A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa

**A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa** *is a 2008 NBC Television special directed by Kirk R. Thatcher featuring The Muppets and the characters of Bear in the Big Blue House and Allegra's Window in a Christmas mission to personally deliver three letters to Santa Claus, accidentally diverted by Gonzo, to the North Pole. The special, shot in Brooklyn and Midtown Manhattan, was released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment on VHS & DVD.*

## Plot

On Christmas Eve in New York City, The Muppets go to the post office in New York City to deliver each of their letters to Santa Claus with Mayor Michael Bloomberg denying Miss Piggy’s offer to move the line along as people in New York City should be polite. The Muppets deliver their letters as Gonzo accidentally speeds up the letter conveyor belt as a postal worker (Jesse L. Martin) has The Muppets delivered back to their apartment building.

When they head back to their apartment, Gonzo discovers that three letters wound up in his coat from a mishap there. One of those letters he recognizes as being written by his friend, a neighbor girl named Claire (Madison Pettis). With the post office closed early and Sam Eagle warning Gonzo and Fozzie Bear about the pitfalls of opening someone else’s mail, The Muppets try different attempts like a pigeon delivery service and the enlistment of two Mafia members (Steve Schirripa and Tony Sirico). On Gonzo’s insistence, the principal Muppets decide to go to the North Pole and deliver them personally. They get their in a taxi while scavenging money to pay the taxi cab driver (Whoopi Goldberg)

The Muppets end up getting tickets from a North Pole Airlines Clerk named Joy (Uma Thurman) and getting caught by a bitter Security guard Officer Frank Meany (Nathan Lane) who, for being a bully in his youth, perpetually ended up on Santa's naughty list. It's also because of his appearance that people often fear him. He and Bobo the Bear allow The Muppets to pass through.

They eventually reach the North Pole, only to find out from the Chief Christmas elf (Paul Williams) that Santa has already left to deliver the presents. The real Santa (Richard Griffiths) overhears their grieving and returns.

While on a sleigh ride after being helped by Joy, they hand him Claire’s letter and the other two which are revealed to have come from Pepé the King Prawn and Frank Meany. Pepé wanted to become an expert opera singer which Santa grants. Frank wanted to be taken off the naughty list. Santa grants this wish enabling Frank to finally get that red tricycle he wanted.

Santa brings them home to New York in time to spend the rest of the holiday with Claire and her mom (Jane Krakowski), which was all Claire wanted in the first place. All The Muppets show up after cancelling their vacations where they celebrate Christmas with Claire and her mom as they decorate her apartment. Even Bear, Treelo, Pip and Pop, Uncle Jet Set Tutter, Lindi, Sonata, Vi, Grandma, Jingle, Mr. Cook, Jazz, Juner Tutter, Riff, Clef, Ojo, Doc Hogg, Jack the Dog, Tweeter and Otto And Etta Otter and Tutter. Night falls in The Big Blue House, Bear and Treelo decided to go tell Luna all about it. Later, They both go up to The Attic to meet Luna. She says that she was just arriving from the other side of the world. It’s a long trip, but she gets to see many interesting things along the way and asks Bear and Treelo how was their day in The Big Blue House. They talk all about Christmas Eve in New York City. Luna says when she began to rise, she thinks she heard an coo. Bear tells Luna that it was the Pigeon Family. They have a home. Luna says, “Oh, my”. Bear also tells Luna that the gang invited Officer Meany to stay, and to give him the best holiday he has ever had. Luna says that of all the evenings during the year that she rises is her favorite. She also says that there is just something about the air on Christmas Eve. Treelo told Luna all about the holiday. Then they think that if otters, mice, lemurs, dogs, hogs, bears, Aliens, Scientists, Assistants, Humans, Frogs, Elders, Rats, Eagles, Mayors, Ogres, Drummers, Guys, Guitar Players, Stage Managers, Singers, Chickens, Pigs, Janitors, Prawns, Pigeons, Penguins, Officers, Workers, Mothers, Fathers, Chefs, Nephews, Grandmothers, Hummingbirds, Instruments, Balls, Elves, Blue Cats and the moon can get along, everyone can. Bear claims it is true. Luna notes Bear and Treelo that it’s time for her to rise. Treelo tells her in a deep voice, “Yeah, You’re right. I wouldn’t want all the angels to be worried about you.” Luna laughs. Then Bear asks Luna to sing The Goodbye Song with him and Treelo before she goes. Luna chuckles and she would love to, she’d love to. Then they sing The Goodbye Song altogether. The song finishes, Luna rises and Bear and Treelo head inside The Attic. Bear says Well, thanks for visiting The Big Blue House. Bear says bye and is about to leave when Treelo notes there’s no time for that, for he says ’by the way’, and along with him, Treelo has one last word to the viewers. “If you ever heard a thing you’ve found, Keep on Drawing.” He says Bye and for the second time turns off The Attic light ending the movie.

## Cast

* Madison Pettis - Claire
* Jane Krakowski - Claire’s Mom
* Richard Griffiths - Santa Claus
* Nathan Lane - Officer Frank Meany
* Uma Thurman - Joy

### Muppet performers

Main article: List of Muppets

* Steve Whitmire - Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Statler
* Dave Goelz - Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Waldorf, Beauregard, Jack the Dog
* Bill Barretta - Pepé the King Prawn, Bobo the Bear, Rowlf the Dog, Swedish Chef, Dr. Teeth, Pigeon Dad
* Eric Jacobson - Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Animal, Sam the Eagle
* David Rudman - Scooter, Janice
* Matt Vogel - Sgt. Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Robin the Frog, Pigeon Son
* Noel MacNeal - Sweetums, Bear
* Tyler Bunch - Pigeon Mom, Doc Hogg, Pop and Treelo
* Leslie Carrara-Rudolph - Penguin
* Martin P. Robinson - Penguin, Riff, Flugie, Clef
* Lynne Thigpen - Luna

Additional Muppets performed by Pam Arciero as Lindi, Sonata, Heather Asch as Vi, Grandma, Jingle, Kevin Clash, Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Juner Tutter, Alice Dinnean, Vicki Kenderes-Eibner as Etta and Ojo, James Godwin, John Kennedy, Jim Kroupa as Otto, Tim Lagasse as Uncle Jet Set Tutter, Tweeter, Mr. Cook, Jazz, Peter Linz as Pip and Tutter, Jim Martin, and Paul McGinnis

### Cameo guest stars

* Mayor Michael Bloomberg - Himself
* Whoopi Goldberg - Cab Driver
* Jesse L. Martin - Postal Worker
* Petra Němcová - Beaker’s Girlfriend
* Steve Schirripa - Mafia Guy
* Tony Sirico - Mafia Guy
* Paul Williams - Chief Christmas Elf

## Music

 Released

This is the fourth time that songwriter Paul Williams has contributed songs to The Muppets. A version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by The Crystals was also used during the opening credits but was not available on the soundtrack itself.

### Soundtrack

*A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (Soundtrack from the TV Special)*
 Total length: