Movie Review: Over the Hedge

Movie Review: Over the Hedge                                                                                                  4-7-21

Over the Hedge is about a lone raccoon named RJ (Bruce Willis), who accidentally spilt all the food for a brutish Bear named Vincent (Nick Nolte). Vincent tells him that if RJ recovers all the food within a week, he’ll let him live. RJ meets a group of misfit animals, including Verne the down-to-Earth turtle (Garry Shandling), a nutty squirrel named Hammy (Steve Carral), a sassy skunk named Stella (Wanda Sykes), and a thespian possum named Ozzy (William Shatner), and their forest has been destroyed to make room for a Cul-De-Sac. RJ uses his new friends to get more food to pay off his debt, but in the process, he discovers something that he never had: A family.

Over the Hedge is yet another forgotten gem with smooth animation, a colorful cast of characters, and a story with a message on how suburban sprawl impacts wild animals’ lives and how they have to adjust to survive in this new environment. As producer Bonnie Arnold puts it 'We (human beings) are the ones in the animals' backyard, and they are not in ours'.

As with other DreamWorks films, the film is full of jokes that people will either like or hate. I personally think it’s funny that RJ points out that people exercise just so they can eat more.

If I were to complain about one thing, I’d have to say that some of the human characters in the movie look kind of ugly. However, this is forgiving because DreamWorks wasn’t ready to make a CG movie starring humans yet, as they wanted to avoid the Uncanny Valley*.

Stella popping out of a cake.

In conclusion, during a year that saw many CG animated films, Over the Hedge is a fun film to watch around April. It’s also much much better than either Nut Job films, which the first one having a very similar premise to Over the Hedge.

Rating: 3.38 stars out of 5.

*Uncanny Valley is a term used in computer graphics: The more realistic you make a CG character, the creepier it gets. When DreamWorks switched to CG in 2003, they shy away from putting humans in their films other than sequels to Shrek. However, Conrad Vernon, director of Shrek 2 and Monsters vs Aliens, points out that if you make a human more cartoony, the creepiness subsides. With stylization from the likes of David James, Kathy Alteiri, and Christophe Lautrette, DreamWorks was able to give visually-appealing human-starring films like Monsters vs Aliens, The Croods, and the critically-acclaimed How To Train Your Dragon.

Movie Review: Raya and the Last Dragon

Movie Review: Raya and the Last Dragon                                                                       3-6-21

Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it's up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people.

So, what did I think of the movie? Well, I liked it better than Ralph Breaks the Internet and Frozen 2, but less than Zootopia and Moana. Raya and the Last Dragon has top-notch animation, lots of action-packed scenes, and well-developed characters, though not as engaging as Tangled or Moana.

Raya's pet armadillo/pillbug-like creature Tuk-Tuk getting distracted by a lizard.

The story is also a strong parable on how other countries dislike each other. When the dragons (except Sisu) sacrificed each other to save humanity from the cloud-like Druun, Kumandra was split into five kingdoms: Talon, Heart, Tail, Fang, and Spine. The Druun turn whoever they touch into stone, and it caused the people of Kumandra to become corrupted with mistrust and greed.

Raya trying to retrieve her stolen crystals from the infant Noi and the Ongis, a species of monkey.

Sisu, the blue horse-like dragon voiced by Awkwafina, can also be funny at times. She's a bit like a larger Mushu, though she can't breathe fire. Instead, Sisu is an experienced swimmer, and even has a canonical human form!

Sisu also believes that the world can be a better place if people were more trustworthy and selfless.

In conclusion, Raya and the Last Dragon is a great way to start the year off, though I have a warning for the parents reading this: 'Raya' is a bit more mature than previous Disney films, treading similar waters to Atlantis and Treasure Planet. There's lots of intense action and even some character deaths.

Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5.

Who Framed Fozzie Bear Chapter 14

After all that mayhem, Pops finally got Sam and Jenny over. When Rich pulled out Judge Coleman's (animatronic) head, which survived from the explosion, Pops was surprised.

"What the Sam hill happened here?" He asked. "I've been in showbusiness for 60 years, and I've never seen anything like this."

"What is Bob Iger doing here?" Asked Sam.

"He wanted to destroy Puppetown to make room for a Star Wars Land." Said Rich.

"I even have proof!" Said Janice, holding out her cellphone. "I recorded the whole thing on my phone while me and Fozzie were tied up."

