So, new year (well, a month old now), new slate of cinematic superheroes invading the multiplex. This weekend sees the premiere feature film adaptation of a beloved crimefighter (Captain America will be throwing his shield when he flies in on Valentine’s Day) who’s rather unique in this realm. First off, he’s not a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). nor does he originate at Warner’s DC Studios. And, thankfully, it’s not another Sony “Spider-Verse” spin-off. No, this is from Scholastic, who have published fourteen graphic novels in this series, which sprung from another successful series. I’m certain they and his millions of fans are hoping that this is this will begin a new film franchise for the canine crusader known as DOG MAN.
The action takes place in a big bustling metropolis known as OK City, which seems to be constantly under attack by the supervillain Petey the Cat (voice of Pete Davidson). Luckily the Chief of Police (Lil Rel Howery) enlists the aid of his top cop Officer Knight (Pete Hastings) and his trusty sidekick Greg the dog to thwart the feline fiend. Unfortunately, they’re unable to defuse a bomb planted by Pete, and the duo is caught in its explosion. After being rushed to the hospital, the doctors make a fateful decision to combine their still functioning parts (Greg’s head on Knight’s body) to create Dog Man, champion of law enforcement. This heroic hybrid successfully stops the new schemes from Petey, sending him to prison which seems to have a revolving door. After yet another escape, Petey thinks he can keep ahead of his nemesis, by copying, really cloning, himself. But he’s stunned when the result is a kitten version he names Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins). When he’s rejected, Dog Man adopts the innocent fuzzy tyke. Pete continues with a new plan to revive a deceased fish called Flippy (Ricky Gervais), a true super-powered villain with the ability of telekinesis. Can OK City survive the terrible teaming of Petey and Flippy, even with Dog Man and Li’l Petey on the case?
This funny fantasy romp benefits from the expert comedic vocal casting. Davidson proves to be a superb comic villain, giving his lines a bombastic energy while still retaining a snarky spin on his threats and retorts. He’s not the only former SNL castmate enlisted as Cheri Oteri pipes in as the Mayor, Melissa Villasenor is a hard-selling realtor, and even Laraine Newman voices a brilliant scientist. Howery is a frantic hoot as the befuddled, overworked Chief who not-so-secretly pines for roving video reporter Sarah Hatoff, given a crisp energetic delivery by Isla Fisher. Hopkins is adorable as the cute bit never cloying kitty, while Luenell makes the Chief’s main assistant Milly a low-key sarcastic delight. And Gervais is gleefully snide making Flippy a twisted snicking super-menace.
In this his animated feature debut, Pete Hastings (yes, the voice of Knight and all the growls and howls of the title hero), directs his screenplay adaptation of the Dav Pilkey series, giving it a jovial, bouncy pace expanding from an origin story to introduce us to the many players and elements of Dog Man’s world. The animators have taken Pilkey’s line drawings into the CGI universe, making the characters resemble fuzzy, rubbery toys and retaining the child-like simplicity of the settings (we can imagine a kid constructing buildings of folded cardboard with funky hand-lettered signage). I was a tad surprised that much of the story’s first act echoed themes of the original ROBOCOP as Dog Man finds he can’t return to his old life (GF has split and put his home up for sale). Then the jokes swiftly connect until the tempo loses a bit of momentum by the one-hour mark, but Flippy’s fantastic feats involving some nifty walking skyscrapers invigorate the finale. Sure, there are a couple of crude gags mocking canine habits and a scathing “burn’ from Li’l Petey that may get repeated on the schoolyard, but this is really an all-ages romp that the whole family can enjoy (again, thanks to a talented cast), making a howling, tail-waggin’ triumph for the first screen adventure of DOG MAN.
3 Out of 4
DOG MAN opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, January 31, 2025
The hilarious family animated film PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK, from Paramount Pictures, is available now to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada. The exciting action-adventure stars Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais and Samuel L. Jackson.
PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK also stars Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Cathy Shim and Kylie Kuioka.
A down-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!
PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK is directed by Rob Minkoff, Mark Koetsier Chris Bailey, screenplay by Ed Stone & Nate Hopper and Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Alan Uger, with story by Andrew Bergman.
The score is by Bear McCreary who says “Ennio Morricone’s impact on the sound of the western genre cannot be overstated. Paws of Fury is, in part, a parody of the western genre, but I did not intend to trot out tired musical quotations of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, as this has been done in pop culture repeatedly for decades. I was inspired by Ennio’s unique ability to place unique sounds boldly before of the audience, in effect daring the listener to have an emotional response to the weird and unexpected.”
Samuel L. Jackson as “Jimbo”, Djimon Hounsou as “Sumo”, and Michael Cera as “Hank” in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Align, and Aniventure.
The film is produced by Rob Minkoff, Adam Nagle, Peter Nagle, Guy Collins, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell, and executive produced by Adrian Politowski, Alex Schwartz, Ben White, Reginald Hudlin, Wang Zhongjun, Wang Zhonglei, Mel Brooks.
