Booking.com Books The Muppets For Big Game Commercial!

Booking.com has "booked" The Muppets for a series of commercials debuting during the "Big Game."

The campaign features, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Gonzo, and Statler and Waldorf in a series of ads highlighting their different vacation needs.

From the Booking.com's press release:

Building on its playful and optimistic creative strategy, the new campaign features a colorful cast of characters - spanning from relatable everyday travelers to beloved cultural icons, The Muppets. Whether it’s Kermit the Frog lounging at a beachfront vacation rental, Miss Piggy booking a high-end boutique hotel, a family finding the perfect resort with a waterpark, or a bachelorette party enjoying a classic Vegas hotel experience, Booking.com makes it easier for everyone to find and book their perfect stay with features such as the easy-to-use app and free cancellation.

The integrated campaign will run across TV, streaming, online, audio, paid social and owned channels. It features the 30-second Big Game spot and a variety of 15-second spots, all of which can be viewed on YouTube.com/@bookingcom, as well as creative assets that will run across social channels.

You can watch a two of the spots below:

Be on the lookout during the "Big Game" as our favorite friends try to find the perfect vacation spot Sunday, Feb 9th. 

NBC to Re-Air SNL's First Episode with The Muppets!

As part of SNL's 50th Anniversary Celebration, NBC will air the show's very first episode. 

The episode was hosted by comedian George Carlin with musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian.

As we know, SNL made stars of John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman,  as well as future Muppet Show guest Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase who made a cameo in Follow That Bird, and Andy Kaufman, who's alter ego Tony Clifton appeared in The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show. 

The Muppets were also part of the SNL's first season in the recurring The Land of Gorch sketches, which the SNL writers famously hated to work on. Sadly, while the sketch wouldn't last beyond the first season, during their time at SNL, the Muppets got a deal for their own show. 

 
You can watch SNL's first episode, featuring The Land of Gorch Saturday, February 15 at 10PM on NBC.

Be sure to watch NBC's 3-hour SNL50: The Anniversary Special the following evening to see if the Muppets return to studio 8H!

RIP Horst Janson (1936 - 2025)

Actor Horst Janson, known for his role as Horst on the German version of Sesame Street, has died.

Janson appeared on Sesamstraße, the German version of Sesame Street, where he played Horst from 1979 through 1983. 

Horst was one of the show’s main characters and was friends with Muppet characters Samson, Tiffy, Uli von Bödefeld, and Finchen.

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Janson first became famous in 1970s television series and was ubiqitous across German TV landscape in the following decades.

Horst Janson Was 89

Exclusive Muppet Items at Primark!

Primark has an exclusive line of Muppet beauty products including pajamas, a hair brush, and bath products.  

Primark’s exclusive Muppet beauty line is a fun and quirky collection that brings a playful twist to your self-care routine. The line includes a variety of items, from cute pajamas that feature your favorite Muppet characters to a hairbrush designed with fun colors and textures. Each item is inspired by the vibrant personalities of the Muppets, making it a nostalgic and whimsical experience for fans.

Unfortunately, there only available in the UK and they don't ship to the US, UPDATE: They're available is US location NOW!

Let's take a look at some of the offerings.

Women’s The Muppets Onesie
A fleece-fabric onesie in a character design with a hood, zip front and rib cuffing

The Muppets Reversible Snuddie

A soft touch snuddie with a Muppets pattern on each side.

Muppets Long Pajama Set
A Muppets pajama set with Miss Piggy and Kermit design

Miss Piggy Bath Fizzer

A novelty bath fizzer, shaped like Miss Piggy.

Kermit Bath Fizzer
A novelty bath fizzer, shaped like Kermit the Frog.

Muppets Novelty Makeup Sponges
Makeup blending sponges with Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog character detail.

Muppets Compact Mirror
A compact mirror with Miss Piggy and Kermit designs.

The Muppets Paddle Brush
Paddle style hair brush featuring Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog.

Overall, this exclusive line from Primark blends comfort, style, and nostalgia with the zany energy of the Muppets, making self-care just a bit more fun. Whether you're a long-time Muppet fan or just love quirky beauty products, this collection is sure to brighten up your routine.

