Muppet Stuff on "Brandon and Akiva Need a Podcast"!

I was recently a guest on the Brandon and Akiva Need a Podcast to talk about the Muppet Stuff Museum. 

The premise of the podcast is that hosts Brandon Donlon and Akiva Wienerkur need a podcast and every week, so they spin a wheel of listener-submitted ideas, and whatever the wheel lands on is what they podcast about next. 

In this episode, Brandon Donlon and Akiva talk about collections and I join the conversation around the 58 min mark. 

You can listen to Brandon and Akiva Need a Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many more here. 

Henson Company Hires Shirley Bowers To Lead Global Distribution!

Shirley Bowers has joined The Jim Henson Company as VP of Global Distribution.

Bowers will be in charge of content sales, distribution, and driving revenue as well as developing international co-production partnerships.

She'll report to Chris Lytton, President and COO of Jim Henson who released the following statement:

“Shirley’s experience within the dynamic landscape of content distribution makes her a nimble leader, able to develop innovative content distribution ideas, embrace unique opportunities presented by emerging technologies, and identify potential partnerships,” said Lytton. “She has a proven track record of working with respected properties that can respond to emerging trends while maintaining a deep connection to their brand value.”

Before joining Henson, Bowers worked in sales, co-productions, co-financing and acquisitions for more than 20 years and was Senior VP, U.S. Sales & Distribution at Fremantle and in distribution for Fox International Channels and Nat Geo.

Muppet Stuff Video: Muppets Noir #1 Bind Bags!

Join me as open some "Muppets Noir" #1 Blind Bags!

Dynamite released a bunch of variant covers for "The Muppets Noir" #1 and you never know what you'll get in each bag... until you open it!

Did you get any of these blind bag comics? What covers did you get? Let me know if you want to trade?!

Be sure to check out even more videos on our Youtube channel.

"Muppets in Moscow" Becoming Feature Film!

Per Variety, Natasha Lance Rogoff’s memoir “Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia,” is being turned into a feature film. 

Emotion Pictures will produce the film in partnership with Riley Keough and Gina Gammell’s Felix Culpa. 

Charles Randolph, who won an Oscar-winning for writing The Big Short will write the script.

"Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia,” recounts Rogoff’s real-life journey bringing Ulitsa Sezam the Russian version of Sesame Street to the country. 

If you're not familiar with the book's official description is below:

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the timing appeared perfect to bring Sesame Street to millions of children living in the former Soviet Union. With the Muppets envisioned as ideal ambassadors of Western values, no one anticipated just how challenging and dangerous this would prove to be.

In "Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street" in Russia, Natasha Lance Rogoff brings this gripping tale to life. Amidst bombings, assassinations, and a military takeover of the production office, Lance Rogoff and the talented Moscow team of artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and puppeteers remained determined to bring laughter, learning, and a new way of seeing the world to children in Russia, Ukraine and across the former Soviet empire. With a sharp wit and compassion for her colleagues, Lance Rogoff observes how cultural clashes colored nearly every aspect of the production―from the show’s educational framework to writing comedy to the new Russian Muppets themselves―despite the team’s common goal.

Brimming with insight and nuance, Muppets in Moscow skillfully explores the post-Soviet societal tensions that continue to thwart the Russian people’s efforts to create a better future for their country. More than just a story of a children’s show, this book provides a valuable perspective of Russia’s people, their culture, and their complicated relationship with the West that remains relevant even today.

What should be noted as this is not a documentary nor is Sesame Workshop specifically  involved so this will be a fictionalized account of actual events that hopefully Sesame Workshop will allow the Sesame Muppet characters/ names to be used. 

We'll keep you posted as more info about this project is released. 

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Easter Eggs!

Today’s the first day people who have gotten special sneak peaks of the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets are allowed to share photos and videos of the attraction. 

Walt Disney Imagineering posted the following video of Muppets Studio producer Danny, Iglesias, and Walt Disney Imagineering producer Bette Lombardi exploring all kinds of hidden Easter eggs.

As you can seem there are tons of things for fans to find sprinkled throughout and they reused many props the late, beloved, Muppet Vision 3-D including Gonzo's stunt school supplies and  the penguin's canon. 

Fans expecting to see the Muppet Mobile lab in the parks any time soon might be disappointed as it’s now sitting in the attraction, as is a repainted version of Muppet’s Most Wanted's Interpol car.

There's also nods to now closed restaurants Mama Melrose and PizzeRizzo. 

There’s also a few actual Muppet props mixed in with replicas on display. 

Rizzo and the rats get a new hangout, "The Sqeakeasy", 

and they reused the tribute to Jim!

The que features all kinds of celebrity cameos and a ton of Muppets, which to be fair, was the one thing Muppet Vision was lacking. 

Are you exited for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets? Strap in, as we're bound to see a lot more as the build up to the opening has just begun!

Here's a few more details from Disney Parks Blog. 

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets opens May 26 at Disney Hollywood Studios. 

Muppet Stuff Inducted to The Muppet fan Hall of Fame!

Over the weekend we were thrilled to be inducted to the Muppet Fan Hall of Fame. 

We were inducted along side many other Muppet community leaders and builders including Zach Kenny, Kermitment: A Muppets Podcast (Matthew Gaydos, Sam Shultz), Andrew Leal, Kristi O, The Singulary Named Mel, Matt Wilkie, John Denver, Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Baretta, Peter Linz, Walter, & The Center for Puppetry Arts.

The ceremony also featuring appearances by Tori Schmidt, Lucas Ross, Jon Brangwyne, Will Carrol, Ms Leisure, Jake Evans, J.D. Hansel, Jarrod Fairclough, Craig Shemin, and Matthew Soberman. 

Chris Stulz

Class of 2026

A lot of fans collect Muppet merchandise, but how many can call their collections museums? Chris Stulz has been an active member of the Muppet fan-collecting scene for over thirty years, and in that time, he’s amassed one of the largest collections of Muppet merchandise there is. In 2012, Chris started Muppet Stuff, a blog dedicated to reporting on the latest Muppet merch. Whether it’s a water bottle with Big Bird plastered on it or an action figure of Earl Sinclair, Muppet Stuff will let you know when and where to get it! Muppet Stuff also has an active YouTube page with vlogs on all sorts of Muppet events, unboxings, and merch hunts. On top of all that, Chris is also a community event organizer, helping organize The Muppets Take Mahoning Drive-In events as well as The Swa(m)p Meet at the Jim Henson birthday events at the Museum of the Moving Image. Overall, Chris has just been extremely active in this community for decades, subscribing to Muppet Zine, interacting on the Muppet Central and Palisades forums, making the graphics for Muppet Mindsets’ weekly Muppet Wednesdays, and so much more!

You can see our induction at the 34 min mark, but you should watch the whole thing and support all these amazing inductees. 

More info at the Muppet Fan Hall of Fame Website.

Muppet Stuff Video: American Daydream & State Theater Vintage Emporium!

Join me as I explore American Daydream and State Theater Vintage Emporium.

Each has so many incredible Henson collectibles other cool finds for sale. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just love awesome toys, there’s plenty to enjoy. 

You can find more information about American Daydream and State Theatre Vintage Emporium using these links. 

We also have have a booth at State Theatre Vintage Emporium so be sure to stop by our by our booth there as well. 

Be sure to check out even more videos on our Youtube channel.