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  • TV Review: ‘The Muppet Show’ Special

    Kermit the Frog in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    Kermit the Frog in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Premiering on Disney+ and ABC February 4th is the new ‘The Muppet Show‘ Special, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking original series.

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    Executive produced by Seth Rogen and featuring guest stars Sabrina Carpenter and Maya Rudolph, the new special features all your favorite Muppet characters including Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy and Animal, and is a revival of the original 1976 ‘The Muppet Show‘.

    Related Article: Every Muppets TV Show Ranked Including the New ‘Muppet Show Special’

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Bean Bunny, Fozzie Bear, Wanda, Scooter, Wayne, and Lew Zealand in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Bean Bunny, Fozzie Bear, Wanda, Scooter, Wayne, and Lew Zealand in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    When Disney bought the Muppets in the early 2000s, it seemed like the perfect home for Jim Henson’s characters after his death in the 1990s. However, more than 20 years later, the “House of Mouse” has struggled with their Muppet assets.

    Except for the MuppetVision 3D* attraction at Disney’s amusement parks, the beloved felt characters basically laid dormant until Jason Segel successfully resurrected them with the feature film ‘The Muppets’ in 2011. While the movie was considered a hit, it didn’t exactly break box office records and led to the disappointing sequel, 2014’s ‘Muppets Most Wanted’.

    Following that, an attempt to resurrect the Muppets again on television began with the disastrous ABC series ‘The Muppets’, which tried desperately to update the classic characters. Mistake! They would try again with ‘Muppets Now’ on Disney+, which was an update of the original format but failed to connect with audiences and was a casualty of the chaotic COVID era. Even an attempt to give Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem their own show with ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ was met with a mixed response.

    Kermit the Frog in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    Kermit the Frog in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    So, Disney has finally decided to do the only thing left to do with the Muppets, which is to bring back their original show and format. The result is ‘The Muppet Show’ Special, which is basically an expensive pilot for a possible revival series. But I’m happy to report that the special works on all levels.

    Yes, it’s just an updated version on the 70s series, filled with nostalgia for the original show, but it also feels fresh and new thanks to host Sabrina Carpenter (who has great chemistry with Kermit and Piggy), and executive producer Seth Rogen. With many characters to serve, the special does a great job of giving each Muppet a moment to shine, and while some of the sketches are just updated versions of sketches from the original series, the updated songs and characters make the special, well, feel special.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Miss Piggy, Lew Zealand and Kermit the Frog in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Miss Piggy, Lew Zealand and Kermit the Frog in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    The special begins with a nostalgic look at the Muppet theater, dark and somber from years of vacancy, suddenly brought to life when Kermit turns on the stage lights. Then the show pretty much follows the same template as the original series. Scooter tells the guest host there is “2 minutes to curtain,” then Kermit introduces the show from the Muppet Show logo, waving his arms with excitement, and the Muppets perform the theme song intro with Gonzo blowing his trumpet at the end.

    Like the original, we get a mix of on-stage performances, and behind the scenes chaos. This week’s dilemma is that Kermit in his excitement booked too many acts for the show and now must tell Miss Piggy he is cutting one of her numbers. That doesn’t go well as you can imagine. Familiar acts return like ‘Muppets Lab’ with Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, as well as Statler and Waldorf ridiculing the show from their balcony seats.

    But the show is not without its updates, which all work in tone with the original. For example, instead of ‘Pigs in Space’, we get ‘Pigs in Wigs’, a sendoff of ‘Bridgerton’ starring Miss Piggy. Another update is that the audience, which use to only feature other Muppets watching, now has a mix of Muppets and humans in attendance. The music is also updated, with Sabrina Carpenter performing one of her songs, ‘Manchild’, in addition to duetting with Kermit on Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s classic ‘Islands in the Stream’, while Rizzo and his rat friends performed ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd.

    (L to R) Scooter and Gonzo in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Scooter and Gonzo in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Also returning is Gonzo the Great, who once again performs one of his tragic daredevil stunts. This time roller skating through blades and fire hoops while reciting every Best Supporting Actress winner ever. My mom is a huge Gonzo fan, but to tell the truth, I never really thought he was all that funny. However, he was a standout on the special and the running gag of him skating in and out of frame shouting “Lupita Nyong’o” or “Dianne Wiest” had me in stitches.

    You can tell that Disney put a lot of money behind this special as the production design looks incredible, almost too good to match the original 70s show. It’s a tad bit too slick for the Muppets, but it certainly doesn’t take away from the excitement of seeing the gang back together, and never affects the Muppet tone, which for the first time in a long time, Disney has gotten right.

    It’s clear that Seth Rogen and his team has a lot of love for the original show and these characters and has spent a lot of time and thought into reviving the beloved program. In that sense, if the special was an experiment to see if the Muppets are still relevant, then I’m ready to say it was a success!

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Sabrina Carpenter and the original Muppet cast in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Sabrina Carpenter and the original Muppet cast in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    As great as it was to see all my childhood friends back together again, if you are a fan of the original, there is one thing that might bother you … the Muppets have different voices now! Jim Henson is gone, Frank Oz has retired, and the only original Muppeteer left is Dave Goelz, who voices Gonzo, Waldorf, and a few other characters. But Kermit, Fozzie, Dr. Teeth, Piggy, and pretty much everyone else sounds very different, and it takes a little getting used to for longtime fans.

    One very important ingredient in the ‘Muppet Show’ recipe is the guest star and the original show was famous for having talented guests who were ready to have fun with the Muppets. Original hosts included Steve Martin, Elton John, Debbie Harry, Rita Moreno, Lynda Carter, Roger Moore, Sylvester Stallone, and Mark Hamill. In that tradition, I couldn’t think of a better guest star for this special than superstar Sabrina Carpenter.

    The pop diva has an infectious energy that mixes well with the Muppet chaos, and her onscreen admiration for one of the greatest divas of all time, Miss Piggy, is a highlight of the show. Kermit even says to her at the end, “You fit right in with us.” To which Carpenter replies, “Well, it helps we’re the same height.”

    (L to R) Seth Rogen and Fozzie Bear in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Seth Rogen and Fozzie Bear in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Executive producer Seth Rogen has a funny cameo with Fozzie Bear, who non-diplomatically tells Rogen that he has been cut from his own show. Maya Rudolph’s appearance is also just a cameo, but she has some great comedic moments in the audience and during a Muppets News Flash, ushering in the return of the bumbling Muppet Newsman.

    My only complaint is as a hard-core Animal fan, and fan of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem in general, they did not get enough screen time. But to be fair, they all had a moment to shine, with Janice having her own scene opposite Kermit, and I guess they did all just recently have their own series.

    The special does do its best to give every Muppet their moment, putting some in the background as Easter eggs, but with so many characters, not everyone is going to get enough time. Which is exactly why I hope the special is successful and Disney and Rogen decide to turn it into an ongoing series. Then there will be time to reintroduce and explore each character more, and maybe even introduce some new ones.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Rowlf The Dog and Kermit The Frog in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Rowlf The Dog and Kermit The Frog in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Seth Rogen has done the impossible … he’s made The Muppets relevant again. I think he’s also proven that the first way is the best way, and the Muppets are at their best on TV doing their classic form of a variety show. ‘The Muppet Show’ Special is sure to be a hit with old and new fans alike.

