Summary
- Frank Oz, the puppeteer behind iconic Muppet characters, reveals why he hasn't worked with Disney's Muppets since 2007.
- Oz believes Disney doesn't want to collaborate with him because he won't follow orders or create the kind of Muppets they believe in.
- According to Oz, Disney's versions lack the soul and humor of the original Henson-led projects, but The Muppets still receive critical acclaim and have enduring popularity.
Frank Oz, the puppeteer behind some of the most recognizable Muppets characters, shared why he has not reprised his roles on Disney's iterations of the comedy. Created by James Henson in 1955, the Muppets appeared on Sesame Street in 1969 and later led an Emmy-winning television ensemble The Muppet Show. Oz performed characters such as Cookie Monster and Bert on Sesame Street and Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear on The Muppet Show.
When asked by The Guardian why he has not worked with The Muppets since 2007, Oz expressed that he believes Disney does not ever intend to collaborate with him. Although he would gladly take on a role, he stated, "they don't want me because I won't follow orders, and I won't do the kind of Muppets they believe in." Disney's versions, according to Oz, lack the "soul" of the Henson-led projects and thereby fall short of the originals' humor. See Oz's full comment below:
“I’d love to do the Muppets again, but Disney doesn’t want me and Sesame Street hasn’t asked me for 10 years. They don’t want me because I won’t follow orders and I won’t do the kind of Muppets they believe in... The soul’s not there. The soul is what makes things grow and be funny. But I miss them and love them.”
Changes Made To The Muppets Over The Past Two Decades
Henson tragically ed away from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in 1990 at the age of 53. More than a decade later, Disney bought the rights to The Muppets in 2004. However, they did not secure Sesame Street, which currently airs on Max. Since its procurement of The Muppets, Disney has gone on to pursue projects such as the 2011 The Muppets movie which made $165.2 million at the box office worldwide. Coincidentally, The Muppet Show predicted Disney buying Star Wars in 1980, which also stars Oz as Yoda.
Despite leadership changes over the years, The Muppets still receive critical acclaim. For instance, the Disney+ show The Muppets Mayhem garnered the best Rotten Tomatoes score for the franchise since 2011. The TV series sees the Muppet musical group, The Electric Mayhem Band, try to go platinum.
Disney's recent versions of The Muppets may not appeal to those devoted to Jim Henson's 1970s cast of puppets and original puppeteers. Nevertheless, the ongoing viewership and projects surrounding the ensemble speak to the strength of Henson's concept, an idea that has endured nearly 70 years in the entertainment industry.
Source: The Guardian