American Woman

Professor Grover Shows That Preschool is Cool in "ABCs with Elmo"

Get ready to join Elmo and Grover in some alphabet fun as Warner Home Video and Sesame Workshop release "Preschool is Cool: ABCs with Elmo" on DVD July 6, 2010 . As the first DVD title in Sesame Street's new series, Preschool is Cool, "ABCs with Elmo" is the perfect tool to help your little preschooler learn the alphabet in a fun and engaging way.

In "ABCs with Elmo," Grover acts as the preschool teacher, Professor Grover, and Elmo is his helper for today’s alphabet lesson! But Before Professor Grover begins class, he instructs his students, with his classic Grover charm, to find one thing that begins with each letter of the alphabet. Featuring alphabet themed stories and songs, early literacy skills are reinforced while kids become familiar with letter-sound relationships. Kids and caregivers will find it as easy as ABC to join in the fun with their favorite furry friends in a real preschool.

"ABCs with Elmo" also features engaging extras such as the classic music video "African Alphabet" as well as a kid growth chart that allows children and caregivers to track their growth while learning their letters.

I will be sure to keep you updated as more information on all the exciting new Sesame Street home video titles become available.

Henson Puppets Lie in New Late Night Game Show

A group of puppets from the Jim Henson Company will be unleashed as part of a new late-night game show for the game show network, GSN. "Late Night Liars," debuting next month on GSN, features a panel of saucy and uncensored "celebrity puppets" alongside actor-comedian Larry Miller as the show's host. The puppets come from the company's Henson Alternative brand, a label of the Jim Henson Company that focuses on projects aimed at adults.

"Late Night Liars" is billed as a raunchy comedy game show, each episode will feature two human contestants facing off against a panel of four "celebrity puppets" who are drunk and telling half-truths.

"I look forward to working with GSN and Henson Alternative to carry on the wonderful tradition of game shows such as ‘Hollywood Squares’ and ‘Match Game’ that gave me so much pleasure as a kid," said Miller. "Jim Henson made a great discovery many years ago when he realized that pretending puppets are people is far easier than dealing with people who are puppets."

Among the cocktail-swilling puppet characters to be included: Cashmere Ramada, described as a famous "celebutante and tabloid target," and Shelley Oceans, a brash comedian. Contestants vie for cash prizes by deciding whether the puppets are telling true or false stories.

"Late Night Liars" begins 11:00PM EDT on Thursday, June 10, 2010 on the GSN channel.

Spierig Brothers to Direct "Power of the Dark Crystal" for Henson and Omnilab

Australian based Omnilab Media and The Jim Henson Company will bring the much anticipated and long-awaited sequel, "Power of the Dark Crystal" to the big screen in stereoscopic 3D.

It was also announced today that Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig (writers and directors of "Undead" and most recently, "Daybreakers") have come aboard to direct the project; and, as previously reported, the screenplay for the feature has been written by Craig Pearce ("Moulin Rouge," "Romeo + Juliet") and is based on an original script by Annette Duffy and David Odell. Legendary fantasy artist Brian Froud will reprise his role as conceptual designer of the film, which will use a stunning mix of live action and traditional puppetry combined with visual and special effects produced entirely in Australia. Omnilab-affiliated Iloura ("Where the Wild Things Are," "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark") has already begun work on the film's complex CGI elements. With this team in place, next steps will be to secure worldwide distribution.

"Power of the Dark Crystal is an exciting and ambitious undertaking and, having worked on previous projects with the top-notch talent and crews that Australia offers, we know we have assembled the right team to deliver the sequel to one of the most enduringly popular titles in the Henson library. Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig are sure to create a film that will continue the legacy of the original and exceed the expectations of our loyal fans," said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. "We are especially enthusiastic to be working with Omnilab Media, a strong and growing force in worldwide film finance and production."

Michael Spierig said, "We feel a tremendous amount of responsibility in telling this story with the same meticulous care that Jim Henson and Frank Oz gave the 1982 original." Added Peter Spierig, "This is a chance to take the world of puppetry into the modern age by using modern techniques (like motion capture CGI) and the tried and true methods (like puppetry and animatronics) to create a one hundred percent real world that is unique to 'The Dark Crystal'."

I will be sure to keep you updated as more information is released regarding this highly-anticipated feature film.

Two Webby Nominations for the Muppets... Go Vote!

