‘I always screw up jokes,’ says Kermit the Frog, alluding to the very thing that has maintained The Muppets’ popularity for all this time. In fact, Kermit and Co have been screwing up jokes, skits, and musical numbers for 40 years, and that’s exactly why audiences continue to love them. And James Bobin, director of their latest big screen outing, tends to agree.
‘I think it’s because they’re not very good at what they do,’ he says. ‘You have to really root for them – they are the perennial underdogs. But they try very hard…’
Released 10th February, THE MUPPETS marks the comedy troupe’s long-awaited return to the big screen, and sees them reunite for one last show in an effort to save their famous theatre from the clutches of a dastardly oil tycoon. Despite the number of years that have passed since The Muppets last took centre stage, very little has changed. Fans are still eager to see them, and Hollywood stars are still clambering over each over to nab a supporting role. Continuing a tradition of star cameos that dates back to their 1970s TV series, THE MUPPET SHOW, the new movie features a number of major name talents, including Jason Segel (who co-wrote THE MUPPETS with Nicholas Stoller), Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Dave Grohl, Zack Galifianakis, Rashida Jones, Alan Arkin and Ken Jeong. The list goes on…
‘There’s a great tradition in Muppets films,’ says James Bobin, speaking at the London press conference, ‘and we had a clear idea of who we wanted to cameo. Once Kermit asks you to do something, you can’t say no, and pretty much everyone said “Yes”. They also said “Thank you for asking and can we bring our kids please.”’
Miss Piggy, however, is less interested in sharing the limelight with other ‘stars’, and apparently insists on filming all of her scenes on green screen.
‘I work better that way,’ Miss Piggy says.
‘Kermit is less successful on green screen,’ adds Bobin.
‘Yeah,’ agrees Kermit. ‘I sort of look like an advert for ping-pong balls.’
The Muppets’ press conference is a whole new experience for THN. Whilst we’ve rubbed shoulders with big-name stars in the past – Steven Spielberg, Martin Sheen, Burt Reynolds, Keith Chegwin – the prospect of sharing a room with real live Muppets is spellbinding. And THN is not alone – the whole room is abuzz, and several 40-year-old journalists are overheard confessing that Miss Piggy was their first love, which us understandable.
The talented James Bobin (best known for directing THE FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS) and ever-charming Kermit the Frog are up first, awaiting the arrival of Miss Piggy, who, in true diva fashion, is running spectacularly late.
‘Last time I saw her she was leaving the bar,’ says Kermit. ‘I’m not saying she was drinking – I’m just saying she was leaving the bar.’
Despite her prima-donna tendencies, Bobin considers that she was ‘an absolute delight to work with’.
‘Wow, you’re good at that,’ says Kermit of Bobin’s diplomatic skills. ‘You have a beautiful wife James but I suspect you may dated a pig in the past.’
‘Well maybe,’ laughs Bobin, ‘but not quite as long as you have.’
Kermit and Piggy have, as all fans of The Muppets will know, been romantically involved for many years (though the poor frog has suffered a great deal of physical abuse in that time). It’s the dynamic between them – and the rest of The Muppets – that proves to be another appealing factor for audiences. Each of them has their own special place in the cast, and every fan is sure to have their favourite. As spokesman Kermit says: ‘There are a number of The Muppets who we just have to let do whatever it is they do.’
Other well-known Muppets include Gonzo the Great, Fozzie, Animal, Dr Teeth, Statler and Waldorf, and resident caterer Swedish Chef.
‘I don’t mind working with the Swedish Chef,’ says Miss Piggy, when she finally arrives, ‘I just don’t want to eat any of his food.’
Collectively, The Muppets have a celebrated and well-deserved legacy, which is one of reasons that Bobin jumped at the opportunity to work alongside them.
‘I remember watching them on my Grandma’s TV,’ he says. ‘I got an email from my agent saying “Do you like The Muppets?” to which I said “Of course, who doesn’t like The Muppets?” – I grew up watching them and those guys felt like friends even then. Now I’ve met them I hope we are actual real friends.’
Kermit is just as enthusiastic to have collaborated with Bobin, and considers that the director returned the British sensibility that The Muppets had been without since they ceased filming their TV show and Elstree Studios
‘He took direction very well,’ adds Miss Piggy.
Early responses to THE MUPPETS have been overwhelming, and the film is sure to thrust the characters back into super-stardom. There was even an online campaign to have The Muppets host this year’s Oscars ceremony (a campaign apparently started by Piggy herself). But Kermit and Piggy would prefer to be picking up Academy Awards than giving them out.
‘For some reason,’ Miss Piggy says, ‘the Academy does not recognise other species than humans as artists.’
‘They’re very species-ist,’ says Kermit in agreement.
However, THE MUPPETS is nominated for a best song Oscar, for a ditty penned by FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS star Brett McKenzie. Another musical highlight from THE MUPPETS apparently includes Chris Cooper (who plays the film’s villain) busting out some rhymes in the medium of rap.
Whether it’s the quick wit of Kermit and Piggy, the musical talents of McKenzie, or keen direction of Bobin, one thing’s for certain: the success of The Muppets is very much a collaborative effort. The true unsung heroes are the ‘guys behind the guys’ – the talented hands and voices who give life to Kermit, Piggy, and the other Muppets.
‘You wouldn’t believe what goes on under here,’ says Kermit, nodding to the ‘Muppeters’ beneath the table.
That Kermit is able to break the ‘fourth wall’ is a testament to how unbelievably real he and Miss Piggy appear. For no part during the press conference is there any doubt that the characters are free thinking, independent, and self-sufficient. At one point this writer even blushed when it seemed as if Miss Piggy had caught his eye.
The Muppeters continue a tradition started by Muppet-creator Jim Henson back in the 1950s, and as well as being talented hand and voice artists, they are as quick-witted as any working stand-up comic. There’s not a dull moment, and every word is sharp, insightful, and more often than not, hilarious. However, real or not, The Muppets are every bit alive as anyone else in the room, and Kermit thinks this is part of their staying power.
‘I think we stay true to who we are yet evolve with the times,’ he says. ‘We were never interested in becoming background guys or turning into CG. We’ve always wanted to be real, and in the real world.’
The Muppets will continue to dazzle audiences with their life-like personas with their new movie – which Kermit describes as a tribute to their fans across the world (personified by new character ‘Walter, the true epitome of a Muppets fan) – and expect the comedy legends to take Hollywood by storm once again.
There’s little doubt that it’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights, it’s time to get things started…
THE MUPPETS is released in UK theatres 10th February
