The reason to root for Kanye West's puppet show
Another week, another Kanye West headline. The Hollywood Reporter had the news this morning that West is developing a show described as "hip-hop meets the Muppets" for Comedy Central. This isn't completely new territory for the uptown rapper, as Stereogrum reminds us that Kanye has already gotten the puppet treatment via his video for "Champion," for which a screenshot is below.
Whether the news that West has shot a half-hour pilot interests you will likely depend on A) your interest in Kanye (he's good), or B) your thoughts on Jackhole Productions, the Jimmy Kimmel-associated company that was behind Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers" (a show that was bad). But credit West for looking for fresh ways to expand his own brand, and thankfully avoiding the bad action-movie route that befell fellow Chi-Town rapper Common.
But beyond seeing a puppet-tized version of Kanye, perhaps the real reason to tune in will be one of West's collaborators in the series, yet another Midwest-bred rapper in Rhymefest. Billed as an exec producer on the show, the working-class musician released one of the stronger albums of 2008, and it doesn't cost a dime. His collaboration with celeb producer Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse) for the Michael Jackson tribute "Man in the Mirror" is a free download away, and humanizes Jackson while struggling to manage one's own aspirations in a fame-obsessed culture. Any more exposure for Rhymefest is welcome.
Tentatively titled "Alligator Boots," the project is reported to be under consideration for airing in 2009.
