"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.

The Muppets, Sesame Street, and More Joining First-Ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show!

Not only is Sesame Street collaborating with Fox Sports on the FIFA World Cup coverage, but  they will join The Muppets, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS at the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show.

The halftime show is curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who has a long history of working with The Jim Henson Company. The Henson Creature Shop created "The Weirdo's" band that  appeared on tour with Martin's band Coldplay for the last few years. 

In the announcement video, Martin is joined by Elmo, Cookie Monster, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, and more to brainstorm acts for the show. 

Sesame Street Muppets will also help Fox Sports cover the World Cup. The Count will have a statistics segment and Oscar the Grouch will host “Trash Talk.” Grover will be featured in a segment about how a World Cup match is called on TV. Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird will also appear.

Here is the official video announcing The Muppets and the Sesame Street gang joining Chris Martin, BTS, Madonna, and Shakira for the first ever World Cup Half-Time Show to support Global Citizen children's education initiatives!

Martin said the show is “a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are.”

More info on Global Citizen here. 

The World Cup kicks off on June 11 and the final / half time show will be held at the New York / New Jersey Stadium (AKA Giants Stadium) on July 19, 2026.

Sesame Street Teams With Fox Sports For FIFA Coverage!

Sesame Street announced their collaboration with Fox Sports this week to promote the FIFA World Cup.

The collaboration began Tuesday, marking 30 till the games begin, with social media clips and will eventually see the Sesame Street characters integrated into Fox Sports’ World Cup programming with special content segments throughout the summer leading up to and through the final game.

Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird are among the characters set to appear.

The segments will include “The Count Down” with Count von Count analyzing statistics from the tournament, “Trash Talk” with Oscar the Grouch offering a satirical highlight round-up, and “Broadcaster Bootcamp” that allows Grover to learn from Fox Sports personalities about the nuances of broadcasting a game.

The 2026 World Cup takes place in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Spanning 140 tournament matches, runing June 11-July 19. 

FØØD by Swedish Chef Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Walt Disney World announced FØØD by Swedish Chef, a new Muppet eatery will open in the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets courtyard at Hollywood Studios!

FØØD will take over the former KRNR The Rock Station snack stand just outside the rides exit and joins other Muppet restaurant, Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue in EPCOT, and the now closed PizzeRizzo. 

The above photo teased above show's a red churro covered in orange and yellow sprinkles. No other menu options have been reveled yet.  

FØØD by Swedish Chef opens May 26, the same day Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.