Who Framed Fozzie Bear Chapter 2

As Rich walked out of Kirk Thatcher's office, he encountered several Muppets like Big Bird, Oscar, Robin the Frog, Scooter, and the little-known Howard Tubman. Once he left the studio, Richard encountered a taxi driver, paid him 10 bucks, and took a ride to his wife Jenny's restaurant in Manhattan, which she inherited after her father died. The taxi driver was confused by this.

"Don't you have a car?" He asked.

"Who needs a car in New York when you can ride a taxi for a cheaper price?" Replied Rich. The truth was, Richard and Jenny weren't exactly wealthy: They didn't have modern cellphones, most of their furniture was from the 20th Century, and they still used VHS. After a half-hour drive, Rich arrived at the restaurant. When he went inside, one of the customers was depressed with his head on a table.

"What's with him?" Asked Rich.

"Laid off." Said another customer. "The taxi service got bought out by some big company called Mad Man Money. Triple M for short."

"No kidding." Said Rich. "They bought the taxi service?"

"Yeah." Said the customer. "Put poor Jerry on a two weeks notice." As the customer walked away, Rich saw a glass of root beer on the counter. He was about to take a drink, but then, a hand covered it. It was Jenny Castillanos, who helped the Muppets get on Broadway over 30 years earlier.

"Tomorrow's Friday, Richie." She said. "Know what happens on Friday?"

"Baklava discount?" He joked.

"The tax collector comes on Friday." She said. "And if I don't have that money I gave you, I'm going to lose my job!"

"Don't bust a button, Jennifer." Said Richard, handing her the check. "You only have one left."

"Fifty bucks?" She said in amazement. "Where's the rest?"

"Kirk Thatcher has it." Said Rich. "Do you still have that camera? It's for my job." Jenny looked in the pantry, and a rat gave her a Polaroid camera, which she handed to Richard.

"I haven't' had the film developed since our honeymoon in Florida." She said. "Sure was a long time ago."

"It was a long time ago." Said Rich. "We should do that again sometime."

"So, you said Kirk Thatcher gave it to you?" Asked Jenny. "As in that Muppet guy?"

"Muppet guy?" Said a voice. It was Jared Weisner, who would rat you out for a dollar. "Who's your client, Sherlock Felt? Kermit the Frog or Charlie McCarthy?"

"What would you like?" Asked Jenny.

"I'll have a BLT, toots." Replied Jared, who continued teasing Rich. "So what happened? Did Uncle Traveling Matt get lost in Outer Space?"

"Cut it out, Jared." Said Jenny, who was starting to get annoyed.

"Wait a minute, I know." Said Jared. "Cookie Monster lost his cookies, and you're going to help him find them!" As Jared continued laughing, Richard popped his cork and pinned him against the counter.

"Get this straight, meatball." Said Rich. "I don't work for puppets!" He stuffed an egg in Jared's mouth and stormed off.

"What's his problem?" Asked Jared, spitting out the egg.

"A puppet killed his brother." Said Jenny, and all the customers were shocked. "He dropped a piano on his head from 15 stories."

Jenny was right. A couple years earlier, Rich had a brother named Paul, and the two of them would solve puppet crimes together. When Paul got killed, however, Rich developed a grudge for puppets.

Author's Notes: Jenny was a human character in The Muppets Take Manhattan. She was a waitress in her late teens who helped her father Pete with his restaurant, and would also help the Muppets get to Broadway. In this story, she plays the role of Eddie Valiant's girlfriend, Dolores.

Jared Weisner is named after a bully I encountered in 5th and 6th Grade, who made fun of me just because I liked Pokémon.

Mad Man Money, Triple M for short, is named after the car dealer Mad Man Mooney in The Muppet Movie.

Charlie McCarthy was a puppet character (but not a Muppet) created by Jim Henson's hero, ventriloquist Edgar Bergan. Charlie was part of Bergen's act as early as high school, and by 1930, was suited up in his famous top hat, tuxedo, and monocle. Charlie's personality was that of a mischievous little boy (with an Irish accent), who could wisecrack, misbehave, and flirt shamelessly in a way that Bergen couldn't. He and Edgar Bergan appeared in a Season 2 episode of The Muppet Show, along with another Bergan creation, the dim-witted Mortimer Snerd.

After Edgar Bergan died in 1978, Charlie McCarthy retired, and he was placed on display at the Smithsonian. Here's a clip of Edgar and Charlie appearing at a ceremony for Orson Wells.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brT6gXdhLWk

Anyway, Charlie will appear in Chapter 10, when he sky-dives with Kermit.

