One Cut Joke From The Happytime Murders Apparently Went Too Far

One of the wildest movies that came out this past year was The Happytime Murders, a very adult movie featuring puppets, directed by none other than Brian Henson, the son of Muppets and Sesame Street creator Jim Henson. The movie is over-the-top with adult humor, but there was one moment that some people found went too far.

During the audio commentary on the home release of the movie, Henson recalled one line of dialogue from early on in the film that had to be cut. Phil Philips (Bill Barretta) is talking to his brother Larry (Victor Yerrid)--a former cast member of a popular TV series--when they are approached by a fan of the show (Fortune Feimster). She talks to the two and goes on her way.

In the original version of that scene, things were a bit different. "In the long cut, she's brought in a dog with her, and Phil tells her to 'Get that dog out of here or I'll put a f***ing fork in its face,'" explained Henson. "Of everything in the movie, they decided, 'That's too much. You've crossed a line.' It's like, 'Really? Saying I'm gonna put a f***ing fork in its face to a dog is crossing a line?' The whole idea was to establish that dogs are really dangerous."

There never would have been any depiction of an animal getting hurt on screen, but the line would have helped for one scene later, when Larry gets torn apart by a few dogs in his own backyard. It was supposed to be an establishing moment that some felt went too far.

The Happytime Murders is available digitally and on DVD and Blu-ray now. In addition to the audio commentary from Henson and Phil Philips, the physical release also contains deleted scenes, a gag reel, and behind-the-scenes footage giving the audience more insight into how this adult puppet movie was put together.