Happy Birthday Fran Brill!

Be sure to check out this great video of Fran from the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, "Jim Henson's Fantastic World". 

Jim Henson’s Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow Available October 1st!

Check out this 6-page look at Archaia's "Jim Henson’s Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow" which is in stores tomorrow. Holy Moley indeed!

You can preorder your copy from Amazon.

Never Made Muppets - Gonzo and Animal Ty plush!

We're back today with another installment in our series of "Never Made Muppets."

At the 2013 D23 convention, Disney displayed an Animal and Gonzo plush. 

These were supposedly to be released by Ty as part of their Beanie Buddies line after Kermit.

However, since being initially shown the representatives at Ty I spoke with not only did not have a time frame for a release, but stated they didn't even these plush existed at all! We're still hoping these will be released at some point, but it's not looking good. 

You can contact Ty here and let them know you're interested in adding these buddies to their offerings!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Kermit!

Those of us that grew up in 80's/90's will never forget the infamous "Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia" pet commercials. Since then the terracotta planter has featured many characters in which to grow chia-hair. From Hello Kitty to Kung Fu Panda, political figures to Ninja Turtles many favorite brads have been Chia-fied. Now finally our favorite frog is getting his "do"! 

Just add sunglasses and this is the long awaited bust of one of Kermit's alter egos from The Muppets Take Manhattan!

You can Ch-Ch-Ch-charge your credit / debit card for one here.

Constantine: The Disney Parks Blog Interviewer!

Remember when Constantine showed up at Walt Disney World as part of the Villains Unleashed event? 

Well he's back, and taking with Disney Parks' John Graham about the recent home video release of Muppets Most Wanted and his trip.

Throwback Thursday: "Jim Henson: From Puppets to Muppets"!

For today's Throwback Thursday we look at "Jim Henson: From Puppets to Muppets" by Geraldine Woods, the first of many biographies of Jim Henson.

At a scant 52 pages it was an easy way for children to learn about the man who created The Muppets. You now, before the the internet made knowing every detail about everything at our fingertips at all times. 

I first came across this book at my elementary school's library where, after searching the card catalog (hey kids remember those?) this was the single book on Jim Henson. 

While this book may be out of print, it can still be found very reasonably priced from amazon. 

Happy Birthday Steve Whitmire!

Today also marks Steve Whitmire's 55th birthday!

Bean, Steve's second major character (third of you count Lips), made his debut in The Tale of The Bunny Picnic, then merged into the full Muppet family with The Jim Henson Hour. There Steve was able to play against Bean's cute image as Beanbo!

Jim Henson Mini Biography!

Happy Birthday Jim Henson!

Be sure to check out this great mini documentary Biography.com put together!

Statler and Waldorf: "Grumpy/Grumpier UK socks!

Statler and Waldorf are featured on a new pair of socks available in the UK. 

The socks made by Mark & Spencer feature Waldorf saying "You're Grumpy..."

with Statler replying "I'm Grumpier."

Grammatically shouldn't it be "You're grumpy, You're grumpier.", or "I'm grumpy, I''m grumpier." ?  

Let us know your thoughts as the grumpy/grumpier sock debate begins!

Cook as Kermit!

Does your cooking leave people feeling blue? How about using this Kernit apron to transform yourself in our amphibian friend and turn them green with envy instead!

 You can order yours up here.

Never Made Muppets - Muppet Show Season 4 DVD!

Yesterday we showed the lone item made for Little Muppet Monsters,  though it could have been worse and never made at all. Many items don't make it past the planning, prototype, or manufacturing stages. Some are ready to be sold, announced to the public , then never see the light of day for a variety of reasons.

That leads us to a new series we're calling "Never Made Muppets" where we look at items that were announced, previewed or many just been ideas, but for one reason or another have not been released. 

Let's begin with the grand daddy of all announced items that have yet to see the light of day: The Muppet Show - Season 4 on DVD!

After the first three season of The Muppet Show were released in 2005, 2007, and 2008 respectively fans were eager to get the next two seasons to finish off their collections. 

There was no official word on season 4 until the first D23 Expo in 2009. Disney Consumer Products released temp cover art, with Gonzo used over the season 2 box, to illustrate what the upcoming set would potentially look like.

