Business Insider Goes Behind The Scenes of Sesame Street!

The folks at Business Insider took a behind the scenes trip to Sesame Street.

Muppet Performers Invade The Great Philadelphia Comic Con!

The Great Philadelphia Comic Con begins this weekend with quite a selection of Henson talent. 

Just look at the amazing people they lined up:

CAROLL SPINNEY WILL BE APPEARING FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

Caroll Spinney is the beloved Muppeteer who has performed as Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird in more than 4,000 Sesame Street episodes. 

Beginning with the show’s very first episode in 1969, Spinney shaped a personality for Jim Henson’s oversized bird puppet.

Spinney’s rich puppetry career began when he was eight years old and put on puppet shows using a secondhand puppet and a stuffed green snake. His interest continued into adulthood, and in 1958 he began his puppetry career on The Judy and Goggle Show. 

Sesame Street television specials have taken Spinney to China, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and he has performed on a number of other shows, including 141 episodes of Hollywood Squares. He has earned four Emmys, two Gold Records, and two Grammy Awards. In 2000, the Library of Congress declared Spinney, as Big Bird, a “Living Legend.”

With J Milligan, he wrote the 2003 book The Wisdom of Big Bird (and the Dark Genius of Oscar the Grouch): Lessons from a Life in Feathers. 

Most recently, Spinney received the Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award from the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences. He is also an accomplished artist and lecturer. 

This year is Caroll’s Farewell Tour, celebrating over 50 years of bringing joy and education to the children in all of us. Be sure to not miss this last chance opportunity to meet him.

HUGH SPIGHT WILL BE APPEARING  FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY.

In 1982 Hugh Spight spent six weeks at Elstree Studios filming in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. But he believes his chance at fame was shot down when his name was misspelled during the credits, renaming him Hugh Spirit.

Spight played several small background roles in the film—a pig-like Gamorean guard and an Elom monster. Originally trained in ballet dancing, Spight made it on to the Star Wars set after he was spotted next door on the set of Muppet-creator Jim Henson’s movie The Dark Crystal.

Mr Spight’s biggest role is as the Gamorrian guard who escorts Han Solo into captivity. He said: “We were on Jabba the Hutt’s barge and in those scenes I was the one who had my hand on the shoulder of Harrison Ford. “We had to take him down to the dungeon.”

Spight also portrayed several roles in Classic Doctor Who, including the iconic black Dalek in the Seventh Doctor story “Remembrance of the Daleks” with Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred.

 

STEVE WHITMIRE WILL BE APPEARING FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

Steve Whitmire is a voice actor and puppeteer best known for his career with The Muppets as Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Statler, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Wembley Fraggle, Bean Bunny, and Sprocket. Since starting on The Muppet Show in 1978, Whitmire has performed in almost every major Henson company project, including all Muppet and Sesame Street related film and television appearances, as well as non-Muppet fare such as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Dinosaurs.

Steve began his Muppet career as Rizzo the Rat, Lips, Foo-Foo, and Fletcher Bird on the original The Muppet Show in 1978. He was skekTek the Scientist in The Dark Crystal, and starred in Fraggle Rock as Wembley Fraggle, Sprocket, Marlon Fraggle, Flange Doozer, Murray the Minstrel, Papa Tree Creature, and Crusty Doozer. In 1986 he originated the role of Bean Bunny, and worked on Labyrinth as The Four Guards (puppetry only), Firey 4 (puppetry only), and Ambrosius (puppetry only). Following the death of Jim Henson in 1990 he inherited the roles of Kermit the Frog and Ernie.

Steve worked on Dinosaurs from 1991 – 1994 as B.P. Richfield (puppetry), Robbie Sinclair (face), Chief Elder (face), Mr. Mason Dixon, Sonny Woody, Blarney, and Judge H.T. Stone (puppetry). Following the death of Richard Hunt and the retirement of Jerry Nelson, Whitmire left the role of Ernie on Sesame Street in 2014 to focus on Kermit for The Muppets television series. Whitmire ended his relationship with The Muppets in July 2017 after an almost 40 year career.

Not only do they have Henson performers, but Henson comic artist, and super fan Jay Fosgitt will be there too!

