim-grassey-addicted-easy-money/

Here's an excerpt:

The approach of thrusting a franchise where it doesn’t belong is lazy and short sighted. It preys on familiarity over quality and it’s a problem that extends beyond the theme parks.

Why not have human streetmasphere in Liberty Square teach American history in a comedic/lighthearted way?

 

[Andrew C]

Why not have human streetmasphere in Liberty Square teach American history in a comedic/lighthearted way?

The muppets work.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The muppets work.

Dynamite counter argument. I guess I was wrong.

 

[Andrew C]

Dynamite counter argument. I guess I was wrong.

I'm not interested in arguing about this anymore. Been through that already.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

If you have to have your American history spoon-fed to you by puppets or otherwise you can't enjoy Liberty Square or the Hall of Presidents, then, hey, whatever, friend. I feel sorry for you.

You do realise we're discussing Disney World, right? The Hall of Presidents isn't exactly one of the most revered scholarly accounts of US history ever produced.

 

[Magenta Panther]

You do realise we're discussing Disney World, right? The Hall of Presidents isn't exactly one of the most revered scholarly accounts of US history ever produced.

And the Muppets would improve that...how?

 

[Magenta Panther]

With proper maintenance, Pinocchio would outlive other boys his age. There's a wooden rolling pin that my grandmother had before I was born, still in good shape!

Apparently, Pinocchio didn't want to be an ambulatory rolling pin, for some reason.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

And the Muppets would improve that...how?

My point is that perhaps you need some perspective. Disney is running a theme park, not a history graduate program. The statement from you that I quoted could easily be reworded as "If you have to have your American history spoon-fed to you by Disney..." When HoP opened, the audioanimatronics themselves were a draw and I'm sure plenty of "serious" historians would argue that a bunch of robot presidents was always more about spectacle than most accurately and solemnly communicating information about American history. Disney would argue that you need to entertain in order to engage and inform. That, I would imagine, is also the argument for The Muppets presenting American history in Liberty Square.

 

[Matt_Black]

My point is that perhaps you need some perspective. Disney is running a theme park, not a history graduate program. The statement from you that I quoted could easily be reworded as "If you have to have your American history spoon-fed to you by Disney..." When HoP opened, the audioanimatronics themselves were a draw and I'm sure plenty of "serious" historians would argue that a bunch of robot presidents was always more about spectacle than most accurately and solemnly communicating information about American history. Disney would argue that you need to entertain in order to engage and inform. That, I would imagine, is also the argument for The Muppets presenting American history in Liberty Square.

Yeah, didn't Disney himself say something along the lines of "Err on the side of entertainment, if you have to"?

 

[Donaldfan1934]

Is that why there's applause after nearly every showing I've been to?

It may have its audience, but its reputation for being boring and sleep inducing is widespread and notorious. So much so that Disney themselves put a joke about it at the end of the Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management. Say what you will about the show itself, but that joke didn't come from nowhere. Skip to 15:11.

 

[fngoofy]

Haunted Mansion is not "right there." It's around the corner and way down the street tucked into its own little corner. It was likely only placed in Liberty Square at all because there was nowhere else to put it that made any sense.

Besides, as I said before, that's such a weak justification. The outside of Haunted Mansion does not in any way detract from the theming of the area. The ghosts and fun are all inside the attraction and cannot be seen or heard or experienced while walking through the area. This will be in your face and will certainly change the tone of the land.

Where this show is going is in the actual square of Liberty Square, which was certainly designed to be a respectful reflection on our early history as a nation.

Well you'd better not go to Liberty Square then.

 

[Magenta Panther]

My point is that perhaps you need some perspective. Disney is running a theme park, not a history graduate program. The statement from you that I quoted could easily be reworded as "If you have to have your American history spoon-fed to you by Disney..." When HoP opened, the audioanimatronics themselves were a draw and I'm sure plenty of "serious" historians would argue that a bunch of robot presidents was always more about spectacle than most accurately and solemnly communicating information about American history. Disney would argue that you need to entertain in order to engage and inform. That, I would imagine, is also the argument for The Muppets presenting American history in Liberty Square.

Well, I beg to differ. The Hall of Presidents presentation is intelligent, poignant and based on reality. It respects its subject matter and presents it with dignity. I have seen people in tears while they watch it. It does not spoon-feed its audience. It is moving and celebratory. Walt Disney meant it to be that way (it is, after all, an expansion on "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln"), and he had a deep respect for Abraham Lincoln. If some people find HoP boring, maybe they need to grow up a little. Maybe watching that show would help do that.

Bottom line, the puerile, shallow tools at Disney who thought up this abysmal idea are going to put the Muppets in Liberty Square whether anyone here likes it or not. They're going to put GotG in Epcot. God know what they'll do next to cram purchased IPs into inappropriate locations in the parks. It's a sad thing to see. It sure would be nice to hear a rumor that gets me excited rather than think "Wha??? You gotta be kidding me! ?" It's been such a long time since that happened...

 

[Magenta Panther]

It may have its audience, but its reputation for being boring and sleep inducing is widespread and notorious. So much so that Disney themselves put a joke about it at the end of the Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management. Say what you will about the show itself, but that joke didn't come from nowhere. Skip to 15:11.

That show sucked. The gods were not pleased and nearly burned the place down!