Conference koolit::disney

    Here is some more from an AP article reprinted from today's Union
    Leader:
    
    WHO'S THE LEADER OF THE MUPPET GANG?  M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e
    
    LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP)
    
    	Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog danced a jig with Mickey and
    Minnie Mouse as the Walt Disney entertainment empire yesterday acquired
    the Muppet managerie and the services of their creator, Jim Henson.
    
    	The merger of the two kiddie entertainment giants will blend
    the colorful characters from "The Muppet Show" - the most widely
    seen TV program in the world with an estimated 235 million viewers
    in some 100 countries - into Disney's theme parks, movies, TV shows
    and retail merchandising products.
    
    	Henson also will create new characters for Disney.
    
    	Henson and Walt Disney Co. Chairman Michael Eisner refused to
    disclose the purchase price, which reportedly was between $100 million
    and $150 million.
    
    	Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and the Cookie Monster will be staying
    on "Sesame Street."  Henson's creations for the children's series
    are not part of Disney's takeover of Henson Associates Inc. and
    he'll keep working with that show.
    
    	The announcement came at the new Disney-MGM studios at Disney
    World.
    
    	Mickey and Minnie Mouse were performing their regular show when
    Miss Piggy and Kermit bound onto the open-air stage.  The four danced
    a jig and kissed each other on the cheek, to applause from several
    hundred spectators.
    
    	"I've loved Disney. I grew up on its movies...and I'm happy
    to have the Muppets at the parks," said the bearded Henson, who
    created Kermit in 1955 and followed that up with Miss Piggy, Animal,
    Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Scooter and others.
    
    	Henson and Eisner said few details have been worked out on Disney's
    plans for the Muppets.  But work has begun on a new Muppet theater,
    to open next Memorial Day, featuring 3-D technology and Disney's
    "audioanimatronic" robots.
    
    	The Disney chairman said the acquistion would reinforce Disney's
    stable of personalities.
    
    	"I have not discovered that the public is getting tired of Disney
    characters," Eisner said.
    
    	Asked about criticism that the new Disney-MGM studios theme
    park did not have enough to offer children, Eisner acknowledged
    that the planned new Muppet show "will give us just a little bit
    more for the very little kids."
    
    	Analysts have said the park needed something to better compete
    with Universal Studios Florida, which will have two attractions
    geared to children when it opens May 1.
    
    	But Eisner and Henson publicist Susan Berry later said the Muppets
    would retain their family-oriented humor and not become strictly
    children's characters.  The Muppets' attraction to small children
    is primarily visual, Berry said.
    
    	"Miss Piggy, for instance - whose humor is adult humor - is
    not going to change," she said.
    
    	Disney said the merger also would produce special Muppet
    attractions and rides for all other Disney theme parks.  And Disney
    acquires the Henson film and TV library, including "The Muppet Show,"
    "Muppet Babies" and "Fraggle Rock".
    
    	Eisner said he and Henson had known each other since the 1960s
    and have been negotiating an agreement for about six months.
    
    	After introducing Kermit and the Muppets to television in the
    1950s, Henson began producing muppet segments for "Sesame Street"
    in 1969.
    
    	"The nonprofit continuing involvement between Jim Henson and
    Sesame Street continues unchanged," Eisner said.
    
    	"The Muppet Show" debuted in 1976.  Henson also made five Muppet
    movies and does "The Jim Henson Hour" on NBC.

    Anyone want to comment on this?
    
    I'm sort of a purist so I am somewhat cool to all of this.
    
    However I'm all for adding more attractions to WDW so as to reduce the
    waiting time in lines.
    
    Gonna take awhile to get used to the Muppets under Disney although I
    remember when my kids were real young and one of them thought that the
    Muppets were indeed a product of Disney.
    
    Mike

    
    I'm also all for seeing Disney add new rides. But all the characters
    that always came out of Disney you could always associate with the
    man who started it all, Walt. Now with the infusion of the muppets,
    which I love just as much as the Disney characters, it'll take some
    adjusting. I wonder what they will do with kermit. To me it seems
    that Kermit is at the same level as Mickey Mouse. Mickey being the
    leader of Disney, and Kermit the leader of the muppets. Will Disney
    somehow mesh the two so Mickey is still on top or will there be
    two camps ?
    

I have always loved the Muppets almost as much as I have loved the Disney
characters, so I consider this as a marriage made in heaven.  The Muppet
attraction at the MGM Studios will be nice, but I can also see a Muppet float in
the MK parades.  I also like the Fraggles and expect to see them somewhere doing
something.

I expect that the Disney imagineers and the Henson people will come up with some
great ideas.

--Jay

Gee, it may be time for them to rename the Mickster to Merger Mouse...

I'm a big fan of the Muppets as well as the Disney characters, but I have mixed
feelings about this announcements.  On one hand, it'll be nice to have a place
with Muppet-themed attractions for the kids and Muppet fans like me; but on the
other hand, it feels like a "cop-out" and that seems to be a Disney trend of
late.

Let me explain...

When Disney first started its theme park business, the parks were built on the
foundation of the Disney characters.  And there was quite a supply of raw
materials.  Mickey, Donald, Goofy, all the animated shorts and features, and a
lot of the live-action stuff.  And it was great to wander around in "Unca"
Walt's imagination for a day or two or three or four...

But now, that has changed.  With the presence of the Star Wars-themed Star
Tours and an Indiana Jones stunt show, we have George Lucas' influence.  And
with the Disney/*MGM* Studios, we have more imaginations to run around in.  And
soon, we'll get Jim Henson's too.

Don't get me wrong.  I've been on Star Tours and it's a fantastic ride.  The
best I've ever experienced.  And I want to see the studio park very much.  But
I don't know, I wish the seed of all these ideas were planted by the same man. 
Yes, it's a tall order but one that could be filled.  Disney's done some
incredible stuff over the years and there's a lot of potential in that work to
fill a dozen more theme parks.

I just don't want to see that imagination "tainted" or overrun by everyone
else.  After all, it is called *Walt Disney* World.

- Skip

    As much as I like the muppets, I am also cool about it.  Disneyworld is
    Walt Disney's creation, and bringing someonelses creation kind of mixes
    up things.  I like it the way it was, strictly Disney.  But as I say,
    money talks....
    
    
    Lynne

    Well, I'm  back  from  vacationing  in upstate NY (but not back at work
    till next week  ;^)).    I  wasn't  even  thinking about Disney (or the
    alternate vacation plans I  once  had  ;^(), until I stop at a store in
    Lake Placid and bought a  Paper out of Albany NY with a picture of Miss
    Piggy  and  Mickey  on  the  front page holdings hands, I can  see  the
    headlines now "Jealous Frog Kills Mouse" (at least I think that was the
    picture, had to use something to start the camp fire that night).  Over
    all the wife and I have  mixed  feelings about this, mostly that Disney
    seems  to  be  going overboard of late,  with  the  additions  to  WDW,
    Euro-Disneyland etc., it just doens't seem like the old Disney anymore,
    what the next name change at WDW to be?  Disney/Henson land?
    
    Claude

    I agree, it seems funny, and it will take a while to get used to, but
    let's give Eisner & Co. a break.  

    After all, remember many of our favorite Disney characters were actually
    not invented by Disney.  Certainly not Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow
    White, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, The Jungle Book characters, and a
    lot more.  Let's admit there are other creative people in the world,
    and Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and the rest of the Muppet crew are among the
    best. 

    It will be interesting to see how Disney/Henson can integrate the adult
    humor of the Muppets, with it's underlying level of satire, into the
    wholesome children's humor and straight ahead fantasy of the Disney
    characters.  I suppose it depends if Henson remains involved and has
    creative freedom, or takes his money and runs.  Time will tell.

    I think Eisner should gradually get the Muppets into the WDW family.
    
    I think that you'll see most of them in the MGM theme park...I would
    prefer that they (Muppets) are excluded from The Magic Kingdom.
    
    Mike

     Well from the business (profit) standpoint of it, this move is a positive
     one for Disney. The Henson characters have been probably some of
     the most popular of the past decade and as Len pointed out a few
     replies back Disney is not the only creative force in the galaxy.
     However, this move does kind of make me a little sad, it gives
     me the impression that Disney is going to stop producing "cartoon
     character films" and just run off some muppet movies. I hope that
     does not happen. It just seems like Disney is opting to buy something
     that is popular, rather than create.... are the Warner Bros characters
     far behind ?
    
                -Rob
     

    Does anyone have any comments on last night's NBC "The Muppets at WDW"?
    
    It was kinda cute but I watched it only for glimpses of the park.
    
    I enjoyed:
    
                o Seeing Thunder Mountain
                o Seeing Star Tours (love that entrance)
                o Those neat jumping waters in Epcot
                o Strolling along Main Street U.S.A.
                o Watching a bit of the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
    
    It was definitely Disney's/Eisner's way of officially welcoming Henson
    into the Disney family.
    
    They are still pushing MGM moreso than the other 2 parks.
    
    Mike_who_has_waited_5083_days_to_return_and_only_57_to_go
    

    The show was enjoyable for the most part.  Something that I found very
    confusing was how they started at MGM and were jumping all over the
    property like it was one park.  If they didn't have tickets for MGM,
    how did they get into EPCOT Center or the Magic Kingdom?
    
    I think the enterance to Star Tours is neat too.  At home, I have
    pictures of behind the giant all terrain walker (does anyone remember
    what they were called...Taun Tauns come to mind, but I think that's
    wrong.)  Truely a movie magic moment.
    
    Joel

    RE: .14

    The furry horse-ram-kangaroo-composite animals on the ice planet of
    Hoth are Taun Tauns.  The giant all-terrain walkers are called AT-AT's
    (say: "ay tee ay tee" for All Terrain Attack Tank).

    OK...for those of us who missed the special and have not been to
    Disney-MGM yet...what does the entrance to Star Tours look like?


    David.

    Outside the Star Tours Building, there is a mock-up of a Wookie 
    Village, and the actual path into the building goes between the 
    legs of an AT-AT. The AT-AT is unfortunately just a facade, when 
    you get round the back, you can see all the support rods and 
    bracing. The Wookie Village looks real, but you can't get up to it 
    to walk along the rope walkways and bridges.
    
    In view of the shortage of space in MGM, I feel that Disney would 
    have been better making a complete AT-AT that you could walk 
    through/play in, and open up access to the Village (making sure it 
    was up to Disney safety standards, of course!). This would have 
    added more to the attraction, and made better use of the space at 
    that end of the lot.
    
    Mike in Warrington, UK.

    
    I thought that the visible support rods and labeling was part of the
    atmosphere...sort of a continuation of the backstage tour -- the
    Ewok (not Wookie, but we _did_ see Chewbacca there in March) village
    parts are labeled appropriately.
    
      -- John

    Sorry about the slip, we've just come back after a Bank Holiday 
    long weekend, and my brain is still in neutral. Yeah, Ewok 
    Village, Right!
    
    	    Yes, they are intended to be an extension of the backlot 
    theme, but a lot of kids, mine included, wanted to wander around 
    the Ewok Village, and look inside the houses. I think it's a 
    missed opportunity.
    
    	    We saw Chewbacca (The Wookie!), and he did some very 
    realistic roars, is there some audio amplification/effects gear 
    built into the suit? Replies to the Disney/MGM note, before our 
    moderators pull us back into line!
    