The Muppets' YouTube sensation “Bohemian Rhapsody” has been nominated for a People’s Voice Webby Award in both the Viral and Music Categories! The Muppets' version of Queen’s classic rock-opera song begins as a simple video conference that swiftly escalates into an all-singing, all-squawking frog-pig-&-bear-filled symphony of inspired Muppet foolishness. These Webby nominations come on the heels of "Bohemian Rhapsody" vying with X Factor and Rage Against the Machine for the Christmas No.1 spot in the UK.

Please vote for the Muppets’ "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the "Music Video" category and in the "Viral Video" category. Voting ends April 29th.

Vote for The Muppets: Viral Video Category | Music Video Category

Sesame Street's 20th Anniversary Special Comes to DVD

Lionsgate Entertainment has announced that the 1989 hour-long special "Sesame Street: 20 Years And Still Counting" is getting a DVD release this summer. The celebratory special aired on NBC in April 1989. This all-new single-disc release is planned to hit stores on July 6, 2010 and marks the first official release of the production.

Fans will be able to re-celebrate the 20th anniversary with host Bill Cosby as he looks at the enduring success of Sesame Street. The special includes appearances by favorite Muppet characters - such as Big Bird, Kermit the Frog, Elmo, Bert and Ernie, the Count, and Grover - as well as Sesame Street neighbors - Bob, Gordon, Susan, Maria, Luis, and more! The special features timeless clips from past episodes; a performance by Ray Charles of the classic song "Being Green;" famed tenor Placido Domingo singing with his operatic Muppet counterpart, Placido Flamingo; an in-depth interview with Joan Ganz Cooney and Jim Henson; and lots of other surprises and memories.

I will be sure to keep you updated as more information on this very exciting Sesame Street DVD becomes available.

Bugs On The Street

Sesame Workshop and Warner Homer Entertainment are planning to release a new DVD compilation featuring three exciting stories entitled "Sesame Street: Firefly Fun and Buggy Buddies." The DVD is set for release on June 1, 2010. This 40-minute DVD includes three stories all about insects and also features celebrity appearances by Jenny McCarthy and Molly Shannon!

In one story, join Telly and Baby Bear as they cheer up a sad firefly. In another segment, Nat the shelter worker at the Bug-a-Wee Bug Shelter, played by actress Molly Shannon, helps Oscar’s pet worm, Slimey, choose the perfect pet bug! The DVD also features an episode from Elmo’s World all about bugs in which actress Jenny McCarthy gives an educational and fun lesson about the word "insect." Also watch as Sesame Street’s own resident Twiddlebugs identifies a caterpillar.

I will be sure to keep you updated as more information on all the exciting new Sesame Street home video titles become available.

When Families Grieve Airs on PBS

On Wednesday, April 14, 2009, When Families Grieve will air nationwide on PBS. The primetime special, presented by Sesame Workshop, explores the struggles that families face when the loose a loved one. The special features Katie Couric and the Muppets of Sesame Street. Be sure to tune in for this special television event.

"Stand By Me"

"The Best of Elmo 2" Comes to DVD

This spring, Sesame Workshop and Warner Homer Entertainment bring fans a sequel to Sesame Street's all-time best-selling DVD with the release of "The Best of Elmo 2." The new DVD, which includes some of Elmo's most popular segments, will hit stores on May 4, 2010.

The 27-minute DVD, directed by Kevin Clash, features an all-new story that showcases clips from some of Elmo most popular moments. In the feature, a robot comes to Sesame Street. The robot, a "Memorybot", is losing his power and he needs "memories" to power up again. Elmo gladly shares his memories of special times with friends like Jason Mraz, Adam Sandler, Destiny's Child, David Beckham, India.Arie, The Goo Goo Dolls, Feist and more.

You can pick up the classic 1994 collection "The Best of Elmo"; and then expand your library in May with "The Best of Elmo 2." I will be sure to keep you updated as more information on all the exciting new Sesame Street home video titles become available.

Muppet Fans Present 2010 Muppet Madness Tournament

Do you like Muppets? Do you watch college basketball? If you answered Yes to either of these questions (it would really be helpful if you at least answered Yes to the first question) then Steve Swanson of The MuppetCast podcast, along with Ryan Roe and Joe Hennes of Muppet fan site ToughPigs.com, hope you’ll enjoy the new 2010 Muppet Madness Tournament. The tournament is held online, hosted by The MuppetCast, at http://muppetcast.com/tournament, and they invite Muppet fans everywhere to visit the site and vote for their favorites daily.