"So, it was actually Bob Iger who killed Chuck Beasley?" Asked Sam.

"As well as Kirk Thatcher and my brother." Said Rich.

"But how did the bear's fur get on the rope attached to the safe?" Asked Sam.

"I used fur from Fooozie, not Fozzie, before that buffoon laughed himself to death." Said Iger.

"Mr. Iger," Said Sam, bringing Iger to his car. "As punishment for killing Beaseley and Thatcher, you will be working as an animator at both Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios in California for the next five years, even if they're both working on projects at the same time." As Sam drove off, Pops handed Coleman's head to Jenny.

"That's what I call one seriously disturbed puppet." She said. Soon, dozens of Muppets and puppets ran over to look at Beaseley's head.

"Can you make out what it is, Charlie?" Asked Kermit.

"I'll tell you one thing, Flipper Face." Said Charlie McCarthy. "He wasn't a frog."

"Or a ducky." Said Ernie, squeaking his Rubber Ducky.

"Or a dog." Said Rowlf.

"Or a Fraggle." Said Gobo Fraggle.

"Or a bunny!" Said Bean Bunny.

"Or a lion." Said Lionel.

"Or a sheep." Said Lamb Chop. As all the puppet characters were debating on what Judge Coleman's head really belonged to, Jenny noticed a stain on Rich's vest.

"What is that, Richie?" She asked.

"It's ink." Said Rich. "Chuck Beasely squirted me with some the other night. Why it's coming out now, I don't know."

"Here's your answer, Richard." Said Fozzie, holding a bottle. "Beasley Brand Disappearing Reappearing Ink! Chuck Beasley was a genius, just like his father!"

"Malarkey!" Said Oscar, popping out of a trash can. "If Chuck Beasely was such a genius, why didn't he leave his will where he could find it? Without it, we'd be lying on the street. And I don't mean Sesame Street." This made Richard think: Disappearing ink? When Janice opened the envelope, it was blank. When Fozzie wrote the love letter, he must've written on the will!

"Fozzie?" Said Rich. "Remember that love letter you wrote to Janice at Cyclia? I think you should read it to her now." Rich then handed Fozzie the love letter.

"Sure, Richie." Said Fozzie, as he started reading the letter. "'What's a three-letter word to describe the perfect wife? Y-O-U!'" Suddenly, more words appeared. "'I, Chuck Beasley, of sound, mind, and body,' It's the will! 'Do hereby bestow the property known as Puppetown to those lovable characters, the Muppets!" Everyone cheered when they heard the announcement.

"Hey, Richie!" Said Fozzie. "That was a pretty funny dance you did for the Moopets. Do you think your days of being a grouch are over?"

"I hope not!" Said Oscar.

"Only time will tell." Replied Rich.

"Yeah, well, give me a shake!" Said Fozzie, extending his paw, but when Rich shook, he got shocked, making everyone gasp. Rich wasn't really happy with that. "Don't tell me you lost your sense of humor already."

"Does this answer your question?" Asked Rich, giving Fozzie a tight hug. "Bear hug." Everyone cheered when they heard that, with the penguins throwing themselves in the air with excitement.

"C'mon, Fozzie." Said Janice. "Let's go home. It's late."

"I think I'll hibernate until Thanksgiving." Said Fozzie. With that, the Muppets and puppets all started singing.

Fozzie: We've had comedy

Janice: We've had mystery

Rich: We've had a real good time and solved a crime real easily

Everyone: Hey, a movie!

Oscar: I just can't believe they did it!

Everyone: Starring everybody

Rich: And me.

Jenny: There was spectacle

Pops: There was fantasy

Rizzo: Where they took a chance and saw romance end happily

Rich: In a movie!

Piggy: I just love happy endings!

Kermit: One for everybody

Charlie: Everybody

Scooter: Everybody

Bobo: Everybody

Fozzie: Everybody

Janice: Everybody

Everyone: Everybody in the world

Rich: And me.

Jenny: And me.

Fozzie: And me!

Janice: And me.

Pops: And me.

Rizzo: And me!

As everyone finished singing and started heading home, Statler and Waldorf started talking to each other.

"What did you think of the story?" Asked Statler.

"Well, it was better than The Happytime Murders!" Said Waldorf, and they both laughed.

THE END

Author's Notes: For those unfamiliar with Lamb Chop, she was sock puppet that was created two years after Kermit in 1957. She was created by Jewish ventriloquist Shari Lewis, and has been described as a 6-year-old girl who's very feisty and very smart.

