5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Find your favorite snack and get ready for a full weekend of family fun! It all starts Friday when Disney Channel airs a new episode of the hit series BUNK’D. That same day, Disney+ will tell the tail of an unlikely hero in the original movie Flora & Ulysses. The streaming service will also add all five seasons of The Muppet Show on Friday, including two that were never before released on home entertainment. Then, on Saturday, join us in streaming the 2004 film Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen on Disney+ to mark its anniversary. Last but not least, a new season of Wicked Tuna will premiere Sunday on National Geographic.

BUNK’D—Friday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Disney Channel
In the all-new episode “Look Who’s Squawking,” Camp Kikiwaka counselor Ava (Shelby Simmons) insists that she wants to take on more responsibility this summer. So, Lou (Miranda May) assigns her the task of resurrecting the “Camper of the Week” program.

Flora & Ulysses—Friday, February 19, on Disney+
Directed by Lena Khan, this delightful comedy-adventure film is based on Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Award-winning book. It centers on 10-year-old Flora (Matilda Lawler), an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic whose parents (Alyson Hannigan and Ben Schwartz) recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel and naming him Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he has unique superhero powers. Together, they embark on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora’s life—and her outlook—forever.

The Muppet Show (Seasons 1-5)—Friday, February 19, on Disney+
At last, Disney Legend Jim Henson’s iconic variety series will be available to stream anytime, anywhere—only on Disney+! In addition to the first three seasons, fans will be able to enjoy the fourth and fifth seasons, which have never previously been released on home entertainment. The Muppet Show stars Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, the Swedish Chef and more in a groundbreaking twist on the classic variety show. After its debut in 1976, some of Hollywood’s biggest and brightest stars stopped by The Muppet Show for comedy and chaos, including Gene Kelly, Diana Ross, and more.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen—Saturday, February 20, on Disney+
Armed with an attitude that she knows how to use, she’s gonna get there any way she can! Celebrate Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen’s 17th anniversary by streaming the comedy starring Lindsay Lohan as the dramatic Lola Steppe, whose family moves from the bustling and vibrant New York City to the mellow suburbs of New Jersey. Determined to make the best of her new situation, Lola embarks on a mission to become the most popular girl at her high school, which pits her against the catty Carla Santini (Megan Fox) and takes her on a wild, rock ‘n’ roll adventure throughout the Big Apple with her new friend Ella Gerard (Alison Pill). No matter who or what gets in the way, Lola won’t give up on her dream: to be a star!

Wicked Tuna—Sunday, February 21, at 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic
Tune in for the season premiere, “Keep the Tradition Alive.” Gloucester, Mass., is the oldest fishing port in the United States, and for the last decade, a fleet of Gloucester blue fin tuna fishermen have overcome obstacles and survived danger to embrace glory. But this season is their toughest yet. With a world in flux, these fishermen fight the only way they know how: with grit, resilience, and willpower. It’s do or die—for the blue fin and the fleet.

Ben Schwartz on the Fun and Frolic of Flora & Ulysses

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021

By Courtney Potter

Directed by Lena Khan (The Tiger Hunter), Disney’s Flora & Ulysses follows Flora Buckman (Matilda Lawler), a 10-year-old self-avowed cynic—and comic book fan—whose parents, Phyllis (Alyson Hannigan) and George (Ben Schwartz), have recently separated. With life a bit topsy-turvy, and summer vacation in full swing, Flora winds up rescuing a neighborhood squirrel; naming it Ulysses, she ultimately discovers it has some super special gifts—ones that will take the whole family on a hilarious, heartfelt journey they never expected.

With this adventure-filled adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Award-winning children’s book coming to Disney+ this week, D23 spoke with Schwartz—known recently for his turn as Dewey on Disney’s DuckTales—about what made his Flora & Ulysses experience so fabulously fun… as well as his love of all things Disney!

“It’s a dream,” admits Schwartz, when asked what it’s like to segue from voicing an animated Disney character to starring in a live-action Disney adventure. “Growing up, whenever I watched a Disney movie—whether it was the blue illustrated emblem [of the iconic castle] at the beginning of the film, or when they started animating the castle—it just immediately made for an emotional response. So when I got to see Flora & Ulysses and that happens at the beginning, I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness, I am in a Disney movie!’ I’ve been watching these my entire life, whether it was Aladdin or The Lion King, or live-action ones like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, or Robin Williams in Flubber… The idea that there’s a family with kids, or even an adult, that is really connecting to these type of films makes me so happy—especially now.”

Known for plentiful TV and film roles, including his turn on Parks and Recreation, Schwartz was excited to find himself acting opposite a—shall we say—unique kind of character. “The way that it worked was great,” he explains. “They gave Matilda [who plays Flora] a fake little gray squirrel. We’d do a take or two with that, and then they’d remove it and she’d have to remember how she put her hand and where it went. It’s so funny—Lena [Khan, the film’s director] would be like, ‘Now [Ulysses] is up there!’; ‘Now he’s over here!’; ‘Now he’s moving down!’ We’d have to do all these things—it was very interesting.” He laughs, adding, “I always had Matilda next to me when I was doing it, so if it was a real crazy thing happening, I could look over at her—I’d have a human right there to react with, which was a joy.”

