Hallmark's 2017 The Muppet Christmas Carol Ornament!

With the release of their first wave of 2017 ornaments next month, Hallmark released new images of their ornaments. 

As we previously reported, instead of continuing with The Muppets in their "Muppet Show" settings/costumes, this year Hallmark decided to honor the 25th anniversary of The Muppet Christmas Carol.

The ornament features Kermit and Robin as Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim singing "Christmas Scat" from the film's soundtrack.

"Celebrate 25 years of The Muppet Christmas Carol with this Christmas ornament that features Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and his nephew Robin as Tiny Tim Cratchit. Movie collectors will cherish this Hallmark Keepsake Ornament that plays audio clips from the heartwarming holiday movie of a miser's redemption on Christmas Eve."

No word yet though on whether Hallmark will continue with Muppet Christmas Carol ornaments or return to The Muppet Show.

The 2.95" W x 4.6" H x 2.2" D ornament will be available July 15th and cost $19.95.

Head over to Hallmark's website for more information and to hear the slightly different version (less echo?)  of "Christmas Scat" the ornament will play. 

Happy Birthday, Bill Barretta!

Happy Birthday to Muppet performer extraordinaire Bill Barretta!

Bobo The Bear, one of Bill's signature characters made his debut in 1996 on Muppets Tonight. Since then Bobo has appeared in almost every major Muppet production. 

To celebrate Bill's birthday, check out some of these great Bobo the Bear clips!

Happy Birthday, Bob McGrath!

Today is legendary Sesame Street resident Bob McGrath's 85th birthday!

Although not seen on the street these days, he was a staple on the show for over 46 years. 

Help us celebrate "Bobu's" time on on the street with these classic clips!

Happy Birthday, Bob!

Have a favorite Bob, moment? Please share them in the comments!

New Henson Exhibit Pops Up!

A pop-up Henson exhibit is currently making its way through Mississippi! Our friend and puppeteer David Stephens is there now and gives us the scoop!

 

Hattiesburg, MS has an annual event called Festival South. This year, they are spotlighting famous Mississippians, Jim Henson being one of those. The festival coordinators worked with the Henson Company and Henson Legacy to create a traveling mobile exhibit which travels to various locations during the three week festival. I was hired to perform my shows, give a reading of Brad Meltzer's "I am Jim Henson" and Jeff Domke, Education Outreach Coordinator for the Center for Puppetry Arts was hired to teach puppet workshops for children during the festival to tie into the Henson theme. The panels will hopefully travel to other points of interest in Mississippi once Festival South concludes.

Since most of us won't be able to get to Mississippi to see the exhibit in person, David sent these pictures of the event. Be sure to click on the images to see a larger version. It's like virtually being there!

  

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

  
 

 

Our thanks to David for the photos and info. We'll be on the lookout for more info as the festival continues.

First Packaging Look at Diamond Select Toys Muppet Action Figures Series 3!

They may have been delayed, but we now have our first look at wave 3 of Diamond Select Toys Muppet action figures.

Rowlf, Crazy Harry, and Mahna Mahna will come with a piano, sheet music,candelabra, music stand,microphone, and a very yellowed (aged?) bust of Beethoven.

Floyd and Janice will come with a guitar, bass, music stands, harmonica, tambourine, speakers, and an easel. Janice's hat will be removable and may also come with sheet music.

Miss Piggy, Foo-Foo, and Penguin (not Gloria Estefan) will come with a mirror, magazines, Piggy's walk of fame star, Foo-Foo's leash and bowl, and framed photo of Kermit. This is the first time we've seen the Kermit image used for Piggy's frame.

We hear these will be available in late June/early July, though Amazon says end of July.

You can preorder them now though Amazon, directly through Diamond Select Toys, and at your local comic shop.

The Jim Henson Company Selects ChizComm Ltd. to Help Expand Online Presence!

The Jim Henson Company has partnered with ChizComm Ltd. to help expand their online presence. The full press release provided by ChizComm Ltd. is below. 

Legendary Entertainment Company Brings on Partner to Further Digital and Social Media Footprint

TORONTO, May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/- ChizComm Ltd. (www.chizcomm.com) is now an agency partner to The Jim Henson Company, American entertainment company and innovative leader in the entertainment space for over 60 years.

Adding to their roster of lifestyle, toys and children's entertainment clients, ChizComm is eager to combine the beloved and ever-growing fan base of The Jim Henson Company with the expertise of their team. Building on Henson's digital and social media marketing, ChizComm will aid in the planning and execution of these initiatives with popular brands such as Dot., Word Party, Splash and Bubbles, and Fraggle Rock.

"We are honored to represent The Jim Henson Company and to further expand our roster in the entertainment space," said Harold Chizick, President and CEO, ChizComm Ltd. "We are confident this partnership will bring both ChizComm Ltd. and The Jim Henson Company to new and undiscovered heights."

"The Jim Henson Company and ChizComm Ltd. are a wonderful fit," said Nicole Goldman, Executive VP of Marketing/PR and Education Initiatives, The Jim Henson Company. "Their unique strategies and innovative marketing methods will be key to expanding our online presence and reaching key markets."

About ChizComm Ltd.: ChizComm is a highly regarded leading marketing communications agency that continuously brings innovative, creative, BIG ideas to companies covering a wide range of fields – such as health and wellness, lifestyle and toys. ChizComm's strong work ethic, industry expertise and successful marketing and communications efforts have made them the agency of choice amongst notable international brands. With a solid background in PR, digital marketing, social media, promotions, events and product launches, ChizComm's boisterous, creative approach allows them to share the fun with partners and clients while developing break-frame marketing communication strategies that drive growth and some noise.

About The Jim Henson Company:The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include Julie's Greenroom (Netflix), Dot. (Sprout/Hulu), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Word Party (Netflix), Doozers (Hulu/Sprout), and the Emmy®-nominated Sid the Science Kid (PBS), Dinosaur Train (PBS), and Pajanimals (Sprout). Television productions include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller and the sci-fi cult series Farscape.   Features include Disney's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and Jim Henson'sTurkey Hollow.

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character- building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of- the-art and vintage equipment. The Company's Henson Alternative brand is currently touring Puppet-Up! – Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show.

http://www.henson.com
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www.twitter.com/hensoncompany

©2017 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

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