Pure Muppet "Muppet Movies"- Intentionally Blank Ep. 142

[@destro6971]

I saw a post somewhere about how Disney should stop with their live action remakes and do all Muppet remakes of classics. Beauty and the Beast with the beast being the only human actor, played by some handsome guy constantly being told he’s horrible and ugly, until in the end he transforms back to a felt puppet. It’s the only remake idea I’ll watch from this point forward.

[@quincyscrivner89]

Yes, this. Beast played by Brad Pitt, Chris Hemsworth, Timothee Chalamet, or whoever until they revert back to Sweetums at the end, would be perfect.

[@BoMwarriorVlog]

I need this now. 😂

[@ladrac198]

Brandon and Dan are a blueprint for how to be different people and disagree a LOT about different things, but still be incredible and respectful friends.

[@TrampolineTrix6446]

Another example of the "Newt Principle" is the Disney Star Wars Trilogy. I was never able to get into it because the Force Awakens undid everything that the heroes worked for in the Original Trilogy.

[@bencarlson4300]

ESPECIALLY when they brought the emperor back in Rise of Skywalker, that quite literally defeated the purpose of the first 6 movies. They had so much EU material to work with, and they could have gone in a ton of new directions, and they chose to bring back the Empire in a worse coat of paint.

[@henreywelsh9078]

My favorite authors talking about my favorite movie franchise? Truly a blessed day. Instead of a serious Mistborn: the Last Empire movie simply make "Muppets on Scradriel"

[@stop-motionstormtroopers8054]

The episode where they do some muppet cosmere fan casting is one of my all-time favorites.

[@Patrick-jd1ku]

@@stop-motionstormtroopers8054 which episode is that?

[@LeilaStewartRW]

​​@@Patrick-jd1ku It's called "Fan Casting the Stormlight Archive with Muppets" and it truly is marvelous. Though they didn't spend nearly enough time on Stormlight. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5m8cqxpg52ehdUsi=iIb2LCgtBcp8V8Ni

[@keeganmet257]

Brandon and Dan talking passionately about The Muppets is absolutely wonderful

[@MasterJack2]

We who come here for Dan's bad takes were well fed today

[@MelmanDaGiraffe]

Sometimes I wonder if he chooses his takes simply to be a troll 🧌. Lol😂

[@jamessloven2204]

How does he not like the Muppet’s Christmas Carol?

[@LrnecBuma]

Jim Hensons Workshop also brought us the rare alien sci fi Farscape and a major part of why everything looks so colourful and distinct. One of the last practical sets and puppetry used on a sci fi

[@SoyElDiabloRojo]

Can confirm, am (now) here for Dan’s Bad Takes™ It’s just another reason to love the guy.

[@maxonator1270]

I LOVE Dark Crystal and Age of Resistance!!! Still heartbroken that we didn’t get a second season😢

[@LieutenantLukas343]

12:55 “Sound off in the comments if you come here for Dan’s bad takes.” At first I thought, “No! I am here for invigorating discussion!” But I probably am here for Dan’s bad takes. You win.

[@jeffweskamp3685]

When I was a kid, I loved Muppet Caper so much my parents took me so see it multiple times when it was in the theater.

[@MistbornPrincess]

I watched it and Manhattan on VHS all the time as a kid ❤

[@KoreaWithKids]

I have large chunks of it memorized. Especially the bathroom scene.

[@Cosplaythefamilyway]

I see no 631 and I want more!

[@MistbornTaylor]

Came here to check as well

[@DrPeppering]

Farscape really deserved a mention here. But im pretty sure Dan and Brandon havent seen it.

[@hollycade8560]

If you like Jim Henson then you need to watch the BBC series he made called The Storyteller with John Hurt. Absolutely stunning program that doesn't have the recognition it deserves.

[@Jo1day]

I never saw the Muppet Wizard of Oz, but I did see a thing where they did a bunch of fairytales with the muppets standing in for the characters. (I think Gonzo and Rizzo were narrating). My favorite one was the shoemaker and the elves, where the elves turned out to be three 'Elvises'. It ended with Kermit giving them all white sequin jump suits, and the three Elvises living happily every after in Las Vegas. (Kermit was the shoemaker, and learned to make shoes that 'weren't so ugly' by looking at the 'Elvis's' patterns.

[@stacihorrocks9015]

Muppets from Space is pure gold, Dan!

[@aredfoot]

Listening to Brandon talking about the Muppets, and then bring in Defunctland… Now I just need a Defunctland documentary about Brandon…

[@aaroncopeland5964]

Ooh, I disagree with Dan on the Albert Finney Scrooge. For one, Scrooge’s problem in the book is not that he hates people. His problem is that he’s made an idol of money. And then when the rest of the town is dancing on Scrooge’s coffin and thanking him for dying, I’m left wondering why we are hoping for change in Scrooge when the rest of the town is as nasty as he is. I know a lot of people like that version, but for me it’s the worst one.

