Jim Henson Co Presents Puppet Up! Uncensored

*Raph's Girl* · 11-03-2006, 05:10 PM

http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2006/103106.shtml

Improvisational comedy gets a fresh twist this November when TBS presents The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! Uncensored, a one-hour special to be taped before a live audience at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas. The special, in which puppeteers construct improvised scenes from the audiences suggestions, will tape Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., then premiere on TBS Monday, Nov. 20, at 11 p.m. (ET/PT).

The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored is executive-produced by Brian Henson and Lisa Henson. The special is produced by Martin Baker and co-produced by Eric Poticha. Patrick Bristow (Ellen, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery) serves as the stage shows director and host.

Even before creating comedic puppets for the early days of Saturday Night Live, The Jim Henson Company has been on the cutting edge of both comedy and puppetry, said Michael Wright, senior vice president of original programming for TBS and TNT. We are thrilled to be working with them on this very funny project, which pushes traditional comedy improv to a whole new level.

Brian Henson said, We began doing puppet improv workshops to hone our comedy skills and realized that we were having so much fun that audiences might enjoy watching too. It has been amazing to see our troupe evolve, and I am sure our Vegas shows will be our best yet.

The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored is a demonstration of what happens when the perilous and provocative forms of traditional comedy improv are mixed with a bunch of irreverent puppets. With a motley group of characters brought to life world-renowned puppeteers, The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored is truly innovative comedy. Premiering in March 2006, the show has played to critical acclaim and sold out crowds at both the HBO Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Performing the puppetry for the show are some of The Jim Henson Companys top puppeteers, as well as some of the countrys top comedy improvisers. The cast includes Brian Henson, Second City alum Julianne Buescher, Tyler Bunch (Sesame Street), The Groundlings Ted Michaels, Drew Massey (The Muppets Wizard of Oz), ACME Comedy Group founding member Paul Rugg, Allan Trautman (Greg the Bunny) and Victor Yerrid (Team America).

The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored will be filmed as part of HBO and AEG LIVEs The Comedy Festival, taking place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Tuesday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 18. TBS is serving as title sponsor of the five-day event, which will feature more than 50 performances, events and screenings. The mission of The Comedy Festival is to bring together the biggest stars and cutting-edge comedy talent in a broad range of programming, from star-level performances and special events to stand-up, sketch comedy and film. In addition to The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored, The Comedy Festival will feature Comic Relief 2006, starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg and simulcast on HBO and TBS Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! Uncensored marks the second TBS project from The Jim Henson Company. Earlier this year, The Jim Henson Company filmed a pilot for The Late Night Buffet with Augie and Del, an irreverent show hosted by puppets Augustus Pfiffle and Delbert Kastle who interact with live celebrity guests in a talk-show format. The Late Night Buffet pilot was produced for TBS by The Jim Henson Company, with Brian Henson (Farscape) as executive producer and puppeteer and Bill Barretta (The Muppets Wizard of Oz) as co- executive producer and puppeteer.

http://www.puppetup.com/

Raph's Girl note: Yay!!

Umm....I guess this means I need to unblock TBS from my tv.....

*gobo* · 11-03-2006, 05:30 PM

Why would you block TBS?? O_o

EDIT #1 - BTW, Henson.com has a clip under Feature Project. It's very reminiscent of The Muppet Show for its humor. I don't recall a Henson project giving me that feeling since. Great show.

EDIT #2 - Apparently, that's the same clip as on PuppetUp.com...

*Raph's Girl* · 11-03-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobo

Why would you block TBS?? O_o

I block all channels I don't ever watch. There's never anything worth watching on TBS so I have it blocked. *shrugs*

*KROW* · 11-03-2006, 08:10 PM

So, it's basically Whose Line with puppets.

Could be fun.

*XERO* · 11-03-2006, 08:15 PM

Heh, yeah.

I'm waiting for the games 'Puppets from a Hat', 'Puppet Drinking Song', and 'Puppetdown.'

*Drtooth* · 11-04-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KROW

So, it's basically Whose Line with puppets.

Could be fun.

Yeah. Basically anything that pulls the Muppets away from the Elmo, Piggy and Kermit "baby entertainment" mindset everyone seems to have. Not to mention, it's great Henson is still doing things (Fraggle Movie included). Especially since Disney owns the Muppet Show characters, and Sesame Workshop owns their characters (But they never refuse to call them Muppets, thank God).

Too bad I don't have cable. Maybe this will hit DVD.

*VaughnMichael* · 11-04-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KROW

So, it's basically Whose Line with puppets.

Could be fun.

it is exactly like that and yes allot like the old muppet show also!!
I saw it live here in los angeles and was very happy with the show!!
If anyone gets the chance to see it please do go...also note the shows sell out very fast.

*Raph's Girl* · 11-20-2006, 07:07 PM

Just a reminder folks that the Jim Henson Muppets Improve show "Puppet Up! Uncensored" is on tonight at 11pm on TBS... yeesh almost forgot about it but I got a reminder from Muppet central

*KROW* · 11-20-2006, 11:21 PM

Damn, I missed it. Was it any good, and will it be re-aired?

*Raph's Girl* · 11-21-2006, 02:15 AM

OMG...It was SOOOO hilarious. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a looong time.

I don't know if it'll re-air but Im sure it'll be on DVD.

It's totally hilarious tho! The host introduces the show then for each sketch he asks the audience to suggest something and the puppeteers do stories based on that. The puppets themselves are amazing... there's this Warthog who's eyes open and close.

