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− | [[Image:Letters-santa.jpg| |
+ | [[Image:Letters-santa.jpg|thumb|300px]] |
[[Image:Letterstosanta-bts1.jpg|thumb|300px|The Muppets film a scene for ''Letters to Santa'' in Brooklyn, September 2008. Visible in this photo: Dave Goelz, Matt Vogel, Bill Barretta.]] |
[[Image:Letterstosanta-bts1.jpg|thumb|300px|The Muppets film a scene for ''Letters to Santa'' in Brooklyn, September 2008. Visible in this photo: Dave Goelz, Matt Vogel, Bill Barretta.]] |
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[[Image:Letterstosanta-bts2.jpg|thumb|300px|Filming a night scene in Brooklyn, with Statler and Waldorf watching the Muppets caroling.]] |
[[Image:Letterstosanta-bts2.jpg|thumb|300px|Filming a night scene in Brooklyn, with Statler and Waldorf watching the Muppets caroling.]] |
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[[Image:Letterstosanta-bts3.jpg|thumb|300px|Caroling rats prepare for their scene.]] |
[[Image:Letterstosanta-bts3.jpg|thumb|300px|Caroling rats prepare for their scene.]] |
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− | '''''A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa''''' is an hour-long [[Christmas]] special starring the Muppets, which first aired on December 17, [[2008]] on [[NBC]]. The plot involves the Muppets mistakenly intercepting three letters sent by children to [[Santa Claus]] and their attempts to fix the problems created by their mishap. |
+ | '''''A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa''''' is an hour-long [[Christmas]] special starring the Muppets, which first aired on December 17, [[2008]] on [[NBC]]. The plot involves the Muppets mistakenly intercepting three letters sent by children to [[Santa Claus]] and their attempts to fix the problems created by their mishap. |
Celebrity appearances include [[Whoopi Goldberg]], [[Tony Sirico]], [[Steve Schirripa]], [[Richard Griffiths]], [[Jane Krakowski]], [[Uma Thurman]], [[Jesse L. Martin]], [[Madison Pettis]], [[Petra Nemcova]], [[Nathan Lane]], [[Paul Williams]] and [[New York City]] Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]]. |
Celebrity appearances include [[Whoopi Goldberg]], [[Tony Sirico]], [[Steve Schirripa]], [[Richard Griffiths]], [[Jane Krakowski]], [[Uma Thurman]], [[Jesse L. Martin]], [[Madison Pettis]], [[Petra Nemcova]], [[Nathan Lane]], [[Paul Williams]] and [[New York City]] Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]]. |
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− | A DVD |
+ | A [[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (video)|DVD of the special]] was released on September 29, [[2009]].<ref>[http://ultimatedisney.com/ UltimateDisney.com]. June 5, 2009.</ref> The disc's bonus features include deleted scenes and interviews with the cast. |
+ | |||
+ | A [[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (soundtrack)|soundtrack album]] of the four original songs from the special was released for download on [[the iTunes Store]] and [[Amazon.com]] on November 23, 2009. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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The special features four original songs written by frequent Muppet collaborator [[Paul Williams]], who also appears in the special as Santa's chief elf. |
The special features four original songs written by frequent Muppet collaborator [[Paul Williams]], who also appears in the special as Santa's chief elf. |
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− | *"[[Santa Claus is Coming to Town]]" |
+ | *"[[Santa Claus is Coming to Town]]" |
*"[[Delivering Christmas]]" |
*"[[Delivering Christmas]]" |
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*"[[It's All About Heart]]" |
*"[[It's All About Heart]]" |
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==Trivia== |
==Trivia== |
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− | * One of Fozzie's joke cards says "What do you call a reindeer wearing ear muffs? Anything you want because it can't hear you!" |
+ | * One of Fozzie's joke cards says "What do you call a reindeer wearing ear muffs? Anything you want because it can't hear you!" This is a reference to the song "[[North Pole Comedy Club]]" from the album ''[[A Green and Red Christmas]]''. |
* During the opening credits, the [[Jim Henson and Muppets stamps]] are used on the letters. |
* During the opening credits, the [[Jim Henson and Muppets stamps]] are used on the letters. |
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* As an [[Inside Jokes|inside joke]], references to [[Frank Oz]] and [[Jerry Nelson]] are made over the loudspeaker at the airport. |
* As an [[Inside Jokes|inside joke]], references to [[Frank Oz]] and [[Jerry Nelson]] are made over the loudspeaker at the airport. |