After that radio silence on the subject from any official channels until 2001. At which time Walter pleaded with Disney to release the set during promotion for The Muppets.

Our friends at The Muppet Mindset wrote an open letter to Disney in 2012, and yet here it is, 2014. five years since it was first announce, four years since it was originally to be released 

and and three years since a Muppet asked for it in an official Disney promotional material!

Numerous fans have started petitions pleading Disney to release the two remaining seasons including Change.org, and Facebook.

You can contact Disney directly at http://www.disneystudioshelp.com/Contact_Us.html to let them know how much you still want it!

Here's hoping another year won't come and go with out it!

Have you heard about an item and longed to purchase it, only for it to never be made? Would you like to write an article about it? Email us and we'll publish it on the blog!*

*We retain the right to edit all submissions. 

Throwback Thursday: Little Muppet Monsters Puzzle!

Sesame Street may have just started it's 45 season, but 29 years ago Little Muppet Monsters, the shortest lived of all Muppet series, made it's debut on CBS. 

13 episodes were produced, but only 3 aired. A large merchandise campaign was planed for the following fall of 1986, but since the show was cancelled so soon only one item was actually released. 

That item was this lone Little Muppet Monsters by Playskool. The wood puzzle features the character Boo illustrated by Muppet Show comic strip artist Guy Gilchrist. 

Check out the opening theme of the show (restored by our pal Garret Gilchrist). If the tune sounds families it's because the music  was later used as the end theme music for Muppet Babies.

Other then the theme music, Little Muppet Monsters may have gotten it's most exposure during this shout out by Big Bird during The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (skip to the 5:41 mark) which aired 3 months AFTER the series had already been cancelled. 

The great twist of why Little Muppet Monsters was cancelled is that it wasn't a corporate 

decision based on ratings or advertisers, but that Jim Henson himself was not satisfied with the finished product. Jim especially disliked the mixing of the animated segments with the live action puppets and asked CBS not to air the additional 10 mostly finished episodes. 

This once again proved his high standards for his work and the clout and respect he earned on the industry. 

Happy 29th Birthday Tug, Boo, and Molly!

Miss Piggy Head Bank!

You can bank on a new Miss Piggy "money box" in the UK.

It's a tad creepy seeing Miss Piggy decapitated, but they did a great job turning the original 2D stock art into three dimensional sculpted ceramic.

Below is the original concept art, which you may recognize from other items including magnets and coasters. 

It's on back order at Forbidden Planet, but hopefully more are on the way!

Muppet Name-faced hats!

Two new Muppet hats have surfaced online. Each are made by Concept One and feature the face Kermit or Animal inside their name.

The bottom of the lid features their face over an animal print background. Kermit over a green leopard print and Animal is over a zebra print.

"Alexander" Soundtrack and Movie News!

Did you know The Jim Henson Company and Disney teamed up and have a movie coming out in less then a month?

Did you also know it's soundtrack is scored by Christophe Beck?

Well it's true! And based on the image above you've probably already guessed it's called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and the fact that there's no Muppets, Fraggles, 6 foot tall yellow birds, or creatures of any kind may be why there hasn't been any real excitement or buzz from Henson fans. 

The six-song Alexander Soundtrack is available for Pre-Order now and includes the score suite by Christophe Beck and an original an end-credit song from The Vamps 
entitled “Hurricane.”

The Vamps also filmed a music video for the song that features a cameo by Disney star Bella Thorne, who appears in the film.

According to Disney "Dylan Minnette, who plays big brother Anthony in the film, co-wrote the song “Surf Surf Don’t Drown,” which is performed by Minnette’s band, The Narwhals, and also appears in the film. The other cast member who provides a song for the soundtrack is Kerris Dorsey, who portrays big sister Emily. She wrote and performed the song “Best Worst Day Ever” along with her sister Justine Dorsey."

Below is the full track list:

Maybe if fans of Judith Viorst's classic 1972 novel are eagerly anticipating Alexander, 
camping out in line at theaters, and rushing to download the soundtrack, we'll see more collaborations between Henson and Disney again soon. Hopefully including some with professional doll wigglers!

We'll find out if it's a good day for the collaboration or a "Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" when the film hits theaters October 10, 

The Muppets Got Talent!

