The Muppets - Super Unofficial Fan Guide!

Have you seen those magazines at newsstands and book stores showcasing pop culture franchises and wished there was one for The Muppets?

Well, there finally is! "The Muppets - Super Unofficial Fan Guide" is now available showcasing all three major Muppet families.

A Furry Phenomenon. We’re celebrating decades of the Muppets bringing laughter, joy and learning to the world. It’s been 50 years since the Muppets made the jump from kids TV to a prime-time variety show, and since then Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang have become beloved cultural icons. We’re celebrating the furry creations of the visionary Jim Henson with a look back at the franchise, from the early years on a regional Saturday morning puppet show, to Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock and more.

In this special issue, we talk to a Sesame Street Muppeteer about what really goes on behind the scenes, and spotlight the most beloved Muppets, as well as little-known characters, the best movies, video games, and memorable celebrity guest stars.

As you can see from the cover, the issue doesn't just cover The Muppet Show Muppets, but the Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock Muppets as well. 

There's even an interview with Sesame Street performer Marty Robinson (dubbed a Muppeteer).

You can order a copy "The Muppets - Super Unofficial Fan Guide: 50+ Years Of Fun & Laughs" here. 

Retro Fan Magazine Muppet Show Article!

The current issue of Retro Fan magazine has a shout out to The Muppet Show. 

The article talks about the early years of the series and it's British production. 

You can read the first two pages above. 

For the rest pick up the latest copy of Retro Fan at Barnes & Noble and on Retro Fan's website. 

Thank to "Krazy Joe" Fiore for the heads up. 

Hollywood Spotlight's Ultimate Guide to Sesame Street Magazine!

No, you're not seeing double; Hollywood Spotlight also has new specialty magazine celebrating Sesame Street's 50th anniversary. There's is "The Ultimate Guide to Sesame Street."

The cover is almost identical to the LIFE Magazine issue, and there are a few other images that can be found in both magazines.

There is also a section on Jim Henson, 

pages about the characters, 

the human cast throughout the years, 

and the international co-productions.

Hollywood Spotlight's version has a nice break down of the various aspects that define the series including it's diversity, and spoofs.

There's a great collage of guest stars that have appeared on the show as well as a section on Sesame Street's feature films. 

While most of the magazine is terrific and offers rare images and insights to the show, there are a few oddities that stand out.

Kermit's quote in the "Words of Wisdom" section is from 2011's The Muppets, and not Sesame Street:

And for some reason they thought they should include Miss Piggy, who has never been on the show in the quiz. 

Other than that Hollywood Spotlight's "Ultimate Guide to Sesame Street" is a great way to celebrate 50 years of Sesame Street. 

Hollywood Spotlight's "Ultimate Guide to Sesame Street" is available now at newsstands 
and Barnes and Noble. 

Cover Up: Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance!

In preparation for The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance, two UK magazines have cover stories on the upcoming series. 

Not only does the current issue of SFX has 11 pages of info, amazing photos,  interviews with the cast, and shout outs to the amazing artists and puppeteers....

it also come with 32 stickers, a poster and 2 art cards!

Photo: Darren Scott 

While it's hard to beat that, SciFiNow does a great job showcasing the series...

as well as a look at their top 14 Henson creatures. 

The good news is while these may be UK magazines, both SFX and SciFiNow ship to the US and can be purchased at the links above. 

Muppet Newsstand: The Best Christmas Movies of All Time!

There's a new collectible magazines out titled "The Best Christmas Movies of All Time!" 

With a title like that, and this being a Muppet blog, you know there's going to be Muppets in it. There a whole section on each movie, so you know there's going to be one on Muppet Christmas Carol for sure right? Nope. Surely it can't be It's A very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, right? wrong again (phew). 

No, for some reason (and this may spark a whole debate) they chose A Muppet Family Christmas. 

Now, before you start with the angry emails, Muppet Family Christmas is, without a doubt, one of the greatest Muppet productions ever made. But is it a movie?? An amazing TV special, certainly, but it's not a movie. 
We don't list Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and The Year Without a Santa Claus as movies do we? What about Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas? Is that now a "movie"? What about Rocky Mountain Holiday With The Muppets? 

I'll give you t's A very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (heck the word "movie" is right there in the title) it's a TV movie, but it still counts. As does Muppets Wizard of Oz - TV movie, but still a movie. 
Note to Disney: The Muppets: Letters to Santa is also NOT a movie, not even a TV movie. just a TV special, and that's OK!

Anyway, be sure to check out this issue that touts all the awesomeness of Muppet Family Christmas and try to overlook that not one other "movies" listed are actually TV specials. 

ReMIND Covers The Muppets!