You can buy these and other exclusive UK Muppet items at the links above and at Primark.

BREAKING: Closing Dates Announced for MuppetVision 3D and PizzeRizzo!

As we officially learned a few months ago, MuppetVision 3D is set to close for good this year and we now know the show will take it's final curtail call on June 7.

Walt Disney World announced the closing dates not only for MuppetVision 3D, but PizzeRizzo and the non-Muppet restaurant Mama Melrose as well. 

The final day to see MuppetVision will be June 7 which will also be the last day to enjoy a meal at PizzeRizzo, relieve yourself at Gonzo's Royal Flush, enjoy the exterior of the Stage 1 Company Store, see the Muppet fountain, or the rest of the Grand Avenue area as it stands now. 

Non-Muppet themed Italian restaurant, Mama Melrose, will close a month earlier on May 10.

“ the Grand Avenue area will begin a phase closing in May, with the last day to dine at Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano on May 10. Following that, Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo will close, with the last day to experience both locations on June 7. But, the Muppet foolishness doesn’t stop there — Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard! The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!“

This all makes way as Hollywood Studios theme park prepares to retheme Muppet Courtyard Grand Avenue to a “Monsters, Inc.” themed land.

Muppet Stuff - Celebrating Richard Hunt and the release of Funny Boy!

Join us as we travel to Museum of the Moving Image to celebrate the life and legacy of Richard Hunt and the release of Max Stein's biography, "Funny Boy." 

This video features clips of Richard's work, close up looks at his characters, insights from Max Stein and more. 

Max Stein’s biography, "Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography," offers an intimate and compelling portrait of a man whose dedication to his craft has left an indelible mark. From poignant moments in Richard’s personal life to his lasting legacy in the film industry, this celebration of his achievements invites you to discover the man behind the stories. 

Whether you are a fan of his work with Jim Henson and The Muppets or simply interested in learning about an extraordinary life in the arts, Stein's book offers an unmissable opportunity to explore the multifaceted career and incredible legacy of Richard Hunt. Join us in honoring Richard Hunt, celebrating the release of "Funny Boy," and delving deeper into the various characters he brought to life. 

You can order your copy of "Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography" by Jessica Max Stein at Rutgers University Press.  

Get more info on The Jim Henson Legacy and Museum of the Moving Image at these links. 

Be sure to check out even more videos on our Youtube channel.

Robert Eggers to Direct ‘Labyrinth’ Sequel!

We've heard rumors of a Labyrinth sequel for years and now it looks a little closer to actually happening as Robert Eggers has signed a deal to create a new Labyrinth film.

Deadline is reporting that Eggers, who recently directed the hit vampire film Nosferatu, will to both write and direct the sequel to the Jim Henson classic.

Nosferatu was just nominated for four Academy Awards for Cinematography, Costume Design, Production Design, and Makeup and Hairstyling and will be followed up by Werwulf, before Eggers starts production on Labyrinth.

Plot details are under wraps, but Deadline was told the film is a sequel and not a remake of, 1986 film.

Eggers is writing the script with Sjón, his collaborator on the 2022 Viking film The Northman, with whom he’s also working on Werwulf.

Chris and Eleanor Columbus will produce alongside Lisa Henson, with Brian Henson executive producing.

"The Dark Crystal" 3-CD Limited Edition Soundtrack!

La-La Land Records and The Jim Henson Company present an expanded 3-CD soundtrack set of composer Trevor Jones’ original motion picture score to The Dark Crystal. 

From LaLaLand Records: 

The Dark Crystal was a boundary-exploding feat of puppetry and cinema, re-inventing what had been previously thought possible and resulting in a breathtaking achievement of immersive world-building that still retains its power and wonder to this day. A vital part of this endeavor’s success is composer Trevor Jones’ outstanding original music score – a tremendous accomplishment that has also stood the test of time.

Now, for the first time ever, this deluxe 3-CD release, conceived, assembled and produced by Trevor Jones himself, features the bounty of music the maestro composed for the initial, longer cut of The Dark Crystal, in its original intended order. Copies of the master tapes recorded at CTS Wembley were digitized along with the composer’s entire body of work, which is now archived at the University of Leeds. Jones personally reassembled and remastered the audio at Abbey Road for this special presentation.

