I'm standing inside The Muppet Theater.  On my right, I can see where Statler and Waldorf would sit and heckle the performances.  On stage in front of me, I watch as some of the crew attempts to get everything perfect so they can get the next shot.  As they adjust the lights and moves some of the background pieces, director James Bobin is sitting nearby looking at everything on two small monitors.  Eventually he's happy with the set up and someone calls "action."  Almost immediately, a hush falls over the room as some hidden speakers start to play something I recognize.  As I look at the stage, I watch Kermit and Miss Piggy sing Rainbow Connection.  I'm suddenly 8 years old and smiling from ear to ear.But let me back up a second.Earlier this year, I got to visit the set of The Muppets on two separate occasions.  The first time was with a group of online reporters while the production was filming in Glendale, California and we watched as Amy Adams and a huge group of Muppets filmed a scene in a car.  The second time I got to visit the set by myself and that's when I got to see The Muppet Theater.  While Disney is releasing The Muppets, the production actually built the theater on the Universal backlot.  As a child that grew up watching The Muppet Show, getting to walk around that set was something I'll never forget.  Hit the jump for more.Before going any further, you should watch the brand new trailer and read the synopsis:

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, The Muppets hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011.

 

As most of you know, I often get to visit movie sets with Peter from Slashfilm.  Usually when we get back from set, we immediately record a video blog and save it for when the embargo lifts.  But for The Muppets, we waiting until yesterday to record it, so this one has a different energy.  We talk about what it was like to be on set, what we saw and did, and our thoughts on the movie (which are all positive).  With The Muppets not getting released until November 23, you can expect a lot more coverage in the coming months.  Here's the video:

 

 

 

 

For more Muppets set visit coverage:

Amy Adams On Set Interview THE MUPPETS

Jason Segel On Set Interview THE MUPPETS

Nicholas Stoller On Set Interview THE MUPPETS

Director James Bobin On Set Interview THE MUPPETS; Plus New Behind the Scenes Images

if I'd known we were taking pictures with The Muppets on the set visit, I might not have worn my Sex Bob-omb t-shirt....