    There is really nothing left to say except:

    “It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights, it’s time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight!”

    ‘The Muppet Show’ Special receives a score of 95 out of 100.

    (L to R) Mildred Huxtetter, Zelda Rose, Janice, Camilla The Chicken, and Miss Mousey in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Mildred Huxtetter, Zelda Rose, Janice, Camilla The Chicken, and Miss Mousey in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    What is the plot of ‘The Muppet Show’ Special?

    Music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos is bound to ensue when The Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre with their very special guest, Sabrina Carpenter!

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Muppet Show’ Special?

    • Sabrina Carpenter as Herself
    • Seth Rogen as Himself
    • Maya Rudolph as Herself
    (L to R) Waldorf and Statler in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Waldorf and Statler in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Movies and TV Shows Featuring The Muppets:

    Buy Muppet Movies on Amazon

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  • Every Muppets TV Show Ranked From Worst to Best

    (L to R) Sabrina Carpenter and the original Muppet cast in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Sabrina Carpenter and the original Muppet cast in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Premiering on Disney+ and ABC February 4th is the new ‘The Muppet Show‘ special, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking original series.

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    Executive produced by Seth Rogen and featuring guest stars Sabrina Carpenter and Maya Rudolph, the new special will feature all your favorite Muppet characters including Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy and Animal, and is a revival of the original 1976 ‘The Muppet Show‘.

    In honor of the new series, Moviefone is counting down every Muppets TV show from worst to best!

    Editorial Note: For this list, we are including any TV series that featured a Muppet character, which also includes ‘Sesame Street‘, ‘Fraggle Rock‘, and Muppet cartoons.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Every Muppets Movie Ranked!

    12. ‘The Muppets‘ (2015-2016)

    (L to R) Miss Piggy and Kermit The Frog on 'The Muppets'. Photo: ABC Studios.
    (L to R) Miss Piggy and Kermit The Frog on ‘The Muppets’. Photo: ABC Studios.

    The Muppets return to primetime with a contemporary, documentary-style show. For the first time ever, a series will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, breakups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires. This is a more adult Muppet show, for “kids” of all ages.

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    11. ‘Sam and Friends‘ (1955-1957)

    ‘Sam and Friends’ was an early live-action/puppet television show created by puppeteer Jim Henson and his eventual wife Jane. It was taped and aired locally in Washington, D.C. on WRC-TV in black-and-white, and later, color on weekdays from May 9, 1955 to December 15, 1961.

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    10. ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock‘ (2022-2024)

    The cast of 'Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock'. Photo: Apple TV+.
    The cast of ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’. Photo: Apple TV+.

    Join Gobo, Red, Wembley, Mokey, Boober, and new Fraggle friends on hilarious, epic adventures about the magic that happens when we celebrate and care for our interconnected world.

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    9. ‘The Jim Henson Hour‘ (1989-1993)

    ‘The Jim Henson Hour’ was developed as a showcase for the Jim Henson Company’s various puppet creations, including the popular Muppet characters. This hour-long anthology series was hosted by Jim Henson and generally included two segments. The first segment, ‘Muppetelevision’, included comedy skits starring the Muppets, as well as frequent guest appearances by popular entertainers. The second segment often featured rebroadcasts of original, Henson-created productions, such as episodes from Jim Henson’s ‘The StoryTeller‘ anthology series.

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    8. ‘Muppets Tonight‘ (1996-1998)

    (L to R) Pepe The King Prawn, Rizzo the Rat, Kermit the Frog and Clifford on 'Muppets Tonight'. Photo: Disney Channel.
    (L to R) Pepe The King Prawn, Rizzo the Rat, Kermit the Frog and Clifford on ‘Muppets Tonight’. Photo: Disney Channel.

    ‘Muppets Tonight’ is a live-action/puppet television series created by Jim Henson Productions and featuring The Muppets. Much like the “MuppeTelevision” segment of ‘The Jim Henson Hour’, ‘Muppets Tonight’ was a continuation of ‘The Muppet Show’, set in a television studio, rather than a theater. It ran on ABC from 1996 to 1998 and reruns ran on Disney Channel from 1997 to 2002.

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    7. ‘Muppet Babies‘ (1984-1990)

    (L to R) Gonzo the Great, Rowlf the Dog, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Animal in 'Muppet Babies'. Photo: CBS.
    (L to R) Gonzo the Great, Rowlf the Dog, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Animal in ‘Muppet Babies’. Photo: CBS.

    The Muppet Babies (Kermit, Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzy and company) live in a large nursery watched over by Nanny. The babies have active imaginations, and often embark upon adventures into imaginary worlds.

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    6. ‘Muppets Now‘ (2020)

    The Muppets on 'Muppets Now'. Photo: Disney+.
    The Muppets on ‘Muppets Now’. Photo: Disney+.

    Scooter rushes to make his delivery deadlines and upload the brand-new Muppets series for streaming. They are due now, and he’ll need to navigate whatever obstacles, distractions, and complications the rest of the Muppet gang throw at him.

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    5. ‘The Muppets Mayhem‘ (2023)

    (L to R) Zoot, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Animal, Janice, and Lips in 'The Muppets Mayhem.' Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Zoot, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Animal, Janice, and Lips in ‘The Muppets Mayhem.’ Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    The Electric Mayhem Band goes on an epic musical journey to finally record their first studio album. With the help of a driven young music executive, Nora (Lilly Singh), the old-school Muppet band comes face to face with the current day music scene as they try to finally go platinum.

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    4. ‘Fraggle Rock‘ (1983-1987)

    The cast of 'Fraggle Rock'. Photo: HBO.
    The cast of ‘Fraggle Rock’. Photo: HBO.

    The Fraggles are a fun-loving community of creatures who live in a subterranean fantasy land where they love to play, sing and dance their cares away, sharing their world with the tiny Doozers and the giant Gorgs. The series teaches empathy and tolerance and encourages children to understand people different from themselves.

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    3. ‘The Muppet Show‘ (2026)

    (L to R) Seth Rogen and Fozzie Bear in 2026's 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Seth Rogen and Fozzie Bear in 2026’s ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos is bound to ensue when The Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre with their very special guest, Sabrina Carpenter! The series is executive produced by Seth Rogen.

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    2. ‘Sesame Street‘ (1969–present)

    (L to R) Grover, Oscar The Grouch, Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster in 'Sesame Street'. Photo: Netflix.
    (L to R) Grover, Oscar The Grouch, Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster in ‘Sesame Street’. Photo: Netflix.

    On a special inner city street, the inhabitants—human and muppet—teach preschoolers basic educational and social concepts using comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.

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    1. ‘The Muppet Show‘ (1976-1981)

    (L to R) Kermit The Frog, Floyd Pepper, Miss Piggy, Dr. Teeth, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Rowlf the Dog, Scooter, Robin The Frog, and Gonzo The Great on 'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Henson Associates.
    (L to R) Kermit The Frog, Floyd Pepper, Miss Piggy, Dr. Teeth, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Rowlf the Dog, Scooter, Robin The Frog, and Gonzo The Great on ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Henson Associates.

    Go behind the curtains as Kermit the Frog and his muppet friends struggle to put on a weekly variety show.

