DVR Alert: Sesame Street Muppets Celebrate Christmas in Rockefeller Center!

The Sesame Street Muppets will be on hand (so to speak) to celebrate the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

The event will be hosted by Today's Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Mario Lopez.

Other celebrities announced include Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, Jimmie Allen, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Alicia Keys, Dan + Shay, The Shindellas, Louis York, and more.

Christmas in Rockefeller Center airs tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC - though some NBC owned stations might start it at 7pm 

Smithsonian "Entertainment Nation" Muppet Opening Events!

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's new permanent "Entertainment Nation" exhibit opens Dec 9 and the museum will host some Muppet themed events as part of the celebration.

About the Entertainment Nation Exhibit:

Entertainment has the power to captivate, inspire and transform us. It brings us together. We share it when we spontaneously recite lines from a favorite movie, dance to the same groove or recreate a national sports moment on a neighborhood street. It can also spur critical conversations, expose divides, and foster important historical change.

Through the National Museum of American History’s extraordinary collection of theater, music, sports, movie and television objects, the exhibition Entertainment Nation will feature a powerful, ever-changing selection of objects and interactive experiences. Through the objects and their stories, the exhibition will explore how, for over 150 years, entertainment has provided a forum for important national conversations about who we are, and who we want to be.

No other museum can tell the story of the country’s common entertainment experiences like the National Museum of American History. The museum's collection of 1.8 million objects documents the careers of such influential figures as Selena, Roberto Clemente, Kristi Yamaguchi, Mia Hamm, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Bette Davis, and Muhammad Ali. Its Broadway, television, and film collections document productions such as Hamilton, Rent, The Handmaid's Tale, M*A*S*H, Sesame Street, Star Wars, and many more. Through online resources as well as exhibitions on the National Mall such as Entertainment Nation, the museum will continue its mission to engage audiences in new and expanding ways.

Get a preview of the exhibit below:

During the opening weekend the museum will host the following Henson related events:

In Conversation: The Impact of Sesame Street
Sat, December 10, 2022, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Sesame Street is one of the best-loved children’s television series of all time, but also one of the most revolutionary. In using television to teach, Sesame’s creators and performers have particularly sought to reach children from minority backgrounds and lower-income families lacking access to educational materials. Join Sesame Workshop’s Akimi Gibson, Rosita puppeteer/performer Carmen Osbahr, and cast member Alan Muraoka for a discussion of Sesame Street’s history and mission to represent and reach all young learners, especially those who have traditionally been underrepresented in children’s television.

Sam and Friends Panel

Henson Legacy President Craig Shemin informed us that there will also be a Sam and Friends panel and book signing that day as well. 

The Sam and Friends event has not yet been added to the museum's ticketing system, see above for event information: 

Also look for the museum's ongoing "Muppets Take American History" pop-up series were Muppets appear "in unexpected places" in some of the museum's best-loved exhibitions" as well.

Tickets are free, but seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Seating will be opened first to Eventbrite-registered attendees and then to walk-in visitors. When maximum capacity is reached, the event will be closed to the public, so make your reservation using the link above ASAP. 

Henson Hires Gabe Monje-Paulson as Director of Children’s TV!

The Jim Henson Company announced that Gabe Monje-Paulson has joined the company as Director of Children’s Television. 

Monje-Paulson will oversee the development of projects for both live-action and animated children’s television productions. The announcement was made today by Halle Stanford, the Company’s President of Television.

“With his excellent track record of developing quality television for today’s kids, Gabe is the ideal executive to grow Henson’s legacy of creativity and innovation with impactful and inclusive children’s content,” said Stanford.

Before joining The Jim Henson Company, Monje-Paulson was Senior Manager, Development and Current for Mattel TV where he identified new series opportunities in Mattel’s content portfolio, guiding creative supervision and production for shows like Deepa and Anoop and Fireman Sam. He also served as Manager, Original Programming at Disney Junior, acting as a creative executive on the Emmy-winning Elena of Avalor, Peabody award-winning Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Mickey Mouse Funhouse and more. Previously, he oversaw the entirety of Hasbro Studios’ digital shorts program, and worked on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, My Little Pony: Equestria Girls and Transformers: Rescue Bots.

Muppet Stuff - Unboxing Muppet Doorables!

