Waldorf (left) and Statler (right) in the balcony.
Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony is a webshow starring the Muppet characters Statler and Waldorf which ran biweekly on Movies.com from June 2005 until September 2006. The series produced 34 episodes and featured many Muppet characters — both well-known classics and newly created characters. The two elderly curmudgeons would discuss upcoming films, watch the latest movie trailers and share the week's "balconism" from their theater box.
Many of the webisodes featured a segment (or segments) featuring other Muppet characters — for example, Pepe the King Prawn often reviewed the recent DVD releases or gave remote reports; and fictional movie trailers or commercials starring other Muppet characters were also commonly seen. Many established Muppet characters appeared — including Rowlf the Dog, Johnny Fiama, The Swedish Chef, Bobo the Bear, Dr. Teeth, Animal, Sam the Eagle, and Sweetums. Plus many new recurring and one-time gag characters would appear in segments, sketches and parodies. Several new characters that frequented the series include Larry and Oliver, Lester Possum, Ted Thomas, Stan and Louie, the Hollywood Pitchmen, the Blimp, Loni Dunne and a pair of musical performers.
Production
From the Balcony was produced by Movies.com in association with Disney's The Muppets Studio and Hirsch Productions.
A test pilot was briefly available online in February 2005. The pilot featured Statler and Waldorf in a movie theater watching, rating and commenting on the latest trailers for The Pacifier and Constantine, additionally Pepe the Prawn appeared to give a rundown on the latest DVD releases. The pilot did not feature the classic balcony set seen in later episodes, a "Balconism" and other regular features the series would later include. The puppeteers on the pilot were Victor Yerrid (Waldorf) and Drew Massey (Statler and Pepe). The pilot was removed from Movies.com in the spring of 2005 and has not been officially released or reposted since.
In early June 2005, Movies.com announced that From the Balcony would soon become a regular feature of the site. Biweekly episodes started appearing on Movies.com beginning on June 26. The first eight episodes featured regular Muppet performers Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire and Bill Barretta performing the cast of Muppets in each episode. However, starting with episode 9, and continuing until the end of the series, Yerrid and Massey returned to take over the main puppeteering duties on the project.
Yerrid commented on his and Massey's role in the series in a 2007 interview stating:
We did about ninety-five percent of the puppeteering so we worked on just about every scene together. We were also involved in the creative meetings and got to pitch characters and segment ideas.[1]
The opening of each episode started with a quick first-person perspective traveling through the El Capitan Theatre. The song "Hey a Movie!" from The Great Muppet Caper was used as the theme song in early run of the series before being replaced with an original instrumental composition for later episodes (starting with episode 5). The show originally was produced in the traditional 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio, but starting with episode 15, and continuing for the rest of the series' run, the picture switched to a 16:9 (1.78:1) widescreen format.
Through the 15-month run of the series, the show produced 34 episodes. Aside from the biweekly episodes, the series produced sets of promotional Halloween and Oscar clips that were released to television news syndicates for incorporation in news broadcasts to promote the series. Statler and Waldorf also appeared from the set of From the Balcony in a promotional tie-in to introduce the films for ESPN Classic's Reel Classics Extra beginning in October 2005.[2] The characters and balcony set were also featured in a public service announcement for the Will Rogers Institute in late 2005.[3]
In October 2006, after the 34th episode of the webshow debuted online, Movies.com set the following message via the "Balcony Bulletin" mailing list (an e-mail mailing list that would alert subscribers when a new episode was posted):
Dear Statler & Waldorf Fans:
As you know, your favorite cranky critics, Statler and Waldorf, are getting up there in years. While they're not ready for retirement, they've decided to take some time away from the balcony for some well-earned rest and relaxation (read: finding new things to complain about).
Don't despair, though—during the hiatus you can still enjoy classic From the Balcony. Every show is available for viewing in the archives! There's also a rumor going around that everyone's favorite curmudgeons may be popping in for special appearances on new parts of Movies.com. Stick around to find out where!