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+ | * In the post office, [[Big Mean Carl]] eats a letter in the background. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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:''Human Cast'' |
:''Human Cast'' |
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− | *[[Michael Bloomberg]] as himself |
+ | *[[Michael Bloomberg]] as himself |
− | *[[Whoopi Goldberg]] as a cab driver |
+ | *[[Whoopi Goldberg]] as a cab driver |
− | *[[Richard Griffiths]] as [[Santa Claus]] |
+ | *[[Richard Griffiths]] as [[Santa Claus]] |
− | *[[Jane Krakowski]] as [[Claire's Mom]] |
+ | *[[Jane Krakowski]] as [[Claire's Mom]] |
*[[Nathan Lane]] as [[Frank Meany|Officer Meany]] |
*[[Nathan Lane]] as [[Frank Meany|Officer Meany]] |
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− | *[[Jesse L. Martin]] as postal worker |
+ | *[[Jesse L. Martin]] as postal worker |
*[[Petra Nemcova]] as [[Beaker's girlfriend]] |
*[[Petra Nemcova]] as [[Beaker's girlfriend]] |
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− | *[[Madison Pettis]] as [[Claire]] |
+ | *[[Madison Pettis]] as [[Claire]] |
*[[Steve Schirripa]] as Mafia guy |
*[[Steve Schirripa]] as Mafia guy |
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*[[Tony Sirico]] as Mafia guy |
*[[Tony Sirico]] as Mafia guy |
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*[[Uma Thurman]] as [[Joy]] |
*[[Uma Thurman]] as [[Joy]] |
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*[[Paul Williams]] as Santa's [[Chief Elf|chief elf]] |
*[[Paul Williams]] as Santa's [[Chief Elf|chief elf]] |
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+ | <gallery widths=209 spacing=small captionalign=center hideaddbutton=true> |
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+ | Image:Letterstosanta-bts4.jpg|Mayor Michael Bloomberg joins the Muppets for the filming. |
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+ | Image:LTS-Chicken-USPS-Worker.jpg |
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+ | Image:Lets19.jpg |
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+ | Image:Misspiggy-lts.jpg |
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+ | Image:Lts-party.jpg |
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+ | Image:Krakowski-lts.jpg |
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+ | [[Category:Muppet Specials|Muppets Christmas, A]] |
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+ | [[Category:Christmas Productions|Muppets Christmas, A]] |
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==Muppet Cast== |
==Muppet Cast== |
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;Background Muppets |
;Background Muppets |
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− | *[[Rats]], [[Pops]], [[Beauregard]], [[Chickens]], [[Penguins]], [[Turkeys|Turkey]], [[Quongo]], [[Pokey]], [[Luncheon Counter Monster]], [[Big Mean Carl]] |
+ | *[[Rats]], [[Pops]], [[Beauregard]], [[Chickens]], [[Penguins]], [[Turkeys|Turkey]], [[Quongo]], [[Pokey]], [[Luncheon Counter Monster]], [[Big Mean Carl]], [[Nine Inch Snails|Snails]] |
==Crew== |
==Crew== |
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− | :Directed by [[Kirk Thatcher|Kirk |
+ | :Directed by [[Kirk Thatcher|Kirk R. Thatcher]] |
:Story by [[Paul Williams]] and [[Hugh Fink]] & [[Scott Ganz]] & [[Andrew Samson]] |
:Story by [[Paul Williams]] and [[Hugh Fink]] & [[Scott Ganz]] & [[Andrew Samson]] |
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:Teleplay by [[Hugh Fink]] & [[Scott Ganz]] & [[Andrew Samson]] & [[Paul Williams]] |
:Teleplay by [[Hugh Fink]] & [[Scott Ganz]] & [[Andrew Samson]] & [[Paul Williams]] |
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:Filmed in Part at Steiner Studios and on location in [[New York City]] |
:Filmed in Part at Steiner Studios and on location in [[New York City]] |
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:Special Thanks To: New York State Office for Motion Picture & Television Development; The City of New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting |
:Special Thanks To: New York State Office for Motion Picture & Television Development; The City of New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting |
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− | :©2008 [[The Muppets Studio LLC]] |
+ | :©2008 [[The Walt Disney Company#The Muppets Studio (2004-present)|The Muppets Studio, LLC]] |
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− | <gallery> |
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==Promotion== |
==Promotion== |
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− | *"[[Glad All Over]]" music video was released on the Muppets' [[ |
+ | *"[[Glad All Over]]" music video was released on the Muppets' [[Muppet viral videos|YouTube, MySpace, and Vimeo channels]] and on [[Disney Xtreme Digital|Muppets.com]]. |
