Halloween Frightful Favorites with The Muppets!

To celebrate Muppets Haunted Mansion D23 asked Gonzo, Pepé, and Miss Pigg about some of their frightful Halloween favorites.

Find out in the video, below:

Muppets Haunted Mansion is streaming now on Disney+.

Upcoming Henson MOMI Events!

The Museum of the Moving Image has two upcoming, in-person, Jim Henson related events. 

After first running last week, MOMI has a second chance today to catch A Happy Henson Halloween:

Join us for a selection of classic monsters, music, and Muppets, including episodes of The Muppet Show featuring Vincent Price and Alice Cooper and other haunting classic clips from Jim Henson’s work. 

There won’t be tricks, but Jim Henson Legacy President Craig Shemin will introduce the screening and bring along some Muppet treats as gifts for lucky audience members.

Friday, October 29, 3:00 p.m.
Program total running time: 75 mins.

Then next Saturday celebrate the release of Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History with 
Fraggle Rock: A Celebration.

Featuring special guests author Jody Revenson, puppet designer/builder Rollie Krewson, Karen Falk (The Jim Henson Company), and Craig Shemin (The Jim Henson Legacy). Program followed by a book signing in the Museum Shop.

To celebrate the new book Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History from Insight Editions, join co-author Jody Revenson, Director of The Jim Henson Company Archives Karen Falk, and moderator Craig Shemin for a discussion punctuated by classic and rare video clips from Jim Henson’s groundbreaking series. Fraggle Rock, which originally aired on HBO from 1983–1987, is now being revived with all-new episodes for Apple TV+, where you can also watch the original series. Revenson will be signing books (available for sale in the Museum Shop) immediately following the theater presentation. 

Saturday, November 6, 1:00 p.m.

Program runs 80 mins.


You can purchase tickets online using the the Museum of the Moving Image links above.

Please review safety protocols before your visit.

DVR Alert: Kermit and Piggy Visit The View for Halloween!

Kermit and Piggy will be making a special Halloween visit to The View this week. 

Check out The View this Friday, October 29th at 11am ET on ABC to see what tricks and  treats Kermit and Miss Piggy have in store. 

Henson Developing New Stop-Motion "Ghost" Series!

The Jim Henson Company has a trick up their sleeve - an upcoming stop-motion animated series based on the book How to Make Friends with a Ghost.

Below is the official press release: 

Do you think ghosts are ghastly? Do creepy crawlers give you the creeps? Have you ever wanted to get to know the monster under your bed (chances are he’s very lonely)? Then get ready for How to Make Friends with a Ghost. The Jim Henson Company is developing Rebecca Green’s book of the same name, published by Tundra Books, as a new stop-motion animation series for kids ages 5 -9 years old. 

The show, brought to life by animation partner Factory (BAFTA-winning Clangers, Norman Picklestripes), is set in Ms. B’s whimsical and fantastical afterschool program where she and Ghost, the resident Head Ghost, help children and creatures make friends with their fears.

How to Make Friends with a Ghost follows the adventures of Ms. B’s students – including both kids and creatures – as they attend activities like Batty Ballet and Ghost Gardening, while exploring common fears – both real and imaginary – in fun and humorous ways. The series will encourage viewers to become accustomed to their own fears, feel empowered to overcome them, and gain understanding about why something may seem scary.

“The fears kids encounter in everyday life – like being separated from a parent, or seeing a spider – as well as imaginary fears, like monsters or something hiding in our closet, can all feel very real. How to Make Friends with a Ghost helps explore those feelings and provides needed tools that will empower all kids – and some adults!” said Halle Stanford, President of Television, The Jim Henson Company. “Viewers will want to visit this highly imaginative world inhabited by supernatural creatures who are just waiting to be your new best friends.”

How to Make Friends with a Ghost is a production of The Jim Henson Company in partnership with Factory. The series will be executive produced by Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford for Henson, and Phil Chalk for Factory, and will also be shepherded by Henson’s Kait Boss. Longtime Henson collaborator Ashley Griffis is attached as a co- executive producer and writer.

We'll keep you posted as How to Make Friends with a Ghost continues to develop.

Miss Piggy to Sing Queen!

Miss Piggy will be part of the upcoming Queen Family Sing Along. 

Among the celebrity belting out Queen classics will be Jimmie Allen and Miss Piggy signing “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

 

The Queen Family Sing Along will air Thursday, Nov. 4 at 8/7c on ABC. 

Watch Kermit & Electric Mayhem on Dear Earth!

