Eesh, I wish they made it look more like the actual version from the episode. I can't understand why, they could just make it exactly as the prop department or whoever did, it's not like having to match an actor's likeness. But I'm sure people who liked the first one will enjoy this one.

Razor | July 30, 22:00 CET

Still looks like the old man from the muppets.

FalenAnjl | July 30, 22:02 CET

I agree. This is just downright annoying. I get a burr under my saddle every time I see a photo of this thing. Just make it look like the real thing! It's not exactly rocket surgery, now is it?

Willowy | July 30, 22:05 CET

I'm assuming the third Puppet Angel will the one with his vamp face. Who here got the first version?

Simon | July 30, 22:11 CET

This is merchandise I would definitely have bought, no matter how much they decided to charge, I hardly ever buy the figures (usually stick to the books, CDs, DVDs), but sometimes it's something I really want, I'll pay £40 for a Dalek when they come out, but the BBC got it right, the figure actually looks like what we saw on screen, and not completely different.

Can't see why it's so hard.

[ edited by Ghost Spike on 2005-07-30 20:31 ]

Ghost Spike | July 30, 22:31 CET

He still has Ron Weasley eyebrows. (Anybody completely re-fall in love with the Harry Potter series, after HBP??)

Knuckleball | July 30, 22:38 CET

I agree all the puppets in the episode had a distinct Muppet look. You would think that would be the sytle most often copied.

IMMORTAL | July 30, 22:46 CET

I passed on the first version and I'll pass on this one as well. However, I'm hearing reports that these pictures are not doing these puppets justice. They're much better than they appear. Whatever, thought I'd pass the word. I just collect the action figures.

Madhatter | July 30, 23:10 CET

I didn't get the first version either, but then regretted it when I saw how much it cost to get one on ebay now. Yikes.

So I ordered this one. It does look better to me than the first as well.

Xane | July 31, 00:16 CET

Actually I think that this one looks way better than the first one, and I would love to get it. But $50 is a little steep for me I'm afraid. I love the scar, and the fact that the nose is removable!

embers | July 31, 00:17 CET

This is the one item of merchandising that, when the show aired, most people expressed an interest in getting.

The original and now this version are so totally wrong. No way am I paying for it.

But, could the reason that it doesn't look like the actual puppet Angel be because he was an actual Muppet and no-one has the rights to sell a direct copy? In which case why don't the Muppet people sell it? It'd sell like hot cakes. As long as his nose came off, that's a must have even on a good version. :-)

lynnie | July 31, 01:06 CET

I got the first one, and it does look way better than the photos.

To make it look almost exactly like the prop version, all that needs doing is to put a stitch or two in the little bit too pointy chin to pull it back.

I'll pass on the battle scar version, but I'm in for the one with fangs!

Ruadh | July 31, 01:07 CET

As the mom of a toddler I can assure you that there are bazillions of muppet dolls, toys, books, videos, and just about anything else you can imagine... in the exact likeness of the characters. And that's another reason I just don't get why they can't do it up right!

Willowy | July 31, 02:34 CET

As the mom of a toddler I can assure you that there are bazillions of muppet dolls, toys, books, videos, and just about anything else you can imagine... in the exact likeness of the characters.

But those are licenced by Disney, the company that now owns the rights to the Muppet characters.

If there is a licencing issue, that may be the reason that it's not an exact replica.

Ruadh | July 31, 03:38 CET

"But those are licenced by Disney, the company that now owns the rights to the Muppet characters.

If there is a licencing issue, that may be the reason that it's not an exact replica."

Which is what I meant, only you said it better and with prettier words. ;-)

But whoever has the rights to the imagine should be made aware that they are sitting on a goooldmine. *said in a Lorne voice*

lynnie | July 31, 04:22 CET

Here's a comparison I made, although I can't get the picture on its own without the white border



The first plush Angel has a huge nose. The new one looks slightly smaller, but still not the same size as the original. I think it's the shape of the head, as well, the originals is in proportion to the body and it's quite round. The head of the battle scarred plush version is giant! And the normal plush is really long instead of round.

It's hard to say exactly where they went wrong aside from those two issues, but they just don't look very similar. OK, there may be some problems with licensing or whatever, but if I were to shell out that much for something, then I would expect it to be of very good quality, which would mean I expect it to look very like the original. Frankly, neither of them does, and it's very disappointing. Especially when people are paying so much for them. Surely even if they don't have the proper rights, they could buy them to warrant such a high price.

