Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited Comes to LA!

MOMI's traveling The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited is now open at it's second location, L.A.' s Skirball Cultural Center.



To celebrate the opening, the Skirball is offering late night hours tonight, a DJ set by Timothy Nordwind of OK Go, roving puppeteers, and more.*

* Update: we've been informed advance tickets are sold out for this evening.


Here's a bit about the exhibit:
Immerse yourself in the imaginative world of Jim Henson (1936–1990) and discover his groundbreaking approach to puppetry and transformative impact on contemporary culture.
Featuring more than 100 objects and twenty-five historic puppets—including Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, Ernie and Bert, Grover, and other popular favorites—The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited illuminates Henson’s unique contributions to the moving image. Along with a talented team of designers, performers, and writers, Henson created an unparalleled body of work that continues to delight and inspire people of all ages to create a kinder and gentler world. 
Explore Henson’s enduringly popular productions—from The Muppet Show, the Muppet movies, and Sesame Street to Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth—through character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, costumes, film and television clips, and behind-the-scenes footage. Then design your own puppet and try your hand at puppeteering in this highly interactive exhibition.
The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited is a traveling exhibition organized by Museum of the Moving Image (Astoria, New York) in cooperation with The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, and Sesame Workshop, and toured worldwide by Flying Fish. The exhibition features puppets and other objects donated to the Museum by the family of Jim Henson, plus works on loan from The Jim Henson Company archives as well as from private lenders.
Before opening to the publicLA Weekly LA Magazine, and EW took a stroll through the exhibit. So if you can't make it, check out their reviews and pictures.

The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited will be at Skirball Center in L.A.
June 1–September 2, 2018. Tickets and information are available at the Skirball center's website

Labyrinth In 2 Minutes!

Don't have 13 hours solve the Labyrinth? Thanks to SYFY WIRE’s Jackie Jennings you can now get the entire plot of the movie in 2 minutes!

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

First Look Labyrinth: Coronation #4

The fourth issue of Labyrinth: Coronation hits stores today.



In this issue Maria finds allies willing to help guide her to the center of the Labyrinth and to her son, Jareth. But how much can she really trust them?

Check out the first few pages below:







You can get your copy at your local comic book store and through Amazon today.

Muppet Thought of the Week - Animal Shares Some Deep Thinking!

Animal Shares Some Deep Thinking in last week's Muppet Thought of the Week.


Thursday, May 24, 2018

Crazy Muppet Stories - Sesame Street General Store Sign!

Today we begin a new series called "Crazy Muppet Stories" about the lengths Muppet collectors will go to to secure an item. Muppet fan and collector Sebastiano Ricci recently took a road trip to secure a very rare Sesame Street General Store sign, below is his "Crazy Muppet Story." 

Sebastiano Ricci and his Sesame Street store sign

How I got a Sesame Street General Store Sign
By Sebastiano Ricci


Like any avid puppeteer/Muppet fan, I've been collecting Muppet merchandise since I was ​a youngster. Over the years​,​ I've obtained some pretty cool stuff from friends, online shopping, cons, and flea markets. But most recently, while scrolling through eBay, I stumbled across a rarity: an original sign from the Sesame Street General Stores. The General Stores were a short​-lived chain of stores across the US in the 1990s, usually in shopping malls. I've done my fair share of research on the General Stores prior to discovering this sign.  There isn't much information on the stores​... v​ery few pictures, no videos, and very little information on the stores exist. (if you have any pictures or footage, email me: muppetseb@gmail.com)​!​ ​ ​I've always been interested in the history of the stores, but they quietly closed down in the late​ ​1990s before I was born.



My eyes lit up when I found this sign for sale. It was from the store that was located in the South Hill Village Mall.  The seller stated that he found it in the dumpster when the store closed. Thankfully​,​ the seller saw some potential in the sign and saved it from being scrapped like many other General Store fixtures. My excitement deflated when I saw it was a local pickup auction, in Pittsburgh, PA​ - which is seven hours from my home in New York City. I inquired to the seller if shipping could be arranged, but after getting a $700 shipping estimate from UPS, I gave up.

