RIP Mac Davis (1942 - 2020)

Following the news of Helen Reddy, country songwriter and Muppet Show guest star, Mac Davis, has also died. 

Davis was a household name and even had his own TV show in the 1970s. He singer had a strong of solo hits, including the number one "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me" which he performed on The Muppet Show:

Davis also appeared on TV shows Fargo and Murder, She Wrote and wrote songs for artists including Glen Campbell, Bobby Goldsboro, and Kenny Rogers. 

Elvis scored hits with Davis compositions "A Little Less Conversation," "In The Ghetto," and "Memories", which became Davis' first top 40 hit.

 

His signature song though was "I Believe in Music I Believe In Music " which he also performed on The Muppet Show, but isn't available online. 

Davis was admitted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame In 2000 and he entered the national Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.

Five years ago Davis scored a global hit co-writing "Addicted To You" with the late Swedish dance producer Avicii. 

Mac Davis was 78.

RIP Helen Reddy (1941 - 2020)

Australian singer and Muppet Show guest star Helen Reddy has died. 

Reddy's 1973 hit “I Am Woman” became a feminist anthem and was the subject of a 2019 biopic of the same name.

She appeared during the third season of The Muppet Show where the Swedish Chef and Animal though it was her birthday,

performed the song "We'll Sing In The Sunshine,"

her own hit song "You And Me Against The World" with Kermit:

and "Blue" which Sesame Street songwriter Joe Roposo wrote for for the animated feature Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure:

 

Besides The Muppet Show, Reddy appeared on many TV shows of the 70's and 80's including The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Fantasy Island. 

She also stares in the films Pete’s Dragon, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Airport ’75 for which she earned a Golden Globe nom for Most Promising Female Newcomer. 

Helen Reddy was 78.

The Creature Shop Struts Its Stuff!

With large in person gatherings still a no-no, Jeremy Scott, creative director of Moschino, enlisted Jim Henson's Creature Shop to help bring is new clothing line to life in a unique way.. marionettes!

The collection, presented as a short film, shows the collection on a series of very life-life puppets.

The marionettes walked down a scaled runway, flanked by a front row of puppet on lookers figures, including one that resembled fashion icon Anna Wintour.

View this post on Instagram

#Repost @michelgaubert ・・・ So proud to have soundtracked the #moschino masterminded by @itsjeremyscott . Watch it on Moschino.com

A post shared by Moschino (@moschino) on Sep 26, 2020 at 9:13am PDT

 

You can watch the fashion show here:

View this post on Instagram

Moschino SS21 show watch on moschino.com #moschino #mfw #ss21 @itsjeremyscott #moschinofashionshow

A post shared by Moschino (@moschino) on Sep 26, 2020 at 6:43am PDT

 

Below are some behind the scenes photos and video of the shoot:

 

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#Repost @voguebrasil ・・・ Uma palavra que define bem o estilo da @Moschino é irreverência e desde que @itsJeremyScott assumiu o comando da marca, em 2013, este lado caricato ficou ainda mais forte. Assim como tantas grifes italianas, a grife nesta estação optou por uma apresentação digital, mas ao invés de modelos... marionetes! Desenvolvidas pela Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, criadora dos Muppets, as bonecas não só viraram modelos, mas também o front row do desfile. Anna Wintour, @HamishBowles e @Edward_Enninful são apenas alguns dos ilustres convidados retratados no vídeo lançado hoje. (Via @maridipilla) #VoguenaMFW #mfw #ss21 #fashionshow

 

A post shared by Moschino (@moschino) on Sep 26, 2020 at 2:25pm PDT

 

More photos can be found on moschino's Instagram.

Rare Muppet Clips Volume 9!

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!

The Muppets on Julie Andrew's "One Step into Spring" Show (1978):

The Muppets at Walt Disney World Promo (1990): 

"Ich Hoffe, Dass Irgendwann' Was Besseres Kommt" other wise known as "I Hope That Something Better Comes Along":

Rare pre production test footage from The Dark Crystal:

"The Muppet Show: On Tour" Commercial

If you like these be sure to check out parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

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

New Muppet*Vision 3D Ornament!