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  • The Muppets Return to TV with New Disney+ Special

    (Left) The Muppets in 2014's 'Muppets Most Wanted.' Photo courtesy of Disney. (Right) Seth Rogen wins the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the 77TH EMMY® AWARDS, broadcasting live to both coasts from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, Sept. 14, (8:00-11:00 PM, LIVE ET/5:00-8:00 PM, LIVE PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+.* Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (Left) The Muppets in 2014’s ‘Muppets Most Wanted.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. (Right) Seth Rogen wins the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the 77TH EMMY® AWARDS, broadcasting live to both coasts from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, Sept. 14, (8:00-11:00 PM, LIVE ET/5:00-8:00 PM, LIVE PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+.* Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Preview:

    • Disney+ has a new ‘The Muppet Show’ special in the works.
    • Seth Rogen will produce.
    • Sabrina Carpenter is the celebrity guest.

    Despite the enduring appeal of Kermit and co., the Muppets’ attempts to bring their particular brand of loveable, felt-covered anarchy back to small screens has not been met with a whole lot of success, as various shows, including last year’s ‘The Muppets Mayhem’, have failed to win big audiences.

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    But the gang is not giving up, aiming to play the music and light the lights for a rebooted take on their classic ‘Muppet Show’ on Disney+, with the aim to launch a brand new series that has Seth Rogen on board as producer and many of the Muppet veteran performers lending their skills.

    Related Article: Every Muppets Movie Ranked!

    What’s the background for ‘The Muppet Show’?

    'The Muppet Show'. Photo: Disney.
    ‘The Muppet Show’. Photo: Disney.

    ‘The Muppet Show’, created by Jim Henson, ran from 1976-81 and aired in over 100 countries and featured notable guest stars including Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Gladys Knight, Liza Minnelli, Paul Simon and many others.

    The series earned Emmy, Grammy, Peabody, BAFTA and numerous other awards, and can be found lurking on Disney+.

    Who else is involved with the new ‘Muppet Show’ special?

    Seth Rogen in 'The Studio,' premiering March 26, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    Seth Rogen in ‘The Studio,’ premiering March 26, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    The special is written by Albertina Rizzo and directed by Alex Timbers, with Rogen among its producers.

    Veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel will return to reprise the majority of the iconic Muppet characters in this special, joined by additional performers. Goelz, who has been with The Muppets for more than 50 years, has been part of the cast since the first ‘The Muppet Show’ and originated the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, among many others.

    This new show will get back to basics, following Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the gang as they return to the Muppet Theatre to produce a variety show.

    And the celebrity this time? Musician Sabrina Carpenter, who is a longtime fan of Kermit and the gang, and would seem to be ticking off a bucket list item with the special.

    When will the ‘Muppet Show’ special be on Disney+?

    Disney has offered little official details on the release, but it’s expected next year to tie in with the 50th anniversary of the original series.

    (L to R) Zoot, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Animal, Janice, and Lips in 'The Muppets Mayhem.' Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    (L to R) Zoot, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Animal, Janice, and Lips in ‘The Muppets Mayhem.’ Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Movies and TV Shows Featuring The Muppets:

    Buy Muppet Movies on Amazon

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  • Robert Eggers Reportedly Directing New ‘Labyrinth’

    (Left) Director Robert Eggers on the set of his film 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. (Right) David Bowie as Jareth in 'Labyrinth.' Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.
    (Left) Director Robert Eggers on the set of his film ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. (Right) David Bowie as Jareth in ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    Preview:

    • Robert Eggers is reportedly to make a new ‘Labyrinth’ movie.
    • The likes of Scott Derrickson and Fede Álvarez have been attached in the past.
    • The 1986 original starred Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie.

    Writer/director Robert Eggers has his most recent stab at celluloid fear, ‘Nosferatu’ on screens at the moment. The movie, a new version of what was a bootleg take on ‘Dracula’ features some truly creepy character work and both psychological and physical horror.

    Given that, and his history with movies such as ‘The Witch,’ ‘The Northman’ and ‘The Lighthouse,’ he might not appear to be the first person you’d think to tackling a remake of a film originally brought to screens by Muppet maestro Jim Henson, which for all its scarier themes, is mostly a family fantasy adventure.

    And yet, at least according to reporter Jeff Sneider, that’s exactly what could happen, as Sony has Eggers setting his sights on a reboot of 1986 movie ‘Labyrinth.’

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    What’s the story of ‘Labyrinth’?

    (L to R) David Bowie as Jareth and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in 'Labyrinth.' Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.
    (L to R) David Bowie as Jareth and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    The original movie was directed by Henson and naturally features a fair amount of fresh felt creations from his workshop.

    Jennifer Connelly stars as Sarah Williams, a teenager forced by her father and stepmother to babysit her baby stepbrother, Toby, while they are out.

    The child will not stop crying, and Sarah wishes that he would be taken away. Out of the blue, he stops crying and when she looks for him in his crib, she learns that her wish was granted, and the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie) has taken him to his castle in the Goblin City in the middle of a labyrinth. Sarah repents and asks Jareth to give him back, but Jareth tells her that she has to rescue him before midnight.

    Sarah finds some willing allies, but the question remains… Will they rescue Toby in time?

    Henson came up with the original story alongside Dennis Lee, and script duties were handed over to Monty Python member Terry Jones (with Elaine May contributing an uncredited polish to boost the characters and humor of Sarah and Jareth).

    Related Article: Brian Henson Talks ‘Labyrinth’ Digital Re-Release and Playing Hoggle

    What has happened with the new version so far?

    The CEO of the Jim Henson Company, Lisa Henson.
    The CEO of the Jim Henson Company, Lisa Henson.

    Eggers considering the new movie might not be as strange as it sounds, as Sony and the Jim Henson Company (run by Henson’s daughter, Lisa) has had horror filmmakers attached in the past.

    There have been loose plans to make a new ‘Labyrinth’ film for several years, though a direct sequel would certainly seem to be a tough ask given the death of Bowie in 2016. The challenge of finding someone who could channel his unique energy is surely a huge one.

    At one point, ‘Alien: Romulus’ filmmaker Fede Álvarez was planning to direct before he announced in 2020 that he had stepped down. At the time, it was reported that the project was still moving forward with ‘Doctor Strange’ and ‘The Black Phone’ director Scott Derrickson taking over at the helm.

    Yet Derrickson revealed last year that his version had stalled at the script stage. Here’s what he told Comicbook.com:

    “I don’t know what’s happening with that. We never got the script all the way to a place where the studio wanted to make it, but I was very proud of the work that we did on it. And it’s a hard, hard project to turn into something commercially viable, because it’s so imaginative and surreal that there’s no way that it can be done cheaply. And at the same time, it’s so daring and different that it is a tough movie for a studio to feel competent that it has enough commercial value to earn a profit. So I think that it’s a tough nut to crack, but all I can tell you is I’m very proud of the work that we did on it. We certainly had a great film in mind. Because the project is still in development, I probably shouldn’t say… I think we had a really cool idea, but I don’t want to blow that in case the movie does get made.”

    While the issue of Bowie remains up in the air, Connelly has said that she at least had conversations about returning, though she admitted to Collider that she wasn’t sure where the movie was going to land.

    According to Brian Henson –– Jim’s son and a director in his own right who also works for the family company, there is still life in the project, according to his statement to Comicbook.com:

    “That’s a question you have to ask my sister. My sister Lisa, who’s CEO of the Jim Henson Company. That is a project that we are very excited about, but we can’t talk about it.”