    Mike.

    I don't know what this means to Disney's plans but Jim Hensen died
    today from a "massive bacterial infection". I just heard it on the
    radio. It will be interesting to see what if any immediate effect on
    Disney's plan this will have. It could be a major blow.
    
    Bill

    Rep to <<< Note 137.19 by ASABET::KUMPEL "disney!, Disney!!, DISNEY!!!" >>>

    Probably means that now that Disney owns the copyrights  to the Muppets
    (minus the Sesame Street  gang),  The  muppets and anything that Jim H.
    may have had in the works would continue to live under the watchful eye
    (greedy of late) of Disney, whereas if  Jim  H./Disney had never signed
    the contract, the muppet empire may have stagnated.
    
    JMHO
    
    Claude

    Okay how many people are thinking:
    
       - Did Hensen know of his sickness and therefore sold out to Disney?
    
       - A "massive bacterial infection" sounds sort of mysterious to me.
    
       - Who (besides me) can do Kermit's and Ernie's voice from now on?
    
       - Is Frank Oz the logical choice to fill in Hensen's shoes?
    
       - Is Sesame Street in trouble?
    
       - Will WDW do some sort of salute to Jim Hensen?
    
    Mike
    Jim Hensen Fan

              <<< ZENDIA::DISK_NOTES$LIBRARY:[000000]TV.NOTE;1 >>>
                              -< TV or not TV... >-
================================================================================
Note 859.0                 Jim Henson----Rest In Peace                No replies
CSCMA::BALDWIN                                        5 lines  16-MAY-1990 12:22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jim Henson, creator of Kermit the Frog and the Muppets, passed away
    at 1:30am this morning. He was I believe 53 years old. All the family
    will say is that he died of a massive virul infection. Thanks for
    the memories, Jim, and rest in peace.
                       

    >>Okay how many people are thinking:
    
      >>- Did Hensen know of his sickness and therefore sold out to Disney?
    
    The reports I heard say that he went in for Pneumonia (spelling?) and
    they discovered the bacterial infection.  I don't think this was a plan
    with such a short vision.
    
       >>- A "massive bacterial infection" sounds sort of mysterious to me.
    
    My mother, a nurse, says that yes, it has been known to happen.
    
       >>- Who (besides me) can do Kermit's and Ernie's voice from now on?
    
    Good question.  Hopefully someone else in the Hensen organization can.
    
       >>- Is Frank Oz the logical choice to fill in Hensen's shoes?
    
    Probably.
    
       >>- Is Sesame Street in trouble?
    
    Other than the voices that Hensen did, the Muppets for Sesame Street
    were under a seperate contract from the rest that Disney bought, so I
    don't think they'll have a problem.
    
       >>- Will WDW do some sort of salute to Jim Hensen?
    
    Probably only a short mention like they did for Lucy at the end of the
    Disney/MGM Studios opening special.
    
    
    Joel

    Jim Henson had a hand in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, at 
    least for the movie. I don't suppose by any remote possibility, 
    that Disney has any claim on them too? A TMNT attraction could be 
    a real crowd puller for me as well as my kids.
    
    See, I do have other intellectual tastes besides Disney!
    
    Regards,
    
    Mike in Warrington.

    Hensen doesn't have any rights to the TMNT that I know of.  He was
    involved in building the turtle's and Splinter's suits for the movie. 
    Apparently they were very complicated with lots of hydraulics and
    remote control stuff.
    
    Joel

	It is obvious to all who "owns" the muppets now, I saw a brief
	clip of the muppets on one of the news stations and beneath came
	the legend...

			...Courtesy of Walt Disney World

	George

    On the Disney Channel, before the start of a Fraggle Rock episode, they
    showed a picture of Henson stating "In Memory of..." and then they
    listed dates.

    I have heard reportsd that the deal between WDW and The Muppets
    was not formally finaized and that neither parties are making comments
    yets.  Anyone here different yet? 
    
    Also I understand that no one at this time will be doing Kermit,
    Ernie or Guy Smiley's voices for the time being because there is
    still stuff that was pre taped.
    
    Being a little to old to have watched a lot of Sesame Street but
    never too old for the Muppet show... Jim Henson will be a much missed
    Entertainment Genius.
    
    Have a good afterlife Jim.....

    Thanks Len.
    JP

    The Summer  '90  issue  of  Disney  News,  has  a 4 page article on Jim
    Henson's Muppets at  WDW,  with  Jim Henson, and Kermit in front of the
    Main Gate of Disney/MGM  on  the  Cover.    They also make mention that
    while the issue was going to press, Jim Henson tragically passed away.
    
    The article discusses the various  projects  that  are  underway at the
    Studios (allready published elsewhere) as well as his kids  interest in
    Jim  henson  productions,  Son Brian performed the pivitol role of  the
    Storryteller's  dog,    as  well  as  principal  puppet  performer  and
    second-unit director on  Tennage  Mutant  Nija Turtles.  Son John helps
    run Jim Henson's Production  New  York  Studios,  daughter  Cheryl, has
    served as a designer and  builder  on  a  variety of Henson production,
    while the eldest child, Lisa now  in  creative  development  at  Warner
    Brothers, helped inspire 'The Storyteller' series.   Youngest  daughter
    Heather is stil in school at Rhode Island  School  of Design, work on a
    art career.
    
    So hopefully with 3 of the 5 Henson Kids  and  Disney, the Muppets will
    continue to live on in the tradition of Jim Henson.
    
    Claude

Article 328 of rec.arts.disney:
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From: jeffw@scam.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Wallace)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.muppets,rec.arts.disney
Subject: The Muppets Take Orlando
Message-ID: <26953@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU>
Date: 13 Aug 90 00:55:32 GMT
Sender: news@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU
Reply-To: jeffw@scam.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Wallace)
Organization: UC Berkeley Experimental Computing Facility (XCF)
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Xref: shlump.nac.dec.com alt.tv.muppets:607 rec.arts.disney:328

I just finished watching "The Muppets Take Manhattan" and that
reminded me that I hadn't posted the news from Muppet World, I mean
Disney World.

I was in Orlando two weeks ago and I vacationed at Walt Disney World.
I know that Disneyland is including the Muppets there, but Walt
Disney World is taking a very different approach.  There are no
signs of Muppets in the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.  But the Muppets
are a major feature of the Disney/MGM Studios, along with Dick Tracy
and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

There are presently two Muppet shows, but I didn't find out about the
second until I was leaving.  The show that I saw was "Here Come The
Muppets".  It's a live-action show with human-size Muppets.  Jim Henson
recorded the sound track for both shows shortly before he died.

"Here Comes the Muppets" begins with Kermit being surprised by the
audience.  He's not expecting us yet and the rest of the cast isn't
there.  Mickey Mouse calls Kermit on a Disney Picturephone to see 
how things are going with the newest members of the Disney family
and the new show.  Kermit convinces Mickey that the show is going
great and then scrambles to contact the rest of the gang.

First he calls Miss Piggy and then Fozzi.  At this point I was
expecting a show with just the big name Muppets.  But then Gonzo
arrives and tells Kermit that the rest of the gang is taking the
monorail and will be here in a couple of minutes.  Kermit responds:
"But the monorail doesn't go the studios yet."  Gonzo: "It does now."
We hear the familiar sounds of a Disney Monorail approaching,
followed by a huge crash as a monorail smashes through the side of
the theater.

To my surprise, Disney isn't ignoring the best Muppets.  Climbing out
of the wreck of the monorail are my favorites: Dr. Teeth and The
Electric Mayhem.  Dr. Teeth, Floyd, Zoot, Janice and Animal are
introduced.  Contrary to what some net people were worried about,
Disney is leaving these personalities alone.  One of Floyd's first
remarks: "Animal loves children.  Why, he's already eaten two this
morning."

The show rolls into a couple of normal Muppet musical numbers 
including one during which they project clips from very old comedy
films and Muppet Show episodes onto a screen above the stage.  
Statler and Waldorf make a brief appearance in the old clips.

Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem rock along and of course Animal
loses control and throws in one of his unique solos.  The show
ends with the whole group on stage in a typical Muppet finale.

Not a truly spectacular show, but I loved seeing my old friends again.
I'm overjoyed that Disney didn't gut the Muppets and use only the
big names.  They also introduced a new character, Bean Bunny.  He
was one of the 4 leads in the show along with Kermit, Piggy and Fozzi.

On the "Backstage Studio Tour" we passed a large construction site
with a sign saying "Muppet Studios".  I later read that Disney is
relocating the Muppet Studios from Los Angeles to Orlando.  I'm glad
that Disney apparently wants to build this park around the Muppets.
This gives the studios their own focus, rather than being a Universal
Studios knock-off with Disney characters thrown in.

Jeff Wallace, Experimental Computing Facility (XCF), U.C. Berkeley
Internet: jeffw@scam.Berkeley.EDU       UUCP:...!ucbvax!scam!jeffw

    
    
    On my way home from work on Fri I heard a news teaser that the Disney_
    Muppet deal had gone sour and was'going south' I listened for a
    halfhour and heard nothing further on the story. I saw nothing in the
    papers or the tube. Has anyone out there in notes land heard any of
    this?
    
    Steve

	LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday that
it has ended an 18-month effort to buy Henson Associates Inc., owner
of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the other Muppet characters,
because of disagreements over price, originally set at $200 million.
	The deal would have included the principal Muppet characters
and an exclusive production agreement with Jim Henson Productions.
	The companies said they would continue to work together on
projects, including a joint Henson/Disney situation-comedy featuring
dinosaurs for ABC television. Other joint projects include an
incomplete 3-D Muppets movie and a "Here Come the Muppets"
attraction that opened at Disney's Florida theme park last June.
	"It's quite possible that the Henson family did not have the
same unity of purpose as when Jim Henson was alive," one source said.
"Also, part of the deal was for Jim Henson's creative services, so
that may have been difficult to value once he passed away."
	Marsh said that Disney rival MCA Inc. may consider making a
bid for Henson Associates. MCA, which is itself in the midst of being
acquired for $6.6 billion by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., has
reportedly been interested in the company for many years.

Reprinted without permission from "The Manchester Union Leader", December
14, 1990


               DISNEY HENSON MUPPETS DEAL FALLS THROUGH


Los Angeles (AP) Walt Disney Co. and Jim Henson productions broke off talks 
yesterday after failing to reach an agreement to acquire Henson Associates,
Inc., including the principal Muppet characters.

Disney also had sought an exclusive production agreement with Jim Henson
Productions in the talks, which began in August 1989. The deal was valued at 
$100 million to $150 million.

"We truly regret we could not come to terms," Disney chairman and chief 
executive officer Michael D. Eisner said in a statement. 

Erwin Okun, a senior Disney Co. vice president, said it was too early to tell 
whether the failed acquisition would preclude Disney and Henson Productions
from launching future joint productions. He noted that statements issued by 
both companies were cordial. 

"We have great admiration for Jim and respect for the Henson people, the family,
who we've gotten to know pretty well," said Okun.

The Henson family, which has owned Henson Productions since the puppeteer's
death in May, said current projects with Disney would not be affected by the
termination of talks. 

Those projects include a Disney Channel television series, "Jim Henson's Mother
Goose," a situation comedy series involving dinosaurs, shceduled to air in
January on ABC, and a 3-D film that will be shown to visitors to Walt
Disney World in Florida.

"We would have liked to see this deal succeed," the Henson family said in a
statement. "Unfortunately, after 18 months of negotiating, the companies
could not reach a mutually satisfactory agreement."

Henson, who died May 18, founded his production company in 1958 as Muppets 
Inc. to produce all his properties. 

Recent negotiations had centered around the lower price Disney offered after
Henson died May 18.

At that time, industry analysts speculated that his passing would lessen the
value of the acquisition to Disney. Henson's personal talents formed part of 
Eisner's original strategy to cross-market Muppet characters such as Kermit
the Frog and Miss Piggy with Disney creations.

The following is copied from the LOS ANGELES TIMES business section
from Friday December 14, 1990 without any permission.

Bill

=-=-=-=-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

                 Miss Piggy and Friends Won't Get 
                 Together With Mickey and Minnie

Entertainment: Jim Henson 
Productions and Disney scrap 
the planned Muppet sale.

-----------------------------------
By Alan Citron
Times Staff Writer

     The Muppets will not be moving to Disneyland after all.

     Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Co. on Thursday jointly
announced that the negotiations over a proposed $150 million sale of the
Muppet characters to Disney had collapsed.

     Both sides declined to elaborate.  But sources close to the talks
said tensions have gradually escalated since the deal was unveiled 18 months
ago.  Muppet creator Jim Henson was said to be distressed by Disney's
insistence on owning the rights to the "Sesame Street" characters.

     The fate of the deal became even cloudier after Henson died
unexpectedly in May, since his contribution to future Muppet projects
was a key point in the original agreement.

     Sources said entertainment lawyer Barry Hirsch was hired to represent
the Henson family in the Disney talks following Jim Henson's death.  While
Hirsch is one of Hollywood's top attorneys, his relations with Disney
reportedly have been strained for several years.

     The Henson heirs, in a prepared statement, said they looked forward
to a "strong and productive future" despite the collapse of the deal that
would have added the Muppets to the vast Disney family.  "We would have
liked to see this deal succeed," the Hensons said.  "Unfortunately ... the
companies could not reach a mutually satisfactory agreement."

     Michael D. Eisner, Disney's chairman and chief executive, wished
Kermit the Frog and the rest of the Muppets, as well as the Hensons,
"our best wishes in their endeavors."

     While the announcement hardly represents a significant blow to
Disney, entertainment analyst Paul C. marsh of the Los Angeles brokerage
Bateman Eichler, Hill Richards said the company would have profited from
from such characters as Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.  "It's not 
something measurable," Marsh said.  "But it certainly would have helped."

     When the deal was announced, both companies said Disney would
be the ideal place to carry on the Muppet legacy.  Plans called for the
studio that brought the world Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to administer
the Muppet film and television library and to produce new shows.

     One attraction called "Here Come the Muppets" is already in
operation at Walt Disney World in Florida.  Sources said it probably
would be preserved under a new contract.

     The fate of the remaining Muppet characters remains in doubt,
though several people speculated that another theme park operator 
such as MCA Inc. or Time Warner Inc. might make a play for the
perennially available Miss Piggy and her cohorts.

     
    
    	Okay, Muppet fans ! Listen up ! I've just got off the phone with
    someone in the know at WDW and it would appear that -- in spite of the
    Walt Disney Company and Henson Associates cancelling their merger --
    the Muppets will continue to appear in the Disney - MGM Studio Theme
    park.
    
    	Construction is continuing on the Muppets Studio building -- which
    will be located next to the Star Tours building, behind the New York
    Street section of the studio backlot -- and its first attraction,
    " Kermit the Frog Presents Muppetvision in 3D " -- is still scheduled
    to open on June 1st. There's no current news about the other Muppet 
    attraction that was supposed to be housed in the building, " The Muppet
    Movie Ride. " ( I really hope this ride does eventually get built. It'd
    be a comical companion piece for " The Great Movie Ride, " with audio
    animatronic Muppets recreating great moments at the movies. The
    conceptual sketches I've seen for this ride really are great -- Dr. 
    Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker at work in Frankenstein's laboratory, as the
    Muppets salute the classic old horror films -- it'd be a great addition
    to the park ).
    
    	Anywho, Disney and Henson's legal departments continue to wrangle
    over the finer points of the deal that'll keep the Muppets in the
    studio theme park. ( Supposedly, Jim Henson's widow has three
    conditions that the Disney Company has to meet in order for the deal
    to go forward -- but no one can tell me what those three conditions
    are. Rats ! ) I don't know if this means that the Muppets might
    eventually turn up in Disney's California and Tokyo parks. We'll just
    have to wait and see.
    
    	By the way, if you want to see what it was like when the Walt
    Disney Company and Henson Associates worked together to create entertain
    ment, check out " Dinosaurs, " a sitcom that'll debut ABC nationally 
    sometime in March. This show will feature " muppeteers " in audio 
    animatronic dinosaur costumes, who'll show us what family life was like
    back in the suburbs, circa 100 million B.C. I'm told that this will be
    a wild " Simpsons " style comedy with an environmental edge -- whatever
    that's supposed to mean. Like I said, this'll be debuting in March, so
    watch for it.
    
    	This program -- along with the " Mother Goose Stories " series on 
    the Disney Channel, a " Muppets Go to Walt Disney World " show for
    NBC's " Disney " show, and the " Muppets Salute Jim Henson " show on 
    CBS -- are the only shows ( Outside of the " Here Come The Muppets " 
    stage show and the soon-to-be-opening " Muppetvision in 3D " attraction
    at the studio theme park ) the Disney Company and Henson Associates
    were able to put together during their brief collaboration. Given the
    quality and wit of the shows we've seen so far, it really is a shame
    that this merger didn't come off.
    
    	Ah well. The best laid plans of mice and frogs ....
                                                                        
    
    					JRH

    
    	Okay, here's even more info about the status of the Muppets at
    the Disney-MGM Theme Park -- as well as some inside info about why
    the proposed merger went belly-up. The following article was published
    in the February 4, 1991 issue of  " Business Week " magazine. It is
    reprinted here without permission :
    
    	THE HENSON KIDS CARRY ON -- After their father's suddem death,
           they're out to prove there's still magic in the Muppets
    
    	Ask Jim Henson's children to describe their relationship with Walt
    Disney Co., and the answer is unwavering : relations are friendly, they
    say. But recent visitors to the late puppeteer's Muppet Workshop might
    have chosen another word. Atop a Christmas tree sat an evil-looking
    " Rickey Mouse, " whip in one hand, a fistful of dollars in the other.
    Nearby sat a puppet resembling Disney Chairman Michael D. Eisner. It 
    was to star in an in-house musical number called " It's a Swell Deal
    After All. " But now that Disney's plan to buy the Muppets is off, the
    Eisner lookalike occassionally finds his arm thrust into the mouth of
    an ugly Muppet monster. The fizzled deal, concedes Henson's son Brian,
    " boiled a little blood. "
    	Or maybe a lot. When they announced their agreement, widely valued
    at $ 15o million to $ 200 million, Henson expected a quick, amicable
    closing. That was back in August, 1989. Instead, his children say,
    negotiations were fraught with argument and became increasingly
    tortured after their father's death from pneumonia last May. The deal
    finally fell apart last November.
    	Now, the children are trying to carry on. Brain, 27, is president
    of Jim Henson Productions, and Cheryl, 29, is vice president for 
    creative affairs, focusing on " Sesame Street. " Lisa, 30, is a
    producer at Warner Brothers Inc. and is not involved in operations.
    But she played a key role in making decisions about the company's
    future. The two youngest siblings, John, 25, and Heather, 20, are not
    with the business, but own equal shares. Henson bought out their
    mother, Jane, when they seperated several years ago.
    	MANY VOICES -- The Hensons are in for a rough ride. The company 
    was on hold for 18 months prior to November, with all non-Disney
    creative work suspended while the merger talks dragged on. Legal
    complications from the failed Disney deal will make it difficult for
    them to enter serious talks with another partner. And staggering estate
    taxes come due as early as February.
    	But most daunting will be proving that the Muppets have a life
    beyond Jim. Besides dreaming up the funny-looking puppets, he produced
    all the Muppet TV shows and movies, often directing and acting in them
    himself. He was the voice of Kermit the Frog and Ernie on " Sesame 
    Street, " among others. And it was Jim's artistic dynamism that drew
    talented writers, puppeteers and designers together. Jerry Juhl, head
    writer for the Muppets, confesses that insiders worried terribly about
    Henson without Henson. " It seemed inconcievable to go on without
    Jim, " he says. But numerous creative meetings in recent weeks have 
    made him optimistic. " We're chomping at the bit, " he says.
    	Creating new work is the No. 1 priority. " We want to take the next
    six months and get ourselves strong and positive and do some good
    productions to really prove ourselves -- to show that we really are
    worth something, " says Cheryl. In recent brainstorming sessions, a
    core creative group of around 20 people have begun developing ideas
    for television shows, movies and videos that will keep the classic
    Muppet characters alive. There is talk of producing live Muppet
    theater, perhaps for Broadway. And they're already lining up sponsors
    for a TV version of " Gulliver's Travels. "
    	DEEPER POCKETS -- Creative work under way, they'll start thinking
    about finding another partner. The siblings argue that Jim Henson
    Productions could go on indefinitely without help, but there is a 
    pressing need for them to seek an alliance. Chief among them are deeper
    pockets to finance new projects and distribution channels for Henson's
    many feature films and home videos. Following the Disney washout,
    overtures from potential partners have been " overwhelming, " Brian
    says. He cosnider a half-dozen serious but declines to name them.
    	MCA INC., which operates two Universal Studio theme parks and is 
    said to have approached Henson before, seems a possiblity. It declined
    to comment. Sony Corp., parent of Columbia Pictures Entertainment
    Inc., would alos make sense. Sony already operates some 200 " Sesame
    Street " merchandise stores throughout Japan under license from the
    Children's Television Workshop, the show's producer. Sony's Columbia
    unit may open theme parks in the U.S., which would seem the perfect
    setting for characters such as the Muppets. Columbia declined to
    comment. Brian said only that " Sony has always been a great company
    for us to work with, " adding : " They have a lot of their principles
    in the right place. "
    	Although Henson's genius will never be replaced, he trained his
    kids well. He worked constantly, so to be near him, all five children
    spent most weekends, vacations and summers with him on the set. " He 
    always had us puppeteering or doing something in the background, " says
    Brian.
    	Their talents developed along fairly different lines. Brian has
    concentrated on special-effects puppetry. Most of his work over the
    past 10 years has been with the Creature Shop in London, which his
    father created to build technologically sophisticated creatures both
    for his movies and for other producers. The shop built the popular
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Gold Harvest Productions.
    	Cheryl favors design. As a child, she spent summers building
    puppets and making costumes. In 1979, she put off college for a year
    to work on the production of " The Dark Crystal, " a mythological
    fantasy film she and Jim dreamed up while stranded at an airport
    Howard Johnson's for 72 hours in a blizzard. Besides a BA from Yale, 
    she has a degree in textile design from New York's Fashion Institude
    of Technology.
    	Lisa is the self-described idea person. As a youth, she read and 
    critiqued many of the Muppet scripts before production, and her study
    of mythology led her to suggest the " Storyteller " series of folktales
    that Henson began producing in 1987. Lisa was president of the 
    " Harvard Lampoon " in her senior year. By amusing coincidence, a
    parody of " Newsweek " published under her reign includes a spoof of
    Walt Disney Co., entitled " Nightmare in the Magic Kingdom. " It tells
    of a slave laborers' rebellion quelled by Walt Disney, who emerges from
    cryogenic freezing to impose martial law.
    	Unlike her siblings, Lisa was always intrigued by the business side
    of the company. She represented the family in negotiations with Disney
    after Henson died. At Warner, where she is a senior vice-president, she
    has helped develop scripts and assemble creative teams for such movies
    as " Batman " and " Lethal Weapon."
    	CULTURE CLASH -- The Hensons speak of a culture clash between their
    115 person private company and the giant Disney, but the parties differ
    on just why talks foundered. A Disney spokesman says the children
    wanted the price raised to help them pay estate taxes, and he maintains
    that Disney did increase it " by tens of millions of dollars." Brian
    contends there was " never any price adjustment " for estate taxes, and 
    syas that the griups remained apart on many issues. For example, Cheryl
    says, Disney sought to restrict how the " Sesame Street " characters
    were used -- even though Disney knew that Jim had given the nonprofit
    Children's Television Workshop licensing control of the characters.
    	The failure of the talks didn't completely free Henson from Disney.
    Last June, a Muppet stage show began running at Disney's Florida theme
    park. Though the merger is off, Disney maintains it has the right to
    continue running the show and advertise the Muppets on TV. Henson also
    worked with Disney to create a 3-D Muppet movie, which Disney says it
    plans to begin showing in late spring. Lawyers for both parties are
    currently negotiating the status of those shows as well as a planned
    line of Muppet books.
    	Meanwhile, Henson's New York townhouse is busy with almost
    continual meeetings on creative subjects. Brian has moved to Los
    Angeles where Henson is now based, but when in New York he occupies 
    his father's old office, a spacious room adorned with crafts --
    inculding a light-up papier mache moosehead over the mantle. With
    that for inspiration, Brian will try to breath new life into the 
    world Jim Henson fathered.
    