Uncle Traveling Matt was Gobo's uncle on Fraggle Rock who, after exploring every nook and cranny in Fraggle Rock, decided to venture into Outer Space (which the Fraggles call the human world) and makes several observations on Silly Creatures (humans). Matt encountered Sidewalk Creatures (parking meters), a wish-granting creature (Santa Claus), flying creatures (balloons and kites), and mouth-burners (people who smoke) during his adventures in Outer Space.

Uncle Matt testing out the Silly Creature's Transport System, which was actually a rollercoaster.

Howard Tubman was a gluttonous and obese pig who appeared on Muppets Tonight. He appeared on the 'Tubmans of Porksmith' and 'Boarshead Revisited' sketches.

Who Framed Fozzie Bear Chapter 1

Before we start, here's a word from Joe the Legal Weasel.

The Muppets and Star Wars are owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Sesame Street is owned by Sesame Workshop and HBO.

Fraggle Rock is owned by The Jim Henson Company.

Lamb Chop is owned by Universal Studios and the Estate of Shari Lewis.

Charlie McCarthy is courtesy of the Estate of Edgar Bergan.

Between the Lions is owned by WGBH.

The Muppet Show theme. Written by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle. Courtesy of Walt Disney Records.

The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down. Written by Cliff Friend and Dave Franklin. Courtesy of Harms Inc.

Hey a Movie! Written by Joe Raposo. Courtesy of Walt Disney Records.

Any relations to people living or dead is coincidental.

This concludes our word from Joe from Legal.

It was September 2019 in New York City. In a world where humans and puppets live with one another, the Muppets resident comedian Fozzie Bear was trying to juggle pies, but he can't seem to catch any of them. This is where our hero, hard-boiled detective Richard 'Rich' Jewel, was visiting the Muppets Studios (not the Muppet Theater) so he could get a $100 check from Muppet CEO Kirk Thatcher. When Richard entered the office, he was watching a pilot for Muppets NOW, but had to pause it so he could talk to the detective about his assignment.

"What do you know about show business, Mr. Jewel?" Thatcher asked.

"Only there's no business like it, no business I know." Replied Rich.

"And no business more expensive." Said Thatcher. "I'm over budget on Muppets NOW, and want to know why?"

"The bear can't catch any pies?" Asked Rich.

"Exactly!" Said Thatcher. "We baked over 50 pies, and Fozzie couldn't catch a single one of them. Read this." He then handed Rich a newspaper.

"'Electric Mayhem bandmember Janice quit the music business to marry less-than-stellar comedian Fozzie Bear.'" Rich read. "Hey, I thought Janice was dating Floyd Pepper!"

"Not in this story." Said Thatcher. "Anyway, I want you to follow Janice to take pictures of her to stir up the bear with."

"Forget it." Said Rich, who had a prejudice towards puppets because of an event that happened years ago. "I don't work for Puppetown."

"What's wrong with Puppetown?" Asked Thatcher. "Every Tom, Dick, and Harry loves Puppetown!"

"Then get one of them to do the job, cause I ain't going." Replied Rich, who started walking away, but Thatcher grabbed him.

"That's fine." He said. "You don't have to go to Puppetown. Have a seat, Jewel." Rich sat down on a chair. "The bear's wife sings at a joint called Cyclia. No puppets allowed, and strictly humans only! How about it, Mr. Jewel?" Richard walked behind Kirk Thatcher's desk to get a bottle of root beer.

"It'll cost you a hundred bucks." Replied Rich.

"A hundred bucks?" Asked Thatcher. "That's ridiculous!"

"So is the job." Replied Rich.

"All right." Said Thatcher, handing Rich a check for $50. "You get your hundred bucks. Have a drink."

"Don't mind if I do." Said Rich, and he poured himself a glass. He peeked out the window, and there were two men carrying a cage with pink and purple aliens inside. However, one of the men dropped it, and the aliens, who were literally connected to one another, started playing a strange song. As Rich was watching mildly amused, a large, brown, and furry pachyderm blocked his view.

"Hello." Said the pachyderm, and Rich hid under a chair.

"No need to be alarmed." Said Thatcher. "It's just Snuffleupagus."

"I know who it is." Said Richard.

"I got him on loan from Joan Cooney." Said Thatcher, grabbing a cookie from the pantry. "Him and 50 other Muppets from Sesame Street. And the best part is, they work for cookies."

"Cocoanut, please!" Said Snuffy.