As you can see below, Kermit and Miss Piggy grace the cover of latest issue of ReMIND Magazine.

Don't be fooled though, the issue's overall theme is "Kid Stuff", which we all know is not something Jim Henson particularly thought the Muppets were.

Even worse, while Kermit and Piggy appear on the cover, they nor any other Muppets get another mention inside the rest of the nostalgia laden magazine expect on this one page. 
Here is the official description of the issue:

Unleash your inner child with the June 2018 ReMIND Magazine dedicated to our youth. Remember beloved performers like Fred Rogers and discover the fascinating story behind his famous sweaters. Reminisce about the cartoons that we raced to watch on Saturday mornings like Schoolhouse Rock, Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo and so many more. Plus, catch up with children’s TV pioneer Marty Krofft, creator of favorites like H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost.

Notice what they didn't mention in that description? The Muppets. Ya know, the major image on the cover. 

I sent ReMIND a letter hoping they correct this missed opportunity in an upcoming issue. 

You can find this issue at Barnes and Noble and online from Rewind. 

Off the Rack: The Ultimate Retro Collection

We're back with another "Off the Rack" installment where we take a look at Muppet references in magazines and newsstands. 

Today, we look at the UK magazine "The Ultimate Retro Collection," which celebrates everything 80's. 

First off, if the title isn't familiar fear not, this is a collectors special edition magazine and not an issue of an ongoing periodical. 

Despite the complete lack of Muppets on the cover, there's a surprising amount of Muppet/ Henson love inside. 

As part of their top 100 80's movies, Labyrinth came in at 76. That's more then a little disappointing especially considering that no other Muppet, Henson, or Sesame Street films made the list.  

Later in the issue however, they give two page shout-outs (only 1 page is seen here) to both Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock. 

It's interesting that they give these two shows major shout outs, but none of the Muppet movies, specials, or even The Muppet Show itself. 

The magazine is worth buying, but since it's an import and a special release, the price tag is a bit high. It's definitely worth looking through to see the rest of their Henson coverage.

You can get an idea of what else is included by watching Retro Gamer's video review of the magazine below:

You can find it at Amazon, and at Barnes and Noble locations. 

Off The Rack: Love Magazine!

Welcome to a new series we're calling "Off The Rack." There are a ton of magazines out there and you'd be surprised how many mention, praise, feature or put the Muppets on their covers.

To kick off this new periodic series (see what I did there), today we take a look at UK fashion magazine LOVE. The magazine features many fashions that you probably won't find on the rack (again, see what I did there) at your local mall. 

A few weeks ago we reported that the new issue of LOVE magazine with the Muppets had hit newsstands (what, did you think I was gonna say magazine rack?). 

Anyway, at the time we didn't know where you could find a copy of the magazine, what exactly to look for, or if if was even worth it, since so many images appeared online.

First off, Barnes and Noble carries the magazine, but not in every store. This means you might have to call around and do some hunting. You're looking for issue 18, with Nicole Kidman, her nipples (more on that later), and no mention of the Muppets, on the cover.

Next, before you pick it up or decide to walk a few miles with it, I hope you've been hitting gym, because it's massive and heavy - it must weight close to 5lbs. Seriously, it' s massive. 

Yes, that sticker is really over one of the models.
Yes, she should call her agent.
Yes, the sticker should probably call theirs too.  

Once you flip past all the ads and non-Muppet related filler, there's a sizable section dedicated to The Muppets.

The section features not just just the images we've seen, like these:

But many more, including some with Blake Lively:

 

The issue also features Labyrith's Jennifer Connelly, though sadly it's sans Muppets which seems like a missed opportunity to recreate this classic cover: 

Hmmm indeed. 

Prudish types beware (you thought I forgot about the nipples didn't you), this being a UK magazine, there are naked women inside. Not overly sexualized or in Playboy/ Hustler territory, but naked they be.

This isn't the first time the Muppet have appeared with naked/ topless women in a magazine, (I think think that would be 2011's Loaded) but's it's still a bit shocking for American audiences.

A give the editors bonus points for saying the Muppets' photo shoot was done "where there air is sweet" in the table of contents, though it's shame they couldn't come up with a better pun that was actually related to The Muppet Show characters as the shoot was not done on Sesame Street nor features any Sesame characters (save for Kermit). 

Lastly, let's talk price. You hunted it down, you did your workout for the week lifting and carrying it, now you get to the counter and the clerk says that'll be $17.99!

$17.99 for a magazine? Wowza. You'll have to decide once you see it for yourself if it's worth it, but I think it's definitely an interesting addition to the Muppets magazine appearances. 

Love magazine #18 is on magazine racks now at select Barnes and Noble locations and even more crazily priced on Amazon.