             By Andrea Rothman in New York, with bureau reports

    
    	Anybody catch the " Disney Easter Parade " special yesterday ?
    ( Jeese. Dumb question to ask noters in THIS file ) Well, if you did,
    did you pick up on the weird way Disney's handling the Muppets ?
    	Okay -- throughout the whole special -- did you see any reference
    to the Muppets ? Of course you did. Regis Philbin did a short promo for
    the " Kermit the Frog Presents Muppetivision in 3D " ( Of course, he
    was standing in front of the " Here Come the Muppets " theater -- which
    is on the other side of the studio theme park -- when he did it, but 
    why quibble over the small points ? ) and then -- late in the show --
    Disney ran a brief commercial for this same attraction.
    	But -- did you notice that there was absolutely no mixing between
    the classic Disney characters and the Muppets ? This time last year,
    you saw countless pictures of Kermit and Mickey together. This year --
    nothing. Why for ? Disney and Henson's lawyers have tenatively worked
    out a deal for the Muppet attractions that were designed and built
    while the merger was still on to remain in operation, but the Muppets
    can not appear outside their attraction buildings. So -- you'll see
    no Muppets wandering the street of the studio theme park ( Or outside
    anywhere at WDW. Which is why you saw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    marching in Disney's Happy Easter Parade, but no Muppet float. Their
    current contract prevents it ) or appearing in daily parades at MGM.
    And -- seeing as there's a very strong rumor that MCA, the parent
    company of Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida, is rabidly pursuing
    the theme park rights to the Muppet characters -- don't expect the
    Muppets to be appearing too long at Disney - MGM.
    	Which is really a shame, IMHO. From what I've seen and heard about
    the " Kermit the Frog presents Muppetvision in 3D " attraction, it may
    be one of the most magical things ever to appear at a Disney park. 
    Featuring live in-theater performers, audio animatronics ( EX : Statler
    and Waldorf will recreated robotically and will be sitting in their 
    usual box in the Muppet Theater. Throughout the film, they'll heckle
    those performing on screen ), as well as some extra special special
    effects ( EX : When you see bubbles floating on screen, real bubbles
    will float down from the ceiling and pop on guests. ), this film will
    blow all the other 3D productions out of the water. AND THIS WAS THE 
    *FIRST* ATTRACTION HENSON AND DISNEY'S PEOPLE CREATED TOGETHER !!!!
    ( The " Here Come the Muppets " live stage show went into production
    *after* Henson had completed work on this 3D film. ) Who knows what 
    other great stuff they would have come up with if this merger had 
    gone through.
    	* Sigh * I just hate it when lawyers and greedy children end up
    spoiling everyone else's good time ....
    
    						jrh

    Just heard on CNN that Henson Associates is now suing Disney over
    something to do with the upcoming 3-D feature in MGM. No further
    details were given....

    Rep to <<< Note 137.40 by GORE::J_PARSONS "George Stark: Not A Very Nice Guy" >>>

>    Just heard on CNN that Henson Associates is now suing Disney over
>    something to do with the upcoming 3-D feature in MGM. No further
>    details were given....

    Yup, saw that to.    They are suing Disney due to (from what I was able
    to gather);
    
        Continuing to  use  Muppets characters after the purchase deal fell
        through (no Royalty contract?)

        Disney  changing the  terms  of  the  purchasing  agreement  during
        mid-stream (after Jim Hensons death)

        Disney Backing out of the purchase deal
    
    At least  that  what  I  thought  I  heard/gathered  from this mornings
    report.  The  report seemed to make Disney look like the villian in all
    this.
    
    Claude

    From today's Boston Globe "Names and Faces" column. Reprinted without
    permission.
    
    Ms. Piggy vs. Mr. Mouse. 
    
    Henson Associates filed suit yesterday against The Walt Disney Co.,
    charging the entertainment conglomerate with illegally using the Muppet
    characters created by the company's founder, the late Jim Henson. The
    suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan,alleges Disney used images of
    Muppets without a license in television commercials, movies, books,
    brochures, T-shirts, and other merchandise and in Disney's 1990 annual
    report. The lawsuit, ammpimced by Henson Associates in a statement,
    seeks to stop Disney from "acting in any way that suggests Disney owns
    or has any rights to the Muppets." Henson and Disney had been in
    protracted merger talks but these negotiations ended in failure last 
    December.
    
    
                 ------------------------------------------
    
    
    On CBS news early this morning, I heard that the Henson family is
    trying to block Disney from opening the Muppet 3-D movie as scheduled
    in July.
    
    
    Linda

    From today's Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Reprinted without
    permission

                            Kermit, Mickey at odds

                          Muppets owner sues Disney
    
    Associated Press New York -- First they broke off the wedding.  Now Miss
    Piggy is accusing Mickey Mouse of carrying on as if they were married.

    What was once one of America's most tender courtships soured into a court
    feud Wednesday as the owner of Piggy, Kermit and other Muppets sued Walt
    Disney for alleged misuse of the famous characters.

    The lawsuit, filed by Henson Associates Inc. in federal court in Manhattan,
    charges The Walt Disney Co. used images of Muppets without a license in 
    television commercials, movies, books, brochures, T-shirts, and other 
    merchandise and in Disney's 1990 annual report. 

    The legal action stems from growing confusion over whether Disney has the
    right to show the Muppets after protracted merger talks with Henson
    Associates broke down late last December.

    The suit accuses Disney of illegally showing Muppet characters in
    television commercials, "fostering the unmistakable impression that the 
    Muppet characters are part of Disney Inc.'s profit-making machine."

    Henson is trying to bar Disney "from performing, advertising, merchandising
    and acting in any way that suggests Disney owns or has any rights to the
    Muppets."

    Henson also is trying to prevent Disney from its upcoming springtime
    opening of "Kermit the Frog Presents: Muppet Vision 3-D," a theatrical
    production slated for Disney World in Orlando, Fla., that the lawsuit
    contends was Henson's last major work.

    It also seeks compensation and punitive damages from Disney but an amount
    wasn't specified.  The Burbank, Calif. based entertainment giant in a 
    statement blasted the Henson lawsuit as "outrageous" and "an enormous
    distortion of the facts and an unfortunate break with the legacy of a fine
    relationship with Disney that Jim Henson left behind."

    In the agreement signed with Jim Henson in summer, 1989, the Walt Disney
    empire purchased the rights to blend Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other
    animal characters created by Henson into its theme parts, movies, TV shows
    and retail merchandising products.

    But the deal still was not finalized when Henson died last May.  Subsequent
    merger talks broke down after disagreement over the price paid to acquire
    Henson Company.

    Surely there must have been some legality allowing Disney to use the
    Muppets as they presently do. I think that Brian Henson may be a little 
    greedy here.
    
    I'm sure that Eisner's/Nunis' lawyers were careful before allowing
    Disney to market the Henson characters.
    
    All this points to a parting of the ways for both factions and I am a 
    little on the fence for this little spat.
    
    I thought Disney did a decent job of slowly bringing on the Muppets.
    The "Here Come the Muppets Show" was good and you didn't really get
    saturated with the rest of the characters.
    
    I'll bet Universal is waiting in the wings.
    
    Mike

    I can't help but think that both Walt and Jim would be disgusted by
    this.  Those men were child-like, and somehow this situation seems
    childish!

             Disney Files countersuit in legal fight over Muppets

Copied without permission from the Orlando Sentinel, Thursday, April 25, 1991


     Mickey Mouse is fighting back after Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy
demanded to see Mickey in court.  
     The Walt Disney Co. filed a strongly worded countersuit Tuesday in 
response to a lawsuit filed April 17 by Henson Associates, owner of the famous
Muppets, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.
     In it's suit, Disney denied using the famous Muppet characters without
permission and in violation of copyright and trademark laws, as Henson
Associates claimed in its lawsuit.
     Disney said it had an unwritten contract and an implied license to use
the Muppet characters with the late Jim Henson's approval, including a costly
3-D movie to debut soon at the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park at Walt
Disney World near Orlando.
     Disney and the Muppets are set to meet in federal court in New York on
May 13.  Disney, because of the lawsuit, will delay the opening of the 
3-D movie until May 24.  It was set to open May 4.
     Disney further claimed in the suit that Henson's heirs are more interested
in getting more money for Henson Associates than in protecting their father's
Muppet characters.
      The bad blood between Disney and Henson Associates is rooted in 
unsuccessful merger talks that broke off in December, seven months after 
Henson died of pneumonia at 53.
     Henson had agreed to sell his company, and most of his Muppet characters
to Disney for about $150 million.
     In its lawsuit filed last week, Henson Associates claimed that Disney has 
engaged in an "ongoing pattern" of copyright and trademark infringement by 
using the Muppets without permission.
     Henson Associates said Disney chairman Michael Eisner assured the five 
Henson heirs that the purchase price of the company would not change after he 
died.
     The Henson lawsuit filed April 17 seeks unspecified damages and demands
that Disney stop using Muppet characters in shows at the Disney-MGM Studios
Theme Park, in its television advertisements and on merchandise such as T-shirts
and other Disney products.
     Henson Associates could not be reached for comment WEdnesday.
Disney countered in its suit that five Henson heirs "wanted different terms
and more money for their father's company than Disney and their father
had ever contemplated."
     Disney is asking the court to declare that it is right, both implied and 
through oral agreement, to use the Muppet characters at the Disney-MGM Studios 
Theme Park.
     Disney's countersuit demands that a $2 million fee Disney paid to Henson
be returned, and it seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages to
be determined by trial.
     Disney replied that it is neither a "fool" that invested $90 milllion in a 
3-D movie assuming that Henson Associates would "simply be kind enough" to 
give Disney a license to show it; nor a "charlatan that decided to steal
the Muppet characters hoping the Henson heirs would either be too stupid
to know or benign enough to forgive."
     Disney's countersuit said that the giant entertainment company worked with
Henson for almost two years and that both parties "agreed, intended and
understood" that what they jointly produced "would be utilized and exhibited
in the Disney Theme Parks for both the benefit of Disney and Henson, whether
or not the companies merged."
     The countersuit says, "Disney and Henson specifically agreed that if a 
merger was not concluded, Disney could nevertheless use the Muppet characters in
the 3-D movie at Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park in Orlando and Disneyland."
     In exchange, Disney said it agreed to pay a license efe equal to 5 
percent of the approved budget of the 3-D movie, as well as additional 
payments on an annual basis.
     Disney's stock fell $1 a share on news of the countersuit Wednesday to 
close at $118 on the New York Stock Exchange.

