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Jim Henson Launches Happytime Murders Puppet Noir

by Alex Billington
October 15, 2008

Even though Jim Henson passed away back in 1990, his legacy still lives on, and next year it's making a comeback. In addition to the new Muppets movie being made by Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Jason Segel and the Fraggle Rock movie, another puppet mystery is in the works. The Jim Henson Company is developing Happytime Murders, a puppet comedy in the film noir detective genre featuring both human characters and puppets. Yes, we just said that, and yes, this is real news. It's actually being developed under the alternative label "for content created specifically and exclusively for adult audiences."

Directing is Brian Henson, of Muppet Treasure Island and A Muppet Christmas Carol previously. The script was written by Todd Berger (of Manifest Destiny and Holidays with Heather) and is based on a story created by Dee Robertson and Berger. The story centers on a puppet detective forced to solve a string of murders around the Happytime Gang, the cast of a popular children's show, and of course will include the iconic Henson style of irreverence and parody. I'm so flabbergasted by this news tonight that I don't even know what to say. I've really got to ask - is anyone excited by this puppet comeback?!

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TBone

So this will be an R rated muppets???
mrbobbyboy

Wow - Who Framed Roger Rabbit with PUPPETS!!! Genius. This could be solid gold if handled well. Chrismas Carol was consistently excellent but Treasure Island felt a little strained. The darker tone here could be just the ticket. This is great news.
L

I agree. This has potential to be a classic in the making. We'll see how well it pans out.
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

I think this is great news. People often forget that Henson skewed older with his puppetry and commentary. Anyone whose ever seen his segments from The Ed Sullivan Show know what I'm talking about. This'll be a great return to form. The Muppets have been languishing in ownership limbo for so long. I think they were owned by a German greeting card company at one point? There's a demand for new Muppet material. I'm glad to see there's so much activity going on at Henson studios right now.
REAL6

I would really love to this this!!!!!!!!!!
http://thechrishaley.com chrishaley

Very excited about this!
Tyler

This is quite possibly the most exciting news I have heard all year.
Vance

This sounds awesome, I just wish I was more familiar with the writer...
The Delightful Deviant

i wished there were more true Jim Henson's Creature Shop films out, much like Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal and the Storyteller. but this still sounds great and i am looking forward to it.
http://killsmedead.com Liz

I'm weirdly in love with this idea.
Peloquin

Deep down everyone loves muppets...
Scalpel

If you want to get an idea of how demented the Muppets can be, track down "Puppet Up!". It was the pilot for an improv comedy show with tons of swearing, hilarious Jim Henson Muppets. None of the original characters of course, but I was stunned by how great it was to see improv Muppets.
Kail

God dammit they're MUPPETS not PUPPETS get it fucking right before I reach into my computer and strangle you
Chris W

I LOVE the Muppets! I mean, who doesn't?
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

THIS IS THE BEST NEWS OF MY LIFE!
jmoney

Seriously... This is awesome. The muppets got too campy after Henson passed away, and I just kept thinking that if they could reach out to the adults and people who liked the muppets when THEY were kids, they'd be on to something. We saw shades of dow dope a serious muppet movie could be with the Dark Crystal and really hope this project works.
avoidz

The Muppets are owned by Disney now, aren't they?
BillFerny

<> I am! Sounds great! I can't wait. Here is to hoping that the cast is all old school existing muppets and not a bunch of new faces. I would love to see Grover be the star. Elmo stole his job.
Conrad

This is very very good news!! Its great to see them put a mature spin on the Muppets - this almost sounds like a skit on Robot Chicken or something.... Rest in Peace Jim Henson, let this revamp of The Muppets honor your memory.
Lola

This has the potential to be completely rad. Love film noir. Love Muppets. Obviously, Miss Piggy has to be the femme fatale.
Sean

This is going to be great. What a genre mix puppets and film noir. Booyah!
Jodie

HELLO TO THE YES!!!i cant wait ....i love the muppets
Richard Ace

Damn straight! This movie- Wow. Have you heard the thing about the cow? It's actually hilarious. Anyway, can't wait to see the muppet they have cooked up as the detective.