McFarlane Dark Crystal Figures Pushed Back!

Sad news to report. While in the process of setting up booth tours for this year's Toy Fair, I discovered something that WON'T  be seen at this year's show - McFarlane Toys' Dark Crystal figures. 

 

Even though they were announced back in May, according to our source at McFarlane, they have now decided to hold them off until 2019. 

Most likely the change was made to better position the toys alongside the new Netflix series. 

So sadly, it seems we'll just have to wait another year to add these figures to our collections.

Muppet Thought of the Week ft. Miss Piggy!

Miss Piggy really succeeds at giving this week's "Muppet thought of the week!"

Muppets Meet the Classics: Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm!

The Muppets meet their next classic - Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm

Some fairy tales are too silly. Others are too serious. But when the Muppets meet the classics? The stories are just right! Join Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the other Muppets as they bring favorite fairytales to life in their own hilarious way.

Once upon a time, there was a pretty young chicken named Camillarella, who had very heavy shoes and an enchanting Chicken Dance. Or maybe you'd prefer to hear the story of Janice, the pig with braided tresses as yellow as SpongeBob. With all the favorite characters--Kermit, Miss Piggy, and others--these fairy tales give a whole new meaning to the word "classic."

Muppets Meet the Classics: Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm won't be released until October, but you can pre-order your copy now through Amazon. 

First Look: Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Fairies #2!

The latest issue of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Fairies #2 was released last week. 

The issue written and illustrated by Benjamin Schipper (variant cover by Sas Milledge)and  is based on the Danish folktale, “Faerie Hill."

Take a look at the first few pages:

You can get your copy now at your local comic book store and through Amazon. 

Muppet Guys Talking Gets Official Release Date!

Frank Oz and the folks behind Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched have officially announced that their behind the scenes documentary will be available March 16!

The full length feature film starring Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Fran Brill, and Bill Barretta, will be available purchase and download at MuppetGuysTalking.com.

Yes, that means for the time being it will only be available online and not from traditional outlets such as Amazon, Best Buy or Netflix. 

Meet the New Muppet Babies!

This morning, the new CG Muppet Babies series was previewed on Good Morning America.

In the teaser, Baby Kermit introduces us to the newest Muppet on the playground, Summer!

Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive look at the making of the show and the work that went into designing Summer. 

Summer, who is voiced by Jessica DiCicco, is “kind of our art girl,” executive producer Tom Warburton says. “She’s super creative. She loves to draw, she loves to paint, she loves to dance—all at the same time. She’s the smallest of the group, but she definitely has the biggest heart.”

Sorry Rowlf, Scooter and Skeeter fans, but it doesn't look like any other Muppet Babies besides, Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and Animal will be regulars in the new version.

Summer and the rest of the Muppet Babies will be featured in this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly. You can pick up the new issue of the magazine on stands tomorrow or buy it here now. 

The new Muppet Babies will premiere in March on Disney Junior.

Muppet Thought of the Week ft. Animal!

For this Muppet Thought of the Week Animal proves he's is the life of the part-B. what thar's not right...

LEGO Muppeteers!

Ivan Guerrero is back with his fourth LEGO Idea set: The Muppeteers!

Go on a behind-the-scenes look at the Muppets with four of the original puppeteers behind the groundbreaking, television phenomenon known as The Muppet Show! This LEGO set celebrates the art, the music, the comedy and the magic of the Muppeteers, featuring Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz and Jerry Nelson.

This is the fourth set I’ve designed based on Jim Henson and his works. Please make sure to vote on my designs for Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and Labyrinth.

Each Muppeteer includes a mini figure of their most iconic puppet creation, as well as a theater stage backdrop illustrating their expertise.

• Muppet creator Jim Henson comes with a mini Kermit the Frog puppet, a banjo, a Rainbow Connection backdrop, a bicycle (inspired by The Muppet Movie), and a television set with The Muppet Show logo.