    
    	Okay, 3D fans ! Dust off those glasses you swiped after seeing 
    " Captain EO " and head on back to Orlando. Now that all the legal
    squabbling is completed, " Kermit the Frog presents Muppetvision in
    3D " is ready to open. Disney began doing a " soft opening " of the
    attraction ( Allowing a small number of guests into the attraction 
    at various times of the day as a dry run, to see if the Imagineers 
    have worked all the bugs out of the attraction ) last Thursday.
    	Evidently, all the tests have gone fine -- 'cause " Muppetvision "
    is now officially slated to open to the public on Thursday, May 31st.
    There will be little or no ceremony this time around ( Evidently, 
    there's still a lot of bad feelings between Disney management and the 
    Henson family -- so don't expect any big huggy scenes between Michael
    Eisner and Brian Henson ), though the Florida media have been invited 
    to attend the opening. The attraction will probably be open for busi-
    ness by late afternoon. After that, " Muppetvision 3D " will probably
    be open for business every morning at the same time that most Disney
    - MGM Studio Theme Park attractions open.
    	However -- if you're a Muppet fan -- I'd advise you to get down to
    Disney - MGM soon to see this show. After all the wraggling in court 
    was completed, Henson had worked out a very limited deal with Disney.
    Disney only has the rights to show " Muppetvision 3D " at its theme
    park of eighteen months officially. At that point, Henson may choose to
    extend their licensing deal for an additional three and a half years 
    -- but don't count on it. Henson wants out as soon as possible, so the
    Muppets may be out of Disney - MGM completely by Christmas 1992. ( Of 
    course, it's quite possible that they'll just be heading down the road 
    to set up shop at Universal Studios ... But that's another story for 
    another time ) 
    	So -- if you want to see the Muppets in a Disney theme park --
    you'd best head to Orlando soon. The clock's already ticking ...
                   

    
    	Okay, having just set the land speed record for making the trip to
    Orlando and back ( 24 hours from Boxboro to the Disney - MGM parking
    lot, thank you very much ), I am here to say that Walt Disney World's
    latest attraction, " Jim Henson's Muppetvision 3-D " is probably the 
    best thing the Imagineers have done.
    	We left Massachusetts on Thursday, May 30th -- arriving in Orlando
    just a day after the official opening of the attraction. In spite of 
    missing the pageantry that usually goes along with Disney opening a new
    attraction, I still have to say it was a pretty special time.
    	Okay ... Rather than give you a detailed description of the
    attraction ( Why spoil the fun for those of you heading to Orlando
    anytime soon ? ), how about I give you just a few highlights of the
    fun you'll find when you finally see " Jim Henson's Muppetvision
    3-D. "
    	Alright, let's start with the basics. The " Muppetvision " building
    -- located on stage 3-D ( What else did you expect ? ) -- is just off
    of the New York backlot street, just behind the " Star Tours " building.
    However, you can see the bright yellow balloon that sits on top of the
    building -- with Kermit's smiling face on it -- from the studio parking
    lot, so it's relatively easy to find.
    	Walking past the Sci-Fi Restaurant ( Great atmosphere, so-so food
    right now -- but give Disney time to work the bugs out and this place 
    will be as fun as the " Prime Time Cafe " ) and the new " Disney
    Villians " story ( Lots of great stuff in here to look at or buy. Make
    sure to stop in here the next time you visit the studio ), you suddenly
    find yourself in front of the " Muppetvision " building.
    	Like I said earlier, the " Kermit " balloon sits on top of the
    building, nestled atop the clock tower. ( By the way, take a good look
    at the face of the clock on the " Muppetvision " tower. That's right.
    That is the great Gonzo, hanging precariously from the hands ) You
    enter the theater and are issued your 3-D glasses by your smiling
    Disney employee. Note their clever costume, with their white " Muppet
    Labs " lab coat along with their bright red sneakers.
    	Heading up the hallway to the theater lobby / waiting area, be sure
    to take in the numerous comic touches. For example, take a gander at the
    hand painted sign on the arch over the entrance area ( " You must be 
    shorter than this to enter the theater " ) and laugh as you notice the 
    large chunk that's been knocked out the brickwork by some unlucky Muppet
    monster who couldn't read or forgot to duck.
    	Inside the lobby itself, you're surrounded by vintage Muppet props.
    Trucks filled with various Muppet belonging ( " Sam the Eagle's flags,
    fireworks and various other patriotic items " ) line the walls, while
    other odd items -- the U.S.S. Swinetrek from " Pigs in Space " -- hang
    from the ceiling.
    	As you wait to enter the main theater, various Muppets entertain
    you on the monitors overhead. Personally, my favorite moment was when
    Sam the Eagle was in the middle of giving safety instructions ( " Stop-
    ping in the middle of an aisle is extremely unpatriotic " ) when Gonzo
    interrupts him. After some hurried whispering, Sam announces that they
    have a celebrity in their midst : Mr. Mickey Mouse. With that, Rizzo
    the Rat -- in a seedy looking Mickey Mouse costume -- appears on a
    nearby monitor, humming the " Mickey Mouse March."
    
    RIZZO : ( Strong Brooklyn accent )Hi ya, Hi ya ! Welcome to my park.
    
    SAM : ( Shocked ) Why, you're not Mickey Mouse !? You're a rat !?
    
    RIZZO : Rat, schmat. ( Gesturing toward audience ) Besides, they're
            tourists -- what do they know ?
    
    	Evetually, you enter the theater -- noting the graceful marble
    carvings of Kermit and Piggy atop the arches on each doorway. Taking
    your seat, you notice that -- in a box to the right, high above the 
    stage -- there are audio-animatronic versions of those two old Muppet
    hecklers, Statler and Waldorf. They grumble about the looks of the
    audience ...
    
    WALDORF :   Hey, look at the guy in the Goofy mask !
    
    STATLER :   That's not a mask.
    
    WALDORF :   Oh ... Sorry, lady.
    
    	Anyway, at this point, the real live human attendant in the theater
    asks us to put on our 3D glasses (  Listening in, Statler and Waldorf put
    theirs on too ! ). At this point, an audio-animatronic band of penguins
    rises up out of the orchestra pit and the movie begins ...
    
    	To tell too much more would spoil the fun of the film -- but I will
    say this : " Jim Henson's Muppetvision 3D " blows the doors off of all
    of the other 3D films currently running on the Disney property. It will
    thrill and amaze the little folks, and genuinely amuse the adults. With
    its witty marriage of 3D film, audio animatronics, as well as live
    in-theater effects, it's a show you have to see at least twice.
    
    	Among the special stuff you should watch out for when first
    attending " Jim Henson's Muppetvision in 3D " are :
    
    	* The penguin that gets sucked up out of the orchestra when the
    Vacu-Muppet gets turned on.
    
    	* The " Small World " dolls that wander through the background
    during the patriot finale
    
    	* The arrows sticking out of Statler, Waldorf and Bean Bunny's
    balconies after all hell breaks loose at the end of the movie.
    
    	* A very special cameo by a very special mouse
    
    	And the fun doesn't stop once you get outside the theater ... Be
    sure to check out the toon-type decorations inside the Muppet
    Merchandise shop ... Or the great mock Muppet movie posters as well as
    the " How-to-get-from-here-to-there " instructions in the " Muppet-
    vision 3D " queue area ... Or the half-completed paint job Rizzo and
    his team of rat painters supposed did on Stage 3D.
    
    	I could go on and on for hours about this attraction ... But I
    really don't want to spoil all the magic and fun for first-time
    visitors to " Muppetvision 3D. " But -- if you want to see this
    attraction at WDW -- you'd best hurry. The deal that Henson Associates
    worked out with Disney regarding the licensing of the classic Henson 
    characters is temporary at best. Under the terms of the current
    contract, Disney has the right to use the Muppets in a theme park 
    setting east of the Mississippi for eighteen months, with an option of
    hanging on to the characters and attractions for an additional three 
    and a half years. After that ... Well, the Muppets might be moving to
    Universal. ( But that's a story for another note ... )
    
    	Anyway, I'm gonna stop yammering about how great " Muppetvision "
    is now. But all you DEC Disney dweebs should make plans NOW to get down
    to Orlando soon. This is one show you really don't want to miss.
    
    	P.S. Special side-bar for Scopa. When I was down there last week, 
    the " Town Square Pizzeria " -- not the " Great Gonzo's Pizzeria " or
    " Donatello's Pizzeria " as had been earlier reported -- was not yet 
    open for business. Peeping in through the soaped windows, it was
    obvious that the place was decorated and ready for business. But -- I
    guess Disney is holding up the opening until they come up with a decent
    non-Muppet, non-Turtle name for the place. Anyway, the pizzeria is
    located just a short walk away from the exit area from " Muppetvision 
    3D, " just behind the Muppet merchandise shop. I was told by Disney
    employees that it should be open for business by mid-June, but that 
    the name would be changed as soon as Disney's marketing department
    could make up their minds.
    
