Dinosaurs on DVD in 2006

For years fans have been asking when their favorite prehistoric sit-com will make its DVD debut. Dinosaurs, the 1990's TV series from Jim Henson Productions and Buena Vista Entertainment may be coming to DVD next year. Sources have exclusively told our friends at TVShowsOnDVD.com that Dinosaurs is on the way to DVD sometime in 2006, possibly the second quarter (April-June 2006). It is unsure if this will be a complete first season set (or a combined first and second season set), a smaller "best of" select episode compilation, or a volume box set, or something else. At this time we don't know what, if any, bonus features will be attached to the product, nor do we know definitively when and what will be released. TVShowsOnDVD is reporting that this is pretty strong info, but it is still technically a rumor and not locked-in until Buena Vista Home Entertainment (a division of Disney) makes a formal announcement (which could be over a month or more away – if ever). I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything else, and keep you updated as more developments on the future of the Sinclair family coming to DVD.

Christmas From the Balcony (Episode 14)

A special holiday episode of "Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony" was posted on Movies.com today. In the latest installment of the bi-weekly web-show, Statler and Waldorf talk about their favorite Holiday films", plus Larry and Oliver re-enact every holiday movie ever made in "Film Crew Theatre". Plus, you can learn the meaning of this weeks balconism, "Yule-Log-JAM". So check out the "From the Balcony" website on Movies.com and watch the latest episode. And be sure to check back for the next episode on January 7th .

The Jim Henson Honors

Today The Jim Henson Company announced the first ever Jim Henson Honors. The Jim Henson Honors, started in 2005, acknowledges organizations, individuals or products that reflect the core values and philosophy of Jim Henson and the company he founded.

Honorees were chosen by the artists and staff at The Jim Henson Company, who are asked to nominate recipients who inspire them in their everyday work, maintain similar core values as the company, and of course, reflect Jim Henson's commitment to excellence in creativity and innovation.

"The diversity and accomplishment of the recipients exemplifies what we believe; that there can be inspiration and fun in everything around us. In our books and music, but also in our cars, communities and our environment," said Lisa Henson. "My father saw the joy that comes from embracing all kinds of creativity and we are thrilled to continue that legacy."

The 2005 Jim Henson Honorees:

• The Jim Henson Celebration Honor: JK Rowling, author
• The Jim Henson Creativity Honor: The Gorillaz, virtual band
• The Jim Henson Community Honor: Bill Haber, community service
• The Jim Henson Technology Honor: The Prius, gas-electric hybrid automobile

Disney Alters Some of The Muppets' Big Plans

As many of you know, back in October Disney had a big change in management when Disney's CEO Michael Eisner left, and Robert Iger was placed in charge. As a result of the Walt Disney Company's management change, came other major changes in several of the sub-companies and segments of the Walt Disney Company – including the Muppet Holding Company. As many of you may have heard, Chris Curtin was released from his duties as the head of the Muppet Holding Company back in October. Russell Hampton was later instated as an Executive Vice President in charge of overseeing the Muppets Holding Company (and The Baby Einstein Company).

As you may also remember, just a few days before the big management change Kermit was on Good Morning America, and announced to the world that he would be embarking on a big 15-month, 50-stop, 50th-anniversary world tour. The tour kicked off in Kermit, Texas shortly following. However it has now been confirmed that Disney cut the road trip short (with only 2 of the 50 stops completed). Apparently they did not feel that it was an effective or efficient use of their company resources. Adding insult to injury: a Disney source close to the Muppets told TV-Guide that the Disney executives "didn't think the public would notice". Also canceled due to the abrupt management change was the planned Christmas special, along with several other proposed and approved projects left from the "Curtin days". Apparently Hampton and the rest of the Disney executives did not see eye-to-eye on a lot of what Curtin was planning, and another Disney sources states the many of the Disney executives are still skeptical about the potential of the Muppet franchise.

Currently the only major Muppet project in the works is the tentative ABC's reality parody "America's Next Muppet". But I've been told that the Muppet Holding Company is working hard to asses the market and re-launch the Muppets (yet again) with other projects as well. I'll keep you posted as we get more news on any upcoming Muppet projects and productions - but just don't expect to see Kermit coming to a town near you or staring in a Christmas special this year.

Kermit & Piggy on "Tony Danza" on Tuesday

The world-famous Muppet frog, Kermit, and Pig, Miss Piggy, will be a guest on the daytime talk show “The Tony Danza Show” on Tuesday, December 20, 2005! Kermit and Piggy will be featured guests along with Barbara Walters, Roger Bart, and David Tutera. Kermit and Piggy's appearance on “Tony Danza” will air on Tuesday's show - check your local listings for time and channel. So set your VCR, program you Ti-Vo, and don’t miss it! This will mark Kermit and Piggy's third time as a guest on "The Tony Danza Show" (their last appearances were on November 3, 2005 and May 16, 2005). Don't forget to tune in and catch this Muppet guest spot!