    Nothing official has yet been said about Eggers’ involvement, nor whether he’ll look to make a legacy sequel or re-imagine the original (as he has with his atmospheric ‘Nosferatu’), but we’d certainly be intrigued to see what might result. Does anyone have a set of juggling crystal balls we can use to get a glimpse?

    When will then new ‘Labyrinth’ be in theaters?

    'Labyrinth' is available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th.
    ‘Labyrinth’ is available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th.

    With the film still seemingly stuck in development limbo, we’re not even going to guess at this point when it might head to theaters.

    But if Eggers can actually make it happen, then it has a stronger chance than ever of actually getting to screens.

    'Nosferatu' director Robert Eggers.
    ‘Nosferatu’ director Robert Eggers.

    List of Robert Eggers Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nosferatu’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Robert Eggers Movies on Amazon

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  • Jason Reitman’s ‘SNL’ Movie is Called ‘Saturday Night’

    'Saturday Night Live's Studio 8H.
    ‘Saturday Night Live’s Studio 8H. Photo: NBC.

    Preview:

    • Jason Reitman’s ‘SNL’ movie is now titled ‘Saturday Night’.
    • Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris and Cooper Hoffman are among the cast.
    • The film has now landed an October release date.

    Jason Reitman might have been busy of late either co-writing and directing (in the case of ‘Afterlife’) or co-writing and producing (on ‘Frozen Empire’) the continuation of his father Ivan’s much-loved ‘Ghostbusters’ franchise.

    Yet he’s also found time to work on another passion project, a chronicle of the tough birth of long-running (the series’ 50th season kicks off in the fall) sketch show ‘Saturday Night Live’.

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    With a script by Reitman and his regular ‘Ghostbusters’ collaborator Gil Kenan, he’s been wrapped filming for a while on the movie, now titled ‘Saturday Night’, and Sony has handed down an October release date for what is expected to start its run at festivals and –– depending on critical reaction –– could be taking aim at the awards season.

    Surely Sony hopes that one of the cast, which includes Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris and ‘Licorice Pizza’s Cooper Hoffman, might end up hosting an episode of ‘SNL’ itself to promote the new movie.

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    What’s the story of ‘Saturday Night’?

    Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris and Chevy Chase on 'Saturday Night Live.'
    (L to R) Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris and Chevy Chase on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Photo: NBC.

    On October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. ‘Saturday Night’ is the true story of what happened behind the scenes that night in the moments leading up to the first broadcast of NBC’s ‘SNL’. It depicts the chaos and magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, counting down the minutes in real time to the infamous words, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”

    The screenplay is based on an extensive series of interviews conducted by Reitman and Kenan with all the living cast, writers and crew.

    Who is starring in ‘Saturday Night’?

    (Left) Lamorne Morris in 'Fargo' Season 5. Photo: FX. (Center) Dylan O'Brien in 'American Assassin.' Photo: Lionsgate. (Left) Cory Michael Smith in 'Gotham.' Photo: Warner Bros. Television.
    (Left) Lamorne Morris in ‘Fargo’ Season 5. Photo: FX. (Center) Dylan O’Brien in ‘American Assassin.’ Photo: Lionsgate. (Left) Cory Michael Smith in ‘Gotham.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

    O’Brien will play Dan Aykroyd, while Morris is Garrett Morris (the two are not related), Cory Michael Smith is Chevy Chase and Matt Wood will play John Belushi.

    Also on the cast front, Ella Hunt has the role of Gilda Radner, Jon Batiste is play Billy Preston (who was the first musical guest on the show), Kim Matula will be Jane Curtin and Emily Fairn is Laraine Newman, with Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson.

    There are also those behind the scenes of ‘Saturday Night Live’, with Gabriel LaBelle playing Lorne Michaels, the legendary creator and producer of the show whose eye for talent has led to careers for a host of people, with Hoffman as Dick Ebersol, an ambitious NBC executive who helped shepherd the show to air.

    Related Article: Jason Reitman’s ‘SNL 1975’ Adds Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris and More

    Rachel Sennott will be Rosie Shuster, a Canadian comedy writer and actor who was married to Michaels at the time and worked on the show.

    Finally, we have Willem Dafoe as David Tebet, Vice President of Talent Relations at NBC, and because it surely wouldn’t be a Reitman movie without him, J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, who had a famously awful one-night stint as host and ended up banned from the show (though that was in 1979, so it remains to be seen how he ties into the movie’s story of the first night).

    When will ‘Saturday Night’ be in theaters?

    Sony, which produced the new movie, has now set an October 11th release for ‘Saturday Night’ via its Columbia Pictures arm. There is already talk that it could premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. And that release, as you might have noticed from its mention in the earlier section, is the same day as the first episode of ‘SNL’ itself. Fitting!

    Jason Reitman and Ivan Reitman at Premiere of 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife.'
    (L to R) Jason Reitman and Ivan Reitman at Premiere of ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife.’ Photo Courtesy of Reuters.

    Movies Based On ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sketches:

    Buy ‘SNL’ Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘The Dark Crystal’ Digital Re-Release Interview: Lisa Henson

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    Available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th is the Jim Henson and Frank Oz directed classic ‘The Dark Crystal,’ which was a departure from their work with The Muppets and featured groundbreaking animatronics.

    'The Dark Crystal' will be available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th.
    ‘The Dark Crystal’ will be available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with the daughter of Jim Henson and CEO of the Jim Henson Company, Lisa Henson about the digital re-release of ‘The Dark Crystal.’ She discussed the development of the project, why her father wanted to direct something darker and fantasy-driven, the movie’s advances in animatronics, the popularity of the movie, the future of the franchise and the legacy of Jim Henson.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Related Article: Brian Henson Talks ‘Labyrinth’ Digital Re-Release and Playing Hoggle

    The CEO of the Jim Henson Company, Lisa Henson talks 'The Dark Crystal' digital re-release.
    The CEO of the Jim Henson Company, Lisa Henson talks ‘The Dark Crystal’ digital re-release.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about the development of this movie and why your father wanted to do something darker and more fantasy-driven after the success of ‘The Muppet Show’ and ‘The Muppet Movie’?

    Lisa Henson: He was not expected to take this kind of turn. He was so successful with ‘The Muppet Show,’ and strangely, he himself decided to stop making ‘The Muppet Show’ and end it after five seasons. That was unusual at the time, but it was very indicative of his personality because he was restless. Even at the height of ‘Sesame Street,’ the Muppets stayed on ‘Sesame Street,’ but he himself decided he wanted to do a different kind of a show, a variety show with the Muppets. Similarly, when the Muppets were at the very height of their success, he was thinking that he wanted to do something else. He didn’t use the word immersive, but more immersive, where the whole world is brought to life. He met Brian Froud after seeing some of his artwork. Really, that partnership and that friendship kicked off the whole development of ‘The Dark Crystal’ because Brian was making creatures that my father knew could be built, but they had never been built before. He looked at those beautiful troll drawings that Brian did, and he had a lot of published work. I think that my father and the puppet builders knew that those things could be built with the techniques that they were starting to work on. He was experimenting as well with slightly different textures with the ‘Saturday Night Live’ puppets, with different sorts of realistic eyeballs. Instead of everything being a fluffy, furry character, these had different sorts of sculpted and molded texture. So, a lot of it was technical. He always wanted to solve a new technical challenge, but he was also very interested in a bigger fantasy world and was very attracted to the art of Arthur Rackham and other British illustrators who made a whole world of creatures. His dream project really was ‘Dark Crystal,’ and he was allowed tremendous freedom in the development. So, you asked about the development. The financier on ‘The Muppet Show’ gave him almost a blank check to do whatever he wanted for this fantasy film. He was able to have people drawing, sculpting, and coming up with new techniques. It’s like the world was developed even before the story was, and the script, which David Odell wrote was really coming in to focus later. So, this was a movie that was a classic world building exercise.