“We don’t watch college basketball,” said Steve Swanson, host and producer of The MuppetCast, “So we put our heads together and, between our two websites, came up with what we think is a way to make this time of year really fun and engaging for Muppet fans.” The online tournament is scheduled to run from March 16 to April 4, the same dates as the NCAA’s March Madness Tournament, however website visitors can begin voting as of Monday.

Joe Hennes, co-owner and operator of the Muppet fan blog ToughPigs.com, said “We have always encouraged fan involvement and outreach on ToughPigs.com. With the Muppet Madness Tournament, we’re hoping to increase the participation to both the readers of our site and the listeners of The MuppetCast, bridging a gap between all types of Muppet fans, from the casual fan to the obsessed fanatic to the Jim Henson Company employee.”

ToughPigs co-owner Ryan Roe added, “If there's one thing Muppet fans love, it's taking the Muppets way too seriously, and the tournament will allow folks to do that with the added elements of competition and the suspense of wondering who will win. It will be thrilling to find out, once and for all, whether Sprocket is more popular than Baby Sinclair.”

Designed to emulate the NCAA tournament, the Muppet Madness Tournament is divided into four quadrants: characters from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and a quadrant for Jim Henson’s other fantasy and children’s characters. Website visitors will be able to vote in matchups in each quadrant until the champion is crowned.

Voting results will be presented every Sunday on new episodes of The MuppetCast podcast (found in iTunes and at muppetcast.com) as well as featured articles on ToughPigs.com, said Swanson. “Joe, Ryan, and I will announce the winners of the previous week’s round of voting, give some commentary on each competition, and present the matches for the next round, starting that same day.”

Fans can also download a printable PDF of the tournament brackets and start tournament pools with other Muppet fans.

“We’re just doing this for fun”, said Swanson, “I have this crazy picture in my mind of the Sesame Street puppeteers going in on an office pool, or of the Muppeteers ribbing each other and talking smack when Gonzo goes up against Big Bird.”

Go to the 2010 Muppet Madness Tournament now!

Stuffed and Unstrung Casting Videos

  

Get more information at
stuffedandunstrung.com

Visit Dog City on DVD this June!

Today, Lionsgate Entertainment has informed retailers that a DVD of Jim Henson's Dog City: The Movie will be released on June 8, 2010. Originally appearing as part of "The Jim Henson Hour" in 1989, "Dog City: The Movie" is an Emmy award-winning classic directed by Jim Henson. This parody of the film noir gangster films takes us through the busy but dangerous town of Dog City, teeming with colorful Muppet Dog characters. Rowlf the dog is your guide through the underside of canine life during the 1930s in Dog City.

Our hero, Ace, enters the world of bulldog gangsters and terrier molls when he inherits a saloon, “The Doghouse,” from his late Uncle Harry. Unwilling to pay protection money, Ace finds himself the target of Bugsy, a bulldog bully who owns most of Dog City, and also happens to be one of the foremost proponents of senseless violence. Ace also comes nose to nose with a beautiful runaway collie named Colleen. Colleen and Ace team up to take on Bugsy and his thugs in the tumultuous, dog-eat-dog world of Dog City.

Running 40-minutes, this single disc release will also include original movie concept art, a behind-the-scenes image gallery, and two animated episodes from the subsequent "Dog City" television series.

I will keep you updated as more release information on this exciting Jim Henson title becomes available.

Bert and Ernie Bring 11 Great Adventures to DVD

Best buddies Bert and Ernie journey from Sesame Street to exciting new places in the clay-animated series "Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures". The five-minute episodes feature the classic Muppet duo traveling to faraway lands where fantastical adventures and important lessons in friendship await them. The episodes have been seen in America as inserts on Sesame Street (first appearing during the show's 39th season) and shown independently around the world.

The short-form series will be the focus of an upcoming DVD release from Warner Homer Video and Sesame Workshop - "Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures" - coming to stores on April 6, 2010! Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures contains a compilation of 11 exciting adventures in a 50-minute compilation for all ages. Join Bert and Ernie as they search for buried treasure as ‘Pirates,’ ride horses in the ‘Wild West’ and swim with the fishes in the ‘Deep Sea.’ The adventures continue as they help out an Arctic friend in ‘Penguins,’ run from dinosaurs in ‘Cavemen’ and cook up a mess in ‘Bakers.’

