"Muppets Now" Reviews!

While Muppet Now premiered today, many critics got an early sneak peek. 

Here's what they had to say. 

Collider hails Muppets Now as a "Dazzling, Slyly Subversive Return to Greatness"

The Hollywood Reporter says the show is "Full of potential, despite a repetitious streak that wastes much of the ensemble"

Entertainment Weekly gave it a B+

TV Insider's Matt Roush says the show "Trades on Classic Humor"

The AV Club says "Disney actually made a good Muppet show—yaaaaaaaay!"

Variety says the show is "smart enough update of the franchise that it should have no trouble satisfying longtime fans while converting new ones"

NBC10 Boston calls it "Pure Muppets Magic Served Up Variety Show Style For Streaming Audiences"

Rolling Stone says "While it’s a substantial improvement on the characters’ last TV series, it ultimately misses the point of playing the music and lighting the lights"

NBC6 Miami raves Muppets Now "Is Pure Muppets Magic Served Up Variety Show Style For Streaming Audience"

Vulture says it "Brings the Golden Age of Muppetry Into the YouTube Era."
The Deseret New says "it’s the 2020 comedy we’ve been waiting for. It’s silly, it’s low stakes. But it’s entertaining and gives us a break from the darkness of our modern world — a happy escape amid a pandemic and a stressful world."

Muppets Now is streaming, well ...now on Disney+!

The Muppets Virtually Promote "Muppets Now!"

The Muppets have been making the rounds to promote Muppets Now, and these days that means conducting interviews over zoom. 

Kermit gave Disney Vacation Club Members a sneak peek:

Gonzo and Pepe joined ABC 7's Jennifer Matarese:

Black Girl Nerds sat down with Miss Piggy about how to be entanglement-free:

Black Girl Nerds also sat sat down with Walter on working in front and behind the scenes:

Scooter talked with Laughing Place reporter Mike Celestino:

Scooter also sat down with Chip and Company's Kaitlyn:

Gonzo called into Petrana Radulovic of Polygon. 

Decider's Brett White also got to chat with Gonzo

Gonzo and Pepe joined our our friends at ToughPigs to promote the show as well. 

 Collider Interviewed Miss Piggy about being called a diva:

NBC LA entertainment reporter Heather Brooker sat down with Kermit the Frog, Gonzo and Pepe the King Prawn:

Eyewitness News 3 chatted with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Walter, Pepe, Gonzo, and Scooter:

Finally, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy talk ‘Muppets Now’ on GMA:

Muppets Now debuts on Disney+ Friday!

Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Nominated for Emmy!

Speaking of the Emmys. The primetime Emmy nominations were announced yesterday and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance has been nominated for Outstanding Children's Program. 

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced September 20 on ABC. 

Sesame Street, 50th Special, Muppet Babies and More Win Emmys!

The Daytime Emmy awards were announced this week and Sesame Workshop picked up 11 awards including 3 for Sesame Street, 1 for Ghostwriter, and 6 for Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Matt Danner picked up an Emmy for Best Performer in a Preschool Animated Program for Muppet Babies, Ryan Dillon won Best Principle Performance in a Daytime Program for Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration and Sesame Street itself was awarded Best Preschool Children’s Series. 

Check out the the full list of Muppet wins and losses along with their competition is below. 

Won: 

Best Special Class Special
“93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day”
“Hate Among Us”
X — “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration”
“This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special”
“The Young and the Restless: Kristoff St. John Tribute” 

Best Writing for a Special Class Special
“Mind Field: What Is the Scariest Thing?”
X — “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration”
“This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special”
“2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards”
“The 2019 Rose Parade with Cord and Tish” 

Best Technical Team
“CBS This Morning”
“Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
“The Kelly Clarkson Show”
“The Price Is Right”
X — “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration”
“The View”

Best Preschool Children’s Series
“Blue’s Clues and You”
“Dino Dana”
“Helpsters”
“Ryan’s Mystery Playdate”
X — “Sesame Street”

Best Short Format Children’s Program
“Muppet Babies: Play Date”
“Mushroom and the Forest of the World”
“Sesame Street in Communities: A Place for You”
X — “Sesame Street in Communities: Meet Salia”
“Snoopy in Space”

Best Principal Performance in a Daytime Program
X — Ryan Dillon, “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration”
Liana Liberato, “Light as a Feather”
Damian Toofeek Raven, “The Chadwick Journals, Season 3: Oren”
Jordan Rodrigues, “Light as a Feather”
Brianne Tju, “Light as a Feather”

Best Directing for a Children’s/Young Adult Program
“Ghostwriter”
“Light as a Feather”
“Pup Academy”
X — “Sesame Street”
“Trinkets”

Best Performer in a Preschool Animated Program
Eric Bauza, “Muppet Babies”
X — Matt Danner, “Muppet Babies”
Maurice LaMarche, “The Rocketeer”
Kevin Michael Richardson, “Puppy Dog Pals”
Christian Simon, “T.O.T.S.”

