ThinkGeek Muppet T-Shirts!

ThinkGeek has a couple of new Muppet shirts. 

Wocka Wocka Ladies' Tee:

and their Exclusive Periodic Muppets:

The Fozzie shirt is fine, and I have nothing really to add except that I really like it's simplicity and the way ThinkGeek added a little trivia from the Muppet Wiki about Fozzie's ears wiggling. 

The Periodic Table of The Muppet Show however, leaves a lot to be desired. First off I understand the pairing of The Electric Mayhem and Bunsen and Beaker, but 
shouldn't Gonzo be included with Kermit, Piggy and Fozzie then? And if you're going to include them in color groups, why not pair the characters according to color.
 
For example:
Green: Kermit, Dr Teeth, Bunsen
Blue: Gonzo, Zoot
Brown: Fozzie, RowlfZ
Red: Animal, Floyd
Tan: Piggy, Beaker, JaniceOrange: Pepe

Artist Mike Baboon created an excellent "Periodic Table of Muppets":

According to Boon:

Each square represents a different character and indicates the primary Muppeteer(s) for that character, as well as the year and production in which the character made its debut. Borders align with hair/hat colour, background aligns with skin/fur colour, and colour of the abbreviated name represents nose colour (for characters with noses that is).

Now that's geeky! Maybe ThinkGeek should have commissioned Boon to make or alter his deign instead of using that uninspired clip art. 

Both shirts are available now at the links above. Thanks to Christy Bondurant for heads up!

Hallmark Collection 2015: Part 5 - Bags and Clothes

Hallmark's new Muppet line isn't all just things to fill your shelves and walls. Today's items are meant to be used out in the real world!

First, is the Kermit "green before it was cool" t-shirt. Which is currently only available at your local Hallmark store. 

For those with out a Hallmark store nearby the next two items are available both online and in stores. 

So, if you're looking for ways to carry your muppet stuff around with you there's this Kermit "it's not easy being green" messenger bag. The bag measures 11.5" W x 14" H x 3.5" D and is a great way to show off your muppet fandom. 

For the ladies there's this Miss Piggy ""pretty in pink" 8" W x 5" H x 1" D canvas makeup bag. 

President's Day Kermit and Sam Eagle pin!

DisneyParks released a new President's Day pin featuring Kermit and Sam Eagle.

 The limited edition pin has an edition size of 2,000 and is available at Disney Parks.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday Kirk Thatcher!

Happy Birthday to the multi-talented Kirk Thatcher!

Hallmark Collection 2015: Part 4 - Mugs and Cups

For the lovers and dreamers of hot beverages Hallmark has two coffee mugs.

Animal's "Crazy for Coffee" mug

 and Miss Piggy's "I've Got to be Moi" mug.

Both are available at Hallmark stores and online at the links above. 

A little harder to find is this Hallmark exclusive Tervis tumbler.

Since it's made by Tervis and not Hallmark, instead of featuring stylized clip art or new illustrations like the rest of the line, it has stock clip art. 

What makes it harder to find is that it's only available in stores. Not only that, but only certain Hallmark franchises, even those that carry other Tervis products, are selling it. Happy Hunting!

Throwback Thursday: Jim Henson's 1977 American Express Ad!

Earlier this week American Express began airing a new ad touting that the American Express card can now used with Apple Pay.

A clip from Jim Henson's ad is featured, but you can see it in it's entirety below: 

What's always fascinated me about that ad was that even though it was shot in 1977, two years into production of The Muppet Show, Kermit, Miss Piggy , Fozzie, or even Gonzo who were the shows biggest stars aren't featured in the ad. 

Sure Miss Piggy and Dr. Teeth have "cameos" in the beginning, but otherwise the most popular characters in the ad are Scooter and Floyd. Nigel is the only other named Muppet to appear.

So it's always struck me as funny when Jim says "everyone knows them" when in fact most people could only identify two out the five Muppets featured.

Jim made two other commercials for American Express were made in 1979, though neither of which appear to be online.