Customer Reviews

In Shape With Rachel Mclish [VHS]

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(30)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(40)

 

 

Really now... When I heard that they were putting my FAVORITE Christmas film on DVD, I was so excited. A Muppet Family Christmas is something I watch every December. It's funny, sweet, and so entertaining. But, unfortunetly, the version on this DVD is not the version I just praised. There are massive edits that are very noticable to viewers who have watched it since it first aired on TV and may leave first time viewers confused. Fozzie's duet with the Snowman is cut out, the Muppet Babies home video is cut out (leaving Doc with a very strange line that doesn't make sense) and in my opinion the best part, where Miss Piggy enters, sings her song and slips on the Icy Patch, is edited out. The best Icy patch gag and it's left out of the DVD/VHS.

I am not going to buy this DVD. Fortunately, my VHS tape still works well enough to watch it (yes with the OshGosh commercials and Double Mint Gum ones, too!). Until they put the real complete version on the market, I will not spend my money on this DVD.

Like many of the other reviews, this version is extremely frustrating. Some of the best scenes and songs are edited out. For those who have seen the unedited version as it was broadcast on television, you probably won't like this. If you haven't seen the edited version, you may like this. However, there are scenes that may have you thinking - "What happened?" "That was short." "Did they cut something out?"

I sent an e-mail to Jim Henson productions. The official explanation has to do with licensing and copyright issues on the songs that were edited out. For example, Henson was cleared to use the Muppet Babies singing 'Santa Claus is coming to Town' on television. However, they were not licensed to release it on DVD / VHS.

Here is the more frustrating point. Many movies have had similar issues. Weird Science, Heavy Metal, etc. were all held up being released on video because of songs, licenses, artist royalties, etc. However, all of them were eventually worked out and released. I think that Henson productions could do something similar. One can always hope.

Added: December 18, 2006 Here's what Henson Productions had to say about the edited versions

Thanks for your email regarding A Muppet Christmas Carol & Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas. It is true that the video releases of of these productions are shorter than the broadcast specials. The original agreement that was made for the music was for the original TV broadcasts only. Subsequently, when we tried to arrange for the home video we were not allowed to release it unless certain sections were removed. This situation, which currently remains unchanged, is regrettable both to us and to our many friends who have been disappointed with their purchases. FYI, The Walt Disney Company acquired The Muppets and the Muppet properties from The Jim Henson Company some time ago. Since this is now a Disney property perhaps you might write to them with your complaint perhaps they can rectify the situation since we no longer can.

The Walt Disney Company
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-9722
Phone: 818-560-1000
Fax: 818-560-1930
http://disney.go.com

Again thank you for writing and for your interest.

Regards . . . The Jim Henson Company

I am very annoyed with the video that I bought off this website. I had the video recorded from t.v years ago and accidently loaned it out to someone. When I found it on amazon, needless to say I was thrilled, until I watched it. You cut out the major scenes from the movie like when Fozzie does his stand up comedy act with the snowmen and when the Muppet babies video is cut short. I don't mind little edits, but editing out these parts is absolutely ridiculious! I would have given the movie five stars, but since it has been butchered, it only receives three stars. People who have never seen this movie would never notice the edits, but if you're like me and you have watched this video about 5 million times, you will definetly notice the edits. You shouldn't even be selling the movie like this! It ruins the whole story! Therefore, I will continue to look for my old copy and watch the one I recorded off Odyseey instead.

I love this tape!!! I have almost 150 tapes and this one is one of my sculpting faves...

Here's a little of what you get:

Workout type: Muscle Sculpting (no cardio),It is gym style weight lifting... so don't expect the cardio that is intermixed in a Firm...
She does every muscle..
so it is a Total body w/o.
she doesn't miss any.

Fitness Level: Beginners may want to start without weights, Intermediate or Advanced will find it thorough. (IMO)

Equipment needed: hand weights, a bench or Step on highest riser, a wall or dowel.

Effectiveness: This tape is designed for those who are serious about toning or sculpting, If followed, it is very precise.

Music: it's appropriate.

Presentation: You are exercising one on one with her and she is strong! (she is, however, only lifting 8lb dumbbells throughout and the style allows you to go higher.)

Attire: Black crop top and black lycra shorts.

Instruction: Her form is near perfection.
great technique. She also explains the moves thoroughly.
She does each set very slowly, slow enough that you can go very high in weights, and yet the tape moves along comfortably...

Style: She does 2 sets for each muscle. as opposed to Cathes 3 in MIS. She usually does 12 reps per set.

No warmup! you must do your own.