    

re: -.1
    
    
>>>                  ... Or the great mock Muppet movie posters as well as
>>> the " How-to-get-from-here-to-there " instructions in the " Muppet-
>>> vision 3D " queue area 

    
    Please tell me that the posters include one along the lines of a "Dr.
    Teeth and the Electric Mayhem World Tour"
    
    thanks,
    
    Tom

    
    	Sorry, but Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem are not featured at 
    all in the " Muppetvision 3D " attraction or its queue area. In the
    show itself, the infamous Muppet band has been replaced by a troupe of
    audio animatronic Muppet penguins. ( Mind you, they're very funny 
    audio animatronic penguins -- who play instruments, watch the movie 
    as well as eventually fire a cannon at the projectionist booth ....
    But they're not nearly as snazzy as that an audio animatronic version of
    Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayham would have been .. Anywho ... )
    	If you want to see Dr. Teeth, Janice, Zoot, Floyd or Animal while
    you're at Walt Disney World, you'll have to make do with the
    larger-than-life versions currently on display at the " Here Comes 
    The Muppets " stage show. ( By the way, studio theme park employees 
    tell me that a new " Muppet " stage show may in in the works for
    December of this year. Perhaps we'll get to see a special Christmas 
    edition of the " Muppet " stage show ... Time will tell ... Also, those
    WDW guests who have been complaining that you don't get to see the 
    costumed Muppet characters wandering around the studio theme park can
    quit with the whining. Later this summer, Kermit, Miss Piggy et al will
    begin making regular " meet 'n' greet " appearances in the city square
    in front of the " Muppetvision 3D " building. However, this is the only 
    place on the Disney property where you'll be able to get up close with 
    the Muppets ... )
    	As for the posters in the queue area, they are Muppetized version
    of posters for movies that don't quite exist. For example, there's the
    poster for :
    
    				Dive Harder II
    
    	" Just when you though it was safe to get back in the water,
    somebody drains the pool "
    
    	Starring Doctor Bunsen Honeydew as " Coach "
    	Co-starring Beaker as " Billy Whopper "
    
    		Filmed in Wet-o-rama -- " So real, Your
                  Fingers will get all pruney "
    
    	Or the poster for that great jungle epic :
    
    	Muppet Labs in association with Safari So-Good Productions
    		presents  ...
    
    			Moi, Jane
    
    		She's Hollywood. He's Vine.
    
    	Starring Kermit the Frog as the hulking jungle brute
         and Miss Piggy as the city sweetie who tames him
    
         	Featuring Bo Constricter as Rip Tile
    
    	You get the idea ... All the posters are worked up in realistic
    movie poster fashion, with dramatic photographs and eye catching
    graphics. They really are quite funny. So -- even if there isn't a line
    for " Muppetvision 3D, " make sure you scope out the queue area.
    
    	Any other questions ?

    
    	Got some sad news for Muppet fans. Word comes from Walt Disney
    World this weekend that the " Here Comes the Muppets " show at the
    Disney - MGM Studio Theme Park will be closing this Labor Day Weekend.
    Details are scarce as to why this charming little show is getting its
    plug pulled ( Continuing fall-out from the Disney - Henson legal
    wragglings of a few months ago, perhaps ? ), but -- as of right now
    -- there are no plans to replace this stage show with a new Muppet
    revue. From what I hear, a " Little Mermaid " stage show is in the
    works and could be open to the public as early as October 1st.
    	There is some good news for Muppet fans, however. I'm told that
    Disney has gotten clearance from Henson Associates to use the Muppet
    costumes from the stage show for " meet-n-greet " appearances with 
    the public outside of the " Muppetvision 3D " theater. I'm told that
    the loading dock area behind the " Muppetvision " theater -- originally
    built to the new " meet-n-greet " area for the Teeange Mutant Ninja
    Turtles -- is currently being redressed to serve as a suitable setting
    for Muppet appearances.
    	So -- if you haven't had the chance to see " Here Come the Muppets " 
    -- you'd best get down to Orlando with the next two weeks ...
    
    

    Jim,
    
    Could this be a harbinger indicating that the Disney people have
    accepted the fact that the Muppets are a limited resource for
    entertainment and that this changeover is the beginning of a slow purge
    of the Henson characters?
    
    From what I recall the building which houses "Here Comes the Muppets"
    gives them the flexibility to create an atmosphere that caters to the 
    "hot" Disney character at that time. Who knows...in 1992 we may be
    entertained by a "Beauty and the Beast" stage show.
    
    Mike

    
    
    	Well, I haven't been able to confirm yet whether " Here Come
    The Muppets " did officially present its final performance this
    weekend. But -- this much I do know : Construction is well underway
    for the renovation of the loading dock area adjacent to " Muppetvision
    3D " into the official Disney-MGM Studio Theme Park's Muppet costume
    character " meet-n-greet " area.
    	As I understand it, the rehab's right on schedule and this
    redressed area should have an unofficial " soft " opening the same
    weekend WDW presents the final performances of its Main Street
    Electrical Parade : Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th.
    Then -- allowing for a week or so of fine tuning the area and its show --
    the new Muppet " meet-n-greet " character show will officially open to
    the public as the weekend of September 28th as part of WDW's 20th 
    anniversary celebration.
    	I'm told that the show that the Muppets will put on before they
    begin posing for pictures and signing autographs is rather cute and 
    will actually carry over a lot of the same material from the " Here 
    Come the Muppets ! " show. For example, Dr. Teeth and the Electric 
    Mayhem will " serenade " the park's visitors before they troop off the
    stage to visit with their loyal fans. At the very least, it sounds 
    like a significant step up from the non-show Disney presents before 
    the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles begin signing autographs.
    	There's no word yet on the number of times each day the costumed
    Muppet characters will be doing the " meet-n-greet " thing. Given the
    number of guests that trot through the studio every day, I imagine that
    Disney's got to be planning on at least four or five appearances by 
    Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and the rest of the crew each day.
    I'll post more info when I get it ...
    	Speaking of Jim Henson's characters at Walt Disney World, I'm 
    told the walk-around theme-park versions of the title characters of 
    ABC's new sit-com, " Dinosaurs, " are nearly complete. Earl Sinclair
    and his prehistoric family are also supposed to begin making
    appearances at the studio theme park this fall ... Trouble is --
    Disney's unsure about where to set up their " meet-n-greet " area.
    The most logical space -- right next to Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Creams
    of Extinction -- go vetoed due to the already crushing foot traffic
    over on that side of the park caused by people trying to get into
    and/or out of the " Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. "
    	After that, there was some talk that the " Dinosaurs " costume
    characters would just share the " meet-n-greet " area that Disney's
    building for the Muppets, with Earl and Kermit swapping shows every
    90 minutes or so. But word came down from on high ( Oh, mighty Michael
    -- The once-and-future Walt ! ) that Disney management wants the 
    " Dinosaurs " characters to have their own " meet-n-greet " area
    and that their appearances at the studio theme park are to be HEAVILY
    promoted. 
    	So the Imagineers are still skulling about, looking for a new 
    spot to Earl and his family to meet their fans. Given that the Muppets
    and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles already have their " meet-n-greet "
    areas toward the back of the park, the push is on to have the " Dinosaurs "
    area located toward the very front of the studio theme park. The
    reasoning behind this :
    
    	1) It'll balance out the concentration of autograph-book-carrying
    little children, who wander the studio theme park ( As well as Epcot
    Center and the Magic Kingdom ), forever in search of costumed characters
    to scrawl nice things in their books.
    	2) By located the " Dinosaurs " meet-n-greet area toward the front
    of the park, people can't help but notice Earl and his family. ( And --
    then -- maybe when these theme park visitors go home, maybe they'll
    make a point of tuning in to the show ... Dream on, Michael. Dream on. )
    
    	No word yet about where toward the front of the park the " Dinosaurs "
    " meet-n-greet " area will be built, though I did hear one funny 
    suggestion from an Imagineer friend of mine. He proposed putting it in
    next to the Mojave Gas Station on Hollywood Boulevard. ( You see, all
    the dinosaur families appearing on " Dinosaurs " have the same last
    name as famous gasoline companies : Sinclair, Ritchfield, Hess ....
    Kind of ironic, don't you think ?  ... Never mind .... )
    
    	Finally, still no official word on what's going to replace the
    " Here Come The Muppets " show at the used-to-be-called Walt Disney
    Theater. However, studio theme park employees still insist that they've
    heard that it'll be a " Little Mermaid " musical revue. I'll pass along
    the news just as I hear.
    
    	Your comments ?
    					jrh
    
    
    will be 

    re -.1
    
    does this new meet-n-greet the muppets mean ther is any hope of
    more harmonious relationships between Disney and the muppets and
    the possibility of the muppets staying longer in MGM?
    
    peter

    
    RE : - . 1
    
    	I'm afraid not. Things remain pretty tense between the Walt Disney
    Company and Henson Associates ( IE : Though " Muppetvision 3D " has
    been open almost six months now, have any of you noticed that there's
    been scant mention of the attraction in any of the new WDW TV ads ?
    Why For ? Because Henson and Disney -- in spite of months of meetings
    -- have yet to agreed on a television advertising campaign for this 
    truly incredible, ground-breaking theme park attraction. Over the 
    past month or so, I've seen a few bland print ads for the attraction 
    ... But it may be months yet before Disney and Henson's lawyers can 
    nail down a mutually agreeable TV ad campaign for " Muppetvision 3D. "
    ... This sort of slow moving, hyper-sensitive negotiating is typical 
    of the current state of affairs between the two companies ... ).
    	As I see it, Disney's pulling the plug on the " Here Come the 
    Muppets " stage show was a business decision -- plain and simple.
    Over the past three months or so, there have been complaints from 
    Disney - MGM guests that they were confused by the two different
    Muppet shows at the studio theme park. As a result, some of them
    attended " Here Come the Muppets " thinking that it was " Muppet-
    vision 3D " and left the park wondering what all the fuss was about.
    	So, by shutting down the " Here Come the Muppets " stage show,
    Disney benefits in three ways :
    
    	1) They concentrate all of their Muppet stuff in one particular
    area of the park, thereby cutting down on the confusion for Disney-MGM
    guests-who-didn't-score-too-high-on-their-SATs.
    
    	2) They finally have Muppet costumes available to do the " meet-n-
    greet " appearances with the public. ( Evidently, this was another big
    complaint by studio theme park visitors. You could see Kermit, Miss 
    Piggy and the rest of Jim Henson's characters in their stage show ...
    but nowhere in the park was there a place where you could just get a picture
    of your family with the Muppets or inter-act with them in anyway. After
    years of having Mickey, Donald, Goofy and the rest of the Disney characters
    so accessible to the public, Disney guests have come to expect that
    they can * always * get photos and autographs for their kids with the
    " meet-n-greet " costume characters that roam the park ... So they 
    tend to get pissed when they *  DON'T * get this opportunity ... )
    
    	3) Finally -- with construction picking up on the studio theme 
    park's latest addition, Sunset Boulevard ( Which will be located
    directly behind the " Theater of the Stars " Hollywood Bowl structure )
    -- Disney's looking for a place to stage its musical stage shows during
    the period where the old " Theater of the Stars " has been pulled down
    and the new four-times-the-size-of-the-previous " Theater of the Stars "
    has yet to be built. Right now, the old " Here Come the Muppets " 
    stage area will make a nice temporary performance area ... But after 
    the new " Theater of the Stars " ( To be located at the end of the 
    Sunset Boulevard expansion area, where it will serve as home to Andrew
    Lloyd Webber's night water pageant, " Noah's Ark " ) opens for
    business ... Well no one's quite sure what the Imagineers will end up
    sticking in this area.
    