Samuel L. Jackson as “Jimbo” and Michael Cera as “Hank” in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Align, and Aniventure.
Michael Cera as “Hank” and Samuel L. Jackson as “Jimbo” in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Align, and Aniventure.
WAMG has your passes to see PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Align, and Aniventure.
Enter to win 4 free passes to the St. Louis area advance screening of PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK.
DATE AND TIME: Saturday, July 9th at Ronnie’s Cine. Doors at 9am Movie at 11am.
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed.
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem? cats hate dogs! Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK pounces into theatres July 15, 2022.
Ricky Gervais as “Ika Chu” and George Takei as “Ohga” in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Align, and Aniventure.
A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Michael Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Ricky Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Samuel L. Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!
Michael Cera as “Hank” and Samuel L. Jackson as “Jimbo” in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Align, and Aniventure.
Also starring Mel Brooks, George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim, watch the hilarious trailer now!
This is funny as all get-out, hysterical funny kind of get-out. This film looks awesome! I mean, ca’mon, with lines like, “What the mother father cocker spaniel is going on here?!” and “Who knew an evil army could go through so many beans?”
And Ricky Gervais as the Villain, oh yeah, we’re in!
See the movie in theaters this summer when PAWS OF FURY: THE LEGEND OF HANK pounces into theatres July 15, 2022.
Gabriel Iglesias as “Chuck” and Aasif Mandvi as “Ichiro” in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Align, and Aniventure.
Paramount Pictures has released a lovely new poster for their upcoming film, THE LITTLE PRINCE.
Based on “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the movie is from Mark Osborne, director of KUNG FU PANDA.
Before seeing the film, watch director Stanley Donen’s 1974 musical version starring Richard Kiley as The Pilot, Steven Warner as The Little Prince, Bob Fosse as The Snake and Gene Wilder as The Fox.
The voice cast of the latest adaptation features Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Ricky Gervais, Bud Cort, Marion Cotillard, Benicio del Toro, James Franco, Paul Giamatti, with Mackenzie Foy and Albert Brooks.
THE LITTLE PRINCE opens in theaters March 18, 2016.
In opposition to TV’s “Schoolhouse Rock” classic tune, for movies three is not always the magic number. It’s true for most film franchises especially comedies (with NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION being the exceptional exception). Many moviegoers still get queasy thinking about last year’s THE HANGOVER PART III. Well, how about a more family friendly comedy series? In 2006 Ben Stiller decided to expand his fan base by starring in the surprise box-office smash, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, an all ages PG slapstick farce. Naturally he followed it up three years later with NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN, which did enough business to warrant another entry….five years later?! Really, it took that long for all the stars to align? Now these flicks are special effects heavy and during the post production two of its stars, well, made sure they weren’t available for a fourth installment. So will this deflate the high-spirited hi-jinks? We’ll see as we climb those long steps in order to enter another NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB.
The film opens with a flashback, way, waaaay back to the Egyptian desert in 1938 when an Indy Jones-like explorer and his young son (along with Matt Frewer dressed up like the kid brother of the scourge of “Toontown”, Judge Doom) discover that gold tablet that ends up bringing the museum pieces to life after hours. But one native warns them about “the end”. Zip forward to today as Larry Daley (Stiller) has traded in his security guard jacket for a tux. There’s a big fund-raising event at the museum and his old pals Dexter the monkey, bombastic Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), stoic Sacajawea (Mizou Peck), the really very sweet Attilla the Hun (Patrick Gallagher), Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), and the tiny Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and Octavius (Steve Coogan) are getting ready to put on a show for the wealthy possible-donors. But back at the Egyptian display area, that old tablet is slowly being engulfed by a green rust. This causes all the “exhibits” to run amuck, even attacking the patrons. Larry’s boss, museum director Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais), demands to know what happened to the “special effects”. For answers. Larry tracks down the explorer’s son who turns out to be the villain from the first flick Cecil (Dick Van Dyke), who’s living at a seniors’ center with cohorts Gus (Mickey Rooney) and Reg (Bill Hobbs). It’s all really connected to the family of Ahkmenrah. When Larry asks the ancient ruler about fixing the tablet, he replies that only his father knows its secrets. But he’s at the British Museum of Natural History in London! So, it’s across the pond for Larry and his now teenage son Nick (Skyler Gisondo), who’s not keen on his dad’s plan for college, with a crate of “on loan” exhibits. After dealing with a zany night guard, Tilly (Rebel Wilson), Larry and Nick bring the place to life with the still barely functioning tablet. Ahkmenrah is re-united with his father,King Merenkahre (Ben Kingsley), who explains the repair “fix”. But before they can start, the tablet is grabbed by the newly reanimated Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens), who believes it is the “holy grail”. Can Larry and his gang retrieve it before the magic is lost forever?
