2021 Daytime Emmy Nominees Announced!

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the nominees for the 48th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards in Children’s & Animation. Both Muppet Babies, Sesame Street, and Sesame Workshop's other shows like Helpsters, Esme & Roy, and their recent collaborations with CNN have been nominated for multiple awards - even going up against each other and themselves in some categories.

And the nominees are: 

Outstanding Preschool, Children’s or Family Viewing Program
The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special
Sesame Street

Outstanding Writing Team for a Preschool, Children’s or Family Viewing Program
The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special
Sesame Street

Outstanding Daytime Program Host
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Erica Hill, Van Jones – CNN/Sesame Street Town Halls

Outstanding Educational and Informational Series
CNN/Sesame Street Town Halls

Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing
Sesame Street

Outstanding Special Effects, Costumes, Makeup, and Hairstyling
Sesame Street

Outstanding Short Form Children’s Program
Sesame Street: The Monster at the End of Your Story with Grover and Elmo
Monster Meditations

Outstanding Directing Team for a Preschool, Children’s or Family Viewing Program
Sesame Street
Helpsters

Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
The Monster at the End of This Story
Muppet Babies

Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series
Esme & Roy

Outstanding Principal Performer in a Children’s Program
Ryan Dillon as Elmo

Outstanding Limited Performance in a Children’s Program
Jennifer Barnhart as Zoe, Charlie’s Mom, Maggie Cadabby

Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program
Erica Bauza as Fozzie, Muppet Babies
Eric Jacobson as Grover, The Monster at the End of This Story

This marks Jennifer Barnhart's first ever Emmy nomination which alone is sometime to celebrate. 

In addition to the awards they are up for, Sesame Street already won a Daytime Creative Arts award last week for “Outstanding Technical Team”, but unfortunately lost for “Outstanding Lighting Direction.”

You can view all the nominees on the Emmy's website.

The Daytime Emmy Awards Children’s Programming and Animation ceremony will be presented in a stand-alone show streaming on NATAS’ Emmy OTT platform on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 8PM ET.

Coming Soon Weta Labyrinth Statues!

Weta Workshop announced that in addition to their line of Dark Crystal and Age of Resistance statues they "unleashed a team of artists to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth"

"All your favourite characters and creatures are being collectified as we speak"

Below is their Facebook announcement:

As you may know Weta's Dark Crystal statues are quite large and expensive. I reached out to them asking for smaller and less expensive versions, to which the replied "Don't worry, we're listening."

That is very promising news and will be able to put more of these amazing statues in the hands of more fans around the world.

Stay tuned as Weta reveals their new Labyrinth line of statues at Comic-Con@Home.

Hey, See The Great Muppet Caper Movie in Theaters!

Last week saw both the 35 anniversary of Labyrinth and the 40th anniversary for The Great Muppet Caper.

A few years ago Fathom celebrated Labyrinth's 30th by bringing the classic Jim Henson directed film, back to the theaters. This year, they are celebrating the Muppet's second feature, also directed by Henson, by bringing it back to theaters as well.

Gee, I wish I were you people seeing it for the first time! 

Watch the trailer here.

You can see what color their hands are now when The Great Muppet Caper theaters Sunday, August 8th and Wednesday, August 11th. 

To find a theater near you and to buy tickets visit Fathom's website. 

Watch Kermit and Nina West's "Connection"!

Disney+'s first ever This Is Me Pride Celebration Spectacular, hosted by Nina West debuted Friday night on YouTube and Facebook. 

Kermit appeared throughout the special looking for the proper out for the occasion, disapproving of costumes he wore in the past including his Manhattan Melodies outfit from The Muppets Take Manhattan. 

Judging by the outfits and costumes worn by the specials other guests, the blue and purple glittered tuxedo would have been tame in comparison. It was also a bit of out character. Even though the special is all about acceptance and Kermit truly is "himself" when not wearing anything but his collar, that doesn't that mean that wearing something you typically wouldn't makes you any less you.