Over the weekend The Muppets appeared on YouTube's environmentally conscience Dear Earth special. 

But first, Kermit appeared on the Today show Friday to promote the special:

  

Then our flippered friend opened the special with brief message about what we can do to make a serious difference to climate change.

 

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem appeared about 15 later following remarks by former President Obama, where they performed the 70’s classic "Mr. Blue Sky." 

You can watch the entire Dear Earth special "an epic global celebration of our planet and what we need to do to reverse climate change. Sprinkled with musical performances, Dear Earth will also contain well-known climate activists, creators, and celebs who will all share ways to make our lives more sustainable" on YouTube.

The Muppets to Appear on Dear Earth YouTube Special!

The Muppets will appear in the upcoming YouTube special Dear Earth.

Dear Earth - an epic global celebration of our planet and what we need to do to reverse climate change. Sprinkled with musical performances, Dear Earth will also contain well-known climate activists, creators, and celebs who will all share ways to make our lives more sustainable.

Featuring a wide-range of climate activists, creators, and celebs: President Barack Obama, Desmond Tutu, and Sundar Pichai, celebrities, musicians and performers including Anitta, Billie Eilish, BLACKPINK, Jaden Smith, Lil Dicky + GaTa, Marsai Martin, The Muppets, Tinashe, and SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as YouTube creators AsapSCIENCE , Brave Wilderness, Bretman Rock, Dream, Jack Harries, Odd1sOut, PhysicsGirl and ZHC.

Celebrate Mother Earth - the only known entity to actually birth the human race - with this special YouTube Original that highlights how we should be solving climate problems. Dear Earth shows us the latest in innovation, technology, and the sustainable revolution that’s about to take place. Celebrate Mother Earth - the only known entity to actually birth the human race - with this special YouTube Original that highlights how we should be solving climate problems. Dear Earth shows us the latest in innovation, technology, and the sustainable revolution that’s about to take place.”

The Muppets posted a clip of their appearance on their Twitter page:

Join @KermitTheFrog, Dr. Teeth and the @ElectricMayhem, and more for Dear Earth, a global celebration of our incredible planet. Don’t miss the premiere tomorrow, October 23 at 2pm PST, only on @YouTube: https://t.co/U7E4kmDpew pic.twitter.com/Yn479WL0yW

— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) October 22, 2021

The GreenMatters blog interviewed Kermit about the special

Dear Earth will premiere tomorrow, October 23 at 11am EST/ 2pm PST, on YouTube!

Another Batch of Barretta Bros. Podcasts!

The Barretta Brothers have another batch of converted Vodcast to podcast episodes. 

Tom Bergeron! Bob Schooley & Mark McCorkle!

Muppet Collectibles with Mark Read and Chris Stulz! (Hey we know that guy!)

Kevin Bishop!

2020 Christmas Ep & Year-End Eps! Ben Charter!

Christmas Special and Muppet Trivia 3!

Bobby Moynihan!

Louise Gold!

DAVE GOELZ! MUPPET MINI: VIDEO VERSION!

Watch the video footage from the Muppet Mini Podcast episode. Hear his stories about Jim Henson, Jane Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and Caroll Spinney!

FRAN BRILL! MUPPET MINI: VIDEO VERSION!

Watch the video footage from the Muppet Mini Podcast episode. Hear her stories about Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and Caroll Spinney

KEVIN CLASH! MUPPET MINI: VIDEO VERSION!    

Kevin has wonderful stories to tell about Richard Hunt, Caroll Spinney, Jerry Nelson, Jane Henson and Jim Henson.

Finally The Barretta Brothers hosted a live Q&A last week to talk about Muppets Haunted Mansion with special guests, Matt Vogel, Dave Goelz, Jim Lewis, Michael Steinbach, Alice Dinnean, Peter Linz, Julianne Buescher, Bruce Lanoil, and Kelly Younger.

Available in both video and podcast. 

These episode and more can be found at the The Barretta Brothers.com and Apple podcasts

Letters To Santa Coming to Disney+!

Scratch another Muppet production missing from Disney+ off the list!

What's On Disney+ is stating that A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa is set to join the streamer Friday, November 19.

Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History - Now Available!

After a few delays Insight Editions' Fraggle Rock - The Ultimate Visual History is finally  available... TODAY!