[@coreystedwell4762]

It was hilarious to hear Dan advocating for the "unfallen" skeksis, because that is exactly what World of Warcraft did with their knockoff Skeksis. At one point, you get the opportunity to see the suntalon arakkoa of the past in their full undimmed glory, and oh yeah, it came out 5 years before the show!

[@bjmgeek]

As a kid I never watched the Muppet Show, but I watched Muppet Babies a lot.

[@themostselfishman]

I disagree with Dan maybe 90% of the time, but oh is it satisfying when we align. Can't get enough of him.

[@ninam9819]

Any other weirdos in the room waiting to hear them talk about Farscape?

[@Chelrack]

Where are the 631 Super Secret Projects you are hiding Brandon?

[@oliveoil2x]

Muppets ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ 🙌🏼 that reboot I could get behind. Question is- who plays Mr. Potter … or is it a Mrs. …?

[@nitrastheawesomeone1863]

This actually already exists. It's called "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie."

[@JoeAuerbach]

100% agree about Muppets Most Wanted. Also, the number of times they say "The Muppets Again" in that opening song only to miss the obvious joke of replacing "Again" with "Most Wanted" in the credits left me feeling like there was some studio nonsense going on. I wonder if we didn't get a half baked version of what they wanted.

[@SamSullyV]

Dan I disagree what you said about Muppets Christmas Carol but I will defend to the death your right to say it

[@arcionmez4821]

Farscape! Everyone always forgets Farscape! Brian Henson co-directed and produced Farscape, and the creature work in that show is so excellent. Two main characters are puppets.

[@culturewarsdiplomacy]

Absolute best Christmas Carole is Mickey’s Christmas Carole. Fight Me

[@MagusMarquillin]

It's good, but it's very abridged and it'd be a problem for those who don't already like Mickey and company. I at least love Alan Young as Scrooge McDuck so I can get into it. Best Christmas Carol remains 1951.

[@robbybevard8034]

EVERY Muppet movie dismisses the previous ones, it's part of their fourth wall breaking., even in the Jim Henson era. "Hey, in this one we're going to be twin brother detectives!" "In this one we're graduating college students that were babies together!" Even the original Muppet movie has a framing device of "we're just watching a movie, this isn't necessarily how things actually went." None of them pretend there's any continuity, most of them start with a song number saying "hey this is a new outing, just enjoy the ride!" Even Kermit and Piggy getting married at the end of Manhattan was a vague ??? for decades.

[@lokenecummings47]

Does Farscape count as a Muppet-containing property?

[@dudecates9171]

They forgot Storyteller, which is amazing.

[@DCPTRGF]

12:55 I come here for Dan’s AMAZING takes. And he is 10000% (yes, that’s ten thousand percent) right about Scrooge!

[@elijahbowers1]

I'm 100% on board with everything Brandon said im the first like 5 minutes the first new muppet movie got ruined by the second one but the second one is actually really fun.

[@justcallmebard]

I’m disappointed they never cover the muppets frog prince.

[@SuperMeglen]

SO agree with Dan about the massacre of Gonzo with Muppets From Space. I hate that Muppets From Space unilaterally decides he's an alien; I preferred the "weirdo/whatever" non-explanation. Giving him a specific "species", if you will, takes away his chaotic character. (It's like midichlorians in Star Wars -- who needed that explanation? Ever?) Besides, he already had been shown to have more depth even within his chaos as shown with "I'm Going to Go Back There Some Day" from Muppet Movie. Plus, it made him THE main character when he was never conceived as one, which just skewed everything. His part in the Muppet universe was growing from Christmas Carol on (and I don't mind it in Christmas Carol, because even though his part is bigger than Kermit or Fozzie or Miss Piggy, he's not actually a character in the story itself), but that was partly because both Jim Henson AND Richard Hunt had died and the years were passing, anyway. And it's not that Gonzo was a small part of the Muppets, but he was more a brilliantly crazy supporting character, which people tend to forget is still a really valuable part. It's okay for a beloved character not to BE the main character. I love Muppet Christmas Carol and I will defend it to haters, but I can see how Dan thinks it's mid-tier Muppets. It really is; it doesn't attain the brilliance of the three original Muppet movies, but it's not the train wreck of later films. Muppet Treasure Island was the one that made me realize that the Muppets were failing, Tim Curry notwithstanding. As for favorite Muppet? Rowlf the Dog. He's the best.

[@dylanmeldrum6444]

I had no idea liking Muppets from Space was a hot take 😅

[@ChocolatierRob]

The one thing in Muppet Christmas Carol that ruins it for me was always Michael Caine's Scrooge. He just wasn't Scroogey enough, he's barely into the first ghost's journey when he seems to just be along for a fun ride, there should be _some_ resistance to be made a better person but he starts enjoying himself almost straight away on this fun nostalgic adventure he's having with quirky characters. Everything else about the movie I love but I can't accept their Scrooge.