Join us once again from The Muppet Stuff Museum as we unbox Disney's Muppet Doorables and a few other finds.

 

Be sure to check out more Muppet Stuff videos on our Youtube Channel.

Follow Uncle Matt's Journey to the Macy's Parade!

Uncle Traveling Matt is heading to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and you can follow his journey. 

Journey to the Macy's Parade Pt. 1:

 

 Journey to the Macy's Parade Pt. 2:

  

 Journey to the Macy's Parade Pt. 3:  

You can also download your own uncle Traveling Matt and take him on your own adventures.

See more when Uncle Traveling Mat and Fraggle Rock: Back to The Rock are featured as part of this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 9AM tomorrow on NBC.

Note: The cast of Sesame Street will be featured as part of the parade as well. 

D23 Muppet Christmas Carol Anniversary Exclusives!

Mickey’s of Glendale, the Walt Disney Imagineering campus store, created an exclusive collection celebrating The Muppet Christmas Carol 30th Anniversary.

Once more, D23 Gold Members have the chance to shop this Imagineering Exclusive collection through an amazing online event!

The Muppet Christmas Carol Gonzo and Rizzo “Ugly” Holiday Sweater for Adults:

Whoever coined the phrase “Ugly Holiday Sweater” clearly had never been a lamplighter in Victorian London, because this cozy sweater is fire. Featuring full-knit details in shades of red and white, it showcases silhouettes of Gonzo and Rizzo and features jellybean details. Text on the front reads “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and the back features the iconic quote “Light the lamp, not the rat!”

The Muppet Christmas Carol 30th Anniversary Tee for Adults:

Inspired by Victorian broadside posters, this 30th Anniversary T-shirt features ornate damask details... and also 30 of Rizzo’s jellybeans. Includes artwork of Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Kermit the Frog, and Robin as well as accompanying text. A soft, hand-vintage screen-print style lends a comfy, broken-in feel to this tee.

The Muppet Christmas Carol 30th Anniversary Spirit Jersey for Adults:For the first time ever, everyone’s favorite caroling rabbit is featured on a Spirit Jersey as the one-and-only Bean Bunny graces the chest of this design asking for a “penny for the song, guv’nor?” With puffy and glittery ink on the back and a shoulder-to-shoulder print of the film’s logo, Muppet Christmas Carol fans will love this holiday must-have. The base of the Spirit Jersey is a cozy tartan pattern featuring silhouettes of Gonzo and Rizzo.

The Muppet Christmas Carol 30th Anniversary Classic Baseball Cap:“When a cold wind blows it chills you, chills you to the bone!” Keep your head a little warmer with this hunter green cap featuring embroidered artwork of The Muppet Christmas Carol title logo. The back features a 30th Anniversary icon of Bean Bunny surrounded by a wreath.

The Muppet Christmas Carol Gonzo and Rizzo “Ugly” Holiday Sweater Mug:

Fans of The Muppet Christmas Carol can’t forget the opening lines of the film spoken by The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat. Charles Dickens is “here to tell the story,” and his rodent companion is just here “for the food.” Celebrate with a thankful heart all year round with this mug inspired by iconic ugly holiday sweaters.

The Muppet Christmas Carol Concept Art Postcards:

Before a film can come to life, dozens of brilliant artists work together to establish the tone and style. This set of six postcards features three pieces of production design artwork and three costume sketches from The Muppet Christmas Carol. The back of each postcard includes room to write a greeting, address, and stamp. The detailed 5-by-7 inch prints could also be framed as artwork.

It was also announced that two D23 limited edition pins celebrating the 30th Anniversary of The Muppet Christmas Carol will also be available as well.

Gonzo & Rizzo:

It’s in the singing of a street corner choir: it’s going home and getting warm by the fire... we think you’ll agree this pin feels like Christmas! This D23 Gold Member-exclusive is the jolliest way to ring in the season of magic and celebrate three decades of a holiday classic, and features the beloved Dickensian Muppet narrators, Gonzo and Rizzo. Celebrate Christmases of the past, the present, and those yet to come with this pin now!