Produced by Trevor Jones and Tim Greiving, and mastered by Andrew Walter under the composer’s sole supervision and approval, this release includes a wealth of previously unreleased music within its newly Expanded Score Soundtrack presentation, which is spread across two discs, while the original 1982 soundtrack program is featured on Disc 3. Limited to 5000 units, this deluxe set includes a 32-page booklet containing exclusive, in-depth liner notes by Greiving (featuring new interviews with Trevor Jones and Frank Oz) and rare artwork and photos from the Henson Archive. The sharp art design is by Dan Goldwasser.

TRACK LISTING:

DISC 1 (46:58)
1. Power Ceremony And Main Title 4:35
2. Jen Plays Pipes And Mystic Master Dies 3:02
3. Skeksis Funeral Ceremony 2:06
4. Mystics Funeral Ceremony 3:25
5. Jen’s Journey And Council Chamber 2:04
6. Skeksis Fight Duel 3:29
7. Chamberlain Is Disrobed And Garthim Pursues Jen 3:53
8. Jen Encounters Aughra 1:29
9. Mystics 9-Tone Chant And The Observatory At Night 3:15
10. Garthim Attack Observatory And Mystics Leave Valley 4:08
11. Jen And Kira In Forest 2:29
12. Mindspeech, Nebrie And Mystics Journey 3:56
13. Skeksis Celebratory Banquet 3:03
14. Jen & Kira Duet 2:24
15. Introduction And Pod Dance 3:38

DISC 2 (48:54)
1. Kira Brings Down The Bat-Bird And Garthim Attack Pod Village 2:12
2. Jen & Kira Love Theme 4:12
3. In The Ruins Of The Gelfling Village 3:56
4. Landstriders Introduction And Journey 1:49
5. Chamber Of Life 3:29
6. Landstriders Battle With Garthim And The Second Mystics Journey 3:25
7. In The Sewer Of The Castle 1:55
8. Kira Removed To The Council Chamber 2:07
9. Kira In The Chamber Of Life 3:47
10. Kira Is Freed And Jen In The Garthim Lair 2:13
11. Jen And Aughra In The Chamber Of Life 1:48
12. Skeksis Panicked By Gelfling And Jen In The Crystal Chamber 4:25
13. The Great Conjunction And The Arrival Of The Mystics 4:53
14. The Mystics And Skeksis Fuse To Become The UrSkeks 5:22
15. Pod Dance (Reprise) And Finale 3:18

DISC 3 (41:04)
1. Overture 3:13
2. The Power Ceremony 3:54
3. The Storm 1:03
4. The Mystic Master Dies :51
5. The Funerals; Jen’s Journey 5:27
6. The Skeksis’ Duel 2:44
7. The Pod Dance 3:12
8. Love Theme 3:18
9. Gelfling Song 2:20
10. The Gelfling Ruins 2:45
11. The Landstrider Journey :43
12. The Great Conjunction 4:14
13. Finale 7:19
Total Album Time: 136:56

This 3 CD release of The Dark Crystal soundtrack is a limited edition of 5000 units and can be ordered from LaLaLand Records.

Coming Soon "The Muppet Movie" Picture Book!

As The Muppets celebrate their 70th anniversary, they're making sure to highlight their biggest hits including their first blockbuster feature, The Muppet Movie, with a new picture book. 

Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and more move right along to make their dreams come true in this humorous officially licensed adaptation of the classic cult film, The Muppet Movie!

Kermit the Frog has a big dream: to go to Hollywood so he can sing, dance, and make people happy. On his journey to the West Coast, he finds a new friends: Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, the Great Gonzo, The Electric Mayhem, and more! They all share his dream. The new friends face their fears and stand up to bullies on their way to Hollywood, proving that teamwork can help overcome any obstacle standing in one’s way.

Join The Muppets in making dreams come true! Regain your love for The Muppets and introduce younger fans to Kermit and the gang in this delightful, officially licensed picture book of a classic film.

I'm not sure calling the 6th highest grossing movie the year it was released, that was nominated for an academy award, and still has broad, timeless appeal a "cult classic" is an accurate use of the term, but I digress.