So be sure to pick up this great collection of animated shorts when it hits stores on April 6th; and I will be sure to keep you updated as more information on all the exciting new Sesame Street home video titles become available.

Stuffed and Unstrung

Beaker's Ballad

Make a Monser with Elmo's New iPhone App

Do you have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Now you can make your own Muppet monsters, and even send them to a friend. Elmo's Monster Maker is a brand-new app that lets you create thousands Sesame Street monsters, by combining a variety of parts. the monster you create even plays and dances with Elmo. The new app is for all ages, and helps teach body part to children.

Sesame Workshop's Assistant Vice President for Business Development, Jeffrey Fleishmann, commented that "What's really unique about Elmo's Monster Maker App is the interaction with the live video—Elmo is literally playing with a Muppet you've just created."

The new app launched on February 2; Sesame Workshop previously released the game Grover's Number Special, back in November 2009.

Henson's "Stuffed and Unstrung" Puppet Show Comes to NYC

WestBeth Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company's Henson Alternative have just announced the New York debut of "Stuffed and Unstrung", a live uncensored show that lets loose the perilous and provocative elements of comedic improvisation on stage with a bunch of puppets. Created by Brian Henson and Patrick Bristow, this one-of-a-kind comedy performance is set for a special 10-week limited engagement kicking off Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at the Union Square Theatre in New York. The official opening will then take place on Thursday, April 1 at 9:00 PM.

"Stuffed and Unstrung" is a madcap multimedia romp in which the skilled art of puppetry and comedic intelligent nonsense collide. Unpredictable, irreverent and rebellious, it’s never the same show twice as a team of expert puppeteers sets off on a trail of twisted sketches and songs at breakneck pace while interaction with the audience prompts the spontaneous storylines unfolding on stage.

"Stuffed and Unstrung" evolved from Henson’s previous production "Puppet Up! – Uncensored", which made its debut at the 2006 HBO Comedy Festival (Aspen, CO) and later toured the 2006 Edinburgh Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland), The 2007 Comedy Festival (Las Vegas, NV) and Australia’s Sydney Big Laugh Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (both 2007). Most recently, "Puppet Up!" continued to be workshopped in monthly performances at Avalon Hollywood. The New York engagement of "Stuffed and Unstrung" marks the debut of a completely revamped production featuring all new technical wizardry and original music and staging.

With live musical accompaniment and Bristow as host, "Stuffed and Unstrung" features a cast of six puppeteers in an uninhibited live puppet performance, as never seen before. This production serves up “two shows in one” as the hilarious puppet action is projected on large screens flanking the stage, while the puppeteers display their skillful talents below all in full view of the audience.

For more information on the Jim Henson Company's "Stuffed and Unstrung," or to get your tickets for this must-see show, check out www.StuffedAndUnstrung.com. I will be sure to keep you posted as more information on this New York City stage show unfolds.

"Old School" Sesame Street Music Comes to CD in March!

E1 Music (formally known as Koch Records) is planning to release "Sesame Street Old School Vol. 1," a new CD box set, on March 23, 2010. The set, originally planned for a November release, will feature three of the earliest "Sesame Street" albums - including the original recording and artwork. All three albums have been fully remastered and this set marks the first time these albums will be available on CD. The 3-disc collection will carry a suggested retail price of $21.98

The package includes: "The Original Cast Recording" (first released in 1970), "Big Bird Sings" (1974) and "Bert & Ernie Sing Along" (1975). "The Original Cast Album" peaked at #23 on Billboard Top LPs chart in 1970, and was RIAA Gold Certified. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children. "Bert & Ernie Sing Along" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children in 1975.

So be sure to pick up this exciting collection of classic Sesame Street music when it hits stores in March. I'll keep you updates with more information on these, and other, Sesame Street CDs as details become available.