"Already on it!" Said Thatcher, extending his hand to the window. Snuffy used his snuffle to grab the cookie, ate it, and walked off.

"Well, I don't work for cookies." Said Rich. "Where's the other fifty?"

"Take some pictures of Janice, and I'll give you the other fifty." Replied Thatcher.

"Deal!" Said Rich, and he walked out of the studio to ask his wife Jenny for a camera.

Author's Notes: Richard Jewel is named after Muppet writer Jerry Juhl and puppeteer Richard Hunt. Hunt's many characters included Scooter, Statler, Beaker, Sweetums, and Janice on The Muppet Show, the Two-Headed Monster, Forgetful Jones, Gladys the Cow, and Don Music on Sesame Street, and Junior Gorg and Gunge on Fraggle Rock. He unfortunately died in 1992 at the age of 40 due to AIDS.

Cyclia was a night club that Jim Henson proposed during the mid 60s that would've been a peak into the year 2000. Henson envisioned that the walls, floors, and ceiling of the club would be broken into faceted, crystal-like shapes onto which films would be projected—completely immersing patrons in a sea of images, choreographed precisely to the volume and type of music being played. Once an hour, a woman in a white leotard would rise from a pedestal in the center of the floor to have film projected on her body as she danced. It would be, as Henson proposed, a very fashionable place, with "a definite prestige atmosphere and as such [the cover charge] would be expensive." Cyclia would've looked like this.

The pink and purple aliens in this chapter are the Fazoobs, who appeared in the Steve Martin episode of The Muppet Show. These strange characters would play each other like instruments, and according to The Muppets Character Encyclopedia, are unpopular on both Earth and their home planet Koozbane.

For those unfamiliar, Janice was a guitarist in the Electric Mayhem band on The Muppet Show. She also played a nurse on the 'Veterinarian's Hospital' sketches with Piggy and Dr. Bob (played by Rowlf).

Movie Review: Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves

Movie Review: Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves                                                                          1-8-21

Long ago, in the fictional country of Fairy Tale Island, there was a group of witch hunters called the Fearless Seven. One day, however, after attacking a fairy Princess with green skin by accident, she turns them into little green men. To break the spell, they have to be kissed by a beautiful woman. Now, with a big-boned Snow White who donned magic shoes, they must embark on an adventure to find Snow’s missing father, while also avoiding the wicked enchantress Regina, who believes Snow stole her shoes that would grant eternal youth.

The best way to describe Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves is like a cross between Shrek and Hairspray: It’s a fairytale parody like Shrek, but is body positive like Hairspray. However, for most of the movie, Snow has been transformed into a skinny version of herself after putting on magic shoes, though she takes them off when by herself.

Exposition aside, ‘Red Shoes’ is a woefully underrated and overlooked film with impressive animation, likable albeit familiar characters that easily surpass those created at Illumination, and a story with a strong message about accepting who you are and that true beauty lies within.

Another thing to appreciate about ‘Red Shoes’ is the fact that the movie was entirely animated in South Korea. It was a challenge for the Korean animators because the film had an English voice cast, but the animators don’t understand English. Luckily, they were able to overcome that obstacle, and the animation is seamless.

In conclusion, Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves is a fun and enjoyable film for everyone in the family. I honestly think it’s better than Netflix’s The Willoughbys! I know I gave that movie a good review back in the Spring, but after rewatching it in November, I thought it felt more like a pilot to a show. 'Red Shoes' is also 10 times better than the majority of animated films that LionsGate distributed over the years.

Rating: 3.47 stars out of 5

2021 in Animated Features

So far, the 21st Century hasn't been kind to opening decades: The 2000s began with the dramatizing 9/11 attacks and the death of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, the 2010s began with one of the worst oil spills in recent history, and the 2020s began with the Corona Virus outbreak that shut down the economy for quite some time. Anyway, a new year means new animated movies, and let's see what 2021 has in store for that category!

First up in March is the long-awaited Disney movie Raya and the Last Dragon. 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. My main concern about this movie is that I really don't want there to be another twist villain.

In April, 20th Century Fox will release their first non-Blue Sky CG film since 2017, Ron's Gone Wrong. Set in a world where walking, talking, digitally connected robots have become children's best friends, Ron's Gone Wrong tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who finds that his robot buddy doesn't quite work. Arthur Christmas director Sarah Smith will serve as screenwriter for this movie.

