RIP Valerie Harper (1939 - 2019)

End. Begin. All the same. Just as the brand new Dark Crystal series begins, we learned that one of first guests on The Muppet Show has died. 

Valerie Harper, best known to non-Muppet fans as Rhoda Morgenstern, best friend of Mary Richards in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff, Rhoda has died.

Harper won 4 Emmys as Rhoda and she famously starred in the NBC series Valerie. She was fired from the show for asking the network and production company Lorimar, for a pay raise after the hit show's second second. 

If Valerie doesn't sound familiar, It may because after she was fired, her character was killed off, and Sandy Duncan was brought in to raise her TV sons including Jason Bateman. The show was later renamed Valerie's Family then the more recognizable The Hogan Family. 

A year after she was fired, Harper successfully sued Lorimar for wrongful termination and won $1.4 million and a share of the series' profits.

In 2009, Harper successfully fought lung cancer then was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2013 and  given just three months to live. She beat the odds and after her treatments appeared on Dancing With the Stars and Hot in Cleveland. 

We'll always remember her for guest starring on the first season of The Muppet Show.

Even Statler and Waldrorf flipped for her:

Muppet fans know that audiences around the world saw The Muppet Show a little different than in the US. Below is an example of the different credit sequences the UK and US versions.

Valerie Harper was 80 years old. 

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Reviews!

Today's the day! The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is now streaming on Netflix. 

Find out what critics are saying about the prequel.

Beth Elderkin, Gizmodo: "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Is the Groundbreaking Fantasy Epic We've Been Waiting For"

"Age of Resistance is a treasure, one that starts strong and grows even stronger.... This is a story unfolding like a book, each episode bringing me further into a beautiful and thoughtful place where talent can be seen, stories can be appreciated, and legends are born."

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter:

"Augmented by some new digital technology, but still executed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is visually breathtaking — building on the wonderment of the movie, not bettering it — and when it comes to story and character, it's in all ways a smarter, funnier and more narratively thrilling enterprise. Whether you're watching for fulfilled nostalgia or current pleasure, this is a whimsical, fun and entertaining series." 
Samuel R. Murrian, Parade: 

"A prequel to the cult-classic feature film animated with puppets, Netflix’s sprawling The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance series expands and improves upon its predecessor. This is a high-fantasy masterclass that’s richer and more satisfying than we could have anticipated, an experiment on a grand scale that paid off,"
Matt Fagerholm, RogerEbert.com:

"The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is, quite simply, one of the all-time great fantasy epics, as well as the masterwork of puppetry most closely aligned with Jim Henson’s humanistic philosophy since his son Brian helmed 1992’s holiday perennial, The Muppet Christmas Carol."

Erik Kain, Forbes:

"Whether or not you think you need a ten-episode epic fantasy about puppets in a magical land called Thra, ruled over by evil bird-monsters called Skeksis, I think you should give The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance a try. It's one of my favorite Netflix Originals so far, ranking way up there with Altered Carbon, GLOW, Mindhunter and Stranger Things. It never would have happened if not for Netflix, and I'm hoping that Netflix realizes this and orders another season... one of the best modern fantasies ever made for the small screen."

Richard Trenholm, cnet:

"Netflix introduces gorgeous puppets bringing to life a thoughtful new vision of Jim Henson's classic fantasy....The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance looks wonderful and its starry voice cast has something to say. In another world, in another time, this is an age of wonder."

Erik Adams, the A.V Club:

"Age Of Resistance is the best type of YA fantasy fiction, engrossing and escapist and full of hidden depths, ideal for viewers weaned on Harry Potter and The Legend Of Zelda but not quite ready for George R.R. Martin. There is a complexity at play...There are mystical MacGuffins and blind storytelling alleys littered about, but they’re far outweighed by the intrepid thrust of the Gelfling uprising and every thought of “How did they pull that off?” For decades, bands of true believers have sung the song of Thra; now, thanks to Age Of Resistance, that melody carries with the strength, distance, and richness the Dark Crystal concept has always deserved."

Our friends over at ToughPigs weighed in as well.

Anthony Strand, ToughPigs:

"The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is more than a worthy successor to The Dark Crystal. It’s a huge improvement on the foundation laid by the film. It’s not perfect – there are certainly some storytelling choices I didn’t care for – but it is excellent. It’s an exciting, lovely expansion of the world Jim Henson created, which might be the best possible way to honor his legacy."

As you can see, while most reviews have been glowing, there are few that didn't quite think it's story measured up to it technical achievement 

Glen Weldon, NPR:

"Understand: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is never anything less than impressive: It's beautiful to sit and gawp at, and its narrative, compared to that of the film, is more satisfyingly detailed and nuanced. But in entrusting so much of the story to puppets incapable of adequately executing its emotional demands, the series winds up feeling strangely empty."

