Tube Tuesday: Xmas marks the spot for the Muppets in 2009

Jim Hill

15 years ago

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time when we reconnect with friends & family. And this year, The Walt Disney Company must be feeling especially thankful for the way the public passionately re-embraced the Muppets last week.

I mean, who would have thought that a viral video (which was shot on the fly, by the way. 50 camera set-ups in just a day and a half back in July) covering an old Queen song would set the Web on fire. But that’s exactly what “Bohemian Rhapsody” did, racking up over 8.2 million views over the past week.

To give you some idea of how truly huge this is for Muppet Studios, let’s take a look at their previous web sensation, Beaker’s “Ode To Joy.” Originally posted on YouTube in July of 2008, it took this Webby-winning viral video more than 16 months to rack up 7.4 million views. “Bohemian Rhapsody” blew right by that number in less than seven days.

Of course, what helped here was that virtually every site of size on the Web linked to the Muppets’ latest online tune. TMZ, Perez Hilton, Gawker, the Huffington Post and AintItCoolNews all made their readers aware of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Which is how the Muppet Studios’ new YouTube Channel (which just launched on November 19^th and already has over 38,000 subscribers) wound up being the Most Viewed Channel on YouTube this past week.

(L to R) Cloris Leachman, Jerry Springer, Steve Wozniak, Miss Piggy and Joanna Krupa on the season finale of “Dancing with the Stars.” Photo by Adam Larkey. Copyright 2009 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved

And what with all of this additional media attention coming during a week when Miss Piggy made an appearance on the “Dancing with the Stars” finale on ABC …

… and Kermit the Frog sang “I Believe” with Tiffany Thornton during NBC’s live broadcast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade … Well, is it any wonder People Magazine – in its “Best of 2009” issue – just named the Muppets as the Comeback of the Year?

Mind you, this wasn’t a fluke. Or just some lucky break. Ever since The Walt Disney Company acquired this beloved set of characters from The Jim Henson Company back in February of 2004, a lot of very talented people have worked long & hard behind-the-scenes to ease the Muppets back into the spotlight. But who knew that it would be a Queen song that would finally put them over the top?

Anyway … If you’ve grown tired of rewatching “Bohemian Rhapsody” on YouTube, there’s lots of Muppety goodness to be found on TV this week. Take – for example – tomorrow night’s “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” telecast (which airs on NBC from 8 to
9 p.m. ET/PT). When Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Pepe and the Electric Mayhem will join Michael Buble, Barry Manilow and the Radio City Rockettes for the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas tree.

On Friday, the Disney Channel premieres the music video version of “I Believe.” (By the way, if you like Kermit & Tiffany’s new holiday tune, the single version of “I Believe” – which is already getting tons of airplay over on Radio Disney– will be available for purchase from various online retailers starting on December 8^th).

That same day NBC will be rebroadcasting “A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” from 8 to 9 p.m. ET / PT (FYI: An extended version
of this highly rated 2008 holiday special is now available for purchase from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment).

And then – on Monday, December 7^th – the Muppets will be performing with Andrea Bocelli on “The Jay Leno Show” (which airs on NBC from 10 to 11 p.m. ET/PT).

Speaking of which … This Italian tenor’s new holiday special — “Andrea Bocelli & David Foster: My Christmas” — will be airing all month long on PBS. And one of the real highlights of this show is when Bocelli sings “Jingle Bells” with Miss Piggy & pals.

Which – I know – sounds somewhat unlikely. Especially since some of the other stars who appear on this holiday special (i.e. Reba McEntire, Mary J. Blige, Natalie Cole, Katherine Jenkins and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir ) are among the most popular entertainers working today. All I can tell you is that – back when “My Christmas” was initially being shot at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre this past September — the Muppets were the only act who received a standing O from the audience attending that taping.

And if you like what you see & hear on this new PBS holiday special, then perhaps you should spring for the “My Christmas” CD & DVD. Which also features the Muppets singing “Jingle Bells” with Mr. Bocelli.

