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[[Image:title.babies.jpg|frame]]
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[[Image:Muppet Babies logo.png|thumb|300px]]
 
{{tv|show=Muppet Babies|first=September 15, [[1984]]|last=December 29, [[1990]]|network=CBS|seasons=7|episodes=[[:Category:Muppet Babies Episodes|107]]}}
 
{{tv|show=Muppet Babies|first=September 15, [[1984]]|last=December 29, [[1990]]|network=CBS|seasons=7|episodes=[[:Category:Muppet Babies Episodes|107]]}}
 
[[File:MuppetBabiesGroup.jpg|thumb|300px|From Left to Right: Baby Animal, Baby Skeeter, Baby Scooter, Baby Fozzie, Baby Piggy, Baby Kermit, Baby Gonzo and Baby Rowlf]]
 
[[File:MuppetBabiesGroup.jpg|thumb|300px|From Left to Right: Baby Animal, Baby Skeeter, Baby Scooter, Baby Fozzie, Baby Piggy, Baby Kermit, Baby Gonzo and Baby Rowlf]]
'''Muppet Babies''' is an animated series which ran on [[CBS]] for seven years, winning the ''Outstanding Animated Series Emmy'' for four consecutive years. The concept of presenting familiar Muppet characters as babies was introduced in a sequence of ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]''. The film featured [[Muppet Babies (puppets)|puppet versions]] of [[Kermit the Frog]], [[Miss Piggy]], [[Gonzo]], [[Fozzie Bear]], [[Scooter]], and [[Rowlf the Dog|Rowlf]] as babies (the puppet versions later returned one more time, for a home movie sequence in ''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]''). The series added baby versions of [[Animal]], [[Dr. Bunsen Honeydew|Bunsen Honeydew]], and [[Beaker]], plus new characters such as Scooter's sister [[Skeeter]] and [[Nanny]]. Later cast additions included an infant version of [[Bean Bunny]], and toddler version of [[Janice]] and [[Uncle Statler and Uncle Waldorf|avuncular]] versions of [[Statler and Waldorf]].
 
   
 
'''''Muppet Babies''''' is an animated series which ran on [[CBS]] for seven years, winning the ''Outstanding Animated Series Emmy'' for four consecutive years. The concept of presenting familiar Muppet characters as babies was introduced in a sequence of ''[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]''. The film featured [[Muppet Babies (puppets)|puppet versions]] of [[Kermit the Frog]], [[Miss Piggy]], [[Gonzo]], [[Fozzie Bear]], [[Scooter]], and [[Rowlf the Dog|Rowlf]] as babies (the puppet versions later returned one more time, for a home movie sequence in ''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]'').
The show's humor relied heavily on incorporating footage from live action film and television productions, most often ''[[Star Wars]]'', but clips from Henson's own ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', ''[[Sesame Street]]'', and ''[[Labyrinth]]'' also surfaced. Live-action cameo appearances included [[Whoopi Goldberg]] and [[Tom Selleck]], amongst [[:Category:Muppet Babies Guest Stars|others]].
 
   
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The animated series added baby versions of [[Animal]], [[Dr. Bunsen Honeydew|Bunsen Honeydew]], and [[Beaker]], plus new characters such as Scooter's sister [[Skeeter]] and [[Nanny]] (seen from shoulders down only, per the children's point of view). Later cast additions included an infant version of [[Bean Bunny]] and [[Uncle Statler and Uncle Waldorf|avuncular]] versions of [[Statler and Waldorf]] (plus guest appearances by [[Robin the Frog|Robin]] as a [[Baby Robin|Tadpole]] and [[Janice]] as [[Janice (Muppet Babies)|a toddler]]).
The result of the child's eye view is that [[Nanny]] was only seen from the shoulders down, and so as the non-Muppet human adults in the babies' fantasy sequences.   Exceptions were also made for [[Uncle Statler and Uncle Waldorf]] and a few Muppet-style adults from the babies' fantasy sequences, whose faces were actually shown and which make them completely visible.
 
   
 
The show's humor relied heavily on incorporating footage from live action film and television productions, most often ''[[Star Wars]]'', but clips from Henson's own ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', ''[[Sesame Street]]'', and ''[[Labyrinth]]'' also surfaced. Live-action cameo appearances included [[Whoopi Goldberg]] and [[Tom Selleck]], amongst [[:Category:Muppet Babies Guest Stars|others]].
In an interview with [[Hank Saroyan]], he talks about [[Jim Henson|Jim Henson's]] vision of this animated series:
 
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[[Hank Saroyan]], the series' voice director and story editor, talked about [[Jim Henson|Jim Henson's]] vision of this animated series:
   
