James R | On 05, May 2015

The Muppets are teaming up with YouTube stars to create new videos for the site.

Jim Henson’s furry franchise has enjoyed a big-screen reboot in recent years, but The Muppets have been active online for a long time, regularly producing skits for their YouTube channel.

Now, while the gang prepare to move back onto the TV screen in the near future, they have recently taken up residency at YouTube Space L.A. to reach younger viewers by teaming up with a range of popular YouTubers.

“The Muppets have been entertaining and inspiring YouTube audiences for several years, and we are thrilled to re-engage current fans while capturing new ones through these exciting collaborations,” Debbie McClellan, VP of the Muppets Studio, told Variety. “We really enjoyed our residency at YouTube Space L.A. and look forward to many future projects together.”

Disney’s Maker Studios advised the team on their channel strategy and collaborations with the online celebrities, which marks a slight inversion of the old-school approach of Sesame Street and The Muppets, which used to invite Hollywood stars (and other celebrities from the offline world) onto the show.
The line-up of talent includes a capella vocalist Mike Tompkins, musician Lindsey Stirling, and Mental Floss. Videos produced will be released on both The Muppets’ YouTube channel and those of the relevant YouTubers, with content to be distributed over the coming year.

“YouTube Space L.A. is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of storytellers through innovative programming and partnerships that push the creative envelope,” Liam Collins, head of YouTube Space L.A., said in an official statement.

“It’s not every day that our YouTube creators get to work with the world’s most famous frog, the world’s most beautiful pig, a standup comedy bear and the drummer of the almost-legendary band the Electric Mayhem.”

The Muppets took to the site to announce the team-up in their own way:

The first video was published last month, with VSauce3 joining forces with Gonzo and Rizzo for “What if Quicksilver Ran Past You”. It currently has 1.275m views.

The rest of the schedule is as follows:

The Muppets take on A Cappella – 4th May
Mike Tompkins and the Muppets give an a cappella lesson with Echosmith’s Cool Kids.

Why do things taste bad after you brush your teeth? – 4th May
Mental Floss enlists Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker to help answer science-related questions submitted by their viewers for Big Questions that airs every Monday.

6th May
Mental Floss sits down with Miss Piggy, Rowlf the Dog, the Swedish Chef, the Electric Mayhem and more for a special Muppet edition of “The List Show” that airs every Wednesday.

7th May
Lindsey Stirling performs “Pure Imagination” with the whole Muppet gang and a special surprise star.

3rd June
John and Hank Green from “Crash Course” encounter a classroom full of rowdy Muppets.

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