Friday, July 29, 2022

Muppet Stuff - NJ TOYCON, Kurt's Donations, and a Grail!

In our latest video we take a look at our TOYCON NJ finds and show off the massive amount of items our friend Kurt donated to the museum.



Make sure to watch until the end, to see the grail I traded for!

Look for more videos on our Youtube Channel.

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Watch The Henson Company's "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" Teaser Trailer!

The first teaser trailer for Jim Henson Company's upcoming stop motion feature Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio was unveiled today. 


Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro reinvents the classic tale of the wooden marionette who is magically brought to life in order to mend the heart of a grieving woodcarver named Geppetto. This whimsical, stop-motion film directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson follows the mischievous and disobedient adventures of Pinocchio in his pursuit of a place in the world.


While no release date was announced, the teaser says the film will be released this "Holiday Season" on Netflix.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Weta Announces More Dark Crystal Mini Epics, Shard Statue, and a Sale!

Weta announced they are expanding their Dark Crystal offerings with new Mini Epics of Aughra and Chamberlain, a Crystal Shard statue, and a sale on many of their previously released Labyrinth and Dark Crystal products!


The Crystal Shard




When single shines the triple sun,
What was sundered and undone,
Shall be whole, the two made one,
By Gelfling hand, or else by none.




Tasked by his master, the Mystic urSu, Jen sets out to find Aughra before the three suns of Thra converge. She reveals to him the origin of the Skeksis, brought when the Crystal was broken, entrusting him with taking the broken shard and restoring the Dark Crystal to its former state.

Aughra has many crystals, and only one is the true shard, but remembering the teachings of the Mystics, Jen plays a single note upon his firca flute; the true shard vibrating and glowing.

Before he can get more answers, Jen is forced to flee, as they are besieged by the fearsome Garthim...


FEATURES:
  • 1:1 scale prop replica

  • Crafted from crystal glass with internal faceting, faithfully recreating the unique qualities of the original prop

  • Base features the iconography from the Crystal Chamber

  • Light up base that illuminates the shard with its signature purple glow, powered by 3x LR41. (Batteries not included)



MINI EPICS: SKEKSIL THE CHAMBERLAIN



Be careful around this ‘friend’, he’s more treacherous than you can imagine.



All dissembling smiles and obsequious bows on the outside, this sinister plotter is rotten to the core. Responsible for many of the most devious plans the Skeksis ever came up with, this is one Mini Epic that we reckon you’re going to want to keep an eye on, mmmmmm? Imbued with life-giving essence by our expert artists, skekSil the Chamberlain Skeksis comes to your collection straight from the Castle of the Crystal, courtesy of Wētā Workshop.



FEATURES:
  • Premium, stylised vinyl figure

  • Most manipulative and cunning of all the Skeksis

  • Dressed in his immaculately detailed original costume

  • Greedily grasping the Skeksis Emperor’s staff in a daring but futile play for the throne

  • Sculpted by Wētā Workshop’s Mini Epics Art Director, Mauro Santini.

MINI EPICS: AUGHRA



One can glean much wisdom from Aughra, provided you can understand her rambling words and riddling speech.




Follow the Greater Sun for a day to the home of Aughra and you will find a mess of perplexing tools and instruments scattered around an enormous revolving orrery. Ducking and weaving with ease through this moving chaos, Aughra remains as sharp as any shard in her collection, and our artists set to work to infuse all her might and mystery into our latest vinyl collectible.






FEATURES:
  • Premium, stylised vinyl figure

  • The physical embodiment of Thra, Mother Aughra

  • Depicting Aughra in her iconic red dress

  • Holding her removable eye, through which she can remotely explore the world of Thra

  • Sculpted by Wētā Workshop’s Mini Epics Senior 3D Artist, Jorgelina Yeme

Weta is also having a sale on a few of their previously released Labyrinth and Dark Crystal products through July 27th. 



Including their Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Gelfling statues for $99.


And their Labyrinth Mini Epics 3 for $55. 


You see more of Weta's Dark Crystal and Labyrinth on Weta's website and using the links above. 

Friday, July 22, 2022

"Scary" "Lost" Wicked Witch Episode of Sesame Street Resurfaces Online!

The infamously banned "scary" episode of Sesame Street was recently leaked online.