The cast attempts to bring some life to the proceedings, but for some of them it seems like the screaming and running down endless hallways has begun to wear thin. Stiller is stifled with the straight man role of Larry, who’s nice almost to point of dullness. This might be why the writers came up with a new character: a Neanderthal named Laa , which Dr, McPhee based on what appears to be his only employee. Stiller gets to do a bit of slapstick and treat us to a “gun show”, thanks to the sleeve-less fur skin, but it still doesn’t showcase his considerable comic gifts. Speaking of gifted comics, this is the last major studio feature appearance of Mr. Williams. And unfortunately he too, gives a lethargic performance, only giving us a taste of his manic spirit when the tablet malfunctions. He then jumps from Teddy, and does rapid soundbites of FDR, JFK, and…W?! The spark in his eyes have dimmed and the joy seems top have left. The same can’t be said for the other departed cast member. Rooney summons every bit of energy to harass Stiller in his brief cameo along with the ever-charming Mr.Van Dyke and Hobbs (wish we could’ve had a follow-up spin-off about this trio). Wilson and Coogan are really short (sorry!) changed as they become a tired “bro-mantic” duo constantly in need of rescue. Gervais is still able to wring a few laughs out of the prickly, uptight boss. A couple of the newcomers try to have some fun. Wilson generates a few chuckles, but seems restrained by the PG ratings and does a cleaned-up riff of her screen persona. Surprisingly Kingsley scores the biggest laugh thanks to a joke that connects to a big film that opened just last week. The best injection of energy may be from Stevens doing an inspired take on the standard swashbuckler. He’s having a blast and his zeal is infectious. How about a pirate parody for this talented new screen star, eh?
The direction from franchise veteran Shawn Levy doesn’t help the movie’s overall sluggish feel. For much of the screen time the story goes on autopilot doing encores from the other films. Instead of a dog-like T-Rex skeleton, there’s a Triceratops this time. And once again, Dex provides the gross-out bathroom humor. The monkey’s still quite cute even with the CGI tweaking, although the wee ones may be upset when it’s brandishing a fiery schisk-a-bob during the banquet chaos. There are a couple of inspired moments, though. A chase inside a moving MC Escher painting is visually pretty nifty. And there’s a great cameo from two stars poking fun at themselves which occurs when Lancelot thinks he’s made it to Camelot. But then it’s back to the running and chasing with a romantic subplot between Laa and Tilly that goes nowhere. And in the final moments we’re given a prologue that wants to be a happy ending, but is just melancholy (look at that final close-up of Larry). It fails to get past the loss of two great screen stars. They’re deserving of a much better send-off. And fans of this series deserve a much better finale than this retread.
A Night Guard, A Knight, and a Nightclubber are among the 7 brand new character posters featuring the hilarious ensemble cast for 20th Century Fox’s upcoming comedy-adventure, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB.
Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Dan Stevens, Ben Kingsley, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, and Rebel Wilson, the movie opens in theaters on December 19.
Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.
The third chapter in the series is helmed by returning director Shawn Levy.
20th Century Fox has released a brand new trailer for their upcoming film, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB. Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Dan Stevens, Ben Kingsley, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, and Rebel Wilson, the film is produced by returning director Shawn Levy.
Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.
The first film in the franchise, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM was released on December 22, 2006 and was followed by the sequel NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN on May 22, 2009.
Hop on board this epic journey with the star-studded cast, when the third chapter in the series hits theaters everywhere on December 19, 2014.
The first trailer for 20th Century Fox’s upcoming film, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB, has arrived.
Join this all-star cast on their wild adventure, when the film hits theaters everywhere on December 19.
A knight, a hun, an Egyptian god, Rebel Wilson and a monkey…what more could you ask for?
Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.
From director Shawn Levy, the film also stars Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, and Ben Kingsley.
Look for NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB this Christmas.
The all new Muppet caper MUPPETS MOST WANTED opens tomorrow, and in celebration of the film Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Constantine, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, and Sam Eagle held a press conference to talk about returning to the big screen. Check it out below!
Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit the Frog— and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon, and Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard.
Yes, for Kermit. I was wondering – nothing against you Constantine – but I was wondering why Kermit you didn’t want to play both parts, because it would have really enhanced your acting credits. And where’s Miss Piggy? [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Boy, that’s two very different questions [LAUGHTER], I’ll tell you. [LAUGHTER] Well, you know it didn’t make sense for me to play Constantine ‘cause we do have a few scenes together and I don’t really work on green screen [LAUGHTER] so we couldn’t really make that work. But plus, listen Constantine is actually a—a distant cousin, from Russia.
CONSTANTINE: Yes.
KERMIT THE FROG: Also with roots in the Colorado area I understand.
CONSTANTINE: This is true.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah, yeah. They like to lick toads there but anyway [LAUGHTER]. So—so it was better to get him to do it. He has the voice you know.
SAM EAGLE: He is actually from Russia?
KERMIT THE FROG: Well, I’m afraid so Sam. I’m afraid so.
SAM EAGLE: My goodness you’re sitting between the two of us. That’s all I can say.
CONSTANTINE: But what is weird thing is I cannot speak any Russian words.
