ScottFeinberg.com

This year, only two songs — a record low — were deemed worthy of Oscar nominations by the Academy’s music branch: “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets, music and lyrics by Flights of the Conchords‘ Bret McKenzie, and “Real in Rio” from Rio, music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, lyrics by Siedah Garrett. Today, THR is pleased to exclusively premiere a clip, provided to us by 20th Century Fox, of “Real in Rio” being performed by beautifully-animated exotic birds in Rio.

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[NOTE: A slightly different version of this same story appeared in the most recent issue of The Hollywood Reporter.]

Last month, when the nominations were announced for the 84th Oscars, the most common reaction — after “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close for best picture?!” — was, “Why are there only two nominees for best original song?!” (For the record, they are “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets, music and lyrics by Flights of the Conchords‘ Bret McKenzie, and “Real in Rio” from Rio, music by piano maestro Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, lyrics by Siedah Garrett.)

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By Sean O’Connell

“The Muppets” soundtrack rarely leaves the CD player in our house. My boys, ages 7 and 3, adore the movie’s catchy tunes, from the opening number of “Life’s a Happy Song” to the sentimental “Man or Muppet.” My youngest repeats Fozzie’s line “I didn’t do it, I’ve been framed” ad nauseam, which is cute, until it drives you a little crazy.

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