Best Multiple Camera Editing
“Articulate with Jim Cotter”
“Consumer 101”
“Milk Street”
X — “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration”
“The View”

Best Special Effects Costume/Makeup/Hairstyling
X — “Dino Dana”
“Ghostwriter”
“Helpsters”
“Odd Squad”
X — “Sesame Street”


Lost: 

Best Daytime Promotional Announcement (Brand Image Campaign)
“Archibald’s Next Big Thing” (Series Launch)
“Disney Team of Heroes”
“Family Feud” (On Pause)
“Sesame Street” (50th Memories: #ThisIsMyStreet Campaign)
X — “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” (She-Ra International Women’s Day 2019) 

Best Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
“A Holiday Reunion”
X — “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
“Sesame Street”
“The View” 

Best Lighting Direction
“Ghostwriter”
“A Holiday Reunion”
X — “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
“Sesame Street”
“The View”

Best Cinematography
“Ghostwriter”
“A Holiday Reunion”
“Just Add Magic”
“The Square Root”
X — “Tumble Leaf”

Best Writing for a Children’s/Young Adult Program
“Free Rein”
“Ghostwriter”
“Helpsters”
“Sesame Street”
X — “Trinkets”

Best Directing for a Preschool Animated Program
“Ask the StoryBots”
“Elena of Avalor”
“Muppet Babies”
“Norman Picklestripes”
“True and the Rainbow Kingdom”
X — “Tumble Leaf”

“Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum

Best Single Camera Editing
“CBS Sunday Morning”
“Helpsters”
“MTV News Presents: White Supremacy Destroyed My Life”
“Odd Squad”
X — “Peanuts in Space: Secrets of Apollo 10”
“Rock the Park”
“This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special

Best Sound Mixing
X — “Articulate with Jim Cotter”
“Beyond Your Backyard”
“The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation”
“A Holiday Reunion”
“Mission Unstoppable”
“Sesame Street”

Best Sound Editing for Live Action
“El Corazon de Sergio Ramos”
“Dino Dana”
“Ghostwriter”
X — “Odd Squad”
“Trinkets”

Best Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
“A Holiday Reunion”
X — “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
“Sesame Street”
“The View”

Best Costume Design/Styling
“Ghostwriter”
“Helpsters”
“No Good Nick”
X — “The Real”
“The Talk”
“Tamron Hall”

Here's Matt Danner's Best Performer in a Preschool Animated Program acceptance 

speech performing the voices of Kermit, Rowlf, Beaker, Waldorf and Chef on Muppet Babies:

Holy moly! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I never thought I’d be an Emmy winner. I still can’t believe it! Here’s a video of my acceptance speech which perfectly illustrates how award shows work during a pandemic. Wait til the end. #MuppetBabies #Emmys2020 pic.twitter.com/gd1eHy2vIn

— Matt Danner (@MattyDanner) July 27, 2020

Congratulations to all the winners!

‘Muppets Now’ Poster Art!

Disney+ commissioned the Poster Posse to create a series of posters to promote Muppets Now. Each one highlighting a part of the series. 

Check them out below:

Muppets Now (all characters)

Poster Artist: ANDY FAIRHURST

Lifestyle with Miss Piggy

Poster Artist: LUKE BUTLAND

Muppet Labs Field Test

Poster Artist: TOM MIATKE

Okey Dokey Kookin!

Poster Artist: MATT NEEDLE

Muppet Masters

Poster Artist: CRISTHIAN HOVA

Pepe’s Unbelievable Game Show

Poster Artist: COURTNEY MARTIN

Mup Close and Personal

Poster Artist: SAM GILBEY

Muppets Now debuts on Disney+ Friday!

New Muppet Drinkware Coming From Vandor!

Drinkware company Vandor has two new Muppet items on the way. 

A Kermit head ceramic mug, and a Kermit, Animal, and Miss Piggy water bottle. No dates, pre-order links, or other retail listings are up yet, but our guess is they'll be available

sometime in the fall. 

Thanks to Marshall Blakley for the heads up. 

RIP Regis Philbin (1931 - 2020)

Legendary TV personality Regis Philbin has died.

Regis was the long time co-host of the morning talk show Live. First with with Kathie Lee Gifford from 1985 to 2000 then with Kelly Ripa from 2001 until 2011.

Over the years The Muppets were frequent Live guests including Miss Piggy's 1996 appearance to promote her cookbook "In The Kitchen with Miss Piggy."

Miss Piggy returned to Live with Regis and Kelly on May 19, 2005 to promote The Muppets' Wizard of Oz.

