Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Muppets Press Conferences

Part One:
The Muppets press conference with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Walter, Jason Segel, and Amy Adams | November 5, 2011 | Download MP3 | Length: 30:08

Part Two:
The Muppets press conference with James Bobin (director), Nick Stoller (co-writer), David Hoberman (producer), Todd Lieberman (producer), and Bret McKenzie (music supervisor) | November 5, 2011 | Download MP3 | Length: 26:56


Friday, December 2, 2011

Announcing Fraggle Rock

Watch Jim Henson and an early version of Gobo Fraggle at the December 2, 1981 press conference announcing Fraggle Rock.

Friday, November 25, 2011

"Life's a Happy Song"

You know that new song from the new Muppet movie? The super catchy and fun one. This one:

It's called "Life's a Happy Song" and everyone is leaving the theaters singing the tune. The movie may be only a couple days old, but here a playlist of some wonderful videos of the song that's sweeping the nation.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Jim Henson: Conversations in the Arts and Humanities

In 1986 John C. Tibbetts from the University of Kansas' "Conversations in the Arts and Humanities" interviewed Jim Henson about his then-new film Labyrinth.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Happy birthday, Freddie Mercury!

As one of the definitive rock icons of our age, the late great Freddie Mercury’s extraordinary talents and influence are still felt in the entertainment world to this day, an unreal 20 years after his sad and untimely death. September 5, 2011 would have been Freddie's 65th birthday; and to mark the occasion Miss Piggy paid tribute to Freddie and supported the Mercury Phoenix Trust's Freddie for a Day campaign with a a very special birthday video message. Watch Miss Piggy's tribute to Freddy below along with the Muppets' grand tribute to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Being Elmo panel at the 2011 Traverse City Film Festival

Kevin Clash and the filmmaking team behind "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey" appeared at the Traverse City Film Festival last month to showcase their award-winning documentary, and talk about the creation of the film. Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon; however few people know his creator, Kevin Clash. "Being Elmo" takes a look at the life and work of Kevin Clash. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, the documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.

In person for the live panel discussion on July 27, 2011 were Kevin Clash, Constance Marks (director), James J. Miller and Corinne LaPook (producers), Philip Shane (co-director), Justin Weinstein (writer/editor), and Elmo. You can watch the whole thing below. Enjoy!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Teen lands his dream job working with the Muppets

Here is a short article about Muppeteer David Rudman from Weekly World News. The article was published in September 1981. Click on the page below to enlarge. Enjoy!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Doodling with Jim Henson

Here's a fun upcoming book for Jim Henson fans and budding doodlers...

Doodling with Jim Henson:
More than 50 fun & fanciful artistic exercises to inspire the doodler in you!
Scribbling and doodling have long been enjoyable pastimes. From rendering prehistoric cave drawings to sketching innovative creations while sitting in class, people of all ages since the dawn of time have gravitated toward doodling regardless of their artistic abilities. Doodling with Jim Henson invites doodle enthusiasts and Henson fans alike to view the practice of doodling as a method and framework for additional creative development. Using a comprehensive catalogue of Jim’s sketches and doodles throughout his career, you will learn the “finer points” of doodling as art and will be invited to doodle monsters, fish, birds, title treatments, signs, banners, borders, and backgrounds directly in the pages of this eclectic, colorful book. Fun exercises and drawing prompts engage and invite creative participation using no more than a pencil and a bit of imagination.
  • Features easy step-by-step instructions for learning the fine art of doodling through the eyes of celebrated artist and puppeteer Jim Henson.

  • Includes a brief history about Jim Henson and his influence in art, puppeteering, and television, as well as several of his simple yet profound life philosophies.

  • Contains a variety of doodle content, including Jim Henson's character designs, dingbats, borders, frames, backgrounds, and more!

Jim Henson, an extraordinary artist and visionary, invented unique worlds and characters that remain just as vivid, original and fresh today as when they were created. A television pioneer, an innovator in puppetry, technology and visual arts, and a performer who literally brought to life some of the most memorable characters ever, Jim Henson's impact on entertainment, education and culture continues to this day more than 20 years after his death.

  • Release: October 1, 2011
  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Walter Foster
  • Pre-order: Amazon.com

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Muppets Keep Henson in Toyland

Here is an interesting article about Jim Henson and the Muppets from The Washington Post. It was originally published in February 1977. Click on the clippings below to enlarge. Enjoy!

page 1
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Learn To Be Miserable

From How to Be a Grouch by Caroll Spinney

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Elmo and Maria Read "Stretch"

Here's a fun video of Elmo (Kevin Clash) and Maria (Sonia Manzano) from Sesame Street reading "Stretch" by Doreen Cronin at the White House Easter Egg Roll in April 2010. Enjoy.