Kermit & Robin:

‘Tis the season to be jolly and joyous with this adorable holiday pin! This D23 Gold Member exclusive is the merriest way to ring in the season of magic, and features Kermit the Frog in his role of Bob Cratchit and Robin as Tiny Tim. Revel the joy of the holidays, and memories of this Muppet yuletide classic, with this special pin!

The "Two Jolly and Joyous Pins" are a limited edition of 1,000 for each style and will be sold for $14.99 each.

D23 Members can purchase a maximum of two (2) of each item.

The collection is exclusive to D23 Gold Members through ShopDisney.com beginning today at 7AM PT.

First Look: Plastic MeatBall's Labyrinth & Emmet Otter Figures!

Over the weekend, Plastic Meatball unveiled their upcoming Labyrinth and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas action figures at DesignerCon.

First, we have Emmet who comes with Pa's tool kit and a freshly cut Christmas branch. 

It also appears that we'll be getting not one, but two different Ma figures. One with Ma in her everyday clothes.

And another in her talent show outfit. 

I'm hoping a least one of them comes with a washtub we can put a hole in or a boat we can use to deliver laundry. 

UPDATE:

The washtub base accessory is to non-talent show Ma’s left! 

As for Labyrinth so far four half figures have been revealed in the line. 

Sarah with the "Ello" worm:

Jareth in his "Magic Dance" attire:

And Hoggle:

As you can see, while the Labyrinth figures were shown in their packaging, only the Emmet Otter figures themselves were shown.

No release date or any other information was revealed, but we've definitely looking forward to these figures.  

 

Fraggle Rock: Night of the Lights Sneak Peak and Interviews!

AppleTV+ is promoting the new Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock "Night of the Lights" special. 

Screen Rant was offered this exclusive "Second Most Thoughtful Gift" clip. 

In this exclusive clip presented by Screen Rant, Red and Mokey discuss exchanging gifts on the Night of the Lights. Red seems to be about to suggest that maybe the duo should forego the custom this year. There's only one problem: Mokey not only already has her present for Red picked out, but she's got it wrapped up and ready to hand over right away. Red opens up what is a thoughtful painting of herself, and it even glows. Clearly chagrined, Red exclaims it is the best present ever, or maybe only the second best after the present she will be presenting to Mokey, once she picks something up.

   

Uncle Traveling Matt also made the rounds promoting the special including chats with Screen Rant:

   

 and even with our friends at ToughPigs:

   

Broadway World has another exclusive clip featuring Daveed Diggs' Jamdolin.

Of course you can watch the whole thing today as The Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock "Night of the Lights" is now streaming on Apple TV+. 

Fraggle Rock: Night of the Lights (apple Original Series Soundtrack)!

Lakeshore records is releasing a soundtrack album for the upcoming Fraggle Rock: Night of the Lights special. 

 

As of now the album is a digital only release and features two songs

"Night of the Lights" an entirely new song and "Magic Be with You" which has been reworked from the original series. 

You can sample and purchase them at Prestomusic.

The Fraggle Rock: Night of the Lights soundtrack will be released tomorrow November 18th. 

The Muppets X ColourPop Holiday Collection!

The Muppets and ColourPop teamed up for a new holiday makeup collection.

The sets include:

HOLIDAYS! HOLIDAYS! HOLIDAYS! PALETTE, $26.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

ICY PATCH Pearlescent glitter warm ivory with gold & coppery glittery highlights
SNOW BUSINESS Metallic soft warm nude with peachy pink duochrome finish
HOLIDAY PARTY TIME Matte pinky nude
CELEBRATE MOI Pearlescent glitter baby pink with mint green & silvery highlights
MEEP! MEEP! Metallic vibrant tangerine
ICE TO SEE YOU Metallic golden bronze
FRAZZLED Matte sparkle yellow green with silver pin points
HAUTE HOLIDAYS Matte baby pink
BE COOL Matte sparkle bright coral with silver pinpoints
STUNT SANTA Metallic periwinkle blue with violet & blue duochrome finish
BEING GREEN Matte lime green
PEACE ON EARTH!!!: Metallic coppery red
PARTY ANIMAL Metallic burgundy red
WINTER WEAR Matte deep blue
FESTIVE pearlescent glitter emerald green glitter
CELEBRATE IN STYLE Matte rich plummy brown

SUPER SHOCK SHADOW, $9.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

BEAT THE DRUMS Coral-red
HOLIDAY HOSTESS Pink
WOCKA WOCKA Gold
YAAAAY! Green

GLOWING LIP, $9.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

CHILL! CHILL! CHILL! Red
KISSY KISS Pink
PICTURE OF JOY Orange
WARM UP GUY Brown

GLITERALLY OBSESSED GLITTER GEL, $10.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

IT’S MOI Pink-peach

Full Muppets and Colourpop Holiday Collection

The limited edition sets will be released tomorrow through Ulta and ColourPop at 10 am PST. 

