Henson Shows Win Children and Family Emmys!

The inaugural Children’s & Family Emmys were held over two night over the weekend.

JoJo Siwa hosted the Creative Arts ceremony on Night 1 and Jack McBrayer hosted Night 2 with the remainder the categories.

And the winners were:

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM:

Muppet Babies (Disney Junior)
Writers: Max Beaudry, Hanah Lee Cook, Sarah Eisenberg, Ghia Godfree, Francisco Paredes, Becky Wangberg
Story Editor: Robyn Brown

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG:

Sesame Street (HBO Max)

“Friends with a Penguin” 
Composers: Kathryn Raio-Rende, JP Rende
Lyricist: Ken Scarborough

OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN:

Muppets Haunted Mansion (Disney+)
Production Designer: Darcy Prevost
Art Director: Kathryn Molenaar
Set Decorator: Jeanine Ringer
Virtual Production Art Director: Mark D. Allen
Virtual Production Art Directors, CG Supervisors: James Dastoli, Robert Dastoli

which tied with.....

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple TV+)

Production Designer: Tyler Bishop Harron
Art Directors: Brentan Harron, Bill Ives
Set Designer: Evan Spence
Set Decorators: Paul Healy, Alan McCullagh, Ian Nothnagel

OUTSTANDING PRESCHOOL SERIES:

Sesame Street (HBO Max)
Executive Producers: Benjamin Lehmann, Kay Wilson Stallings
Supervising Producer: Sal Perez
Senior Producers: Karyn Leibovich, Stephanie Longardo
Coordinating Producer: Mindy Fila
Producers: Michael J. Cargill, Todd E. James, Andrew Moriarty, Ken Scarborough, Matt Vogel, Kimberly Wright, Autumn Zitani
Associate Producers: Christina Elefante, Kelly Ferrara, Bryce-Loren Walker
Line Producer: Aimee Blackton

During the ceremonies Sesame Street cast members Alan Muraoka and Martin P. Robinson introduced the “In Memoriam” segment by sharing personal memories of Bob McGrath and Emilio Delgado.

Sesame Street Muppet Performers Frankie Cordero and Haley Jenkins presented with Donkie Hodie characters. 

and Gobo (John Tartaglia) and Red Fraggle (Karen Prell) joined NATAS Chairman Terry O'Reilly then cam back to close the show with Jack McBrayer  to sing "Magic be with you."

Night Two highlights: 

1:10- Gobo & Red

1:37 - In memoriam

2:39 - Gobo & Red return to sing "Magic Be with You"

You can watch both nights of the ceremony at the Emmys.tv.

Muppets Haunted Mansion Premieres on Disney Channel!

It's been slightly over a year since Muppets Haunted Mansion debuted on Disney+ and this weekend The Muppets' first Halloween special premieres on basic cable. 

That's right, for those Muppet fans without Disney+, Muppets Haunted Mansion  premieres on Disney Channel, Saturday night. 

You can watch the promo below:

Muppets Haunted Mansion  makes it's Disney Channel premiere Saturday, October 22nd at 8:30 PM. 

Muppet Stuff Video: Haunted Mansion Exclusives!

Cinema Sickness joins me from vannabelle, the Haunted Vansion, to check out the MANY exclusive items Disney released for Muppets Haunted Mansion.

We even take a look at a few Muppet D23 exclusives as well.

You can find more from Cinema Sickness here and more Muppet Stuff videos on our Youtube Channel.

Muppets Haunted Mansion & See Us Coming Together Nominated for Producer's Guild Award!

Two recent Muppet productions will battle it out for a Producer's Guild of America's Award.

Both Muppets Haunted Mansion and Sesame Street's See Us Coming Together have been nominated for Outstanding Children's Program.

Other nominees in this category include, season 2 of Animaniacs, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses, and Waffles + Mochi.

The ceremony was to take place February 26, but was postponed amid a surge in COVID-19 infections. 

We'll keep you posted when the winners are announced. 

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+.

Muppets Haunted Mansion Reviews!

 Today we get to enter Muppets Haunted Mansion for ourselves.

But before you do, be wary of reviews that spoil the fun! So let's get the negative ones out of the way. 

Joblow: said Muppets Haunted Mansion is "better than Muppets from Space but that isn’t saying much. A brisk watch with some fun pop culture references, this is a diversion that markets Disney’s classic theme park ride and that is about it. Muppets Haunted Mansion is fun but squanders the potential to have been really good. As it is, Muppets fans will enjoy it but wonder where the edge is that used to make these characters destination viewing."