Although the show was said to only be on a "hiatus", as of January 2014, no information on a possible return of the show or the production of new episodes has surfaced, nor have Statler and Waldorf appeared in any other parts of Movies.com. At a public appearance in June 2007, Dave Goelz mentioned that they were working on several projects - including new Muppet webisodes.[4] However it was unclear if he meant a return of From the Balcony or the creation of a new web series.
Due to the acquisition of Movies.com by Comcast's Fandango, the series is no longer available at Movies.com.
While there has been no word of upcoming From the Balcony episodes, The Muppet Newsflash: A Jim Henson News Blog announced on Sept. 17, 2009, that Statler and Waldorf will release a book titled From the Balcony in 2010.[5]
Awards and recognitions
In August 2006 TIME Magazine named the series among "the 25 Sites We Can't Live Without" (sharing the ranks with eBay, Amazon.com, Google and Wikipedia).[6]
From The Balcony won a Silver Telly at The Telly Awards in 2006, for best use of comedy. Movies.com was awarded the highest-level Silver Telly Award for "Best use of Humor in a Non-Broadcast Video" for From the Balcony's creative spoof of the film Dukes of Hazzard.[7]
In April 2007, the series was nominated for, and won, a Webby Award. The series' nomination, in the "Comedy: Long Form or Series" category, was Movies.com's first ever nomination for a Webby. Public voting ran on the Webby Awards website throughout April 2007 to decide the winners of the award.[8] On May 1, 2007 it was announced that From the Balcony was the winner of the "People's Voice 2007: Webby for Best Comedy Long Form or Series" due to the show gaining the most votes out of the five the nominees in the category.[9]
Brothers Statler and Waldorf take a look at The Pacifier and Constantine however the pair is unable to get a consistent rating scale to rank the films. Pepe the King Prawn pops in to give a rundown on the latest DVD releases - Saw, I Heart Huckabees, Donnie Darko and Taxi.
Episode 1
June 26, 2005
Dej-HAH-vous
Pepe the King Prawn
Brothers Statler and Waldorf take a look at the trailers for War of the Worlds and Bewitched. The pair rank each film on their "Snooze-O-Meter" noting how far into the film they will fall asleep. Plus the two toss it over to Pepe the King Prawn to talk about the newest titles on DVD - Miss Congeniality 2, Coach Carter and Hostage.
Statler and Waldorf preview Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Four. The two rank the films on the "old man driving scale" noting how fast they would drive to (or away from) the film. Rowlf the Dog stops by the set of The Wedding Crashers to give tips on how to be a wedding crasher.
Note: The Weather Guy is a recycled version of a generic puppet used in the Muppet Meeting Films.
Halloween Press Clips
October 28, 2005
RUN-derwear
No guest
In a series of videos not released on the official website, Statler (dressed as an Egyptianmummy) and Waldorf (dressed as Count Dracula) give a "Halloween Film Countdown". These clips were released to news syndicates to air as promotion for the web series.
Statler and Waldorf give their Christmas film countdown from a decked out balcony. Plus Larry and Oliver act out every Christmas movie ever made.
Episode 15
January 7, 2006
Fluctu-WEIGHT
Assorted Whatnots, Animals, and Aliens, Indiana, Sam the Eagle, French Critic
Statler and Waldorf showcase some of the international rip-offs of their webshow, while Indiana complains about being a fly-over state (with a disclaimer from Sam the Eagle).
Note: The French Critic is a recycled version of a generic puppet used in the Muppet Meeting Films and was previously used as the Weather Guy in episode 10.
Deliveryman, Loni Dunne, Ted Thomas, Mr. Movie, Billy
Statler and Waldorf review Firewall and The Pink Panther. Meanwhile, Ted Thomas and Loni Dunne discuss the Oscar nomination announcements. And Mr. Movie gives Billy a lecture on how movies are made.
Note: The puppet used for Billy is a recycled and redressed version of Annie DeLoo from The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. Ted Thomas is a recycled version of Gimley's Boss from the Muppet Meeting Films.