Lamb Chop with her 'sister' Mallory.

While not as popular as Kermit, Lamb Chop was noticeable for working with Shari longer than Jim Henson would with Kermit. Check out the website below for information on Lamb Chop, Shari, and her daughter Mallory.

Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop – Daughters of Shari Lewis

It would be a running gag in the Muppets that whenever penguins were happy, they'd throw themselves in the air. As Brian Henson put it, if you can't get the comedy out, you either eat something, blow something up, or throw penguins in the air.

Bean Bunny was a Muppet who made his debut in the 1986 Easter special 'The Tale of the Bunny Picnic'. According to 'The Muppets Character Encyclopedia', when the other Muppets were tired of being cute, they leant all the cuteness to Bean Bunny.

Bean's other appearances included The Jim Henson Hour, Muppet*Vision 3D, The Muppet Christmas Carol, some specials, and even Muppet Babies!

Gobo was the most adventures of the five main Fraggles on Fraggle Rock. He was adventurous, clever, and kind, though he would sometimes get his friends in trouble. He was a bit like Tommy from The Rugrats, except he was older and didn't have any known parents. Puppeteer Jerry Nelson (who performed Gobo) described him as a 'slighter older Robin the Frog'.

Who Framed Fozzie Bear Chapter 13

With all five Moopets defeated, Rich ran over to the Mega Shredder to turn it off, which was seven feet away from Fozzie and Janice. Right before Rich could turn off the machine, Tex Coleman knocked him off and got out a sword. Rich saw some swords lying around, so he grabbed one, only for it to wilt due to the effects of Muppet Labs All-Purpose Tenderizer. Rich threw the sword aside and grabbed a magnet, using it to try to grab Coleman's sword. Coleman, however, used his sword's magnetism to attract a drum to it, trapping Rich.

"Don't move." Said Coleman, getting out a Muppet Labs crushing machine. As the machine approached Rich, he tried to struggle free, but nothing happened. He then grabbed a Muppet Labs Exploding Hat and placed it on the magnet, making it explode. Rich got out of the way and got a bottle of Muppet Labs Super Adhesive. He lured Coleman to the crusher, sprayed some on Coleman's shoes, and rolled out before he could get crushed. Rich rushed over to the Mega Shredder and turned it off, which was four feet away from shredding the two Muppets.

"I wasn't worried." Said Fozzie. "Were you?" As everyone watched Judge Coleman get crushed, they were surprised to see a metal endoskeleton be exposed.

"Holy smokes, he's a puppet!" Said Rich, as the crusher slowly rose up.

"I prefer the term animatronic." Said 'Coleman', as he got up to get himself repaired.

"That makes sense, now." Said Rich, as Coleman was rebuilding himself. "Tex's last name is Richman, not Coleman, and he's in California. Also, Richman was an oil baron, not a theme park baron." When Coleman finished rebuilding himself, Rich identified the being: He had robotic movements and photorealistic eyes. It was the same animatronic who killed Paul! All that was missing was a Muppet-like voice.

"Remember me, Richard?" Coleman asked, starting to sound like Waldorf. "I am the one who killed your brother!" Rich started running, but as soon as he made it to the Mega Shredder, Coleman threw him to the floor and turned the Mega Shredder back on. When Rich got up, Coleman threw a punch at him that sent him flying ten feet backwards. With Rich on the floor, Coleman got out a chainsaw and threatened to kill him with it. Rich lunged out of the way and saw something helpful: A pig whistle. He blew into the whistle, and Miss Piggy, not Poogy, burst through the factory, and Coleman turned off his saw.

"Anyone called for moi?" She asked. "And who's that creep with the chainsaw?"

"I called you, Piggy." Said Rich. "And long story short, Judge Coleman is actually an animatronic, and he wants to destroy Puppetown and kill everyone who lives there to make room for a Star Wars theme park."

"That means you would've killed my frog!" Shouted Piggy, and ran over to Coleman and karate chopped him right into the Puppet Shredder. However, he didn't get shredded, and the machine got jammed.

"No!" Said an unknown voice. The Puppet Shredder turned itself off, inches away from Fozzie and Janice, and out came Disney CEO Bob Iger. "What did you do with my machine? No destruction company would want to destroy a place where their childhood companions lived! Now Star Wars Land will never be made!"

