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. 

New Rainbow Connection Kermit Plush!

Why are there so many Kermit plush without rainbows? Well, at least now there's one!

Kidrobot has a new "Rainbow Connection Kermit" Plush complete with banjo.

The 13" plush is being released to celebrate the 10th(!!) anniversary of The Muppets.

While the rainbow is plush, sadly the banjo looks to be just thin fabric and without Kermit's "K."

Kermit with his "K" banjo

"K"-less plush banjo

Below is the official description:

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the magical movie The Muppets with Kidrobot! Kermit the Frog is perhaps best known for his hopeful hit song The Rainbow Connection which features the famous frog playing his banjo. This premium plush interpretation measures 13 inches tall and includes a soft rainbow.

Kidrobot's "Rainbow Connection Kermit" plush will be released early next year, but it avilieb for pre-order from Big Bad Toy Store. 

Rare Muppet Clips Volume 11!

We're back with another batch of rare Muppet performances. 

Again, we do not own these clips, nor do we make any guarantees to how long they'll be available, so watch them while you can!

Kermit and Miss Piggy on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1979):

Sesame Place Commercial (1988):

The Muppets on Des O'Connor Entertains (1976):

Des O'Connor, was a UK TV personality, who recorded his talk show at the same studio as The Muppet Show. Des recently passed at the age of 88.

Originally on February 27, 1976. The Muppets appear in the opener to promote the premiere of The Muppet Show and features many Muppets performed by some other then their regular performer. Take a look...

That's John Lovelady as Conrad Waldorf - yes, Conrad was going to be his first name -  Richard Hunt as George The Janitor, and Dave Goelz as Wally, who was never seen again. 

View-Master Interactive Vision: "Muppet Madness" VCR Video (1988):

Next up is something rare even for this series, a video that's brand new!

Kohl’s Commercial "Give With All Your Heart" (2020):

Yes, that's Willie Nelson's version of "The Rainbow Connection." It's good to see the Muppets still used in commercials even if no Muppets actually appear. 

If you like these be sure to check out parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

If you find a rare Muppet clip and would like us to share it, please send us a link!

Rare Muppet Clips Volume 7!

We're back with another batch of rare Muppet performances. 

Again, we do not own these clips, nor do we make any guarantees to how long they'll be available, so watch them while you can!

First up, a series of Esskay Meats commercials from the late 50's/early 60's: 

"Pooch on the Loose" from an unaired episode of Little Muppet Monsters:

"Regenbogen Song", the Deutsche/German version of "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie:

The Muppets on Goldie Hawn's 1971 NBC special Pure Goldie. Also appearing in this clip are Bob Dishy and future Muppet Show guest Ruth Buzzi.

Finally we leave you with the trailer for Dreamchild, the first non-Henson film featuring creations from Jim Henson's Creature Shop, and starring the recently deceased Ian Holm most famous for his roles of Ash from Alien and Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's Lord of The Rings and Hobbit films.

If you like these be sure to check out parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

If you find a rare Muppet clip and would like us to share it, please send us a link!

Kermit and Paul Williams “Soundtrack of Our Lives” Connection!

Kermit, Paul Williams and a myriad of other TV and movies stars and musicians came together this week for the “Soundtrack of Our Lives” benefit. All in the hopes of raising funds for the MusiCares COVID Relief Fund. 

Joining Kermit and Paul Williams for "Rainbow Connection” were Patti LuPone, Darren Criss, Jodi Benson, Lucy Lawless, Reba McEntire, Weird Al Yankovic and many others. 

You can watch their performance below:

Many members of our Film & TV Music community - from composers to musicians to singers to those involved in preparing, recording and mixing - are suffering from the financial and emotional impact of COVID-19. These are the people whose scores and songs transport, inspire, uplift and get us through some of the hardest challenges by creating the soundtracks of our lives. SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES: A CELEBRATION FOR THE FILM & TV MUSIC COMMUNITY, is raising money for MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief Fund, which was created to provide support to the music community during the pandemic crisis. 