Josh Bell, CBR:
"Age of Resistance is like the Star Wars prequels of the Dark Crystal universe, filling in gaps that didn't need to be filled in, and focusing heavily on political machinations among rival factions. There's even a subplot about tariffs."

Ed Power, The Telegraph:

"The puppetry, as might be expected of the Jim Henson Company, is exquisite and, in this era of oppressive CGI, wonderfully tactile. Alas, the story and dialogue are convoluted with a vengeance."

The consensus though is that The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is good and worth your time. 

It currently has and 87% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a audience score of ... 100%!

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is available now on Netflix.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Release Times!

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is set to arrive on Netflix August 30th, but where you live will determine when the show will be available. 

Check out this handy chart below to find out the exact moment you can return to Thra.

Time Zone:	Available at:
Pacific Standard Time	12:00 AM
Mountain Standard Time	1:00 AM
Central Standard Time	2:00 AM
Eastern Standard Time	3:00 AM
British Summer Time	8:00 AM
Central European Time	9:00 AM
Eastern European Time	10:00 AM
India Standard Time	12:30 PM
Japan Standard Time	16:00 PM
Australian Eastern Time	18:00 PM
New Zealand Day Light Time	20:00 PM
Australian Eastern Time	18:00 PM

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance premieres tomorrow on Netflix.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Soundtracks!

Yes, you read that headline correctly The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is getting not one, but two soundtrack albums. 

Volume 1 features selections of the original music from the show composed by Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Daniel Pemberton (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Steve Jobs, Ocean’s 8, The Man From U.N.C.L.E.).

Volume 2 features music by Pemberton and Samuel Sim (Awake, The Halcyon, Home Fires). 

Two tracks from volume 1 can be heard below including the main theme:

While CD and vinyl versions are in the works, both albums will first be released digitally on  August 30. 

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance premieres tomorrow on Netflix.

A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting!

Celebrate Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary in style!

"A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting!" is coming to New York's  Lincoln Center. 

The program will feature the Muppets of Sesame Street performing alongside the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis with new big band arrangements of beloved Sesame Street song and "tons of fun for all ages."

From the official announcement: 

Sesame Street comes to Jazz at Lincoln Center for a swinging celebration of the show’s 50th anniversary. See some of your favorite feathered and furry friends like Big Bird and Elmo sing classic Sesame Street songs alongside the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. 

It’s hard to imagine Sesame Street without music. The iconic show has featured many unforgettable tunes performed by real jazz musicians like trumpeter Kenny Rampton, a longtime member of both the JLCO and the Sesame Street band.

Many of the jazz greats have visited Sesame Street over the past 50 years. It’s where countless children were introduced to legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, and Mary Lou Williams. Even our own Wynton Marsalis visited Sesame Street a few times, where he played “Take the A Train” with the Duck Ellington Orchestra and joined Hoots the Owl on “No Matter What Your Language (Our Music Can Be The Same).” Likewise, the JLCO has reimagined Sesame Street favorites into big band bonanzas, and this celebration will feature brand-new arrangements of Sesame Street gems.

No one is too young or too old to enjoy this playful, intelligent, and joyful  music– so come on down to our home, the House of Swing, and help us celebrate 50 years of our wonderful neighbors from Sesame Street.

Proudly presented in collaboration with Sesame Workshop.

The Sesame Street Muppets scheduled to appear are:

• Elmo
• Abby
• Big Bird
• Grover
• Oscar the Grouch
• Rosita
• Bert & Ernie
• The Count
• Herry Monster
• Hoots the Owl

The run time: 2 1/2 hours with intermission

There will be three performances

• Friday, October 25 - 7pm
• Saturday, October 26 - 2pm
• Saturday, October 26 - 7pm

Tickets can be purchased here.

Flames of the Dark Crystal Now Available!

Flames of the Dark Crystal, the fourth and final book in J.M. Lee's Dark Crystal prequel series hit is out today. 

 

J.M. marked the occasion by thanking editors Valois and Gabbi Degennaro. 

As with the other books in the series, Flames of the Dark Crystal also features illustrations by Cory Godbey.

Read Cory's thoughts on this conclusion to The Dark Crystal book series on his blog.

An excerpt from Flames of the Dark Crystal is available though Penguin Random House

You can purchase your copy at your local bookstore and from Amazon.

The Muppets at D23!

There were lots of Muppet announcements and surprises this weekend at Disney's fan convention D23.

The big news, as broke late Friday, is that The Muppets are coming to Disney+ in a new unscripted series called Muppets Now.

Kermit made the following announcement via social media:

Below is audio from the live announcement with recreated footage:

Kermit sat down with Ginger Zee of Good Morning America to talk briefly about his relationship with Miss Piggy.

