Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Virtual Tour The American Banjo Museum's "Jim Henson-Life and Legacy" Exhibit!

The American Banjo Museum is giving us all a virtual tour of their  "Jim Henson - Life and Legacy" exhibit. 


Join the museum's Executive Director, Johnny Baier and Henson Company Archives Director Karen Falk as they transport tus all to Oklahoma City without leaving our homes. 

Viewers will be able to ask questions and hear commentary from both Johnny and Karen while looking at the ‘Muppets Banjo,’ Kermit display puppet, sketches, and more.   

The live feed will stream on Facebook today at 12pm central time is over, but you can watch the whole thing below:


Monday, March 30, 2020

RIP Tomie dePaola (1934 - 2020)

American writer and illustrator Thomas Anthony "Tomie" dePaola has died.




During his career dePaola created more than 260 children's books including the instant classic Strega Nona.

In 2001 Tomie received the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lifetime contribution to American children's literature. That same year he teamed up with The Jim Henson Company to create Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola. The short lived series aired on the Hallmark Channel from August - October 2001.

Before are a few clips and behind the scenes of Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola.








Tomie dePaola was 85. 

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Discussing The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance with MegaPodTastic!

While under self imposed quarantine, Krazy Joe from MegaPodTastic and I discuss The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. 


As you'll see, we recorded our Skype session, but unfortunately the video portion got corrupted so, now it's a megapodcast! 

Enjoy!


Thanks again go Krazy Joe. Be sure to follow and subscribe to and MegaPodTastic on YouTube, Facebook, iTunes, and on MegapodTastic.com

Sunday, March 22, 2020

RIP Kenny Rogers (1938 - 2020)

Country music star Kenny Rogers has died.


Rogers appeared during the fourth season of The Muppet Show performing his classic song "The Gambler," which was only first released a year prior. 
Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, had a major hit with “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” before going solo. 

Besides "The Gambler," His other solo hits include "Lucille," "Coward of the County," and the number-one singles "Lady" and "Islands in the Stream"with Dolly Parton.

In 1985, he participated in the original recording of "We Are the World" and a year later, he co-chaired "Hands Across America," a campaign that sought to raise awareness about the US homeless population. 


Below Kenny Rogers performs "The Gambler" and "Love Lifted Me" on The Muppet Show.






Kenny Rogers was 81. 

Friday, March 20, 2020

Rare Muppet Clips Volume 3!

We're back with another batch of rare Muppet performances. 



Again, we do not own these clips, nor do we make any guarantees to how long they'll be available, so watch them while you can!


Joan Ganz Cooney 1980's American Express Commercial:


Here's am early version of 'I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face'' performed on The Jack Paar Show:


Two of the Muppet appearances on Julie Andrews' 1978 special One Step into Spring:



Kermit & Whoopi Goldberg's did the PSA for Variety Charity in 2011:


If you like these be sure to check out parts 1 and 2

If you find a rare Muppet clip and would like us to share it, please send us a link!

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Hang In There!

We recently added this vintage Kemit hook to the Muppet Stuff Museum and it seems to perfectly capture the message we all need. 



While we're practicing the new art of "Social Distancing" there are still things we can do around our house/ neighborhood.  

Tired of looking at the same walls/ decorations? Redecorate your surroundings: 



Take a walk: 


Perhaps even with a dog:



Ride a bike:



Exercise:




Take a bath: 


Play an instrument:




Sing:



Video chat with colleagues:


Reach out to friends and family both close and far away...





even by old fashion telephone:



Read a book:




Use your imagination:





Play Games:



You can play these games and more at:
Muppet Babies Time To Play: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disne...
Real Cake Maker 3D: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-...
Muppet Babies Summer Arcade: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disne...


Enjoy a good meal:



Eat plenty of snacks:



Watch a movie:



Help those sick around you: 


Don't be afraid to go the hospital:



We hope these things will help you avoid getting Cabin FEVER!





And most importantly, don't forget to laugh!





Sunny days are ahead:


We're all in this together. As the Frog above said, "Hang in in There."

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Cookie Monster's Mouth Featured In New AT&T TV Ads!

AT&T enlisted a bunch of celebrity mouths to promote AT&T TV their new voice command technology but the only one we care about is Cookie Monster.


While LeBron James may be AT&T TV's official brand ambassador LeBron James, check out a few of the ads below featuring Cookie Monster, and a few other famous mouths.



Monday, March 16, 2020

First Look The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #7!

BOOM! Studios revealed the first look at The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #7. 


The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #7 features a main cover by illustrator Mona Finden, a variant cover by acclaimed artist Conor Nolan, and a connecting cover by artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews.




