Re: Muppets do Wizard of Oz

Whoop - posted my last response before i checked in on the latest
updates...

While an official announcement still has yet to be made it looks like it
is indeed going ahead - it will be a made-for-tv movie for ABC.  If it's
any consolation, Kirk Thatcher will direct so that gives me a little bit
of hope - though i'd like to hear who's doing the writing duties as
well.

My own feeling is that this is a major step backward - after working so
hard to reestablish the Muppets into popular culture, having them do
another adaptation movie which has always been behind the original
stories is the one of the worst things they could do at the worst time.
Mind you that's coming from gut instincts based on very minor details.
Like i say, KT directing is at least a positive, it is a made-for-tv
movie as opposed to a theatrical release (i really think this would be a
better 60 minute special than 90 minute movie), and who's to say that it
won't actually be quite good...Henson has had no shortage of scripts and
ideas for film projects so if this one got the go ahead over the rest,
there must be some merit.  There could be some real surprises for
example, maybe it may not be a straight-forward telling, but something
about the Muppets doing a production of The Wizard of Oz.  And how could
they do any lengthy project and not do some kind of in-jokes about Frank
Oz (though how much do ya wanna bet it will still be EJ doing the
characters?)  Though i KNOW it won't happen, couldn't you just picture
the Wizard turning out to be SNL's The Mighty Favog?

I remain guardedly optimistic - or - optimistically skeptical...

..but if this still doesn't help you feel too good you can perhaps take
heart in that the rumors about Farscape returning as a miniseries are
also true and that official announcement should be made this week.

--------------------------------------
d.w. mckim
http://community.webtv.net/larynx1/UltravioletMUSEings/index.html - "Let
me show you the world in my eyes" (Depeche Mode)

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