The speculated The Muppets Live Another Day will not move forward due to scheduling conflicts however, more Muppet projects will be developed for Disney+

Kermit also moderated a panel with the cast and crew of Disney Channel's Amphibia and Big City Greens.

Kermit wasn't the only Muppet to make an appearance at D23 however. 

Uncle Deadly made a surprise appearance at the Haunted Mansion panel where he read the part of  the unseen “Ghost Host” narrator.

Deadly even got his own name badge!

You can watch video below:

But that's not all, Bunsen and Beaker made a surprise appearance at the National Geographic Brain Games Panel.

Hopefully we'll have video of their appance soon. 

BREAKING NEWS: New Muppet Series Coming to Disney+!

Kermit the Frog himself just announced via The Muppet’s social media accounts that a new Muppet series is coming soon Disney+.

As you you can see it’ll be called Muppets Now, be “short form” include “celebrity guests” and premiere in 2020. Other then that we’ll all just have to wait for Joe the legal Weasel to lift the information embargo.

Stay tuned, it looks like big things may be ahead for our favorite fuzzy friends! 

The Witches Now on Bluray!

The Witches has finally arrived on bluray. Jim Henson Productions 1990 film was released this week through the Warner Archive Collection. 

This marks the first physical time (it had been released through iTunes and OnDemand previously) that The Witches is available in widescreen and in HD. 

It comes in it's original 2.0 stereo, though it's now in DTS HD-Master quality.

Unfortunately, there are no bonus features but you can watch the original trailer below:

The Witches blu-ray is available now through the Warner Archive Collection and Amazon.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance at San Diego Comic-Con!

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance made a big splash at San Diego Comic Con last month. 

We previously showed you the amazing booth Netflix had for the series, now check out this special teaser they made for the con....

 as well as the full panel in Comic Con's legendary Hall H!

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance premieres next Friday, August 30th on Netflix!

The Muppets Take Manhattan Takes... Manhattan!

Disney fan club, D23, is hosting a special screening of The Muppets Take Manhattan in NYC honor of the film's 35 anniversary.

From the event description: 

D23 Gold Members and their guests are invited to see Kermit, Fozzie, and the entire cast of Kermit’s aspiring Broadway hit “Manhattan Melodies” on the big screen!

Manhattan! It’s time to get “together again” with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club! Join us in the Big Apple to celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Muppets Take Manhattan for an exclusive screening! This celebration of the Jim Henson classic will take place on Friday, October 4, 2019 at the AMC Empire 25 Theatres in Midtown.

This special event will include a voucher for popcorn and a soda and a one-of-a-kind gift created exclusively for this D23 event!

Note: 

Ticketed Members and guests who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event. D23 Members must be present or guests will not gain admittance to event.

Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, August 28, at 10 a.m. PT. and cost $10 per person (plus $3 processing fee). 

It's great that Disney is acknowledging this film as it's one of the few theatrical Muppet film's they don't own the rights to (Sony owns this and Muppets From Space).

This is during Comic Con weekend so many Disney has something in the works for the con as well. 

More info at D23. 

Baby Sweetums Joins The Nursery!

The new Muppet Babies reboot is adding another classic character to it's roster... Sweetums!

Our favorite hulking but friendly monster will first appear in the episode "Finders Keepers / Monster Next Door," which is set to air on Disney Channel tomorrow, Friday, August 23.
The episode description is as follows:

During an exciting game of hot potato with Gonzo’s best friend Potato, Animal accidentally throws potato over the fence and into the clutches of a mysterious and scary monster. Gonzo and the Muppet Babies must figure out a plan to rescue Potato from next door.

Check out a preview below:

Be sure to set your DVR for Muppet Babies "Finders Keepers / Monster Next Door," tomorrow, Friday, August 23 on Disney Channel.

Sneak Peek: Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Comic!

As we first reported back in June, BOOM! Studios/ Archaia's next Dark Crystal comic will be a 12 issue prequel to the upcoming Netflix series also title: "Age of Resistance."

Below is the official description:

Meet Maudra Vala of the Stonewood Clan, mother of young rebel Maudra Fara, and a Gelfling leader trying to save her people from complete destruction. The terrifying Arathim, giant spiders and the Gelfling’s sworn enemies, have swarmed the land, wreaking destruction and chaos everywhere between Gelfling clans and Arathim as they battle for dominance over the forests and caves of Thra. Maudra Vala sends her greatest warrior, Ordon, to the Tomb of Relics to retrieve a mythical weapon that could be the key to winning the war. But the path to the legendary relic is riddled with secret traps and hidden dangers. Will even Ordon, greatest of Gelfling warriors, be able to make his way alone to the Stonewood Clan’s last hope for survival?

Feeling a bit confused as to when all these various stories set in the world of Thra take place?