 
{{quote|He wanted children to believe that anything is possible. That's the only thing that's going to save this planet - the power of imagination.<ref name="The Prescott Courier">The Prescott Courier: [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2uMdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YIEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2996,301535&dq=muppet+babies&hl=en "Muppet Babies venture into fascinating world of opera"]</ref>
 
{{quote|He wanted children to believe that anything is possible. That's the only thing that's going to save this planet - the power of imagination.<ref name="The Prescott Courier">The Prescott Courier: [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2uMdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YIEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2996,301535&dq=muppet+babies&hl=en "Muppet Babies venture into fascinating world of opera"]</ref>
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==Opening and Closing==
 
==Opening and Closing==
 
[[Image:MuppetBabiesRacing.jpg|thumb|300px]]
 
[[Image:MuppetBabiesRacing.jpg|thumb|300px]]
The [[Muppet Babies Theme|theme song]] written by Hank Saroyan and Rob Walsh, featured the Muppet Babies singing about the power of imagination. Originally, the opening featured a middle verse where each baby introduced him/herself. This part of the opening was later cut during the second season when two episodes of Muppet Babies aired back to back following the cancellation of ''Little Muppet Monsters'', and it is cut from most episodes in syndication to make room for more commercials.
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The [[Muppet Babies Theme|theme song]], written by Hank Saroyan and Rob Walsh, featured the Muppet Babies singing about the power of imagination. Originally, the opening featured a middle verse where the babies introduced themselves individually, based on a defining character trait. This part of the opening is cut from most episodes in syndication to make room for more commercials, and the opening reedited to include other clips. The shortened version is 30 seconds instead of 1 minute, and first appeared in season 2's ''Muppets, Babies and Monsters''.
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A second opening sequence appears in season 3, becoming standard by season 6. Here, the Babies ride on a flying book, Kermit's tricycle transforms into a speedboat and rocketship, and the Babies play fantasy characters during the middle verse. Nanny's one line had also been rerecorded at this point.
  +
  +
Another version of the opening seen by the sixth season involves a large toy train which the Babies ride, and the Babies building their Muppet Babies logo out of cardboard boxes. It uses clips from season 1 and 2 episodes (Fun Park Fantasies. Piggy's Hyper-Activity Book and From a Galaxy Far Far Away.) It's unclear if there was a longer version of this intro.
  +
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A shortened opening seen starting in season 6 combined footage from all three openings, and certain episodes.
  +
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During the first season, the closing theme was an instrumental version of the theme song, with the doo-wop backing vocals only. Starting in the second season, the music was changed to begin with an instrumental version of the ''Little Muppet Monsters'' theme song, ending with the doo-wop Babies theme. This longer theme was intended for the hourlong series ''Muppets, Babies and Monsters,'' and originally included Little Muppet Monsters stills in the end credits as well. (The opening titles to ''Muppets, Babies and Monsters ''had a new theme combining the theme songs to both shows.)
   
During the first season, the closing theme was an instrumental version of the theme song. Starting in the second season, the music was changed to an instrumental version of the ''Little Muppet Monsters'' theme song. This version of the closing replaced the original closing when aired on Nickelodeon. The closing also showed various stills of the cast (and the second season closing also included various background artwork from the series).
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This change to the music stuck, and in future seasons the music still contains the ''Little Muppet Monsters'' section. This version of the closing replaced the original closing when aired on Nickelodeon. The closing also showed various stills of the Babies (and the second season closing also included some background artwork from the series). By the time of the third season, several new stills had been added.
   
 
==Reruns==
 
==Reruns==
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[[Image:Muppetbabies-cel.jpg|center]]
 
[[Image:Muppetbabies-cel.jpg|center]]
 
* [[Greg Berg]] as [[Baby Fozzie]] and [[Baby Scooter]]
 
* [[Greg Berg]] as [[Baby Fozzie]] and [[Baby Scooter]]
* [[Dave Coulier]] as [[Baby Animal]] (1986-1991), [[Baby Bunsen]] (1986-1991), [[Baby Bean Bunny]], [[Janice (Muppet Babies)|Janice]], [[Uncle Statler and Uncle Waldorf]]
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* [[Dave Coulier]] as [[Baby Animal]] (1986-1991), [[Baby Bunsen]] (1986-1991), [[Baby Bean Bunny]], [[Uncle Statler and Uncle Waldorf]], [[Janice (Muppet Babies)|Janice]]
 
* [[Katie Leigh]] as [[Baby Rowlf]]
 
* [[Katie Leigh]] as [[Baby Rowlf]]
 
* [[Howie Mandel]] as [[Baby Skeeter]] (1984-1986) [[Baby Animal]] (1984-1986), [[Baby Bunsen]] (1984-1986)
 
