TV News

By K.O. Pemberton
MSN TV

Some of the Disney Channel's biggest stars share the stage with the world-famous Muppets in "Studio DC: Almost Live," a music-filled sketch comedy show that spoofs the backstage antics of a live variety show. Hosted by Dylan and Cole Sprouse, the show premieres Sunday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Disney Channel. Joining the Muppets are Miley Cyrus, the Jonas brothers, Brenda Song and Phill Lewis. MSN TV sat down with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy to discuss their latest in a long string of television comedy shows.

MSN TV: Hi! It's a real pleasure to talk to you both. How are you doing?

Kermit: Oh good, I'm so glad. We are doing wonderfully. You're good. Right, Piggy?

Miss Piggy: Uh-huh.

You two have been on TV for a long time and have enjoyed long careers. How excited are you to return to prime-time TV?

Kermit: Well, you know we are very excited to be back on a prime-time show. It's very exciting.

Piggy: VERY EXCITED! "Studio DC: Almost Live."

Kermit: That's right. That's right.

Piggy: Not quite live! We shot it a few months back and, yeah, it's ... so we can't really call it "live."

Kermit: We're as excited as if it were live.

Piggy: Very excited, very excited. Hee-hee.

Can you describe what the show is like and how it is "almost live"?

Kermit: Well, sort of the point of "Studio DC" being "almost live" is that it's all the backstage kind of rehearsals and preparation to do an actual live show. So it sort of leads up to the show.

Piggy: Is that the premise?

Kermit: That is the conceit.

Piggy: Never knew that.

You both have been part of the entertainment industry for a long time. You both look great, by the way.

Kermit and Piggy: Thank you, thank you.

You've seen a lot and probably learned a lot. What advice do you have for the up-and-coming stars, such as Miley Cyrus and the Jonas brothers, who appear on the show, ?

Miss Piggy rocks out with the Jonas brothers on "Studio DC: Almost Live."

Kermit: Well, my personal advice is, "Don't believe your own PR." I think that's very important. But I'm sure Piggy had many more things to say.

Piggy: What's wrong with believing your own PR?

Kermit: Well, it's just something I try not to do. But, I'm sure you had other advice.

Piggy: Yes, yes, yes.

Kermit: You certainly worked closely with a lot of those stars.

Piggy: I did, I did. Listen, I think the most important thing they all learned was to never get in moi's close-up.

Kermit: That's pretty important ...

Piggy: ... if you want to stick around in this business.

That's good advice. So we are hearing rumors there's a new member of the Jonas family. Can you tell us whether she plays an instument or writes songs for the group?

Kermit: Well, of course, you're talking about Miss Piggy!

Piggy: I am now the Jonas sister in the band. The Jonas brothers have to rename it now "The Jonas Brothers and Sisters."

Kermit: "The Jonas Siblings," I guess.

Piggy: And we do sing a song on the special, and I even sport a brunette 'do.

Kermit: And you look great in the Jonas 'do.

Piggy: Oh, thank you, Kermit.

Kermit: Sure, sure. And we had a really good time. It's a really rockin' number.

Kermit: Yes, it is.

Kermit, can you help us explain or let us know what it takes to "Bop to the Top," as you do in the duet you sing with Ashley Tisdale?

Ashley Tisdale joins Kermit the Frog on "Studio DC: Almost Live."

Kermit: Well, it takes a song called that. If you have a song called "Bop to the Top," it's much easier. Me being only 18 inches high, I tend to bop to more sort of the bottom. But it was a wonderful opportunity to work with Ashley. I call her Ashley because we know each other. Ashley Tisdale.

Piggy: You're on a first-name basis now.

Kermit: Sure, sure.

Piggy: Oh, I see. Hmm.

Kermit: Well, she calls me Kermie, like you do.

Piggy: What!?! No! No, she does not.

Kermit: Well, I'm afraid she did.

Piggy: Is she anywhere near here?

Kermit: No, she's nowhere near here.

Piggy: (growling) I'm gonna have a talk with her.

Well, it sounds like you all had a lot of fun with this show. As we gear up to watch the premiere of "Studio DC: Almost Live" on Aug. 3, what are a few moments we should watch for?

Kermit: Oh!

Piggy: All the ones with moi.

Kermit: Well, there's a lot of those.

Piggy: There are?

Kermit: Yep, look for those. I particularly like Miley Cyrus with the Dr. Teeth Band. I thought that was great. And we did another wonderful little number based on "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," that series with Dylan and Cole Sprouse.

Piggy: I was in that!

Kermit: Yes, you were in that. So, lots of fun music, lots of fun stars and lots and lots of Muppets.

Thank you so much for your time. We'll definitely be watching. Any last thoughts?

Kermit: I also want to mention that people should bop over to Muppets.com when they are done here. We have some great new Muppet material there and lots of fun stuff.

Piggy: Ta-ta!

"Studio DC: Almost Live" premieres Sunday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Disney Channel.

Add a comment

E-mail

Digg

Facebook

Blog it