Sandy Bottom - Halloween Art

Scooter as Sandman!

He's a Mystery - Halloween Art

The Great Gonzo as Mysterio!

Wild Man - Halloween Art

Animal as Kraven the Hunter!

Bird's Eye View - Halloween Art

Sam Eagle as Vulture!

Plays with Electricity - Halloween Art

Crazy Harry as Electro!

Helping Hand - Halloween Art

 Bunsen Honeydew as Doc Ock!

Muppet Halloween Art

Another Halloween, another costume. But what do you go as this time? That's the very question the Muppets asked themselves this year . . .

Join us every few days as we reveal our Halloween Art surprise . . . one costume at a time!

Review: The Muppets "Bear Left Then Bear Write"

the muppets "Bear Left then Bear Write" 

In the third episode of the muppets, we are introduced to a few new things: Rowlf's Tavern, which is across the street from the studio, Gonzo is trying online dating (where's Camilla?), and Miss Piggy does not like being embarrassed on live tv (no matter how funny).

This episode felt more muppety than the first two. It showed a lot more muppet interactions and story lines. Christina Applegate makes a great guest star and has a story line that doesn't just fizzle out like the Nick Offerman story. Gonzo also gets a complete story as well. It seems that the show can handle two guest stars, but when they hit three, things start getting a little off-balance. 

It seems weird to make the conscience decision to not include chickens and penguins and talking food in this muppet universe. Those characters, especially Camilla, are integral to the Muppets. We all known Gonzo has a girlfriend named Camilla and we're okay that she's a chicken. I'm not sure it makes it any more of a funny plot line if Gonzo is online dating. Why can't he just be dating on a Chicken Website or something? Anywho, Gonzo and Camilla have been together for a long time and it's a little odd not to get an explanation of why they Camilla has just disappeared. 

I like Rowlf's Tavern a lot. It's fun to see Rowlf and the other Muppets outside the studio. Can't wait to see more of it! I also really liked seeing the pie revenge with Miss Piggy and Scooter. It's always fun to see more Scooter. The introduction of Chip was also really funny and brought a lot of simple humor to the show.

Overall, I felt this episode captured the Muppet humor more so than the first two episodes. However, there is still one thing that has not changed. Kermit is still not Kermit. Why would he lie to Fozzie? He cares about his friends. It doens't take a life-changing situation to get Kermit to care. Let me share this, "Underneath the zaniness or perhaps standing next to it, there was a sense of decency that the characters had, about the world and to each other. [. . .] But at the core, there was always a sense of social values and decency." Jerry Juhl, one of the head writers for the Muppets, said that. I think that's what is missing from the new show.

Let's get these characters back to their core values. They can be funny and zany and goofy and pop culture icons and still be caring and decent to one another.

Review: The Muppets "Hostile Makeover"

The second episode of the muppets, entitled "Hostile Makeover," aired this past week. This time we found the gang setting up Miss Piggy with Josh Groban to try and calm the set down, as code reds are the norm around the stage. Fozzie is invited to Jay Leno's house and steals something of his. And Bobo and the Newsman are selling cookies.

What was nice about this episode is that Piggy was happy! She was having a great time being with Josh Groban, and all the Muppets seemed to appreciate it . . . until she starts changing the show. There are some great jokes, especiall the Electric Mayhem going acoustic. The Up Late with Miss Piggy segment was fantastic and I hope we get to see more of those. It was funny and muppety. We also got to see more of Deadly and Scooter.

The Jay Leno and Fozzie plot line didn't really do much for me. We got some funny moments, but overall it didn't really seem to fit with the rest of the show. It was sort of wedged in there between Piggy and the backstage antics.

Same goes for the cookie selling rivalry between Bobo and the Newsman. I feel like there was potential here, but it didn't really go anywhere. There were some funny moments, but overall it didn't quite work.

I think we had some formatting issues with this episode. If you want to see three interconnected plot lines that work together, watch Phineas and Ferb. They mastered the three-plot story for an 11 minute program. I also found it odd that everyone, including the guests stars, were mean to the Muppets again. Why does everyone hate on them in this new format? I liked seeing Laurence Fishburne interact with Kermit, but not in that way. I get it was meant to motivated Kermit to get the show back to its normal state and get rid of Josh Groban, but it came off way too harsh. Kermit also called Groban a dork. Since when does Kermit call people names?

Here's the thing, we know how this characters behave behind the scenes. It was a regular part of The Muppet Show. Yes, Kermit gets mad once in a while, but he seems to be stuck in a stupor, permanently.

Anywho, besides the above comments, I think its most important that I laughed throughout the episode. I tuned in and will tune in next week as well. Let's hope we're getting closer to a more balanced format and some niceness from the characters.

Review: The Muppets "Pig Girls Don't Cry (Pilot)"

 The Muppets came back to television this past week with a prime time series called the muppets. This time around we see the characters putting on a late night show called Up Late with Miss Piggy. Piggy is, of course, the star of the show. Kermit is the executive producer, Gonzo is a writer, Scooter is a talent scout, Uncle Deadly is wardrobe, and The Electric Mayhem is the show's band. All your other favorite Muppets are there doing things, too. Don't worry.  The show is a documentary style series looking at the personal lives of the Muppets as well as behind-the-scenes of the show within a show.

The pilot episode begins right in the thick of a putting on a episode of Up Late with Miss Piggy with Elizabeth Banks as a guest and Imagine Dragons as the musical act. We're introduced to some of the roles of the characters and what they will be doing for the show. We're also given some idea of a few of the characters personal issues, such as Fozzie dating a human and Miss Piggy and Kermit's break-up.

As for overall plot of the pilot, it was a little mixed. The balance between personal life scenes, backstage scenes, and Up Late with Miss Piggy scenes seemed a little jumbled. There wasn't necessarily a overall plot, besides trying to find another guest star to take Elizabeth Banks' spot, as Miss Piggy didn't want her on the show. This was a device used mostly to get to the break-up scene.

The break-up scene was unexpected. I think Piggy gave one of her best performances ever. You could see the hurt in her every movement. The uncertainty of what just happened, and what will happen to her, was evident. She deeply cares for Kermit.

What I liked about the show:

• Seeing the Muppets putting on a show once again
• Humor was almost spot-on for these characters 
• I particularly liked Sam's role as head executive of broadcast standards and practices, especially when Kermit says, "My life is a bacon-wrapped hell on earth."
• It strikes a good balance between adult and family
• The characters were all there with roles (though this may prove to be troublesome)
• Seeing the Muppets in the real world doing real things with people
• Tom Bergeron was used quite effectively

What I didn't like, or hope is just pilot jitters:

• Denise's dead eyes
• Characters being stuck in roles (will Gonzo get to perform? or is he stuck at the writer's desk?)
• Sketches - we almost had one with Dancing with the Czars
• Characters not seeming to care for one another, except Piggy
• Guests stars used as plot devices (Elizabeth Banks) and musical guests relegated to the end credits (Imagine Dragons)
• Kermit seems like such a downer again here, he seems more stressed out then ever

 I enjoyed the pilot enough to keep watching to see what happens to these characters. My concerns are the longevity of the documentary style show and if we'll ever get to see sketches, songs, and stunts the Muppets are so well-known for, the Piggy/Kermit break-up sub-plot driving the show, and the inclusion of too many guests. We'll see where the next few shows go! I look forward to spending my Tuesday evenings with the muppets.

My other major concern is an idea I have brought up before . . . what happened to the good guys the Muppets used to be? I feel like the sense of caring and respect for one another is gone. Jim Henson said, "There is a sense of our characters caring for each other and having respect for each other. A positive feeling. A positive view of life. That's a key to everything we do." I'd like to see this idea be more forward and prominent in the show. They were always putting on a show and even though things didn't go as planned, the characters helped each other out and took what they had and ran with it with a smile and a song. I'm not saying they can behave like real people who have bad days, we're all entitled to it. But these characters always rose above that and made you feel that even though things are bad or don't work out, there's always something to laugh and smile about when you're with your friends.

Happy Birthday, Jim!

Happy Birthday to Jim Henson! 