In May, from Paramount Animation and WWE comes Rumble. In a world where monster wrestling is a global sport and monsters are superstar athletes, a teenage girl named Winnie seeks to follow in her father's footsteps by coaching a loveable underdog monster into a champion. I know it's a little early to judge this movie, but it already sounds similar to Pokémon and 2011's Real Steel. Not to mention the character designs look reminiscent of Monsters Inc.

In June, from Sony Pictures Animation comes their first musical, Vivo. It will be about a music-loving monkey who journeys from Havana, Cuba to Miami, Florida in pursuit of his dreams. The songs for this film will be written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose previous works include Hamilton, Mary Poppins Returns, and Moana.

Also in June, Pixar will release their 24th feature film, Luca. This movie will take audiences to a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera to meet a boy named Luca as he experiences an unforgettable summer with his new friends. My main concern is that I'm afraid that Luca might be too much like a Studio Ghibli film.

In July, the banana-loving Twinkies will return in an all-new movie called Minions: The Rise of Gru. Rather than being a sequel to the 2015 Despicable Me spinoff, this movie will serve as a prequel to DM, instead, depicting Gru as a child. I still have low expectations for the film, since Illumination spends more money on advertising rather than on the actual movie.

In September, DreamWorks will release The Boss Baby 2: Family Business. In this film, Tim and Ted (aka the Boss Baby) have become adults and drifted away from each other. Tim is now a married dad, while Ted is a hedge fund CEO. A new corporation plans on turning babies evil, and with the help of Tim's youngest daughter Tina, Tim and Ted have to take a potion that will temporarily turn them back into kids to sneak into the facilities. The trailer for Boss Baby 2 has already been out for over a month now, and I'm already getting bad vibes from it. The idea of a Boss Baby sequel brings this question to mind: If DreamWorks is able to make spinoff shows to Turbo and Home, why not Rise of the Guardians or Megamind?!

In October, the creepy, kooky, scary, and spooky family return for Addams Family 2, though not much is known about the movie, yet.

In November, from Zootopia directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush comes Disney's 60th animated feature, Encanto. The movie will be about a young girl and her family in Colombia, who all have magical powers except for her. It makes me happy that Walt Disney Animation Studios is finally making a movie starring a Hispanic character, since there are only two other Hispanic WDAS characters I can think of: Honey Lemon from Big Hero 6 and Audrey Ramirez from Atlantis.

And finally, in December, Buster Moon and the gang return in an all-new adventure with Sing 2. In this film, Buster and the gang must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of their new show. I don't see how there can be a sequel to Sing, since all the problems in the original movie were solved. There's honestly only one question that needs to be answered: What do the carnivores eat for meat?!

Of all the new animated movies coming out this year, I, like everyone else, am most excited for Raya and the Last Dragon, though I also have high expectations for Luca and Vivo.
Once again, there will be more animated films than the ones listed above that will premiere this year, but these were the ones I wanted to cover.

Movie Review: Soul

Movie Review: Soul                                                                                                      12-27-20

Soul tells the story of a jazz musician named Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), who dreams of performing alongside the more famous Dorothea Williams (Angela Bassett). After falling into a manhole, Joe gets transported out of his body into a realm between life and death, a place where souls get their personalities and quirks before going to Earth. Now, to get back into his own body, Joe has to help an unborn soul codenamed 22 (Tina Fey), who doesn't want anything to do with Earth.

Like my idol Rachel, I had trouble reviewing this movie. Yes, it does have beautiful animation and paper-thick characters, but the story is definitely more for adults than for kids. Soul deals with self-doubt, existential crisis, and the biggest question of all: What is the meaning of life?

Philosophical questions aside, another thing to enjoy about Soul is the blending of 2D and 3D animation. Remember how a few years ago, DreamWorks abandoned plans for a film about shadows that would've mixed 2D animation and 3D? Well, it seems like Pixar beats DreamWorks once again on a technological level with the legion of Jerrys, who watch over unborn and deceased souls.

In conclusion, Soul is a great film for adults, but kids won't seem to like it that much.

I'm so sorry that this review is so short. I was having a difficult time writing this review, and I recommend reading Rachel's review of this movie.

Pixar 44: SOUL or Is it ok for Pixar to Release a Film for Adults? (rachelsreviews.net)

Because this film has so much going on, I decided not to give it a rating. Also, if any of you have been following me on Facebook, you may have noticed that I do a weekly poll on what should've won the KCA for Favorite Animated Movie. Because of Soul's deep subject matter, I unfortunately won't include it in that poll when the time comes.

Story Announcement #12

September 2020. Back at the Muppet theater, everyone was wondering what to do after Season 1 of Muppets NOW concluded.