West, who is a drag queen, makes MULTIPLE outlandish costumes changes throughout the special. Does each outfit diminish her for not being her true self? The message is messy and poorly executed. 

Disney's corporate synergy team also doesn't want you to forget that each song is from a production available on Disney+, as we are reminded at the bottom of the screen during each song.

We get it, this a giant ad for Disney+

Further proof that Disney's version of "inclusion" only extends to their IPs, is Alex Newell, who performers a blistering rendition of The Little Mermaid's "Poor Unfortunate Souls" (The Little Mermaid Now Streaming on Disney+) with no mention that they are from the non-Disney owned series Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.

The other wise charming special culminates in Kermit and West duetting on "Rainbow Connection."

You can watch the whole " Celebration Spectacular" below:

The Muppet Movie, The Muppet Show, and The Little Mermaid (but not this special made by Disney+) are now streaming on Disney+. 

Weta Releases Two More Dark Crystal Statues!

Weta recently announced plans not only to release two more citizens of Thra, but to further expand their Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance line of statues to include the original film as well. 

The two latest releases are favorites that Dark Crystal fans have been waiting for. 

First is a open edition of Kira and Fizzgig from The Dark Crystal. 

FEATURES:
1:6 scale;
Portrays the last of the Gelfling, the Podling-raised heroine from The Dark Crystal (1982);
Clay sculpted by Jane Wenley using photographs of the original puppet as reference;
Translucent wings;
Clutching her loyal Fizzgig;
Base brimming with unique flora and fauna;
High-quality polystone.

Next is a limited edition Skeksil The Chamberlain Skeksis who schemed his way through both the original Dark Crystal and the Age of Resistance series. 

FEATURES:
1:6 scale;
Limited Edition of 500;
Pays tribute to the master of schemes and right hand of the Emperor;
Rich & intricate costume with multiple sculpted fabrics;
Includes skekSil’s staff depicting the Skeksis symbol of aggression atop the Three Suns of Thra, proof of Skeksis domination over all;
Developed from digital scans of the original puppet seen on screen;
High-quality polystone.

Each figure in the line has a special base design. 

The three different sized circular bases across the 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 are featured around the outside. Spy the symbols of the urSkek, which have since been appropriated as signs of discord and Skeksis aggression.

Below is a behind the scenes looks at Weta's artists making the 

Kira, Skeksil The Chamberlain Skeksis, and many more can be purchased using the links above and through Weta. 

New Henson Film "Portable Door" Now In Production!

 The Jim Henson Company has a new feature film the works titled The Portable Door.

Sam Neill, Christoph Waltz, and and Patrick Gibson lead the cast with Jeffrey Walker directing from a script by Leon Ford.

The Portable Door is adapted from the series of novels of the same name by Patrick Holt.

The story sees two lowly, put-upon interns at a mysterious London firm, J.W. Wells & Co., become steadily aware that their employers are anything but conventional. The charismatic villains who run the company are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices.

The film is a co-production between The Jim Henson Company and Story Bridge Films and is produced by Blanca Lista and Todd Fellman.

The cast also includes Miranda Otto, Chris Pang, Jessica De Gouw, Rachel House, Arka Das, Damon Herriman, and newcomer Sophie Wilde.

The Jim Henson Company’s Lisa Henson and Chris Lytton are executive producing as well as Arclight Films’ Gary Hamilton, Brian Beckmann, and Ying Ye, alongside Julia Stuart and Laura Grange from Sky, and Stan’s Cailah Scobie and Shana Levine.

Additional finance partners include Fulcrum Media Finance, MEP Capital, and The Jim Henson Company with support provided by Screen Queensland, Create NSW, and Film Victoria.

“Director Jeffrey Walker is leading an amazing cast and creative team to bring to life (the film’s) high-fantasy setting and unique humor,” said Lisa Henson. “An unexpected adventure filled with deeply funny moments, ‘The Portable Door’ is poised to be the next Henson fan favorite.”