But working with a CGI co-star wasn’t the only thing that made the Flora & Ulysses shoot so singular. “There’s a great comedic [scene] where the squirrel pops in through the window, hits a chandelier, the chandelier hits a table, mashed potatoes go everywhere—and then the table collapses, and everything falls on me,” Schwartz explains, chuckling. “And I was like, ‘Oh, this is classic Disney fun!’ So being excited for that—and then seeing how excited Matilda was; she kept saying, ‘Here we go, here we go!!’ I mean, it was so fun.” And without spoiling too much, look for a few scenes where Schwartz had to get over a fear of heights fairly quickly. “That was the scariest part,” he admits.

Indelible scenes like those described above—featured in countless Disney films and TV series over the past nine-plus decades—are a huge reason why Schwartz, a lifelong Disney fan, is so thrilled to be a part of Flora & Ulysses. And it’s the memories those kinds of moments create that have stuck with him for so long. For instance: “When I [first] watched Disney and Pixar’s Up, I could not believe it,” says Schwartz. “I remember I went to a screening of Up with a friend. We were in the third row, and we had our 3-D glasses on—and we are two grown men. We’re watching this thing and the first eight minutes go by, with Michael Giacchino’s score, and this incredible story about this couple. And I look to the right and I just see [my friend] with his 3-D glasses on—it was almost like a cartoon, where fish are swimming inside the ‘bowl’ of someone’s eyeglasses. Tears are streaming down, and he looks at me, and sees that I’m crying like crazy. It was such a funny and cool moment.”

Schwartz is also, as you might now imagine, a huge fan of Disneyland—and he loves sharing in that fandom with others. “There were a bunch of journalists who came to the Flora & Ulysses set one day,” he explains, “and they were all people who love Disney. It’s so fun when people are like, ‘What’s your favorite attraction?’ I thought, I don’t usually get to talk about this with anybody, and I cannot wait to tell you the order in which I eat my snacks at Disneyland—because there is an order to these things. So it’s lovely to now be a part of this world, because it’s a very caring and ‘building-up’-type world… I was over the moon when I got [cast as] Dewey in DuckTales—and now to be in a Disney movie [where] I get to establish a character for the first time? I’m just honored, and want to keep ‘playing in the pool’ of all that’s there.”

All told, Schwartz thinks this particular film is nigh on ideal for this particular moment in time. “I think Flora & Ulysses [offers] all the things that Disney movies do well—where there’s so much heart, there’s so much comedy, and it brings that comedy and that heart in a great ‘storytelling’ way… and there’s realness in it. There’s real feelings and emotions. I think that’s what makes it stand out—and what makes it a little bit more relevant now… My friends who have kids, they’re like, ‘We need something fun; we need something loving.’ And I think with this great script by Brad Copeland, it’s all there for you. There are these big, beautiful [adventure] aspects. There’s this really warm heart between Matilda, me, and Alyson [Hannigan as Phyllis]. There’s Anna Deavere Smith as Dr. Meescham. There’s great comedy with Benjamin [Evan Ainsworth, who plays next-door neighbor William] and me and Matilda; and with Danny Pudi [who portrays nefarious animal control officer Miller] and Kate Micucci [playing local waitress Rita]—who were so good in this. It really kind of gives you a little bit of everything.”

“It’s funny and kids laugh and there’s a squirrel that’s a super hero,” Schwartz concludes. “What else could you possibly want?”

Don’t miss Flora & Ulysses, premiering on Disney+ this Friday, February 19!

Set Sails for Muppet Treasure Island Artwork

February 17, 2021February 16, 2021

By Francesca Scrimgeour, Walt Disney Archives

Muppet Treasure Island was zanily inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island novel, and, in turn, the film inspired a Little Golden Book release as well. Now, isn’t that a story worth the hearing?

As a part of the Walt Disney Archives’ collection, we have the original storybook artwork illustrated by Tom Brannon, and we thought it’d be fun to share a few examples along with their filmic inspirations. In the left column, you will see familiar stills from the movie, and on the right are the faithful recreations in the Little Golden Book style.

It is interesting to see how closely the drawings are translated from the screen to the page or, conversely, where the artist took liberties in order to tell the story. In the illustration of Jim Hawkins with Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat in the barrel, the storybook art captures the moment exactly down to Jim’s frightened face, whereas other illustrations are more loosely based on the scene of that moment. Take a look through the art below and be sure to watch Muppet Treasure Island now streaming on Disney+ to see how they compare!

Muppet Treasure Island: Did You Know?

