Tough Pigs News Extra
July 24, 2002
A
Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
NBC press release -- July 23, 2002
Reprinted entirely without permission
BURBANK -- Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost), two-time Oscar nominee Joan Cusack (Working Girl, In and Out) and David Arquette (Eight Legged Freaks, Scream) star with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and an all-star Muppets cast in A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (working title), the first-ever made-for-television Muppet movie to be telecast this holiday season on NBC, it was announced today by NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker.
"Everyone knows that when it comes to entertainment, there is only one green frog that really matters -- and we are very pleased to have him and all the Muppets characters on NBC," said Zucker. "We're delighted to be working with the Muppets and the incredibly creative team at the Jim Henson Company on this special holiday movie event."
"Partnering with NBC for A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie was a natural fit, since they are known as producers of many of television's most memorable comedy hits," said Juliet Blake, Executive Producer and President, Jim Henson Television Group US. "We know that fans will be thrilled to see huge stars like Whoopi Goldberg, David Arquette and Joan Cusack getting wrapped up in holiday hijinks with the whole Muppet gang."
The two-hour film, which is currently in production in Vancouver, will feature cameo appearances by Oscar winners Sir Michael Caine and William H. Macy, Snoop Dogg, Carson Daly, Jon Stewart, Kelly Ripa and Rachel Hunter, among others.
A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie pays homage to all Christmas movies (with a dash of Moulin Rouge, Cirque de Soleil and Fear Factor) as Kermit struggles, on Christmas eve, to save the Muppet Theater from teh stylish, yet Scroogish, bank owner Rachel Bitterman (Cusack), who plans to demolish it and open a trendy nightclub in its place. Arquette stars as Daniel, the rookie angel, fresh out of accounting, who is trying to earn his wings by helping Kermit, and Goldberg stars as Daniel's "Boss."
Kirk Thatcher directs from a screenplay by Tom Martin (The Simpsons, Just Shoot Me) and Jim Lewis (Muppets Tonight). Juliet Blake and Brian Henson are executive producers of the presentation from the Jim Henson Company.
Holiday Muppet movie sealed with kiss at NBC
February 15, 2002
by Cynthia Littleton, The Hollywood Reporter
Reprinted entirely without permission
LOS ANGELES -- The Muppets are getting into business with the peacock.
NBC Studios and the Jim Henson Company have inked a deal to develop an original Muppet movie targeted to premiere this year during the holiday season. It's a Wonderful Muppet Christmas Movie will incorporate parodies of classic Christmas films and feature guest shots and cameo appearances for NBC stars.
"It's perfect for the new approach that we're taking with our movies in looking for things with presold, pop-culture appeal," said Jeff Gaspin, NBC executive vice-president for alternative series, longform specials and program strategy. "What's always great about the Muppets is that there's enough sophisticated humor to appeal to adults while the puppets appeal to children."
Gaspin noted that NBC director of movies and miniseries Jennifer O'Connell has been a "huge proponent" of working with the Henson Company on a holiday-themed movie and will shepherd the production for the network. Veteran Muppet scribe Jim Lewis has been tapped to write the screenplay.
Jim Henson Television Group president Juliet Blake said the NBC deal will mark the first time the Muppets have been featured in a made-for-TV movie, though the troupe has done its share of TV specials over the years.
"We're excited about putting a Muppet spin on the genre of the Christmas movie," Blake said. "This is the first time there's been a really high-budget Muppet movie made for TV."
Moreover, Muppet Christmas Movie will mark the first significant smooch between Kermit and his longtime love, Miss Piggy, Blake said.
"Their kisses have always been instigated by Piggy before, but this time Kermit comes to his senses, and it will be a very romantic kiss," she said.