    1982's 'The Dark Crystal.'
    1982’s ‘The Dark Crystal.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    MF: Can you talk about the groundbreaking animatronics that your father helped create for this project?

    LH: If you put yourself back to pre-CGI, pre-everything, they had no computer support to rely on either visually or even in terms of driving the mechanics. The contemporaneous puppetry is Yoda (from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and E.T. (‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’), which in each case, was one character. The Henson Company was building an entire world with hundreds (of puppets). So that was sort of the scale of what they were trying to do, which was also amazingly ambitious. So, some of the same things that were being solved with Yoda and with E.T., whether it was eye blinking or fingers, all these things were mechanical and engineering challenges. Even the foam that something might become, the skin was a challenge, and everything was an engineering challenge. Then ‘Dark Crystal’ doubled, tripled, and quadrupled the challenge by the array of characters that they wanted to put on screen.

    1982's 'The Dark Crystal.'
    1982’s ‘The Dark Crystal.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    MF: The film was not well-received at the time of its release but has gone on to become a modern classic. Can you talk about the legacy of the movie, and did your father live long enough to see the movie become beloved by fans? If he was here now, what would he think about the fact that we are still talking about ‘The Dark Crystal’ almost 40 years later?

    LH: I think it makes me wonder what it would’ve been like for him to live and see that both movies, both ‘The Dark Crystal’ and Labyrinth have become enduring classics that are extremely appreciated for the artistry and the innovation that went into them. At the time, ‘Dark Crystal,’ critically was complicated. It was respected on a certain level, but people felt a bit betrayed. “Why are the people who did ‘The Muppets’ doing something that’s a little scary?” But at the same time, there were people who appreciated it, and it did perform well internationally, and maybe even a little better in America than people feared. So, ‘The Dark Crystal’ performed well enough that he was able to get the financing with George Lucas‘s help for ‘Labyrinth.’ Then ‘Labyrinth’ is the one that performed badly. So, they were not both failures, but the ‘Dark Crystal’ while it performed well was a little bit critically complicated because it was just so different from what people expected from him coming off ‘The Muppet Show’ and ‘The Muppet Movie’.

    Netflix's 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.'
    Netflix’s ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.’ Photo: Kevin Baker.

    MF: The franchise recently expanded with Netflix’s prequel series, ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,’ are their plans for more live action ‘Dark Crystal’ in the future?

    LH: We are always doing ‘Dark Crystal’ stuff. One of the things we have done between productions is publications and graphic novels. So, we develop storylines for the world of Thra, which if you didn’t know, it is the name of the planet in ‘Dark Crystal.’ So, we are always opening that world up with books and graphic novels in between productions.

    Director Jim Henson and Brian Henson as Hoggle on the set of 'Labyrinth.'
    (L to R) Director Jim Henson and Brian Henson as Hoggle on the set of ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about your father’s legacy and the work of the Jim Henson Company that continues to this day?

    LH: We have a lot of fun managing the legacy, and whether it’s making a brand new ‘Fraggle Rock’ show for Apple or making ‘The Dark Crystal’ prequel series, ‘Age of Resistance’ for Netflix, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To be able to bring that world to life again, I never thought we would do it. With ‘Fraggle Rock’ as well, those shows were so beautiful and so complicated that being offered by today’s streamers the chance to go back and revisit and do puppet spectaculars again, it’s been wonderful and rewarding.

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    What is the Plot of ‘The Dark Crystal?’

    On another planet in the distant past a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to his world before the grotesque race of Skeksis find and use the crystal for evil.

    Who is in the Cast of ‘The Dark Crystal’?

    'The Dark Crystal' will be available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th.
    ‘The Dark Crystal’ will be available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th. Photo: ‘Dark Crystal’ theatrical poster with art by Richard Amsel.

    Other Jim Henson Company Movies:

    Buy Jim Henson Movies on Amazon

  • ‘Labyrinth’ Digital Re-Release Interview: Brian Henson

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    Available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th is the Jim Henson directed classic ‘Labyrinth,’ which stars David Bowie and Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly (‘Top Gun: Maverick’).

    Brian Henson as Hoggle and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in 'Labyrinth.'
    (L to R) Brian Henson as Hoggle and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jim Henson’s son, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company and the voice of Hoggle, Brian Henson. He talked about his work on ‘Labyrinth,’ developing the project, why his father wanted to make the movie, casting David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, voicing Hoggle, the legacy of the film and the long-rumored sequel.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Brian Henson on the set of 'Labyrinth.'
    Brian Henson on the set of ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about the development of this movie, why your father was so passionate about making it, and the themes that he was excited to explore?

    Brian Henson: I was largely in school. My job was training puppeteers, being the puppeteer captain, directing background action and performing Hoggle, so development I was aware of, but not intimately involved in. But I certainly know that he did ‘The Dark Crystal’ and although people love the movie and critics love the movie, there was generally a feeling of, “We kind of missed that Henson irreverence. We kind of missed having guest stars and celebrity mixed in. We kind of missed the music and we kind of missed some of the comedy.” So, my dad was trying to find the right project that was still fantasy because he loved what he was doing in ‘Dark Crystal,’ but a world and a story that could bring back in music, comedy and irreverence as well as all that stuff. So that was his thinking. Then the whole thing with a baby and losing a baby, I know that in the movie he does credit Maurice Sendak as one of his main inspirations for the movie, and you saw a lot of that in Maurice Sendak’s work. It was in his illustrated novels. There was a lot of babies in precarious situations, completely ignorant of the danger that they were in, and that tickled my dad. I mean, it’s a dark sense of humor, but there was a lot of that. Then my dad had three daughters and was very aware of that point in time, and I think that was very intriguing to him. I mean, the coming of age of a boy story we’ve seen done many times, but it’s a very different journey to a girl becoming a woman, and all the dangers that comes with that. I think that intrigued him a lot as a parent. Then the other thing is I’m sure that with five kids in the family, he must have heard, “That’s not fair,” so many times that I think the theme of, “It’s not fair,” was important to him. Life is not always fair because in ‘Labyrinth,’ Sarah’s constantly going, “It’s not fair. I did the right thing, and this is not fair.” Sometimes things aren’t fair, and you just must know if you’re right and if you’re a good person, then you must just keep trying. You just must keep trying.

    David Bowie as Jareth in 'Labyrinth.'
    David Bowie as Jareth in ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    MF: Can you talk about casting David Bowie and his contributions to the film’s music?