"So, you're the one who thought of the Star Wars Land concept." Said Rich.

"That's right." He said. "Nobody cares about the Muppets anymore, but Star Wars is still loved by millions! And I would've gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids."

"Save it for someone who cares." Said Piggy, tying Iger up with rope. "Go, Mr. Jewel! Save your friends!" First, Richard had to destroy the Mega Shredder. He grabbed a box of Exploding Clothes and poured them onto the Shredder. He jumped off the machine before it blew up, creating an explosion powerful enough to destroy the wall that bordered Puppetown. On the other side were Fraggles, singing, dancing, and playing games.

"How are we supposed to get down?" Asked Fozzie. Rich grabbed a remote control that controlled the hook. He lowered the hook down until Fozzie and Janice were on the ground. He untied them, and they were happy.

"Thanks, Richie!" Said Fozzie. "That was a close shave. I thought that our rubber chicken was cooked!"

"Fozzie!" Said Janice, hugging the bear. "You were a magnificent pillar of strength!"

Author's Notes: In the Paul Williams episode of The Muppet Show, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew introduces an All-Purpose Tenderizer. It could tenderize anything, including a ladle, a dish, and even the table.

In the Gilda Radner episode of The Muppet Show, Bunsen and Beaker test out a super adhesive that was so strong, it got stuck to everyone!

Coleman's crushing machine is inspired by Bunsen and Beaker testing pressure in the Muppets NOW episode 'The I.T. Factor'.

Bunsen crushing Beaker's Babe Ruth-signed baseball.

Who Framed Fozzie Bear Chapter 12

Meanwhile, Pops and Fozzie had arrived at the Gags Beasely factory entrance.

"Pops," Said Fozzie. "You go get help. I'm going to save Janice!"

"Just be careful, sonny!" Warned Pops, and he drove off to find Sam and Jenny. Fozzie tried going into the factory by door and through the windows, but they were both locked.

"Guess I have to use the chimney." He said. Fozzie climbed up the factory building, walked towards the chimney, tore off the cover, and tried fitting himself down the chimney. However, he was stuck.

"This will take a while." Said Fozzie.

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Back inside the factory, Coleman unveiled his ultimate weapon, which was covered under a cloak.

"Allow me to show you my latest invention." He said, pulling the curtain off to reveal what looked like a cross between a lawnmower, a bulldozer, and a wrecking ball. "This is the Mega Puppet Shredder! It slices! It smashes! It plows puppets! With this device, Puppetown will be destroyed in a matter of minutes."

"Won't anyone notice Puppetown's disappearance?" Asked Rich.

"Who would want to know what happened to some talking dolls when they could be riding a rollercoaster?" Asked Coleman. "I am planning on a new theme park based on the most popular sci-fi movie franchise of all time: I call it Star Wars Land. Imagine it. There will be a Dagobah waterpark, a Millennium Falcon rollercoaster, an updated Star Tours, a Cantina restaurant, and yards and yards of meet-and-greet characters, far as the eye can see! My god, it will be beautiful."

"That explains why you killed Beasley and Thatcher." Said Rich. "But why did you buy the taxi service?"

"You're the detective." Said Miss Poogy. "You figure it out!" Suddenly, Fozzie fell on top of Kermoot, and he was angry.

"Alright, everyone!" Said Fozzie, grabbing a sharpened banana. "Nobody move!"

"Put that banana down, you unfunny ursine!" Demanded Coleman.

"That's it, Coleman!" Shouted Fozzie. "Give me another excuse to shove a banana up your ear! We Muppets may act silly, but we're not stupid! We demand justice! The true meaning of the word probably hits you like a ton of bricks." Poogy just punched Fozzie.

"Save it for the Judge, bear rug!"

"Tie the lovebirds together and hang them on that hook." Said Coleman, and the Moopets tied up Fozzie and Janice and hung them on a hook 10 feet apart from the Mega Shredder.

"Oh, Fozzie." Said Janice. "You were magnificent."

"Was I really?" Asked Fozzie.

"Better than Mortimer." She replied. As the Moopets got the Mega Shredder ready, Coleman walked over to Rich.

"It's over, Mr. Jewel." He told him, and as he walked away, he slipped on a banana peel, making the Moopets laugh hysterically again. "Stop that laughing! One of these days, you'll laugh yourselves to death!" This gave Rich an idea.

