Muppet Stuff Video: Massive Disney Parks Haul!

Join me as I unbox a massive Disney Parks haul. 

My friends Dave ( @retroreststop) and Dave S. have been picking things up for me at the Disney Parks for months and now I have an absolutely massive box of goodies to go through.

Inside this haul, we've got everything from park-exclusive pins and limited-release merch to some genuinely rare and hard-to-find items!

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

Pre-Order NECA Muppet and Sesame Street Action Figures!

The next batch of NECA's Muppet and Sesame Street Ultimate Action Figures are available for preorder. 

The Muppets - The Muppet Christmas Carol Ultimate Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Robin as Tiny Tim 7” Scale Action Figure 2-Pack 

Celebrate a timeless classic this holiday season with Kermit the Frog and his nephew Robin from The Muppets Christmas Carol! NECA brings you this Ultimate Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Robin as Tiny Tim 2-pack.

Featuring all-new sculpts, these highly articulated, 7-inch scale action figures showcase authentic deco—just as they appeared in the beloved 1992 film. Accessories include magnetic hats, removable scarves, Tiny Tim's crutch, and interchangeable hands for Kermit.

The Muppets - Ultimate Gonzo with Camilla 7” Scale Action Figure

This fully articulated, 7-inch scale action figure includes interchangeable accessories and more

The Muppets - Ultimate Mahna Mahna and the Snowths 7” Scale Action 

Sing along with Mahna Mahna and the Snowths with this Ultimate 3-pack from NECA! Your favorite Muppets sketch is here to bring some whimsical fun to your collection (and maybe get a certain song stuck in your head).

Featuring all-new sculpts, these 7-inch scale, highly articulated action figures feature authentic deco—just as they appeared on The Muppet Show in 1976. Mahna Mahna includes interchangeable hands, two heads, telephone, and bell with stand.

Sesame Street - Ultimate Oscar the Grouch 7” Scale Action Figure 

The iconic Oscar the Grouch is joining his friends on Sesame Street!

This NECA Ultimate action figure of the beloved curmudgeon features ample articulation, including a hinged jaw, eyebrow, and trash can lid. Plus, Oscar's trash can is ratcheted to adjust his height!

This 7-inch scale figure includes interchangeable hands and arms, Slimey, Rubber Yucchy, sign, and the letter “T.” Comes in collector-friendly window box packaging with opening front flap, featuring classic storybook homage box art. Now SCRAM!

NECA also showed them off at SDCC, along with their upcoming Miss Piggy ultimate action figure. 

All are available to preorder at the above through NECA's website. 

Watch The Original Muppet Show Pilot!

Just in time to celebrate The Muppet Show's 50th Anniversary myspleen user bun39 uploaded the original version of show's first episode to the internet archive. 

Check it out below with remastered audio by myspleen user Disney Ashman Demos.

Did you catch all the differences? Thankfully, the same users noted all the changes from the original version to the one that aired. 

From The Muppet Wiki, "Episode 101: Juliet Prowse":

Episodes 101 and 102 of The Muppet Show were both shot as pilots in late January 1976, several months before regular production of the show began in May of that year. These pilots were never aired, and the episodes were reworked during the regular production window, but the final versions were among the last of the first season to air in certain international markets, such as France and Germany.

When the episodes were reworked, several sketches were abbreviated or cut entirely, and new footage was taped. All material featuring the guest stars, however, was shot during the initial production window, although on several occasions, different takes were used in the final versions of the episode from those used in the pilots.

Changes made to "The Muppet Show Theme"

• Different takes were used for several shots, including Kermit's opening introduction and the kickline of chorus girls.
• There is a second shot of Zoot and Crazy Harry in the orchestra after the chorus girls' verse. The first frame of this shot is also shown between the shots of Animal and Rowlf in episode 103.
• Aside from Blue Frackle, the chorus boys in the kickline were different and included Snake Frackle; an orange-wigged, rock star pig; and a different Whatnot creature. They also sang "You'll see the strangest creatures on The Muppet Show tonight" instead of "It's time to raise the curtain on The Muppet Show tonight."
• A third kickline immediately following the chorus boys' consisted of croaking frogs and clucking chickens, and was punctuated by T.R., who introduced "our leader, Kermit the Frog!"
• A clip of Wayne and Wanda singing "You Made Me Love You" was introduced by Kermit as an example of the show's offerings. Although the pair's act was not featured in either version of the episode (a silent Wanda appeared with Mahna Mahna "At the Dance"), their performance in the theme ended as abruptly as any of their future duets would.
• The female chorus make a cameo appearance performing an extra kickline.
• The joke Fozzie told during the opening theme was different in the pilot. This one, about the panhandler who needed a bite, was told to completion. During this scene, Fozzie is "eyebrowless."
• Juliet sang "It's very nice to be here, I'm pleased to say hello" instead of appearing with the Green Gazelles in the cutaway shot after Kermit introduces her. It was the only singing she recorded for The Muppet Show.