RICKY GERVAIS: Just—just …
CONSTANTINE: … just an accent …
RICKY GERVAIS: … any place with a Russian accent?
TINA FEY: Yeah.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah, yeah. [LAUGHTER]
TY BURRELL: Two dogs [laughter].
CONSTANTINE: That’s it.
KERMIT THE FROG: That is very weird.
TY BURRELL: That’s a weird part of Russia that’s all English and …
CONSTANTINE: That is correct.
TINA FEY: You were born in the Russian airport.
CONSTANTINE: Yes.
TY BURRELL: [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Oh, and I should, to answer the second part of your question, well, I’m just gonna give it away. Miss Piggy is actually around but she—she insisted upon being fashionably late.
CONSTANTINE: Yeah.
KERMIT THE FROG: So, I don’t know when she’s gonna show up but she is here.
CONSTANTINE: Who cares? [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Exactly.
I wanted to ask the humans amongst the group here, about the singing. Were you nervous at all about being in a movie musical and singing and so forth, and how did you approach it? Will there be more musicals in your future?
RICKY GERVAIS: Well, I was okay with singing. I’m a failed pop star. I always sneak a song into everything I do, whether it’s David Brenn or Simpson’s or but, my dancing is a little awkward. A little embarrassed about that. I don’t move well. But I was with a frog.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yes.
RICKY GERVAIS: So it doesn’t matter. I’ll do …
KERMIT THE FROG: … you’re a very good friend …
RICKY GERVAIS: … I’ll do anything with a frog. That’s—that’s my motto. [LAUGHTER]
CONSTANTINE: That is nothing.
RICKY GERVAIS: And he was a, he’s a great tap danc—well, more a flap dancer …
CONSTANTINE: … I did flap dancing. [LAUGHTER]
RICKY GERVAIS: Yeah, flap dancing on my head. So, yeah no one’s gonna be looking at me when—when we’re doing that dance. [LAUGHTER] They’re gonna say there’s a frog dancing. That’s what—that’s what’s gonna be happening. So, yeah I got away with it.
TINA FEY: Yeah, you know you have a good voice. And my singing sounds like if you’ve ever seen the version of Oliver when the little boy sings and you can hear the hiss of how loud they had to turn up the microphone [LAUGHTER], it’s—my singing sounds like that.
KERMIT THE FROG: No, no that’s not true. You were great [LAUGHTER], you were great.
TINA FEY: But I think you know, Bret wrote really really good songs …
KERMIT THE FROG: … mm-hmm …
TINA FEY: … that make us seem good.
RICKY GERVAIS: Pretty amazing.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yep, yep.
SAM EAGLE: America and the world were spared my singing voice except for two notes. I don’t know if you noticed that. I think it was by design. [LAUGHTER] I spoke, I spoke my song but I was thrilled to do it. I, a huge fan of Bret McKenzie.
KERMIT THE FROG: Well, you are selling yourself short. You’re a great singer, a great actor and a great American. [LAUGHTER]
SAM EAGLE: So—so confusing. [LAUGHTER]
Hi Tina. In your Nadya persona …
TINA FEY: … yes …
… can you tell us why you, not Miss Piggy, are the right woman for Kermit? She’ll stab you in the back later but just tell us now why you’re the right woman?
TINA FEY: Nadya is less work than Piggy. [LAUGHTER] You can give Nadya bag of hot rocks for Valentine’s day she will not care. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: That’s true, that’s true. [LAUGHTER]
Perfect date.
TINA FEY: Or is a cheap date. [LAUGHTER]
Hello, here. It’s a—a question for Mr. Constantine.
CONSTANTINE: What? [LAUGHTER]
After this movie and singing and dancing, did you ever plan to leave behind the criminal life and dedicate and incorporate to the Muppets family?
CONSTANTINE: Well, this is good question. I am actually thinking about doing new Netflix original programming [LAUGHTER]. I will call it House of Toads. [LAUGHTER] I will executive produce and show run. [LAUGHTER] So let’s take meeting yes? [LAUGHTER] What you think?
RICKY GERVAIS: It’s amazing. [LAUGHTER] You’re the best.
CONSTANTINE: I am.
RICKY GERVAIS: I love this guy. He—he looks like, you know, he’s got a cold always literally like a cold exteriors. He’s cold blooded – he’s an amphibian.
CONSTANTINE: Yes.
RICKY GERVAIS: But he’s got it all, I think I’ve melted his heart a little bit. You see he had a bad upbringing. He was born in a Russian pond, weren’t you?
CONSTANTINE: Yes.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah, yeah.
RICKY GERVAIS: One of 800 siblings.
CONSTANTINE: Right.
RICKY GERVAIS: Many of ‘em dead.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah.
CONSTANTINE: Eaten by fish. [LAUGHTER]
RICKY GERVAIS: And he came over here and we met and we bonded didn’t we?
CONSTANTINE: Yes.