"What should I do with Richard, boss?" Asked Miss Poogy, pointing her slingshot at him.

"Let him watch his friends get shredded, then ice him." Ordered Coleman.

"With pleasure." Said Poogy, as the Moopets started giggling maniacally.

"Everything's funny to you, bacon breath?" Rich asked Poogy.

"You have a problem with that, Richard?" She asked.

"No." Said Rich, walking over to an old Vendawish machine. "I just want to tell you about the bear you're gonna shred." He deposited a quarter into the machine, and it started talking.

"Hello." Said Vendawish in a robotic voice. "I am Vendawish. You have deposited a coin, and I will answer any wish you may have."

"Play a silly song for me, please." Said Rich.

"Request granted." Said the machine, and it started playing 'Merry-Go-Round Broke Down'.

"Now, Fozzie is his name." Rich sang. "And laughter is his game. Come on, you dope. Untie your rope, or else, I'm gonna maim." Rich started dancing, and the Moopets started laughing again.

"He's lost his marbles." Said Janice.

"I don't think so." Said Fozzie, as Rich grabbed three bowling balls and started singing again.

"This singing ain't my line." He continued. "It's tough to make a rhyme. If I get stuck, I'm out of luck, I'm..."

"We're running out of time!" Said Janice.

"Thanks." Said Rich, as he threw the balls into the air and failed to catch them each time. This made the Moopets laugh their heads off. Rich then used a pogo stick to bounce into the air and get electrocuted by the ceiling lamp. The Moopets laughed so hard that Roowlf and Foozie literally died laughing.

"Dogs go in and out." Rich continued. "Whales have got to spout. Without that gun, I'll have some fun, and punch you in the..." Vendawish threw a pie at him.

"Stomach!" Said Fozzie.

"Stomach?" Said Poogy. "That doesn't rhyme with spout!"

"No," Said Rich. "But this does." He punched Poogy in the snout, sending her flying as she hit the Mega Shredder and got sliced into fuzzy ham. Poogy's demise made Kermoot and Janooce die laughing.

Author's Notes: I am, in no way, insulting Star Wars fans in this story. I just think that Disney cares more about that property than the Muppets.

Mortimer Snerd is another Edgar Bergan creation. While Charlie McCarthy is a smart Alec, Mortimer is as dumb as a brick, almost like Goofy.

Fozzie Bear with Mortimer on The Muppet Show.

The sharpened bananas in this chapter are a reference to the Crystal Gale episode of The Muppet Show, in which Bunsen and Beaker invent a banana sharpener.

On rare occasions on The Muppet Show, there would be a vending machine Muppet named Vendaface (Vendawish in the Leslie Uggams episode). He would give Muppets face-lifts, but the outcome isn't always what they expect.

Who Framed Fozzie Bear Chapter 11

Later, Rich was walking through an alley in Puppetown. He gave out a sneeze, and a voice said "Bless you."

"Thank you." Said Rich. It was a shadow who said 'bless you'.

"Richard." Said a voice. It was Janice, holding a slingshot. "Behind you!" She shot a rock at the shadow, and it dropped a glove.

"Drop the slingshot, lady!" Demanded Rich, holding his toy gun.

"I saved your life, and you still don't trust me?" Asked Janice.

"I don't trust anyone except my wife!" Said Rich.

"Not even your own eyes?" Asked Janice. "That was the glove that iced Kirk Thatcher, and Tex Coleman threw the ice pop."

"Coleman?" Asked Rich.

"I followed him to the studio," Janice explained. "But I was too late to stop him."

"That's right!" Said Judge Coleman, running away from them. "You'll never stop me! You're dead! You're both dead!"

"No!" Shouted Rich. He brought out his gun and pulled the trigger, but out came a flag that said 'bang'.

"There's no time for joking around!" Said Janice. "Follow me!" She grabbed Rich's hand and ran over to her car, only to find out it's not there. "Oh no. Where's Fozzie?"

"Fozzie?" Asked Rich. "He chickened out on me back at the studio."

"No, he didn't." Said Janice. "I hit him on the head with a frying pan and put him in the trunk so he wouldn't get hurt."

"Makes perfect sense." Said Rich.

"How about we use your car?" Asked Janice.

"I don't have a car." Said Rich. "I stole a bicycle from the studio to get here. Do you know who took your car?"

"Judging from the trail of orange fur," She said. "It was probably Fozzie. My teddy bear was never a good driver."