U can see a clip here:
http://www.puppetup.com/index.htm

There's also a clip from a Puppet Up! show that was done at comic con on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmQpBIB8YPs

*KROW* · 11-21-2006, 10:44 PM

Not bad. One thing, though...

That looks way too much like Drew Carey.

11-03-2006, 08:10 PM	#4
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	So, it's basically Whose Line with puppets. Could be fun. __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*

11-03-2006, 08:15 PM	#5
XERO Hybrid Theorist Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Alamo City Posts: 8,185	Heh, yeah. I'm waiting for the games 'Puppets from a Hat', 'Puppet Drinking Song', and 'Puppetdown.' __________________ "Travel at the speed of light... then hit the nitro!"

11-20-2006, 07:07 PM	#8
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	Just a reminder folks that the Jim Henson Muppets Improve show "Puppet Up! Uncensored" is on tonight at 11pm on TBS... yeesh almost forgot about it but I got a reminder from Muppet central __________________

11-20-2006, 11:21 PM	#9
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	Damn, I missed it. Was it any good, and will it be re-aired? __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*

11-21-2006, 02:15 AM	#10
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	OMG...It was SOOOO hilarious. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a looong time. I don't know if it'll re-air but Im sure it'll be on DVD. It's totally hilarious tho! The host introduces the show then for each sketch he asks the audience to suggest something and the puppeteers do stories based on that. The puppets themselves are amazing... there's this Warthog who's eyes open and close. U can see a clip here: http://www.puppetup.com/index.htm There's also a clip from a Puppet Up! show that was done at comic con on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmQpBIB8YPs __________________

11-03-2006, 05:10 PM	#1
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	Jim Henson Co Presents Puppet Up! Uncensored http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2006/103106.shtml Improvisational comedy gets a fresh twist this November when TBS presents The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! Uncensored, a one-hour special to be taped before a live audience at The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas. The special, in which puppeteers construct improvised scenes from the audiences suggestions, will tape Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., then premiere on TBS Monday, Nov. 20, at 11 p.m. (ET/PT). The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored is executive-produced by Brian Henson and Lisa Henson. The special is produced by Martin Baker and co-produced by Eric Poticha. Patrick Bristow (Ellen, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery) serves as the stage shows director and host. Even before creating comedic puppets for the early days of Saturday Night Live, The Jim Henson Company has been on the cutting edge of both comedy and puppetry, said Michael Wright, senior vice president of original programming for TBS and TNT. We are thrilled to be working with them on this very funny project, which pushes traditional comedy improv to a whole new level. Brian Henson said, We began doing puppet improv workshops to hone our comedy skills and realized that we were having so much fun that audiences might enjoy watching too. It has been amazing to see our troupe evolve, and I am sure our Vegas shows will be our best yet. The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored is a demonstration of what happens when the perilous and provocative forms of traditional comedy improv are mixed with a bunch of irreverent puppets. With a motley group of characters brought to life world-renowned puppeteers, The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored is truly innovative comedy. Premiering in March 2006, the show has played to critical acclaim and sold out crowds at both the HBO Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Performing the puppetry for the show are some of The Jim Henson Companys top puppeteers, as well as some of the countrys top comedy improvisers. The cast includes Brian Henson, Second City alum Julianne Buescher, Tyler Bunch (Sesame Street), The Groundlings Ted Michaels, Drew Massey (The Muppets Wizard of Oz), ACME Comedy Group founding member Paul Rugg, Allan Trautman (Greg the Bunny) and Victor Yerrid (Team America). The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored will be filmed as part of HBO and AEG LIVEs The Comedy Festival, taking place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Tuesday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 18. TBS is serving as title sponsor of the five-day event, which will feature more than 50 performances, events and screenings. The mission of The Comedy Festival is to bring together the biggest stars and cutting-edge comedy talent in a broad range of programming, from star-level performances and special events to stand-up, sketch comedy and film. In addition to The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! - Uncensored, The Comedy Festival will feature Comic Relief 2006, starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg and simulcast on HBO and TBS Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). The Jim Henson Companys PUPPET UP! Uncensored marks the second TBS project from The Jim Henson Company. Earlier this year, The Jim Henson Company filmed a pilot for The Late Night Buffet with Augie and Del, an irreverent show hosted by puppets Augustus Pfiffle and Delbert Kastle who interact with live celebrity guests in a talk-show format. The Late Night Buffet pilot was produced for TBS by The Jim Henson Company, with Brian Henson (Farscape) as executive producer and puppeteer and Bill Barretta (The Muppets Wizard of Oz) as co- executive producer and puppeteer. http://www.puppetup.com/ Raph's Girl note: Yay!! Umm....I guess this means I need to unblock TBS from my tv..... __________________

11-03-2006, 05:30 PM	#2
gobo Wacky Action Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: on Earth Posts: 12,784	Why would you block TBS?? O_o EDIT #1 - BTW, Henson.com has a clip under Feature Project. It's very reminiscent of The Muppet Show for its humor. I don't recall a Henson project giving me that feeling since. Great show. EDIT #2 - Apparently, that's the same clip as on PuppetUp.com... __________________ Live and let live... or go to hell. Last edited by gobo; 11-03-2006 at 05:47 PM.

11-21-2006, 10:44 PM	#11
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	Not bad. One thing, though... That looks way too much like Drew Carey. __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*