One of Regis's other hosting duties was for the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.
In 1989, Kermit the Frog joined Regis to promote The Muppets coming to Walt Disney World. 

The 2002 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade saw Regis once again co-host while Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House was a guest.

Noel MacNeal who performed Bear and Leon from Between The Lions when they appeared on Live posted this tribute:

Regis and Kathie Lee Gifford made a cameo in Sesame Street's 25th Anniversary special Stars and Street Forever in 1994.

Philbin was name a Disney Legends at the 2011 D23 Expo along with Jim Henson.

You can watch both inductions below:

If all that wasn't enough Philbin was also the original host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, in which Kermit had to lend Jon Stewart a hand.

In 2013, Regis lent his voice to A New York Christmas To Remember a special that took place at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City and featured puppets conceived by Jane Henson and built by the Creature Shop.

Philbin was so active on TV, he holds the Guinness World Record for the most hours on U.S. television at 16,700 hours on air. He was nominated for 37 Daytime Emmy Awards, won six, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Regis Philbin was 88. 

Sesame Place Opens For 2020!

Sesame Place opens today for the first time this season and, like most things in 2020, things will be a little different.

As the parks celebrates its 40th anniversary, in order to manage park capacity and maintain physical distancing, visits to Sesame Place will require a reservation.

When you purchase a date-specific ticket, it will automatically come with a reservation.

New this year is the Big Bird's Tour Bus ride.

Check out their ad:

Our sources tell us that while there won't be a new "Classic Character" plush this year, the park will be re-releasing some past Classic Characters for a limited time. 

You can request tickets on Sesame Place's website.

"Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme with Elmo" Coming to DVD in September!

Monster Hits are coming to DVD. Specially, Sesame Street Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme With Elmo. 

Shout! Kids and Sesame Workshop will release Sesame Street Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme With Elmo on DVD and for digital download in September.

In Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme with Elmo, the sing-along fun never ends! Each song goes with three Sesame Street clips, tying together classic nursery rhymes like "The Muffin Man" to laugh-out-loud moments such as Cookie Monster and Gonger whipping up cranberry muffins in their Foodie Truck. Little ones will love to move, groove, and learn with their favorite friends from Sesame Street.

The release also includes 2011's previously released Elmo’s Music Magic as well as an exclusive Elmo poster.

Check out a trailer below:

Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme with Elmo will be released September 1st and is available for pre-order now through Amazon.  

Muppets Now Video Conference and Episode Descriptions!

Last week The Muppets released a video conference to promote Muppets Now and now, thanks to Muppet Wiki, we also have episode titles and descriptions for most of the 6 episode season. 

Muppets Now episodes:

Episode 101: Due Date (July 31, 2020)

• Muppets Now is The Muppets Studio’s first unscripted series and first original series for Disney+. In the six-episode season, Scooter rushes to make his delivery deadlines and upload the brand-new Muppet series for streaming. They are due now, and he’ll need to navigate whatever obstacles, distractions, and complications the rest of the Muppet gang throws at him.

Episode 102: Fever Pitch (August 7, 2020)

• Fozzie Bear has some big ideas for Muppets Now, and there’s no time like the deadline to start pitching! He’s found a very tough audience in Scooter, who just wants to finish uploading the latest delivery.
  We see the very first episode of a game show that Pepe the King Prawn totally just made up. The Swedish Chef tries to cook a better molé sauce than his competitor, Danny Trejo. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew has replaced Beaker with a new smart assistant, and things get fired up. Miss Piggy and her guests, Taye Diggs and Linda Cardellini, show viewers how to work it out when they share the secret to staying healthy.

Episode 103: Getting Testy (August 14, 2020)

• Joe, the new legal counsel for The Muppets, interrupts the scheduled delivery of Muppets Now to announce that all streaming content must be vetted by a focus group. Things go from bad to worse when Scooter meets up with the assigned test audience – curmudgeonly critics Statler and Waldorf.
  The Swedish Chef collaborates with Chef Roy Choi as the two try to make a one-of-kind kalbi bowl. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, enlist a Pizza Delivery Person (Al Madrigal) to explore velocity. Miss Piggy and her guests, Linda Cardellini and Taye Diggs, dig deep into the workings of a healthy relationship. Pepe the King Prawn’s unbelievable game show features new contestants, new challenges, new rules, and no planning at all.

Episode 104: Sleep Mode (August 21, 2020)

• Scooter wakes up in horror to discover his all-nighters have finally gotten the best of him, and he has only 30 minutes to upload Muppets Now. With the clock ticking and his eyelids drooping, Scooter enlists Animal to help him stay awake.
  Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, conduct a series of vibrational experiments with the help of a lonely, outdated computer. The Swedish Chef uncovers the secrets of Spaghetti Carbonara when staring down his competitor, Giuseppe Losavio. Miss Piggy sits down with Aubrey Plaza to conduct a fabulous one-on-one interview. Later, she looks out for number one as she focuses on self-care with guests Linda Cardellini and Taye Diggs.