* Kermit the Frog was featured in [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]] on November 27, 2008 |
* Kermit the Frog was featured in [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]] on November 27, 2008 |
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* Kermit and Miss Piggy appeared on ''[[Christmas in Rockefeller Center]]'' on December 3, 2008 |
* Kermit and Miss Piggy appeared on ''[[Christmas in Rockefeller Center]]'' on December 3, 2008 |
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Image:Lets21.jpg|NBC.com promo |
Image:Lets21.jpg|NBC.com promo |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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+ | |||
+ | ==See also== |
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+ | * [[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (video)]] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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;Behind the Scenes |
;Behind the Scenes |
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− | * [http://toughpigs.com |
+ | * [http://www.toughpigs.com/my-day-on-a-muppet-movie-set/ ToughPigs.com set visit, Day 1] |
− | * [http://toughpigs.com |
+ | * [http://www.toughpigs.com/my-day-on-a-muppet-movie-set-part-2/ ToughPigs.com set visit, Day 2] |
* [http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/letters_to_santa.shtml Muppet Central's Interview with the writers - Andrew Samson, Hugh Fink and Scott Ganz] |
* [http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/letters_to_santa.shtml Muppet Central's Interview with the writers - Andrew Samson, Hugh Fink and Scott Ganz] |
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* [http://www.nbc.com/Movies_Specials_More/Happy_Holidays/video/#mea=861522 NBC.com Exclusive Muppet interviews] |
* [http://www.nbc.com/Movies_Specials_More/Happy_Holidays/video/#mea=861522 NBC.com Exclusive Muppet interviews] |
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* [http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/522791.html Buffalo News] (positive) |
* [http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/522791.html Buffalo News] (positive) |
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* [http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2008/12/thoughts-on-the-muppet-xmas-sp.html Hartford Courant] (negative) |
* [http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2008/12/thoughts-on-the-muppet-xmas-sp.html Hartford Courant] (negative) |
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+ | * [http://www.ultimatedisney.com/muppetschristmas-santa.html Ultimate Disney] (positive) |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
Revision as of 20:17, 26 May 2013
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa is an hour-long Christmas special starring the Muppets, which first aired on December 17, 2008 on NBC. The plot involves the Muppets mistakenly intercepting three letters sent by children to Santa Claus and their attempts to fix the problems created by their mishap.
Celebrity appearances include Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Sirico, Steve Schirripa, Richard Griffiths, Jane Krakowski, Uma Thurman, Jesse L. Martin, Madison Pettis, Petra Nemcova, Nathan Lane, Paul Williams and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
A DVD of the special was released on September 29, 2009.[1] The disc's bonus features include deleted scenes and interviews with the cast.
A soundtrack album of the four original songs from the special was released for download on the iTunes Store and Amazon.com on November 23, 2009.
Plot
The program opens with the Muppets waiting in line at the post office to mail their Christmas cards. While there, the Muppets mistakenly intercept three letters sent by children to Santa Claus. Later, Claire, a young girl who lives in the same building as the Muppets, is disappointed when Gonzo reveals that the Muppets will not be around for Christmas as they are all going on vacation. However, the Muppets soon realize that the spirit of the holidays is more important than their vacation, and they attempt to fix the problems created by their mishap and get the averted letters to Santa Claus before Christmas. They rush to the airport via taxi, where they encounter Joy, a friendly ticket agent, and Officer Meany, a bitter airport security guard. They try to catch a flight to the North Pole before it's too late.
Some unknown last-minute additions to the plot were taken from the unproduced special The Muppets Run for President.
Songs
The special features four original songs written by frequent Muppet collaborator Paul Williams, who also appears in the special as Santa's chief elf.
