Oscar the Grouch Comes to Life in "Night at the Museum 2"

"Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian", which opens in theaters nation-wide on May 22nd, not only stars some of Hollywood's top actors - including Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Amy Adams, Hank Azaria, Bill Hader, and Dick Van Dyke, - but also features a surprising cameo from the legendary Sesame Street start Oscar the Grouch.

When the Museum of Natural History is closed for upgrades and renovations, the museum pieces are moved to the Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC; and once again, watchman Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) finds himself in the middle of a museum brought to life. Among the items in the Smithsonian's collection is one of the original Oscar the Grouch puppets, and in the film it too comes to life. In a cameo appearance Oscar comes alive and interacts with another pop culture icon - Star Wars' Darth Vader.

"Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian" opens in theaters on May 22nd. So be sure to check out this fun magical family film, and catch Oscar the Grouch up on the big screen again.

Sid the Science Kid Soundtrack to Feature a Selection of Scientific Songs

The Jim Henson Company is planning to release an all-new collection of songs from their hit PBS series "Sid the Science Kid" in an exclusive Amazon.com album. "Sid the Science Kid: Soundtrack - Volume 1" will feature 18 original songs from the show's first 20 episodes - with tunes covering such scientific topics as tools and measurement, transformation and change, the senses, and health.

The CD will be released on Amazon.com next week - May 4, 2009; but you can already pre-order a copy. Hopefully "Volume 2" (featuring the songs from the second half of the 40-episode series) is not too far off.

Also on May 4th, in celebration of Mother's Day, PBS will release a free ringtone of the show's popular song "I Love My Mom". The exclusive ringtone will be available for a short time at pbs.org/parents.

I will be sure to keep you updated with the details on all the upcoming "Sid the Science Kid" products as information becomes available.

Track Listing:
1. Sid the Science Kid Theme Song
2. I Love My Mom / Looking for My Friends
3. Checkin' Out Charts
4. I Magnify
5. My Best Guess
6. A Pirate's Tale
7. It's Not Scary It's Decay
8. You Look Different
9. On Penguin Pond
10. Cooking Is Chemistry
11. It Feels Good To Be A Snake
12. Detective Story
13. The Look Around
14. Waves of Sound
15. Ruth's Tooth
16. Delicious Nutritious Band
17. Journey of a Germ
18. Work Your Body

July's Muppet Comic Book Offerings

This week, BOOM! Studios continues their series of Muppet comic books with the second installment of their debut a four-part "The Muppet Show Comic Book" by Roger Langridge. The first issue, "The Muppet Show Comic Book #1", was released last month and was an instant top seller. "The Muppet Show Comic Book #2" will be released on Wednesday (April 29th) while "The Muppet Show Comic Book #3" will be released on May 27th and "The Muppet Show Comic Book #4" will be released on June 24th.

Roger Langridge will continue to produce Muppet comic books with a second Muppet mini-series kicking off in July. "The Muppet Show: Treasure Of Peg Leg Wilson #1" is planned to hit stores on July 29, 2009. In the new four-part story arc, Scooter discovers old documents which reveal that a cache of treature is hidden somewhere within the theater, and when Rizzo the Rat overhears this the news spreads like wildfire. Meanwhile, Animal begins acting very strangely - he's now refined and well-mannered! This new Muppet mini-series is being written and drawn by Roger Langridge and will follow a similar format and style of his original "The Muppet Show Comic Book" series.

BOOM! will release the final chapter of their other Muppet series, "Muppet Robin Hood", in July as well. "Muppet Robin Hood #1" will be released this week (April 29th); and "Muppet Robin Hood #2" will follow on May 27th and "Muppet Robin Hood #3" will be released on June 24th. This four-part comic mini-series is being written by Tim Beedle, with artwork by Armand Villavert Jr. In the final issue, the imprisoned Robin Hood (Kermit the Frog) awaits the gallows. But can the Merry Men spring Robin free and defeat Prince John? If only they could find the 'narrator' and discover how the story is supposed to end!

So mark your calendars because the Muppets' "The Treasure of Peg Leg Wilson #1" and "Muppet Robin Hood #4" will both be released on July 29, 2009. I will be sure to keep you updated with more information on the upcoming Muppet comic book series as more information become available.

Beaker's "Ode to Joy" Nominated for Webby Award

Beaker's "Ode to Joy" video, which hit the web back in July, has been nominated for a Webby! The viral video was nominated under the Online Film & Video section in the Music category.

Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet.

"Ode to Joy" is the result of a creative collaboration between Disney's The Muppets Studio and Soapbox Films. Beaker's take on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was an Internet sensation. The video raced to more than 2-million views in its first two weeks of release and currently boasts over 5-million views. The five-star rated clip ranks as YouTube's #33 Top Favorited Entertainment video of all time.

"Nominees like 'Ode to Joy' are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet," says David-Michel Davies, executive director of the Webby Awards. "It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the nearly 10,000 entries we received this year."

As a nominee, "Ode to Joy" is also eligible to win a Webby People's Voice Award, which is chosen online by the global web community. From now until April 30th, fans of "Ode to Joy" can cast their votes in The Webby People's Voice Awards at pv.webbyawards.com.

