It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is an NBC television film released by Jim Henson Television and Metro Goldwyn Mayer in 2002, starring Jim Henson's Muppets. The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... “Telefilm” redirects here. ... Jim Henson Television is the television production arm of The Jim Henson Company. ... “MGM” redirects here. ... This is a list of film-related events in 2002. ... Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was the most widely known American puppeteer in modern American television history. ... John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together The Muppets are a group of puppets and costume characters created by Jim Henson and the company he created. ...

Plot summary

The plot of the movie revolves around the old Muppet Theatre going through financial hardship, and the entire Muppet cast looking towards Kermit the Frog for guidance. Kermit eventually feels he's not useful to anyone, and an angel is sent to help him out. The movie then follows the formula of It's a Wonderful Life, as Kermit is shown what would have happened to his friends if he had not existed. Kermit singing Bein Green in the first season of Sesame Street. ... The Archangel Michael by Guido Reni wears a late Roman military outfit in this 17th century depiction An angel is a supernatural being found in many religions. ... Its a Wonderful Life is a 1946 film produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story, The Greatest Gift written by Philip Van Doren Stern. ...

In the world without Kermit, Joan Cusack's character has changed the park near the Muppet Theatre into a shopping centre. Gonzo is now homeless, and Rizzo the Rat stars in an episode of Fear Factor where a woman has to eat him alive. Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem perform Irish stepdance. The biggest change is the Muppet Theatre, which has become a dreadful nightclub called Club Dot. Dr. Honeydew became a rapper, Beaker became a nightclub bouncer, Scooter and Sam are club-dancing ravers, and Fozzie is now a pickpocket living on the streets. Miss Piggy is a spinster who lives in an apartment with a series of cats. Joan Cusack (born October 11, 1962) is an Academy Award-nominated American actress and comedian. ... Gonzo (aka Gonzo the Great or the Great Gonzo) is a puppet character, one of Jim Hensons Muppets. ... Rizzo the Rat is a Muppet, performed by Steve Whitmire. ... The fear factor in occupational terminology refers to the increased per-worker productivity resulting from the threat of impending layoffs. ... From Left to Right Janice, Floyd, Animal, Zoot and the band leader Dr. Teeth Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem is the name of a Muppet rock band that appeared on The Muppet Show. ... Irish stepdance is a type of performance dance originating in Ireland from traditional Irish dance. ... Dr. Bunsen Honeydew with the Gorilla Detector Beaker // Dr. Bunsen Honeydew is a fictional character from The Muppet Show, performed by Dave Goelz. ... Scooter is a bespectacled character from The Muppet Show. ... Sam the Eagle Sam the Eagle is a character from the syndicated television show The Muppet Show, performed by Frank Oz. ... For other uses, see Rave (disambiguation). ... Fozzie Bear Fozzie Bear in Muppets Treasure Island (and Mr. ... Everyday instance of theft: the bike which fits on this wheel has disappeared. ... Miss Piggy being moved on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Miss Piggy is a Muppet character primarily played by Frank Oz. ... It wont be my fault if I die an Old Maid. ...

The film stars the usual assortment of Muppets, as well as three primary human roles: David Arquette played Daniel, the angel sent to help Kermit; Joan Cusack played Rachel Bitterman, a real estate agent trying to purchase the Muppet Theatre; and Whoopi Goldberg portrayed God (though she is only referred to as "the Boss"). As is customary in Muppet movies, a wide assortment of cameos were also made in the film (including, for the first time, cameos by other puppets: Yoda and Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog). David James Arquette (born September 8, 1971 in Winchester, Virginia) is an American actor and former professional wrestler. ... Joan Cusack (born October 11, 1962) is an Academy Award-nominated American actress and comedian. ... Whoopi Goldberg performing stand-up at a benefit for Rainforest Action Network. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... Peter Jackson in The Fellowship of the Ring (top), The Two Towers (middle) and The Return of the King (bottom). ... Yoda is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe, who appears in all of the franchises films except for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. ... Best of Triumph DVD Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog is a puppet created and performed by Robert Smigel premiering in 1997 on NBCs Late Night with Conan OBrien. ...

Trivia

• This film makes at least three references to the first Muppet feature film, The Muppet Movie:
  • Kermit passes by a statue erected in his honor, the caption of which reads "For the lovers, the dreamers, and you".
  • Kermit finds out that without him, Doc Hopper's Fried Frog Legs would have become a very successful enterprise.
  • In Miss Piggy's apartment is a framed photo of her as Miss Bogen County.