Thankfully, The Jim Henson Company produced this handy timeline to help make sense of it all. 

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #1 hit comic shops and Amazon digital September 25.

More Dark Crystal AOR Trailers & Commercials!

More commercials and trailers have surfaced for The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

If you're wondering what all the hype is about here's some behind the scenes footage with the cast and crew:

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance premieres August 30th on Netflix!

Cover Up: Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance!

In preparation for The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance, two UK magazines have cover stories on the upcoming series. 

Not only does the current issue of SFX has 11 pages of info, amazing photos,  interviews with the cast, and shout outs to the amazing artists and puppeteers....

it also come with 32 stickers, a poster and 2 art cards!

Photo: Darren Scott 

While it's hard to beat that, SciFiNow does a great job showcasing the series...

as well as a look at their top 14 Henson creatures. 

The good news is while these may be UK magazines, both SFX and SciFiNow ship to the US and can be purchased at the links above. 

Henson Company Digital Coloring Books!

The Jim Henson Company has partnered with Pixite, Inc., to bring the worlds of Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and Farscape to Pixite's digital coloring app, Pigment.

Read the full press release below:

The Jim Henson Company, pioneers at the junction of technology and entertainment, has partnered with Pixite, Inc., to bring the timeless tales of Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and Farscape to artists and creators on-the-go through Pixite's mobile coloring app, Pigment. The coloring pages will be available beginning today.

Beloved Henson properties Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and Farscape have been transformed into digital coloring books for Pigment, unleashing creative spirits the world over to join forces with their favorite characters and indulge in a beloved fantasy world through the wizardry of mobile art technology. The exquisite artwork combined with a variety of creative tools at their fingertips lets colorists bring these stories to life in new and personalized ways, wherever they may be.

Where The Jim Henson Company has long had a foothold in innovative storytelling and world-building, Pixite has carved out a name for itself in the world of mobile art and design. The two companies have discovered common ground and their joint efforts now offer people a new outlet for their innate inventiveness while serving as a reminder that there is always something beautiful to be created when imagination and the tools for its expression unite.

“In this stressful, adult world, it’s easy to forget that the goodness you create is most important. Kids, and especially Jim Henson, always seemed to understand that best,” said Pixite’s Co-Founder, Eugene Kaneko. “Now, The Jim Henson Company and Pixite take another step toward the goal of inspiring people to stay in touch with their proverbial ‘inner child’ by bringing together story, technology, and coloring.”

We're thrilled to announce that @pixiteapps & #TheJimHensonCompany have brought the timeless tales of @Labyrinth, @darkcrystal & @farscape to @pigment_app! Learn more - https://t.co/drzq3Rylhe pic.twitter.com/a5C4h9nqSJ

— The Jim Henson Company (@hensoncompany) August 7, 2019

Check out Peter Brooke, Creative Supervisor for the Jim Henson Creature Shop, colors with Pigment and discusses the Henson fantasy worlds and the role of digital tools in today's art:

Then follow along as Pigment artist Britton uses a variety of brushes and techniques to bring the world of Thra to life!

The Henson pages are available, now and you can download the Pixite app from the following links:

http://pixiteapps.com/pigment/
Apple App Store:

Google Play Store page: 

Limited Edition Funko Shop Dark Crystal: AOR Metallic Hunter Pop!

Funko just released a Funko Shop exclusive, limited edition, metallic The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Hunter Pop!

Gelflings of good sense fear the Skeksis Hunter SkekMal, but fellow predators appreciate the artistry and brutality with which he pursues, captures and consumes his prey. Embrace the terror by bringing home the Funko Shop limited edition Pop! Metallic Hunter, fearsome legend, predator, hunter.

There's a limit of 1 per person and each costs $15.00 + Tax & Shipping.

You can order yours now from Funko. 

New and Last Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Trailer!

Netflix has just released a new, and presumably final trailer before The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance premieres later this month.

 

Light the fires of resistance! Join Deet, Rian and Brea on an epic quest to find hope in darkness, save Thra, and reveal their destiny. Nothing will ever be the same.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance premieres August 30th on Netflix. 

Sing: The Music of Sesame Street Event!

Sunday, the Museum of the Moving Image will present "Sing: The Music of Sesame Street" a screening and live event showcasing 50 years of music on Sesame Street.

From the very beginning, music has been an integral element of Sesame Street” and many songs created for the show have become standards. 

Join Jim Henson Legacy President Craig Shemin as he moderates a panel with composer Christopher Cerf, vocalist Ivy Austin, and vocal music director Paul Rudolph as they talk about their favorite musical moments from the show and discuss the process behind their creation. 

Be sure to visit The Jim Henson Exhibition which features some familiar faces for fans of the show!

Tickets can be purchased in person or in advance here.