Celebrate Jim's birthday today by doing something different, something fun, something nice, and something silly. Sing a song, play a game, make a friend, watch the clouds. Imagine. Laugh. Create. Design. Work Together. Celebrate.

Kermit and Miss Piggy No More!

Today we saw the most important announcement of the year - Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are no longer a couple!

This announcement comes a mere two months before the new series, The Muppets, airs on ABC. Seems like a great way to generate interest in the series and get the Muppets back in the spotlight. Yesterday we got a new video from the Electric Mayhem and Sam Eagle. We do know from the pilot for the series that Kermit and Piggy are dating other people. However, I do wonder how much thought was put into what seems to be a publicity stunt. A sad one at that.

Here is how it happened:

For many Muppet fans, including us, this is quite an announcement. Heartbreaking, even! Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy have been through everything together - getting blown up, motorcycle chases, jail, hard times in Manhattan, a fake wedding in Manhattan (or was it?), sailing for adventure, and living in a house full of Muppets.

It's also odd that earlier today, we got this tweet from Mr. the Frog:

Even when the times got tough, their true love for each other showed. I think one of my favorite moments in their relationship comes from The Great Muppet Caper:

Followed by this beautiful song:

Here's my question for you Disney, would you break up Minnie and Mickey for the sake of a television series?

The Muppets Full Pilot

It's the video we've all been wanting to see. What did Bill Prady show ABC that got the Muppets their newest prime time show? No more waiting, because here it is!

We saw a lot of this footage in the teaser trailer that came out a few months ago. I think the teaser was well edited and really gave us a good flavor for the show. We do see that the language is more "adult." It's still a lot of fun with cameos and hopefully musical bits, especially with the show within a show feature. The idea of family is intact here, as the Muppets have always been this oddball group of performers who care deeply for one another.

Kermit and Piggy's relationship has taken another hit here. They appear to be officially broken up, though I'm a little skeptical about how far that plot device will take us. We do find out that it is not Spamela Hamderson, but instead Denise that Kermit is dating.

We also get another Kermit who's kind of a downer. Ever since The Muppets (2011), we've had this Kermit who doesn't quite seem to be as positive. I really hope this changes.

I'm looking forward to it for sure and can't wait to see what else is in store. Comic Con gave a lot of great information about the show, but it'll be great fun to see what Bill Prady brings to the Muppet gang this time around.

Happy 4th of July! (Independ-ants Day!)

Happy Independ-ants Day (Feel free to download as wallpaper)

Even monsters celebrate America!

SDCC Funko Exclusives

We love Funko's POP! Vinyl figures! They are always extremely well done and capture the characters so well. San Diego Comic Con is going to have a slew of exclusives. Most are variants on already existing figures, but they are all so much fun! Some new sculpts and added fun make these exclusives worth hunting down.

Fire Head Anger

Captain America Unmasked

Glitter Hair Sadness

Baymax Unmasked

Blackout Ant-Man

Sparkle Hair Joy

Nova Rocket Raccoon with Potted Groot

Grinning Ultron

Flocked Snuffleupagus

Muppets in Mini-Mate Form

Diamond Select Toys has finally released images of the Muppets Mini-Mates line of figures. In case you are wondering what a Mini-Mate is, it is a 2-inch figure in a blocky style that has 14 points of articulation. They are small and wonderful! Perfect for decorating your desk with Muppet mayhem!

TV Insider got an exclusive scoop on the figures, so check it out! We already love them and will be adding them to our collection this winter. Let's hope they do well and we'll get a lot more characters! They will retail for $9.99 in two packs.

Kermit the Frog, Robin, Miss Piggy

The Great Gonzo, Camilla, Swedish Chef

Fozzie Bear, Scooter

"Battle Damaged" Chef, Camilla, Stunt Gonzo

Fozzie's Barely Funny Fridays Starts Today

The Muppets have been putting out a lot of great videos recently . . . and they keep coming! Every Friday, starting today, expect to see a new video from that fuzzy, furry, funny man - Fozzie Bear! The videos are short, funny, and have Fozzie standing-up. I think that makes him a stand-up comedian?