"A better lover than a driver, huh?" Asked Rich.

"You better believe it." Said Janice. Suddenly, the two of them heard a siren. "Oh, no! It's the Moopets! Let's take Woodland Road."

"No," Argued Rich. "Woodland Road is this way!" In the nick of time, Pops arrived with Fozzie's Studebaker.

"You need a lift?" He asked, "Come on in!" Rich and Janice went inside the car, and Pops hit the gas. While Pops was driving through the tunnel out of Puppetown, Rich asked Janice a few questions.

"How long have you known it was Coleman?" He asked.

"Before Chuck Beasley was killed," She explained. "He told me that the Judge wanted to get his hands on Puppetown, and he wouldn't stop at anything."

"So, he gave you the will for safekeeping?" Rich asked.

"That's what he told me." Said Janice. "Except when I opened the envelope, there was only a blank piece of paper inside."

"Joker til the end." Remarked Rich.

"Where to, children?" Asked Pops. "I don't have all day!"

"I have to find Fozzie." Said Janice. "I'm worried to death about him."

"Seriously," Asked Rich. "What do you see in that guy?"

"He's compassionate." Replied Janice. When they finally exited the tunnel, Coleman knocked over a drum of oil, making Pops spin out of control until the Studebaker hit a telephone poll.

"What an unfortunate accident." Said Coleman, staring at Rich and Janice. "Nothing more treacherous than a slippery road, especially when the driver is a lazy old man who's only good at sleeping." The Moopets finally caught up with Rich and Janice, and they got out of the car to await Coleman's orders.

"Don't just stand there." Said the Judge. "Put them in my car. I think they'll enjoy attending the ribbon-cutting at the gag factory." The Moopets grabbed Rich and Janice and placed them in Coleman's 1949 Ford Super De Luxe and drove off to the factory, while the Moopets went in their smaller car and followed in pursuit. Pops just sat in the car and face-palmed himself.

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A couple minutes later, Coleman, the Moopets, Rich, and Janice arrived at the gag factory. Janooce and Roowlf were digging a hole to the other side of Puppetown, while Miss Poogy, Kermoot, and Foozie searched Rich for the will.

"Did you find the will yet?" Asked Coleman.

"We searched Richard, boss." Said Poogy. "He doesn't have the will. Only a stupid love letter."

"Then frisk Janice!" Demanded Coleman.

"I'll do this, boss." Said Kermoot, walking over to Janice. He searched through her hair, but out came a fishing net. This made the other Moopets laugh at his humiliation.

"Nice hair net." Commented Rich.

"I guess that you didn't find the will." Said Coleman, walking towards the Moopets, Janice, and Rich. "No matter. I doubt if that will is gonna show up in the next fifteen minutes, anyway."

"What happens in the next fifteen minutes?" Asked Rich.

"Puppetown will be owned by me." Answered Coleman. "Every last cent."

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Back at the entrance of Puppetown, Fozzie was driving in Janice's car, a rainbow-colored Studebaker, and saw Pops in the old Studebaker.

"Pops!" He said in shock. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it is!" Answered Pops. "I have some important news for you!"

"What is it?" Asked Fozzie.

"Coleman grabbed your friends and took them to the gag factory!" Said Pops. "Also, I broke your car. Sorry."

"That's okay, Pops." Said Fozzie. "C'mon, let's save my wife and Richie and stop whatever plan Tex Coleman has up his sleeve!" Pops got in the car and Fozzie started driving.

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Back at the factory, Roowlf and Janooce finished digging the hole to Puppetown.

"Puppetown's on the other side of the wall, boss!" Said Roowlf.

"You see, Mr. Jewel?" Asked Coleman. "The successful conclusion of this case draws the curtains on my role as judge in Puppetown. I'm retiring to take a new role in the private sector."

"That wouldn't be Triple M Industries, would it?" Asked Rich.

"You're looking at the sole stockholder." Replied Coleman.

Author's Notes: In The Muppet Movie, to help avoid Doc Hopper, the Electric Mayhem paints Fozzie's Studebaker with crazy colors.

Also in The Muppet Movie, after the Studebaker and Gonzo's truck hit each other, the Muppets exchange both of their cars for a 1949 Ford Super De Luxe.

Who Framed Fozzie Bear Chapter 10

Rich and Fozzie ran as fast as they could to the Muppet Studios to find Kirk Thatcher.

