The Muppets Take Manhattan
I was credited as Special Consultant and had a great time hanging on the set with director Frank Oz, also the voice of Miss Piggy. (Frank would say “I’ve spent half my life with my hand up a pig’s ass.”)
One day we shot in a former hospital with no air conditioning in the middle of a New York summer. Kermit was in bed so Jim Henson had to lie on the floor for hours, arm sticking up through a mattress, till we finished the scene and he emerged, bathed in sweat.
I was almost in the movie; while watching a playback, someone noticed my reflection – crouching with legal pad – in a picture frame in the background. So they did another take. Damn them.
Here’s a fun scene where our hero, suffering from amnesia, becomes a Mad Man (Frog).
And art becomes life:
All those Hmmms? Ribbing Mr. Henson, who did that as Kermit and himself.
Later, Kermit joins his buddies for lunch: “I’ll get the bill, Phil.” “Something from the grill, Jill?” “No, meat makes me ill, Gil.”
Muppet Maniacs can read my interview about the movie on the
website “Tough Pigs” and hear more on the podcast “Drop The Pilot.”
Both shows also discuss my Henson pilot “Inner Tube.” And here’s its
original script (“In-TV”); see if you agree with Henson biographer Larry Mirkin that
it’s “dark, victimized and pessimistic.” (See “Jim Henson: The Biography.” Or, y’know, don’t.)
Watch “The Making of THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN”
Buy the movie (Fozzie Bear could use the money)
My production script is in the collection of the National Comedy Center.
Here’s p.1, with annotations of my hilariously unreadable scribbles.
I also worked with Frank Oz on the ending of “Little Shop of Horrors.” A preview audience
was appalled by the death of the cast so Frank came up with the ending you see now,
which I think is wonderful. But here’s the original, where the plant destroys the world.
In a moving hospital bed reconciliation, Kermit the Frog shakes hands
with David the Misch after their bitter salary dispute turned violent.
(Not visible: Jim Henson sweating.)
back to top
