Image copyright Disney/The Muppets Studio.
The Muppets kick off the new year in style with a massive marketing campaign and television takeovers.
By Blake
Originally posted January 17, 2010.
No matter what TV shows you watch, what websites you visit, or where you are, it's been a bit difficult during the past couple of weeks to avoid catching at least the sightest glimpse the Muppets in everyday media. And I mean that in a very wholeheartedly appreciative way.
Since I last reported on the steady comeback that The Muppets Studio is implementing for Kermit, Miss Piggy, and friends, the furry crew of performers have been quite busy. Their outstanding parody of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" music video has become an instant hit and has already reached over twelve million viewers in just a few short weeks. Additionally, in December alone, the Muppets appeared in one way or another on Christmas in Rockefeller Center, The Today Show, The Jay Leno Show, The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Wendy Williams Show, and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Yeah. Wow.
Read more after the jump.
If you have the time, please do take a few minutes to watch the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon appearance in particular: it's a wonderful performance and could rival for the best Muppet appearance in years.
Video copyright NBC.
Just because the Christmas season was over didn't mean that the Muppet hype would cease. As soon as 2010 begun, the Muppets rung in the new decade in full force as they promoted their new campaign with Disney Parks. First announced in September 2009, Disney initiated the "Give A Day. Get A Disney Day." promotion on January 1, 2010. As part of the program, the first one million people to volunteer for one day to a select organization will receive a one-day ticket to a theme park at Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida. You can read more details and sign up at DisneyParks.com.
Kermit and friends certainly have not been shy in encouraging others to join in on the volunteer spirit. Several TV spots begain airing to spread the word of the campaign on many, many different networks in the fall and I've begun to notice them more often since the promotion officially began. They feature the Muppets volunteering with the likes of James Denton, Terri Hatcher, Taye Diggs, Cat Cora, and Sara Ramirez. Funny stuff.
Video copyright Disney/The Muppets Studio.
To celebrate the kickoff of their volunteering efforts, on January 3 the Muppets took over ABC primetime to transform Extreme Makeover: Home Edition into Extreme Makeover: Muppet Edition! Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Rizzo, Pepe, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, the Swedish Chef, Statler, Waldorf, and even a few more pals stopped by when the team was constructing a new house for the Morris family in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was an exhilarating experience to see the Muppets back in a primtetime slot and to see them in such prominence; some entire scenes featured nothing but wacky Muppety humor. Those that want to see the episode in its entirety can do so over at ABC.com.
On January 8 at both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Disney's Honorary VoluntEARS Cavalcade debuted as a pre-parade to the regular afternoon parade. The procession's grand marshals are guests who have volunteered in their communities, followed by a special float carrying none other than Kermit and Miss Piggy! Not too far behind is Sweetums, all smiles and ready to help out. At Disneyland, the volunteer-themed float is the "seasonal" float that gets dressed up to suit many occasions throughout the year (like holidays and new movie releases), while the Muppet float at Magic Kingdom is a blue car that formerly carried the grand marshals for the now-retired Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The Muppets celebrate volunteering in a new pre-parade at Magic Kingdom (shown here) and Disneyland. Image copyright Disney/The Muppets Studio.
As if one primetime Sunday night wasn't awesome enough, the Muppets returned on January 10 to ABC to yet again take over a popular show, this time setting up their own "Muppet Palooza" on the set of America's Funniest Home Videos. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Pepe, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, the Swedish Chef and several chickens were on hand to help Tom Bergeron commentate on several videos, play some games, and tell a few jokes. Additionally, Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem band were the resident musicians for the night, playing up a variety of tunes before and after commercial breaks. You can read a detailed summary of the episode over at The Muppet Mindset.
The Muppets clown around with America's Funniest Home Videos host Tom Bergeron. Image copyright Disney/ABC/The Muppets Studio.
As if all of that wasn't enough, Muppet fans continued cheering as they discovered that Disney had set up an all-new website to promote the "Give A Day. Get A Disney Day." campaign that allows users to personalize messages and interact with the Muppets right from their computer! First, please check out this overly awesome video:
Video copyright Disney/The Muppets Studio.
Now, mosey on over to an excellent new website where you'll see most of your favorite Muppets pals in their finest as they help volunteer by fixing up the page. Just choose "Click here to view the Muppet experience starring YOU!" link at the end of the video above and you'll be on your way! This is truly one of the best little unexpected surprises out of the Muppets I've seen in a long time - the website is so detailed and fun, and it can be viewed absolutely free! The way all of the characters interact with each other across the computer screen actually reminds me a lot of the pre-show for Muppet*Vision 3-D at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's California Adventure.
It is very clear by now that the Muppets are indeed back. I think it's safe to say that everyone involved at Disney, The Muppets Studio, Disney Parks, and Disney Online deserve a gigantic "thank you" for all of the effort they've put into bringing back Jim Henson's beloved characters into the spotlight. Now all that's left to do is sit back and enjoy the wonderful ride.
Related BlakeOnline articles:
- Theme Park Headlines - Commuppety Service (posted October 3, 2009)
- Disney Talk - They've Gotten Things Started (posted November 28, 2009)
2 comments:
I LOVE the muppets! I just wish they'd use Sam The Eagle a little more! He would make a great volunteer, don't you think?
It's great to see the Muppet comeback and I hope we continue to see more of the muppets!
Sam rocks! He appears on the interactive "Give a Day" website, and most recently on the campaign's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WaltDisneyWorld?v=app_231304049288&ref=ts
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