Tweets From Tuesday: Favorite Muppet?

The Muppets have been a recognizable entity for decades despite their on-again off-again presence. Like Mickey Mouse, the cast of the Muppets have seen their good times and bad as far as stardom. Mickey was at an all time high during the 1930s but as Walt made way for other ventures, Mickey was put on the shelf and was merely setup to the emblem of the company, but not really seen in theaters or television anymore, until the 1980s when Mickey’s Christmas Carol became a hit with families. The same can be said with The Muppets. Despite sporadic appearances, the new millennium had not been a good one for the furry creatures. It wasn’t until Jason Segel took on the part of bringing The Muppets to theaters in 2011 that the classic characters were reborn. Now with a new television show on primetime television coming this fall, I wanted to post a question to my friends on Twitter. The Muppets are loved by so many generations so I wanted to know everyone’s favorite Muppet? This is what everyone said.

@PixieDustDaily: Sam Eagle: He embodies our great American pride and at the same time pokes fun at our over-exuberance. As an adult I’ve grown to really like the Sam Eagle character as I see the humor in his overly patriotic ideals. When I was a kid I definitely thought the character was too weird and uninteresting. I was a stupid kid.

@HatboxMouse: My favorite Muppet is Fozzie Bear. He just has the best jokes! “Wacka, Wacka!” His jokes from anyone else aren’t funny but through the voice and stylings of Fozzie, they are funny. Maybe it’s that he is funny in his lack of good jokes. I’m not sure, but I’m glad to see him playing a good part in the upcoming Muppets tv show.

@NORMNB8S: This is like picking your favorite child. I wrote about Fozzie as my inner muppet for @thatsostelle once. I relate to him. He just wants to make people laugh. I’m similar in that I feel at ease when I know I can make someone laugh. It’s a feeling of relief, especially when you have a good joke, that someone really thinks its good.

@1MinDisneyDream: Thats Tough. Fozzie because he is often misunderstood and just wants people to enjoy his comedy. See my comment on the above post. I think Fozzie just wants to be a bigger part of the show but his role as stand up comedian falls short. However, he tends to be funny when he doesn’t try. My suggestion to anyone doing comedy is not to try so hard and you’ll get there.

@DizWire: I’ll throw in a token vote for Pepe the King Prawn. Pepe has been a constant favorite for me. His pride and his short fuse tend to be at odds with each other. He is always scheming and I love that about him. I’m not a fan of his recent clothing choices with gold chains and black turtle neck shirts but if he feels comfortable in that as a king prawn/shrimp, then more power to him.

@TheMouseSlap: Ratso Rizzo, he keeps it NYC real. F’getta bout it. Rizzo has been scheming long before Pepe and even though he isn’t an original Muppet, mice have always been a staple of the group. The great part for Rizzo is playing pal with Gonzo (Muppet Christmas Carol) or with Pepe (Muppetes From Space). That seems to be where he shines the most.

@TTAtraveler: I’ve always loved Beaker, always getting walked all over and just seems ready to snap. And that face. How could I forget this Muppet. Before Kenny died in every South Park episode, Beaker was getting blown up, stretched, flattened, and otherwise beat up in nearly any part he has ever had. He always looks like he knows he is 5 seconds from being killed yet he always goes along with what ever Dr. Honeydew does. Love it. Always great for a laugh.

@NORMNB8S: I answered earlier but I wanted to give an honorable mention to Sweetums. I guess you can answer twice. I’ve never said anything against it. Sweetums has been a supporting character to everyone on the main cast but he does have his following. People seem to love Sweetums. Maybe it’s because he is so big but at the same time so…well…sweet!

@ZamboniNerd: Statler and Waldorf because they always make me laugh with their sarcastic comments. The perfect opposition to Fozzy Bear and the rest of the Muppets from time to time are the worst hecklers in the world. Stand up comedians have always had hecklers and whomever came up with this duo is genius. It’s amazing how long they’ve stayed as a major part of the show considering that they aren’t technically part of the Muppets crew.

@Beccaberry73: Gotta be Statler & Waldorf 🙂 LOVE their jokes! I’m surprised by how many people love these guys! Just goes to show that they are a big part of who the Muppets are!

Thanks to everyone who talked Muppets with me all day! It was a great time and it’s only building excitement for the upcoming Muppets show on ABC this Fall! If you are excited or you didn’t get to share on Twitter who your favorite Muppet is, be sure to leave a comment below! If you are interested in participating in Tweets From Tuesday, be sure to follow me by clicking the link below my name. See ya next week!