Jay Fosgitt

Jay P. Fosgitt has drawn for many familiar properties, such as SESAME STREET and DREAMWORKS ANIMATION MAGAZINE (Ape Entertainment), MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE/MICRONAUTS/TRANSFORMERS and POPEYE (IDW), ADVENTURE TIME, THE AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL, and JIM HENSON’S LABYRINTH and THE DARK CRYSTAL(Boom), BETTY AND VERONICA and LITTLE SABRINA (Archie), and ROCKET RACCOON AND GROOT, AVENGERS, GWENPOOL, WEB WARRIORS, CHAMPIONS, DEADPOOL, JESSICA JONES and NOT BRAND ECHH (Marvel). Jay has also written and drawn his creator-owned titles DEAD DUCK AND ZOMBIE CHICK (Source Point Press), NECRONOMICOMICS (Rue Morgue) and BODIE TROLL (Boom). He resides in Plymouth, Michigan with his cat, Goonie.

It's worth noting that this is Steve Whitmire's first con, and part of Caroll's final tour. They will be holding panels and you can get a professional photo taken with both Steve, Caroll, Steve AND Caroll and Hugh!

If you're in the Philadelphia area make sure to come out and see them!

Tickets and info can be found out and using these links. 
You may even see a few familiar fans there there too!

First Look: Fraggle Rock Mini-Series #1!

Archaia is launching a new 4 issue Fraggle Rock miniseries next month. 

The first issue "Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock: Mokey Loses Her Muse" will be available May 9th. 

The Fraggles are back in an all new stand alone adventure illustrated in beautiful watercolor and presented in a format perfect for longtime fans to share with the next generation.

You can check out the first few pages below:

A new issue will be released each month and the entire 4 issue miniseries will be collected November 27th in a hardback book. You can pre-order it now on Amazon. 

Labyrinth Back In Theaters For 3 Nights!

Labyrinth is returning to theaters again for a limited three night run April 29th, May 1 & 2. 

Check out the original trailer as well as a few classic scenes courtesy of Fathom events. 

Tickets for Labyrinth are on sale now at Fathom Events or at participating theater box offices.

First Look: Labyrinth Coronation #3

The third issue of Labyrinth: Coronation hits stores today.

In the issue a young woman journeys deeper into the mysterious Labyrinth and faces trials the likes of which she could never have imagined. Still, she is determined that nothing will stop her from saving her son!

Check out the first few pages below:

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

First Look: Happytime Murders Poster!

We have our first look at the promotion for the long awaited Jim Henson Company film, The Happytime Murders. 

Fandango's Managing Editor ErikDavis attended Cinema Con* this week where he spotted  the first image of the film's poster which he then posted on twitter.

The poster features Melissa McCarthy and Bill Barretta's puppet detective “Phil Phillips," along with the he tagline “Justice isn’t always warm and fuzzy.”
With the film nearing the 100 day out mark we should finally start seeing more promotion for the movie soon. 

*UPDATE:
According to USA TODAY, the movie's trailer "killed" at Cinema Con.

The clearest, laugh-out-loud reaction for a comedy at CinemaCon thus far has been for The Happytime Murders, an unapologetically raunchy puppet movie starring Melissa McCarthy (coming to theaters Aug. 17). 

STX Films chairman Adam Fogelson had a twinkle in his eye when he introduced a "very graphic" first look at the R-rated film directed by Brian Henson, the son of Muppets creator Jim Henson that is more Team America: World Police than The Great Muppet Caper. 

Fogelson said he loved the idea that most Muppets (not Elmo) were very different creatures when not entertaining families.

"You know in your hearts, when Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy go home at night and there are no cameras around and no children, it’s filthy," said Fogelson, calling Happytime Murders "lovable, relate-able, but it's filthy."
The audience at the national convention of theater owners was laughing even before the restricted trailer started to the sounds of Kermit the Frog's innocent Rainbow Song. 

Then the f-bombs hit from McCarthy arguing with her puppet detective partner Phil Phillips.

It's hard to describe the plot details of the murder mystery in a family publication. But it deals with the detective duo trying to find the murderer responsible for killing the stars of a 1980s show called The Happytime Gang. 

At one point, McCarthy's character snorts sugar (a puppet street drug), nearly killing her. She interacts with puppet prostitutes. We see puppet brain kill-shots. The trailer ends with puppet office sex featuring an effect seemingly involving endless cans of Silly String.

"I warned you," Fogelson said as the lights went up.

The crowd loved it and Happytime Murders had more people talking afterward than Disney's sneak peek of Solo: A Star Wars Story earlier in the day.

 We're actually surprised more info hasn't been released through the film's official 

Twitter and Facebook pages, but we'll keep you posted as we reach the movie's release on August 17.

Muppet Stuff's 6th Anniversary!

Can you believe our little blog turns 6 today?

To celebrate, we're going to celebrate with a look at the 6th episode of a few Henson series.

According to the Muppet wiki, Sam and Friends spoofed The Huntley and Brinkley Report in their 1961 6th episode. 