Stay tuned to The Muppets youtube channel for more Muppet antics, and if you can bare it, tune in on Friday's for more Fozzie's jokes! Kick off your weekend with the Muppets!

The Muppets Teaser Breakdown

The internet went Muppet today. Yes, it went Muppet all over the place. You can use Muppet that way, go ahead and try it. The new teaser for the much talked about ABC series had a wonderful trailer that is quickly winning people over with it's humor and close look at the unknown personal lives of the Muppets. However, I would like to add this idea of the Muppets' personal lives is not a new one. The backstage sequences of The Muppet Show were basically the personal lives of the characters. This time we get to see them in a contemporary setting dealing with contemporary problems. And it's just as delightful as expected.

Here's a breakdown of the trailer:

 

Opening shot with a bunch of Muppets and Mahna Mahna playing. Muppet fans love group shots! Look! There's Lew Zealand, the Swedish Chef, Floyd, Animal, Behemoth, Gonzo, Sam Eagle, Walter, Big Mean Carl, Sweetums, a penguin, Dr. Teeth, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Spamela Hamderson, Pops, and Kermit!

 Lower case title card. Nice. And it's a statement. It's what every Muppet fan wants to hear!

Kermit is sitting in traffic. He is just like us!

Rowlf and Scooter discuss Rowlf's surgery . . . and the cone of shame. Scooter is sporting some new threads. There's Uncle Deadly and Janice, too!

Fozzie has a girlfriend! It seems there's some hesitation with her family about interspecies dating. What would Emily Bear think? Fozzie's also wearing a different tie!

Floyd thinks handheld cameras and cut-aways to characters talking is a great idea for the show.

Gonzo, not so much. Until we cut back away to a wide shot. A great bit of humor here. There's Rizzo in the background, eating as usual.

Piggy must be shooting a show or a movie because goodness knows she wouldn't choose to wear this in public. Also, she can't remember anyone but Kermit. That blue guy on the left is Gary.

 

Kermit likes Pigs. He says it and we know it. I mean this is the second time we see Spamela Hamderson in the teaser! Look and there's Zoot and Crazy Harry!

We get to see rare and obscure Muppets?! Thank goodness! Here's Angel Marie, Sunshine (or the Thingy Thing), Chip (a muppet parody of Bill Prady, last seen in the Jim Henson Hour and Muppets From Space) some sort of Frackle-ish muppet, and Beautiful Day.

 In no way is that statement ambiguous. The Muppets are back . . . on television. It's always interesting that Disney keeps saying that the Muppets were gone. They've never been gone, just doing different things.

Uncle Deadly, Sweetums, Kermit, and the Newsman. It's great to see so many characters in just this 2 minute and 41 second teaser.

The Swedish Chef, no doubt working on a dish using power tools. Perfect.

Just look at all of those Muppets!!! Squeeeee!

Bunsen and Beaker are back! So is Wayne and Wanda!

Nothing's funnier than Miss Piggy's big moment ruined by something, in this case a pane of glass. It's also nice to hear her say that the Muppets are her family. A family in which she can't remember anyone's name. You know, except the Tooth Guy.

The band is all here!

Including that blue guy. Don't tell Piggy, but his name is Zoot.

Piggy saving face while Gonzo over hears. Also, Gonzo drinks coffee and still enjoys his chili pepper shirt!

Kermit must have let Fozzie type these title cards. Didn't he learn after Harry Belafonte was on the show? 

The Muppets are back Tuesdays, this fall. In case you had trouble reading.

More Spamela Hamderson! Also Janice! Piggy comes in and takes over this scene promptly, knocking Spamela out of the way. Good for her! Kermit mentions that perhaps Piggy has
"made my bacon-wrapped life a hell on earth." Adult indeed.

And what's a Muppet show without everyone's favorite hecklers, Statler and Waldorf! 

Clocking in at 2 minutes and 41 seconds, this teaser is jam-packed with Muppet goodness for new and old fans alike. If this is any indication of what is to come, then bring it on! It'll be fun seeing the Muppets on television again and bringing laughs to a whole new generation. It's time to play the music and it's time to light the lights this fall on ABC.