- "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
- "Delivering Christmas"
- "It's All About Heart"
- "I Wish I Could Be Santa Claus"
- "My Best Christmas Yet"
Trivia
- One of Fozzie's joke cards says "What do you call a reindeer wearing ear muffs? Anything you want because it can't hear you!" This is a reference to the song "North Pole Comedy Club" from the album A Green and Red Christmas.
- During the opening credits, the Jim Henson and Muppets stamps are used on the letters.
- As an inside joke, references to Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson are made over the loudspeaker at the airport.
- In the post office, Big Mean Carl eats a letter in the background.
Cast
- Muppet Performers:
- Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Eric Jacobson, Pam Arciero, Heather Asch, Tyler Bunch, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, James Godwin, Jim Kroupa, Matt Vogel, Tim Lagasse, Peter Linz, Edward Noel MacNeal, Jim Martin, Paul McGinnis, Marty Robinson, David Rudman
- Human Cast
- Michael Bloomberg as himself
- Whoopi Goldberg as a cab driver
- Richard Griffiths as Santa Claus
- Jane Krakowski as Claire's Mom
- Nathan Lane as Officer Meany
- Jesse L. Martin as postal worker
- Petra Nemcova as Beaker's girlfriend
- Madison Pettis as Claire
- Steve Schirripa as Mafia guy
- Tony Sirico as Mafia guy
- Uma Thurman as Joy
- Paul Williams as Santa's chief elf
Photo gallery
Muppet Cast
- Muppet Characters
- Kermit the Frog, Robin the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Rizzo the Rat, Camilla, Pepe the Prawn, Sweetums, Sam the Eagle, the Swedish Chef, Lew Zealand, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Scooter, Rowlf the Dog, Statler and Waldorf, Beaker, Crazy Harry, Dr. Teeth, Animal, Floyd Pepper, Janice, Zoot, Bobo the Bear, Pigeons
- Background Muppets
- Rats, Pops, Beauregard, Chickens, Penguins, Turkey, Quongo, Pokey, Luncheon Counter Monster, Big Mean Carl, Snails
Crew
- Directed by Kirk R. Thatcher
- Story by Paul Williams and Hugh Fink & Scott Ganz & Andrew Samson
- Teleplay by Hugh Fink & Scott Ganz & Andrew Samson & Paul Williams
- Original Songs by Paul Williams
- Score by Chris Caswell
- Produced by Martin G. Baker
- Edited by Jamie Kirkpatrick
- Puppet Captain: Bill Barretta
- Muppet Workshop: Jane Gootnick, supervisor; Melissa Creighton, Peter MacKennan, Tom Newby, Stephen Rotondaro
- Visual Effects by Look FX N.Y.
- Puppets Provided by Puppet Heap
- Filmed in Part at Steiner Studios and on location in New York City
- Special Thanks To: New York State Office for Motion Picture & Television Development; The City of New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting
- ©2008 The Muppets Studio, LLC
Promotion
- "Glad All Over" music video was released on the Muppets' YouTube, MySpace, and Vimeo channels and on Muppets.com.
- Kermit the Frog was featured in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, 2008
- Kermit and Miss Piggy appeared on Christmas in Rockefeller Center on December 3, 2008
- Kermit the Frog appeared on Dr. Phil on December 16, 2008
- Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy appeared on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet on December 17, 2008
- Miss Piggy appeared on The Today Show on December 17, 2008
- Pepe the King Prawn appeared on The Bonnie Hunt Show on December 17, 2008
- The full special was released for online viewing via NBC.com and Hulu.com from December 18-31, 2008.
- Free Muppet Christmas e-cards released for limited time on NBC.com.
See also
External links
- Behind the Scenes
- ToughPigs.com set visit, Day 1
- ToughPigs.com set visit, Day 2
- Muppet Central's Interview with the writers - Andrew Samson, Hugh Fink and Scott Ganz
- NBC.com Exclusive Muppet interviews
- Behind the Scenes of "A Muppets Christmas"
- "A Muppets Christmas": Miss Piggy Interview
- Reviews
- Entertainment Weekly (positive; gives grade of A-)
- Washington Post (positive)
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (positive)
- Newsday (positive)
- New York Times (negative)
- Orlando Sentinel (negative)
- Buffalo News (positive)
- Hartford Courant (negative)
- Ultimate Disney (positive)
Sources
- ↑ UltimateDisney.com. June 5, 2009.