RICKY GERVAIS: We bonded over our mutual hatred of most of the other Muppets. [LAUGHTER]
CONSTANTINE: Well, of particular pig.
RICKY GERVAIS: Oh, yeah don’t get me started.
CONSTANTINE: Yes.
SAM EAGLE: Yeah, good thing she’s not here.
CONSTANTINE: Yes.
In the movie there’s a scene where Kermit, you try to mimic Constantine in that mirror. I was wondering for all of you, in your own personal lives, have you ever tried to be someone and mimic someone that isn’t true to who you really are?
KERMIT THE FROG: I think that’s what we do for a living isn’t it? [LAUGHTER]
TY BURRELL: Yeah, yeah. [LAUGHTER] We turn that …
RICKY GERVAIS: … five days a week …
TY BURRELL: … very strange psychological disorder into a—a lucrative career. [LAUGHTER]
CONSTANTINE: You nailed the answer Kermit. That was good.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah.
Hi. There’s a line in the movie that…
KERMIT THE FROG: … huh, oh …
… that suggests that there may have been, um, some rivalry behind the scenes over how much screen time Walter got in the last movie. Would—would Kermit and Sam care to comment on that? Any sort of behind the scenes politicking?
KERMIT THE FROG: Sam, you’re good at behind the scenes politicking.
SAM EAGLE: Well, yes, yes I’m also very good at diplomacy so …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yep, yep …
SAM EAGLE: … I will just say that I am happy with how this movie turned out [LAUGHTER] and all the screen time that …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, wait wait whoa …
SAM EAGLE: … everyone here …
KERMIT THE FROG: … Sam, Sam you didn’t answer the question.
SAM EAGLE: Exactly Kermit. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Oh. [LAUGHTER]
SAM EAGLE: That was the point. [LAUGHTER]
Hi, my question is for Ricky Gervais. A huge fan of your work with the podcast and the travel shows with Mr. Karl Pilkington …
RICKY GERVAIS: … thank you …
…and I was curious if you were to do another season of ‘An Idiot Abroad’ and pair Karl with any one of the Muppets, which Muppet would you pair him with to annoy him the most and where would you send them around the world?
RICKY GERVAIS: I reckon, wow, Piggy I reckon, [LAUGHTER] It can’t stand anything high maintenance and whiney so that—that would be good. That would, that would really, I mean, that would finish him off I think. [LAUGHTER] Or Bunsen, that would be good as well.
KERMIT THE FROG: Mm-hmm.
RICKY GERVAIS: Because they look so alike. [LAUGHTER] That would confuse him. He wouldn’t know which one he was by the end of the [LAUGHTER], by the end of the show so that would be easy.
What do you guys think that kids will like most about this movie?
TINA FEY: I think, uh, I have kids. So I will answer …
KERMIT THE FROG: … you think you do or you know you do? [LAUGHTER]
TINA FEY: I had some [LAUGHTER] …
KERMIT THE FROG: … I did—I did get her attention …
TINA FEY: … I had some, as of this morning I had two. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Okay, good good.
TINA FEY: I think they—I think they’re—they’re gonna like how funny the movie is because, you know, I think there’s a lot of jokes in the movie and kids who are like 8, 9, 10 years old they take a lot of pride in getting the jokes.
KERMIT THE FROG: Mm-hmm.
TINA FEY: It makes them feel big.
RICKY GERVAIS: Yeah, it doesn’t patronize kids.
TINA FEY: Yeah.
RICKY GERVAIS: It doesn’t aim an audience …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah …
RICKY GERVAIS: … it—it aims higher and—and I remember when I was a kid watching the Muppets. I had older brothers and sisters and they were laughing and I—I sort of knew that it was cool as well, you know, good—good for me so I think kids relate to that. They like things that adults like …
KERMIT THE FROG: … mm-hmm …
RICKY GERVAIS: … as well. So that …
KERMIT THE FROG: … I for one do not get any of the jokes in this movie. [LAUGHTER] I just want to say.
TY BURRELL: I have an IQ of a seven-year-old and I loved this movie so much. [LAUGHTER]
RICKY GERVAIS: Yes.
TY BURRELL: I also love juice. [LAUGHTER]
I just wanted to go ahead and ask you. You guys are all comedy giants, in different age ranges of course.
TINA FEY: Yeah, only from behind.
Okay, yes. [LAUGHTER] When you guys got to learn each other or got to work with each other on set I mean, is there anything that for Tina, for Ricky and for Ty that you guys were inspired from—from the Muppets and for the Muppets were you guys inspired by your human counterparts?
TY BURRELL: I was constantly inspired by the Muppets. I’ve never realized just how over rated I was until you go out [LAUGHTER] and do a scene with somebody, who’s doing the, doing eight things at once while all I have to do is try to remember my words which I fail at miserably.
