Monday, November 28, 2016

Zen Monkey Pins!

Happy Cyber Monday everyone!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday, survived all your family drama, Black Friday stampedes, and tryptophan induced food comas.

If you've been sticking to online shopping to fulfill your gift needs, I have the perfect place to find hidden treasures for the Henson fan in your life - Zen Monkey Studios!



We already told you about their great Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth and Dark Crystal apparel, and now they have a new line of Henson pins!

In addition to the already available Worm, their Labyrinth collection now includes Jareth holding a crystal ball:








Their Dark Crystal line has also been expanded from Jen and Kira (with Fizzig) to include:
Fizzgig's own pin:


as well as Aughra:

Zen Monkey also has a Limited Edition set of holiday themed Fraggle Rock pins:

As part of their black Friday - Cyber Monday sale, you can get the Fraggle Rock pin set free with your purchase of $50 or more! 


You can find all these and more over at the links above and at Zen Monkey Studios!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History - Coming Next Year!

Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History is the definitive collection of rare artwork, interviews, and on-set photos from the beloved Jim Henson fantasy classic.

A true masterpiece brought to life by the ingenious puppetry and peerless storytelling of Jim Henson, Dark Crystal is revered by an entire generation of fans. For the first time, this deluxe and highly comprehensive book tells the complete story of this deeply personal Henson project, highlighting the unique creative journey and groundbreaking techniques that brought the film to the screen. Drawing from unseen archive interviews with Jim Henson and new interviews with the film’s behind-the-scenes creative team, Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History leaves no stone unturned in chronicling the entire production, from the initial concept based on themes close to Henson’s heart to the ingenious conceptual design, puppet construction, and logistics of the shoot itself. 
The book also delves into the wider world of Dark Crystal, exploring the creation of comics, novels, and other official projects inspired by the film.
This deluxe coffee-table book contains an in-depth look at the day-to-day production of the film and showcases a huge range of incredible visuals, including candid set photography, previously unseen concept art, storyboards, production notes, and more. The book also features a plethora of amazing removable items, such as script pages, notes and sketches from Henson, and other unique treasures. Definitive, enthralling, and revelatory, Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History is the last word on an enduring modern classic and the book that fans of the film have been waiting for.
Check out a few sample pages:








You can pre-order it now from Amazon or anywhere else books are sold.

Friday, November 25, 2016

RIP Florence Henderson (1934 - 2016)

The sad news of 2016 celebrity deaths has hit another Muppet guest!


While Florence Henderson was guest a on the very first season of The Muppet Show, she is probably best known for her role as Carol Bardy on The Brady Bunch.
Up until her death, Henderson was hosting a talk show, "The Florence Henderson Show," and a cooking show, "Who's Cooking With Florence Henderson," on Retirement Living TV. 

According Henderson's manager, the actress died of heart failure surrounded by family and friends in Los Angeles.

A highlight of her time on The Muppet Show is singing /"Happy Together" with the Muppet monsters:


The full episode is available on The Muppet Show: Season 1, and can bee seen below as well. 



RIP Florence Henderson. One of the all time great TV moms. 

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Medicom Sesame Street Figures Coming 2017!

Medicom has a line of Sesame Street Figures coming next year.  











The sculpts looks great though unfortunately these aren't action figures. They're scheduled to be released next summer.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Boom! To Release ‘Dark Crystal’ Sequel!

Boom! studios announced Monday that the long delayed Dark Crystal sequel, will finally see the light of day - as a 12-issue comic!


The Power of the Dark Crystal will be based on the movie's unproduced screenplay and will pick up years after the events of the first film.

Jen and Kira are now an out-of-touch king and queen and face a new threat from one of the crystal shards. The story will also introduce a new character, named Thurma.

According to the official synopsis, “Thurma is a young Fireling tasked with stealing a shard of the Dark Crystal to restore power to her realm. Along the way she’ll befriend the young Gelfling Kensho,who  accidentally brings back the Skeksis and Mystics, and embark on one incredible adventure.”

As many of are well aware, the sequel’s production has been in development hell for decades. While Jim Henson was still alive, he wrote down some ideas for a sequel.

In 2005, the Henson Company officially announced the sequel, but it has been put on hiatus numerous times since.

Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory and Hotel Transylvania) and Australian filmmaker Shane Abbess were once attached the film. Abbess has been one of the few who’s gone on record about his problems with the production, in a Guardian interview he believed the producers didn’t care about Henson’s intentions for the sequel.

“When I quit The Dark Crystal it was because I’d fallen in love with Jim’s handwritten notes on what his sequel idea was,” he said. “All I wanted to do, for the fans and myself, was shoot his version of the film. But nobody gave a shit about what Jim Henson wanted.”