    	For now -- for the six to eight months before the old " Theater
    of the Stars " comes down to allow guests access to the new Sunset
    Boulevard area -- the old " Here Come the Muppets " stage is supposed
    to used for a new " Little Mermaid " stage show, which is said to debut
    sometime between Halloween and Christmas. ( Sets are being constructed in
    California for this one -- don't ask me why. )
    
    	But -- as for Disney and Henson -- things are still very tense 
    between these two companies. Disney still has hopes to bring " Muppet-
    vision 3D " to Disneyland in 1993, but Henson's people are still putting
    the screws to Disney's legal department ... Which -- I guess -- is
    pay-back for all the nasty things Disney's legal staff did to Henson's
    people last year when they were trying to acquire the Muppets at fire
    sale prices ....
    
    	Your comments ?
    
    					jrh
    

    re -.1 - Thanks for the insite/information.  I'm hopefull that
    Muppetvision 3D is still playing when my family makes its next visit
    in August, 1993.
    
    Keep all the great info you receive coming.  I appreciate reading
    all of it and being able to keep on top of what is happening at
    the World and passing much on to those lucky enough to be going
    down soon.
    
    peter

    
    Here's the latest on what's going on Muppet-wise, both inside and
    out Walt's World :
    
    ... Mind you, I have yet to get official confirmation on this, but I've
    heard that the " Here Come The Muppets " stage show has won a temporary
    reprieve. Instead of closing over the Labor Day weekend, the stage show
    may run at the Disney - MGM Studio Theme Park through the last week of
    September.
    	Why the reprieve ? There's a couple of reasons, actually. Word
    comes out of California that the team putting together the " Little
    Mermaid " show that was supposed to replace " Here Come The Muppets "
    have fallen behind schedule. I'm not sure what's causing the hold-up
    ( The rumor is that the very elaborate sets that were planned for the
    " Little Mermaid " stage show -- which were to be filled with pop-up fish
    puppets and such -- just weren't working out. So, that forced a rethink
    of the whole program ... which threw the production completely off 
    schedule ), but -- now -- instead of debuting over Thanksgiving, the
    " Little Mermaid " stage show probably won't open to the public 'til
    Christmas or even New Years.
    	The other reason that " Here Come The Muppets " supposedly got a
    last minute reprieve is that Brian Henson asked Michael Eisner to let
    the show run just a little bit longer. You see, the " Here Come The 
    Muppets " stage show was the last thing Jim Henson worked on before he
    died. He completed his voice work for the show's soundtrack just two
    weeks prior to his untimely death in May 1990. Brian -- now the head 
    of Jim Henson Productions -- is understandably reluctant to have the
    plug pulled on his dad's final performance quite so soon.
    	But -- according to my friends at the studio -- after the last week
    of September 1991, that's it for " Here Come The Muppets. " Starting 
    October 1st, the Muppet costume characters will begin mingling with the
    public in their new meet-n-greet area, located right next door to the
    " Muppetvision 3D " theater. They'll make several appearances daily out
    in the open, with a stage show that's similiar in spirit ( But rather more 
    elaborate ) to what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles do before they
    climb off the stage to sign autographs.
    
    ... Now, in regard to the costumed characters from the Disney/Henson
    ABC TV sitcom, " Dinosaurs, " that are supposed to begin appearing any
    day now at Disney - MGM Studio Theme Park ... Well, there's a new
    wrinkle. After weeks of hemming and hawing over where to set up a
    meet-n-greet area in the park for these prehistoric celebrities,
    Disney's opted to take the easy way out. What they plan to do now 
    with Earl and his family is -- once a day -- parade them up Hollywood
    Boulevard. Then -- in that vaste empty courtyard area between the
    end of Hollywood Boulevard and the Chinese Theater -- the " Dinosaurs "
    costumed characters will pose for pictures, sign autographs, you know,
    the usual Disney-costume-character-interacting-with-the-public stuff
    	Beyond that .. I'm told that the " Dinosaurs " costume characters
    will probably make regular appearances daily on Mickey Avenue ( You 
    know, that road that runs from the Acme Gag Works down to the old 
    " Here Come the Muppets " theater, past all the sound stages ? ). But 
    don't expect to see Earl and family anywhere near the Muppet Studios area.
    That's Kermit and crew's turf. No reptiles -- Teenage Mutant Ninja
    Turtles * OR * " Dinosaurs " characters -- or mainstream Disney
    characters allowed.
    
    ... And -- finally -- for those of you wondering what the Henson
    Company is going to do now that they've officially bagged the merger
    with Disney, here's a brief article from this week's " Variety " :
    
    				COL INTO " WOODS "
    
    	HOLLYWOOD -- Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights to the hit
    Stephen Sondheim - James Lapine musical " Into the Woods. "
    	The project will be co-produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron's 
    Storyline Productions and Jim Henson Productions. The screen version
    will be an integration of live action and Henson puppetry, Zadan said.
    There was no Henson involvement in the award winning stage production.
    	Sondheim and Lapine will be consultants on the film, for which 
    Sondheim is composing several additional songs.
    
    	----------------------------------------------------------
    
    	The real irony here is -- had the Disney/Henson merger gone 
    through -- " into the Woods " would have made a super film production
    for Walt Disney Studios. I was lucky enough to see the stage version of
    the show during its original run in New York, and it could make one
    hell of a magical movie musical ... But then Disney had to go and blow
    the merger with Henson, all because they wanted to save a few bucks ...
    
    	Ah -- it's too depressing to think about ....
    
       			Your questions / comments ?
    
    				     jrh

    When we were there, (Sep. 7-14), "Here Come The Muppets" was no longer
    playing. However, we did see the "meet and greet" area almost finished.
    And, the Dinosaurs were out on Hollywood Blvd. 
    
    I only wish HCTM was still open when we were there!

    
    RE : - . 1
    
    	Well, so much for my accurate, inside information ....
    
    	After a quick meal of humble pie, I made yet another call to my
    pal at Disney - MGM who now says I must have mis-understood what he
    said about " Here Come The Muppets " staying open longer than Labor
    Day. He maintains that Brian Henson * DID * want the show to run a little
    longer, but that Disney -- anxious to get its performers ready for 
    the new Muppet " meet-n-greet " area -- only extended the show's run 
    for a week.
    
    	Speaking of the " meet-n-greet " area, it's supposed to have a
    " soft opening " this weekend at the studio, in preparation for its
    official opening October 1st. Is anyone going to be down in Orlando
    this weekend ? If so, could you scope this out for us ?
    
    	Finally, Doyle, if you did get to see the " Dinosaurs " costume
    characters wandering around Disney - MGM last week ( This tidbit's
    REAL interesting. Disney's PR people have told me -- as recently as
    yesterday -- not to expect the " Dinosaurs " characters to appear at
    Disney-MGM 'til later this fall. Could the appearance Doyle wrote
    about have been a test of the costumes in a theme park enviroment ? ),
    could you tell us what they looked like ? 
    
    
    				jrh

    I'm interested too. I would think that the difference between the
    big bucks TV costumes and the theme park costumes are similar to that
    of the TMNT costumes.
    
    The big hit will be baby Sinclair.
    
    Mike_who_likes_the_show

    Truthfully, I have never seen the Dinosaurs on TV or anywhere else. We
    gave them a moment's attention when my husband said, "Look, those must
    be the Dinosaurs," and I saw 2 Dinosaur characters (but who they were
    I haven't the faintest). They really  didn't make an impression. 
    (So I guess I have to go back very soon and pay more attention next
    time. Right? I wish.. :-)  ).
    
    Sorry about the lack of info.
    
    Ellen

    Walt and Jim must be somewhere saying, "What could have been!"

    
    
                    Henson Products, Disney make up
    
                  (w/o permission Telegram & Gazette, Thursday Dec 19,
    1991)
    
    West Hollywood, Calif
    
    The Walt Disney Co. and Jim Henson Productions Inc. announced a home
    video alliance yesterday, signaling a reconcilation after a contentious
    Disney buyout plan fell apart last year.
    
    Burbank-based Disney's Buena Vista Home Video will distribute Henson
    videocasssettes, including the "Muppet" programs and films, for five
    years under the agreement announced at a Le Bel Age Hotel news
    conference.
    
    The value of the deal wasn't disclosed by either party, but Henson
    Productsions called it a "multimillion-dollar, worldwide distribution
    agreement."
    
    "This is a great business relationship that benefits everyone.  Buena
    Vista Home Video is unquestionably the best video distributor in family
    entertainment," said Henston President Brian Henson.
    
    "Fraggle Rock," "The Storyteller,"  "Mupper Babies," "The Muppet Movie"
    were among the titles involved in the distribution deal.  The accord
    also voers TV rights for the Henson library.
    
    NEVER ON VIDEO
    
    Many of the Henson properties have never been released on video.
    
    "It is wonderful to know that the entire Jim Henson Home Video library
    will soon be available to the public," Brian Henson said.
    
    Disney will also finance several direct-video release Henson
    productions, but details of those projects weren't disclosed.
    
    "Henson's Kermit and Miss Piggy are recognized as an integral part of
    growing up both here and abroad," said Bill Mechanic, Disney's
    president of International theatrical distribution and world wide
    video.
    
    Buena Vista Home Video is the worldwide distributor of Walt Disney,
    Touchtone, Hollywood Pictures and Buena Vista videocassettes.
    
    The agreement ends a year-long period of acrimoney between the
    companies.
    
    

    
    	There's even more signs of a further warming of the relations
    between the Walt Disney Company and Jim Henson Productions. Among the
    many new productions Michael Eisner announced at Tuesday's stockholder's
    meeting was a new Muppet feature film, to be titled " Kermit's Christ-
    mas Carol " or " A Muppet Christmas Carol. " Though Eisner was fairly
    cagey about the specific of the project, it's supposed to be a
    theatrical release that'll be produced by Walt Disney Pictures.
    Production should begin by this fall, with a Christmas 1993 release
    likely.

    
    	Here's the latest on the " Muppet Christmas Carol " project. It
    begins shooting this June in London with Brian Henson -- Jim Henson's
    son, now the president of Jim Henson Productions -- directing.
    	Veteran British actor and-all-around-good-sport Michael Caine has
    been cast as the human Scrooge. Kermit ( To be voiced and " muppet-
    eered " by a yet un-named Henson production staffer ) will portray
    Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy will shine as Mrs. Cratchit, and small Robin
    the frog will make us all cry as Tiny Tim.
    	Expected a less-than-faithful recreation of this classic Dickens
    tale. I'm told Disney -- contrary to earlier reports -- is looking to
    release " A Muppet Christmas Carol " in theaters * THIS * year, so it's
    going to be a somewhat hurried production. The film will be released 
    under the " Walt Disney Pictures " banner, and -- as an added bonus --
    will have the now-in-the-works brand-spanking-new Roger Rabbit cartoon, 
    " Trail Mix-Up " tacked on to the front.
    	So what's the anticipated release date ? WEELLLLLLL ... " Aladdin "
    is currently scheduled to debut Wednesday, November 25th ( The Wednesday
    before Thanksgiving ). Disney won't want the Muppets to come out too 
    early and start undermining that film's anticipated box office bonanza.
    So you should probably look for Kermit & company turning up at your 
    local cinema on oor about Friday, December 11th.
    	
    	Any questions ?
    					jrh

    Jim,
    
    Am I getting the impression that Brian Hensen just can't pull off
    Kermit's voice?
    
    Mike

    Michael Caine??  Michael Caine??!!??!!  (he shakes his head in
    disbelief...)
    
