More on the 2006 TV Land Awards

The other day I reported that Kermit and Piggy will be at the 2006 TV Land Awards. I also said I would keep you posted with more details as they are released. Well, here is some more on tomorrow night's big show.

The Muppet Show theme song will be part of a show-stopping "TV Theme Medley" musical number. Kermit and Piggy will be on stage to present the Viewers’ Choice Award. And Kermit in his reporter trench coat and Miss Piggy in her evening gown will be reporting from back stage as they interviews TV icons such as Chris Knight, Patrick Duffy, Kelsey Grammer, Ted Danson and many others. The Muppet's backstage coverage will be available on TVland.com on Wednesday night during (and after) the show. TVland.com will also have sit-down one-on-one interviews with the guys “behind” the Muppet as well. So tune into the show and surf over to TVland.com tomorrow night.

The award ceremony will be simulcast on Wednesday, March 22 at 9PM (ET/PT) on Nick-@-Nite (Nickelodeon) and on TV Land.

Muppets in "Teen Stress" PSA

In 2005 the Muppets (Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Statler and Waldorf) filmed a public service announcement for the Will Rogers Institute with Terri Hatcher. The PSA, which deals with teen stress, is finally being seen by the public as it is being played before the feature presentation at many AMC Movie Theatres as well as in several other media outlets and channels. You can view the PSA online at the Will Rogers website by clicking here (view the "2005 The Muppets/Teri Hatcher 'Teen Stress' – 60" for the Muppet's ad.) A special thanks to the dozens of readers who e-mailed me their reports of seeing the PSA play at their local cinema.

From the Balcony: Episode 20

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 & Waldorf talk about "Inside Man" while spring cleaning. Plus, Film Crew Theater's Larry and Oliver reenact every sports movie ever made. Plus learn the meaning of this weeks balconism, "ACT-lete". So check out the "From the Balcony" website on Movies.com and watch the latest episode. And look for the next episode on April 1st.

Kermit and Piggy at the TV Land Awards

Muppet fans may want to tune in to the TV Land Awards this year, because Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will be at the show. The Muppets will be at the event and its reported the two will be doing special backstage interviews and reporting for the show. The award ceremony will be simulcast on Wednesday, March 22 at 9PM (ET/PT) on Nick-@-Nite (Nickelodeon) and on TV Land. Also the show will feature a special "TV show theme song medley" showcasing memorable theme songs including The Muppet Show, Cheers, Happy Days, Family Ties, and many others. So be sure to tune in and catch the awards show next week. I'll keep you posted with more details about the Muppet's role in the show as more information is released.

Kermit Returns to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

In March 2005 The Muppets appeared on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". In the 2005 episode Kermit, Fozzie, Piggy and Animal were on hand to help Ty Pennington and the team rebuild the home of the Harris family. Well, it looks like Ty has called his pal Kermit to come help again, this time to serve as a fill-in host.

The Hondo Anvil-Herald reported that the Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire) stood in for Ty Pennington, the show's regular host, this past week in Hondo, Texas as the design team gave the Craft family's house an extreme makeover.

The Craft family episode with Kermit is currently scheduled to air on ABC on Sunday, April 9, 2006. So mark your calendars, and I'll keep you posted with details once ABC releases more information on the upcoming episode.

The Storyteller: The Definitive Collection DVD

In 2003 fans rejoiced with the release of all 9 episodes of"Jim Henson's The Storyteller" on one collectible disc with "Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Collection DVD". And in 2004 fans excited with the 4 episode release in "Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Greek Myths - The Complete Series DVD".

Now the good folks at TVShowsOnDVD.com have reported that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be releasing a "double feature" DVD package that combines all 14 episodes of both shows in a single release. "Jim Henson's The Storyteller: The Definitive Collection", a 2-DVD set, will be released on May 23, 2006. The price is set at around $19.94 suggested retail price. Aside from the 13 episodes there are no additional features - this is just a repackaging of the classic Henson episodes in one easy to own collection.

Nancy Sinatra, the Muppets and DVD

Nancy Sinatra has announced plans to release her three TV special stage shows - "Movin' with Nancy" (1967), "Movin' with Nancy on Stage" (1971) and "Movin' with Nancy Nice 'N' Easy" (1973). These three classic specials will be released in one special DVD package planned for release sometime in 2006.

The third special, "Movin' with Nancy Nice 'N' Easy", will be of interest to Henson fans, as the special co-stars Jim Henson's Muppets. The 50-minute special was filmed at NBC Burbank studios in 1973 and has never been aired or released before. Aside from Nancy's Muppets co-stars, the show also featured performances from Sugar Ray, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Nancy's husband Hugh Lambert, and more. I'll keep you posted as more details on the releases of this rare and classic Muppet appearance surface.

New Henson Biography

Ferguson Publishing Company plans on releasing a new biography on the life of Jim Henson. The book, titled "Jim Henson: Puppeteer and Filmmaker" is the latest installment in the Ferguson Career Biographies set. Written by James Robert Parish the book will provides a detailed look at the life of Muppet creator Jim Henson.

The hardcover book is listed with a reading level of "Grade 6 and up" and is approximately 144 pages of text (with over 20 black-and-white photographs; an extensive Henson timeline, career guide and more).

The official book summary reads as follows: "With his unwavering belief in the positive potential of puppetry and the media of film and television, Jim Henson became one of the most beloved artists of the past century. Henson's Muppets became the basis of the award-winning television series The Muppet Show, the stars of several highly successful feature films, and the foundation of one of the most influential children’s television programs in history, Sesame Street. Henson, who passed away in 1990, garnered many awards and is loved the world over for his creative efforts. This book features a career section following the biography that looks closely at Jim Henson’s career and presents important information about the career of puppetry and filmmaking."

The book will be released on April 30, 2006 and is already up for pre-order on sites such as Amazon.com for around $25.00 SRP.

From the Balcony: Episode 19

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 & Waldorf hit the beach for spring break. Plus learn the meaning of this weeks balconism, "PROM-blematic ". So check out the "From the Balcony" website on Movies.com and watch the latest episode. And look for the next episode on March 18th.