The Muppets were all over America's Got Talent Wednesday night!

Our friends at ToughPigs complied all the clips for our intent watching pleasure! 

Expanded Role for Henson VP and New Executive Director of International Consumer Products Named!

Many US fans wonder why there's so much merchandise released in the UK. Well after yesterday's announcement  it looks like there's going to be even more!

From Animation Magazine:

Richard Goldsmith

International growth at The Jim Henson Company has led to an expanded role for Richard Goldsmith, recently appointed as executive VP of global distribution and international consumer products, adding the company’s international consumer products business to his distribution responsibilities. Supporting Goldsmith in the development and management of international consumer products programs is former Walt Disney Company executive Francesca Stobbe, who joins The Jim Henson Company in the role of executive director of international consumer products.

Source: Animation Magazine

Sesame makes surprise Tonight Show Appearance!

Last night the cast of Sesame Street made a surprise appearance on The Tonight Show sharing tweets viewers sent with the #WhenIWasAKid.

Check out all the found memories in the clip below!

Archaia to Publish Henson Novelization Box Set!

Our Friends at ToughPigs got an exclusive look at Archaia's upcoming Jim Henson Novelization Box Set. 

The set will include the recently released Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and Storyteller novelizations.


More info and a look at the slipcase cane be found over at  ToughPigs.

Kermit UK Car Seat Covers!

Ever want to go on a road with Kermit? Disney has released a set of Kermit car seat covers in the UK that will let you do just that! Not sure if he'll help you drive in the HOV lanes though, though you can always bear left, right frog?

Kermit Lemon Bonbons!

Weather you're looking to freshen your breath or simply looking for a treat, Kalfany 
has released a tin of Kermit Lemon Bonbons in UK.

Each candy is sure to leave you Hip, Hop and Happy!

W-ORD Channel 7 News With John Oliver & Cookie Monster!

One of the great videos circulating around the web last week was this collaboration between Mashable and Sesame Workshop. If you haven't seen it yet, give yourself 5 minutes.

Be sure to check out the outtake reel they put together as well.

New Fathead Muppet Wall Graphics!

Fathead released a new assortment of Muppet wall decorations featuring some "classic" stock images along with a few newer images as well. 

Among the set that includes classic stock photos of "pot smoking Chef", "flat head Kermit" and "stinky Fozzie" you'll get new images of "running up the credit card Piggy", "Business exec Rizzo", and a truly awesome shot of Janice with her guitar sitting on an amp. 

The set runs: $99 and includes 14 characters. 

Waldorf & Statler: 17" W x 28" H, Camilla: 10" W x 7" H, Fozzie Bear: 16" W x 28" H, Animal: 25" W x 22" H, Janice: 17" W x 27" H, Kermit the Frog: 8" W x 23" H, Beaker: 15" W x 31" H, Miss Piggy: 17" W x 27" H, Rizzo: 5" W x 9" H, Swedish Chef: 15" W x 28" H, Gonzo: 18" W x 19.5" H, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew: 15" W x 23" H, Pepe the King Prawn: 6" W x 12" H

This new assortment is actually a MUCH better deal then Fathead's previous Muppet offering from 2012 which featured smaller, illustrated versions of only 10 characters.

Kermit the Frog (2'2"W x 1'10"H), Miss Piggy (1'W x 2'6"H), Fozzie Bear (1'10"W x 2'7"H), Beaker (1'4"W x 2'11"H), Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (1'4"W x 1'11"H), Swedish Chef (2'1"W x 3'H), Pepe the King Prawn (10"W x 1'3"H), Rizzo (10"W x 1'2"H), Gonzo (1'10"W x 1'1"H), Animal ( 1'11"W x 2'5"H)

You can purchase the stock photo or illustrated versions from Fathead's website. Both of which ship worldwide!

R.I.P. Joan Rivers!

Sadly the world has lost another legendary comedian as Joan Rivers had died after complications from throat surgery.

Known for her sharp wit, Rivers appeared with the Muppets a few times over the last 30 years. From her cameo in 1984's The Muppets Take Manhattan through appearances on QVC this year, check out the many faces (pun intended) Joan brought to life with our fuzzy friends. 

(Skip to the 2:09 mark)

You can read more about Joan Rivers at the Muppet Wiki.