Comic Book Resources: "It's frustrating when projects like Muppets Haunted Mansion rehash the same comedy bits as earlier Muppet films and series, rather than finding more inventive ways of keeping the brand evergreen.

The Hollywood Reporter: said Muppets Haunted Mansion is "definitely feels like a disappointment."

However, it's not all doom (buggy) and gloom. 

Micechat: Said "If Disney+ wants a model for how to please fans of the Muppets and fans of Disney Parks, it looks just like this."

The Playlist praised Muppets Haunted Mansion as "a fun, spooky ride that perfectly utilizes Jim Henson’s creations."

Geeks World Wide: added that "With a wave of the wand (Disney) has given the Muppets new life. Or afterlife at least." and with a SCORE: 9.8 said "It’s scary how funny the Muppets can be if you just let them. Don’t ya just love em…to death."

Rotten Tomatoes currently has Muppets Haunted Mansion at 88% while the audience score is 83%, so a pretty even consensus there. 

IGN: proclaims it's a "seasonal winner because of the ingenious mix of Halloween with two much-loved properties that all blend together perfectly. From the production design to the cameos, all down the way to Gonzo’s impactful and wee bit scary lesson about the importance of your family, this whole special lands the trick of being a huge treat."

Finally our friends at Toughpigs said Muppets Haunted Mansion is "full of tricks and treats, but it’s not much more substantial than a ghost. Like it’s inspiration, it’s an entertaining ride."

The full reviews are available at the link above, but take the ride for yourself first as  Muppets Haunted Mansion is streaming now on Disney+.

Disney Parks Muppets Haunted Mansion Promotion!

In addition to the Muppets Haunted Mansion eclairs at Disney Hollywood Studios we previously told you about, the other US based Disney Parks are also getting into the promotional "spirit."

Beginning October 8 there will be photo op outside the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion where Miss Piggy’s floating head will appear next to you.

The outside of Muppet*Vision 3D and around Grand Arts Courtyard (formally known as Muppets Courtyard - Disney please change this area back to Muppets Courtyard).are banners and posters promoting Muppets Haunted Mansion:

Inside, while enjoying a Muppets Haunted Mansion éclair and waiting for Muppet*Vision 3D to begin, you can watch a special new pre-show. 

I'm actually really surprised they include not just the trailer but an extended scene as well. As you can see the monitors have been updated as well.

Over at Disneyland, there's a Muppets Haunted Mansion photo op between the park and California Adventure where you can get a photo of you with the poster, mansion, and Animal inspired wallpaper. 

There is also an area which appears to be for two busts (as Bunsen and Beaker appear in the special):

It's possible Disney will have puppet versions or something else planned for those spaces.

Update:

The Bunsen and Beaker busts and a few other additions have now arrived! 

Nearby they also have a 2021 Honda Ridgeline wrapped to promote Muppets Haunted Mansion as well.

Complete with Muppet ghosts ready to pick up any of their hitchhiking friends. 

Update: The ghosts are now carrying some crates

The background features Beaker, Gonzo, Pepe, and Uncle Deadly spoofing the classic Haunted Mansion wallpaper. 

Disenyland also has this Muppets Haunted Mansion photo op wall. I really like the tag line "It's time to fright the frights."

Thanks to WDWNT for the many of the photos and info. 

Muppets Haunted Mansion starts streaming October 8 on Disney+.

Muppets Haunted Manion Trailer Features Many Hidden Gags and the Return of a Few Old Friends!

 The trailer for Muppets Haunted Mansion was released today and it's a doozy!

Check out below: 

The trailer seems to be tailor made for those fans complaining about there being too many celebrity cameos and not enough Muppets in recent promotion. 

Below are just a few highlights. 

Bobo and Fozzie signing together:

Bunsen and Beaker as busts: 

The Electric Mayhem playing a a ghostly jam:

The human and celebrity cameo ghosts medley: 

Janice and Link as the stretching paintings:

Pops Kermit and Sam singing: 

Rowlf:

Sam and the Swedish Chef (Check out the Sam Eagle woodwork):

Sweetums delivering room service:

The return of Dr. Phil Vanneuter:

As well as the return of Johnny Fiama and Sal! (and Beauregard with a mustache):

And did you notice the Mahna Mahna candle holder with Snowth candles!!

Wow. This is looking better and better! 

I can't wait to see what other Halloween treats (seems odd to say Easter Eggs) we have in store when Muppets Haunted Mansion starts streaming October 8 on Disney+.