Inside writer Adam Cesare, artist French Carlomagno, and letterer Jim Campbell present the story of fan favorite Hup and brand-new character Barfinnious.

After some hard times on the road, Paladin-turned-bard Barfinnious and his noble Podling squire Hup finally get to relax and enjoy their hero’s welcome at a festive Spriton village. But a mysterious Beast is lurking in the shadows, threatening the lives of the Gelfling villagers. What should be a simple fight for a former Paladin soon turns dangerous, and the truth behind Barfinnious’ grift begins to emerge.

Check out the first few pages below:





The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #7 will be available for sale on March 25, 2020 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the Madefire.

Friday, March 13, 2020

Coming Soon: Labyrinth: ABC Storybook!

Luke Flowers and Imprint Books have teamed up to teach children their ABC's in 13 hours or less via the Labyrinth: The ABC Storybook.


Relive Jim Henson's classic film Labyrinth in a storybook that moves through the alphabet and is perfect for new and returning fans!
B is for Baby Brother, lost in the labyrinth. G is for the Goblin King, whose castle lies at the maze’s center. S is for Sarah, who must go on an incredible adventure to make it right. Only by journeying across the ABCs can our hero find her way through the labyrinth, with the help of fantastic creatures she meets along the way!
Jim Henson, one of the greatest creative minds of our time, created a fantasy world unlike any other in Labyrinth. Now you can relive Sarah’s adventure through the alphabet with letters for each of the film’s unforgettable characters and many twists and turns. Featuring beautiful art by acclaimed illustrator Luke Flowers, this memorable retelling will delight fans of every age.

Luke Flowers who illustrated The Muppet Christmas Carol: The Illustrated Holiday Classic,
both wrote and illustrated this storybook. 

Check out a few sample pages below:






Labyrinth: The ABC Storybook will be available September 29 and can be pre-ordered through Amazon.  

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Record Store Day Picture Discs Postponed!

Varèse Sarabande Records has postponed the release of the Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Record Store Day vinyl picture discs





Varèse Sarabande release the following statement via twitter:


"Due to an unforeseen manufacturing delay, our picture disc releases for The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and Mortal Kombat soundtracks will unfortunately no longer be part of Record Store Day 2020."




No doubt the "manufacturing delay" is due to coronavirus factory closures. We'll keep you posted as to when they will be released. 

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Sesame Street Wants Kids Counted for 2020 Census!

Sesame Workshop and the US Census Bureau have teamed up to help educate families about the 2020 census.



The full press release:
The stakes are high for children in this year’s Census: an accurate count is essential for young children to receive critical support from federally-funded programs supporting quality early education, special education, healthcare, nutrition, and housing. That is why Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, is launching a campaign to help families understand the importance of participating in the 2020 Census and counting every child in their home—all with a little help from Sesame Street Muppets Elmo, Rosita, and, of course, the Count.
Starting today, new bilingual videos will reach families across the country with messages about why they should count every baby and child who lives with them, explain how the census brings important resources to communities, and reiterate that the census is easy and safe to fill out. Spots will air on broadcast partners including Univision, WarnerMedia, and other broadcasters through the Ad Council and also be made available to local PBS stations. In addition, printable educational materials will be distributed through a wide range of organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Sesame Street in Communities partners. A free census kit with videos, print materials, and social media assets in English and Spanish is available at SesameWorkshop.org/2020Census
For forty years, young children and babies have been dramatically undercounted in the census. In the last national census in 2010, one in ten children under the age of five—more than two million total—were uncounted. If trends continue, even more young children will be uncounted in 2020—millions of children living in communities who, as a result, may receive fewer services and federal funding essential to their ability to thrive. 
“The census determines over $1 trillion in federal spending each year for programs that help give kids a strong start in life, and yet those who stand to benefit the most from an accurate count are the ones most likely to go uncounted,” said Jeffrey D. Dunn, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop. “As an organization trusted by parents and caregivers, Sesame Workshop is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that every child is counted in this year’s census. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to help level the playing field and improve the collective well-being of our nation’s children.”
 
Young children are missed in the census for a multitude of reasons, but confusion about who goes on the form is a major one. Nearly 40 percent of children under five live in complex households, where they may split time between homes, be cared for by foster parents, grandparents, or other relatives, or their caregivers may be housing-insecure. Uncertainty about who counts on the census questionnaire is only magnified if the child lives in a linguistically isolated household. Sesame Workshop’s new bilingual campaign is designed to help families understand why it’s important to count babies, infants, and kids of all ages living in their home, and how families can fill out their census form.
Sesame Workshop has a long history of encouraging families to participate in the census, dating back to 1980, when Maria on Sesame Street was hired as a census worker and Big Bird helped her count everyone in the neighborhood. This year’s campaign will leverage the Sesame Street in Communities initiative, through which Sesame Workshop partners with community providers including social workers, healthcare professionals, and teachers to help kids and families through the toughest of times. Many Sesame Street in Communities partners serve the children who are most likely to be uncounted, including those living in poverty.
Sesame Workshop is a partner of the US Census Bureau. The campaign is made possible in part by the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Tracy Garrett, Sesame Workshop's Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs talked  about the program as part of the US Census Bureau's Event on Counting Young Children:




Below are the various ads created for the campaign. 

Make Your Family Count (:60 version):


Make Your Family Count (:30 Second):




All Kids Count (:15 Second):



Support for Neighborhoods (:15 seconds):



Fast, Easy, and Secure (:15 seconds):



Three Ways to Count (:15 seconds):



This isn't the first time Sesame Street has helped with the census, though. A few years ago, they made PSA's to help educate people in Queensland, Australia about their census.




You can get your free census kit with videos, print materials, and social media assets in English and Spanish is available at SesameWorkshop.org/2020Census

It only takes 10 minutes to support kids for the next 10 years! Call, return your form by mail, or go online to 2020Census.gov

Monday, March 9, 2020

Watch Bill Barretta on Disney's Member Club Cruise!

Late last year Muppet performer Bill Barretta appeared on a Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise and Disney Parks just uploaded video from his appearance. 

Bill Barretta opens the Member Cruise show:



Rowlf the Dog takes the Member Cruise stage to chat about his experience on board, and working with Bill Barretta:



Bill Barretta talks about the origin of Pepe:



Pepe the King Prawn takes the stage and shares is favorite things about sailing with Disney Cruise Line and answers a few audience questions:

Friday, March 6, 2020

Coming Soon: Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Record Store Day Picture Discs!

Varèse Sarabande Records revealed they are releasing not one, but two different Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance vinyl picture discs for Record Store Day.



Each version will feature different music and images featuring the Crystal Chamber and the other featuring the Aureyal.
Aureyal Picture Disc
Crystal Chamber Picture Disc



Record Store Day is April 18th. You can see what stores are participating in Record Store Day on their website


Thursday, March 5, 2020

Coming Soon: Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Calendar

Mark your calendars,The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is getting its own calendar!


The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance 2021 Wall Calendar is the first collectable calendar for the critically acclaimed prequel to The Dark Crystal and will also include crystal themed stickers.
The world of Thra is dying as the Darkening is slowly poisoning the land. Evil Skeksis, a team of Gelflings, and one very brave Podling are the sparks to change it all. Netflix has invited fans to return to the amazing world first brought to you by legendary puppeteer Jim Henson. In this first-ever wall calendar featuring the new series, relive the beauty and wonder of Thra with some of your favorite characters.



The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance 2021 Wall Calendar will be released August 11 and is available now for pre-order on Amazon

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

First Look: Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1!

BOOM! Studios revealed a first look at Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1, the first story in a brand new four-issue comic book anthology series based on the Emmy Award-winning classic television show, Jim Henson’s The Storyteller, presenting several extraordinary folk tales of life after death.
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1 features main cover art by Michael Walsh and variant covers by Mark László and Lorenzo De Felici.
In Scandinavian folklore, there exists a vengeful ghost known as the Myling. A man traveling at night comes across a haunting cry from within the forest. He enters it to find a spirit who demands to be carried to its proper burial site. The man agrees, but as he travels forth, the spirit’s grip tightens… it grows in size…and the man moves slower and slower. Can he unburden himself of this terrifying weight before it brings him down for good?

Interior art is by Mark László, colors by Patricio Delpeche, and lettering by Jim Campbell.

Check out the first few pages below:

Print copies of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Ghosts #1 will be available for sale on March 11 at local comic book shops or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including ComiXology using our affiliate link, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Coming Soon: Test Your Knowledge of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance!

Think you know your way around the world of Thra? You'll soon be able to put your knowledge to the test.

Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Dream-Seeking: Quizzes, Trivia, and Adventure will "test your knowledge with trivia and brag about it like a Skeksis would. Or, perhaps your personality is more in-tune with the humble Mystics. Discover where you belong in Henson's extraordinary world with this book packed with character quizzes!"

Explore your dark side and discover your inner Skeksis, test your bravery to see if you would be the type of Gelfling to join the rebellion, and open your mind to tricky trivia to feel like the wise Aughra in this fantastical quiz book featuring full-color photos from Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
The Dark Crystal: Age of ResistanceDream-Seeking: Quizzes, Trivia, and Adventure will be released Mar 17 and can be through Amazon and Penguin Books.