Episode 105: The I.T. Factor (August 28, 2020)

• Chip the I.T. guy installs an upgrade to Scooter’s overtaxed computer just as Scooter is beginning to upload the latest episode of Muppets Now. Scooter must work fast to get everything in place before the hard reboot goes into effect.
  Miss Piggy takes a trip through the topic of travel with guests Linda Cardellini and Taye Diggs. Pepe the King Prawn makes up a new game show on the spot, and the contestants do their best to keep up. Uncle Deadly demonstrates the drama, disciplines, and danger of stage combat for Muppet fanboy, Walter. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew puts the pressure on his assistant, Beaker, with a hydraulic-press experiment that requires a personal touch.

Muppets Now premieres July 31 on Disney+

Rare Muppet Clips Volume 7!

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!

First up, a series of Esskay Meats commercials from the late 50's/early 60's: 

"Pooch on the Loose" from an unaired episode of Little Muppet Monsters:

"Regenbogen Song", the Deutsche/German version of "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie:

The Muppets on Goldie Hawn's 1971 NBC special Pure Goldie. Also appearing in this clip are Bob Dishy and future Muppet Show guest Ruth Buzzi.

Finally we leave you with the trailer for Dreamchild, the first non-Henson film featuring creations from Jim Henson's Creature Shop, and starring the recently deceased Ian Holm most famous for his roles of Ash from Alien and Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's Lord of The Rings and Hobbit films.

If you like these be sure to check out parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

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

Hallmark Keepsake Kermit and Elmo Ornaments Now Available!

Hallmark released their first wave of ornaments this weekend including new versions of Elmo and Kermit.

The Muppet Show Musical Ornament

Ladies and gentlemen, it's Christmas time—and it's "The Muppet Show" on your tree! Fans of the beloved Jim Henson characters will love to make this Christmas ornament a very special guest star in their holiday decorating. Capturing the iconic TV show's opening scene, Kermit the Frog shares a smile and a wave from his perch in the "O" of the ornate title card, while a version of "The Muppet Show Theme" song plays when you press the button (battery-operated).

The Muppet Show theme song used is the same first season version used on the original Muppet soundtrack album.

Deck the Halls With Elmo

Elmo is definitely ready to deck the halls this holiday season! Fans of the friendly Sesame Street character will be tickled to hang this Christmas tree ornament of him holding a festive string of garland. The lovable red monster makes a timeless addition to your holiday decor.

Artist crafted by Nello Williams, this Keepsake Ornament comes pre-packaged in a box for easy gift giving, preservation and storage. Dated 2020 in copyright.

Coming in October is Sesame Street Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck Ornament With Sound

Young Sesame Street fans will recognize the iconic Foodie Truck, where everyone's favorite cookie-craving blue monster and his friend Gonger learn about different types of food. Commemorate Cookie Monster's recurring segment of the beloved television show with this Christmas tree ornament that plays phrases from the foodie fellow (battery-operated). Mmmmm, me want cookie now!
Also of note, this year Hallmark redesigned their packaging and it's extremely disappointing. The images of the ornaments are small and shoved to the bottom.

Below you can see boxes for "The Muppet Show":

The box for "Deck the Halls With Elmo" is slightly better with more information taking up space, while The Muppet Show box looks depressingly empty and features generic connect  on the back.

The Muppet Show Musical Ornament and Deck the Halls With Elmo are available now, while Sesame Street Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck Ornament With Sound will be released October 3rd. 

The Muppet Stuff Book Club - Rachel Herrick: "Big Bird's Red Book"!

In these increasingly difficult times it's nice to share a good book with friends. With that in mind our friend Rachel Herrick is our next guest on The Muppet Stuff Book Club. 

Today Rachel read's the Sesame Street Little Golden Book "Big Bird's Red Book." 

You can find more videos from Rachel at: Adorkable Rachel

If you'd like to be a guest reader on the Muppet Stuff Book cub, please Contact Us.

RIP Charlie Daniels (1936 - 2020)

Singer, songwriter Charlie Daniels known for his contributions to southern rock, country, and bluegrass music has died.

Daniels was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame in 2002, the Grand Ole Opry in 2008 the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009,and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

He worked as a Nashville session musician playing guitar and electric bass on three Bob Dylan albums and on recordings by Leonard Cohen. 

His first hit was the 1973 novelty song "Uneasy Rider" that reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Charlie Daniels was best known though for his number-one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" which the Muppets performed as the opening number for the Alan Arkin episode of The Muppet Show. 

Charlie Daniels was 83.