SAM EAGLE: No, no again, you sell yourself short Ty. [LAUGHTER] Alright? You—you could remember …
TY BURRELL: … oh, by the way Sam—Sam …
SAM EAGLE: … most of those words …
TY BURRELL: … I’m—I’m …
SAM EAGLE: … most of the time …
TY BURRELL: … I’m happy to report Sam became my life coach [LAUGHTER] right after we finished filming.
SAM EAGLE: Yes, yes. Well …
TY BURRELL: … so if we …
SAM EAGLE: … it took a while though.
TY BURRELL: Yeah.
SAM EAGLE: At—at for about half of the film this—this man is such a great actor. He had me going. I literally thought he was a Frenchman. [LAUGHTER] Yes, he was so convincing I think his portrayal of a Frenchman will go down in history as the most convincing portrayal of a Frenchman in film. [LAUGHTER]
TY BURRELL: Wow. I think we finally, you and I finally really bonded when we realized we had the exact same eyebrows.
SAM EAGLE: Yes. It—it’s true. It’s true. You know, and yes one day when I, I showed up to sets without mine he was kind enough to let me borrow his.
TY BURRELL: Yeah. [LAUGHTER] I had a—I had a surplus.
This question is for Ricky… we see you in the movie carrying these big bags of money for the journalists and at least I didn’t get my share [LAUGHTER] and where is my kind of money and do you care about reviews at all?
RICKY GERVAIS: You, well yeah. I mean, you like, you like it when they get it. But, I mean, if—if you only believe the good ones and don’t believe the bad ones then I think that’s a slippery slope. The best thing to do is, you know, celebrate the people that like the film and—and, you know, know that it was made for them. I—I don’t do anything for—for reviews or audience or awards or anything, you know. You do it for—you do it for yourself really if I’m being totally honest …
KERMIT THE FROG: … mm-hmm …
RICKY GERVAIS: … and—and of course, you know, and like minded people. But it’s—it’s crazy. If you’re worried about pleasing everyone you’re not gonna please anyone. And it’ll send you mad, you know …
KERMIT THE FROG: … mm-hmm …
RICKY GERVAIS: … and it’ll drive you mad and now everyone’s a journalist. Everyone’s a reviewer, you know, with Twitter and Facebook it’s—it’s—it’s like glorified graffiti. If you care about that you might as well go around toilet wall in the world and get offended when they mention you, you know. It’s—it’s, so you musn’t. But yeah, you know, I’d—I’d love it to do, get good reviews and I’d be lying if I, if I said otherwise but you—you really musn’t worry about it. You really musn’t.
KERMIT THE FROG: Mm-hmm.
RICKY GERVAIS: It will drive you crazy. But having said that just say f****** nice things about it please. [LAUGHTER] This—this is not for me but for the kids. [LAUGHTER]
Kermit, what are you most proud of?
KERMIT THE FROG: Well, you—you may be surprised to hear this but there—there—there, I’m actually stretching myself quite a lot as a—as a dramatic actor in this thing. I did many many scenes with Tina.
TINA FEY: Mm-hmm.
KERMIT THE FROG: One particular scene stands out to me. It was a closed set. It was the scene where she licks me. [LAUGHTER]
TINA FEY: Yeah.
KERMIT THE FROG: We—we, but I—I just wanna clear it up right here with the press that Tina is happily married. Jeff was there during the shooting.
TINA FEY: Yep.
KERMIT THE FROG: On closed set.
TINA FEY: He was—he was, my husband was there. He was being very kind of controlling and creepy. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Yes, but supportive, supportive.
TINA FEY: Kind of a star 80 thing but [LAUGHTER] …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, yeah. [LAUGHTER]
TINA FEY: And I had never done a scene like that before either.
KERMIT THE FROG: No, no. Me too.
TINA FEY: I mean I’d filmed a lot of weird stuff at home but [LAUGHTER] …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, yeah.
TINA FEY: To have a whole crew there, I was nervous and Kermit really put me at my ease.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah, yeah.
TINA FEY: Uh, but I did hallucinate for three or four hours. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: A little bit. And that’s odd because I had blood tests before…
TINA FEY: … right …
KERMIT THE FROG: … I thought the toxins were low but.
TINA FEY: No, it was …
KERMIT THE FROG: … pretty strange.
TINA FEY: … it was pretty trippy.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah.
SAM EAGLE: I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m going to have to leave now [LAUGHTER]. I’m—I’m doing double duty here both promoting this film and also working in hotel security.
KERMIT THE FROG: Oh, thanks thanks.
SAM EAGLE: And there’s been a—a bit of a ruckus in the lobby. I—I have to go I—I—I apologize sir.
TINA FEY: Thanks.
SAM EAGLE: Got the m and m.
This question is for Ricky. So, I know that you have been a manager for rock bands… and now you’re portraying a rock band manager. How’s it for you? What did you get from this experience for the role in the movie?
RICKY GERVAIS: Oh. Oh, yes because I’m pretending to be a sort of sleazy LA agent, not that there are any sleazy LA agents. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: No, no.