"Let's forget it." Said Fozzie. "There's nobody here but them chickens." He then pointed to a chicken coop.

"Is that it, or are you just scared?" Asked Rich.

"Me, scared?" Fozzie asked. "Don't be ridiculous!" He then started biting his fingernails. "When you called Mr. Thatcher, you told him you have the will, but you don't. When he finds out, he's gonna get mad, and might even want to kill you!"

"Okay, you can stay here." Rich told the bear. "Cover my back while I'm inside. If you hear or see anything, squeeze the horn twice." He handed Fozzie a bicycle horn left over from a Muppet project.

"That's a great plan!" Said Fozzie. "Squeeze the horn twice and cover your back! I've been a police officer on The Muppet Show before, so criminals beware!" However, Janice hit him with a frying pan and stored him in the trunk of her car.

--------------------------------------

Meanwhile, inside Thatcher's office, he was waiting for the will, and he secretly had a sword as a weapon. Rich snuck behind him and tapped his shoulder, making him scream.

"Hi-ho." Rich said. "Richard Jewel here."

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Asked Thatcher.

"You need to have a heart before you can have an attack." Replied Rich.

"Do you have the will?" Asked Thatcher, and Rich gave him a piece of paper. However, Thatcher was not pleased.

"'What's a three-letter word to describe the perfect wife? Y-O-U'?" He read. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No, this is!" Said Rich, grabbing a bottle of seltzer water and spraying Thatcher with it. He then punched the Muppet CEO and pinned him to the ground.

"What are you gonna do to me?" Asked Thatcher.

"I'm going to listen to you spin the Triple M scenario," Explained Rich. "A story of greed, love, and murder. And the parts that I don't like, I'm going to cut out." He pulled out Thatcher's sword and placed it dangerously close near this throat.

"You got it all wrong, Jewel!" Pleaded Thatcher. "I'm a puppet show executive, not a murderer!"

"Everybody has to have a hobby." Said Rich, getting ready to slice Thatcher's throat.

"Alright, I'll talk!" He pleaded. "The truth is I had a chance to sell the Muppets New York division, but Triple M wouldn't buy my property unless Beasley sold some of his! The stubborn smoo head wouldn't sell! So I was going to blackmail Beasley with him and the bear's wife. Blackmail, that's all! I've been around puppets all my life! I don't want to see them get destroyed!"

"Puppets destroyed?" Asked Rich. "Why?" Little did Rich know that a gun was poking through the window.

"If I tell you, I'm a dead man!" Said Thatcher.

"You're a dead man if you don't tell me!" Threatened Rich.

"Unless Beasley's will shows up by midnight tonight," Thatcher explained. "Puppetown will be destroyed to make room for..." Before Thatcher could finish, but got iced with an ice pop. Rich then looked out the window: It was Janice, and she must've killed Kirk Thatcher! Janice drove off, with Fozzie in tow, and headed straight to Puppetown. Rich grabbed a bicycle (which had a toy gun in the basket) to catch up with Janice, and upon following Fozzie's shedding fur, arrived at the entrance of Puppetown. When he drove inside, Kermit appeared outside the 'O' of the word 'Puppetown'.

Kermit: Welcome to Puppetown, with our very special guest star, Mr. Richard Jewel! Yay!

Annie Sue, Miss Mousey, Rosita, and Mokey Fraggle: It's time to play the music!

It's time to light the lights!

It's time to meet the Muppets on The Muppet Show tonight!

Beauregard, Beautiful Day Monster, Telly Monster, and Rowlf: It's time to put on makeup!

It's time to dress up right!

It's time to raise the curtain on The Muppet Show tonight!

Waldorf: Why do we always come here?

Statler: I guess we'll never know.

Waldorf: It's like a kind of torture

Both: To have to watch the show!

Statler: At least that stupid bear won't be on tonight!

Scooter: Ladies and gentlemen, Fozzie Bear won't be here tonight, so here's our back-up comedian, Fozzie Pig!

Statler and Waldorf: Oh no!

Fozzie Pig: What do you get when you put sugar on hamburger? Sweet-ish meatballs!

Kermit: To introduce our guest star

That's what I'm here to do!

So it really makes me happy

To introduce to you...

Mr. Richard Jewel! (lights were shown on Rich riding his bicycle) And now let's get thing started

Muppet ensemble: On the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational

This is what we call The Muppet Show!