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021

By Jim Fanning

Muppets ahoy! On February 16, 1996, X marked the spot for pirate zaniness as Muppet Treasure Island sailed into theaters. Treasure and treachery abound in this insanely amusing adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale. Brave Jim Hawkins tangles with legendary pirate Long John Silver as they and some motley Muppet pirates follow a mysterious map to a buried fortune in pirate booty. On hand are seaworthy Muppet superstars Kermit the Frog as Captain Smollett, Fozzie Bear as Squire Trelawney, and—marooned on the fabled island of treasure by (in Piggy’s words), the “totally co-dependent” Captain Flint—Miss Piggy as Benjamina Gunn, fabulous queen of the wild boars.

Casting The Muppets in a Classic Adventure Tale
For the Muppets’ fifth movie, the filmmakers wanted another classic story to follow the 1992 hit, The Muppet Christmas Carol. “Christmas Carol was a genre classic tale,” director Brian Henson (son of the Muppets creator and Disney Legend Jim Henson) explained, “but we wanted this one to be a lot funnier, more absurd and with a lot more action. Treasure Island is where we ended up, but it’s not a very faithful adaptation. We really twisted the story in order to make it funnier. There is a lot of action and intrigue on the high seas, and it works tremendously well. Of course, we have Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and Rizzo in starring roles, and we have found parts for all of the others.” Of Captain Smollett, Kermit said, “I try to play him the way Robert Louis Stevenson wrote him in his book, only I haven’t found any mention that Smollett was a frog—so that’s the one liberty I took with my portrayal.” As for her appearance as Benjamina, Miss Piggy stated, “The role has everything that moi’s fans, moi’s agent, and moi’s lawyers demand. Lots and lots of moi! Eat your heart out, Streep!” Other members of the Muppet troupe include Sam the Eagle as overly strict first mate Mr. Arrow, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew as Dr. Livesey, the Swedish Chef as the boar tribe’s cook (he even has a false boar’s nose)—and Statler and Waldorf as the ship’s masthead.

Gonzo and Rizzo Were Set to be the Stars (But That’s Showbiz)
After their popular turn as the narrators of The Muppet Christmas Carol, the Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat were at first pegged as the heroes of this piratical tale, a duo to be called “Jim and Hawkins.” However, the Muppet movie maestros soon realized that any retelling of Treasure Island needed to center on a young boy experiencing the adventure of a lifetime—and whatever Rizzo and (especially) Gonzo are, they aren’t growing boys. So the odd couple of Muppetdom became the silly but loyal sidekicks of Jim Hawkins, named, oddly enough, Gonzo and Rizzo. As for Jim himself, young Kevin Bishop— the very first boy auditioned out of about 100 hopefuls—was cast as the young hero. “It has been a lot of fun, it really, really has,” Kevin said of acting alongside the Muppets. “There is absolutely no limit to the amount of fun you can have on a Muppet set! Since I first started shooting, every day has been, more or less, an event. It’s been action-packed and everyone has been so supportive, not just at the beginning but all the way through.” Jim even has his own song, “Something Better,” recorded by Kevin Bishop before his voice started to change (and heard in a higher register than his dialog).

A Cast of Thousands (well, Hundreds)
More than 400 Muppets, alongside more humans than had ever before appeared in a Muppet movie, pop up in this pirate yarn, including a whole crew of newly created characters. “I would say that the three pirates—Polly the Lobster [the Muppet version of Long John Silver’s parrot], Clueless Morgan, and Mad Monty—steal the show,” noted Brian Henson. “Clueless was a real surprise. He was originally a small part but ended up one of the best characters in the movie.” For the two big musical numbers, “Sailing For Adventure” and “Cabin Fever,” 25 extra puppeteers were signed on to help operate over forty Muppets.

Setting Sail with Muppet Songs
With “Love Led Us Here,” a love ballad being sung by Kermit and Miss Piggy as they hang upside down over a cliff, it’s pretty clear Muppet Treasure Island is not your everyday musical. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil were Brian Henson’s first choice to provide the songs. “We didn’t know how they would work in terms of the Muppets,” said producer Martin Baker, “but after a couple of meetings it started to click and it has just been a dream. They have written some wonderful songs and they also brought in [Academy Award^®-winning scorer of The Lion King, 1994] Hans Zimmer to write the score.” “Cabin Fever” was composed simply to have a completely ridiculous, over-the-top musical number in the middle of the movie. “Professional Pirate” was penned before the songwriters knew who would be Long John Silver. “Brian had some very definite ideas about what the song needed to accomplish and reveal dramatically in the relationship of Long John and Jim and that called for a certain kind of lyric,” Baker adds. “Barry and I really worked together on this one and when we finished, I just hoped that Brian would cast someone who could handle it. We were overjoyed when Tim was cast. It was a dream come true to have a real singer dig into the material. Tim is incredibly talented, professional, and the answer to a songwriter’s dream!”

