The Weirdos Go On Tour With Coldplay!

We all know Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem, The River Bottom Nightmare Band, and Fraggle's Rock's The Minstrels, but now a new Henson puppet band is making a name for themselves - The Weirdos!

Fronted by Angle Moon, The Weirdos are a new a creation by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop that are not only on tour with Coldplay, they've been signed to their label, Atlantic Records as well.

Coldplay's Chris Martin talked with Billboard about the The Weirdos, their involvement in the tour, and getting them a record deal. 

“The Weirdos are a band who we’re trying to help out,....it’s really “Bruno [Mars] and Ed [Sheeran]’s label,” maybe Dua Lipa or Cardi B’s, but also Coldplay’s label. And now the Weirdos, too.

“They have one song at the moment [‘Biutyful’] and we’re on it with them,” Martin continued before taking a brief time out to question if the way he was describing this intergalactically weird off-shoot of the Music of the Spheres universe was making any sense. What is most definitely true is that Angel Moon has been singing a duet of “Biutyful” with Martin on the tour, performing to more than a million people so far across the band’s Latin American and U.S. dates over the past 3 months according to Coldplay’s label.

Even as he tried to toe the story’s carefully crafted line, Martin couldn’t help but crack himself up as he navigated the ornate narrative turns. “The way I discovered them was we were working with Angel Moon, this lady… creature,” the singer said as guitarist Jonny Buckland stifled a laugh while sitting on a green room couch in the bowels of the Bears’ stadium as he watched his old friend try to explain the weirdness.

“How do I explain this? I think we just felt like…” Martin continued, careful to not blow the surprise or tip his hand, while also earnestly wanting to explain why he’s been singing with a gnome-like puppet on stage during the band’s carefully choreographed, low-emission global tour that has seen recent cameos from Lupe Fiasco, Kylie Minogue and Bruce Springsteen. 

Regardless, Moon and her bandmates — Donk, Sparkman and The Wizard — will rock The Tonight Show after the band signed a “historic” contract with Atlantic and Parlophone Records on Tuesday. According to a release announcing the unusual deal, their manager, Bruce Cakemix, described the deal as “the biggest step forward in human-alien relations since Close Encounters.”

“I think we thought that we’ve sort of come to the end of doing singles as Coldplay. I think we’ve probably basically finished doing that, in general. We can’t go more poppier or single-y [than the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 BTS collaboration “My Universe”] than that and that felt good and we’re a bit older now. So we do have songs we want to bring some attention to, but with this we asked the Weirdoes if they would do the song and front it and we would feature.”

According to Martin, some people say the Weirdos are from another planet, and some say, “there’s a room in Los Angeles where all of the rejected puppets live and they maybe come from there.”

Martin and Coldplay will help The Weirdos make their network TV debut Friday night on The Tonight Show, where the group will jam on “Biutyful” from Coldplay’s new "Music of the Spheres" album.

Weta Garthim Statue!

Weta Workshop unveiled their next Dark Crystal statue, a deadly Garthim.

The Garthim: relentless hunters, loyal guards, and a force to be reckoned with. The mere sound of their chitinous legs clacking along the ground as they run is enough to make all Thra shiver in fear.

Hulking, crab-like foot soldiers, the Garthim served their masters without question. Dispatched from the Castle of the Crystal to enforce the Skeksis’ campaign of brutality and genocide, the Garthim roved across Thra spreading terror wherever they went. Within the shadowed passages and halls of the darkened castle they stood silent and unmoving; sentinels on ceaseless watch, or cloistered in lightless pits, awaiting the orders of their draconic overlords

With a mess of black legs, a polished jet-like carapace, and giant destructive claws, the Garthim were believed to be invincible. Mightier than any of Thra’s creatures, they smashed their way through almost any barrier, be it Podling homes or the walls of Aughra’s observatory. Few, if any beings, were their equal, save for the swift-limbed Landstriders, whose long legs could pierce Garthim shells and whose courage could overcome the terror of their piercing purple eyes.

SPECIAL BASE DESIGN:
The three different sized circular bases across our 1:6 scale Dark Crystal range represent the Three Suns in the skies of Thra; the dying sun, rose sun, and great sun. Familiar iconography from the floor of the Crystal Chamber is featured around the outside. Spy the symbols of the urSkek, which have since been appropriated as signs of discord and Skeksis aggression.

The 1:6 scale Garthim statue is a Limited Edition of 500 that features light-up LED eyes that can change color between blue and purple,

You can Pre-order them through Weta and Big Bad Toy Store.

Coming This Fall Sesame Street: The (Off Broadway) Musical!

According to Variety, sunny days are coming to an off-Broadway stage this fall with Sesame Street: The Musical.

Rockefeller Productions and Sesame Workshop announced Sesame Street: The Musical will make it's world premiere this fall. 

Special guest stars from Broadway and beyond will join Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby, Rosita, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, The Count, and Gabrielle and many others.

The show will feature classic Sesame Street songs plus new ones created especially for this production.

The show is directed and produced by Jonathan Rockefeller. “We are so honored and proud to partner with Sesame Workshop to bring ‘Sesame Street’s’ first original Off-Broadway musical, along with its iconic characters, to the stage,” said Rockefeller. “We believe it will be a production for children and fans of ALL ages to embrace and enjoy.”