RICKY GERVAIS: To yeah, infiltrate the Muppets. Yeah, it was, it’s quite nice playing a slime ball, a villain. I like that. I’ve liked playing flawed characters, you know, it—it’s fun. It’s—it’s sort of an exorcism. You’re sort of saying, see I’m not really like that myself. And I think [LAUGHTER] that’s, you know, what, I was just thinking about it. The Muppets is, did what I tried to do in extras of many years before. Taking sort of famous people and making them make fools of themselves and, it sort of must have sunk in, and being on the flip side of it like doing stuff like this and Curb Enthusiasm, you enjoy it and the—and you wanna be worse ‘cause you are sort of saying look, I can’t be like that or I wouldn’t be joking about it and I think that’s why they wanna do it in a way so, um, it was—it was great fun for me and I bonded with this guy immediately. I’ve loved the Muppets for 35 years and, you know, I love you guy—I love you. I love your nephew Robin, he’s got no neck.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah. [LAUGHTER]
RICKY GERVAIS: It was like I love …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, yeah …
RICKY GERVAIS: … I love frogs. He was my favorite until I met this guy but I’m sorry to say this but …
KERMIT THE FROG: … okay, yeah …
RICKY GERVAIS: … I—I think Constantine might be my best buddy.
KERMIT THE FROG: No, you know what I totally understand. You guys worked closely together …
RICKY GERVAIS: … yeah …
KERMIT THE FROG: … I—I understand. I accept that.
RICKY GERVAIS: Yeah.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah, yeah.
CONSTANTINE: I have no comment on this. [LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
Oh, Miss Piggy. Miss Piggy.
TY BURRELL: Hello.
MISS PIGGY: The show’s not over it’s just begun. Ha ha. Hello Kermit.
KERMIT THE FROG: Well, hi there hi there …
MISS PIGGY: … hello Kermit. Whoa, whoa, wait.
CONSTANTINE: Yeah, hello pig. [LAUGHTER]
MISS PIGGY: Wait a minute, what? Which one is which? [LAUGHTER] Hi all.
CONSTANTINE: No, I’m just kidding. I got with the, oh, ha ha ha.
MISS PIGGY: Oh, okay okay. Whew.
KERMIT THE FROG: And this was all during the entire shoot she confused us …
CONSTANTINE: … hmm …
KERMIT THE FROG: … but it—it kinda took some of the pressure off me.
MISS PIGGY: Maybe—maybe a little bit at the beginning.
KERMIT THE FROG: No, listen you still don’t know who we are.
MISS PIGGY: Ah, [LAUGHTER] alright, alright, alright.
KERMIT THE FROG: She just sees green it’s wonderful.
CONSTANTINE: Hello.
MISS PIGGY: You know it’s actually not bad.
TINA FEY: Hi, hi Miss Piggy. I, we …
MISS PIGGY: … oh, yes …
TINA FEY: … haven’t actually met.
MISS PIGGY: I know. We have, we didn’t really do much together on the movie.
TINA FEY: No, you refused to meet me.
MISS PIGGY: Hello Tina. [LAUGHTER]
TINA FEY: I, nice, you look so pretty.
MISS PIGGY: Aw, thank you. Thank you. Yes, I think you look pretty too.
TINA FEY: Oh, thank you. [LAUGHTER]
MISS PIGGY: So—so you’re so far away. [LAUGHTER] I’m sure you look pretty.
For the non Muppet performers, over here in the—on this side here… Especially those of you with children, what does it do for your street cred to be able to tell everybody that you were working with the Muppets? Becoming close personal friends with the Muppets? Were the kids particularly impressed by you?
TY BURRELL: My kids are still so unimpressed by me. I’m banking this one. I’m gonna, I’ve learned this already from other, any other kids project that it’s if I wanna save my ego I’m gonna bank this. I’m gonna put it out in five years or something. But so far, it’s one minute of—of why is daddy on screen and—and 90 minutes of I’m hungry. [LAUGHTER]
RICKY GERVAIS: I haven’t got children but when I found out I was doing this film I just went and hung around schools telling ‘em. [LAUGHTER] Just at play time. [LAUGHTER] I said hey kids, you don’t know who I am yet but [LAUGHTER] do you know the Muppets? Oh, yeah you wait, you’re going to be impressed. [LAUGHTER]
TY BURRELL: Let’s wait right here.
RICKY GERVAIS: Yeah, that’s right. The whole day.
TY BURRELL: Yeah, you wanna leave soon.
RICKY GERVAIS: Yeah. [LAUGHTER]
TINA FEY: I have four children now [LAUGHTER] and they’re very excited to see the movie, but as far as me being in it it’s mostly like, you know, oh, you’re in the poster now you be Queen Elsa [LAUGHTER]. They just want me to be either Queen Elsa or Mistress Me. [LAUGHTER] [INDISCERNIBLE].