Josh Taylor
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Tweets on Tuesday: What’s Your Favorite “Land” at Disneyland or Magic Kingdom Park

2015 marks Disneyland’s 60th anniversary and surprisingly the park hasn’t changed much. Sure that have been  some new attractions along the way but the layout of the park has stayed roughly the same. The park’s original “lands” have remained and it’s gained 3 new areas over the course of it’s 60 years. As far as it’s Floriday counterpart, it too has stayed pretty similar to it’s original layout. It’s only change has been that of a new land which has now been developed into a larger portion of the parks original Fantasyland area. So over the weekend I asked my Twitter followers (@ModernMouseJosh) what their favorite “Land” of either Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom was and why? Here is what they said!

@DisneySparkles: I like Tomorrowland, mostly because it hosts the majority of my fave attractions. This is definitely a great reason to choose a land. Tomorrowland at either the Disneyland or Magic Kingdom park has hosted a large number of attractions since the “land” opened as an original area of the parks.

@SixBubbles: Favorite? How does one choose??? Lol. It is difficult considering how classic almost every area is. The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland both host a slue of “lands” and attractions that are so unique, detailed, and classic. It is hard to choose just one and you don’t really have to if you don’t want to.

@MsMainStFortune: Main Street USA (DL) because I’m there all day everyday! Esmeralda chimed in on this one. She is the fortune teller on Main St. at Disneyland and calls that area home so she makes a valid point in stating that her home might be the best place since….you know….she never leaves!

@MouseMonthly: New Orleans Square – completely original. The first new development of Disneyland. Opening in 1966, 11 years after the parks opening, New Orleans Square captures the details and charm of the French Quarter. It’s tight walkways, detailed facades, and delicious food put it on the list for good reason.

@YWTTM: Tomorrowland for me and why, because focus on the future and how technology changes everyday. Tomorrowland’s growth over the years to catch up with technology has been tough at times, but it’s showcase and optimism for the future has always been one of it’s best features. It’s a place we can all live and enjoy. I love that about this land.

@TTATraveler: Tomorrowland because TTA Peoplemover, Carousel of Progress, and all those lights are damn beautiful at night. Tomorrowland is one of the best places to be after dark at either of the parks. It’s fun lighting and busy walkways make it feel like the city of the future. The Magic Kingdom version also hosts two of Walt Disney’s original ideas. the TTA Peoplemover was an original concept for transportation in the city of tomorrow (EPCOT) and the Carousel of Progress was Walt’s addition to the 1964 World’s Fair which finally moved to Disneyland and then Magic Kingdom.

@WDWParkHopper: I am a Frontierland man myself. Everybody has to have a place to wander and Dan is a well traveled Magic Kingdom lover so it’s understandable he would love one certain place in the park.

@GoTeamMegan: I like Adventureland because i’m not an idiot or a terrible person. Well Megan, you aren’t an idiot or a terrible person to begin with. I’m also a proponent for Adventureland so I’m right in that boat with you.

@MHolley579: Frontierland, with Advertureland a very close 2nd. Another person who had a tough time choosing and I have gone back and forth several times on which areas I love. It changes day to day.

@_AnnaPorter: Frontierland! Great Choice!

@JeffliPack: Holidayland! A former shortlived area of the original Disneyland park. It hosted a few attractions but not much. If you’ve lived to have seen this land, I’m jealous.

@StephenP117: Adventureland! Another Great Choice!

@LilDeb1986: Frontierland! I think I started a Frontierland vs. Adventureland war.

@CRufener: Adventureland! Nope, I definitely started a Fronitierland vs. Adventureland war.

@NORMNB8S: Based on what criteria? Attractions? Overall theme? Decorations? I’d choose Frontierland for all of those now that I think about it. After really thinking hard about it, Alan from the Enchanted Tiki Talk podcast finally came to the conclusion of Frontierland. I’m glad that he looked at it this way. Fitting it what really makes these areas great. The attractions they house, the overall theme and the decorations and detailings all make up a great “Land”.

So what’s my favorite “Land”? I’m never really sure. I go back and forth all the time. I’d have to say Disneyland’s version of Adventureland continues to be a constant in my thoughts but I could pin down so many others as my favorite place I’d like to spend time. It’s a difficult question but a fun one. Be sure to follow me if you want to be a part of a future post here on the site. If you have any other thoughts, don’t be afraid to leave your comments. Thanks!