“As the world begins to open up, families and fans are looking forward to live, high-quality in-person experiences with their favorite brands, and Sesame Workshop is answering the call with the expansion of our themed entertainment offerings,” said Jennifer Ahearn, vice president of strategic partnerships and themed entertainment at Sesame Workshop. “With its critically-acclaimed productions and keen eye for presenting beloved stories, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Rockefeller Productions on a stage show that will have the young and young-at-heart singing, dancing, and celebrating with their Sesame Street friends.”

Rockefeller Productions focuses on family entertainment and has mounted productions such as Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation, Paddington Gets in a Jam and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.

We are pretty sure this stage show will feature the actual Muppets and their performers - NOT dancers in full body Muppet costumes, though more details have yet to be announced. 

Previews for Sesame Street: The Musical start on September 8, 2022, with opening night set for September 22. The production will run at Theater Row, 410 West 42nd Street through November 27, 2022.

Tickets go on sale June 27th at SesameStreetMusical.com

RIP Jim Formanek, Long-Time Director of Henson Company Consumer Products (1972 - 2022)

(Hollywood, CA – June 6, 2022) – James Patrick Formanek (“Jimmy”), long-time director of consumer products at The Jim Henson Company, died at age 50 on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA, of complications resulting from cancer.

Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, said, “We are simply heartbroken at the passing of Jim Formanek. For our fans, Jimmy – a fan himself – shared his deep appreciation for detail and whimsy across all the toys, books, comics, and clothing from the last fifteen years. And for our Company, Jimmy’s legacy also includes his sense of humor, devoted friendship, and inspiring commitment to try to be a good person and care for those around him. We send our love and support to Jimmy’s family and his many friends.”

Jimmy was born on March 28, 1972, in Minnesota, grew up in Webster, Wisconsin, and later graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. His love of entertainment led him to Hollywood where he joined The Jim Henson Company in 2000, in an administrative position that he self-titled “assistant president.” He was quickly recognized for his true talent as an appreciator and collector of all things nerdy and geeky, and went on to lead the Company’s consumer products development for over fifteen years, working on products, publishing, collectibles, and clothing for beloved brands like Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. Jim described his role saying, “I make toys and read comic books for a living. Basically, I am Tom Hanks in the movie Big.”

Jimmy is predeceased by his parents, James and Violet Formanek, and is survived by his stepmother Jean Formanek, sister Debbie Maloney (Tim Maloney), brothers Dave Formanek (Robyn Formanek) and Dennis Formanek (Laura Formanek), as well as his beloved nieces and nephews (Traci, Bryan, Danielle, Cassidy, Joey, Dan, Sarah, and Joshua), along with his many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, colleagues, puppets, pets, and superheroes who miss him dearly.

Celebrations honoring Jimmy will be held over the summer in Hollywood, CA and Webster, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the scholarship that has been established in Jimmy’s memory at Webster High School [link].

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jim-formanek-big-dreams-memorial-scholarship

Jim Henson’s Family Hub Launches Kids Safe YouTube Channel!

The Jim Henson’s Company launched a new YouTube Channel featuring clips and full episodes from Henson’s library of beloved and popular children’s titles.

Jim Henson’s Family Hub, The Jim Henson Company’s online community for celebrating, supporting and connecting all kinds of families, has launched a new YouTube channel featuring full episodes, fun clips, weekly updates, and more. This kids safe channel (/HensonFamilyHub) showcases popular and iconic titles from the Company’s beloved catalog including Fraggle Rock, Sid the Science Kid, Word Party, Dinosaur Train, Splash and Bubbles, Pajanimals, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, and more.

“Jim Henson’s Family Hub on YouTube provides the perfect place online for kids of all ages to enjoy the high-quality entertainment that has become synonymous with The Jim Henson Company,” said Kerry Novick, Vice President of Global Distribution. “Parents can feel confident that these shows are appropriate for kids, as well as inspiring, engaging, and fun!”

So far the full episode section includes episodes of Mopatop Shop and Pajanimals.

Watch the trailer for Jim Henson’s Family Hub below:

You can watch more from Jim Henson’s Family Hub on their YouTube Channel.

Muppet Stuff Video: Amazing Back-to-Back-to-Back Finds and a Grail!

Join us once again from The Muppet Stuff Museum as we take a look at some AMAZING vintage items I found back-to-back-to-back and showcase products designed by former Muppet artistic director Craig Yoe!

Look for more videos on our Youtube Channel.

The Storyteller: Shapeshifters #4!

 The last issue of The Storyteller: Shapeshifters is out this week.

JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER: SHAPESHIFTERS #4 will feature main cover art by Christian Ward, variant cover art by Mateus Manhanini. and an Incentive cover without the title by Christian Ward. 

Synopsis:

In the final issue of the mythical mini-series, the Caribbean story of the Ole Heg comes to life—a normal woman by day, but a terrifying, bloodsucking fire spirit at night.

When the mother of a young girl named Ruth falls prey to this skin-shedding soucouyant, Ruth is desperate for a way to save her .

Can Ruth defeat the Ole Heg, and live to tell the tale as a warning for generations to come?

Check out a the first few pages below:

Print copies of JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER: SHAPESHIFTERS #4 will be available for sale on June 1, 2022 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.