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock "Night of the Lights" Trailer!

The Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock "Night of the Lights" holiday special is almost upon us  and AppleTV+ and The Henson Company are giving us an early look.

You’re invited to a festive celebration with your favorite Fraggles. New musical adventures await in Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’s special holiday episode "Night of the Lights.”

Watch the trailer below and get your Baloobius ready for the "Night of the Lights.”

The Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock "Night of the Lights" starts streaming November 18 on Apple TV+. 

New Shop Disney Muppet Items!

Shop Disney has bunch of new Muppet items for sale. 

Animal Baseball Cap – The Muppets

You'll cause a fashion frenzy when you wear this baseball hat inspired by The Muppets. It features an embroidered design of the famous drummer from The Muppets house band, Animal, so you can take your style to the wild side.

Animal Mug – The Muppets

Wake up and go wild each morning with a sip of savage confidence from Animal's sculpted ceramic mug.

Beaker Baseball Cap – The Muppets

Your style will be an explosive success when you wear this hat inspired by The Muppets. It features an embroidered design of Dr. Bunsen Honeydews hapless assistant, Beaker and will have you thinking up new scientific experiments.

Fozzie Bear Mug – The Muppets

Awaken with a ''wocka wocka'' every day along with stale jokes and fresh coffee from this ceramic Muppets mug featuring Fozzie Bear.

Kermit Loungefly Mini Backpack

Every day is a great day when you carry this Kermit Loungefly Mini Backpack. Allover art features Kermit having fun in the sun doing Kermit things like playing a banjo and riding a bike. This go-anywhere mini backpack is a happy reminder that being green is a beautiful thing.

Inside Pattern

You can order these items and more using the links above and at Shop Disney.

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Wins DGC Award!

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock won the DGC Award for Best Sound Editing, Comedy/Family Series.

Congratulations to the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Sound Editing team!

Support Noel MacNeal's Memoir!

Muppet performer, friend of the blog, and all around swell guy Noel MacNeal is working on his memoir and you can help make it happen. 

Noel recently started a crowed funding campaign to launch “Hey, This Was Really Fun” - A Memoir from Sesame Street to The Big Blue House & Beyond."

What you’re going to read is my life in “the business we call show.” It’s my life and the lessons I’ve learned as a little pink bird, a baby dragon, a ninja turtle, a precocious inner-city kid, a lion cub, a talking hand with eyeballs, a profane squirrel, a bear in a big blue house, and, on occasion, a very big bird. Plus, all the monsters, grouches, talking food, writing, directing, producing, and appearances I’ve done along the way to this introduction. So, this is me and how this four-decade “dolly-wigglin’” career started.

Perks include:

- Personal autographed copy of the book

- 30 minute ZOOM chat

- A set of autographed photos

- A "thank-you" with YOUR NAME in a special section of the book

- and MORE!

Today is the last day to contribute, so if you'd like to make sure "Hey, This Was Really Fun” - A Memoir from Sesame Street to The Big Blue House & Beyond" becomes a reality, contribute here.

The Great Con-Junction Returns!

The Great Con-Junction, celebrating The Dark Crystal and the world of Thra, returns this month with a star studded event in LA. 

After hosting the first "unofficial" Great Con-Junction in 2020, this year's convention is not only officially licensed by the Henson Company, they are hosting an exclusive party on the Henson lot as part of the convention. 

The guest list includes Lisa and Cheryl Henson, Henson President of Television Halle Stanford, Creative Supervisor for Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Peter Brooke, performers Louise Gold, Kevin Clash Warrick Brownlow-Pike, authors Caseen Gaines and
J.M. Lee, and many, many more. You can check out the full guest list here. 

