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Muppet Walter and human Jason Segel sing "Man or Muppet" in the new "Muppets" movie. Can the song take home an Oscar?
Don't ask me to predict the Oscars, I always get them wrong. Especially the best original song category. I'm still bitter about the fact that the awesome "Blame Canada," from "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," lost out to a Phil Collins tune in 2000. (I blame Canada. Or Anne Murray.)
But all would (almost) be forgiven if "Man or Muppet," a hilarious tune from the movie "The Muppets," picks up a best original song Oscar at next year's ceremony. (Bonus: It's written by "Flight of the Conchords" star Bret McKenzie, who told New York Magazine that "Muppets" star Jason Segel "really channels his inner Meatloaf to slam that power ballad.")
After girlfriend Mary leaves him a note demanding that he decide who (or what) he is, Gary (Segel) wanders through Hollywood singing the mournful tune. Meanwhile, his Muppet brother Walter has the same internal debate.
"Am I a muppet, or am I a man?" the two wonder. Segel finds himself playing the piano with a Muppet who looks like him (and also a little like "Sesame Street's" Guy Smiley) while Walter tickles the ivories with the human he most resembles ... "Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons.
Eventually, both Gary and Walter reach similar conclusions. "I'm a Muppet of a man! I'm Muppet Man!" sings Gary, while Walter decides "I'm a very manly Muppet!" But are they Oscar winners? We'll find out in 2012.
In "The Muppets," Gary and Walter musically ponder who they are, and who they should be.
Should "Man or Muppet" be nominated for the best original song Oscar? Tell us in the comments.
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Absolutely! The Muppet Movie was fantastic and part of what made it so good was the music.
That song is full of win.
The Muppet Movie was fantastic, adorable, totally entertaining! Man or a Muppet and Pictures in My Head should both be nominated!!!
That would be wonderful! We saw the movie yesterday and absolutely adored it! I caught my 4 year old singing "I'm a very manly muppet" in the bathroom last night! LOL!
I would love to see that song win! I think that song was a highlight of the movie for me.
My 7 year old daughter has been singing this in the shower ever since she saw the movie a few weeks ago. I LOVE this song and for it to be nominated and win would make up for "The Rainbow Conncetion" not winning in 1979.
That song still brings me to tears every time I hear it. The minute the banjo starts plucking, I am a bawling mass of tears.
I'm still angry over Bruce Springsteen's powerful song for "The Wrestler" losing out to that unintelligible "song" from Slum Dog Millionaire. That said, anything from The Muppet Movie that can win, should! And we should all demand that The Muppets return to TV as soon as possible!
I think the entire Best Song category should be done away with--retroactively negating all prior wins, if at all possible.
Failing that, sure, Man or Muppet is fully deserving of more fair-and-equal consideration than any other nominee in this loathsome category.
I like this song a lot but I really miss the beautiful songs written by Paul Williams. I always root for the Muppets!
Absolutely. Even adult Muppet viewers loved that song. My self, my wife, my housemates, and my coworkers can all be caught singing it. It was an excellent addition to the Muppet song list.
Loved it! Loved it! Hilarious! I think that song was one of the funniest moments of the whole movie!
Definitely! Also, bring the Muppet Show back to TV, but DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING -- except to add Walter to the cast, and (obviously) have current celebrities as guests.
boring & repetitive
I thought in 2000 it was obvious that "Blame Canada" was a stand-in for "Uncle F-----", clearly the funniest, best song from the South Park movie but unnominatable for obvious reasons.
NO NO NO!! It should NOT win! That was one of the worst songs in the movie. The movie was horrible! 2 adults went, a 5 year old, 8 year old and an 11 year old. The only one who liked it was the 5 year old, who pretty much likes all movies. The movie was so UNMuppet-like. I cannot believe anyone thought it was good. What is this the emperor's new clothes? Mis-guided nostalgia? Jason Segel-Yuck! Give me one of the old Muppet movies, please!