• A parody of Steve Irwin appears in this film.
• The play the muppets do at the Muppet Theater is their version of Moulin Rouge!, entitled Moulin Scrooge.
• Near the start there is a series of parodies of The Gift of the Magi, as various Muppet duos exchange gifts, only to find that both parties have sold the item their gift would complement in order to buy the other's gift. This concludes with Sal Minella telling Johnny Fiama he traded his motorcycle to buy Johnny a gold record player. Much to Sal's shock, Johnny just says "Oh, thanks, Sal".
• This film was the first Muppet film to receive a "PG" rating from the MPAA.^{[citation needed]}
• Whoopi Goldberg makes a reference to the channel Animal Planet in this film.
• This was the last Muppet film to be presented by a company other than Disney, which was MGM. Shortly afterward, the Walt Disney Company bought the Muppet brand.
• The song "Everyone Matters" was nominated for an Emmy Award.
• Although Kevin Clash performed in the film, Clifford, his main character, does not appear.
• Characters making their comeback appearances include:
  • Rowlf, performed by Bill Barretta, speaks his first full lines ("Hey, Kermit!" and "Yeah! Heh, heh. Oh!") since Jim Henson's death. Rowlf had a brief vocal muttering ("Yeah.") in episode 102 of Muppets Tonight but did not speak at all in The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island or Muppets From Space.
  • Eric Jacobson takes over most of Frank Oz's characters as Oz turned his heart to directing. Kevin Clash performed Sam the Eagle in this film, but Jacobson would take over that role in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz.
  • Scooter, performed by Brian Henson, also has his first major appearance since Richard Hunt's death. In 1999, Scooter had one line in Muppets From Space.
  • Janice, performed by Brian Henson, also speaks for the first time since Hunt's death. She had made silent appearances in The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island.
  • Beauregard appears in the background of many scenes in the film. Beauregard does not have any lines, but Kermit yells "Beauregard!" as he returns to the theater, happy to be alive.

The Muppet Movie is the first of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Hensons Muppets. ... The Rainbow Connection is a popular song written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher and originally performed by Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson) in The Muppet Movie in 1979. ... Stephen Robert Steve Irwin (February 22, 1962 – September 4, 2006), nicknamed The Crocodile Hunter, was an Australian wildlife expert and television personality. ... Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 Academy Award-winning Australian jukebox musical film directed by Baz Luhrmann. ... The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by O. Henry (a pen name for William Sydney Porter), allegedly at Petes Tavern[1][2] on Irving Place in New York City. ... now. ... The MPAA film rating system is used in the United States and its territories to rate a movies suitability for certain audiences. ... The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), originally called the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association of America, is a non-profit trade association based in the United States which was formed to advance the interests of movie studios. ... Whoopi Goldberg performing stand-up at a benefit for Rainforest Action Network. ... Animal Planet, launched in 1996, is a cable and satellite television network co-owned by Discovery Communications, Inc. ... MGM logo Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer or MGM, is a large media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of cinema and television programs. ... Alternate meanings: Disney (disambiguation) The Walt Disney Company (also known as Disney Enterprises, Inc. ... An Emmy Award. ... Clifford is a Muppet character performed by Kevin Clash. ... Eric Jacobson is a puppeteer and Muppet performer, who has been the primary replacement puppeteer for Frank Ozs characters since 2001. ... Frank Oz (born May 25, 1944) is an American film director, actor and puppeteer. ... Kevin Clash and Elmo Kevin Clash (born September 17, 1960) is an accomplished puppeteer whose characters include Elmo, Clifford, and Hoots the Owl. ... Promotional poster The Muppets Wizard of Oz, an original made-for-television movie, aired May 20, 2005 as a special Friday night edition of ABCs The Wonderful World of Disney. ... Brian Henson (born 1963 in New York City, New York) is an Academy Award-winning puppeteer, director, producer, and technician. ... Brian Henson (born 1963 in New York City, New York) is an Academy Award-winning puppeteer, director, producer, and technician. ...

Quotes

• Rachel Bitterman: Fit for a plus-sized pig.
  Miss Piggy: And, YOU will not look good, with a plus-sized lip.

For other uses, see Pig (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Lip (disambiguation). ...

External links

• It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie at the Internet Movie Database
• Muppet Wiki: It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie