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Muppets Haunted Mansion

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Muppets Haunted Mansion
Official release poster
Directed byKirk Thatcher
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Bill Barretta
  • Kirk Thatcher
  • Kelly Younger
  • Jim Lewis
Based on
Produced by
  • Chelsea DeVincent
  • Michael Steinbach
Starring
CinematographyCraig Kief
Edited by
  • Alexandra Amick
  • Jason Bierfeld
Music by
  • Ed Mitchell
  • Steve Morrell
Production
companies
Distributed byDisney+
Release date
  • October 8, 2021 (2021-10-08)
Running time
49 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Muppets Haunted Mansion is a 2021 American comedy Halloween special based on the Disney properties The Muppets and The Haunted Mansion. It was released on October 8, 2021, via Disney+. It is the Muppets' first Halloween special. The plot stars Gonzo and Pepe as they face the challenge of staying in a haunted mansion for one night. It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

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Instead of attending the Muppets' annual Halloween party, Gonzo and Pepe are on their way to a fear challenge event in the same haunted mansion where Gonzo's favorite magician, The Great MacGuffin, disappeared one-hundred years ago. Upon being dropped off by their hearse driver (Yvette Nicole Brown), Gonzo and Pepe meet the Caretaker (Darren Criss), along with several ghosts and singing busts.

Their "Ghost Host" (Will Arnett) tells Gonzo that he has been summoned to the mansion to see if he can survive one night. If he cannot, he and Pepe will be trapped there forever. While Gonzo claims that he fears nothing, Pepe is easily scared by everything he sees in the mansion. After meeting Madame Pigota (who resembles Miss Piggy), Gonzo and Pepe come across a room full of several ghosts resembling various Muppets. The Host soon appears and informs Gonzo that in order to survive the mansion he must face his fears in Room 999.

As Gonzo is led to the room, Pepe meets and becomes entranced by the ghost of Constance Hatchaway (Taraji P. Henson), who plans to marry and then kill him as he meets the ghosts of her past husbands. Gonzo is trapped in Room 999 (with the room's number sign turning upside down to read "666") and starts to turn old as his reflection taunts him. Recalling a conversation with Kermit he had earlier, Gonzo realizes he is indeed afraid of something: that no one will like him if he does not do dangerous stunts. He then remembers the Host's advice of facing his fears being the key to escaping the room after fearing he will be trapped in the mansion forever. Gonzo ultimately realizes he is afraid of never seeing his friends again and the room de-ages and releases him.

The Host congratulates Gonzo for facing his fears and tells him that he is free to go so long as he makes it out by sunrise. After realizing that Pepe is in trouble, Gonzo refuses to leave without him. With the help of the Host's candelabra, Gonzo is able to find Pepe and stop the wedding. The pair jump out the window and make it out of the mansion just as the sun rises.

The Host meets them at the gate, revealing himself to be the Great MacGuffin, who is impressed that Gonzo was willing to do what he could not; face his fears. The hearse driver picks them up and Kermit video calls asking the pair to meet him and the other Muppets for breakfast. He then comments that Gonzo and Pepe should bring their friends along, leading the two to turn and see the Hitchhiking Ghosts behind them.

Cast

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Ghosts

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Singing Busts

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Muppet performers

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Main article: List of Muppets

Production

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Early attempts to produce a Halloween special centered on The Muppets date back to the early 1990s. Following Jim Henson's death, his son Brian planned to continue the franchise's presence on television by releasing a series of holiday specials, with the first one tentatively centered around Halloween.[1] The project ultimately was cancelled, and eventually the TV series Muppets Tonight and the video game Muppet Monster Adventure were released instead.

In March 2009, it was announced during a special event at Disney's Hollywood Studios, that The Walt Disney Company, who acquired The Muppets in 2004, was developing a Halloween special based on the franchise.[2] A 2010 release date was later announced.[3] However, the special was postponed in order for The Muppets Studio to focus entirely on the 2011 film, and eventually cancelled.[4]

In May 2021, a Muppets Halloween special based on the Disney theme park attraction The Haunted Mansion, titled Muppets Haunted Mansion, was announced to be in development.[5] Filming took place in April 2021 during eighteen days.[6] In August 2021, longtime Muppet director Kirk Thatcher revealed that he wrote and directed the special, and shared a teaser image from it.[7]

Later that month, Geoff Keighley and Darren Criss were revealed to be part of the cast as Uncle Theodore and The Caretaker, respectively, while Kelly Younger was revealed as co-writer.[8][9] The rest of the cast was announced the following September.[10]

Ed Mitchell and Steve Morrell wrote the music for the special,[11] including three new songs, titled "Rest In Peace", "Life Hereafter", and "Tie The Knot Tango",[12] as well as a cover of King Harvest's "Dancing in the Moonlight".[10]

This was one of Ed Asner's final acting works before his death, he was described on The Muppets social media as "a great friend of the Muppets" at the time of his death and the special was dedicated to his memory.[13]

Release

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Muppets Haunted Mansion was released exclusively on Disney+ on October 8, 2021.[14][5] The special made its linear TV premiere on Disney Channel on October 22, 2022.

Reception

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Audience viewership

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According to Whip Media, Muppets Haunted Mansion was the 6th most streamed movie across all platforms in the United States during the week of October 10, 2021,[15] and the 10th during the week of 17, 2021.[16]

Critical response

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On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 70% based on 30 reviews, with an average rating of 6.30/10.[17] Metacritic gave the film a weighted average score of 67 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18]

John Serba of Decider praised the humor saying, "Muppets Haunted Mansion is trifling silliness. It inspires some smiles, if not out-loud laughter."[19] W. Andrew Powell of The GATE reviewed the show positively, stating, "Disney World's Haunted Mansion meets The Muppets in one of the best, and most entertaining Muppet experiences in years."[20] Victoria Rose Caister of GameRant.com complimented the series, stating that the "spooky elements are actually done in a very nice way", and the show is "a really solid watch that will be easy to throw on for kids or adults at Halloween time."[21]

Garrett Martin of Paste rated the Halloween special 8 out of 10 and stated that Muppets Haunted Mansion recalls of the Muppet Show, saying, "It's a silly, ultimately heartfelt hour destined to become a holiday favorite for fans of Disney parks, the Muppets, or just felt in general."[22] Tara Bennett of IGN gave the series 8 out of 10, claiming, "The Muppets at their best are timeless, and this special captures much of that spirit."[23] Polly Conway of Common Sense Media rated the Halloween special 4 out of 5 stars, stated the Halloween special promotes positive message and role models, such as being courageous and encouraging others, while complimenting the diverse representations across the portrayal of different origins.[24]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2022 Producers Guild of America Awards Outstanding Children's Program Muppets Haunted Mansion Won [25]
Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards Best Contemporary Makeup - Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series, or Movie for Television Elle Favorule, Sonia Cabrera, Michelle Sfarzo Nominated [26]
Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Fiction Special Muppets Haunted Mansion Nominated [27]
Outstanding Casting for a Live-Action Program Tony Shepherd, Anne McGinnis Nominated
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design Darcy Prevost, Kathryn Molenaar, Mark D. Allen, Jeanine Ringer Won
Outstanding Special Effects Costumes, Hair and Makeup Lisa Davis, Rebecca Graves, Donna May, Sean Smith, Renee Vaca, Elle Favorule, Sonia Cabrera Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Beck, Marilyn. "Kermit and company come back anew to TV", TV Guide. May 11, 1991.
  2. ^ WDW Radio "Passholder Muppet Event" Archived July 21, 2021, at the Wayback Machine by Lou Mongello, March 11, 2009
  3. ^ ToughPigs D23 coverage Archived May 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, September 14, 2009
  4. ^ Jim Hill Media Archived August 11, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, April 29, 2010
  5. ^ a b Del Rosario, Alexandra (May 7, 2021). "'Muppets Haunted Mansion': Disney+ Sets First-Ever Muppets Halloween Special". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  6. ^ @KirkThatcher (September 26, 2021). "@jamieHiggs2002 @ArcadePlayerOne It was filmed in April of 2021...took 18 days" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ @KirkThatcher (August 9, 2021). "A couple of images teasing what I have been working on most of this year and dreaming of for 30 years!!! Muppets Ha…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ @geoffkeighley (August 25, 2021). "Can't believe I'm finally allowed to type this!I'm so thrilled to have a cameo in @disneyplus upcoming Halloween…" (Tweet). Retrieved September 17, 2021 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Darren Criss Cast as the Caretaker in Disney+'s 'Muppet Haunted Mansion' Special Archived September 8, 2021, at the Wayback Machine Aug 31, 2021
  10. ^ a b Cotten, Shelby; Jafari-Niknam, Sheena (September 23, 2021). "It's Time To Fright The Frights In The New "Muppets Haunted Mansion" Trailer, Streaming Exclusively On Disney+ October 8". Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  11. ^ "Production Sheet" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  12. ^ "Muppets Haunted Mansion". Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  13. ^ podcasters, Omny Studio is the complete audio management solution for; Stations, Radio. "Sasheer Zamata, Lily Sullivan, Carl Tart - Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast - Omny.fm". omny.fm. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Bastos, Margarida (September 8, 2021). "'Muppets Haunted Mansion': Disney+ Halloween Special Gets a Release Date and Spooky Poster". Collider. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Prange, Stephanie (October 13, 2021). "'Squid Game' Top Streaming Original, 'Black Widow' Top Streaming Movie on Whip Media Charts". Media Play News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  16. ^ Prange, Stephanie (October 19, 2021). "'You' Top Streaming Original, 'Halloween Kills' Top Streaming Movie on Whip Media Charts". Media Play News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  17. ^ "Muppets Haunted Mansion". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  18. ^ "Muppets Haunted Mansion". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  19. ^ John Serba (October 11, 2021). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Muppets Haunted Mansion' on Disney+, A Spooky Halloween Tale That Gives Gonzo The Great A Chance To Shine". Decider. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  20. ^ W. Andrew Powell (October 8, 2021). "Muppets Haunted Mansion review | A perfect new Halloween special from The Muppets on Disney+". The GATE. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  21. ^ Victoria Rose Caister (October 8, 2021). "Muppets Haunted Mansion Review". Game Rant. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  22. ^ Garrett Martin (October 8, 2021). "Muppets Haunted Mansion Is a Halloween Treat for Fans of the Muppets and Disney Parks". pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  23. ^ Bennett, Tara (October 8, 2021). "Muppets Haunted Mansion Review". IGN. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  24. ^ Polly Conway. "Muppets Haunted Mansion TV Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  25. ^ Tapp, Tom (March 15, 2022). "Producers Guild Awards Winners In Sports, Children's, Short Form & Innovation Categories Announced". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  26. ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 11, 2022). "Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations: 'House Of Gucci', 'The Suicide Squad' & 'Legendary' Among Leaders". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  27. ^ "2022 CAFE Nominees (ALL) - The Emmys". Emmy Awards. November 1, 2022. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
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