While The Dark Crystal has since became a cult hit since its 1982 release, at the time, it garnered a mixed response from critics. There are many reason why the movie didn't get made, but  the Henson company wanted to make sure the story got out to the public in some form.

“The creativity that went into writing and designing the feature film was such that we wanted our fans to be able to see and enjoy it now through this comic book series,” said Lisa Henson, President, and CEO of the Jim Henson Company. “We are very proud of the story that the screenwriters David Odell, Annette Odell, and Craig Pearce wrote. Our partners at Archaia and BOOM! Studios are the only people we could trust to expand and illustrate the story, and we are thrilled that it will soon see the light of day!”

British writer Simon Spurrier, known for Cry Havoc and X-Force storylines will be adapting the script, which was written by David Odell (who wrote the original film) along with Annette Odell, and Craig Pearce.

The first issue of The Power of the Dark Crystal will be released in comic stores and 
digitally Feb. 15, 2017, for the film’s 25th anniversary.

Who knows, like Turkey Hollow, this may spur interest in getting the film made again. 

Friday, November 18, 2016

PizzeRizzo Open For Business!

PizzeRizzo, the new Muppet themed restaurant, is now open in The Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.


The Disney Parks Blog released the first ever images of the interior today:






UPDATE:
Inside the magic was at the opening today and took these additional photos:

Ordering ques:

Specials board:

Menu:

Wall of Al Hirschfeld inspired Muppet caricatures:




You can check out the menu and exterior transformation here.

The Muppets 2017 Wall Calendar By Hallmark!

Not to be left out of the Muppet calendar market, Hallmark has a new Muppet calendar for 2017 as well.


It's available now from Hallmark.com in regular and mini sizes!

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Muppets 2017 Wall Calendar by Danilo!

Danilo also has a new 2017 Muppet calendar for UK fans.



This year they'e using stock photos over blurred backgrounds, giving them some nice depth and contrast. 

It's also an Instagram parody as the Muppets leave comments on the image. These small touches give the images more life then we've seen in the past.


It seems Danili also decided to use a much less used image for August, which is nice to see as well.


Danilo's 2017 Muppet calendar is now available in the UK and from third party Amazon sellers. 

Monday, November 14, 2016

Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas Coming to HBO!

We heard word that Sesame Street was in producing a new Christmas special, and now we have the proof!



HBO, as the current home for all new episodes of Sesame Streetwill premiere Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas at 7pm on November 25th!
And as is the case with all of HBO's shows, it will be rebroadcast many times over the next month, as well as streaming on HBO Go.

For those who don’t have HBO, it will be available for free during a two-week window, Dec. 12–26, via participating affiliates.

From the official Press release:
ONCE UPON A SESAME CHRISTMAS opens with the lyrical number “Holiday Lights,” a musical glimpse into the homes of Sesame Street families celebrating winter holidays, and unfolds into a fanciful bedtime story that brings the past alive. After a day of holiday fun, while being tucked into bed on Christmas Eve, Elmo asks, “Why do we leave cookies out for Santa?”
As his father spins a tale about a dreary Sesame Street of yesteryear, a place so unfriendly not even Santa Claus would visit, viewers are transported to a period-perfect 19th-century city neighborhood, with characters in authentic hand-sewn costumes, but marked by unkindness and a serious lack of holiday spirit. Luckily, Elmo’s great-great-great-grandmonster moves into the neighborhood with the best of intentions and endless good will, gradually winning over the unhappy citizens and bringing kindness and cheer to Sesame Street once and for all.”
Guest stars include Zosia Mamet (HBO’s “Girls”); Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (HBO’s “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”); and Jim Gaffigan (“The Jim Gaffigan Show”).

Take peek at the special below:

Remember to set your DVR's for Once Upon A Sesame Street Christmas 7pm, November 25th on HBO.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Jim Henson's Labyrinth Artist Tribute Now Available!

Archaia's new Jim Henson's Labyrinth Artist Tribute is now available!

About the book:
In the thirty years since its original release in 1986, Jim Henson’s timeless fantasy film Labyrinth has captured the minds and imaginations of authors, artists, filmmakers, and fans across the world. In honor of the film’s 30th anniversary, return to the world of Labyrinth and see the beloved characters, imaginative locations, and unforgettable moments as realized by a collection of uniquely original artistic voices in an unprecedented celebration of the cult classic thirty years in the making.

Artist illustrations and testimonials include: Mike Allred, Joëlle Jones, David Mack, Rebekah Isaacs, Eric Powell, Gustavo Duarte, Jill Thompson, Mark Buckingham, Tula Lotay, Faith Erin Hicks, Ramón Perez, Dustin Nguyen, Mike Huddleston, Jeff Stokely, and many more!
Check out these amazing sample pages:











You can order your copy now from Amazon!