"The Muppet Show: Season 2" Expected on DVD this Summer

I've been getting tons of e-mails from readers asking one question: "When 'The Muppet Show Season 2' going to be released on DVD?" So I will attempt to answer the question for all of you now. As you know, just about 6-months ago the first season of The Muppet Show was released in a 4-disc special edition DVD box set, and ever since fans have been craving more. Over the past week I've talked with people all over the place - from Disney distributors and DVD producers, to other news sites and DVD retailers - and I actually have some information about the fate of the show's next DVD release for you.

I will start out by saying "The Muppet Show: Season 2" is coming to DVD! The sales of the season one were outstanding, and Disney can't wait to release subsequent sets. The first season gained great critical acclaim, won awards, and was on the top of best-sellers list for months. Word from many reliable sources in retail and within the Disney said that "The Muppet Show: Season 2" was originally planned for released in February 2006 (just six-months after the first season). Now you may notice that it already is February and no official information on the set has even been released; that is because of some production delays. The release is currently "on hold." The set's production is still underway, but the release is still somewhat up in the air. The DVD is currently lined up for a hopeful "Summer 2006" release (however it may, or may not, actually make its intended summer release frame -- only time will tell, but it seems very likely). I've been told there have been numerous delays and holdups along the way with this perticular title. I was assured that they were not based upon sales, which Disney cited as "terrific", nor is it due to lack of company support. I was told that the production of this set is simply taking longer than expected - due to the enormous amount of legal clearances needed, and the time needed on restoration and supplemental features. The Muppet Show is simply requiring more than most of Buena Vista's TV shows on DVDs; and rather than rush it or cut corners, Disney wants to keep the quality of these highly-anticipated sets up to the fans' desires and expectations.

We may not see the second season until a year after the first season's release (August); but maybe they'll be able to get it out sooner (June/July); or maybe it will take longer. They are shooting for a summer release, they are working it and it is coming. Buena Vista Home Entertainment is not able to give a final list of any features of specifications – those things just aren’t final yet. But if everything goes as planned, as of now, we should see an official announcement later this spring (March/April) with all the details and specs, followed by the release sometime this summer (July/August). Disney is expecting to be able to release all five seasons of The Muppet Show in time (and there are rumors of a complete Muppets Tonight set to follow the fifth season's release). Hopefully the third season's wait won't be as long. But I'm sure Buena Vista's extra time spent "doing it right" with these sets will be well worth it. I'll keep you posted as soon as any more information surfaces.

A special thanks to Buena-Vista Home Entertainment, Bradley Delaney, Gary Kessler, Jennifer Lawrence, G.H. Percy, TheDigitalBits.com, UltimateDisney.com, Amazon.com, DVDEmpire.com, the fine folks at Disney-DVD consumer relations, the Muppets.com press contacts, and the other people (who wished to remain anonymous) that responded and helped in uncovering, explaining and sharing this information. Also thanks to TVShowsOnDVD.com for their support.