Josh Taylor
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Top 5: Art Pieces that are Distinctly Mary Blair

Earlier this week I took a good look at The Three Caballeros (Read that HERE!) and one person’s involvement in the story of that film, Mary Blair. Her story really begins with the involvement of El Grupo and the South American tour during World War II. She became Walt Disney’s favorite artist during that time and because of his favoritism, became an influential part of the Walt Disney company from the 1940s through the 1960s. Her artwork is so different from the average art we’ve seen from other popular Disney artists of the time, especially from Disney’s Nine Old Men. Her artwork was a bit more offbeat and colorful. It amazes me how, even today, she has influenced so many people at the Disney company and her art style, despite how different it may be from the norm, can only be described as a “Disney” style. So many have replicated her artwork and you can see it almost everywhere in the company. From the theme parks to the films to the merchandise, Mary Blair is still alive and well in all of those places. I’ve talked to artists inspired by her and they talk abouth Mary just as if she were still alive, like how many people talk about Walt. So, why bring this up? Why talk about Mary Blair? She is much a part of the Disney company as anyone and probably one of the top artists to have ever worked for the company. You might ask where you can see some of her art? Here are my top 5 art pieces that are distinctly Mary Blair.

5-The Three Caballeros. Before we go any further, I will say that film is an art piece of Mary’s work. Not only was her concept art used for the film, but so many of the scenes in the film look identical to that of some of those paintings and sketches. It’s amazing how simple shapes and colors make a world of difference and how Mary really used colors to get the South feel for the film changed how the film ultimately looked. The Three Caballeros is the better known of the two Latin American films and I credit that partly to better writing and Mary’s touch of art to the film.

4-Monster’s Inc. Opening Credits. Mary Blair wasn’t alive when Monster’s Inc came out. Mary wasn’t even alive when Pixar started, but her style was tossed into the opening credits of the film. If you recall, the film’s credits use several doors and show off Monstropolis as a busy urban city. It’s a cute tip of the hat to someone who inspired the artists at Pixar to do what they do.

3-The Grand Canyon Concourse. One of Mary Blair’s last projects after coming back to the Disney company in the 1950s was a mural at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort. The mural is 90 feet tall and took over 18 months from start to installation. From everything I’ve ever seen of Mary Blair, this piece seems to sum up her life story. Heavily influenced by the South American trip, the mural represents a more peaceful place. One of the images particularly noticeable is the five legged goat within. Added into the mural, it showcases that not everything is perfect despite the Disney’s company, and it’s cast members, strive for magical perfection.

2-Alice in Wonderland. Walt Disney had been a fan of the Alice stories for a long time. His first real projects under the Disney company banner were the Alice comedies, silent films with animated cartoons and a live action girl inserted into it. That said, Disney was never ready to green light an Alice feature length film. The story was too dark and scary for his family friendly films, until Mary Blair showed him some concept art. He loved her illustrations of a whimsical Wonderland and a very cute blond haired Alice that he decided to green light the film under the ideals of her art direction. That’s why Alice in Wonderland, despite how strange it may be, is still delightful and charming. Also to her credit is the amount of Alice that went into Disneyland. Not only are the Teacups distinctly Mary Blair, but so is the Alice in Wonderland dark ride. Alice is the only film to receive two attractions in Fantasyland and that’s saying how something for how popular the film really is thanks to Mary’s artwork.

1-It’s a Small World. The charm of It’s a Small World, the Disneyland version, stems completely from Mary Blair. From the attraction to the facade outside, it screams out that Mary Blair was in charge. Her imagery of children from around the world gives a hopefulness and a beauty to the ride. There is so much to look at while riding and everything is detailed and gorgeous. As for the facade, it isn’t Mary who designed it, but Rolly Crump. In talking with Rolly Crump, I felt that he was very fond of Mary Blair. He looked up to her, almost as much as he did Walt Disney, and he wanted to pay tribute to Mary the best he could. The clock facade is definitely her style and is the best tribute Mary could receive. Another small tribute to Mary Blair is the doll on top of the Eiffel Tower within the French portion of the attraciton. That’s her. That’s Mary Blair standing up there. Well, not really her, but it’s her doll and if you ask cast member, they will tell you that the doll’s name is Mary and it’s their small way of saying “Thank You” to someone who gave so much to the Walt Disney company.

Do you love the art of Mary Blair? Do you consider it a Disney style? What’s your favorite thing Mary Blair worked on? Leave your thoughts and comments!

Josh Taylor
ModernMouseRadio@Yahoo.com
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DLR Talks #4

DLR Talks was live and we were joined by fellow podcasters Al and Joyce Kessel from Tales From The Mouse House. We discussed Al’s journey to becoming a Disney fan as well as their podcast itself. We also talked with panelist Ken about something he has been working on with Disney and we announce something big for Disneyland. Check out the show to see what it is. As always, we had a weird Disney question to answer. Also, to visit Al and Joyce’s Disneyland podcast, visit http://www.talescast.com Now enjoy the show.

Ryan Brown
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