Amazon bets on The Jim Henson Company for new kids' show

Streaming video companies are increasingly pushing their own content, and Amazon's Studios program has outlined a set of new potential shows — this time, for children.

 

Amazon will be producing pilots for five new shows, all aimed at kids and complementing the six comedy pilots it greenlit last month.

 

As with Netflix's growing stable of original series, some high-profile names are involved: Teeny Tiny Dogs (Canine pals help one another navigate the big world despite their teeny tiny size) is produced by The Jim Henson Company and created by Rugrats and Aeon Flux director Howard Baker. 

 

Amazon will post both its comedy and children's pilots on Instant Video, using viewer feedback to gauge what should later be produced in full seasons.

 

While Amazon is ultimately planning a wide range of movies and TV shows, children's programming is a particularly safe bet.

 

Budgets can generally be lower, and shows will often get watched over and over, giving parents a reason to stay subscribed. If the only place you'll find a child's favorite show is on Amazon, you won't be dropping Instant Video for Netflix any time soon.

 

"The Muppets…Again!": Producer Todd Lieberman Talks Sequel

From moviefanatic.com

Fresh off the news of the announcement of The Muppets' sequel title and a first Muppets...Again! image, Movie Fanatic spoke with producer Todd Lieberman for his latest, the astounding Warm Bodies, and naturally, we had to get his take on The Muppets sequel announcement. “I can’t wait for people to see it. We’re shooting now,” Lieberman said exclusively.

The producer has had a wide variety of films carry his producing name, from The Fighter, The Proposal, The Muppets, Warm Bodies and now Muppets…Again!

“I only flew back for the Warm Bodies premiere. [I went] from London to New York to visit my mom for her 70th birthday, then to LA for the premiere,” Lieberman admitted. "Then I’m back to London for more Muppets. All these time zones are taxing on my brain and my body, but I’m thrilled!”

When asked how far into shooting the film that will feature Modern Family star Ty Burrell as the headliner as it was announced that Jason Segel is not involved in The Muppets sequel, Lieberman reported that they are into the heart of it.

“We’re in our second week of shooting,” he said. “It’s gone amazingly well. It’s an unbelievable amount of fun.”
Unlike the re-establishing nature of the first film, the second movie in this new and revitalized Muppet universe will recall The Great Muppet Caper. It involves the Muppet gang as they cross Europe on a triumphant tour until they get drawn into the world of jewel thief Constantine, and his nefarious scheme.

New faces abound beyond Burrell’s Interpol agent, with Ricky Gervais portraying Constantine’s sidekick and Tina Fey as a Russian prison guard.

Lieberman promises that the musical aspect that made Muppet movies famous will still be a huge part of Muppets… Again!, including the return of the man who won an Oscar for the last film.

“We got Bret McKenzie back to do the music! It has tons of new songs, and some old favorites,” Lieberman said. When we spoke to the composer in our Bret McKenzie exclusive interview, he was hoping to be able to return!

If it appears the producer is pleased with what he’s seen so far, there is no question. “I’m really proud of the group of people we put together to work on this movie. I think that people are going to like it. It’s really fun and the cast that we put together -- we’re thrilled.”

When asked if Christoph Waltz had joined the cast, as rumored, Lieberman simply said, “I can’t say either way.” (Update: Ricky Gervais has confirmed that he is in the film)  

Ricky Gervais: 'Muppets movie beats working with Robert De Niro'

Ricky Gervais has said that working on "The Muppets...Again!"  tops collaborating with Robert De Niro.

The comedian told The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio that he was always a big fan of The Muppets.

"Honestly, this is the first time when I've really gone 'I really can't believe my luck here'. I think people think I am blasé about doing all this stuff but this tops working with De Niro."

He added: "It is absolute magic and I have been a huge fan literally for 35 years.

"An early hero of mine, John Cleese, was on there and he acted himself and I thought that's great."

Gervais continued: "I think it must have influenced me doing stuff like Extras, where these huge icons came on and they were the butt of the joke with the locals.

"And I think that was the first time I'd really seen that done properly. I honestly watch A Muppet Christmas Carol at least twice a year.

"Honestly, it's already the greatest story ever told, A Christmas Carol, and the only way you could improve on Dickens is stick in some Muppets.

"I want to do it to every film I do now; Schindler's List 2, it doesn't matter I just want Muppets in every movie."

De Niro starred in the final episode of the second series of Gervais's Extras as himself.


CLICK HERE to see Ricky Gervais on The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio talking about "Muppets...Again!"