A new Muppet*Vision 3D ear ornament has been spotted at Walt Disney World. 

Kermit (sans correct eyes) is on the front with the logo (sans Jim Henson's name) flanked by Miss Piggy and Fozzie. 

The back features Gonzo and Waldo in the ears with Bunsen & Beaker popping out through a back door. 

The Muppet*Vision 3D ear ornament is available exclusively at Disney Parks. 

Happy Birthday, Jim Henson!

Happy Jim Henson Day! Today Jim would have turned 84.

Check out this clip of Jim Henson, Dr. Teeth and Kermit promoting The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

That was before The Muppet Show itself was even in production. Back when all the major US broadcast networks passed on the series, before The Muppet Movie and the "Rainbow Connection."

So, while last year's big series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will now be a one season wonder, there is so much other Henson stuff happening.

Fraggle Rock: Rock On spurned an upcoming series reboot, The hilarious Earth to Ned recently premiered, as did Elmo's Not So Late Talk Show and Muppets Now. Sesame Street is gearing up for it's 51st season and last year became the first TV show to ever receive a Kennedy Center Honor, while next year's The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens aims to be Henson's first virtual reality production.

And while the world may be in dark place currently, we have to remember to "Keep believing, keep pretending..." because together we can "Turn the World Around."

We miss you, Jim!

Happy Birthday, Steve Whitmire!

 Today is Steve Whitmire's birthday. 

Although no longer a Muppet performer, we wish him all the best on his special day. 

He are some Lips bits from over the, including on of his first speaking roles and his last as performed by Steve.

 
Happy Birthday, Steve!

New Limited Edition Gonzo Daredevil Pin!

Disney Parks unveiled a new Muppet featuring "Daredevil" Gonzo as their Trading Cards Series Pin-of-the-Month. 

Stunt Muppet The Great Gonzo blasts from a cannon onto this limited edition Daredevil pin for your Disney Trading Card collection. Not sure what he is, but it's not a ''chicken.''

The Limited Edition pin was created especially for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort and has an edition size of 4,000. 

The best part is even though it's a park exclusive, you don't have to go o the parks to get it!
Trading Cards: Gonzo Daredevil Pin is available now at ShopDisney.com

Caroll Spinney Emmy Awards: In Memoriam!

Caroll Spinney was honored during the 72nd Emmy Awards "In Memoriam" segment. Although brief it was great to see him included. 

You can watch the entire "In Memoriam" below:

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Canceled!

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance has come to an end as Netflix has officially canceled the series.

Variety is now confirming the rumors we heard in February that "Netflix will not be returning to the planet of Thra."

The news of the comes just after the show won an Emmy for outstanding children’s series.

“We can confirm that there will not be an additional season of ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.’ We know fans are eager to learn how this chapter of ‘The Dark Crystal’ saga concludes and we’ll look for ways to tell that story in the future,” said executive producer Lisa Henson.

“Our company has a legacy of creating rich and complex worlds that require technical innovation, artistic excellence, and masterful storytelling. Our history also includes productions that are enduring, often finding and growing their audience over time and proving again and again that fantasy and science fiction genres reflect eternal messages and truths that are always relevant. We are so grateful to Netflix for trusting us to realize this ambitious series; we are deeply proud of our work on ‘Age of Resistance,’ and the acclaim it has received from fans, critics and our peers, most recently receiving an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program.”

“We are grateful to the master artists at The Jim Henson Company for bringing ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ to life for fans around the world,” added a Netflix spokesperson. “We’re thankful to the executive producers Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford, and Louis Leterrier, who also directed all episodes, as well as the writers, cast and crew for their outstanding work and thrilled they were recognized with the Emmy this weekend.”

This follows Netflix cancelling their previous Henson collaboration The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell after one season as well. 

Dark Crystal: Age of Emmy!

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance won an Emmy over the weekend for "Outstanding Children's Program."

Below is the official Jim Henson Company 

We are honored to announce The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program! Congrats to all of the incredibly talented artists who brought this fantastic world to life and made the series a reality! Thra rejoices!#Emmy2020 pic.twitter.com/e04iDNNAwN

— The Jim Henson Company (@hensoncompany) September 20, 2020

Congrats to everyone involved with The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. I hope Netflix knows fans want even more of this groundbreaking show.