“ ‘The Portable Door’ is going to be an unmissable adventure with a very British sense of humor,” said Julia Stuart, director of original film at Sky.

“ ‘The Portable Door’ (is) part of our strategy to create more Australian-produced content,” said Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie.

The Portable Door is filming now in Queensland, Australia. 

Pride comes to Sesame Street!

As part Pride month Sesame Street (finally) introduced a gay couple. 

“Family Day,” introduces Nina's brother, his husband, as well as their daughter was released Thursday on HBO Max and YouTube.

The episode was timed to celebrate Father’s Day as well.

Hooper Store's own, and friend of the blog, Alan Muraoka, co-directed the episode and posted the message below about how Sesame Street has always fostered diversity and inclusion:

Sesame Street has always been a welcoming place of diversity and inclusion. So I'm so excited to introduce Nina's Brother Dave, his husband Frank, and their daughter Mia to our sunny street. Our Family Day episode drops today on HBOMax and on YouTube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iph6Sj44Zpo.) I am so honored and humbled to have co-directed this important and milestone episode. Love is love, and we are so happy to add this special family to our Sesame family. Happy Pride to all!!!!

Photo credit:© 2021 Sesame Workshop / Richard Termine #sesamestreet #alanathoopers #familyislove #loveislove #proud

 

Additionally “Family Day,” also features country music star Kelsea Ballerini singing a song about families that you can watch below:

 

Sesame Street's full “Family Day" episode can be seen on HBO Max and the street story by itself can be seen below via YouTube.

Kermit to Appear on "This is Me" Special!

Disney+ is celebrating Pride Month with the social media This Is Me - Pride Celebration Spectacular featuring Kermit the Frog!

Kermit with fellow guest star Jackie Cox

Considering the main symbol for Pride is a rainbow, it's a pretty safe bet that "Rainbow Connection” will be performed. 

The virtual event will premiere on Disney+’s YouTube and Facebook pages on June 27 at 8pm EST.  

‘The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance’ Exhibit Coming To Center For Puppetry Arts!

Puppets, props, and artifacts from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will soon be on display at the Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how The Jim Henson Company recreated the fantastical inhabitants and landscapes for the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. 

Longtime fans and those new to puppetry will find a world to discover and appreciate in this close look at the artistry and craftsmanship behind the creation of the live-action epic.

MOMI's The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance Exhibit in NY

Atlanta radio station show City Lights spoke with the center’s museum director, Sarah Dylla, about the exhibit.

Below are a few highlights of their discussion:  

“In this exhibition, we try to give a bit of a backstory so those who are a part of that strong fan base and those who are not familiar with the story can all find something to enjoy, appreciate and learn from it. So you’ll see a lot of comparisons between the two productions — from the 1982 feature film and the 2019 series,” said Dylla.

She continued, “This project, ‘Age of Resistance,’ really is a huge undertaking and huge labor of love and artistry for a whole community of puppeteers and artists. The production included 75 sets all created to take viewers into different climates and different zones of the world of Thra. It employed 500 employs of all different types, 83 of whom were puppeteers. There were 175 puppets. So, something we wanted viewers to take away is truly the massive amount of labor and creativity that projects like this entail.”

“Something special about this exhibit is that there is a base point for comparison. It is a reboot of a story that was one of Jim Henson’s forays into creating entire fantastical worlds with puppetry and sets. In looking at those puppets and props from the 1982 film and comparing them to now, you can see how things changed, but also how the field and the process of puppetry has stayed the same. We have a section in the book where we look at the production of arms and hands on Skeksis puppets. There are a series of arms that show how the puppet builders put together the arm to be able to have it articulate and move in the right way. You can see the arm from 1982 and then you can see the arm from the more recent Netflix series.”

