Audio commentaries are located on separate audio tracks on a laserdisc, DVD, or Blu-ray. A single DVD can have several separate audio tracks that can be selected by the viewer from the main menu of the DVD or by pressing a designated button on the remote. Several Muppet DVDs contain optional audio commentary tracks on the film or feature.
The bonus track consists of comments or insights by one or more speakers, who talk about the movie as it progresses. Depending on the nature of the feature, and the speaker, the track can provide the listener with an added wealth of behind the scenes informative, production insights or just added entertainment.
Commentary Tracks[]
Muppet movies[]
The Muppets Take Manhattan director's commentaryThe 2023 4K Ultra HD release of The Muppets Take Manhattan includes a commentary track by Frank Oz. | |||
The Muppet Christmas Carol director's commentaryDirector Brian Henson recorded a full-length audio commentary for inclusion on the 2002 DVD release of The Muppet Christmas Carol. This commentary track was reused on 2005's "Kermit's 50th anniversary" re-release (but was only available on the full-screen extended version of the film) and it was included on the film's 20th anniversary Blu-ray release in 2012. | |||
The Muppet Christmas Carol character commentaryThe 2012 Blu-ray of The Muppet Christmas Carol included a second newly-produced character commentary track featuring Kermit, Gonzo and Rizzo. The "real" Charles Dickens (voiced by Dave Goelz) and Statler and Waldorf also make brief appearances. | |||
Muppet Treasure Island "Hidden Treasure" commentary"Hidden Treasure" commentary with director Brian Henson, Gonzo, and Rizzo was featured on the 2002 DVD release (the audio was recorded in 2001). Clips of Gonzo and Rizzo were recorded and inserted to the track separate from Henson's recording as transitions to "Hidden Treasure" video clips, to fill Henson's silences, or make jokes. The track starts with an introduction video by Gonzo and Rizzo explaining how the commentary will work. It was not carried over to the 2005 DVD, but was included in the 2013 Blu-ray without the "hidden treasure" video clips.
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Muppets From SpaceDirector Tim Hill, Kermit, Gonzo and Rizzo gave full length video commentary on the initial DVD release of the film. Through the use of the subtitle track the commentators can be seen in silhouette at the bottom of the frame giving completely false behind the scenes comments on the film (similar to Mystery Science Theater 3000). Kermit only appears at the beginning of the film, and doesn't show up again till the credits because he was waiting to get popcorn, but the line was so long that he accidentally wandered into the wrong DVD, and spent about about a half-hour talking about The Phantom Menace. The audio was recorded in 1999. Many of the Muppets' comments throughout the track were written by Jim Lewis. | |||
Kermit's Swamp YearsKermit and Horace D' Fly provided scene specific audio commentary on the film for the DVD release, popping in occasionally with a short quip or comment. | |||
The MuppetsAn audio commentary track featuring James Bobin, Jason Segel, and Nicholas Stoller is available on the Blu-ray release of the 2011 The Muppets film. The audio was recorded in 2011, just prior to the film's theatrical release. |
Creature Shop productions[]
The Dark Crystal Brian Froud commentaryIn February 2007, Brian Froud recorded full-length audio commentary for inclusion on the 25th anniversary edition DVD and Blu-ray releases. | |||
Labyrinth Brian Froud commentaryIn February 2007, Brian Froud recorded full-length audio commentary for inclusion on the 2-disc anniversary edition DVD and Blu-ray releases. | |||
Labyrinth picture-in-picture commentaryThe 2009 Blu-ray release features a picture-in-picture commentary track made up of on-camera interviews with Cheryl Henson, Kevin Clash, Rollie Krewson, Connie Peterson, Warwick Davis, and make-up artist Nick Dudman. Each segment is preceded by its own title card:
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DinosaursThe Dinosaurs: The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons DVD set includes audio commentaries on two select episodes: "Nature Calls" and "Into the Woods". Commentators that participated in the tracks are Brian Henson, Kirk Thatcher, Kevin Clash and Bill Barretta. |
Sesame Street productions[]
Episode 1316Sonia Manzano recorded a commentary track in June 2012 for Sesame Street’s 11th season premiere which was included with Old School: Volume 3. | |
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney StoryThe Kickstarter exclusive Blu-ray release of I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story features an audio commentary by filmmakers Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker with Caroll Spinney and Debra Spinney. |
Other[]
- The Muppets provided a commentary for their 2009 cover of "Bohemian Rhapsody" from inside a phone booth. Participants included Kermit the Frog, Gonzo, Camilla, Ethel, and Stephanie, Animal, Pepe the King Prawn, Bobo the Bear, Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Rizzo the Rat, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, the Swedish Chef, a penguin, and Zoot. (YouTube)
- Unlike The Muppets (2011), the home video release of Muppets Most Wanted did not contain an audio commentary track. However, in conjunction with the theatrical release of the film, vevo released videos of "Man or Muppet" and "We're Doing a Sequel" with picture-in-picture commentary by Constantine and Miss Piggy, respectively.
See also[]
- Muppet Morsels, on-screen text commentary for The Muppet Show season one.
- Frank Oz has provided audio commentaries on several of the films he's directed.