Who knows, maybe one day we'll see a better version. It's unlikely though. Unless you are lucky enough to get one of the originals. Does anyone know where they went? Were they auctioned off or did some of the cast/crew take them?

[ edited by Razor on 2005-07-31 02:46 ]

[ edited by Razor on 2005-07-31 02:50 ]

Razor | July 31, 04:42 CET

I just don't get this. There's even photo's of rep's from their company measuring the original puppet, so what the hell happened from that to this?

Sadly, even though I griped about the first release of this I ended up buying a copy (yes I know I'm sad), and I have to say it doesn't look anymore like the original then it does it any of photo's of it. The head is far too long, and oh god, I could spend hours saying what's wrong with it, but I won't.

I think the problem is when they measured it they did so without having anyones hand in the puppets head. When that's done the whole look of the face 'squishes up' and looks rounder.

Imagine Kermit head without a hand in it, that sort of thing. Although Kermit is much more simpler a puppet then this one, it is made out of fabric, so part of it's shape is determined by the operaters hand.

That's my take on it anyway.

sueworld2003 | July 31, 16:45 CET

Does anyone know where they went? Were they auctioned off or did some of the cast/crew take them?

David Boreanaz was given one.

Ruadh | July 31, 17:33 CET

I'm sorry to rant here, but this is a pathetic waste of a toy license.

I would gladly pay twice the price for an accurate Puppet Angel replica, and there's simply no excuse for Diamond not to get this thing absolutely perfect. What's so confounding is that they've managed - yet again - to get it so utterly wrong. I mean, I've seen the first one in person, and it looks like a cheap unlicensed counterfeit. It's not even close, and this one doesn't look much better. Even a fan-made custom reproduction would probably be more accurate using stills from the episode as reference - and Diamond purports to have had access to the original prop.

Willowy is right; there's simply no excuse for this. And Ruadh, with all due respect, this has nothing to do with who granted the toy license, but who it was granted to. In this case, it clearly should not have been granted to Diamond, who profoundly dropped the ball. I'm very disappointed. AGAIN.

Robogeek | July 31, 22:40 CET

From Abe Lincoln to Abe Vigoda.

We saw the first Angel puppet at the Ypsilanti con and weren't the least tempted by it even though it was one of the few merchandise items we've been interested in. And I don't think the puppets were Muppet-related as I believe they were made by the folks who do "Crank Yankers" on Comedy Central. They may have looked more muppet-like for the sake of the "Smile Time" plot though.

yourlibrarian | August 01, 03:47 CET

I just can't understand how they sold out of it and now its on ebay for $200. It's utterly disgusting! I was so excited when I found out that they were making these and then sooo sicked when I saw what they looked like! I want to cry.

Xander | August 01, 05:59 CET

I too don't understand why they can't get this right. I mean the puppet from the episode has more of a "HANSON" feel to it. They just can't seem to get it right. I think it's a waste of money until it's done right.

DarenG | August 01, 08:33 CET

I'm done. I'm not even going to make jokes about how they can't manage the task of making a puppet toy out of a puppet character. It's just not funny anymore. None of these things look good, resemble the Smile Time puppet, or are worth even a small amount of my money.

Now I have to go and find a thesaurus to look up every synonym of 'incompetent' in existence.


I didn't know those 'mmm-bop' guys made puppets.....;-)

EdDantes | August 01, 08:54 CET

You mean the mmm-bop guys WEREN'T puppets?

I'm so upset.

Willowy | August 01, 09:03 CET

Off topic, but, have you seen how those Hanson kids have grown into extremely tasty big puppets?

Caroline | August 01, 11:25 CET

MMMM-indeed! ;D

Willowy | August 01, 17:33 CET

Xander, they only produced 5000 and most of those were sold in the preorder stage. They weren't on the market for very long. There used to be a site called weelittlepuppetman where they offered a handmade version of puppet Angel that was truly outstanding. However, I just checked the site and it seems to be closed.

Madhatter | August 01, 18:25 CET

Hey, it can be worse. Some of us had a period of time (thought extremely brief) in which we thought they were cute girls....*shiver*


In that case let me add another *shiver*...

EdDantes | August 01, 19:02 CET

Im holding out for Vamp Angel

Angel_1 | August 01, 19:13 CET

I also would pay big bucks for an ACCURATE replica, but I refuse to pay anything for these cheap creations.

WilliamTheBloody | August 01, 22:34 CET