The Workout:
Upper Body - 28 min.
Side delts or laterals
Military Press
Rear delt lateral
Anterior delts
Lateral Delts
Military Press
Posterior delts
Anterior
Abs
Pec flies or pushups
Lat rows (one arm then other)
Pec flies or pushups
Lat rows (one arm then other)
Tricep kickbacks (one arm then other)
Bicep curls then 5 side curls
Tricep kickbacks (one arm then other)
Bicep curls then 5 side curls
Bicep inside extension
Triceps over head arms extended

Lower Body:
Abs
Pelvic lifts
Abs - bent knee leg lifts
Pelvic lifts
Abs straight leg lifts (one leg then other)
Pelvic lifts w/ leg raised straight up then cross other leg accross
other side
Lift both legs together while lying on side (obliques)

Thighs and Buttox
Stiff leg dead lifts
Pliee squat
side leg lifts (r)
calf raise (r)
side leg lifts (l)
calf raise (l)
squats
leg lifts back (r)(4 sets of 8)
calf raise (r)
leg lift back (l)
calf raise (l)
Lunges and dips (2 sets of 15)
Mat (buttox) lift leg back
Stretches

Total Rating: I didn't see any detractions in this video, if you are looking for Gym style Weight Workout. This is it!

This is an annual favorite. I can't for the life of me figure out why Henson Productions would allow these meaningless edits. After all, a vhs tape will hold 2 hours-worth. This special was watched BY MILLIONS of people on Nick-at-Night for years, not to mention it's original airings. Did they think NO ONE would notice the missing scenes????? For this reason, I give this vhs version only 4 stars. Absolute senseless and stupid editing by people who obviously have NO CLUE why we true fans like The Muppets. It's a good thing I have an old video tape copy from having taped it off TV myself. Maybe we'll all get lucky, and The Odyssey Channel will air it this season, unedited. (tho their track record for giving the Muppets their due is sketchy at best).

If you've never seen this... it's a family favorite, charming, sweet, and **very** funny! The running gag of the icey patch, the Swedish Chef trying to make a holiday meal of Big Bird, Piggy getting caught in a blizzard, and the poignant cameo by Jim Henson all make it a wonderful special that's hard to beat (even the edited version). At the end is a wonderful Christmas carol sing-along. A real treasure.

While still being a cute holiday video, several songs/scenes from the television special are missing in this video. Among those missing are the best scene of the movie (when Fozzy, the snowman, and Ralf the Dog sing "Sleigh Ride"). Also missing are the Muppet Babies singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and Miss Piggy singing,"There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays". For some reason the non-traditional songs, such as "Pass It On" by the Fraggles, were left in. It's bad enough that the movie was butchered, but why cut out the best scenes and leave some of the less "Christmasy" ones?! If I had known that half of the movie was missing I would not have bought it. My entire family was extremely disappointed.

Growing up, the Muppets played a crucial part in my life as they did in so many others'. I watched the films as they were released, sang the songs, tuned in for all three TV series over the years and enjoyed every minute of all I watched and heard. Ever since this particular Muppet TV special aired in 1987, it has been my very favorite Christmas special with repeated viewings over the years. HOWEVER.... this 1995 video release is extremely disappointing and should never have come about unless done properly. If the issues at hand with Henson Video were copyright problems with the songs that had been cut, negotiations should have been made to keep them in. If the problems came from re-use fees, they should have paid them rather than release this badly edited version. Apparently, they didn't think anyone would care since it's only a TV movie. This featurette deserves a full release in VHS and DVD. Hold off on purchasing this video release until the proper release is made available. Until then, I'll be watching my taped-from-television version with poor picture quality.

Warning to all Muppet fans: the version of The Muppet Family Christmas featured on this DVD is not what you remember from television.

Henson and Columbia Tristar have cut the special from nearly 50 minutes down to 42 minutes. Almost 8 minutes of the footage is gone, including Fozzie's memorable duet with a Snowman, Miss Piggy's grand entrance number, a song from the Muppet Babies and a few songs from the finale.

It has also been noted that there are no extras on this DVD, making it unworthy of the high retail price...especially considering you can now purchase an entire season of some shows for around $30.

Please let Henson and Columbia/Tristar know if you feel this is unacceptable. If you are annoyed by the edits, do not purchase this DVD.

This awesome made for TV movie has been shredded to pieces! The once 50 min long show jam packed with Muppety action has a whole 8 min of beautiful songs and moments taken away. I suggest not wasting your money on something that isn't complete. I'd rather watch a crummy quality FULL version of this classic any day! The fact that there are no extra features would be fine with me, as long as there was the Snow Man song with Fozzie, Miss Piggy's entrance song, Rowlf the Dog with his "Outta tune piana..." and the complete medley at the end of the movie! If these scenes wer e included I would most definitely give the movie 5 stars, but without them it only deserves 2...

This video is 8 years old and people are still buying it -- that speaks for itself. I picked this video up from my local library, I wanted something that would help me tone, sculpt, and strengthen. It does all three. This video has no warm-up and very little cool-down, but don't let that discourage you. This is a "real" pumping iron work-out, so if you want jump up and down with light weights, buy a Firm video. But if you want a strong sculpted body then this is the video for you. My advice is to not get over zealous and try 8 lbs at first, definitely start with light or no weights to get your form correct. I hope this won't be the last video we see from Ms. McLish. I also hope the copy I bought gets here soon, so I can't stop having to pay the library fines!!