Special thanks to Ceris Anne from London, Ontario Canada for this great article. Enjoy!
Why Everyone’s Got it Wrong About the Muppets…
Since the “reboot” of our fun and fabulous
furry friends in 2011 there’s been lots of speculation about the longevity and
appeal of The Muppets as characters, stars and as a viable franchise.
I’m here to say that the speculation is
nonsense and unnecessary. They are viable. They just are.
Mr. the Frog will be 60 next year. He likes
to say that the number is his age in human years and that he’s really a lot
younger. He’s allowed, he’s famous, and I’ll let him be whatever age he wants,
because he’s actually ageless.
Here’s the thing, The Muppets are timeless
and classic, and they are innovative and fresh. They are funny and poignant and
they have lots to share with us.
So here’s why everyone’s wrong about The
Muppets. They don’t need to be judged or banked on or have their numbers counted,
because as they’ve shown us time and time again, they always turn adversity
into opportunity and they persevere.
When they were in the hands of their creator,
Jim Henson, and his creative team of original puppeteers and builders and
writers, they were new and experimental. They were subversive, funny and
innovative.
So, what are they today? They are now under
the control and watchful eye of the Disney Company, with the world as their
potential creative partners. The hands of master builders, writers and
puppeteers, (yes, I meant to do that) are in everything they do, and these
skilled artists were trained, guided and inspired by the Muppet creator(s). The
legacy gets passed on, and yes, it may change a little, but the audience
responds, because The Muppets are timeless. They speak to everyone.
You’ve probably seen the countless quizzes
that are popping up these days:
“Which
Disney character are you, which country should you live in, and which Muppet
are you?”
Did you notice that? The Muppets are broad
enough that they get their own identity in quizzes, because they are that big,
that all encompassing and speak to everyone with their art.
So, maybe their opening weekend grosses for
their latest film might not be as huge as speculation predicted, but I think
that’s because everyone knows, in their heart, that The Muppets aren’t going
anywhere. We identify with them. We love them and we need them. So really, The
Muppets are the Most Wanted franchise around.
- Ceris Anne
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