    In the first place, I'd prefer a Muppet Scrooge (not even an existing
    one; a whole new character); but if they were to go with a human
    Scrooge, I would think there'd be some better choices.  Oh well...
    
    Standard disclaimer:  I do like Michael Caine, but in certain things
    (he was terrific in "Sleuth").  I'm not sure he'd make a good Scrooge.
    
    But my nomination for the Ghost of Christmas Present is Fozzie Bear
    (he's always been my fave).
    
    - Skip

    	You would think either Waldorf or (I can't remember the other one's
    name) would be picked fro Scrooge.  Or if they want a human how about
    George C Scott!?  He was great as Scrooge once.
    
    Tom

>>    	You would think either Waldorf or (I can't remember the other one's
>>    name) would be picked fro Scrooge.  Or if they want a human how about
>>    George C Scott!?  He was great as Scrooge once.
    
    	The other one's name was Statler.  And I don't remember which was
    done by Henson.
    
    tom

    Any Muppet update??  Or would that be a Mupdate...??
    
    Anyways, I was watching the Henson tribute on tape last night and that
    got me wondering about what's the latest and greatest with getting the
    Muppets released on video??  Disney is supposed to be handling that,
    yes??  If so, have they released any kind of schedule yet??
    
    Also, is "A Muppet Christmas Carol" still on *this* Christmas??
    
    And while I'm here... what are the chances the Muppetvision 3D
    attraction is going to stick for quite some while in the Studios??
    
    - Skip

    
    RE : - 1
    
    	" Ask and ye shall recieve ... "
    
    	MUPPET VIDEO : Look for Disney to begin distributing Jim Henson
    Video in the early fall. Initially, the line will start out with the
    Muppet movies ( With some snazzy new graphics, though ) as well as
    highlights from " The Muppet Show. " However, in the months and years
    to come, Disney fully intends to release to video the bulk of the 
    Henson Production catalog -- including the wondrous " Storyteller "
    series.
    	MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL : is shooting in London, even as we speak.
    As reported here earlier, Michael Caine is playing Scrooge, Kermit is
    Bob Crachit, and Piggy is cast in the much-smaller-than-befitting-the-
    internationally-beloved-status-of-a-luminous-star-like-herself role of
    Mrs. Crachit. ( Look for the film to get major laugh mileage at Piggy's
    dis-satisfaction with her smaller-than-small part ).
    	My understanding is that Disney still wants " Muppet Christmas 
    Carol " for this holiday season. However, studio exec are waffling over
    whether the Muppets or " Aladdin " will have the new Roger Rabbit short
    in front of it. Disney knows that whichever film has Roger in front of
    it is guaranteed an additional $ 10 - $ 15 million at the box office.
    And -- given that Disney knows that " Aladdin " 's success will be 
    measured against that of its Oscar winning animated mega-hit, " Beauty
    and the Beast " -- the studio may ultimately decide that it's wiser for
    the bunny to go with the genie.
    	
    	MUPPETS AT DISNEY - MGM STUDIO : Again, my understanding is that
    -- what with the video deal, Disney's constant financial as well as
    promotional support of " Dinosaurs, " as well as the studio picking up
    the production costs of " Muppet Christmas Carol " -- relations have
    warmed up considerably between Henson and Disney. Though the initial 
    deal for the Muppets' appearance at the studio theme park was broken
    into an eighteen months trial period, followed by a 3 1/2 year renewal,
    it now seems certain that the Muppets will be appearing at Disney-MGM
    for quite some years to come.
    	In fact, Disney lawyers have been meeting with Henson's reps --
    trying to hammer out a deal for the Muppets to appear at Euro-Disney's
    forthcoming second theme park, the Euro-Disney-MGM Studio Theme Park.
    They're also trying to iron out a plan that would allow Disney to have
    Muppet meet-n-greet characters as well as the " Muppetvision 3D " film
    appear in the new Mickey's Toontown section that's currently under
    construction in Disneyland.
    	As for new stuff for the Muppets in Florida ... Well, look for 
    Kermit and his pals to present an all-new " Christmas Carol " show in
    place of their current " Muppets On Location " stage show between
    Thanksgiving and New Years of this year. And there's some very serious
    talk of reviving plans to build the attraction Jim Henson was most
    excited about : The Great Muppet Movie Ride. If that were to be built,
    look for it to replace the " Muppets on Location " stage as well as
    many of the standing sets around the " Muppetvision 3D " building. 
    This is a big, * BIG * ride building we're talking about, folks. But
    the attraction would be well worth the space it'd take up. The best
    way to describe this ? A Muppet celebration of the movies, on a size
    and scale similiar to " Pirates of the Carribbean " and " The Haunted
    Mansion. "
    	SPEAKING OF MUPPET CELEBRATION : If you're a Jim Henson fan, make
    a point of traveling down to NYC this summer to visit the Museum of
    Television and Radio. Here, they're doing a three-month-long tribute to
    Henson's work and life. They're showing vintage Henson programs daily
    in their screening rooms, with original Muppets under glass in their 
    display area as well as photos and conceptual sketches. I was just down
    there yesterday and had such a great time that I'll be making three or
    four additional trips down to the Big Apple this summer to catch the other
    programs being presented. If you're a Muppet fan, this is a mup-see ... I 
    mean a " must-see. "
    	Any other questions ?
    						jrh  

    Wow.  Thanks for the Mup-date, Jim.  All of it was good news to these
    ears/eyes, especially the continued presence of the Muppets at the
    Disney/MGM Studios (even though I was initially against the idea...).
    
    I'll have to start saving my pennies for those videos though.  I'd love
    to have a complete set of the "Storyteller" episodes (a great series).
    
    And I would think that given the relative successes of "The Little
    Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast" that "Aladdin" could stand on its
    own without the Roger Rabbit short, so my vote is to tack it to the
    front of "A Muppet Christmas Carol", but then I probably don't have a
    vote, do I??  :-)
    
    - Skip

    This is taken from the "Ultimate Fall Preview" issue of PREMIERE
    magazine...
    
    "The Muppet Christmas Carol"
    
    "Fable; written by Jerry Juhl, from Charles Dickens's novel; directed
    by Brian Henson; starring Michael Caine, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and
    the rest of the gang; from Walt Disney Pictures.
    
    "The Pitch:  Kermit and Miss Piggy get Scrooged.
    
    "The Backstory:  Brian Henson's first feature as CEO of Jim Henson
    Productions, and Steve Whitmire's first feature as the voice of Kermit.
    
    "The Key Player:  The late and much lamented Jim Henson.
    
    "The Buzz:  A perennial.  no matter if it's good or bad, you can pencil
    in $20 million.
    
    "Coverage:  'We're staying pretty close to the original story, although
    the original was a book and this is a movie," says Kermit.  'The only
    real difference is that I don't think Dickens knew about all these
    frogs and pigs that were going to be playing the main parts.'  Except
    for Caine as Scrooge, of course.  'I would have thought about doing the
    part myself, but we needed someone with hair,' says ... Steve Whitmire,
    replacing Henson as the frog the Muppet Master made eternal.  'It
    scared me to death,' Whitmire says of performing Kermit.  'I had known
    Jim for fourteen years and worked with him before his death; had that
    not been the case, it would have been impossible.  The voice is not
    exactly Jim, but I feel the characterization is very much the way Jim
    thought about Kermit.'"

    Has anyone heard Whitmore do Kermit?
    
    I believe Hensen did Kermit for Muppet-4D. Hmmmm, maybe I should have
    paid more attention to "Days of Swine and Roses."
    
    Mike

    what's Muppet-4D?
    
    

    Towards the end of my vacation the MGM Guides changed the name of the
    attraction from Muppet-3D to Muppet-4D and rightly so. What does that
    4th D represent? If I tell you it will spoil a bit of a surprise while
    you're in the attraction.
    
    Mike

    gotcha! I was there last november and understood the fourth 
    dimension :-) 
    
    SO it's now called MuppetVision 4-D 'eh? 

    Any word on a release date for "A Muppet Christmas Carol"??  I saw a
    print ad somewhere but did not see a date.
    
    Also, I read somewhere (pobably on USENET) that the Disney Channel has
    the rights to and will air "The Muppet Movie", "The Great Muppet
    Caper", and "The Dark Crystal".  Hopefully, sometime after that, Disney
    will re-release these on video (along with "Storyteller" episodes...
    please please please...).
    
    - Skip

    
    	My understanding is that " A Muppet Christmas Carol " will be 
    released to theaters on Friday, December 11th. 

    Before the sneak preview of "Aladdin" they showed a coming attraction
    for "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and it looks very, very funny.  I'm a
    big fan of the Muppets so I'm probably a little biased.
    
    Some stuff I gleaned from the trailer.  Kermit, of course, plays Bob
    Cratchit.  Miss Piggy plays Mrs. Cratchit and they have two daughters
    who look just like ...  And Robin (Kermit's nephew) plays Tiny Tim.  It
    looks like Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat serve as "narrators" for the story. 
    And I don't think any of the Muppet "regulars" play any of the
    Christmas ghosts (they look like new characters), but in an inspired
    bit of casting, Statler and/or Waldorf play the ghost of Jacob Marley. 
    
    They didn't show Fozzie Bear (my fave) but I wager a Christmas goose
    that he'll be playing Scrooge's old boss, Fezziwig, or Fozzie-wig. 
    It's a pun too irresistable to pass up...
    
    - Skip

    Skip,
    
    Did that Muppet trailer offer you a chance to hear Kermit's voice?
    
    Mike

    re: .86 (Mike... again)
    
    >>Did that Muppet trailer offer you a chance to hear Kermit's voice?
    
    Yes.  And he, uh, sounds like, uh... Kermit.  Actually, even though he
    has a few lines in the trailer, I don't think you hear the voice enough
    to know whether or not Henson's replacement has got it down right. 
    We'll have to wait to see if he's got the inflections and all.
    
    My guess is that Kermit will sound like Kermit and he'll look like
    Kermit, but Henson held Kermit's "soul" and they won't be able to get
    that back.
    
    - Skip

So who plays Scrooge...?

						-- Nina

    	Isn't it Michael Caine???

    Well, I haven't seen "A Muppet Christmas Carol" yet.  Sigh...
    
    But I have news on the video front.  On January 29, Jim Henson Video
    will re-release "The Muppet Movie" and "The Great Muppet Caper" on
    video, priced at $22.99 each.
    
    Also at that time, five tapes collecting episodes of "The Muppet Show"
    and "Muppet Babies" will be released, priced at $12.99 each.
    
    "What's a caper?"
    "It's like a small chicken."
    
    - Skip

I took my older nieces and nephew to see "A Muppet Christmas Carol" and we 
all loved it.  As soon as it was over, my 4-yr-old niece said, "I want that 
on tape next year for Christmas!"  Savvy kid - she's already figured out 
how long it takes for them to come out on tape!

I was very impressed with the detail.  Michael Caine was wonderful.  Fozzie
played the role predicted in this note!  And Kermit sounded like Kermit most
of the time, but when he sang, it just wasn't the same.  The kids didn't
seem to notice a difference at all, and they just loved the movie, too.


Susan

    http://www.MuppetTreasure.com/

    Disney must have made up with the Henson folks.  Disney is releasing a 
    new muppet movie.