It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
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It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is an NBC television film produced by Jim Henson Television in 2002, starring Jim Henson's Muppets.
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[edit] Plot summary
The plot of the movie revolves around the old Muppet Theatre going through financial hardship, and the entire Muppet cast looking towards Kermit the Frog for guidance. Kermit eventually feels he's not useful to anyone, and an angel is sent to help him out. The movie then follows the formula of It's a Wonderful Life, as Kermit is shown what would have happened to his friends if he had not existed. In the world without Kermit, Joan Cusack's character has changed the park near the Muppet Theatre into a shopping centre. Gonzo is now homeless and Rizzo the Rat stars in an episode of Fear Factor where a woman has to eat him alive. Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem are river dancers. The biggest change is the Muppet Theatre, which has become a dreadful nightclub. Dr. Honeydew became a rapper, Beaker became a nightclub bouncer, and Fozzie is now a pickpocket. Miss Piggy is a spinster who lives in an apartment with a series of cats.
The film stars the usual assortment of Muppets, as well as three primary human roles: David Arquette played Daniel, the angel sent to help Kermit; Joan Cusack played Rachel Bitterman, a real estate agent trying to purchase the Muppet Theatre; and Whoopi Goldberg portrayed God. As is customary in Muppet movies, a wide assortment of cameos were also made in the film (including, for the first time, cameos by other puppets—Yoda and Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog).
[edit] Trivia
- This film makes at least three references to the first Muppet feature film, The Muppet Movie: Kermit passes by a statue erected in his honor, the caption of which reads "For the lovers, the dreamers, and you"; Kermit finds out that without him, Doc Hopper's Fried Frog Legs would have become a very successful enterprise. Also in Miss Piggy's apartment is a framed photo of her as Miss Bogen County.
- A parody of Steve Irwin appears in this film.
- The play the muppets do at the Muppet Theater is their version of Moulin Rouge!, entitled Moulin Scrooge.
- Near the start there is a series of parodies of The Gift of the Magi, as various Muppet duos exchange gifts, only to find that both parties have sold the item their gift would complement in order to buy the other's gift. This concludes with Sal Minella telling Johnny Fiama he traded his motorcycle to buy Johnny a gold record player. Much to Sal's shock, Johnny just says "Oh, thanks, Sal".
- This film was the first Muppet film to receive a "PG" rating from the MPAA.
- Whoopi Goldberg makes a reference to the channel Animal Planet in this film.
- This was the last Muppet film to be presented by a company other than Disney. Shortly afterward, the Walt Disney Company bought the Muppet brand.
- Eric Jacobson takes over most of Frank Oz's characters as Oz turned his heart to directing.
- Characters making their comeback appearances include:
- Rowlf, performed by Bill Barretta, speaks his first full lines ("Hey, Kermit!" and "Yeah! Heh, heh. Oh!") since Jim Henson's death. Rowlf had a brief vocal muttering ("Yeah.") in episode 102 of Muppets Tonight but did not speak at all in The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island or Muppets From Space.
- Scooter, performed by Brian Henson, also has his first major appearance since Richard Hunt's death. In 1999, Scooter had one line in Muppets From Space.
- Janice, performed by Brian Henson, also speaks for the first time since Hunt's death. She had made silent appearances in The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island.
- Beauregard appears in the background of many scenes in the film. Beauregard does not have any lines, but Kermit yells "Beauregard!" as he returns to the theater, happy to be alive.
[edit] Quotes
- Rachel Bitterman: Fit for a plus-sized pig.
Miss Piggy: And, YOU will not look good, with a plus-sized lip.
[edit] External links
- It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie at the Internet Movie Database
- Muppet Wiki: It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
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| Feature films | The Muppet Movie (1979) · The Great Muppet Caper (1981) · The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) · Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3D (1991) · The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) · Muppet Treasure Island (1996) · Muppets from Space (1999) |
| Television specials | A Muppet Family Christmas (1987) · The Muppets at Walt Disney World (1990) · It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002) · The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005) |