Tim Curry Matched Muppet Madness with One Leg Tied Behind His Back
In portraying Long John Silver, the colorful Treasure Island pirate he had always wanted to play, Tim Curry essayed the key role of Long John Silver as a human very much outnumbered by Muppets. “Forget the usual adage, Muppets can upstage you much easier than animals or children!” he once said. The versatile performer, who used the voice of his own seafaring grandfather to vocally characterize the role of the one-legged pirate, described Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest as “legends. They trail all this charisma behind them and you feel you know them as friends. My big problem was that I was so fascinated by what they were doing, that I often forgot to concentrate on what I was meant to be doing myself!” The actor was at first fitted for a wooden leg, but found it too uncomfortable and decided instead to have his leg, when visible, strapped up. (In some shots the leg was removed via green-screen special effects.) “Michael Caine said that the great thing about doing the Muppets is that you can wear your own shoes,” Tim once revealed. “They tend to be shot shoulder height and your feet rarely appear on screen. That made hopping around on one leg a lot easier. Actually, by the end of the film, I quite liked being a uniped.”

The Treasure’s in the Details
The elaborate Muppety adventure was shot on seven stages at England’s legendary Shepperton Studio. The extravagant sets included a complete seaport; an inn, with interiors and exteriors; a 40-foot beach with palm trees and 200,000 gallons of surf; portions of the island with mountains and jungle; and detailed sets of boat interiors. Veteran designer Polly Smith, who had created uncountable costumes for The Muppet Show, created the period wardrobe for Kermit and the other Muppet stars. “I knew from the script what each character was playing and from the research I picked out little elements. I have to think about their body types, what they can handle, and also what I need to hide. Usually it is a lot, because they have very peculiar shaped bodies.” Polly started from scratch on every costume. “When I was thinking about Miss Piggy’s outfits, I had already designed what the boars would look like,” she once said. “I took a couple of trips to this fabulous feather place in New York and decided Piggy’s skirt should be feathers. I don’t think they are quite ostrich, more like vulture! They just looked really wonderful and I was reminded of a skirt I had seen in the American Indian Museum. Each one of those feathers had to be dyed individually and they are two-tone dipped. Her leopard skin sarong fabric was also painted and her shoes handmade.” As for Kermit’s costumes, there were three versions of his Captain’s uniform, and each coat was hand embroidered. But as Polly pointed out, a Muppet design project is like no other, because the Muppets “are whacky guys, so there’s always some weird element.”

A Seaworthy Stage for Muppet-Style Piratical Pyrotechnics
Principal photography began on Muppet Treasure Island on April 3, 1995, and Muppet mayhem ruled the cinematic seas for 14 weeks on 13 major sets. Shooting started on Bristol Docks, one of the vast sets designed by Val Strazovec. It covered a complete stage, with the port dominated by the majestic ship, the Hispaniola. “I originally thought that the boat and the port should be on separate stages,” Val once explained, “but I realized that it would be nicer to have the ship right there on the port. This meant, with only a relatively small area to work with, that I had to force the perspective tremendously. It became very technical working out how much I could force the perspective without making it look obvious.” Actors, Muppet performers, live animals, and crew vied for space on the docks that had 80,000 gallons of water on one side and houses diminishing in size on the other. The 18-ton galleon, constructed of fiberglass and wood, was set on a computer-driven gimbal, the first of its kind. “The whole of the boat was pivoted on one center point with huge hydraulic cylinders that were capable of pushing 50 tons either side,” explained special effects supervisor Nick Allder. “We could select any basic speed, which would be repeated until changed.” Unfortunately for the cast and crew, the movement was too realistic. “Quite a few got seasick when we were shooting in the galley,” Allder once said. “Then we found that the seasick pills put them to sleep!” The floor of the boat was taken out most of the time to allow the Muppet performers to operate.

JUST ANNOUNCED: DuckTales to End with Epic Series Finale Special

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021

By Zach Johnson

Breaking news from Duckburg!

Disney’s critically acclaimed series DuckTales will solve some mysteries and rewrite history in an unforgettable 90-minute series finale special, airing Monday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD and ungated in DisneyNOW. Executive produced by Matt Youngberg and co-executive produced by Francisco Angones, the Emmy® Award-nominated DuckTales team wrapped production after 75 episodes and more than 15 shorts. The series, beloved by Disney fans of all ages, continues to be available on Disney Channels and Disney+ around the world. In the U.S., DuckTales is the No. 1 ratings driver on Disney XD, and the wise-quacking animated series has received more than 234 million views on social media and YouTube since its launch in 2017

In a joint statement, Youngberg and Angones said, “It has been an absolute honor to adventure along with the Duck family for three seasons of derring-do bad and good luck tales. Ever since Carl Barks took a silly squawking duck from a funny animal cartoon and sent him looking for pirate gold, these characters have been part of a constantly evolving legacy of invention and reinvention. We set out to honor all those things that we’ve loved about DuckTales since we were kids and introduce new parts of that legacy for families around the globe. Along the way, our stellar crew, unbelievable cast, and endlessly supportive fans have become a bit of a family ourselves. And it has been a great joy to solve mysteries and rewrite history alongside them.”