The Original Cast Album
1. Sesame Street Theme
2. ABC-DEF-GHI
3. I've Got Two
4. Goin' for a Ride
5. What Are Kids Called
6. Everybody Wash
7. One of These Things
8. Up and Down
9. Bein' Green
10. Somebody Come and Play
11. I Love Trash
12. A Face
13. J-Jump
14. People in Your Neighborhood
15. Rub Your Tummy
16. Number 5
17. Five People In My Family
18. Nearly Missed
19. Rubber Duckie

Big Bird Sings!
1. AB-C-DEF-GHI
2. The Noodle Song
3. The "J" Poem
4. Very, Very Special Letter
5. Big Bird Writes a Poem
6. How Do I Know I'm Here?
7. Everyone Likes Ice Cream
8. Y'all Fall Down
9. Everyone Makes Mistakes
10. The Sound of the Letter A
11. Just Three Colors
12. Ha Ha
13. No Matter What Your Language
14. Big Bird's Poem

Bert & Ernie Sing-Along
1. I Refuse to Sing Along
2. I've Been Working on the Railroad
3. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
4. A Really Good Feeling
5. Bats in My Belfry
6. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
7. I'll Give You a Song
8. Oscar Don't Allow
9. The Limerick Song (Come On and Sing Along With Me)
10. On Top of Old Smokey
11. Living Hand in Hand
12. What's the Name of That Song?
13. A Very Simple Dance
14. Morningtown Ride
15. Everyone Likes Ice Cream
16. C is for Cookie
17. Peanuts
18. John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith
19. She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
20. What's the Name of That Song? (Reprise)
21. Sing

The Muppet Newsflash: 5 Years and Counting

It is really hard to believe, but it has been 5 years since I started blogging here. This site debuted on February 1, 2005 and has been growing ever since. The site was founded with a simple mission - create a place to collect the latest Henson and Muppet news in one convenient place. Today, The Muppet Newsflash continues to provide fans with all the latest Muppet happenings.

I want to thank everyone who has given support to make The Muppet Newsflash one of the web's premiere spots for Muppet news. Over the past four years this site has grown (and grown). I hope that the Muppet Newsflash will be able to continue to uncover, investigate, report and compile all the news that Muppet-fans crave; and I hope that The Muppet Newsflash continues to be among your top sources for Muppet news.

Once again, I want to extend a gigantic "thank you" to everyone who supports this site, everyone who sends in news, everyone who gives us feedback, all the visitors, all the readers, all the friends and all of the fans around the world.

Here's to many more years of great Muppet news!

Jim Henson's Animal Show Comes to DVD!

Lionsgate Entertainment has informed retailers that Jim Henson's Animal Show with Stinky and Jake is coming to DVD! "Jim Henson's Animal Show: Lions, Tigers and Bears!" will hit DVD stores on April 13, 2010. This single-disc title runs over 120-minutes and contains five full-length episodes of the Henson Company series.

Hosted by Stinky the Skunk and Jake the Polar Bear, "Animal Show" welcomes guests of the animal kingdom to the furriest talk show to ever hit the airwaves. There's music and merriment in this show that has the animal world roaring. The episodes included on this first-ever DVD release from "Jim Henson's Animal Show" are "Zebra & Lion," "Tiger & Tiger Beetle," "Raccoon & Polar Bear," "Chimpanzee & Hyena," and "Grizzly Bear & Hedgehog."

On the same day, Lionsgate will also be releasing another single-DVD Henson Company title, Song of the Cloud Forest, which will contain two additional episodes of Jim Henson's Animal Show as a bonus: "Owl & Frog" and "Kangaroo & Frog". Lionsgate is planning to release these special DVDs just in time for Earth Day 2010, and I will be sure to keep you updated as more information on these exciting Henson Company titles become available.

"Song of the Cloud Forest" Comes to DVD

Today, Lionsgate Entertainment has informed retailers that a DVD of Jim Henson's Song of the Cloud Forest will be available starting on April 13, 2010. Originally appearing as part of "The Jim Henson Hour" in 1989, "Song of the Cloud Forest" features a blend of music, puppetry and animation resulting in a vibrant landscape of color that echoes the natural beauty found in the real world's rain forests. Starring a brightly colored cast of puppet animals, the show celebrates the beauty of this natural environment, while educating about the real dangers threatening the survival of both the rain forests and their inhabitants. "Song of the Cloud Forest" features a vibrant blend of music, puppetry and animation in a unique celebration of the rain forests.

Running 100-minutes, this disc will include the half-hour-long title story, plus three bonus episodes from othe Henson productions: the Fraggle Rock episode "River of Life", plus two installments of Jim Henson's Animal Show: "Owl & Frog" and "Kangaroo & Frog".

Lionsgate will release this special DVD title just in time for Earth Day 2010. I will keep you updated as more release information on this exciting Jim Henson title becomes available.