Today we have a different sort of Great Muppet Survey. Since Christmas is coming in just a few short days, we thought it would be nice to share some answers from our head-honcho Ryan Dosier that are Christmas-related, since the Muppets have done spread so much holiday cheer over the years.
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1. What is your favorite Christmas production starring The Muppet Show family of characters and why?
This is such a tough question for me, because I absolutely adore both A Muppet Family Christmas and The Muppet Christmas Carol. But now I'm wondering if A Muppet Family Christmas even counts in this category, since it has everybody. But anyway... Family Christmas is fun, funny, and simply incredible. Christmas Carol is funny, dark, musical, and impressive. It's so hard to choose. I'm gonna stick with both.
2. What is your favorite Christmas production starring the Sesame Street family of characters and why?
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Hands down it's Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Very little can touch the innocence, magic, and heartfelt performances in this special. Big Bird, Oscar, Grover, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Bob, Mr. Hooper... everyone is at their very best in this special. It's so hard not to love every inch of Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. It's vintage Sesame at its absolute finest. Plus, original songs "Keep Christmas With You" and "True Blue Miracle" will keep you singing all through the year.
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3. What is your favorite Christmas production starring the Henson family of characters and why?
Once again this is an easy choice for me, because Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is far and away my favorite. Little can touch the charm, the wonder, the innocence, the beauty, and the pure magic of this little special. Jerry Nelson's performance here as Emmet is unmatched, but all of the Muppet performers were on top of their games here. They really gave their all to this production. Also giving his all was the unmatched Muppet muse Paul Williams, who probably gave his best work in this special. "Barbecue,""Our World/Brothers,""Riverbottom Nightmare Band," and, obviously "When the River Meets the Sea" are all masterpieces.
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4. What is your favorite Muppet Christmas song?
Ooh... such a hard choice. Probably "It Feels Like Christmas," which I can never get enough of. But "Bless Us All," the John Denver/Muppets "Twelve Days of Christmas," and Kermit's rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are very close to the top.
5. What is your favorite Sesame Christmas song?
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"Keep Christmas With You (All Through the Year)" tops my list. But I have a special place in my heart for Bert and Ernie's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Blue Christmas" as sung by Grover, Cookie Monster, and Herry Monster.
6. What is your favorite Henson Christmas song?
"When the River Meets the Sea" is my absolute favorite. In fact, I made this question just so I could mention that song. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard.
7. What is one Muppet/Sesame/Henson related gift you would love to receive this year?
What do you get the Muppet fan who has everything? More shelf space. But really, I'd very much like a Fraggle Rock t-shirt from Threadless. Fingers crossed that Santa is reading!
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8. Which Muppet character would make the best Santa Claus?
We've seen Cookie Monster, Bobo, Oscar, Kermit, Two-Headed Monster, and so many others take a turn as Santa, but I think the best Muppet Santa would be Dr. Teeth. He's got the perfect build! How has this not happened yet?!
9. Which Muppet character would you most like to receive a Christmas card from?
I think a Christmas card from Grover would be pretty entertaining... or Fozzie. But I think the very best would come from Gonzo. Can you imagine reading that Christmas letter?
10. Would you rather eat fruitcake or The Swedish Chef's shredded wheat and cranberry sauce?
Swedish Chef's dish all the way. Aunt Helen's fruitcake has got nothing on the Chef.
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The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com
Christmas Answers from Ryan Dosier
1. What is your favorite Christmas production starring The Muppet Show family of characters and why?This is such a tough question for me, because I absolutely adore both A Muppet Family Christmas and The Muppet Christmas Carol. But now I'm wondering if A Muppet Family Christmas even counts in this category, since it has everybody. But anyway... Family Christmas is fun, funny, and simply incredible. Christmas Carol is funny, dark, musical, and impressive. It's so hard to choose. I'm gonna stick with both.
2. What is your favorite Christmas production starring the Sesame Street family of characters and why?
Hands down it's Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Very little can touch the innocence, magic, and heartfelt performances in this special. Big Bird, Oscar, Grover, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Bob, Mr. Hooper... everyone is at their very best in this special. It's so hard not to love every inch of Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. It's vintage Sesame at its absolute finest. Plus, original songs "Keep Christmas With You" and "True Blue Miracle" will keep you singing all through the year.
3. What is your favorite Christmas production starring the Henson family of characters and why?Once again this is an easy choice for me, because Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is far and away my favorite. Little can touch the charm, the wonder, the innocence, the beauty, and the pure magic of this little special. Jerry Nelson's performance here as Emmet is unmatched, but all of the Muppet performers were on top of their games here. They really gave their all to this production. Also giving his all was the unmatched Muppet muse Paul Williams, who probably gave his best work in this special. "Barbecue,""Our World/Brothers,""Riverbottom Nightmare Band," and, obviously "When the River Meets the Sea" are all masterpieces.
4. What is your favorite Muppet Christmas song?Ooh... such a hard choice. Probably "It Feels Like Christmas," which I can never get enough of. But "Bless Us All," the John Denver/Muppets "Twelve Days of Christmas," and Kermit's rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are very close to the top.
5. What is your favorite Sesame Christmas song?
"Keep Christmas With You (All Through the Year)" tops my list. But I have a special place in my heart for Bert and Ernie's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Blue Christmas" as sung by Grover, Cookie Monster, and Herry Monster.6. What is your favorite Henson Christmas song?
"When the River Meets the Sea" is my absolute favorite. In fact, I made this question just so I could mention that song. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard.
7. What is one Muppet/Sesame/Henson related gift you would love to receive this year?
What do you get the Muppet fan who has everything? More shelf space. But really, I'd very much like a Fraggle Rock t-shirt from Threadless. Fingers crossed that Santa is reading!
8. Which Muppet character would make the best Santa Claus?We've seen Cookie Monster, Bobo, Oscar, Kermit, Two-Headed Monster, and so many others take a turn as Santa, but I think the best Muppet Santa would be Dr. Teeth. He's got the perfect build! How has this not happened yet?!
9. Which Muppet character would you most like to receive a Christmas card from?
I think a Christmas card from Grover would be pretty entertaining... or Fozzie. But I think the very best would come from Gonzo. Can you imagine reading that Christmas letter?
10. Would you rather eat fruitcake or The Swedish Chef's shredded wheat and cranberry sauce?
Swedish Chef's dish all the way. Aunt Helen's fruitcake has got nothing on the Chef.
The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com