Paul Fierlinger, who animated the "Teeny Super Guy" shorts on Sesame Street, haspassed away.
Fierlinger had a extensive career and earned three Peabody Awards for Still Life With Animated Dogs (2000) and A Room Nearby (2003), and was nominated for an Oscar for It’s So Nice to Have a Wolf Around the House.
Fierlinger produced segments for Sesame Street and The Electric Company featuring letters, numbers, and more, but it was the “Teeny Little Super Guy,” segments that became an iconic contributions to children’s programming.
The superhero drawn on a cup and household objects became a standout character and has been adored by generations.
Watch animator Tom Sloan demonstrate how the "Teeny Little Super Guy" shorts were made and a few Fierlinger other Sesame and Electric Company shorts below:
You can read more about Paul Fierlinger's life and work at CartoonBrew.
Slushcult has a new line of Fraggle Rock Grom Fingerboards.
Slushcult has just dropped a new line that’s sure to thrill Fraggle fans and fingerboarding enthusiasts.
Introducing the Fraggle Rock Grom Fingerboards, a collaboration that brings the whimsical world of Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock to the miniature, high-speed world of fingerboarding.
Each board in the Fraggle Rock collection is designed with younger riders (or "groms") in mind, making them easy to handle, smooth to ride, and designed for both beginners and seasoned fingerboarding pros. The boards are made from high-quality maple wood, ensuring they are durable enough for all types of tricks, while still being lightweight enough for quick flips and spins.
• 34mm x 98mm • Twin Tail Popsicle Shape • Medium Concave / Medium Kicks • Single Axel Metal Trucks • Polyurethane Wheels With Real Bearings • 2 Sheets Of Foam Tape Included • Fingerboard Tool Included • Pre-Assembled In Box, You Just Have To Grip It!
Slushcult's limited-editionFraggle Rock Grom fingerboards are available now on Slushcult’s official website and using the links above.
Hallmark’s new Dream Book was released this week and in it are photos of this year’s Muppet and Sesame Street ornaments.
As you can see for this year's Muppet ornament we’re not just getting Kermit playing his banjo on a log - but an signing ANIMATED Kermit sitting on a log playing "Rainbow Connection" on his banjo.
Hallmark's Sesame Street ornament is also playing it a bit safe with yet another Elmo ornament, this time featuring the little red monster ice skating.
Both will be available in Hallmark's first wave of ornaments in July.
The Jim Henson Company launched an official online store this week.
shop.henson.com launched this week featuring products from The Dark Crystal, Farscape, Fraggle Rock,Labyrinth, and The Jim Henson Signature Collection.
So far the items offered are mainly printed goods like stickers, mugs, shirts, and pillows, with coasters being the first featured items.
I'm not sure, but many seem to be print on demand items.
We're told more collections and items will be added in the coming weeks, including "licensed products that will be accessible to Company’s dedicated global fandom."
To promote the launch a collection of parody ads premiered on the Henson Company’s social media accounts which you can watch HERE,HERE, and HERE and below.
“Our fans all over the world have wanted one definitive place for merchandise from our most beloved properties and shop.Henson.com gives them a wide selection of high-quality, exclusive products they will love,” said Nicole Goldman, Executive Vice President of Branding at The Jim Henson Company. “Encompassing apparel, accessories, housewares, collectibles and more, shop.Henson.com welcomes fans of The Dark Crystal, Farscape, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, and of course Jim Henson himself, to discover their new favorite must-have item.”
Hopefully we'll get some Henson Company branded merchandise and access to any extra cast and crew items. That me be a bit of a stretch, but one can hope!
As part of the The Muppets 70th anniversary Kermit the Frog has republished his best selling memoir, "Before You Leap."
Below is the official description:
Kermit the Frog is back, and he’s revised and updated his bestselling memoir with life advice and inspiration for a whole new generation of fans!
Just in time for the 70th anniversary of The Muppets--the perfect gift for graduates of any age!
In Before You Leap, the world's most famous frog shares in a funny, heartfelt manner about his life and yours. After telling the tale of his humble swamp beginnings, remarkable career in show business, and about all the amazing people and pigs he's met along the way, Kermit shares his advice on many of life's milestones, including:
Growing up: Every tadpole must drop their tail and grow into a frog eventually—Kermit shares tips on how to navigate change and find your legs in the real world.
Starting a Career: Kermit reflects on how he climbed out of the swamp and into Hollywood—and how you can make a big splash in your own life.
Finding your Inner Tadpole: Life is messy and can change on a dime—Kermit shares his tips and tricks on reconnecting with your "inner tadpole" and finding peace and joy in the most turbulent of times.
Love in All its Forms: From Kermit and Miss Piggy to Robin and Sweetums to Rizzo and his beloved Pizza, Kermit shares his own advice on appreciating all the love we can find in our lives.
Let Kermit’s wisdom be your guide on all aspects of life like work, friendship, love, money, and self-care!
The new edition of "Before You Leap" will be released April 22, and can be pre-ordered now on Amazon. A new version of the audio book will also released the same day as well.
In celebration of The Muppets 70th Anniversary, The University of Maryland, Jim Henson's alma mater, will have a very special guest delivering the commencement address - Kermit The Frog!
The University of Maryland announced that Kermit the Frog will deliver their commencement address on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at SECU Stadium.
Kermit the Frog returns to the university to share an inspiring message with this year's graduates after a sold-out visit to the campus last fall 2024 as part of the College of Arts and Humanities Dean's Lecture Series.
Kermit the Frog's appearance honors the long history between UMD and Muppets creator Jim Henson, who graduated from UMD in 1960. Henson, a home economics major, invented Kermit by building the original frog puppet out of one of his mother's coats and a ping-pong ball cut in half.
"I am thrilled that our graduates and their families will experience the optimism and insight of the world-renowned Kermit the Frog at such a meaningful time in their lives," said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. "Our pride in Jim Henson knows no bounds, and it is an honor to welcome Kermit the Frog to our campus, 65 years after Mr. Henson graduated from the University of Maryland. I sincerely thank The Muppets Studio, Disney and their creative teams for making this possible."
"Nothing could make these feet happier than to speak at the University of Maryland. I just know the class of 2025 is going to leap into the world and make it a better place, so if a few encouraging words from a frog can help, then I'll be there!" said Kermit The Frog.
You can watch the announcement below:
They even changed their social media profiles to celebrate!
More details about the campuswide ceremony are available at commencement.umd.edu.