    BH: I think my dad and David, that was a good combination. I know he was considering a few names. I was probably 21 when he was in that casting process. ‘Modern Love’ had only come out a couple of years earlier. I thought David Bowie was the greatest thing on the planet. I thought he was so much more. He was like a demigod to me. I thought he was really something special. So, I was super excited that he was casting David, and I think the two of them got along. I mean, other choices that he was thinking of had a similar work ethic, but David was a workaholic, and a wildly prolific creator just like my dad. So, they were both these wildly prolific artists, and I think that made it very easy for them to work together. I remember when my dad got the first recordings from David. He was used to working with songwriters who were writing songs for movies, where when you got the first recordings it was just a piano and a vocal. That’s usually what you heard but David brought in fully produced tracks with the Harlem choir singing in the background. I remember it was extraordinary. The music was great, but I think my dad would give David just a little bit of guidance, but really let David write the songs. They were his songs.

    Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in 'Labyrinth.'
    Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    MF: Can you also talk about the casting of a young Jennifer Connelly as Sarah?

    BH: Well, with Jennifer, my dad was casting for the character of Sarah. I mean, they saw a lot of actresses. I was the puppeteer for Sir Didymus for a call back for screen testing a short list. So, I was involved in screen testing probably 10 actresses. My dad was directing, and then ultimately my dad decided on Jennifer. He liked her the most and she did a fantastic job, but it was really a wide casting call. I know there were a few actresses that age that were famous at the time, they were all also interested. So that was Jennifer. She had to get through all the levels of callbacks and screen tests and all that, and just did a wonderful job.

    Related Article: Every Muppets Movie Ranked!

    Director Jim Henson and Brian Henson as Hoggle on the set of 'Labyrinth.'
    (L to R) Director Jim Henson and Brian Henson as Hoggle on the set of ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    MF: How did you end up playing Hoggle and can you talk about creating the voice for the character?

    BH: (My dad) wanted me to try with Hoggle because I was the lead puppeteer, so Shari (Weiser) is inside the costume and she’s doing the body, she’s inside. Then me plus three other puppeteers were doing the face. I was doing the mouth. So, I had to voice it because I was working the mouth. Initially my dad wanted to try it with another actor, a cockney comedic actor, a British actor, who was older, and a very funny guy, to see if I could lip-sync while he was talking. But he had such a quirky timing, and he was so unpredictable, it was just impossible to keep up with him. He’d start talking before I was ready. We tried for only a day, and it was clear to my dad, he was like, “This is never going to happen.” So, he said to me, “I don’t know who the voice will be. It may be that actor, but it might be another actor. I’m just going to leave that. So why don’t you do Hoggle, but I’m going to replace your voice.” Puppeteering is more than a technical skill. Obviously, you’re delivering a performance, an emotional performance, but I never thought it would be me. First, I was terrified of doing a Dick Van Dyke (from ‘Marry Poppins’) and just doing a terrible British accent. I just made it kind of British, but also just kind of weird. I just slipped into this character. Then, because Shari couldn’t see unless the mouth was open, if the mouth wasn’t open, Hoggle would walk into a tree. So, then I had to come up with all these reasons to open the mouth. So, whenever he’s walking, he’s always saying, “Go, get out of the way.” He’s just always grumbling and mumbling to himself, literally as an excuse to keep opening the mouth so that Shari could see where the person was that Hoggle was talking to, or where the tree was that she would trip. That’s the way that developed. Then at the end, my dad said, “You know what? Your voice has kind of grown on me, so I think we’re just going to keep it.” I was like, “Okay, great.”

    David Bowie as Jareth and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in 'Labyrinth.'
    (L to R) David Bowie as Jareth and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah in ‘Labyrinth.’ Photo: The Jim Henson Company. Copyright: Labyrinth Enterprises.

    MF: Can you talk about the legacy of the movie and why it’s still popular to this day?

    BH: I think that the legacy, the film just gets more and more popular. That’s one thing that’s wonderful about it. That’s one of the great things about fantasy in general, because even science fiction can date itself because its often science concepts that then actually have happened, but they didn’t happen anything like what you thought they were going to look like. With fantasy, it never really dates itself. Now, certainly if you look at ‘Labyrinth’ or ‘The Dark Crystal,’ you would say that’s a retro film art form. When we were doing these animatronic characters at the time, I think we genuinely believed that the audience would really believe that they were living creatures. Now, the sophisticated audience today that’s used to seeing sophisticated effects will look at what we were doing in ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Dark Crystal’ and go, well, they’re puppets. They’re just good puppets. They’re cool puppets, but they’re puppets. The legacy of that is that the audience can really appreciate the artistry, I think. So, when you watch these films, particularly these big fantasy films from the ’80s, the artistry is so clear that as an audience member, you can really appreciate all those creative people, that army of creative people and what they did. Whereas if you watch a big Marvel film, it may have the same size army of artists working, but it’s just kind of hard to see what they were doing. Whereas when you watch these fantasy films from the ’80s, you see the sculpting, the conceptualizing, the painting and the fabric work, and you can really see all the artistry. So that can be very inspiring, I think, to a modern audience.

    MF: Finally, what is the status of the long-rumored sequel?

    BH: As for a sequel, I’m not allowed to say anything. I can say it’s still active. We are still very invested in it and are very excited about it. But I can’t say anything more about it.

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    What is the Plot of ‘Labyrinth’?

    When teen Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is forced to babysit her half-brother Toby (Toby Froud) she summons Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie) to take him away. When he is kidnapped Sarah is given just thirteen hours to solve a labyrinth and rescue him.

    Who is in the Cast of ‘Labyrinth’?

    • David Bowie as Jareth
    • Jennifer Connelly as Sarah
    • Toby Froud as Toby
    • Shelley Thompson as Irene
    • Christopher Malcolm as Sarah and Toby’s father
    • Brian Henson and Shari Weiser as Hoggle
    'Labyrinth' is available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th.
    ‘Labyrinth’ is available for purchase or to rent on digital beginning February 6th.

    Other Jim Henson Company Movies:

    Buy Jim Henson Movies on Amazon

  • ‘Dotty and Soul’ Interview: Leslie Uggams

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    Premiering on digital and On Demand May 19th is the new comedy ‘Dotty and Soul’ which was written and directed by actor Adam Saunders (‘Family Weekend’).

    What is the plot of ‘Dotty and Soul?’

    ‘Dotty and Soul’ revolves around hot shot entrepreneur Ethan Cox (Adam Saunders), who appears poised to sell his self-driving car company and make his investors filthy rich. But when his problematic Halloween costume gets tweeted, the ensuing social media firestorm nearly ends Ethan’s career. Desperate to figure out a way forward, Ethan hatches a plan: he will hire a 71 year old snack cart vendor, Dotty (Leslie Uggams), to pose as his company’s figurehead, with Ethan still managing from behind the wings. But when Dotty decides to no longer play the straw man, and starts expressing opinions of her own – everything changes.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Dotty and Soul?’

    ‘Dotty and Soul’ stars Leslie Uggams (‘Deadpool’) as Dotty, Adam Saunders (‘Shimmer Lake’) as Ethan Cox, Margot Bingham (‘Barbershop: The Next Cut’) as Isabella, M. Emmet Walsh (‘Blade Runner’) as Harold Eichelbaum, David Koechner (‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’) as Brannigan, Gary Owen (‘Ride Along’) as Diggy, and Alexis Ren (‘The Enforcer’) as Stefani.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with legendary actress and singer Leslie Uggams about her work on ‘Dotty and Soul,’ her character, Dotty’s relationship with Ethan, working with writer, director and actor Adam Saunders, the message of the movie, and preparing to reprise her role as Blind Al opposite Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in ‘Deadpool 3.’