The Muppet Movie picture book adapted by Heather Schwartz and illustrated by Cesar Samaniego will be released September 16, 2025.

It's available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Target, and more.

Note: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Get Ready For Sesame Street's 55th Season!

Sesame Street's 55th (!!!) season debuts this Thursday on Max.

If you've been following the news, you already know this will be the last season on Warner Brother's streaming platform.

However, there is a lot to be excited about for the upcoming season as you can see in the trailer below:

Guest stars stopping by the street include musicians SZA, Reneé Rapp, Samara Joy, Noah Kahan, and Chris Stapleton, as well as Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Van Ness, and Billie Jean King.

The 55th season of Sesame Street will focus on expressing feelings, practicing mindfulness and building on resiliency.

Feature episodes include: Beachball Bop (Thursday, January 16), where Elmo learns how to do volcano breaths after he feels angry; Abby Taps Into Kindness (Thursday, April 10), where Abby learns what it means to be kind to yourself to overcome frustration, all with the help of her friends; Happy Bert Day (Thursday, July 24), where Ernie is excited to throw Bert a big, loud party for Bert’s birthday, but Bert gets frustrated as he wants to celebrate his birthday with a quiet puzzle – can lion breaths help them both feel better?; and New School Scaries (Thursday, September 4), where Cookie Monster, feeling nervous about going to a new cooking school, enlists his friends to help him prepare.

Mecha Elmo, Mecha Cookie, and Mecha Abby make their Sesame Street debut as Mecha Builders shorts air within select episodes. Mecha Builders is Sesame Street’s first-ever 3D CGI animated series, which combines the lovable characters with a STEM curriculum. Plus, Sesame Street’s BFF (best furry friends) duo, Elmo and Tango, along with their adventurous pal Gabrielle and certified fact checker, Grandma Nell, explore the unknown world both on and off the Street in the animated Sesame Street Nature Explorers shorts. And don’t miss Cookie Monster and his popular Foodie Truck!

Sesame Street 's season 55 premieres Thursday, Jan. 16 with new episodes dropping weekly on Max.

While Sesame Workshop looks for a home for future episodes, season 55 and selective episodes from Sesame Street's vast library will be available on MAX until 2027 and season 55 will also debut later this year on PBS.

Kermit and Sesame Muppets Say Goodbye to Hoda!

Today was Hoda Kotb's last day as host of The Today Show and a few of our Muppet pals stopped by to wish her well.

Earlier this week Sesame Street stars Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and Grover headed across town 

to give Hoda warm wishes, and a special H present, as she embarks on her next chapter.

Then this morning, while Hoda's children and family Hope and Haley were visiting, Kermit made a surprise appearance to sing "Rainbow Connection." You can watch it via Today's website.

Goodluck on your next adventure Hoda and hopefully your replacement, Craig Melvin, is as big a Muppet fan as you are. 

Muppet Stuff - Sesame Street Learn & Play: American Dream!

Join John and I as we explore the exciting Sesame Street Learn & Play area at the American Dream Mall!

Whether you're a parent looking for a fun and educational experience for your little ones or just a fan of the iconic Sesame Street characters, this immersive space is sure to bring joy to everyone. We'll take you on a tour through the colorful, interactive exhibits designed to engage children in learning through play. From meeting Elmo and Abby Cadabby to solving puzzles and learning new skills, there's something for every age group to enjoy. Come along for a day of fun, laughter, and discovery as we dive into this unique attraction, right in the heart of one of the largest malls in North America!

 

More info: Sesame Street Learn & Play American Dream

Be sure to check out even more videos on our Youtube channel.

New Oris Miss Piggy Watch!

Two years after Oris teamed up with The Muppets for their "Kermit Day” Oris ProPilot X Watch, they're back with a version featuring Miss Piggy.

While their Kermit watch was lime-green with his face appearing one a month on the front. There's a few differences with the Piggy version. 

The Piggy watch is hot pink with a diamond at 12 o’clock and her face appears on the back. Which means you have to take it off to see it. 

 

While the Kermit watch would set you back $4,600, Oris is selling their Miss Piggy's Oris ProPilot X for only $3,200.