Good morning and congratulations to Tina and Ricky because in the past when you’ve been in this particular hotel it’s been hosting the Golden Globes, and making fun of or you know, jokes at the expense of celebrities accepting Golden Globes …
RICKY GERVAIS: … is, right. Or winning them exactly …
Are you suppressing an itch right now to make fun of anyone and Tina, since—since Kermit brought it up the licking scene… and on your list of things I presume there is one that you want to lick before you die… How high was Kermit on that list?
TINA FEY: It was …
RICKY GERVAIS: … have you still, you still do that list?
TINA FEY: … that list? Yeah. And I’ve done a bunch of them. I do them, so they still might have the silver, the third rail of the New York subway [LAUGHTER] …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, yeah, yeah [LAUGHTER] …
TINA FEY: … Anderson Cooper’s neck is still on the list …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, yeah [LAUGHTER] …
TINA FEY: … but it’s …
RICKY GERVAIS: … maybe sung to …
TINA FEY: … pretty high up there. Yeah. To lick Kermit that was …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah …
TINA FEY: … pretty high up there on the …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, yeah. It was great for me.
MISS PIGGY: Yeah, that’s—that’s the last thing you’re gonna lick sister. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah. [LAUGHTER]
TINA FEY: The fact that I was [LAUGHTER] …
RICKY GERVAIS: … oh, my, ahh, oh my word [LAUGHTER]. Yes, I have to curb the desire to make fun of celebrities. Yeah, I’m—I’m got about 12 in my head now but I’m being nice. [LAUGHTER] So, yeah I’ll keep it to myself.
TINA FEY: I have so many 12 Years a Slave jokes in my head right now. I can’t [LAUGHTER] believe it. There were so many extra ‘cause it’s so fun to write jokes about that.
RICKY GERVAIS: So much to me wasn’t it?
TINA FEY: And so easy. [LAUGHTER]
I was wondering if you could speak to the musicals and like how it was filming with the musicals compared to the regular dialogue… and Miss Piggy how was it working with Celine Dion?
MISS PIGGY: Well, working with Celine Dion it was a pleasure. It was a joy for her naturally. [LAUGHTER] Yes, I’m—I’m only too happy to let her ride my coat tails up to the Oscar stage. Yes, it was a joy. We only spent a little time together but—but it was very meaningful to her. [LAUGHTER]
I have a question for Miss Piggy. First of all, who are you wearing today ‘cause you look fabulous.
MISS PIGGY: Oh, thank you. Thank you.
And also, how did you like Vivienne Westwood’s wedding gown?
MISS PIGGY: Oh, well, well first of all this is—this is an original Stefano from Hoboken [LAUGHTER] this.
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
MISS PIGGY: And then and then, what was the other? A Vivienne Westwood question?
Did you like her wedding gown?
MISS PIGGY: Yes, yes. Vivvy, she made moi a beautiful gown. Yes, made out of recycled plastic bottles [LAUGHTER]. Took a little while to get over that but you know, as they say something, something old, something new, something recycled, something …
KERMIT THE FROG: … blue?
MISS PIGGY: … something or other. [LAUGHTER]
KERMIT THE FROG: Well, lucky for me …
MISS PIGGY: … and, so …
KERMIT THE FROG: … luck—lucky for me she didn’t get to keep the wardrobe.
MISS PIGGY: Well, I could call Viv I’ve got her on Speed Dial …
KERMIT THE FROG: … no, no that’s okay. I think it’s probably disintegrated by now. Yeah. [LAUGHTER]
MISS PIGGY: I don’t think so. I think the half life for plastic is pretty long. I …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah, what about the half life for a pig frog marriage? I’m not sure about that? I mean come on people.
MISS PIGGY: For—forever!
KERMIT THE FROG: I don’t even think it’s legal.
RICKY GERVAIS: When in the movies, right …
KERMIT THE FROG: .. yeah …
RICKY GERVAIS: … when you—you get married and …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah …
RICKY GERVAIS: … various and you have children …
KERMIT THE FROG: … yeah …
RICKY GERVAIS: … they’re either pigs or frogs?
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah.
RICKY GERVAIS: Why is there no sort of, you know …
TINA FEY: … abomination?
KERMIT THE FROG: Well, you know we’ve—we’ve never …
RICKY GERVAIS: … well, yeah [LAUGHTER]. Just like yeah, no. [LAUGHTER] Some sort of a fat …
KERMIT THE FROG: … I’m …
RICKY GERVAIS: … green sort of sworkling hoppy greedy pig?
KERMIT THE FROG: Yeah, snorting snorting pig.
RICKY GERVAIS: You know, I mean, why? I’ve never, haven’t you worked that out yet?
MISS PIGGY: I don’t know …
KERMIT THE FROG: … well, we—we haven’t actually consummated the experiment [LAUGHTER], so, we don’t really know. [LAUGHTER] You know? Yeah, yeah.
MISS PIGGY: It was—it was just that was the filmmaker’s visualization alright?
RICKY GERVAIS: It’s a house of cards that’s [INDISCERNIBLE].
KERMIT THE FROG: It, what are we doing? What are we doing? [LAUGHTER]