"Count" The Emmys this Sunday!

According to Variety, Sesame Street's Count von Count has been tapped to present during this Sunday night's Emmy awards!

Joining the Count in presenting are Laverne Cox, Sterling K. Brown, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jason Bateman, Morgan Freeman, Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, D-Nice, Randall Park, RuPaul, Patrick Stewart and Jason Sudeikis, Anthony Anderson, America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Gabrielle Union, J.J. Watt, Lena Waithe, Oprah Winfrey and Grammy winner H.E.R.

Jimmy Kimmel hosts the Emmys this Sunday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.

Muppet - Word of The Day!

This week The Muppets began a new series of "Word of the Day" segments.

Today's word is "blunderbuss"

Check out their tweet below:

 

Ready for the Word of the Day? Enhance your vocabulary with the help of @GoferScooter and inflate your laughter with the aid of @FozzieBear! pic.twitter.com/trx7eLHq2p

— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) September 12, 2020

 

I wonder what word The Muppets will come up with next!

Muppets Now Bloopers!

While Muppets Now may be over, for "now". Joe the legal weasel has allowed the release of these bloopers from the series that may be funnier that the show itself!

Just when @GoferScooter thought he was out (of office), Joe from Legal pulls him back in! Enjoy these exclusive deleted scenes from #MuppetsNow and stream all episodes now, only on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/y6PkKt1qTp

— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) September 9, 2020

Hopefully Disney+ will upload these an an extra with Muppets Now... soon. 

A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration Coming to PBS!

Last October, New York's Lincoln Center hosted A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years & Counting and this year, slightly over a year later, the celebration comes to TV set near you. 

PBS will air premiere an hour-long version of A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting on October 30 at 9 pm EST.

Times and dates may vary between PBS stations so check your local listings.

The Barretta Brothers Welcome Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Ricky Gervais, Matt Vogel and Bobby Moynihan!

In case you've missed the past few episodes of their show ,The Barretta Brothers have recently welcomed Muppet performers and guest stars Julianne Buescher, Alice Dinnean, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Ricky Gervais, Matt Vogel and Bobby Moynihan!

Check them out below:

Live Q&A #01 with Julianne Buescher and Alice Dinnean:

 Leslie Carrara-Rudolph:

 Ricky Gervais and Matt Vogel:

 

Bobby Moynihan:

You can these episodes and more on the The Barretta Brothers Youtube channel. 

Heroes Wear Masks: Elmo’s Super Adventure Coming Soon!

A new Sesame Street book "Heroes Wear Masks: Elmo’s Super Adventure" aims to "help children calm school anxiety and understand new and different routines they may experience” during our time of COVID. 

Superheroes wear masks! Come along in this Elmo book as he gets ready to go off to school and be a mask hero!

Today is going to be a SUPER day! Elmo is heading to school, and he wants to be a school superhero! Young children will join Elmo as he gets ready like a hero and learns about wearing masks and washing hands. With the help of Elmo and his mommy, this all new story from world-renowned education brand Sesame Workshop will help children calm school anxiety and understand new and different routines they may experience, such as:

• Wearing a kids face mask
• Anxiety about leaving home
• Washing hands frequently
• Social distancing
• Not being able to give hugs or high-fives to friends
• Staggered schedules
• Why some friends may not be at school
• Temperature checks
• New classroom seating arrangements

Below are a few sample pages:

Check out this CBS This Morning segment on the book:

"Heroes Wear Masks is a sweet and educational mask book for kids that reminds readers it's super to help everyone stay healthy and safe! It's the perfect pandemic book with tools to discuss important topics as kids go back to school, preschool, daycare, or out in any public setting where they'd need a face mask."

This Sesame Street book also includes bonus tips for grown-ups with language parents, caregivers, and educators can use with young children to talk about staying healthy!

"Heroes Wear Masks: Elmo’s Super Adventure" will be in stores September 15, 2020 and is available for preorder from Amazon.