The Muppet Christmas Carol: What is Restorying?

The timelessness of The Muppet Christmas Carol lives on, but why does it work so well? Moreover, when we write our own adaptations, what should we take away from the film? Join me in this video essay as we find out.

0:00 Intro--the timelessness of the Muppet literary adaptations
1:25 Adaptations
4:25 The three types of restorying
6:24 A new offering: The ghosts
10:07 Tonal balance: The Muppets vs. Charles Dickens
14:20 A search for meaning: Why adaptations matter

Editor: Khabi Javan

Music:

#literature #muppets #christmascarol #charlesdickens #themuppetshow

[RoughestDrafts]

Another reason adaptations are so important is because they encourage people to read, as Gonzo does at the film's end. On top of the questions I asked at the end of this video, let me ask: Is there a book you've read because you saw its adaptation? If so, which one?

As always, thank you for your continued support during this year. I've got big plans for the coming year, and I hope for all of you to join me on that ride. Until then, as Dean Pelton would say, "You do, of course, have a constitutional right to lend this season the significance of your choosing in any of our designated holiday zones." So, have a happy end to your December!

[SAPProd]

My first experience with Dicken’s A Christmas Carol was the 1983 Disney adaptation starring Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge (my first experience with him as well). It’s the benchmark by which I judge all other adaptations, especially how it managed to condense it into a quick but satisfying 30 minutes (you lose some scenes and moments but nothing absolutely necessary). The Muppet Christmas Carol might very well be the only adaptation that matches or surpasses it, primarily thanks to Michael Caine taking it as seriously as he would in any other film role he took, never once breaking character to comment on the absurdity of the Muppets, which is how the best Muppet films are.

[Fesquishety]

There’s a popular meme of the Muppets Pride and Prejudice that I think would work great. Just imagine Miss Piggy sassing some old woman/ muppet. It’d be hard with not many female puppets but I’m sure they could make it work.
Another one I know of is Muppet Beauty and the Beast, where the Beast is just a regular human and that’s what makes him monstrous, and at the end he turns into a muppet. That’d be hilarious, and I’m pretty sure the furniture and things would be easy enough if you have seen the opening of Treasure Island. Either way, I want more like A Christmas Carol. It’s so good.
I’ve been lurking on your videos for a while and just want to add that your work is excellent; always thorough and articulate and often presents me with something new to think about even if I’m familiar with the topic or subject. Keep it up, hopefully your view counts will soon reflect the effort and quality you achieve! :)

[seulgisz]

there is NO WAYYY the views on this are so low! you deserve so much more attention- this is one of my favourite video essays, it’s formatted perfectly and it’s criminal more people haven’t watched this!

[miranthony]

I was talking with some friends last night about a Muppet's Midsummer Night's Dream.

[robotduck]

this channel has quickly become one of my favourites, looking forward to seeing what else is coming :)

[InThisEssayIWill...]

The best summation I've seen regarding the carol vs island debate is that Michael Caine plays it straight (as if the Muppets are all fellow human actors) and that Tim Curry plays it as if he too is a Muppet in a Muppet movie
In this light, I don't think that are a 1 to 1 comparison and you can't really put them against each other fairly. Island is (overall) more playful and carol is (overall) more serious but each film has multiple moments of both.
Tldr; they're both amazing don't make me choose!!! 😭

[Syndie-gkxk]

Muppet All Quiet On The Western Front.

[mckenziepearmain]

i think my parents may have read Dicken’s Christmas Carol to me but i can’t remember - all that to say, i need to read the original. the retellings i’ve grown up with (like Barbie in a Christmas Carol) might take on more meaning with that added context. watching the Muppet Christmas Carol was fun, and i loved learning how true they stayed to the story while making it their own; especially in a way that younger audiences can retain, understand, and enjoy it. awesome video! i love learning from you and can’t wait to see what the new year holds!

[bardist]

another banger video man your essays are always so beautifully structured

[kaiserruhsam]

huh maybe if gonzo read me oliver twist i would've been able to stay awake when that book was assigned

[violetlife]

Such a beautiful video to watch right before Christmas. I can’t wait to see the movie tonight ! Thank you and happy holidays!

[rowanlwinters]

another fun take on a christmas carol is starkids musical a vha christmas carol
and in general the 1995 film romeo + juliet is honestly impressive in how they completely change the setting out under the script's feet

[miranthony]

Coming back to this video to say that I bought the book Narrative Retellings because of it and the chapter on Siegfried Sassoon and autonarrative was incredibly useful to my writing, so thank you! Your videos are great and I appreciate that you provide sources.

[kylemorello]

Muppet Treasure Island certainly feels more like a Muppet Movie. I appreciate how it still stays true to the story and still feels genuine and heartfelt like Christmas Carol, while including more adult jokes, modern day references, songs that come out of nowhere, and fourth wall breaks. Also, while Micheal Caine created an amazing performance by treating the Muppets as humans, Tim Curry and Kevin Bishop did the next best thing: creating a believable performance by treating themselves like Muppets. It also brings back Kermit's aggressive side, which makes sense since he's playing a sea captain. And yet, the darker elements, themes, and bittersweet moments are still there and it still feels like a legitimate action movie, as a film version of this story should feel. One song can be about how Jim's father used to work for a sinful crew who were lustful for materialism, ending with his captain shooting a crew member and one song can be a wild number about how the crew is going insane from boredom that switches genres from mambo to a sea ballad to square dancing to broadway. And the setting is, much like Christmas Carol, still a cleverly crafted world that feels like it inhabits both humans and Muppets. Is it better than Christmas Carol? Probably not. Some of the modern references can be a little much. While I liked Piggy's role as a genderbent version of Benjamin, she gets a little too whiny at times. And I honestly thought Fozzie was a little too dumb. Fozzie may not be the brightest apple in the barrel, but I always saw it as innocence instead of stupidity. I'm sure he knows what the ocean is and that running gag with him saying a man lives in his finger seems more like a Gonzo thing. 🤷‍♂️ What I am saying is that I appreciate it for not being as serious as A Christmas Carol, whilst not being as tongue as cheek as, say, the Alice in Wonderland episode of the show with Brooke Shields.

[jessicabecho]

What a lovely video for Christmas! I've watched this movie maybe 10 years ago? I need to rewatch it.

[panafa]

I didn't know this movie existed, I'll try to see it soon. Good essay

[louieo.blevinsmusic]

I’m more of a lyricist but a muppet version of “Naked Lunch” with Pepe The King Prawn as William Lee. Rlly been enjoying your essays, brethren. Keep up the excellent work.

[caleblarsen]

There is no debate. Muppet Treasure Island is the best Muppets movie of all time.

[kristinlambert]

The 1st Christmas carol I've known was Mr. Magoo's Christmas carol