(Gonzo blew his horn, only to have a cannonball shoot out and hit Rich on the head, knocking him unconscious)

When Rich woke up, he was back in Puppetown, which was a hodge-podge of Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Victorian England, and more. He saw what appeared to be Janice in the window of a tall building. Rich went inside, pressed a button for the elevator, and was surprised to see who the operator was: Grover.

"Hello, there!" He said. "Lovable little friend Grover here. Do you wish to use the elevator?"

"Yes, please!" Said Rich, as he walked into the elevator. "Top floor, please!"

"Do you want me to count the floors we pass by?" Asked Grover.

"No, thank you." Replied Rich.

"Wise thinking." He said. "Not many preschoolers can count to 450 in one sitting. Make sure to hold onto a railing!" Grover pressed the button with the number 450 on it, and the elevator went up very quickly. After ten seconds, Rich and Grover arrived at the 450th floor.

"Here's your floor, good man." Said Grover. "Have a good day!" Rich walked towards the room where Janice could be and looked through the keyhole. However, it wasn't Janice, but Janooce!

"It worked!" She said. "Time to alert Coleman!" Janooce started chasing Rich throughout the floor. Rich tried to hide himself in a closet, only to find out that there was no floor! Rich started falling, and continued to do so until he grabbed onto a poll. This woke up The Count von Count, and he examined the fingers.

"Look, fingers!" He said, and he started plucking the fingers one by one to count them. "One, one finger. Ha ha ha! Two, two fingers. Ha ha ha! Three, three fingers! Ha ha ha! Four..." When the Count plucked the fourth finger, Rich started falling again.

"Four, four fingers!" Claimed the vampire, giving his signature laugh. "Sorry!" While Rich was falling, he noticed two very famous puppet characters sky-diving together: Kermit the Frog and Charlie McCarthy.

"Hi-ho. Kermit the Frog here." Greeted the amphibian.

"And who are you?" Rich asked Charlie.

"I'm Charlie McCarthy." Said the wooden doll. "I was created back when your parents were kids! Why are you sky-diving without a parachute? You could get killed!"

"Do either of you have a spare?" Asked Rich.

"Uh, Charlie does." Said Kermit.

"Yeah," Said Charlie. "But I don't think you want it."

"I do, I do!" Pleaded Rich. "Give it to me!"

"Okay, sonny." Said Charlie, handing Rich a package. "Whatever you say. Here's the spare."

"Thank goodness." Said Rich, opening the package, but it wasn't a spare parachute: It was a spare tire! "Oh no! Aaaahhhhh!!!!!"

"That was a rotten trick, Charlie." Said Kermit.

"Yeah, but someone had to do it." Charlie snickered. As Rich was about to plummet to his doom, he was caught by Sweetums.

"Why did you catch me?" Richard asked as the ogre placed him on the ground.

"Are you kidding?" He said. "I love you, guys! Go on and find Fozzie. I'll take care of Janooce."

Author's Notes: In the Cloris Leachman episode of The Muppet Show, pigs take over the show and replace all the non-pig characters with pig doppelgangers. Fozzie Bear was replaced with Fozzie Pig, who sounded a bit like Lew Zealand.

Fozzie Pig's meatball joke came from this hilarious sketch from the forgotten special 'The Muppets Go To the Movies'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqv_qYBgEk0

Rosita is a Hispanic light blue Muppet on Sesame Street introduced in the early 90s. She was used to teach kids about Hispanic culture and Spanish words.

Annie Sue was Miss Piggy's occasional rival on The Muppet Show. She was younger and more talented than Piggy, but didn't have the feisty personality of the famous sow.

Before The Muppet Show, Kermit's love interest was a mouse named Miss Mousey, who made her debut on The Muppets Valentine Show.

Beautiful Day Monster is a blue rectangular Muppet who first appeared on a sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show, in which he tormented a little girl (who was also a Muppet). He would also appear on The Muppet Show and early episodes of Sesame Street.

Of the five main Fraggles on Fraggle Rock, Mokey was the oldest and most caring of them all. She loved painting, writing in her diary, and meditating, and would serve as the den mother of the group.

Telly Monster is a Sesame Street Muppet who's obsessed with triangles. When he made his debut over 40 years ago, however, he was obsessed with television. They changed him soon after because Sesame Workshop felt that he'd be a poor role model for kids. This what Telly looked like back then...

And this is what he looks like now.