"I just got the news today, everyone!" Said Kermit, holding a letter. "It's a letter from Disney! Maybe they'll renew us for a second season! 'Dear Mr. the Frog, we regret to inform you that because of our busy schedule, we won't pick up Muppets NOW for a second season. However, we will put seasons 1 through 3 of The Muppet Show, Little Muppet Monsters, Bear in the Big Blue House, and a dozen of the old Muppet specials on Disney+ some time in 2021. Enclosed are storyboards for two upcoming animated films, Disney/Pixar's Soul and Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon.'"

"That's horrible!" Said Walter. "The world needs the Muppets!"

"But how are we gonna show them that we can still be fresh and relevant?" Asked Fozzie.

"Kermit." Said Robin. "I have a suggestion. You know how the Muppets used to do specials and movies based on classic stories?"

"Yeah, I remember." Said Kermit. "I appeared in a few of them."

"Perhaps we could do one based on an old Disney movie that would be ripe for the Muppets' brand of humor."
"Frozen?" Guessed Miss Piggy.

"Lady and the Tramp?" Guessed Rowlf.

"Brother Bear?" Guessed Fozzie.

"Chicken Little?" Guess Gonzo, though everyone looked at him weirdly.

"No!" Said Robin. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit!" Joe from Legal, the Muppets' official lawyer, objected to this.

"Rejected!" He said. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit may be rated PG, but would definitely be rated PG-13 if it were released today. There's swearing, alcohol consumption, gunplay, and strong innuendos. Not suitable for the Muppets family-friendly image."

"We could make changes!" Suggested Kermit. "Walter, you and Scooter are gonna write the script for our story. Fozzie, you will play Roger."
"That's a role fit for me!" Said Fozzie. "Wocka wocka!"

"Kermie?" Said Piggy. "Can I play Jessica Rabbit?"
"Sorry, Piggy." Said Kermit. "I think Janice is more suited for the role. However, before you deliver your signature karate chop, I will pick someone for you to play."

"You better." Threatened Piggy.

"Additional casting will be Scooter's responsibility." Claimed Kermit. "Bunsen and Beaker, you will be in charge of visual effects and cinematography. Nigel, you'll do the score. Summer Penguin, if we can find her, will serve as art director. Joe, do you suppose you could help us get the rights to non-Muppet puppet characters? You can't be as cruel as JP Grosse."

"Who?" Asked Joe.

"He was my stingy uncle who owned the Muppet Theater." Said Scooter, handing a book to Joe. "Here's his page from the official Muppets Encyclopedia."

"Hmm." Said Joe. "I'll do it, as long as the puppet characters come from family-friendly properties. I WILL NOT DO MR. MEATY!" That made Kermit shudder.

"Amen to that." Said the frog. "Walter? How long will it take you to adapt the story?"

"Maybe two weeks?" Replied Walter.

"That's terrific!" Said Kermit. "We'll have the movie ready by next year!"

Who Framed Fozzie Bear, a Muppets version of Who Framed Roger Rabbit that will be more family-friendly than the original source material. Coming February 3rd, 2021.

Movie Review: Klaus

 Movie Review: Klaus                                                                                              12-8-20

All mailman Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman) wants is to be respected, but after failing postman training academy, his father sends him to the violent and gloomy town of Smeerensburg. If Jesper delivers 6,000 letters, he can return home. With the help of a woodcarver named Klaus (JK Simmons), they decide to bring joy to the children of Smeerensburg by delivering toys. However, the townsfolk of Smeerensburg believe Jesper and Klaus are brainwashing the kids and local schoolteacher, so they hatch up a plan to get rid of him.

As I said in my Top 10 Best Animated Movies of the 2010s countdown back in July, Klaus is an outstanding holiday movie, even if it wasn’t released in theaters, with groundbreaking animation, a heartfelt story, and likable albeit familiar characters. Jesper, for example, is quite similar to Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove. At least he doesn’t spend most of the movie as an ungulate.

Jesper on his first day in Smeerensberg.

As most of you could tell by this point, Klaus is a Santa origin story, like Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town nearly 50 years earlier. However, unlike ‘Santa Claus’, Klaus doesn’t rely on magical or fantasy elements, but it does have a similar message about kindness and selflessness.

Birds resting in houses that Klaus built.

If I were to complain about one thing, I feel that some of the background music feels too poppy for a 19th Century tale.

In conclusion, while it didn’t win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Klaus is a perfect holiday film the entire family can enjoy.

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5.