Episode 18
February 18, 2006
It's OVER-ture
Oscar envelope, detective, Sam the Eagle, Lester Possum
Statler and Waldorf host their big Oscar prediction episode. A detective interrogates an Oscar envelope and Lester Possum goes to the street to hear people's views on who will win at the Oscars.
Oscar Press Clips
March 2, 2006
none
No guest
In a series of videos not released on the official website, Statler and Waldorf are interviewed on their Oscar predictions. These clips were released to news syndicates to air as promotion for the web series.
Note: Morton the Beaver and Melanie the Mink from Jim Henson's Animal Show appear in the "Muppets Gone Wildlife" commercial.
Episode 20
March 18, 2006
ACT-lete
Penguins, Larry and Oliver
Statler and Waldorf review She's the Man, Inside Man and V for Vendetta. The Muppet penguins star in a promo for March Madness of the Penguins and Larry and Oliver are back to reenact every sports movie ever made in another installment of "Film Crew Theater".
Episode 21
April 1, 2006
Hide and SEQUEL
The Hollywood Pitchmen, Young Statler and Waldorf
A pair of anxious Hollywood pitchmen try to sell new ideas of movie sequels and Statler and Waldorf show an old (black-and-white and silent) episode of "From the Balcony".
Episode 22
April 15, 2006
PET-amorphosis
Stan and Louie
Statler and Waldorf show their American Idol audition and Stan and Louie are back for another view from "Below the Balcony".
Episode 23
April 29, 2006
THESPIAN-age
Tom Cruise Muppet, Tom Cruise's assistant, Loni Dunne
Statler and Waldorf show sneak-peeks at the trailers for Mission: Impossible 4: Ridiculously Impossible and Mission: Impossible 5: Impossibly Impossible; plus Loni Dunne interviews an excited Tom Cruise.
Episode 24
April 29, 2006
LAUGHTER-math
Rejected Mutants (The Blimp, The Procrastinator, The Defroster, Beaverine, The Invisible Twins, and Scorn), musical performers
Statler and Waldorf showcase some rejected mutant auditions for X-Men including The Blimp, The Procrastinator, The Defroster, Beaverine, The Invisible Twins, and Scorn. The duo also take a look at a trailer for a made-up film, Poseidon: The Musical.
Note: The Blimp is a recycled version of Mr. Big Head from the Muppet Meeting Films. The puppet used for Scorn is a recycled version of one of Statler and Waldorf's nurses from Muppets Tonight.
Episode 25
May 27, 2006
Opening FREAK-end
Waldorf's replacement
Inspired by The Break-Up, Statler and Waldorf go their separate ways. While Waldorf is at home alone, Statler brings in a new co-host to review The Omen.
Episode 26
June 10, 2006
STARING wheel
Manny Folds, The Swedish Chef
Statler and Waldorf, with the help of Manny Folds, talk about all the summer car films. The duo gets the balcony pimped out; and The Swedish Chef makes "Nacho Libres".
Note: Craig Kent is a recycled version of Mr. Movie from episode 17.
Episode 28
July 7, 2006
Yo HO HUM
James Lipton Muppet, Polly Wanna Cracker, Long Joel Silver
Statler and Waldorf look for buried treasure in the balcony after talking about Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. "Inside the Actors Studio" takes gets up close with a staring pirate's parrot. Plus Long Joel Silver advertises the "Movies for the Marooned Box Set".
Note: The puppet from Long Joel Silver is a recycled version of the Deliveryman from episode 17. The puppet for Polly Wanna Cracker is a recycled version of Alfonso D'Bruzzo from The Muppet Show and Muppets Tonight.
David Hasselhoff and Tom Cruise star as Statler and Waldorf in the big screen adaptation of From the Balcony.
Episode 30
August 4, 2006
HELL-titude
Bunnies, sheep, birds
Statler and Waldorf have some problems with the camera as they showcase many Snakes on a Plane knockoffs - such as Bunnies on a Balloon and Sheep on a Submarine.