    Leslie Uggams in 'Dotty and Soul.'
    Leslie Uggams in ‘Dotty and Soul.’

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Uggams, Adam Saunders and David Koechner.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Dotty is quite the hustler in her own right. Can you talk about your approach to playing the character?

    Leslie Uggams: I loved the script as soon as I read the script. I loved Dotty. I think people think that people get a certain age and therefore they don’t have many thoughts. She’s in her little world, but she knows how to navigate. Then she meets this wacky guy and he awakes the giant in her and he thinks, “Oh, I’ll be able to manipulate her.” Then all of a sudden he loses control. But he realizes, “Oh my goodness, I think I did the right thing because she’s really smart,” and you never know where your path is going to take you. She gets an opportunity and she gets to have a wonderful relationship with him, and they learn from each other.

    MF: Ethan is a hustler too, and he seems to meet his match in Dotty. Can you talk about their relationship and the true friendship and respect that begins to form between the two of them?

    LU: Well, the thing is, the hustler is trying to out hustle another hustler, but she manages to one up him each time. Through this, he begins to realize, “Oh my God, maybe I can learn something from this woman.” Plus all of a sudden she realizes, “Wait a minute, I got an opportunity here. Let me go with this. Let me work it.” She has some brilliant ideas and they form this wonderful relationship. But also she teaches him, “Stop trying so hard. Stop trying to be somebody you’re not, because you are really bright. Look what you’ve accomplished. What is all that stuff that you’re wearing?” Stuff like that. She gets him to come down to earth and he helps her finally fulfill the dreams that she wanted. It took many years, but it’s never too late.

    Adam Saunders and Leslie Uggams in 'Dotty and Soul.'
    (L to R) Adam Saunders and Leslie Uggams in ‘Dotty and Soul.’

    MF: What was it like for you working with Adam Saunders, not only as an actor, but also as a writer and director?

    LU: We had a great time. We did a lot of improvisation, a lot of times. But we were in tune with each other. From the time I met Adam, we clicked. So being on the set, if an idea came that was better, a line that was better, we went for it. It was a happy set, and everybody, even when we weren’t shooting, we were laughing. That’s a great way to work.

    MF: The movie deals with some very serious subject matter, but is also a comedy and is very funny. What was it like for you to have an opportunity to be in a film that is very entertaining but also has an important message at the heart of it?

    LU: Well, it’s interesting because when we started filming the movie, we were kind of ahead of what was really happening. Then we got shut down because of the pandemic and we didn’t go back to it till a year later. All of a sudden, the world had caught up to what we were talking about in the movie. We realized that there was a scene that Adam wrote after we came back that was necessary that wasn’t in it originally, but with what happened to (George) Floyd and all these things, we had to address some of the seriousness that was going on in the world. We talked about it, and it turned out to be a wonderful moment. It’s not funny. So therefore, there were certain things that we had to address and it was wonderful. It has a message that talks about those kind of things. So even though it’s a comedy, life happens and we don’t go around laughing every day, especially nowadays. So therefore, it was wonderful to have this teaching moment, that’s what I call it.

    Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman discuss Marvel Studios' 'Deadpool 3.'
    (L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman discuss Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds YouTube channel.

    MF: Are you excited to reprise your role as Blind Al in ‘Deadpool 3’ opposite Ryan Reynolds and with Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine?

    LU: Well, I’m married to an Aussie (Grahame Pratt), so I’m used to those Aussies. I’m not nervous about anything. Of course I just love Ryan, and so I’m excited. I’m really excited about it and Blind Al, she cracks me up. She’s funny.

    MF: Finally, do you have any fun memories of working with Jim Henson and the Muppets on ‘The Muppet Show’ in 1979?

    LU: I loved it. Oh, it was so much fun doing that show. I thought they were real people. I don’t care what you say.

    Leslie Uggams in 'Dotty and Soul.'
    Leslie Uggams in ‘Dotty and Soul.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Dotty and Soul:’

    Buy Leslie Uggams Movies on Amazon

    ‘Dotty and Soul’ will debut on digital and On Demand beginning May 19th.

     

  • New Trailer: ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ Arrives in May

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    Though they’ve usually been supporting characters (and of course the House Band of the Muppet Show), the Electric Mayhem are ready to step into the spotlight.

    ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ a new series headed to Disney+ on May 10th, will focus on Nora (Lilly Singh), an aspiring record producer, who with the help of her social media influencer sister, Hannah (Saara Chaudry), and Electric Mayhem super-fan, Gary “Moog” Moogland (Tahj Mowry), embark on helping the band record their first-ever album.

    Co-created by Muppets veteran Bill Barretta and college friends Jeff Yorkes and ‘The Goldbergs’ creator Adam F. Goldberg, who also wrote the screenplay for ‘The Muppets Wizard of Oz’, the new show promises all the funk and madness you might expect from the band.

    Floyd Pepper, Dr. Teeth, Animal, Zoot, Lilly Singh, Lips, Tahj Mowry, and Janice in 'The Muppets Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Floyd Pepper, Dr. Teeth, Animal, Zoot, Lilly Singh, Lips, Tahj Mowry, and Janice in ‘The Muppets Mayhem.’ Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    The idea for a series centered on the band began an unlikely locale: the Outside Lands music festival. In 2016, the Mayhem played a set there, sparking Barretta to wonder what possibilities the characters might have for further storytelling.

    Here’s what he had to say to Entertainment Weekly,

    “It was unbelievable. It was… one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had with the Muppets. There was something like 30,000 people that came to the park. I thought, ‘Well, there’s something there.’ What if this band went on the road? What if the band went on tour? And so, I started developing an idea for a show about the band because we don’t know that much about them.”

    Zoot, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Animal, Janice, and Lips in 'The Muppets Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Zoot, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Animal, Janice, and Lips in ‘The Muppets Mayhem.’ Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.

    Related Article: The Muppets are back with ‘The Muppets Mayhem’

    Who are the Electric Mayhem?

    In case you’re among those that have slept on the Mayhem, here are the basics…

    The band –– and to give them their original full title, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem –– consist of the following…

    Band leader Dr. Teeth (big hair, bigger teeth) on vocals and keyboards.

    Animal on drums (who, let’s face it, more people will recognize because he’s regularly seen among the more mainstream Muppets).

    Sgt. Floyd Pepper (big orange ‘tache) on bass and vocals.

    Janis (long haired hippie type) on vocals and lead guitar.

    Zoot (blue hair, flat cap) on saxophone.

    Lips (yellow hair) on trumpet.

    The band were designed by Muppet creator Jim Henson, alongside Bonnie Erickson and Michael K. Frith, and made their debut on ‘The Muppet Show’ pilot episode and have popped up in shows and movies ever since.

    “We have the freedom to go anywhere with these characters — they’re not as well-known as the core characters. People recognize them, but we have the freedom to fill out their backstory and do whatever we want.”

    We can expect a lot of fun music on the show, including plenty of covers and then segueing to more original tunes as the band writes the album. All 10 episodes of ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ will debut, as mentioned above, on May 10th. Can you picture that?