• Director Frank Oz comes with a mini Fozzie Bear puppet, a banana, a Manhattan Melodies poster and a television camera. His backdrop is split between a stage curtain and a backstage area, highlighting his career as both a puppeteer and a film director.

• Dave Goelz comes with a Gonzo the Great puppet, a plunger, a cannon and a Muppet chicken. His backdrop features a Muppet Workshop supplies cabinet (based on The Art of the Muppets exhibit), to showcase his early career as a Muppet designer and builder. 

• Musician Jerry Nelson comes with a Floyd Pepper puppet, an electric guitar, a speaker and a microphone. His backdrop features a stage lighting set-up inspired by the Electric Mayhem band, as well as a theater poster featuring popular songs performed by many of his characters.

All that's missing is Richard Hunt, and Louise Gold, and Steve Whitmire. Though, I'm sure he's saving them for wave 2!

Another great job Ivan!

You can vote for the "The Muppeteers" to be an actual LEGO set here, and be sure to vote for his other idea sets at the links above. 

Jim Henson Puppets Coming to Princess Cruises!

As if Splash and Bubbles doesn't keep him busy enough, John Tartaglia has once again teamed up with the Jim Henson Company on a nautical musical adventure. 

From Cruise Critic:

"The Secret Silk," the third Princess Cruises production show in collaboration with award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, will be a contemporary spin on an old Japanese folk tale, featuring life-size puppetry by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. 

The storyline is adapted from the fable "The Grateful Crane," and features Lan, described as a selfless young woman who possesses a magical gift: secretly creating beautiful silk fabrics. The show, created and directed by Tony Award-nominated John Tartaglia, will include an original song called "Sing to the Sky". 

Tartaglia is known for his work as a puppeteer/actor/singer/dancer/voice artist/comedian on Broadway's "Avenue Q," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Shrek The Musical." Schwartz, the creative director, is heralded for acclaimed musicals "Godspell," "Pippin" and "Wicked." The partnership between Princess and Schwartz has already resulted in two original onboard productions, "Magic To Do" and "Born To Dance". 

"Presenting this timeless, ancient fable as the third production in our partnership, through the accomplishments of John's creativity and Stephen's guidance and vision, will no doubt deliver an outstanding entertainment experience for our guests," said Denise Saviss, Princess Cruises vice president of entertainment experience, in a news release.
"The Secret Silk" debuts exclusively on Royal Princess starting in mid-February during its Caribbean season before heading to Island Princess in May 2018 for its Alaska season, and then on to Diamond Princess in fall 2018. 

A fourth Stephen Schwartz production for Princess Cruises will be announced in 2019.

You can watch a teaser for the production below:

Fraggle Rock Turns 35!

35 years ago today the world was introduced to the world of Fraggle Rock. 

Follow me as we look at some of many Fraggle products both past and present. 

Since the show was on HBO, and therefore limited to premium cable subscribers, the first merchandise for show consisted of books and records introducing the world and characters to non-cable homes. 

Plush and figures soon followed.

The Fraggles even got their own Saturday Morning animated series!

As well as a widely popular Happy Meal toys, stamps, and lunch boxes.

Since the series was produced around around the world, there were many other countries fortunate to have Fraggle products. 

Some were mere translations of products available in the US, while others were unique to that country. 

Recently, Fraggle merchandise has had a bit of a renaissance.

Sababa and Nanco release plus in the early - mid 2000's.

The 30th anniversary kicked off with products from Dr.Romanelli, Manhattan Toy plush,  high end Doozers, and beer cozies!

Today, Archaia has released new comics and graphic novels.

Hulu streams a Doozer animated spin-off.

Super Impulse has a line of Fraggle plush (and we hope their other items in the lien are produced well)

Enjoy the Ride has a special color vinyl:

Fraggles can be found in claw machines thanks to The Toy Factory. 

and Funko has a new line of Fraggle pop!

All proof that you can not leave the magic!

Happy 35th Fraggle Rock!