Note: Molly the Albatross and Milton the Blue-footed Booby from Jim Henson's Animal Show appear in the "Snakes on a Plane" knockoffs segment.
Statler and Waldorf are on vacation, so the producers treat viewers to From the Balcony's last good episode - an episode from 1977. Ted Thomas Sr. interviews rising director George Lucas, and a younger Statler and Waldorf take a look at what Close Encounters of the Third Kind would have been like if Woody Allen directed.
Note: The alien from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" is a recycled version of an alien puppet from Brats of the Lost Nebula.
Episode 32
September 2, 2006
FLICK-tion
Coach Gruesome, Flopsy, Larry and Oliver
Statler and Waldorf's "Back to School Special". Larry and Oliver return to reenact every high school movie ever made in another installment of "Film Crew Theater". Plus Flopsy prepares to play in the big football game.
Note: The puppet for Coach Gruesome is a recycled version of the Luncheon Counter Monster from The Muppet Show.
Episode 33
September 16, 2006
POP-coronary
Caspar Von Blimpman, The Maltese Falcon, musical performers
Statler and Waldorf showcase a film noir parody starring Statler as DashiellChander. The two critics also show off a clip from another upcoming musical about going to the movies.
Episode 34
September 20, 2006
OS-carred
Jimmy Pureisle, The Hollywood Pitchmen
Statler's new intern Jimmy quickly outgrows his coffee fetching job and rises to the high heights of fame. The Hollywood pitchmen return to pitch wild prequels to Jimmy. Soon Jimmy's 15 minutes of fame are up. In a twist ending, Jimmy, in hope of a comeback, buys the balcony and takes over the show.
Reel Classic Extra
Statler and Waldorf on Reel Classic Extra.
Starting on August 28, 2005 (and continuing for 19 weeks), Statler and Waldorf hosted ESPN Classic's Reel Classics Extra, a weekly sports-themed movie programing block, with antics from the balcony.[2] The brief introductory clips were filmed as part of production for Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony - using the same puppets, sets, crew. Aside from introducing the films, the clips heavily promoted the webshow with on-screen pop-up advertisements saying "for more Statler & Waldorf go to movies.com". An archive of these introductions was added to the From the Balcony website afterwards in 2006; they remain part of the show's video collection at Movies.com.
Statler and Waldorf's 19 special "Reel Classic Extra" intros were for the following films:
Drew Massey - Statler (episodes 9–34), Animal (episode 9), The Weather Guy (episode 10), Sam the Eagle (episodes 11, 15, 18, and 33), Stan the Rat (episodes 12, and 22), Ivan the Villager (episode 13), Clive Focus (episode 13), Oliver (episodes 14, 20, and 32), Alvy Mellish (episode 16), Mr. Movie (episode 17), Ted Thomas (episodes 17, 19, and 27), Oscar Envelope (episode 18), Hollywood Pitchman #1 (episodes 21 and 34), Tom Cruise Muppet (episodes 23, and 29), Beaverine (episode 24), Manny Folds (episode 26), James Lipton Muppet (episode 28), Long Joel Silver (episode 28), Ted Thomas Sr. (episode 31), Woody Allen Muppet (episode 31), Coach Gruesome (episode 32)
Victor Yerrid - Waldorf (episodes 9–34), Dr. Teeth (episode 9), Louie the Rat (episodes 12, and 22), Sweetums (episode 13), Larry (episodes 14, 20, and 32), The State of Indiana (episode 15), Lester Possum (episodes 16, and 18), Billy (episode 17), Loni Dunne (episodes 17, and 23), Detective (episode 18), Hugo the Dog (episode 19), Hollywood Pitchman #2 (episodes 21 and 34), The Blimp (episodes 24, and 33), Waldorf's Replacement (episode 25), Superman Muppet (episode 27), Craig Kent (episode 27), Polly Wanna Cracker (episode 28), David Hasselhoff Muppet (episode 29), George Lucas Muppet (episode 31), Close Encounters Alien (episode 31), Flopsy (episode 32), Jimmy Pureisle (episode 34)
.JPG)
