The Paley Center for Media, which has locations in both New York and LA, dedicates itself to the preservation of television and radio history. Inside their vast archives of more than 120,000 television shows, commercials, and radio programs, there are thousands of important and funny programs waiting to be rediscovered by comedy nerds like you and me. Each week, this column will highlight a new gem waiting for you at the Paley Library to quietly laugh at. (Seriously, it’s a library, so keep it down.)
When the late Jerry Nelson, the puppeteer who performed as Robin the frog, Sgt. Floyd Pepper of the Electric Mayhem, and Snuffleupagus, was asked a [...]
Take notes, anyone hoping to someday sell a TV show of their own: this pitch video for the original Muppet Show, created and voiced by Jim Henson, is how you do it. As Slashfilm notes, this isn't exactly new, but I had never seen it so I figured you may haven't either. Its pacing and escalation is pretty much perfect, and it's no wonder that the show was indeed bought after this pitch was given. If only all shows had pitch videos like this.
Whatever happened to predictability, the milkman, the paperboy, evening TV…and the talent behind all your favorite Muppets, and some you've forgotten, on The Muppet Show?
“Dad, what’s a Muppet?” “Well, it’s not quite a mop and it’s not quite a puppet, but man…so to answer your question, I don’t know.” Oh, but don’t worry Lisa, unlike Homer, we know that a Muppet, a word first used in 1956, is a combination of “marionette” and “puppet.” And since 1955, when Kermit the Frog showed up on Sam and Friends, the first of dozens of Jim Henson productions, the Muppets have appeared in TV shows, movies, books, toys, clothing lines, and [...]
Despite being off the air for 25 years, the production company behind Yo Gabba Gabba! and The Jim Henson Company think it's a perfect time for a Fraggle Rock spin-off. The series will focus on the Doozers, who are the creatures who build the Fraggle Rock caves. It's just like how Family Matters took a character that serviced the Perfect Strangers and gave her a series. This comes after word that a Fraggle Rockfilm is in the works. Here's a clip of the Doozers singing a slightly disconcerting song about knitting. Can't wait to see the sung shenanigans of some industrious, rotund, green imps.
Syfy's getting into comedy with its purchase of Ghost Ghirls, a paranormal parody that's executive produced by Jack Black. Lady improvisoirs (that is a word now, because I just said it) Amanda Lund and Maria Blasucci will "attempt to solve paranormal mysteries each week while trying to prove to themselves and their customers that they are competent ghost hunters." Pretty sure "competent ghost hunters" is an oxymoron of some kind. Anyway, this sounds funny.
NBC has ordered a script for The New Neighbors, "a single-camera comedy project that centers on a family that lives in Palm Springs and is aghast with their new neighbors — a gang [...]
It appears after the massive success of The Muppets, their cave dwelling brethren are going to get their time in the spotlight as well. It's being reported that Rango co-writer Jim Byrkit and Alex Manugian have finished the script for a big screen adaptation of Fraggle Rock. No word yet on the plot but it seems like as good a time as any for a talking trash heap/oracle. Either way, the below theme song will undoubtedly be stuck in your head for the rest of the day, sorry (I'm not sorry).
While the Muppets certainly get do get love at the "Jim Henson’s Fantastic World" exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens (did you know Cookie Monster was originally the Wheel Stealer? What in god's name is that?), it is their benevolent creator that stands in the spotlight this time. Running until January 16, the exhibit features a plethora of Henson's proto-puppets, films, sketches, pitches, doodles, storyboards and more. "A lot of this material I found in boxes Jim had saved and labeled 'Old Production Files,'" explains Craig Shemin, president of the Jim Henson Legacy organization. “Jim saved everything.”
Splitsider Presents is a digital comedy store selling great comedy directly to you. There are no hoops to jump through, and you don't need to hand over your identity. Buying is simple and straightforward; you don't need a credit card or an existing account. You can complete payment and be watching a show in seconds, choosing to pay via either Amazon or Paypal.
Splitsider keeps only 20% of the cost of the purchase after transaction, bandwidth and legal costs, with about 70% going directly to the artist.
You can stream your purchases on whatever device you like, or download them to your computer to keep forever in DRM-free file formats.
Purchase/Playback Info
For $5 you get 5 HD or SD DRM-free downloads and 3 streams, allowing you to watch on your computer or any other device. You can choose to pay via either Amazon or PayPal, and you'll be able to log into the site whenever you want to re-download or stream your purchases.
WATCH videos online
DOWNLOAD videos (HD+SD)
SIMPLE payment system
ACCOUNT to access videos
Need Help?
Buying and watching shows on Splitsider Presents should be simple, quick and undemanding, but if you run into trouble, we have an excellent <A href="http://splitsider.com/store/docs/help">help section and customer service</a> to assist you.
