Muppets TV is a French television series featuring the Muppets, which first broadcast over TF1 on October 29, 2006 and aired its last episode on December 31 of the same year.
In contrast to the earlier Le Muppet Show (the title also used for the pilot), this series contained original content featuring the Muppets interacting with French celebrities, rather than a re-dub of an existing series. The show was set on a talk show stage, rather than a run-down theatre.
The show consists of a number of recurring, rotating segments, including:
- Peggy Psy: Miss Piggy has a conversation with a celebrity.
- Muppets Anatomy: The Muppets are a group of hospital interns.
- Muppets Academy: The Muppets perform their talent of singing and dancing to Kermit and Miss Piggy.
- La Petite Histoire Muppets dans la Grande Histoire: Clifford tells two Whatnot kids about a small part of a big historical moment that involves the Muppets.
- Muppets Live: The celebrity guest performs on stage with the Muppets in the background.
Development history[]
The series sprung from a 2005 deal which French radio comedian/producer Sébastien Cauet and French network TF1 made with the Walt Disney Company. The actual puppets were sent to France, and Cauet supplied the voice of Kermit (using a blend of French Kermit Roger Carel's voice and Jim Henson's characterization). Other of Cauet's radio colleagues supplied character voices, while French puppeteers, led by Yves Brunier, supplied the actual puppetry.
The 15 minute pilot debuted over TF1 in November, 2005, with French actor/humorist Franck Dubosc as the featured guest. Segments included a parody of the French TV series Mon Incroyable Fiancé (retitled Mon Incroyable Muppet) and Miss Piggy, ever sensual, pursuing guest star Dubosc.
The full series aired Sundays at 5:30pm as a 45 minute block, and in 5 minute segments Monday through Friday, taken from the best sketches and bits. In contrast to The Muppet Show, and more in keeping with Muppets Tonight, each episode featured two guest stars.
The series also made extensive use of the established Muppet cast. The primary cast went beyond Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and Statler and Waldorf and featured "classic" Muppets including Scooter, Rowlf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, the full ensemble of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, the Swedish Chef, Clifford and the Newsman, as well as Denise, a new character recycled from the Loni Dunne puppet, and several other Whatnots.
10 full 45-minute episodes were produced in 2006 for the first batch of shows. However due to station management changes and poor ratings, TF1 opted not to order a second set of Muppets TV episodes.
Episodes[]
- Pilot (November 2005): Franck Dubosc
- Episode 1 (October 29, 2006): Pascal Obispo and Adriana Karembeu
- Episode 2 (November 5, 2006): Bob Sinclar and Elie Semoun
- Episode 3 (November 12, 2006): Anggun and Michaël Youn
- Episode 4 (November 19, 2006): Liane Foly and David Douillet
- Episode 5 (November 26, 2006): Lara Fabian and Titoff
- Episode 6 (December 3, 2006): Florent Pagny and Florence Foresti
- Episode 7 (December 10, 2006): Franck Dubosc and Lorie
- Episode 8 (December 17, 2006): Laurent Voulzy and Patrick Bosso
- Episode 9 (December 24, 2006): Mimie Mathy, Stéphane Rousseau, Nikos Aliagas, Philippe Lelièvre, and Richard Cross
- Episode 10 (December 31, 2006): Sébastien Cauet, Alexandra Rosenfeld, M. Pokora, and Tina Arena
Voices[]
- Sébastien Cauet as Kermit
- Miko (Michael Semeoni) as Animal
- Cartman as Scooter
- Franck Sportis as Miss Peggy
- Marco Duquenoy as Fozzie, Gonzo, The Newsman, Clifford, and Denise
- Pierre Dourlens as Statler
- Jean-François Kopf as Waldorf
- Cécile De Ménibus
Puppeteers[]
Christophe Albertini, Charlie Bazire, Sandrine Furrer, Erwan Courthiaux, Pascal Meunier, Evelyne Scheigam, Cyril Valade, Yves Brunier, Françoise Salmon, Regis Fassier
Credits[]
- Production: Be Aware Tivi
- Producer: Sébastien Cauet
- Assistant producer: Christian Cathala
- Director: Patricia Rimond Des Anges
- Assistant directors: Alice Postic, Paul Vuibert
- Continuity: Magali Beauvois
- Writers: Sébastien Cauet, Vincent Azé, Jérôme Barou, Jean-Pierre Dannic, Philippe Husson, Philippe Lelouche
- Director of photography: Patrick Noufond
- Puppet art direction: Boris Scheigam
- Puppet styling: Janet Knechtel, Florence Elissalde
- Production consultants: Martin Baker, Elizabeth Gruninger