[@andrewberenson5717]

The original Muppet variety show (from the late 70s) is one of the funniest shows on TV. My favorite Muppet is Rawlf

[@shona-sof]

I absolutely fell in love with MASH on DVD when I discovered you could turn off the canned laugh track! It's so much better with out the audio indicating the jokes, forcing you to pay a little more attention while being a little more immersed. Statler and Waldorf are the best Muppets ever.

[@ephanieblue]

You two are Statler and Waldorf. I watch you because you’re interesting. I never read any of your books. I come for the commentary and home-felt weirdness.

[@megamoochilli3297]

I finally checked out of the Dark Crystal show when they had a guy in a suit. You have all these janky obvious puppets moving like puppets do and then there is suddenly a man in a skeksi suit moving smoothly like a person.

[@trskt24]

Always come for the hot takes lol. Definitely disagree with the POV on Dark Crystal Age and Resistance. I think they did a good job weaving individual plots together, they were compelling and invited you to invest emotionally in them. Visually, I find it easy to differentiate between characters. I actually enjoyed the series more than the original film (film isn't bad, and was a feat for the time, but didn't love the storytelling as much)

[@jaredbennett7677]

My wife *loves* Muppets from space. I ofdly enough didnt particularly grow up with the muppets, and dont really remember watching them until after i saw the new ones. I remember liking them, but haven't seen them in a while. I also havent seen the original, manhattan, or caper, just treasure island, Christmas carole, and from space. I also really had fun with the muppets show on ABC

[@Purgatory73]

Mistborn tasted, The Lord ruler approved.

[@ewitsdonovan]

Wait, people don't like Muppets From Space? That was my favorite one!

[@JonnyLuscious]

One of my favorite stories ever is the soldier and death episode from Jim Henson's Storyteller. When I toyed with the idea of writing a comic, I really wanted to do a story focused later in the life of the soldier when death and the devils are afraid of him as he travels the world, seeking meaning and an ending.

[@hollycade8560]

My favourite episode! The Storyteller is an amazing program.

[@seidmadr2024]

Argument for Muppets Christmas Carol: It is one of very few adaptations that includes the narration. It does change a few things, yes, but it does bring in the narration, so it gets points.

[@drummeroz88]

18:33 i think you meant to say "Gelflins"

[@julide27]

Muppets from Space is legitimately one of my favorite movies. 😅 It's tied with Muppet Treasure Island. Pepe definitely has some of my favorite lines! "We came all the way out here for a stupid egg?" "Shhhh. It could be full of chocolate, okay!"

[@terryschmitt8050]

Caper for Diana Rigg. I grew up on that one and I don't think I saw any of the literary ones until I was an adult. They never felt as good as muppet caper.

[@Dherrmnn]

WHAT DOES 631 MEAN BRANDON???

[@porterwayman8643]

Week 14 of persistently asking for an Intentionally Blank episode on Marching Band!

[@brandonbivins3336]

I rarely disagree with Brando, but I thought the Dark Crystal Netflix series was fantastic! Visually stunning!

[@yobgodababua1862]

I was also in love with JC from Labyrinth. At some point my wife made me watch "Requiem for a dream". If you have not already seen it, DO NOT WATCH THIS. Amazing cinematography and acting that will make you feel so dirty that it will never wash off.

[@DadBodSwagGod]

Well done

[@Kestrel-lp8ho]

Dan is the sanest person in Utah when it comes to beloved media properties.

[@TheMatSignal.]

Aren't Waldorf and Statler essentially the template for this whole BranDan thing?

[@Seb_Falkor]

Muppets In Space is my favorite movie, likely because Gonzo was already my favorite Muppet and it's the only one I had on VHS as a kid so I've seen it so many times

[@katrinafree9678]

Muppets also did Cinderella and Fairy Tales.

[@MistbornPrincess]

Oh my gosh I love “Hey, Cinderella”! And their fairy tale takes. Oddly, I never watched them until after becoming an adult. Same for MCC and MTI.

[@isaackimball6716]

Pepe definitely stole the show during Muppets from Space.

[@613aristocrat]

The Great Muppet Caper feels ignored.

[@GibertPlays]

Loving that beard, Brandon.

[@heatherstauner1827]

I Love Muppets from Space

[@jamsandwichiguess8082]

Personally, I quite liked Dark Crystal Age of Resistance.

[@stagemomx3]

Me screaming Muppet’s Haunted Mansion!

[@dylanhalifaux]

What's up with 631?

[@robbybevard8034]

Dunno but its been there since at least December

[@crushgoil]

I do not come here for Dan’s bad takes. I adore Muppet Treasure Island and Muppet Christmas Carol!!