I watched the auction end, without any bids. After messaging the seller, I was informed that the sign would be thrown out since nobody wanted it. It was like I got hit with the "no season 4 & 5 on DVD" all over again!​ I was crushed. I couldn't let the sign get this far just to be trashed. I then remembered that I had plans to go to Hershey, PA with some friends the following week, meaning I would be 3.5 hours closer to Pittsburgh. After talking to the seller, he told me that one other person was also still interested in the sign, and that the sign would be re​-​uploaded as a "buy-it-now". I luckily snagged it before the other guy (sorry to the other potential buyer if you're reading this​ -​ hope you understand).


Fast​-forward to the weekend of Hershey. I enjoyed my time at Hershey Park with my friends, but the whole time I was eagerly awaiting my road trip to Pittsburgh. My friend​,​ Paul​,​ volunteered to join me on my journey. We set off to Pittsburgh, without a map to get this show on the road... well, we did use a GPS​,​ if that counts. We eventually made it to Pittsburgh, and picked up the sign from the seller. Boy​,​ oh boy​ -​ what a sight it was. It was just laying there, gracefully, on a gray tarp.


We shoved as much of the sign as we could in my car, and bungeed the heck out of the trunk door, since the 6ft long sign stuck out.  Driving 7 hours at night with an 80lb slab of metal sticking out of the trunk is the scariest thing I've ever done, and I've watched the Bert & Ernie Pyramid sketch...alone...in the dark.


After ​four failed attempts to find an open coffee shop in order to stay awake, we finally arrived home at 4am. After a much needed sleep-in, we went to my storage unit to deposit the package. Of course with my wonderful luck, the elevator was out of service, so we had to take the stairs. When I put the sign with the rest of my collection, it stuck out like Snuffleupagus on the streets of New York City. But in a good way​...​ it's the centerpiece that compliments my years and years of collecting.  When the sign was on display in the store, it used to light up; hopefully I'll figure out how to rewire it. I'll make sure to keep ya'll updated if I get it working. When the day comes where I have my own man cave, this sign will be sitting front and center, reminding us of what once was.

Do you have a crazy story about obtaining a prized Muppet item? Please send it to us via our Facebook page or by email

The Jim Henson Company and John Tartaglia to Reboot Teddy Ruxpin!

The Jim Henson Company has inked a deal with production group Alchemy to make a new preschool series based on Teddy Ruxpin.


John Tartaglia, of
Splash & Bubbles, Johnny & the Sprites, and my high school, will serve as the showrunner on the project, while Russell Hicks, who was the head illustrator on the original Teddy Ruxpin series, will produce.

The original Teddy Ruxpin
 

The adventure show will be animated using the same using digital performance system as  other Henson series Dinosaur Train, Sid The Science Kid, and the aforementioned Splash & Bubbles, and is aimed at three- to seven-year-olds. 

Wicked Cool Toys relaunched Teddy Ruxpin last year with a new animatronic toy which netted them a Toy of the Year award. Wicked Cool Toys will also be a producing partner on the series, while Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford will serve as executive producers.

The 2017 version
The new series will focus on “important” themes and skills like fostering self-esteem, empathy and individuality.

The original Teddy Ruxpin cartoon consisted of 65 episodes between airing between 1986 and 1987.



No word yet if any other characters like Grubby or Newton Gimmick will be back.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Kermit Gives American Idol a "Rainbow Connection"!

Kermit appeared on the live season finale of American Idol last night where he performed  "Rainbow Connection" with eventual winner Maddie Poppe. 




Update: Here is Kermit plugging hi appearance before the show:


Monday, May 21, 2018

The Muppets Shill for Barclaycard Entertainment!

You may have heard that The Muppets are performing a set of live shows at London's O2 arena in June.


What you may not know, is that Barclays bank is an official partner of the venue, and now the all three have teamed up to promote the shows. 