In 1969, Sesame Street aired it's 6th episode featuring Burt Lancaster, Brian Henson, and a block party!

The Muppets Valentine Show was the Muppets' 6th prime time special and introduced Goerge the Janitor and Mildred. 

Depending on production or air date Jim Nabors was arguably The Muppet Show's 6th guest star. 

In 1983, Convincing John made his debut in the 6th episode of Fraggle Rock:

A year later, Baby Gonzo imagined himself as James Bond when he couldn't find his stuffed toy chicken, Camilla in Muppet Babies' 6th episode "The Case of the Missing Chicken."

David Bowie, as Jareth the Goblin King, Magic Danced our way into our hearts in Jim Henson productions' 6th over all theatrical film, Labyrinth. 

The 6th episode of The Jim Henson Hour featured the creature shop inspired special Monster Maker:

Dizzy Gillespie appeared in The Ghost of Faffner Hall's 6th episode "Reacting to Sounds." Sadly, there isn't any video online of his appearance.

Baby Sinclair was though t to be "The Golden Child" in Dinosuars' 6th episode:

City Kids tackled urban blight in their 6th episode, "The Mural."

Dog City's Ace Hart tracked down a broadcasting killer in "Radio Daze."

We have it on good authority that Muppets Tonight's 6th episode was performer Bill Barretta's favorite, as it guest starred Tony Bennet.

The Muppet's 6th theatrical feature Muppets From Space was released in 1999. 

The Electric Mayhem took Kristin Chenoweth for a ride in the 6th episode of The Muppets.

And just this year the new Muppet Babies made a  "Blanket Fort" and played "Playground Pirates" in their 6th episode.

Lots of cool things happen at 6. Here's to 6 wonder years ha ha ha!

Muppet Thought of the Week - Kermit the Frog Up Close!

Get up close with Kermit's Muppet Thought of the Week!

The Jim Henson Retrospectacle Takes New Zealand!

There a special event happening right now for those able to get to New Zealand. The Jim Henson Retrospectacle, a 3 week Jim Henson extravaganza, began last week and we're now beginning to see some news makes it way to the states.

If your unfamiliar, The Jim Henson Retrospectacle is sort of like all the Henson appearances and live events we've been lucky to have here in the US over the last few years all rolled into one.

Yesterday, Bret McKenzie hosted a panel featuring Ernie and Kermit.This is not only extremely rare because the Muppets and Sesame characters are not owned by the same companies anymore, but that both characters used to be performed by the same person - specifically Jim Henson then Steve Whitmire, which would have made a live appearance like this extremely difficult. 

You can watch the entire panel below: 

Make sure to check out their website, and if you can make a trip to New Zealand wile the festival is running, do. 

It's great that there is such a full fledged effort to bring the characters and their performers to audiences around the world.

And while most of us won't be able to make any of the events in the series, we can all live vicariously through the reports and videos that are starting to surface.Friday and Saturday night is the full "Jim Henson Retrospectacle Live in Concert" featuring Bret McKenzie, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and characters from The Muppets, Sesame Street,and Fraggle Rock.

Which seems like it will be similar to 2012's "Jim Henson's Musical World at Carnegie Hall."We'll be sure to share any videos that surface of the shows. 

Pre-order The Castle of the Skeksis!

Hot off their Chamberlain, worm, and Emperor's septer. Chronicle Collectibles now has The Dark Crystal's Castle of the Skeksis up for pre-order. 

• Limited Edition
• Officially licensed
• Made from a 3-D scan of the original prop in cooperation with The Jim Henson Company
• Features detailed base with The Dark Crystal relief plaque
• Measures approximately 18" high by 8" wide
• Crafted in polyresin
• Priced at $249 and eligible for 3 and 6 month no-interest payment plans

You can pre-order the castle today at chroniclecollectibles.com

Sesame Street Skateboards!

Australian skate company Globe has teamed up with the Sesame Street Yellow Feather Fund and released a set of Sesame Street skate boards.

Show your support of something that affects us all, our youth and their education. Globe has proudly teamed up with the Sesame Street Yellow Feather Fund, which provides early education to millions of kids in need. Globe has created a series of decks with beloved Sesame Street characters to bring awareness to the growing fund.

There are six skate decks in all including Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie, and Count Von Count. Elmo's cruiser is smaller then the rest and comes complete, as does Big Bird's longboard.

Each board is made of hard Maple wood and feature a “Resin-7 construction with a full concave, holographic prism foil with transparent and pearlescent ink details." 

The top of each desk also features a yellow feather.

Apparently these sold out quickly in Globe's home country of Australia. 

Luckily, they still seem to be available here in the states at mall skate shop Zumiez.