Shown on television only once - February 10, 1976, the episode drew letters from parents and even some kids that were too scared to watch the show ever again.

Sesame Street decided to never air the episode again and locked it away in their the vault, never to be seen again. Unless in special circumstances 
like museum screening like the Museum of the moving image did a few years ago. 

The episode revolves around Margaret Hamilton reprising her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz.

The Wicked Witch loses her flying broomstick and proceeds to terrify the street trying to get it back.

You can watch the entire episode in your jammies with the lights on below:

Thursday, July 21, 2022

First Look - NECA Dinosaurs Action Figures!

NECA reveled at San Diego Comic Con today that they’re going to release action figures based on the Henson / Disney series Dinosaurs

So far only Baby and Earl “Not the Mama” Sinclair have been revealed, though it’s possible more figures will be announced.  






No release date has been announced, but we'll keep you posted. 



Exclusive TruffleShuffle Henson Jigsaw Puzzles!

TruffleShuffle has line of exclusive Henson jigsaw puzzles!



So far they have Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, and Dark Crystal puzzles. 


Fraggle Rock 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle



Dance your cares away, Worry's for another day, Let the music play, Down at Fraggle Rock! Nostalgia fiends rejoice. Celebrate the furry, fun-loving Fraggles with this official jigsaw puzzle created with the stars of Jim Henson's enchanting 80s TV series. Sing along to their classics while you create for bonus points! 


Labyrinth 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle




Where everything seems possible and nothing is what it seems...
Directed by Jim Henson, the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth is pretty much the definition of a cult classic! Our official Labyrinth jigsaw puzzle uses imagery from the much-loved movie posters. Complete it in 13 hours or forever be suspended headfirst into the Bog of Eternal Stench!


Labyrinth 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
500 piece jigsaw puzzle featuring original archive artwork
Completed puzzle size: 57.2cm x 42cm
Boxed
100% official Labyrinth merchandise
Exclusive to TruffleShuffle



The Dark Crystal 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle



Another World, another Time, in the age of wonder.

The magical world of Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal is yours with this jigsaw puzzle created with the much-loved movie poster. Just like Jen and his quest to restore balance to the world of Thra, you'll be on a mission to piece together this puzzle. Hours of fun for fans of the fantasy world that has captivated audiences for over thirty years.



Each 
500 piece jigsaw puzzle featuring original archive artwork with a completed size of 57.2cm x 42cm and are exclusive to TruffleShuffle.


You can get order them using the links above.

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Sesame Street Mecha Builders Heads To San Diego Comic-Con!

Sesame Street Mecha Builders is "building" a presence at this year's San Diego Comic-Con.


Throughout the weekend Sesame Workshop is offering a variety of events to promote the new Sesame Street spin-off including panels with the cast, autograph signings, photo ops, and even a giant inflatable Mecha Cookie Monster!

The description on each event is below:

Photo Op with Giant Inflatable “Mecha Cookie Monster”
Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade behind the Omni Hotel to grab a photo with a giant inflatable “Mecha Cookie Monster,” star of the new series “Sesame Street Mecha Builders.” Episodes of the series will play throughout the day and a Cookie Monster costume character will stop by each day for meet and greets. Please note, this event is free and open to non-badge holders.

All weekend, Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade, behind the Omni Hotel

Autograph Session
David Rudman (Mecha Cookie Monster), Ryan Dillon (Mecha Elmo), and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (Mecha Abby) will be onsite signing autographs for fans.

Saturday, July 23 from 2-4pm, at the autograph area located in the Sails Pavilion

Panel: Sesame Street Mecha Builders
From feathered and furry friends to robot heroes-in-training, find out how the iconic Sesame Street Muppets got supersized into CGI animated characters for the newest series Sesame Street Mecha Builders. Join Olexa Hewryk, Frank Falcone, David Rudman, Ryan Dillon, and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as they discuss how Cookie Monster, Elmo and Abby Cadabby were re-imagined to expand the Sesameverse. The panel will be moderated by Alan Muraoka from Sesame Street.

Sunday, July 24 at 1:45pm, Room 5AB



If you're going to San Diego Comic-Con be sure to check this MECHA Sesame events!

Friday, July 15, 2022

Henson to Develop TV Series based on ‘A Kids Book About" Books!