Pepe returns to "Craig Ferguson" on Monday

The world-famous Muppet shrimp –sorry, king prawn – Pepe will be a guest on the late night talk show “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on Monday, December 19, 2005! Pepe will be a featured guest along with Mimi Rogers, Dennis Quaid, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Pepe's appearance on “Craig Ferguson” will air Monday at 12:35 a.m. on CBS (ok, so it is technically very early Tuesday morning, but you understand). Set your VCR, program you Ti-Vo, and don’t miss it! This will mark Pepe's third time as a guest on "The Late Late Show" (his last appearance 5 weeks earlier, along side of John Lahr and Patti Smith, was very entertaining and well received). Tune in and enjoy!

From the Balcony: Episode 13

A new episode of "Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony" was posted on Movies.com today. In the latest installment of the bi-weekly web-show, Statler and Waldorf talk about "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" and "King Kong", plus Ivan the Villager begs Hollywood to be kind to monsters like Sweetums. You can also learn the meaning of this weeks balconism, "HACK-tors ". So check out the "From the Balcony" website on Movies.com and watch the latest episode. And be sure to check back for the next episode on December 24th.

Sesame Biography Set to Re-air

A&E will re-air their wonderful behind-the-scenes special about Sesame Street - "Sesame Street Biography". The 2-hour special is being shown in two hour-long parts as a part of A&E's morning "A&E Classroom" programing block. The hour-long "Part 1" will air on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 7:00am ET/PT; and the second hour, "Part 2", will air the very next day (Thursday, December 22, 2005) at the same time (7:00am ET/PT) -- check your local listings for details.

This is an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at how the children's educational show is put together, from the initial writers' meeting through research, production, and actual filming. Viewers will see the Muppeteers working their Muppets and rehearsing without the Muppets on their hands, which Sesame Street had never before allowed to be filmed.

Sesame Street is a TV legend, pure and simple. Jim Henson's vision gave the world Big Bird, the Grouch, Kermit and countless other beloved characters, and has helped millions of kids get a jump start on the alphabet, counting and other essential skills. For this extraordinary portrait, Sesame Street's producers allowed A&E unrestricted access to all facets of the show's creation, and theyl follow one episode from the first writer's meeting to broadcast to see how it all comes together. Rare footage captures landmark moments, including the never-before-seen pilot episode, and extensive archival interviews with Jim Henson and Frank Oz offer insights into the creators' intentions.

If you haven't seen this great documentary (and even if you have) be sure to set your VCRs, program your TiVo and don't miss it both days. You can also buy the DVD of both parts from A&E's online store here. The $30 disc does not feature special cover-art, any disc menu pages or any special features like standard DVDs, it simply includes a copy of the program.

MTR Celebrates 50 Years of Henson & The Muppets

The good folks over at the Jim Henson Legacy have put together an amazing event with the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City and Los Angeles. For a full two months, starting December 2 through January 26, everyday at 12 noon, there will be two great and rarely seen Muppet gems culled from the Henson Legacy treasure trove for all to enjoy. Each program will run for two weeks.

This line up is amazing. Here is an opportunity to revisit all of your warm and fuzzy classic Muppet holiday specials, plus to view the films you can't see anywhere else. Muppet minds will love the Kermit included Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas, the unreleased Musicians of Bremen, Tales of Tinkerdee, The Great Santa Claus Switch, The Jim Henson Hour, and much more . But that's not all- In the first floor gallery of the Museum in New York, there will be a special exhibit of John Barrett's photographs of the Muppets (until April 2006). John was the official photographer for the Muppets for 25 years. This is the first time all of these images are on display in one location and personally selected by John.

For more information on the events, the film line-ups, and museum information visit the “Celebrating 50 Years of Jim Henson & The Muppets” webpage at the Museum of Television and Radio’s website.

Upgrade to a new Forum!

“The Muppet Newsflash” is proud to announce an all-new new and improved, Muppet Newsflash forum! The forum, like the blog, is a place dedicated to informing and uniting Muppet fans and Jim Henson enthusiasts the world over. Last month, we started a little forum on Delphi to appease the demand and get things started. Due to the feedback, help, and aid of several other fans we are now able to provide a much better and more suitable forum for all our visitors and fellow Muppet fans. The Muppet Newsflash forum was created to allow fans to come together exchange ideas and information, debate, discuss, laugh, share, and just have fun in friendlyfan fellowship – and we feel that the new forum will be able to do just that even better than our old home at Delphi. The forum is run using the PHPBB system and hosted by the good people at Forumer.com. It is a great place, and already starting to draw a crowd of fans.

The Muppet Newsflash forum is a great place to bring fans together, and have discussions about the Muppets (Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street, Jim Henson, and whatnot). The new (and more permanent home) is a better and much more fitting place for the Muppet Newsflash community – we hope to see it blossom and grow for years to come. I urge you all to surf on in, check it out, register, start posting, and have fun! Hope to see you there!

- Visit the Forum here! -