Culminating in a dramatic reading of the iconic DuckTales main title song, the cast—David Tennant (voice of Scrooge McDuck), Danny Pudi (voice of Huey), Ben Schwartz (voice of Dewey), Bobby Moynihan (voice of Louie), Kate Micucci (voice of Webby Vanderquack), Beck Bennett (voice of Launchpad McQuack), Toks Olagundoye (voice of Mrs. Beakley), and Paget Brewster (voice of Della Duck)—met one final time via Zoom during the recent holiday season:

The DuckTales series finale special will encore non-stop for 24 hours following its premiere. Leading up to the highly anticipated finale, Disney XD will debut new episodes every Monday beginning February 22 at 7 p.m. ET/PT and will present a week-long DuckTales marathon of every aired episode beginning Monday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. In addition, three new Chibi Tiny Tales shorts, featuring Chibi-style versions of favorite DuckTales characters, will roll out beginning Friday, February 26, on Disney XD, DisneyNOW, and Disney Channel YouTube.

Based on the Emmy Award-winning series treasured by a generation of viewers, DuckTales chronicles the high-flying adventures of Duckburg’s most famous trillionaire, Scrooge McDuck; as well as his mischief-making triplet grandnephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie; his temperamental nephew, Donald Duck (voice of Disney Legend Tony Anselmo); and his trusted McDuck Manor team, including Launchpad McQuack, Mrs. Beakley, and Webby Vanderquack.

In the series finale special, titled “The Last Adventure!,” the future of adventuring hangs in the balance as the Duck family uncovers earth-shattering secrets in a final standoff with the Fiendish Organization for World Larceny (F.O.W.L.). Returning guest voices include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Giancarlo Esposito, Julie Bowen, Jaime Camil, Jameela Jamil, Catherine Tate, Stephanie Beatriz, Paul F. Tompkins, Jim Rash, Margo Martindale, Jason Mantzoukas, John Hodgman, Retta, Kimiko Glenn, Libe Barer, Jaleel White, and Amy Sedaris. Noël Wells and Riki Lindhome guest star as sisters June and May, respectively. Before the episode airs on DisneyXD and ungated on DisneyNOW, discover “5 Facts About DuckTales That Every Fan Should Know.”

A Muppetational Guide to Disney+

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021

By Courtney Potter

As passionate Muppet fans, we’ve been waiting with bated breath for this day to come… and finally, it’s practically time to play the music and light the lights! The original, the one-and-only, the utterly memorable The Muppet Show—all five seasons of hilarity—is coming to Disney+, beginning Friday, February 19!

With such incredible Muppet fun on the horizon, we realized it was the perfect moment to highlight all the other Muppetational merriment viewers can have courtesy of Disney+, including last year’s brand-new series Muppets Now. There’s lots of incredible Muppet content available on the streaming service; in case you haven’t yet done your own deep dive, read on for a look at all the ways you can hang with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, Pepe the King Prawn, and so many more…

The Muppet Show (1977–81)
This truly groundbreaking twist on the TV variety show blended original songs, sketch comedy, and all manner of guest stars—running the gamut from Lily Tomlin and Mark Hamill to Elton John and Alice Cooper—into an iconic hit that sent Jim Henson’s creations into the pop-culture stratosphere. Hilariously memorable sketches to watch for: “Pigs in Space,” “An Editorial by Sam the Eagle,” and “Muppet Labs.”

The Muppet Movie (1979)
The film that started it all! The Muppet Movie follows Kermit the Frog (originally voiced by creator and Disney Legend Jim Henson) as he leaves his beloved swamp and makes his way to Hollywood—meeting BFFs Fozzie and Miss Piggy, as well as the colorful Electric Mayhem Band, along the way. Featuring a host of amazing celebrity cameos (including Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, and even the legendary Orson Welles in one of this final screen appearances), The Muppet Movie was named to the prestigious National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2009. For more fascinating tidbits about the film, click here.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
In Henson’s film directorial debut, we find Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo—a trio of investigative journalists for the Daily Chronicle—traveling to London to cover a major jewel heist concerning famous fashion designer Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg). But the robbery is not what it seems… turns out Lady Holiday’s own brother Nicky (Charles Grodin) has concocted the plot! And once Miss Piggy is caught up in Nicky’s nefarious scheme, it’s up to Kermit and pals to save the day!

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The first Muppet film to debut after Henson’s untimely passing in 1990, The Muppet Christmas Carol casts all your favorite Muppet friends as characters from Charles Dickens’ legendary yuletide tale. Michael Caine stars as Ebenezer Scrooge—a wretched old miser who, on Christmas Eve, is taught the error of his ways by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Henson’s son Brian, a longtime Muppet performer, helmed the film (his own directorial debut).

Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure comes to colorful life, thanks to the Muppets! After receiving a treasure map from a mysterious sailor, Jim Hawkins (Kevin Bishop) sets sail on the high seas with pals Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat. Joining the expedition is the Squire Trelawney (Fozzie Bear); the dashing Captain Smollett (Kermit the Frog); and Long John Silver (Tim Curry). Plans go awry when the mutinous Silver and his crew seize the map and take Jim hostage, leaving Smollett and his men to come to the rescue. Also featuring hilarious turns from comedy legends Billy Connelly and Jennifer Saunders.

The Muppets (2011)
Continuing their grand tradition of “meta” filmmaking, the Muppets gang references their multi-year absence from the big screen in this 2011 film—which follows Walter, a mega-Muppet fan from Smalltown, U.S.A; his human brother Gary (Jason Segel, who also co-wrote the screenplay); and Gary’s long-suffering girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) as they head to Hollywood in search of Walter’s longtime heroes. The trio is faced with reuniting the previously separated Muppets in order to save the Muppet Theater from destruction at the hands of dastardly oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper).

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
In the ’14 sequel to The Muppets, the whole Muppet crew—fresh from (spoiler alert!) their triumph in Hollywood—jet off on a world tour, performing to enraptured audiences across Europe. But mayhem (as it is wont to do) follows the group, and they ultimately find themselves entangled in an international jewel-heist caper headed by Constantine—”the World’s Number One Criminal” and the splitting image of Kermit—and his slimy sidekick Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais). The film also stars Ty Burrell (Modern Family) and Tina Fey (30 Rock).

The Muppets (ABC) (2015)
Hot on the heels of their latest big-screen efforts, Kermit and the gang returned to television—where they’d started, back in 1976—in 2015, with ABC’s The Muppets. Filmed in documentary style, the series follows Kermit and the gang as they create a late-night talk show: Up Late with Miss Piggy. Although Kermit and Piggy are officially broken up and dating others, Kermit still serves as the show’s executive producer—which, as you might imagine, proves challenging. All 16 episodes are available on Disney+.

Muppet Moments (2015)
Disney Junior debuted a short-form series the same year as the new ABC show, entitled Muppet Moments. Meant for children aged 2 through 7, the episodes feature the Muppets gang having adorable conversations with young kids on a variety of topics—including apologies, food, and manners.

Muppet Babies (2018)
In a lively reimagining of the 1984-1991 animated series of the same name, cute-as-can-be baby versions of Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and Animal—along with a new character named Summer Penguin—use their imaginations to set out on countless adventures, taking them to the farthest corners of the universe… all under the kind, watchful eye of Miss Nanny. Fun fact: The Disney Junior/Disney Channel show’s catchy theme song is performed by Tony® Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton).

Muppets Now (2020)
On July 31, get ready for some all-new Muppet shenanigans with Muppets Now. In the six-episode series, Scooter is faced with a looming deadline for their new show—but he’s got to navigate whatever obstacles, distractions, and complications the rest of the Muppet bunch throw his way. Overflowing with spontaneous lunacy, it’s the kind of heartfelt fun and free-spirited silliness the Muppets are known for. Airing exclusively on Disney+, with new episodes premiering each Friday… We cannot wait!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

February 15, 2021February 16, 2021

By Zach Johnson

What better way to start the week than with a dash of Disney magic? The 71st anniversary of Cinderella is on Monday, and you can find the film on Disney+ faster than you can spell “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!” On Wednesday, the hit Freeform series Good Trouble returns for a dramatic and exciting third season. The next night, National Geographic will premiere two specials: The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream and Built for Mars: The Perseverance. Finally, on Friday, the critically acclaimed film Nomadland—nominated for four Golden Globe® Awards—will be available to stream on Hulu or to enjoy in theaters.

Cinderella—Monday, February 15, on Disney+
Celebrate the 71st anniversary of the classic film by streaming it with your friends and family. This timeless rags-to-riches tale centers on the beautiful and kind Cinderella (voice of Disney Legend Ilene Woods), who’s treated poorly by her evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine (voice of Eleanor Audley), and wicked stepsisters, Anastasia (voice of Lucille Bliss) and Drizella (voice of Rhoda Williams). With the help of her Fairy Godmother (voice of Verna Felton), Cinderella receives a magical makeover and use of a magnificent coach, making it possible to attend a royal ball. There, she fatefully falls in love with the prince (voice of William Phipps). Fleeing the ball at midnight—the hour when the magic spell ends—Cinderella leaves behind a glass slipper. The prince and Grand Duke (voice of Luis van Rooten) use it to search the entire kingdom in hopes of finding the one who got away.

