Phyllis George, a former Miss America who became a female sportscasting pioneer, has died.
George, also served as the first lady of Kentucky, but is best known to Muppet fans for her appearance during the fourth season of The Muppet Show.
Her episode, an award show spoof, revolves around the first annual Muppet Awards. The Awards recognize the greatest Muppet Show performers and features new performances of songs and sketches doneon the show up to that point. Below Phyllis George and Rowlf sing "Carbon Paper":
As part of the awards, George was nominated for "Best Guest Star," a prestigious title Statler and Waldorf claim she won because "Any else would have been dumb to come back."
Phyllis George, The Muppets Show's "Best Guest Star", was 70.
Willard's career spanned over 50 years. Appearing in movies and shows such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, For Your Consideration, A Mighty Wind, This Is Spinal Tap, Anchorman, Austin Powers, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Fernwood 2 Night, New Girl, Community, Modern Family, and too many cartoons, late-night TV shows, game shows, commercials, as well as too offbeat comedies to mention including the upcoming Netflix satire Space Force.
Fred Willard made a few appearances with the Muppets and the Henson company over the years as well including a cameo appearance on Muppets Tonight, a "Happy Healthy Monsters Network" announcer in Sesame Street's Happy Healthy Monsters, and in the in the pilot for the Henson Company's puppet talk show, Late Night Buffet.
Below you can watch Willard's very cameo on Muppets Tonight.
It's hard to believe that it's been 30 years since Jim Henson died.
Today we look back on a few of Jim's last performances as Kermit.
In November 1989, Jim shot what would be his last performances as Kermit for Sesame Street. The following two videos, a Sesame Street News segment and the song "I Wonder Bout The World Above" are from that shoot.
Jim last performances as Kermit was May 4, 1990. First, Kermit and Miss Piggy appeared on The Today Show, then later that day Kermit, Jim, Clifford, and Kevin Clash appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show. Both guest spots were to promote the special The Muppets at Walt Disney World which aired two days later.
We all know Jim Henson was so much more than Kermit and The Muppets though. He left an imaginative void that will never be replaced. Some of the various projects Jim was working on and never saw completed include Muppet Vision 3D,The Witches, and Dinosaurs.
Also in 1990, Jim Henson shot the below pilot for a new television show, see it sounds familiar...
Again, that was 1990. Youtube wasn't started until February 2005 - 15 years later!
It's important to remember that just because your ideas may not be feasible today, that doesn't mean they won't be tomorrow. Keep believing, keep pretending, and believe in yourself.
Just as Jim's colleagues and creations came together to sing at his memorial service.
As we say every year on this day, we miss you Jim!
The Muppet Guys (and Gal) will reunite to talk about Jim Henson this Saturday for an online fundraiser.
Thirty years after the untimely loss of Muppets creator Jim Henson, four legendary Muppets performers will reunite online in a livestream event to help raise funds for frontline workers who have battled the Covid-19 virus.
Bill Barretta, Fran Brill, Dave Goelz and Frank Oz will take part in the live discussion, which also invites fans to submit questions in advance that may be answered during the event. The reunion of the Muppet performers, who also appeared in Oz’s acclaimed documentary Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched, is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Victoria Labalme, who conceived and co-produced Muppet Guys Talking, will facilitate the livestream.
“We wanted to lift people’s spirits and raise money for Covid-19 frontline workers,” Labalme said.
The performers who will participate in Saturday’s reunion discussion are:
· Bill Barretta (Pepe the King Prawn, Johnny Fiama, Bobo the Bear and Big Mean Carl)
· Fran Brill (Prairie Dawn, Zoe, Little Bird and Betty Lou)
· Dave Goelz (The Great Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot and Boober Fraggle)
· Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Cookie Monster and Grover)
The event is free and open to anyone around the world who remains inspired by Henson and his unique brand of creativity, entrepreneurship and leadership. While there is no charge to participate, virtual attendees will be encouraged to make a donation to a selected Covid-19-related cause.
The live event will take place Saturday, May 16, 2020 @4pm EST. Participants must pre-register at www.MuppetGuysTalking/Jim.
Gobo hosts a virtual talent show with his friends. Everyone is able to exhibit their amazing talents except Wembley, who has trouble deciding which food to balance on his nose. He becomes inspired when Uncle Traveling Matt mentions that everyone, even the Silly Creatures, has talents.
Episode #4: A Common Connection
Uncle Traveling Matt sets his backpack down to explore a squishy cave; actually a recording studio being used by Common for a virtual music session. Common connects with Gobo and Red on Uncle Matt's Doozertube.
While you need Apple TV+ to watch the full episode, you can watch a very special preview below:
Entertainment Weekly interviewed Common about his Fraggle Rock appearance which you can read here.
Fraggle Rock: Rock One episodes 3 & 4 are available on Apple TV+ at the links above.