* [[Howie Mandel]] as [[Baby Skeeter]] (1984-1986) [[Baby Animal]] (1984-1986), [[Baby Bunsen]] (1984-1986)
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* Original Score: [[Robert J. Walsh]] (1984-1989), [[Hank Saroyan]]/Robert Irving (1989-1991)
 
* Original Score: [[Robert J. Walsh]] (1984-1989), [[Hank Saroyan]]/Robert Irving (1989-1991)
 
* Original Theme: Robert J. Walsh/Hank Saroyan
 
* Original Theme: Robert J. Walsh/Hank Saroyan
* Original Songs: Robert J. Walsh, Janis Liebhart & Alan O'Day, Scott Brownlee, Hank Saroyan
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* Original Songs: Robert J. Walsh, [[Janis Liebhart]] & [[Alan O'Day]], [[Scott Brownlee]], Hank Saroyan
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Revision as of 23:33, 5 July 2014

Muppet Babies logo
Premiere September 15, 1984
Finale December 29, 1990
Network CBS
Seasons 7
Episodes 107
MuppetBabiesGroup

From Left to Right: Baby Animal, Baby Skeeter, Baby Scooter, Baby Fozzie, Baby Piggy, Baby Kermit, Baby Gonzo and Baby Rowlf

Muppet Babies is an animated series which ran on CBS for seven years, winning the Outstanding Animated Series Emmy for four consecutive years. The concept of presenting familiar Muppet characters as babies was introduced in a sequence of The Muppets Take Manhattan. The film featured puppet versions of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Scooter, and Rowlf as babies (the puppet versions later returned one more time, for a home movie sequence in A Muppet Family Christmas).

The animated series added baby versions of Animal, Bunsen Honeydew, and Beaker, plus new characters such as Scooter's sister Skeeter and Nanny (seen from shoulders down only, per the children's point of view). Later cast additions included an infant version of Bean Bunny and avuncular versions of Statler and Waldorf (plus guest appearances by Robin as a Tadpole and Janice as a toddler).

The show's humor relied heavily on incorporating footage from live action film and television productions, most often Star Wars, but clips from Henson's own The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and Labyrinth also surfaced. Live-action cameo appearances included Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Selleck, amongst others.

Hank Saroyan, the series' voice director and story editor, talked about Jim Henson's vision of this animated series:

He wanted children to believe that anything is possible. That's the only thing that's going to save this planet - the power of imagination.[1]

The series prompted a short-lived spinoff, Little Muppet Monsters.

Opening and Closing

MuppetBabiesRacing

The theme song, written by Hank Saroyan and Rob Walsh, featured the Muppet Babies singing about the power of imagination. Originally, the opening featured a middle verse where the babies introduced themselves individually, based on a defining character trait. This part of the opening is cut from most episodes in syndication to make room for more commercials, and the opening reedited to include other clips. The shortened version is 30 seconds instead of 1 minute, and first appeared in season 2's Muppets, Babies and Monsters.

A second opening sequence appears in season 3, becoming standard by season 6. Here, the Babies ride on a flying book, Kermit's tricycle transforms into a speedboat and rocketship, and the Babies play fantasy characters during the middle verse. Nanny's one line had also been rerecorded at this point.

Another version of the opening seen by the sixth season involves a large toy train which the Babies ride, and the Babies building their Muppet Babies logo out of cardboard boxes. It uses clips from season 1 and 2 episodes (Fun Park Fantasies. Piggy's Hyper-Activity Book and From a Galaxy Far Far Away.) It's unclear if there was a longer version of this intro.

A shortened opening seen starting in season 6 combined footage from all three openings, and certain episodes.

During the first season, the closing theme was an instrumental version of the theme song, with the doo-wop backing vocals only. Starting in the second season, the music was changed to begin with an instrumental version of the Little Muppet Monsters theme song, ending with the doo-wop Babies theme. This longer theme was intended for the hourlong series Muppets, Babies and Monsters, and originally included Little Muppet Monsters stills in the end credits as well. (The opening titles to Muppets, Babies and Monsters had a new theme combining the theme songs to both shows.)

This change to the music stuck, and in future seasons the music still contains the Little Muppet Monsters section. This version of the closing replaced the original closing when aired on Nickelodeon. The closing also showed various stills of the Babies (and the second season closing also included some background artwork from the series). By the time of the third season, several new stills had been added.

Reruns

After the series ended its run on CBS, reruns aired on FOX from 1991 until 1992, and the first 96 episodes aired on Nickelodeon from 1992 until 1999, and as a syndication package. These same episodes were also rerun on the Odyssey Network in 1999. Although 11 episodes from the last season were not shown in syndication, a number of them were released on video. The show was seen in the United Kingdom on Playhouse Disney from 2005-2007. The shows and the franchise are now owned and controlled by Disney.

Cast

Additional Voices

Credits

Muppetbabies-animation

See also

Sources

External links