Below is the official description a few sample pages: 

It’s been over thirty-five years since the irrepressible Fraggles first hit the screen in the beloved children’s television hit Fraggle Rock. Created by the legendary Jim Henson, along with Michael K. Frith, Jerry Juhl, Duncan Kenworthy, and Jocelyn Stevenson, Fraggle Rock remains a favorite of fans to this day. This delightful volume tells the incredible story of the bighearted show that helped instill open-minded values in a whole generation of viewers. 

Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History follows the show’s creation, from early concepts to the incredible puppetry that brought the unforgettable characters, such as Gobo, Red, and Mokey, to life. Exclusive interviews with Stevenson, Frith, Kenworthy, and several other major contributors reveal fascinating, exclusive insights that take the reader further into Jim Henson’s world than ever before. Featuring a wealth of rare concept art and behind-the-scenes photographs from the archives of The Jim Henson Company, Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History is the definitive look at one of the best-loved television shows of all time. 

Fraggle Rock: The Ultimate Visual History is available now at your local book store and  through Amazon.

Muppet Stuff at NYCC 2021!

After a year absence New York Comic Con once again returned to the Javits Center. I scoped out the show Thursday to once again find as much Muppet stuff scattered throughout the Con as could. 

There where MUCH less attendees the day I was there  then in the past which made the whole experience easier to get around and much more pleasant. 

Let's start in Artists Ally:

Monikanimated had these great Kermit and Rizzo illustrations:

Karen Hallion:

Jen Taylor and Mark Bodnar had this Kermit and Miss Piggy print recreating the finale from The Muppets:

and our friend Jay Fosgitt was there selling prints of his Dark Crystal and Labyrinth illustrations, doing commissions and just generally being awesome. 

 

Upstairs on the main show floor we found a few other artists as well....

Including YouFoundJacob, who had both this Kermit for King pin and a swamp creature Kermit print. 

Sew Tired: Creations by Kristyna and Shawn had this illustrated Labyrinth worm coaster,  

and some very Muppet like puppets:

Jason Edmiston had prints of his eye series, 

as well a a Fizzgig print. 

JellyKoe! had prints of Audrey II from Little Shop Of Horrors:

Friend of the blog Dave Perillo had a selection of his alphabet series for sale including a L is for Ludo from Labyrinth print. 

He also managed to score one of Jason Edmiston's Big Bird eyes print:

A few booths had both official and unofficial Labyrinth stuff:

Speaking of "unofficial" items there was plenty of bootleg items to be found including magnets: 

and patches:

But there was a fair amount of officially licensed merchandise as well including Diamond Select Toys, who had the new "Best of" The Muppets action figure line for sale:

As well as their Deformz blind box line featuring Kermit:

They were also showing of their long awaited Sam and Rizzo action Figures. 

Throughout the floor we saw pins of Dark Crystal:

and even Henson performer Allan Trautman as the Tarman zombie!

Speaking of pins there was a whole booth a Disney park pins including a few featuring the Muppets:

A few booths had Henson Funko Pops!

Diamonds' Muppet action figures:

and Medicom's Miss Piggy Ultra Detail figure:

and Gentle Giant's Animal bust: 

There was plenty of brand new items for sale including this Kaboom! comic exclusive Dark Crystal black light poster:

The Sesame Street Funko Pop! pins: 

Little Shop of Pins had a booth with their exclusive Henson pins:

There was also a few booth of Henson clothing, one had a ton of socks and shirts, both official and unofficial: 

Stylin' Online had these official Kermit and Elmo hats:

Muppets shirts featuring Pigs in Space and Statler and Waldorf:

A few Sesame Street shirts:

and a Goblin King Labyrinth shirt:

There weren't a whole lot of booths featuring vintage items this year but I did spot these Sesame Street animation cells. Not sure what they were from, but cool to see. 

There was one booth however that had PLENTY of vintage Henson items run by my friend Mark who had these classic Big bird items including a Big Bird Beater signed by Carroll Spinney:

Sesame finger puppets both - US and International versions: 

Vintage Sesame puppets, 

whose box art is filled with great little details:

Like Roosevelt Franklin hiding behind Oscar:

and Bert seemingly annoyed that is stuck playing with a toy of himself:

We even spotted a few Henson cosplayers including these group who went as Bert, Ernie and Miss Piggy:

Ebay had a both this year stocked with items you could bid on and take home at the show, 

so naturally I changed on of the tablets to show vintage Muppet stuff:

We also ran into fellow Muppet fan Matthew Soberman: 

and Sesame Street's Creative Director of Character Design Luis Henry Mitchell!

Well that's it for New York Comic Con 2021.

 I'm sure there was even more I missed, but gotta save some finds for another year.