[@GummeeH3]

Don't forget Legend no matter how much Tom Cruise would like to forget it. For fantasy and Farscape for Henson/Muppet content

[@adamtaurus3143]

They missed Kermit: swamp years. I know it is not full cast but I need a rating!!

[@damienfrees3084]

I agree completely with BS on the second remake

[@danielcreviston9867]

Woah, no food heist!

[@gordo6908]

no love for ridley scott's legend?

[@finchharper4647]

Love Dan's bad takes.

[@Lunderwhatsen]

Does anyone have a Dan Wells book recommendation? I haven't read one of his yet and would love to give him a shot.

[@ctom42]

I fundamentally disagree with Brandon's interpretation of the start of Muppet's Most Wanted. They were doing a 4th wall joke about how sequel work, not trying to reframe the entire first movie. As someone who has watched that movie many times I had never even considered someone could interpret it that way. I don't think the movie undermined the investment in the first movie at all. It wasn't focused on those characters, but Walter's characterization in this movie is the same and is clearly picking up from where the last one left off in terms of his personal journey. He's accepted as a muppet and just gets to just be one of the crew. If anything the sequel reaffirms the emotional investment in the original.

[@lorddenithal]

Has anyone else been made aware of the 631 Sanderson conspiracy?

[@maliciousone5665]

About epic fantasy from the 80's what about "legend" with tom cruise and an epic tim curry!

[@KurtisJantzen]

The podcast version of this won't download. My app says "Download failed, error code forbidden. Contact the podcast author." Can you check it on your end?

[@neatoaneato26]

*here for Dan's bad hot takes*

[@thekevmeister77]

I dislike the automatic "it's terrible", like honestly when was the last time you watched it. With regards to the muppet movie

[@georgefeliu2383]

The answer is the Muppets Wizard of Oz on NBC

[@NRDPastor]

Pepe is MID at best… bring back Rizzo!!

[@andrewberenson5717]

What are Dan's and Brandon's opinion about the Muppet Mayhem show about the band. This was the one that aired on Disney Channel?

[@Evanator404]

No mention of Muppets Haunted Mansion.

[@robbybevard8034]

That went straight to streaming with little fanfare, its pretty easy to overlook. Shame because it was great, but easy to have missed.

[@worldbuildingfilms507]

I fail to see how this is a hot take.

[@yokel85]

Dan is wrong. There are no mid tier Muppet movies. They never rise to that level.

[@Creameggs42]

Skipped instantly to the end to see if Ben’s feelings were acknowledged

[@cjreckoner8465]

No food heist?

[@armpitpuncher]

I'm okay with that. Perhaps they can bring it back occasionally when there is an interesting one to cover. But as a mandatory segment it was starting to wear a little thin.

[@robbybevard8034]

They film several of these back to back, they might have run out. And it's better that they do them when its actually something interesting. As a mandatory space filler they were starting to use some really lame ones.

[@davidarmstrong3302]

Best use of Muppets for a film would be Muppet Dungeons and Dragons.

[@zenthepoet.]

Last!

[@KahunaPuffin]

Pepe the Prawn is only funny to me when he's not one of the main sidekicks. Rizzo the Rat filled the role better. Muppet Wizard of Oz was a wretched dumpster fire. The only good part was at the beginning, with Queen Latifah and David Allen Grier as Auntie Em and Uncle Henry. They knew how to act alongside the Muppets! Once they were out of the picture it all went downhill. I had the same reaction as Dan to the reveal of Sheldon in the reboot film, THAT was a perfectly Muppety moment. 😂 The reboot sequel has its good points (Tina Fey!) but ultimately falls flat for me because I don't particularly enjoy watching Ricky Gervais. [shrug] I only watched one episode of the Office-style show, but it was so mean-spirited that it felt more like a parody of the Muppets themselves. And how dare they break up Kermit and Miss Piggy for drama! 😭

[@sherizaahd]

Nah, Scar has to be the straight man, or Ben...

[@zenthepoet.]

Adoooonalsium

[@ReaderReborn]

Farscape?

[@ArtSnob101]

Dan dan the bad take man!!!

[@MistbornPrincess]

I don’t like any Muppet production after the 90s.

[@splintershield]

George C. Scott Scrooge is best Scrooge. 😎

[@katrinafree9678]

Patrick Stewart was really good too.

[@thummumcrysanth]

If you have been steeped in the Muppets your whole life, the problem with Muppet Christmas Carol, is that Kermit is not Jim Henson's Kermit and is tragically *wrong*. Also, my favorite Muppet is Cookie Monster.

[@mikep4957]

Albert Finney Scrooge is unequivocally the best Scrooge. Heretics count your days while you can, your time is coming!

[@notchbeard9007]

This is an odd hill to die on, Muppets 2 was terrrrrrible. Newt principle is only like 25% of why.