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A Muppet Family Christmas facts for kids

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A Muppet Family Christmas
A Muppet Family Christmas.jpg
Written by Jerry Juhl
Directed by Peter Harris
Starring
Composer(s) Eric Robertson
Country of origin US and Canada
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) Jim Henson
Producer(s)
  • Martin G. Baker
  • Diana Birkenfield
Editor(s) Gordon Stoddard
Running time 52 minutes
Production company(s) Jim Henson Productions
Distributor Jim Henson Productions
Release
Original network American Broadcasting Company
Original release December 16, 1987 (1987-12-16)

A Muppet Family Christmas is a special Christmas television special starring Jim Henson's famous Muppets. It first aired on December 16, 1987, in the United States. This fun show brings together Muppets from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and even Muppet Babies. It also features Gerard Parkes as Doc from Fraggle Rock and Jim Henson himself in a small appearance. The story is about the Muppets surprising Fozzie Bear's mom for Christmas at her farmhouse. But they don't know she planned to go to Malibu instead! Some parts of the special are missing from DVDs because of music rights.

Story of the Muppet Christmas

Fozzie Bear is driving many of the Muppets to his mother Emily's farm for Christmas. They are all singing Christmas songs together. What Fozzie doesn't know is that Emily Bear plans to go to Malibu for the holidays. She wants to rent her farmhouse to Doc and Sprocket. Doc and Sprocket hope for a quiet Christmas in the countryside.

Doc and Sprocket arrive just as Fozzie and the other Muppets burst in. This messes up Emily and Doc's quiet holiday plans. Then, Miss Piggy calls Kermit the Frog. She tells him she is at a photo shoot and will be late. Kermit starts to worry about her.

More Muppets keep arriving at the farmhouse. Everyone begins to get ready for Christmas. Outside, Fozzie builds a snowman. The snowman magically comes to life and sings with Fozzie. They even do a funny comedy act together! After their show, Fozzie goes inside to tell Kermit about his new act. But Miss Piggy calls again, saying she is doing some Christmas shopping before heading to the farm.

Later, the Muppets watch old home movies. They see themselves as babies during their very first Christmas together.

A group of carolers then arrives. It's Big Bird and the rest of the Sesame Street Muppets! All the Muppets continue preparing for Christmas. Suddenly, the news comes on TV. The Muppet Newsman reports that the worst blizzard in 50 years is coming. Kermit realizes Miss Piggy is out in the storm and gets even more worried.

Fozzie and Emily figure out where everyone will sleep. Big Bird and Cookie Monster will sleep in the attic. Herry Monster will sleep in the bathtub. Ernie and Bert will share a room with Kermit. The Sesame Street Muppets then put on a play of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The Two-Headed Monster plays Santa Claus.

Kermit gets a third call from Miss Piggy. Her limo got stuck in the snow, and she is waiting for a taxi. Fozzie tries to show Kermit his new comedy act with the Snowman. But their act is cut short by Statler and Waldorf, who are friends with Emily.

Doc feels bad for Kermit and offers to go look for Miss Piggy. Kermit is called to the basement. There, he and his nephew Robin find a Fraggle Hole. They discover the Fraggles living below!

Finally, Miss Piggy arrives at the house. All the Muppets sing a mix of Christmas songs and exchange presents. Oscar the Grouch just sits in his trash can, unhappy because he dislikes Christmas. Doc then comes in dressed as Santa, giving presents to everyone.

At the very end, Jim Henson himself appears. He is in the kitchen getting ready to do the dishes with Sprocket.

Songs in the Special

Who's Who: Cast and Performers

  • Gerry Parkes as Jerome "Doc" Crystal
  • Jim Henson as Himself

Muppet Performers

Making the Special

This special is special because it brings together Muppets from all four main Muppet shows! You'll see characters from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and even the Muppet Babies. Usually, the Muppet Babies are cartoons, but here they are actual puppets.

Also, Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, makes a quick appearance. You can spot him in the kitchen doing dishes with Sprocket near the end of the show.

Missing Scenes on DVD and VHS

A Muppet Family Christmas has never been fully released on DVD or VHS in North America. This is because some of the songs in the special were only allowed to be shown on TV. Because of these music rights, some scenes had to be cut from the home video versions.

Here are some of the scenes that were removed:

  • The original opening title screen.
  • The funny act between the snowman and Fozzie, where they sing "Sleigh Ride".
  • A home movie showing Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and Scooter as babies. They sing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" with baby Rowlf playing a toy piano.
  • The Muppets singing "Home for the Holidays" after Miss Piggy finally arrives.
  • More songs like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" from the final song medley.
  • A short moment where Fozzie Bear and Elmo light the Christmas tree.
  • Fozzie telling his mom, Emily Bear, that he's too old for a stocking, then changing his mind.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: A Muppet Family Christmas para niños

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