Good Trouble—Wednesday, February 17, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform
In the drama-filled season three premiere, “Capoeira,” the case involving Jerod (Blake Webb) is at risk… so Callie (Maia Mitchell) takes a job with high-profile defense lawyer Kathleen Gale (Constance Zimmer). Meanwhile, after hooking up with Evan (T.J. Linnard), Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) has to make a decision about her relationship with Raj (Dhruv Uday Singh). And, ahead of her trial, Malika (Zuri Adele) realizes her future is on the line.

The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream—Thursday, February 18, at 10 p.m. ET on National Geographic
The timely one-hour documentary special, which traces the ongoing plight and journey of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1963 March on Washington to the summer of 2020, hails from National Geographic and The Undefeated, ESPN’s content initiative exploring the intersection of culture, race, and sports. It depicts the raw and uncensored journey of the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of the heroes who marched for justice and equality in the 1960s, and the experiences of those on the front lines of the current fight for racial equality. It includes historic footage, as well as poignant first-hand accounts and emotional commentary from activists, historians, and journalists including Dr. Vernon Allwood, Dr. Mary Frances Berry, Dr. Todd Boyd, Clarissa Brooks, Chris Connelly, Jemele Hill, Wes Moore, Bill Murphy Jr., and Mariah Parker. It also illustrates the resilience of the civil rights movement and the sentiments of those behind it.

Built for Mars: The Perseverance Rover—Thursday, February 18, at 11 p.m. ET on National Geographic
This two-hour special gives viewers rare, behind-the-scenes access to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as flight technicians work on building the Perseverance rover. Its purpose is simple: to search for traces of life in an ancient river delta on Mars and collect samples for its eventual return to Earth. To launch on time, the rover team must battle through gut-wrenching setbacks and a global pandemic. The special shines a spotlight on the essential but less high-profile role of the flight technicians, who are entrusted with the critical job of turning the scientists’ ambitions and the engineers’ designs into reality.

Nomadland—Friday, February 19, on Hulu and in Theaters
Director Chloé Zhao paints a sweeping portrait of the American nomadic spirit set on the trail of seasonal migratory labor. The grandeur of the American west is shown through the eyes of 61-year old Fern (Frances McDormand), who has lost her husband and her life after the mining town where she lived was essentially shut down. After Fern hits the road to explore a life outside of conventional society, she gains strength and new independence. Fern finds her community in the nomad gatherings she attends, which include Linda May and Swankie (real life nomads who play themselves), Dave (David Strathairn), and others.

Set Sail for Adventure with These D23-Exclusive Muppet Pins!

February 15, 2021March 23, 2021

By the D23 Team

The exclusive Fozzie Muppet Treasure Island Pin - SOLD OUT

The exclusive Kermit Muppet Treasure Island Pin - SOLD OUT

D23 Gold Members will have a swashbuckling opportunity to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Muppet Treasure Island when they dig up these glittering pins! Get over your cabin fever with two exclusive pins celebrating the film, created in stunning gold enamel exclusively for D23 by Disney artist Sofi Ouhri.

Featuring Kermit as the dashing Captain Smollett and Fozzie as Squire Trelawney (and Mr. Bimbo!), these D23 Gold Member-exclusive pins chart a course across the “big blue wet thing”!

Each pin, a limited edition of 1,500, will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members on shopDisney at 7 a.m. PT on February 15, 2021.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with the Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pins are sold separately for $12.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of one (1) pin of each style for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

Sailing for Muppet-y Adventure on the High Seas!

February 15, 2021March 3, 2021

By Francesca Scrimgeour, Walt Disney Archives

“Hi-ho!”, everyone! Muppet Treasure Island has been sailing for adventure on the big blue wet thing for the last twenty-five years and has been a classic in our homes ever since! This movie was Brian Henson’s second feature length film, after The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), and he pledged to pack it with humor, absurdity, and action. And did he ever deliver on his promise! With over four hundred Muppets and Mr. Bimbo – the man who lives in Squire Trelawney’s (Fozzie Bear) finger – close at hand, this film is a Muppet-tasic addition to the other classic movie adaptations of Treasure Island and Muppets feature length films.

The massive production was filmed over fourteen weeks and required impressive sets. Shot at Shepperton Studios in London, filmmakers utilized seven different production stages. The Muppets team even “stepped up to the helm” with the giant Hispaniola ship created by Production Designer, Val Strazovec. Using the forced perspective camera technique, they were able to fit the entire ship in one stage. The fiberglass ship weighed over 18 tons and was controlled by a gimbal – which was so realistic that some crew actually got seasick! Distinctive in its unique build, the ship’s shape was bent almost like a banana, which provides for the surreal angles we see in the film. All the interior ship scenes were built on other stages with the galley, brig, and Captain’s cabin also built on a gimbal to match the ship’s movements. A smaller version of the vessel was created on a one-to-five scale for shot sequences on the high sea, some of which were filmed on location in the Virgin Islands where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the original Treasure Island story. Using the newest technology at the time, the production filmed a giant sailboat that was the same size as the Hispaniola and used visual effects to digitally replace that ship with a model that had been shot against a blue screen.

