Isn’t it swell when a number of things you like come together to make one big likeable thing? For example, I like ice cream and sporks, so I really like eating ice cream with a spork.
Here are some more things I like: The Jim Henson Company, Julie Andrews, and Netflix. So today’s announcement, as seen in Variety, of a collaboration between all three of them, sounds pretty great. Julie’s Greenroom was created by Andrews and her past collaborators Emma Walton Hamilton and Judy Rothman-Rofe, and it’ll star Andrews and a group of Henson-built puppets called Greenies, who look pleasantly reminiscent of the characters from the ’90s non-Henson show Puzzle Place. And one who looks like Velma from that Scooby-Doo puppet movie a while back. Former Sesame Street head writer Joey Mazzarino is also onboard, as co-producer and director.
The Variety article has the complete details, but here’s a particularly exciting snippet:
“Julie’s Greenroom” is designed to introduce pint-size viewers to various aspects of the performing arts. Andrews will play the leader of a performing arts company who works with a host of new puppet characters created by the Henson Co.
The series, which began lensing in New York last month, will feature original music and guest stars including Alec Baldwin, Sara Bareilles, Joshua Bell, Tituss Burgess, Carol Burnett, Chris Colfer, Robert Fairchild, Josh Groban, David Hyde Pierce, Bill Irwin, Ellie Kemper and Idina Menzel. Netflix has ordered 13 half-hour episodes that are set to debut early next year.
Wow, that’s a lot of great guest stars. Several of whom have, like Andrews, worked well with Henson puppets and Muppets in the past. Kids’ entertainment is hot right now, and Netflix is obviously not fooling around with this project.
There’s also a video preview… Take a look and let the voice-chasing commence:
Click here to wonder why the room isn’t green on the Tough Pigs forum!
by Ryan Roe – Ryan@ToughPigs
