"I have the first DVD version of Emmet Otter's JugBand Xmas. The one with Ma's comment to Gretchen Fox taken out. I am assuming this will have that scene back in.... It will also have a "New Lost Song". But THIS TIME they are going to be cutting out the Kermit the Frog scenes!!! I think I will keep my current 'butchered' copy, instead of getting a second 'butchered' copy. Maybe one day it and a Muppet Family Christmas can be released properly, but I am not holding my breath."
Emmet Otter fans, you owe it to yourself to see this!
Matthew DeLuca | Tulsa, OK | 10/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I admire the fact that Many Emmet Otter fans dont want to buy this DVD because of the fact that, once again, money comes before art, due to the fact that the Kermit scenes are cut from this version.
I agree. Kermit should be in here, and money shouldnt be an issue...the loyal fans should be the top consideration.
Having said that, i want All Emmet Otter fans to know that they MUST watch this DVD. If you dont want to buy it, then please atleast rent it. The behind the scenes documentary is fabulous, and it's almost as good as the actual show itself!
You get to see interviews with the actual people that "puppeted" or in this case "Muppeted" Emmet and some of the other characters.
You get to see behind the scenes footage of the people on the set doing their work.
Jim Henson's daughter is one of the primary interviewees, detailing her father's special devotion to the Emmet Otter story and to making it come alive in this special.
You get to see and hear from the people who made the actual Puppets/Muppets, and you also get to see how they got Emmet to row the boat on the River that flows through Frogtown Hollow.
You get to hear an exclusive excerpt of a song that was going to be used in the special, but which was later deleted and never used.
Also there are funny "Bloopers", a "sing-along", clips of the musical segments of the show, and of course the behind the scenes documentary.
Emmet Fans, trust me, a fellow Emmet fan, you owe it to yourself to see that documentary. It gives you a new appreciation for all of the work that it took to make Emmet come alive. You will love the documentary, plus it's pretty long, and is full of info, interviews, never before seen footage, clips from the show, etc
Dont rob yourself of the chance to see this great documentary.
If you do, the money seekers who edited Kermit out of this will win, because they get their money and you miss out on enjoying the documentary.
Please, watch the documentary.
All Emmet Otter fans owe it to themselves to see it.
I thought of you all when i watched the DVD, and I felt sad that you didnt see the documentary.
It is nearly as good as the Emmet show itself.
Please, watch it, and have fun.
This DVD enriches the Emmet Otter experience.
By all means, watch the version on DVD with Kermit still in it, but please get this DVD version for the bonus features.
For the bonuses alone, it is worth it.
Long live Emmet Otter!
We want a sequel!"
Who releases DVDs with LESS content than the original?!?!?
S. Luna | Seattle, WA | 04/14/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Someone who let Disney get a hold of Kermit, that's who. I have an earlier VHS release of this movie which my family has watched many times. My daughter has about worn it out so I bought the "collector's edition" DVD. There's more than just Kermit missing. The extra's are just bits taken from the "making-of" special HBO did during the original release. Nice to see those, but inexcusable to re-release on DVD with the main feature edited down significantly from the original airing (not just the few seconds some claim). Oh, and the edited out parts are NOT in the extras, as someone claimed on here (I hoped for that too). Best bet is to find the old VHS copy, a new DVD, and get someone to edit them together. Thanks, Disney, you license-happy, money-grubbing *&#$@! (not suitable for children). "Screw the kids, if we don't get a fat cut, then it stays in the vault!" Jim and Walt are probably both rolling in their graves!"
A BUTCHERED EDITION . . .
M. S. Brockway | Indianapolis, IN | 12/17/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Just to clarify further some of the mystery surrounding this version of what is still a great seasonal classic, I want to add a few pieces to the puzzle. First, there is no Kermit on this dvd. The introduction, the ending and the segue ways feel very choppy as a result. Secondly, there are a number of jokes that have been cut out, apparently to make room for ad time during the ABC broadcasts. I watched this show on HBO for years and years and watching this version really really made me mad. I want to point out that if you click on the dvd box to see the large image, that is where it is mentioned that it is the "New Edition Without Kermit Introduction." Note also that Amazon has not provided a plot summary, as it does for most of its products. I read plot summaries from other websites, compared the packaging and titles, and decided this version might not be as bad as the other reviewers seemed to think it was. But it is. I don't think there is such a thing as a DVD edition of this film as it originally appeared on HBO. The Jim Henson people need to get their act together and put out a complete, unabridged edition. Until then, if you want the songs, the sensibilities and the moral of this story enough to ignore that it has been senselessly butchered, then $10.00 may not be too much to spend to hold you over."
Disney's greed does not ruin this DVD
Jaime J. Martinez | San Jose, CA United States | 10/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many reviewers are giving this wonderful DVD a bad rap without having even SEEN it, which is ridiculous.
The facts- Yes, Kermit's BRIEF scenes have been cut. Yes, this is a shame, but there's nothing to be done about it. The plain fact of the matter is that the Kermit scenes were short, and have absolutely nothing to do with the actual story. Their absence doesn't affect the plot or flow of the special one bit.
To not buy this DVD based on Kermit's absence is to miss out on some truly wonderful special features. Included here are all the deleted scenes fans were missing, photo galleries, and an absolutely great hour-long documentary.
Also, no Muppet fan will want to miss the hilarious sequence of bloopers which show off the great wit of Frank Oz.
HIT has shown with both this and the Fraggle Rock Complete First Season that they truly care about the work of Jim Henson. Both are tremendous DVD's which have had a lot of love and effort put into them to make them special. It's a lot more than can be said for Disney, whose Complete First Season of The Muppet Show was very lacking in the way of special features.
As other reviewers have pointed out, the Disney Co. would not allow the use of Kermit on this release. It's definitely too bad, but it does NOT ruin this DVD. Don't let Disney's mistakes make you miss out on this."