 
Masterpiece of Puppetry: Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will be on view at the Center For Puppetry Arts from June 18 - Oct. 31.

Academy Museum to Sell Designer “Dark Crystal” Apparel!

Variety is reporting that when the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum opens this fall, the gift shop will be filled with unique and possibly exclusive movie related items, including some designer The Dark Crystal items.   

The Dark Crystal inspired collection of apparel and accessories “is co-branded by Brain Dead x The Jim Henson Company."

Neither images or any descriptions of the items has been released yet, so until Brain Dead x unveils their creations, we'll be stuck "in the age of wonder" trying to figure out what creations they have in store for us. 

The Academy Museum opens September 30th in L.A. 

New Fraggle Rock Plush On The Way!

In anticipation for ne the new Fraggle Rock reboot, geek toy and apparel manufacture Jinx has a new line of Fraggle plush on the way.

So far the line features the main Fraggle five - including Mokey. 

While no actual photos have been released yet, you can look at the temp art and pre-order the them using the links below. 

Fraggle Rock Gobo 7.5-Inch Small Plush (Standing)

Fraggle Rock Mokey 7.5-Inch Small Plush (Standing)

Fraggle Rock Mokey 4-Inch Small Plush (Sitting)

Fraggle Rock Wembley 7.5-Inch Small Plush (Standing)

Fraggle Rock Wembly 4-Inch Small Plush (Sitting)

Fraggle Rock Boober 7.5-Inch Small Plush (Standing)

 

Fraggle Rock Boober 4-Inch Small Plush (Sitting)

Fraggle Rock Red 7.5-Inch Small Plush (Standing)

Fraggle Rock Red 4.5-Inch Small Plush (Sitting)

As you can see, each Fraggle comes in both standing and siting positions, though it looks like the sitting Gobo plush has yet to be made available for pre-order. 

Jinx's Fraggle Rock plush are available pre-order through Toy Wiz now and will ship in July. 

Retro Fan Magazine Muppet Show Article!

The current issue of Retro Fan magazine has a shout out to The Muppet Show. 

The article talks about the early years of the series and it's British production. 

You can read the first two pages above. 

For the rest pick up the latest copy of Retro Fan at Barnes & Noble and on Retro Fan's website. 

Thank to "Krazy Joe" Fiore for the heads up. 

Limited Edition Labyrinth 35th Anniversary 4K Coming Soon!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced it will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Labyrinth with a brand new 4K Blu-ray Limited Edition of the film.

The release comes with a Digibook featuring rare artwork, photography, and early script pages styled to resemble Sarah’s book, 25 minutes of never-before-seen lost and alternate scenes, with all-new commentary from Brian Henson, and original screen tests for the role of Sarah featuring Molly Ringwald, Tracey Gold, Claudia Wells and more.

Below are the speciation's for the release:

4K ULTRA HD DISC

• Feature presented in 4K resolution, with Dolby Vision
• Dolby Atmos audio + 5.1 audio + original theatrical 2-Channel Surround audio
  
  
• Special Features:
• NEW: Deleted & Alternate Scene Oubliette
• Over 25 minutes of never-before-seen lost and alternate scenes, with all-new commentary from Brian Henson!
  
  
• NEW: Sarah’s Screen Tests
• A collection of rare, original screen tests for the role of Sarah! Featuring Molly Ringwald, Trini Alvarado, Tracey Gold, Claudia Wells, Jill Schoelen, Maddie Corman and Danielle von Zerneck

BLU-RAY DISC™

• Feature presented in high definition, sourced from the 4K master
• Dolby Atmos audio
  
  
• Special Features:
• “The Henson Legacy” Featurette
• Labyrinth Anniversary Q&A
• “Remembering The Goblin King” Featurette
• The Storytellers (Picture-in-Picture)
• Commentary by Conceptual Designer Brian Froud
• Original Making-of Documentary “Inside The Labyrinth”
• “Journey Through the Labyrinth: Kingdom of Characters” Documentary
• “Journey Through the Labyrinth: The Quest for Goblin City” Documentary
• Theatrical Trailers
  
