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. 

RIP Willard Scott (1934 - 2021)

TV personality and veteran Today Show weatherman, Willard Scott passed away over the weekend.

Scott was a long time friend of Jim Henson and The Muppets going all the way back to 1955 where he got his start along side Jim at Washington DC's local NBC affiliate WRC-TV. There Scott hosted Afternoon (later renamed Afternoon with Inga), which featured early appearances by characters from Sam and Friends.

In 1963, Scott became the first Ronald McDonald to appear on TV. He created the character at the local DC franchise's request, which had also sponsored the Bozo the Clown show on which he portrayed Bozo.

In his 1982 autobiography, "The Joy of Living", Scott recalled working with "an innovative bunch of puppets created by a guy named Jim Henson. They were called the Muppets... I worked with a bald-headed Muppet with a big nose, named Sam, sort of the way Fran Allison worked on Kukla, Fan, and Ollie. Then there was the frog named Kermit. I used to do a commercial for a local peanut butter called Schindler's. He'd open his mouth, I'd give him a big spoonful, and he'd go 'ahh'."

Willard Scott hosted the 1987 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade where he received a surprise "Rollie Award" for his years of service to the parade along with one presented to Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson.

Two years later Scott appeared as himself in the third episode of The Jim Henson Hour teaching Fozzie how to be a weatherman or (weatherbear).

 

Scott contributed a "Brown Sugar Pound Cake" recipe for Miss Piggy's 1996 cookbook, "In the Kitchen with Miss Piggy."

On September 24, 2003, Scott spoke at the University of Maryland's dedication ceremony for their Jim Henson and Kermit statue. 

Scott was also there when the Henson family donated the original Sam & Friends puppets to the Smithsonian in 2010, reuniting with this old pals. 

One of Scott's long-time segments on the Today Show was highlighting people who turned 100. 

When the Muppets took over Today in 2013 they made sure to include a caricature of Scott who appears below at the 1:47 mark.

While Scott didn't make to see 100 himself Smuckers, the long time sponsor of the segment, honored Scott with a special image. 

Willard Scott was 87.