The Jim Henson Company and A Kids Company About have partnered to develop "A Kids Show About," a new mixed-media kids series to address today's toughest topics.


Based on the award-winning book series "A Kids Book About," which tackles issues like racism, school shootings, and climate change

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jim Henson Company, producer of the recent critically-acclaimed series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and Harriet the Spy, has partnered with A Kids Company About, the Portland, OR-based media company built on the belief that kids are ready to have challenging, empowering, and important conversations, to develop A Kids Show About. The new mixed-media series, targeting families and kids 6-11, is based on the bestselling and award-winning book series "A Kids Book About" and will feature live-action segments, animation, and puppetry vignettes to teach kids and families how to have conversations around the tough and relevant topics facing children today.

"A Kids Book About" books include over 80 titles and counting that address the biggest issues facing today's kids and their communities, from racism to school shootings, as well as self-love, imagination, gender, anxiety , immigration, climate change, cancer, and incarceration. Contributors have included a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and identities, and the brand has become a nationally recognized resource at the intersection of kids and social justice issues. Most recently, the brand gave away the ebook, "A Kids Book About School Shootings", which was downloaded more than 30,000 times in a matter of days following the Uvalde elementary school massacre.


"Kids' television is all about iconography; memorable characters who bring joy and warmth to the story and watching experience. And some of the most iconic, timeless characters in kids' television came from The Jim Henson Company," said Jelani Memory, CEO and founder of A Kids Company About. Dubbed "the Modern Mr. Rogers" by Fatherly, Memory added, "we hope to emulate the kind of generational impact of the characters that Jim Henson created, like the Muppets and Fraggles, while featuring diverse voices and experiences like we do in our books."

"Many of today's kids are deeply aware of the most serious challenges and risks that are a threat to them each day. As producers, we have an opportunity to provide the resources and trusted information, and – above all – to inspire the radical hope that kids need in order to see themselves as part of their community and feel empowered to make the changes they want to see in their world", said Sidney Clifton, Sr. Vice President of Animation and Mixed Media at The Jim Henson Company who will oversee the project's development.

A Kids Show About will be produced by The Jim Henson Company, with Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford executive producing. Memory and Dan Ilani of A Kids Company About will also executive produce.

ABOUT THE JIM HENSON COMPANY

The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. The Company is currently in production on Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio for Netflix and the feature film The Portable Door. Henson's most recent television credits include Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Harriet the Spy and Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, all for Apple TV+, Word Party Presents: Math! for Netflix, Duff's Happy Fun Bake Time for discovery+, Earth to Ned for Disney+, and the Emmy®-winning Netflix Original series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Other TV productions include Word Party (Netflix), Dinosaur Train (PBS), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Sid the Science Kid (PBS), and Julie's Greenroom (Netflix), as well as Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, and the sci-fi series Farscape. Feature film credits include The Star (Sony Pictures Animation), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Disney), and the groundbreaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and post-production facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company's Henson Alternative credits include The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Netflix), the feature film The Happytime Murders, and the popular live puppet improvisational show Puppet-Up! – Uncensored.

A BOUT A KIDS COMPANY ABOUT

A Kids Company About. is a new kind of kids media company that works to empower a generation of kids through diverse storytelling. Founded in 2019 in Portland, OR, A Kids Company About has created a unique storytelling model focused on authenticity and identity. They've worked with authors to create the A Kids Book About series such as LeVar Burton for A Kids Book About Imagination, to TIME'S Kid of The Year Orion Jean for A Kids Book About Leadership. In 2021 they brought their storytelling approach to audio, launching the A Kids Podcast About podcast network, with 12 original shows (one named Apple's Best Show of 2021). A Kids Company About is built on the belief that kids are ready to have challenging, empowering and important conversations with the grownups in their lives. For more information, visit www.akidsco.com.

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Hallmark's 2022 Muppet Animal Ornament Now Available!

Hallmark's 2022 Muppet ornament "Animal's Christmas Present"  is now available. 

Below are some closeups of the ornament:




As you can see the ornament features Animal popping out of a still wrapped box wearing a Santa hat and branding two candy canes instead of drumsticks. 




Kudos to Hallmark for going back to back to their old box design. As you can see above, the graphics are much bigger on the box then last year. 