Over the weekend Barclay's had a wrap around ad in the UK paper Evening Standard. As you can see below, the ad features Kermit, Floyd, Animal, Beaker, The Swedish Cehf, Camilla, and Gonzo.





Photos courtesy of Ben Piddington

Yes, they're all basic stock images we've seen before, but they work well in the ads. 

That's not all though. To coincide with the ads, Barclays enlisted the actual Muppets for a TV commercial as well. 


The whole things is timed to promote The Muppet Take the O2 July 13 & 14th. Tickets are on sale now

Rachel Reacts to The Happytime Murders Trailer!

The first trailer for The Happytime Murders dropped on Friday. If you haven't already watched it, you can watch it out at the link above. (NOTE: This is a red band trailer and is not suitable for kids or work.)

Now, let's check in with our friend Rachel to see her reaction and thoughts. 



Friday, May 18, 2018

The Happytime Murders Trailer!

The first, and very NSFW red band trailer for The Jim Henson Company's long awaited R-rated puppet comedy The Happytime Murders is finally here!


Hide the kids, and get some headphones - this one's defiantly not for the kids or boss. 

Thursday, May 17, 2018

DVR Alert: Kermit to Appear on American Idol Finale!

Our favorite amphibian will make an appearance on the season finale of American Idol Monday night


The show will also feature performances from judges, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, along with Bebe Rexha, Nick Jonas and Mustard, Patti Labelle, Darius Rucker, Gary Clark, Jr. and Yolanda Adams, but we all know the best part will be Kermit.

Set you DVR's for 
American Idol Monday night on ABC.

First Batch of Muppet Babies Reboot Merch!

The first wave of Muppet Babies reboot merchandise is now available through the Disney.




The initial offerings mainly consist of shirts featuring the characters in both their new CG appearances as well as 2D "cartoon" versions.



Here you can see the CG version...

and the 2D version (with Fozzie and Animal reversed)...

So far, the only characters to get their own shirts, as they appear on the show, are Kermit, Piggy, Summer Penguin, and Animal, who is only available in black and white.



Everyone, but Animal, is also available in 2D. 



Each shirt is available in both toddler, child, and adult sizes and can be customized. 


All are available now at Shop Disney

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Jim Henson's Favorite Songs!

At Jim Henson's memorial service Richard Hunt stated that one of Jim's favorite times in a production was recording the music. 


To celebrate the 28th anniversary of his passing, we present Jim Henson's favorite songs .. YAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!

Baby Face:



Lydia the Tattooed Lady:



It's in Every One of Us:



Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear:


Halfway Down the Stairs:



Cottleston Pie:



I'm Going to Go Back There Someday:



Wemblin' Fools:



You Are My Sunshine:



Just one Person:



As you can see it's a collection of silly, sweet, and out right bizarre just as you'd expect. 

We'll leave you with a clip of the Muppet performers singing these songs at Jim Henson's Memorial.  


We miss you, Jim Henson!

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Sesame Street Coming to SeaWorld Orlando!

SeaWorld Orlando is building a new Sesame Street-themed area!
Coming in 2019, Sesame Street land will replace Shamu’s Happy Harbor play area.
The land will a have a daily parade that features Elmo, Big Bird and an assortment of other characters as well as wet and dry play areas, and recreated locations from the show, such as Mr. Hooper’s store.

The area will be designed to make guests feel like they are walking down Sesame Street as it exists on the show today, rather then the "classic" street at 
SeaWorld Entertainment's Sesame Place.
"We are excited to transport our guests into the colorful and creative world of Sesame Street through immersive theming, character interactions and interactive play," said SeaWorld Orlando president Jim Dean in a news release.
The expected completion is spring 2019.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Fraggle Rock Mini-Series #1 Now Available!

The first issue of Archaia's new four part Fraggle Rock miniseries comes out today! 



Check out the first few pages below written and illustrated by Jared Cullum:







The first issue is available at comic book shops and through Amazon now.
A new issue will be released each month and the entire 4 issue miniseries will be released November 27th in a hardback book which you can pre-order on Amazon.