Legendary actor Tim Curry was Brian Henson’s first choice to play lovable Long John Silver. Curry shared some insightful advice from a previous actor (who had appeared in The Muppet Christmas Carol), declaring, “Michael Caine said that the great thing about doing the Muppets is that you wear your own shoes. They tend to be shot shoulder height and your feet rarely appear on screen.” This was certainly an interesting perspective that you would only gain from filming with the Muppets!

Kevin Bishop, who played Jim Hawkins, was the first candidate who auditioned for the role (among 100 other boys), and this was his first feature film experience. Not only did he have a supportive cast, but it was action-packed fun filming with the whole group. He recalled, “There is absolutely no limit to the amount of fun you can have a on Muppet set!” Other cast members, like Billy Connolly, shared this sentiment affirming, “Working with the Muppets has been the most joyous experience for me because Gonzo has been a hero of mine from way back!” That’s high praise from the famous stand-up comedian, who played Billy Bones in the film.

Jennifer Saunders, the comedian who portrayed Mrs. Bluveridge, expressed that, “In my kids’ eyes, celebrity status does not compare to the fact that I am in a Muppet movie! As far as they are concerned, I have finally made it. This is my entry to Hollywood!” Saunders was such a huge fan of the Muppets that she accepted her part immediately. This was a first time any of the human actors in the film had worked with the Muppets, but all got the hand of it pretty quickly.

An interesting hurdle that the Muppets had to overcome was to portray the art of fencing, but stunt coordinator and professional instructor, Nick Powell, was able to make their matches look realistic. Powell recognized that “[when] you see puppets fighting, they usually bash swords together like knitting needles because puppeteers don’t know how to fence.” He wanted to make the sparring as authentic as possible and first choreographed the scene with real people, later transferring it to the Muppets. Some of the trickiest scenes featured Kermit the Frog (Captain Smollett) facing off against his human performer counterparts. However, the crew was able to pull it off with lightweight aluminum swords, and even 14-year-old Kevin Bishop learned moves that make the entire production more believable. Miss Piggy (Benjamina Gunn), of course, used her routine martial arts moves to attack the unruly pirates, with Powell assisting with those scenes as well.

Shiver my timbers, shiver my bones! We hope our quick look back at the production of this swashbuckling classic inspired your Gonzo-like adventurous spirit to sail the high seas, search for buried treasure, or set out to discover the multi-armed Zanzibanian shark women and their exploding wings of death!

Happy 25^th anniversary, Muppet Treasure Island, and don’t forget to grab your margaritas at the midnight buffet and watch Muppet Treasure Island on Disney+!

Remembering Charles Boyer

February 13, 2021February 13, 2021

Disney Legend Charles Boyer, who accepted a “temporary” job at Disneyland as a portrait sketch artist in fall 1960 and remained there for 39 years, passed away on February 8, 2021 in Ontario, California. He is survived by two children, Bruce and Naomi. His wife, Ellen, preceded him in death.

Boyer had the unique distinction of having been Disneyland’s first full-time artist and eventually was elevated to become Disneyland’s master illustrator. He captured in his work the unique and fanciful spirit of Disney characters and theme park environments.

“You always remember the early days,” Boyer once said of his earliest time at Disneyland. “Mine were very memorable because it was all new. Disneyland was only 5 years old when I started. We had a family atmosphere… the feeling of the park is still carried on by the cast members. I’m proud to be a part of that.”

Boyer’s art training began with art classes in high school, where he nurtured a love for the beautiful desert landscape. While still a teen, he won first place at the Imperial Valley County Fair and developed a passion for the work of Vincent Van Gogh.

Soon after, he enrolled in courses at Chouinard Art Institute. He received a “working scholarship,” performing double duty as the janitor while attending classes as an art student. Classes in design and cartooning convinced Boyer to consider a commercial art career as an alternative to fine arts.

Six months after beginning work at Disneyland, he joined the marketing and advertising art department as an illustrator. “We did everything—design, production, illustration,” he once said. During his 39 years with Disneyland, Boyer produced nearly 50 collectible lithographs, as well as a diverse range of artwork for magazine covers, brochures, and flyers—even Company-commissioned oil portraits for retiring employees. He worked in all media, including pastels, oils, watercolors, gouache, acrylics, pencil, and ink. He created such well-loved pieces as “Partners,” a 1981 painting of Walt Disney hand in hand with Mickey Mouse (shown in a different pose from the later “Partners” statue seen at Disneyland), and “Triple Self-Portrait,” the 1978 work based on Norman Rockwell’s similarly titled painting, featuring Walt Disney looking into a mirror and painting a portrait of Mickey Mouse.

“I know people can do things that they like,” he once remembered. “I wasn’t very good when I came out of school. I spent 40 years at this getting good.”

On his retirement in 1999, the artist reflected, “I’ve worked with such great people. My wife used to ask if I was actually getting any work done, because I was having so much fun.”