In addition to all the guest there are plenty of panels, activities, workshops, and even a museum of props and costumes. 

More information and tickets can be found at TheGreatConJunction.com

Many Henson Series Nominated For First Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards!

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards and many Henson-related (both directly and indirectly) received nominations. 

The Children’s & Family Emmy Awards are the first standalone expansion of the Emmys competition since 1979. 

And the Henson-related categories are...

OUTSTANDING PRESCHOOL SERIES
Helpsters, Apple TV+
The Not-Too-Late Show Eith Elmo: Game Edition, HBO Max
Sesame Street, HBO Max
Tab Time, YouTube Originals
Waffles + Mochi, Netflixvision Academy.


OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S OR FAMILY VIEWING SERIES
The Astronauts, Nickelodeon
The Baby-Sitters Club, Netflix
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Apple TV+
Raising Dion, Netflix
Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Disney Channel


OUTSTANDING FICTION SPECIAL
Better Nate Than Ever, Disney+
Muppets Haunted Mansion, Disney+
See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special, HBO Max
Sneakerella, Disney+
Spin, Disney Channel
Waffles + Mochi’s Holiday Feast, Netflix


OUTSTANDING NON-FICTION PROGRAM
Hi I’m Sevy, Magnolia Network
Kids Baking Championship, Food Network
Nick News, Nickelodeon
Sesame Street in Communities: Talking About Race, YouTube.com
Who Are You, Charlie Brown?, Apple TV+


OUTSTANDING SHORT-FORM PROGRAM
Ciao Alberto, Disney+
Little Bird, Vimeo
Rhymes Through Times, Noggin
Sesame Street in Communities – Explaining Race | #ComingTogether, YouTube.com
We the People, Netflix


OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIVE ACTION PRESCHOOL OR CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
The Baby-Sitters Club
See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special
Sesame Street
Waffles + Mochi
Who Are You, Charlie Brown?


OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
Ada Twist, Scientist
Alma’s Way
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Molly of Denali
Muppet Babies


OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A MULTIPLE CAMERA PROGRAM
Raven’s Home
The Quest
Sesame Street
Top Chef Family Style
Zero Chill


OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
Ada Twist, Scientist
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Go! Go! Cory Carson
Muppet Babies
Stillwater
Storybots: Learn to Read


OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“Friends with a Penguin,” Sesame Street
“If You Have a Dream,” Fancy Nancy
“In Your Shoes,” Sneakerella
“It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown,” It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown
“Kicks,” Sneakerella


OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Donkey Hodie
Endlings
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses
High School Musical: The Musical – The Series
Sesame Street


OUTSTANDING CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A LIVE ACTION SINGLE CAMERA PROGRAM
Better Nate Than Ever
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Sneakerella
Waffles + Mochi


OUTSTANDING EDITING FOR A SINGLE CAMERA PROGRAM
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
Sneakerella
Sweet Tooth
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Who Are You, Charlie Brown?


OUTSTANDING EDITING FOR A MULTIPLE CAMERA PROGRAM
Making Fun
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Game Edition
Sesame Street
The Quest
Top Chef Family Style


OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Better Nate Than Ever
Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.
Heartstopper
Muppets Haunted Mansion
Sweet Tooth


OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
The Barbarian and the Troll
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
Muppets Haunted Mansion
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Sneakerella


OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EFFECTS COSTUMES, HAIR AND MAKEUP
Danger Force
Muppets Haunted Mansion
Odd Squad
The Quest
Sweet Tooth


For those keeping score that's Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock - 4
Muppets Haunted Mansion - 4, Muppet Babies - 2, Sesame Street - 6, Sesame Street in Communities: Talking About Race, YouTube.com - 3, See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special- 2. The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Game Edition - 2,

Plus non-Henson series Barbarian and the Troll, and Helpsters, which were created and or star Muppet performers. 

Congrats to all the nominees!

The Children’s & Family Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 10 (Creative Arts) and Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.

RIP Hank Saroyan, Muppet Babies Writer (1947 - 2022)

Original Muppet Babies writer Hank Saroyan has died.

As story editor, Saroyan won an Emmy for the series. He also wrote 17 episodes of  show, composed music and served as executive in charge of production.

You can read more about  Hank Saroyan's life at Variety. 

Hank Saroyan was  75