Songs and Sketches

• The most dramatic change made to episode 101 was the addition of the backstage plot involving Muppy and Scooter. "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear" was also the only onstage act to appear in the final version of the episode that was not shot for the pilot.
• Two acts were cut completely from the pilot, Fozzie's monologue and Animal's drum solo. Also cut were Kermit's 'introduction' and a brief exchange between Fozzie, Rowlf, and the bartender in the "Cowboy Time" sketch; a conversation between Hilda and Fozzie; an appearance by Mahna Mahna, who pops out from behind Juliet Prowse to shout his trademark line after Kermit talks to her backstage; and an interstitial with Statler and Waldorf.
• Several sketches, while they remained essentially unchanged in both versions, used different takes from the original shoot, including Juliet's backstage conversation with Kermit, their Talk Spot, and "You and I and George."
• A rare addition between the pilot and broadcast version was a line during the Muppet Glee-Club sketch where the members comment about Kermit's baton-waving.
• Another addition occurs during Kermit's introduction of "Flight of the Bumblebee." Gonzo is seen coming out from the stage's left wings. A similar shot is used in episode 111, in which Gonzo comes out in the wings from stage right.

What a great way to celebrate The Muppet Show's 50th Anniversary. Thanks bun39 and Disney Ashman Demos!

Coming Soon Dinosaurs Geeki Tikis!

Geeki Tikis teased their San Diego Comic Con lineup and among this year's offering is an Earl Sinclair tiki!

The Dinosaurs Earl Sinclair Geeki Tikis mug will retail for $35 and make it's debut at SDCC  before being available on their website and specialty shops.  

What do think of Geeki Tikis' not the mama mug?

General Mills Celebrates 55th Anniversary of Monsters Cereals with Henson Encore!

General Mills is celebrating the 55th anniversary of their monsters cereals with another collaboration with the Jim Henson Company. 

General Mills is pouring a bowl of bewitching fun with the return of the limited-edition Monsters Cereals. This year marks the 55th anniversary of Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry and to celebrate, the iconic cereals are returning with newly designed packaging and the reimagined puppets created by The Jim Henson Company, first introduced last year.

Over the years, the Monsters have become a beloved tradition — from larger-than-life mascots to sought after collectibles — always signaling the start of the haunting Halloween season. This year, super fans can score a limited-edition fuzzy Count Chocula cereal box, designed to replicate the fleece-like texture of the puppets, available exclusively on Walmart.com for $7.76 starting October 1st.

“For 55 years, the Monsters have brought a smile, and a little thrill, to cereal bowls,” said Megan Brooks, Business Unit Director for Family Favorites Cereal at General Mills. “Fans loved Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry reimagined through The Jim Henson Company's creativity last year, so we were excited to team up again to create fresh new packaging designs that celebrate the characters and bring even more Halloween fun to store shelves.”

“Last year, our team from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop had so much fun bringing these beloved Monsters to life as puppets, and we know our fans will enjoy seeing them again this season for more memorable magic,” said Nicole Goldman, Executive Vice President of Branding for The Jim Henson Company. “And new this Halloween, we're giving cereal and Jim Henson Company fans alike the chance to put their creativity to the test by transforming each cereal box into its own Monster puppet.”

The limited-edition collection of Monsters cereals will be available in retailers nationwide later this month.

Muppet Stuff Video: Unboxing "Muppet Christmas Carol" Mystery Pins!

Join me as a unbox Pink ala Mode's exclusive "Muppet Christmas Carol" Mystery Pins. 

This enamel pin blind box collection celebrates the classic Muppet holiday movie! If you're into Disney pin trading, enamel pin collecting, Muppets merchandise, blind box unboxings, or holiday collectibles, this unboxing is for you.

You can order these "Muppet Christmas Carol" Mystery Pins from Pink ala Mode. 

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

Happy 80th Birthday, Dave Goelz!

 Muppet performer Dave Goelz turns 80 years old today!

Celebrate this milestone with some clips of his many memorable characters. 

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A post shared by Muppet Wiki ✪ (@muppetwiki)

Happy Birthday, Dave!