  

CAST AND CREW
Directed By: Jim Henson
Story By: Dennis Lee and Jim Henson
Screenplay By: Terry Jones
Produced By: Eric Rattray
Executive Producer: George Lucas
Cast: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, and dozens of creatures from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™

SPECS
Run Time: Approx. 101 minutes
Rating: PG
Feature Picture: 2160p Ultra High Definition, 2.39:1
Feature Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Compatible) | English, French (PAR) 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English 2-Channel Surround DTS-HD MA, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital


Jim Henson’s Labyrinth 35th anniversary of Limited Edition 4K will be available for August 17 and can be pre-ordered now. 

Miss Piggy to Appear on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars!

Miss Piggy will appear on the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. 

VH1 and Paramount+ announced the full lineup of guest judges for the season and while Miss Piggy won't be judging the performances, she will be part of a lineup of special guests including Angela Bassett, Cheyenne Jackson, Jermaine Fowler, and Tanya Tucker. 

 

Of course this isn't the first time The Muppets and RuPaul have worked together as Ru previously appeared on ABC's 2015 series The Muppets and last year on Muppets Now. 

This season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars will be streaming solely on Paramount+ beginning June 24. 

First Look: Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Tricksters #4!

BOOM! Studios revealed the first look of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Tricksters #4, the final issue of the new comic book series.

Real-life siblings Robin Kaplan and A.L. Kaplan present the next standalone chapter of the Jim Henson-inspired epic limited series, available in June 2021.

The main cover art above is by artist Peach Momoko and variant cover below by artist Dani Pendergast.

Can the Norse trickster god, Loki, get the legendary god of thunder, Thor, to embrace his feminine side? When Thor’s hammer ends up in the possession of the King of the Giants, only his clever brother will be able to aid him in retrieving it, but only if Thor can use his brains rather than his brawn.

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Tricksters #4 will be available June 16, 2021 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.

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Tricksters the complete hardcover collection will be available at local comic book shops on November 24 and bookstores November 20.

Streisand Releases Lost Kermit "Connection"!

Barbra Streisand has been digging through her archives and found a lost "connection" for us Muppet fans.

It turns out Streisand recorded a duet rendition of “Rainbow Connection” with Kermit originally intended for her album Wet.

Since it was recorded in 1979, we're fairly certain that Streisand recorded this version with the ordinal Kermit himself, Jim Henson. 

The song will be one of many unreleased tracks on the upcoming album Release Me 2.

Along with its digital versions, the CD version will include a 32-page booklet featuring liner notes as well as a vinyl version.

Release Me 2 will be released Aug. 6.

Thrifting Adventures all over PA with Cinema Sickness!

Our adventures in thrifting with Cinema Sickness continue as I hunt for Muppet stuff while making terrible puns along the way.  

Thrifting Goodwill (East Norriton, PA):

 

Thrifting Jake’s Flea Market (Barto, PA):

 

 Thrifting Liberty Ministries Thrift (Sanatoga, PA):

 

Thrifting Berwyn Outdoor Vintage Market (Berwyn, PA):

 

Shopping Nicholas Smith Trains & Toys (Broomall, PA):

 

 AMAZING finds while Thrifting Zip’s Toys (Havertown, PA):

 

BONUS: Adventuring The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
(Delaware Water Gap, PA):

   

Look for more thrilling thrifting adventures on our Youtube Channel.

Jim Henson Exhibition: "Imagination Unlimited” Comes to Michigan!

After stops in Seattle, Los Angeles, Mississippi, Ohio, Albuquerque, and Omaha, the Museum of Moving Image's traveling Henson exhibit is about to open in it's next stop - Dearborn, Michigan.

“The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” will open at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn this Saturday, June 5 through September 6.

For more information and tickets click on the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation link.