    Animal, Lilly Singh, Janice, Zoot, Tahj Mowry, Floyd Pepper, Anders Holm, Dr. Teeth, and Lips in 'The Muppets Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Animal, Lilly Singh, Janice, Zoot, Tahj Mowry, Floyd Pepper, Anders Holm, Dr. Teeth, and Lips in ‘The Muppets Mayhem.’ Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    Lilly Singh, Janice, and Saara Chaudry in 'The Muppets Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Lilly Singh, Janice, and Saara Chaudry in ‘The Muppets Mayhem.’ Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    Lilly Singh, and Animal in 'The Muppets Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Lilly Singh, and Animal in ‘The Muppets Mayhem.’ Photo: Disney/Mitch Haaseth.
    'The Muppets Mayhem’ will debut on Disney+ May 10th.
    ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ will debut on Disney+ May 10th.

    Movies Similar to ‘The Muppets Mayhem:’

    Buy Muppet Movies on Amazon

  • Female Filmmakers in Focus: Director Marilyn Agrelo on her ‘Sesame Street’ documentary

    Female Filmmakers in Focus: Director Marilyn Agrelo on her ‘Sesame Street’ documentary

    Welcome to Female Filmmakers in Focus, where you will find a recommendation for films directed by women to seek out each week. This week features the new documentary ‘Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street,’ plus an interview with director Marilyn Agrelo and her picks Haifaa al-Mansour’s ‘Wadjda’ and Nadine Labaki’s ‘Capernaum.’

    Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street (directed by Marilyn Agrelo)

    Marilyn Agrelo on the set of 'Sesame Street'
    Marilyn Agrelo on the set of ‘Sesame Street’

    Director Marilyn Agrelo’s debut documentary, 2005’s ‘Mad Hot Ballroom’ became one of the highest grossing documentaries at the time after its 24-week theatrical run. Her documentary shorts have played around the world in international film festivals. Her latest film ‘Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street’ had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.

    Based on Michael Davis’s 2008 book Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street, the documentary focuses on the origins of ‘Sesame Street.’ It follows the three main forces behind its creation: co-creator Joan Ganz Cooney, puppeteer Jim Henson, and original head writer Jon Stone. Their goal was to take the techniques of catchy commercials to bring educational content to children. When it premiered, ‘Sesame Street’ was described as what television would be if it loved people, instead of trying to sell to people. Blending rare behind-the-scenes footage, archival interviews, and new interviews with those who know the show best, ‘Street Gang’ soars when it highlights the emotions behind what propelled the creation ‘Sesame Street.’ I recommend bringing some tissues with you.

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    Marilyn Agrelo spoke to Moviefone about her involvement in the project and what she hopes audiences come away with after they watch it.

    Moviefone: How did you first get involved with this project?
    Marilyn Agrelo: I was hired to direct a little video for Sesame Street. It was a music video with Ernie. I was so excited to work with The Muppets. After the shoot I posted a picture of myself with Ernie on Facebook. Trevor Crafts who had optioned the book and was looking for a director saw my post. We had been friends for over twenty years, so it was this wonderful coincidence.

    MF: Were you already a fan of The Muppets and Sesame Street?
    MA: Yeah. I mean, of course The Muppets, as with most people, were something that I loved. I was a fan of Sesame Street before, but once I became involved with this project I became a fan in a totally different way. I learned so many things I had not known before that were so interesting. Like that it had come out of the Civil Rights Movement. It really took on another dimension.

    MF: What was the research process like in using so much archival footage?
    MA: Several of my main characters had died, so it was impossible to have interviews with them. It was really through their families that I got archival pictures. Like with Jon Stone, for example, I got some home movies. Also, we had an archival producer named Rich Remsberg, who did an amazing job of finding a lot of obscure pieces of footage from the time. Like the public service announcement that was shot in Harlem that gave Jon Stone the idea for the brownstone setting. The footage of the Sesame Street show itself was the easiest because that we got directly from the Sesame Workshop. Back in 1981 somebody from the crew had started to make a documentary about Sesame Street, so there was already like 15 hours of 16 mm beautiful behind-the-scenes footage. The stuff when you see Jim Henson and Frank Oz working with the puppets, when you see the puppeteers working, a lot of that came from that amazing footage that nobody had seen before.

    MF: What was the editing process like?
    MA: The first cut of the film was probably about four hours long. But that’s the process, right? Even before starting the project it was so massive, so a few decisions were made. We’re going to structure this from the three main characters: Joan Ganz Cooney, Jim Henson, and Jon Stone. And keep it very focused, like every story thread comes from one of those three. The biggest decision was to limit the story to the first twenty years of Sesame Street. So it goes from the inception to like 1990, right after Jim Henson died. That way it wasn’t this super unwieldy thing. And then there were a few themes: racial justice, working with inner city kids, what it did for their families.

    MF: How did you source the early Henson commercials featured?
    MA: We got in touch with the Henson Company, because they hold all the archives of everything Henson has done. He had done some art films that were beautiful, but since the storyline was about teaching kids using the methods of commercials we honed in on that. You could almost see Kermit and some of the later Muppets in the face of these little puppets he had in these early commercials. So we found a few that were just kind of hilarious. They were violent. I can only imagine what people thought of them in the 60s when these coffee commercials came on and these puppets were hitting each other over the head to sell coffee. But they were a hit!

    MF: What do you hope people take away from this film?
    MA: To me the biggest message of this movie is that art, in all of its forms, has the power to really change the world. In the case of ‘Sesame Street’, they set out to use music, puppets, animation, little films, all of these things to reach kids that really needed them. Their whole mission was to go to the inner city, and really to reach Black kids in the inner city, and they used this medium of television and creativity to change the world. I think that when ‘Sesame Street’ came out they really needed this because it was a moment in our country when everything was in turmoil. The Vietnam War was on, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, protests. Now we’re sort of in the same place. We’ve had all these Black Lives Matter protests, the pandemic, and it feels like we’ve lost our way again. I feel so fortunate that this movie is coming out now just to remind us to get back to that place that ‘Sesame Street’ brought out fifty years ago.

    MF: Can you recommend another film directed by a woman for our readers to seek out?

    Wadjda (directed by Haifaa al-Mansour) and Capernaum (directed by Nadine Labaki)

    'Wadja' (left) and 'Capernaum' (right)
    ‘Wadja’ (left) and ‘Capernaum’ (right)

    MA: I really love some of the work of directors that are coming out of countries where women are having a really hard time. There was a great film by a Saudi director about a girl who wanted a bicycle. Haifaa al-Mansour’s ‘Wadjda’ (2012). There’s another film out of Lebanon by Nadine Labaki about a little boy called ‘Capernaum’ (2018). Those two films are great examples of that.

    MF: They fit very nicely with this documentary and the importance of stories for children.
    MA: There’s something about the lens through which kids see things that is so pure. It’s such a special thing. In my first documentary ‘Mad Hot Ballroom’ it captures this moment in time when you’re not jaded yet. You’re still open to everything really. I think for that and for many reasons I feel happy that this film, ‘Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street,’ is finally hitting theaters. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been working on this film for quite a while. The pandemic was a big obstacle, as it was for everyone, I’m just thrilled to get it out there.

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    Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street is now in theaters.