I was first alerted to the existence of this album by my good friend Jeff at Jeffco Productions (psst... Jeff's posted a NEW Christmas album to download at his site!).Thankfully, I was able to beat Jeff to the punch this time and this was one of the CDs I sent him for Christmas.
This was one of the first Christmas CDs that I reviewed at FaLaLaLaLa.com last year. To quote:
"All the usual suspects are back for their first Christmas CD since 1992's soundtrack to 'The Muppet Christmas Carol'. Featuring five original Christmas songs, this one has something for everyone.
"Who better to record 'Zat You, Santa Claus?' than the Electric Mayhem Band? The title track belongs to Kermit and Miss Piggy and is quite charming. And every time I hear Animal in the background on 'The Man With The Bag' ("JINGLE! JINGLE!"), I break out in laughter!
"Want more? How about 'North Pole Comedy Club' with Fozzie Bear, Statler & Waldorf? Miss Piggy singing the song the song she was born to sing - 'Santa Baby'?
"If that doesn't convince you, here's the coup de grace: 'Christmas Smorgasbord' by the Swedish Chef! Enough said!"
There probably isn't a person alive on the planet Earth under the age of 45 who doesn't know what a Muppet is. A whole generation grew up watching them on Sesame Street, then The Muppet Show, then all the Muppet movies.
What's your favorite Muppet memory? "Mahna-Mahna"? A classic Ernie & Bert segment from "Sesame Street"? "Pigs In Space"? Who was your favorite guest star on "The Muppet Show"?
Post them in the comments section and I'll post them here in the yuleblog entry.
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Jeff -
John Denver and The Muppets - A Christmas Together is one of my all-time favourite Christmas albums. Every few years we get teased that a DVD reissue of the Christmas special is coming, but nothing yet. (We did get Rocky Mountain Holiday which is great too, but nothing to do with Christmas). A lesser known hidden treasure from the muppets at Christmas is Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, for those who might not know. Look it up, it's quite charming really.
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Stephen -
I used to love watching the Muppet Show. I realize now that it was not specifically targeted towards the same audience as "Sesame Street", but I didn't care. It was great to see actors I knew appearing in goofy skits with the characters. My favorite, of course, was when Mark Hamill in Luke Skywalker garb showed up with R2-D2. They don't make them like that anymore.
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Capt -
Statler & Waldorf always cracked me up, then and now. Some of my favorite hosts were Victor Borge, John Cleese, Steve Martin, and the Star Wars gang (with Gonzo as Darth Vader).
However, the episode/segment that sticks out in my mind was when Peter Sellers hosted. Link Hogthrob goes to a sanitarium for rest & rehab. Enter Sellers wearing John Lennon glasses, a John Waters mustache, and speaking reminiscently like Dr. Strangelove to help poor Link through stretching exercises!
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The King of Jingaling (via e-mail) -
I have to say that I listened to this album via Yahoo Music Unlimited and it made me entirely depressed. It is completely devoid of the unique magic that typified the Muppets under the genius (and I mean that word in all that it implies) of Jim Henson. I would avoid it like the plague.
As for Muppet memories I have two vivid ones.
The very first Muppet Show (which was a special before they had a regular series) included what I believe was the first appearance of The Swedish Chef. He did his usual schtick but they were kind enough to provide subtitles--in Japanese! I remember laughing uncontrollably at the time.
The guest on the Muppet Show was the great jazz trumpeter, Dizzie Gillespie (what a great guest!!!). He was talking with Kermit and said something like, "What I love about you frogs is that you can do this" and he puffed out his cheeks like only he can. And Kermit replied "I can't do that!"
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Capt