By the way …If you like listening to Kermit & Co. perform Christmas carols, just be aware that “Bohemian Rhapsody” isn’t the only viral video that Muppet Studios will be releasing this holiday season. They have a version of “Carol of the Bells” which will be popping up on the Web sometime in the next two weeks that will definitely make “ … your days seem merry and bright.”

And if that’s not enough Muppety Christmas cheer for you … Just this morning, Postmaster General John E. Potter — with the help of Kermit the Frog & Fozzie Bear — ..

(L to R) John E. Potter, the Postmaster General of the United States Postal System, Kermit the Frog & Fozzie Bear at this morning’s “Letters to Santa” announcement in NYC. Copyright 2009 Muppets Studios, LLC. All Rights Reserved

… announced that this year’s holiday cancellation will feature Kermit
the Frog holding a “Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” sign.

And on into December, Kermit & Co. continue with “A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa” being rebroadcast by NBC on December 19^th from 8-9 p.m. ET/PT. And look for the Muppets “Give a Day / Get a Disney Day” commercials to be prominently featured as part of the December 25^th broadcast of the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. Which will air on ABC from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

And if all goes according to plan, the Muppets’ current hot streak will continue well past New Year’s Eve. In January, their new online series – “The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora” – debuts. Plus these characters will be prominently featured in the “Give a Day / Get a Disney Day” parade (which will periodically recognize the volunteers who take part in next year’s promotion for Disney Parks & Resorts). And let’s not forget about the first in-park Muppet Whatnot shop (which is rumored to be opening at WDW early next year).

All this plus a Muppet Halloween special AND a brand-new feature film, “The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made.” And did I mention that – in addition to “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Carol of the Bells” – that Muppet Studios has three more viral videos that it plans on releasing in 2010? All of which (Disney hopes) will cause the same sort of online sensation that last week’s video did.

There’s a few more Muppet-related surprises to found under this year’s Christmas tree (You might want to start TiVoing Jimmy Fallon. Hint, hint). Speaking of which … If you’re looking for an appropriate present for the Muppet fanatic in your family, you might want to check eFx Inc.’s line of photo puppet replicas and/or Tonner’s great new Miss Piggy dolls.

Of course, if you’d like to deliver something truly sensational this holiday season, you might want to get in on the bidding that’s currently going on with FAO Schwarz’s Experience of a Lifetime auctions. You see, the Fifth Avenue store is currently offering an experiential package — “THE WORKS” — that any serious Muppet fan would kill to have.

“And what exactly does ‘THE WORKS’ entail?,” you ask. Well, let’s start with a 2-night / 3-day excursion to NYC. Where – as you enter FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue – you’ll be greeted by Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear.

No, not some teenagers in Kermit & Fozzie costumes. The REAL Kermit the Frog & Fozzie Bear will be on hand as you arrive at Muppet Whatnot headquarters. Where you’ll then design your own custom Muppet Whatnot puppet.

Once your Whatnot is complete, you’ll receive private puppeteering lessons from a Muppet pro. This will be followed by the shooting of a three-minute-long keepsake video where your Muppet Whatnot will perform alongside Kermit & Fozzie. Once this footage is edited, it will then be posted on Muppets.com.

Doesn’t “THE WORKS” sound great? Well, the downside is that this FAO Schwarz Experience of a Lifetime auction is being done for charity. And if you’d like to get some quality time with the REAL Kermit & Fozzie, it’s going to cost you. The high bid of this Ultimate Muppet Whatnot Workshop Experience currently stands at $5000.

But the upside is that you have ‘til December 10^th at 5 p.m. ET to cash in the kids’ college funds and/or look under the couch cushions for loose change. That’s when bidding officially closes on this particular FAO Schwarz Experience of a Lifetime auction.

Okay. That’s enough talk about Christmas & holiday gifts. For now, why don’t we enjoy some Thanksgiving leftovers and take one more look at “Bohemian Rhapsody” ?

Of course, if you’re still of a mind to do some holiday shopping today … If you’re looking to do any bargain hunting on Amazon.com, could you first please click on the banner above? If you do that … Well, JHM gets a teeny tiny chunk of whatever you spend. Which would be a great way to
say “Thank You” for all the great stories that you’ve read on Jim Hill Media over the past year.

Happy Holidays!