Donate now at https://soundtracklives.com

Kermit the Frog Makes Surprise Appearance at Newport Folk Festival!

Kermit the Frog made a surprise appearance this weekend at the Newport Folk Festival. 

As Pitchfork reported, Kermit sang “Rainbow Connection,” backed by a band that included Janet Weiss on drums. Halfway through the song, was joined by My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James and the two then finished the song as a duet.

You can watch the performance below:

Here's a closer view, but with not as good sound: 

Kermit Plugs Google Doodle on The Tonight Show!

Kermit appeared  on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night to promote Googles' "Doodle for Google" challenge for which the two are judges. ier 

They even sang a bit of "Rainbow Connection" and revealed the theme of this year's competition.

Kermit promoted his appearance via Instagram in front of the Muppet pipes!

View this post on Instagram

Hi-ho, @fallontonight! Tune in tonight on NBC to see me have a hopping good time with my friend @jimmyfallon! We’ve got a special surprise with @google that you won’t want to miss.

A post shared by Kermit the Frog (@kermitthefrog) on Jan 7, 2019 at 5:08pm PST

Kermit's Very Brief The Late Late Show Cameo!

Kermit stopped by the The Late Late Show with James Corden last night. 

His very brief cameo came during a tribute to movie musicals starring Corden, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt. You can see the entire video below, Kermit appease at the 4:31 mark. 

Third Man Records to Release Turntable and Vinyl LP Featuring Kermit!

Third Man Records is set to release a turntable and vinyl record set for kids featuring Kermit!

The set titled, This Record Belongs to ______" features two Muppet songs. The Pointer Sisters “Pinball Number Count” from Sesame Street and “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppet Movie. 

Check out the full track list below:

01. Shel Silverstein – “Invitation”
02. Van Dyke Parks – “Occapella”
03. Carole King – “One Was Johnny”
04. Harry Nilsson – “The Town”
05. Harry Nilsson – “Me And My Arow”
06. The Pointer Sisters – “Pinball Number Count”
07. Woody Guthrie – “Dance Around”
08. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – “Jenny Jenkins”
09. Roger Miller – “Oo-De-Lally”
10. Bobby Bare – “Daddy What If”
11. Ella Jenkins – “Pretty Trees Around the World”
12. Nina Simone – “You Can Sing A Rainbow”
13. Vashti Bunyan – “Diamond Day”
14. Donovan – “The Mandolin Man and His Secret”
15. Miss Abrams & The Strawberry Point 4th Grade Class – “Running in the Garden”
16. Kermit The Frog – “Rainbow Connection”


The package is currently available for pre-order here. 

Disney Cover Album Coming In October!

We Love Disney, new album featuring popular musicians covering Disney songs will be released October 30th!

According to the track list, two Muppet songs made the cut!

1. NE-YO “Friend Like Me” (Aladdin)
2. Jessie J “Part of Your World “(The Little Mermaid)
3. Jason Derulo “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (The Lion King)
4. Gwen Stefani “The Rainbow Connection” (The Muppet Movie)
5. Ariana Grande “Zero To Hero” (Hercules)
6. Jhené Aiko “In a World of My Own/Very Good Advice” (Alice in Wonderland)
7. Fall Out Boy “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)” (The Jungle Book)
8. Tori Kelly “Colors of the Wind” (Pocahontas)
9. Kacey Musgraves “A Spoonful of Sugar” (Mary Poppins)
10. Charles Perry “Ev’rybody Wants To Be a Cat” (The Aristocats)
11. Jessie Ware “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” (Cinderella)
12. Lucy Hale & Rascal Flatts “Let It Go” (Frozen)
13. Various Artists “It’s a Small World” 

Bonus tracks:
14. Brenna Whitaker “It's Not Easy Being Green” (The Muppet Show)
15. Yuna “A Whole New World” (Aladdin)

The two bonus tracks, including Brenna Whitaker's take on “It's Not Easy Being Green”, are ONLY available in the Deluxe CD + Digital Album and Deluxe Vinyl (Green) + Digital Album configurations.

You can pre-order your copy here.