Trivia / Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

• Bowdlerize: The scene where Ma is shafted by Gretchen Fox originally ended with her saying "I'd really appreciate it... If you'd fall of the dock." after Gretchen was out of earshot. The initial DVD releases and most airings edit out the last part, although it was eventually restored on the 40th Anniverasary DVD and 2018 Blu-ray releases.
• Breakaway Pop Hit: While the special has rarely been seen on TV since 2003 or so (though the Kermit-less version has seen DVD release in recent years), with Freeform (which at the time was still using the ABC Family name) being the first North American network since Canada's YTV to air it (albeit with Digital Destruction), the song "When The River Meets The Sea" is still fairly recognizable to those unfamiliar with the special itself (thanks to John Denver's version).
• Digital Destruction: The version of the special that airs on Freeform as well as what was released on DVD in 2017 as the 40th anniversary edition mats the special to 16:9 (widescreen) despite it being filmed in 4:3 (full screen), as well as introduced film effects to make the special look "timeless"- yeah, someone at ABC Family actually thought this trope would increase the special's appeal. The DVD version lacks the film effects however, although it's still 16:9 and at 30fps due to conversion to progressive scan. Thankfully, the 2018 Blu-ray restores the original 4:3 aspect ratio.
• Edited for Syndication: The scene where Emmet and Alice go sliding was cut from the original ABC Family/Freeform airings. Later showings as well as the 40th Anniversary DVD and 2018 Blu-ray have reinstated it.
• Executive Meddling: Due to Disney buying the Muppets, the Jim Henson Company had to edit out Kermit when they released the special on home video. The uncut version wasn't seen on television for years until it^note or a faux film-riddled version thereof was shown on Disney-owned ABC Family/Freeform as part of their annual holiday block, 25 Days of Christmas.
• He Also Did: Russell and Lilian Hoban, the authors of the original book are perhaps better known for the "Frances the Badger" series of books^note Whose titles usually took the form of "_ for Frances". Those who know Hoban best by his works aimed at adults or The Mouse and His Child are often startled to realize it's the same author. In actual fact, this trope was actually inversed in international markets, as Russell and Lilian Hoban are better known outside the US for their work on the Frances the Badger books than for Emmet Otter or A Mouse And His Child.
  • Frances incidentally got adapted into a short-form TV series by the Jim Henson Company in 2008.
• Keep Circulating the Tapes: The only way to see the Kermit version since Disney bought the Muppets. At least until 2017, when a deal was finally worked out so Sony could release it on video; however Kermit's voice over narration was (still) missing, as it was only added to the 1980 airing of the special and thus is not on the original master tape.
• Looping Lines: Ma Otter was voiced and puppeteered on set by Frank Oz, with Marilyn Sokol dubbing him in post.
• Referenced by...:
  • Zootopia: The character of Emmitt Otterton was named for Emmet Otter.
  • Robot Chicken: A sketch from "Born Again Virgin Christmas Special" involves Emmet invite Frankie Fox as the newest member of the jug band. However, the rest of the band are wary, as foxes are their natural enemies. Sure enough, Frankie attacks them all during their performance of "We're All the Same on Christmas Day."
    Emmet: Wait! Ain't we all the same on Christmas day?
    Frankie: Oh, we're not the same, cause I ain't dead! Merry Christmas!
  • The Muppets Mayhem: The Electric Mayhem band are stated to have a grudge against the River Bottom Boys.

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