2021 Box art 

The Sesame Street Elmo and His Puppy, Tango ornament was supposed to be released this past weekend as well, but has been delayed. 


The Oscar the Grouch "Peekbuster" is still slated to be released in October.


"Animal's Christmas Present" is available now at Hallmark stores and online

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Exclusive Disney Pins Blog Rizzo Pizza Pin!

The Disney Pins Blog has an exclusive Rizzo Pizza Pin!

The pin features Rizzo holding a pizza and is made of hard enamel with pearlized design and silver tone finish.

It's made from recycled metal, officially licensed by Disney, and is limited edition of 300.  



You can purchase 
this Rizzo Pizza Pin for $14.00 at the Disney Pins Blog.

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Coming Soon: Dreamchild Bluray!

Dreamchild, the semi-biographical story of Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) and his relationship with young Alice Liddell, is coming to Blu-Ray for first time.


Jim Henson's Creature Shop created 
puppets for the dream sequences building characters such as The Mad Hatter, Mock Turtle, Gryphon, and March Hair. 


The Blu-ray will feature a new HD Transfer by MGM, new Audio commentary by Author/Film Historian Lee Gambin, a Theatrical Trailer, and Optional English Subtitles. 

Dreamchild will be released September 20th by Kino Lorber Studio Classic and can be pre-ordered now here.

Friday, July 8, 2022

RIP Tony Sirico (1942 - 2022)

Tony Sirico best known for his role as Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos, has died.



In 2007, Sirico appeared on Elmo's Christmas Countdown with Sopranos co-star Steve Schirripa where he portrayed Bert alongside Schirripa's Ernie during "The Bert and Ernie Christmas Special" sketch.


The following year, the pair worked on A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa as mob like characters who own an Italian restaurant.


Tony Sirico was 79. 

Muppet Stuff - Unboxing Loungefly's Lovers & Dreamers Collection!

Join me as unbox Loungefly's Muppet Lovers & Dreamers Collection and well as their exclusive Disney Parks Muppet bags.



Look for more videos on our Youtube Channel.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Watch Coldplay's "Biutyful" Music Video With The Weirdos!

Coldplay debuted the official music video for "Biutyful" featuring the new Henson puppet band, The Weirdos.


The official video for "Biutyful" is from Coldplay's new album Music Of The Spheres. 

Check it out below and be sure to stick around after the credits:


As you cans see the video features Easter eggs of alluding to famous Muppet characters no longer owned by Henson Company

Puppets by Jim Henson's Creature Shop

The Miskreant Puppets appear courtesy of Henson Alternative

Puppet Captain + Puppeteer: Nicolette Santino

Puppeteers:
Drew Massey
Russ Walko
Amanda Maddock
Artie Esposito

Background Puppeteers:
Jack Venturo
Sarah Oh
Jordan Brownlee
Kathryn Molloy
Catrina Quintanilla

Stream / download "Biutyful" at https://coldplay.lnk.to/Biutyful and stream/download the entire album at - https://coldplay.lnk.to/MOTS

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Weta Door Knockers!

Knock Knock! Who's there? Weta Labyrinth Door knockers!


WETA has new 1:6 scale prop replica of Labyrinth's Door Knockers!

Asking for advice from the inhabitants of the Labyrinth is never an easy task, especially when they’re a pair of grumpy door knockers

Unsure of which door to choose? Try asking the door knockers; if you can get them to stop bickering that is.




Within the mystical Labyrinth, a pair of talking door knockers is hardly the strangest thing one may find, though countless years of having a ring stuck in your mouth or ears is enough to make any animate object more than just a little upset, and once they start arguing it’s hard to get them to stop. Best to let sleeping knockers lie, pick a door, and carry on your way.



FEATURES1:6 scale prop replica;
Made from high-quality polystone;
Clay sculpted by Wētā Workshop veteran sculptor Shaun Bolton;
Expert paint job recreates an aged bronze finish;
Wall mounts on the back to for easy hanging;
Made with references from the actual on-set props.

PRODUCT DIMENSIONS:
Left - L: 9.5cm x W: 7.7cm x D:2cm Weight: 53g
Right - L: 12cm x W: 7.4cm x D:3.3cm Weight: 55g


You can pre-order them now from Weta and Big Bad Toy Store.