Winners will be announced on May 5th, 2009 and honored at a ceremony in New York City on June 8th hosted by comedian Seth Meyers. We'd like to say congratulations on the nomination (and good luck at the awards and in the voting) to Beaker, the Muppets, Soapbox Films, Beethoven, and everyone else involved in creating these wonderful Muppet videos!

Watch Elmo on Late Night Online

Last night Elmo made was a guest on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Sesame Street's famous red monster talked with host Jimmy Fallon about the importance of respecting the planet, chatted with fellow guests Ice-T and Morgan Webb, and sang the Sesame Street theme song with the help of The Roots. In case you missed it, you can check out the whole appearance below. Enjoy!

Elmo Gets Ready for Bed with New DVD

Sesame Workshop and Genius Products are planning to release a swashbuckeling new DVD entitled "Sesame Street: Bedtime with Elmo". This all-new DVD is planned to hit DVD store shelves on July 7, 2009. The original DVD explains why everyone needs sleep, even little monsters.

It's bedtime on Sesame Street and just like all little kids, Elmo and Abby would rather make funny faces and sing silly songs than go to sleep. Luckily, Elmo's dad Louie knows just how to deal with extra glasses of water and little monsters who are afraid of the dark. Parents will enjoy the practical strategies Louie uses to get Elmo and Abby to go to bed, and children will love snuggling under the covers with the songs, stories and soothing fun this DVD has to offer. The 45-minute DVD also includes Andrea Bocelli singing "Time To Say Goodnight" to Elmo .

So be sure to pick up this exciting new DVD release in July, and I will be sure to keep you updated with more information on all the upcoming Sesame Street home video titles as details continues to become available.

Elmo on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Tonight!

As reported earlier, Elmo from Sesame Street will be a featured guest on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight (April 15, 2009). The adorable Muppet monster will appear as a guest on Fallon's late night talk show along with Ice-T and musical guest Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airs weeknights at 12:35am (ET/PT) on NBC - check you local listings for details. Be sure to catch this very special late night appearance tonight.

May Brings Week of New "Sid the Science Kid" Episodes

Young scientists can prepare for a week of brand-new episodes of "Jim Henson's Sid the Science Kid" because 5 new episodes will hit PBS airwaves early next month. The new week of programming begins Monday, May 4, 2009 with a special Mother's Day episode (check your local listings for details). The new week of shows focus on the human body as each day highlights various organ systems - digestive, muscular, respiratory, skeletal, and nervous.

Additionally, the special Mother's Day episode, entitled "Special Mom Day Meal," will also be repeated on the actual holiday Sunday, May 10, 2009. "Sid the Science Kid" airs weekdays on PBS (check your local listings for details). You won't want to miss these spectacular new episodes as they make their debut. For more "Sid the Science Kid" fun check out the show's official website at PBS.org. And also be sure to check out our complete "Sid the Science Kid" episode guide, to see what the entire season has had in store for Sid and his friends, and what topics the young scientists will explore next. I will be sure to keep you updated with more information regarding this new series as things continue to develop.

"Special Mom Day Meal" - May 4, 2009
Sid declares that it's a special Mom Day, so he makes Mom French toast for breakfast. When Sid smells the French toast and his stomach growls, he wonders if his stomach is trying to talk to him. When Sid and his friends investigate at school, they discover that the stomach makes noise when it's getting ready for digestion.

"I Have Muscles Where?" - May 5, 2009
When Sid's Dad tells him a really funny joke, Sid laughs so hard that his face hurts. Sid wonders why his face would hurt if the joke was funny? When Sid and his friends investigate at school, they learn that they have muscles all over their bodies, even in their faces!

"Sid's Amazing Lungs" - May 6, 2009
Sid races around his room and finds himself breathing really fast. Sid then wonders where all the air is going in his body when he breathes in? At school, Sid and his friends discover that our bodies have lungs to help us breathe in oxygen!

"How Did My Dog Do That?" - May 7, 2009
When Sid's dog uses his foot to scratch his ear, Sid tries the same maneuver, but can't do it. Sid explores skeletons, and discovers that animals have different bones and joints than people, which allows them to do lots of cool stuff like swing from trees, fly in the air, or even scratch their ears with their feet!

"Now That's Using Your Brain" - May 8, 2009
When Sid figures out a new way to get ready for school super fast, Mom says to him, "Now that's using your brain!" Sid wants to know that means, and discovers that the brain controls all kinds of things like walking, thinking, breathing, and getting ready for school!

Henson Alternative Web Series Coming Soon to Film.com

As previously reported, the Jim Henson Company is partnering with Film.com to release all-new original puppet web series. The new puppet series are being produced under the company's Henson Alternative banner, a division that develops projects not necessarily intended for children. Included in the slate of new series is Simian Undercover Detective Squad (a spoof on police dramas) and Alt/Reality (a spoof of reality television shows). The Jim Henson Company is planning to debut these new webseries later this year on Film.com.

The Jim Henson Company will debut the long-awaited series Simian Undercover Detective Squad (or S.U.D.S. for short) on Film.com later this year. The 15-episode web series was created and directed by Deb Loftis and Perry Sachs, and stars a pair of puppet monkeys trying to make it in a human world. The series follows the inept undercover adventures of a grizzled orangutan detective named Skreet (Allan Trautman) and his rookie simian partner named Yaeger (Ted Michaels).

Additionally, Henson is planning to bring the unique web series Alt/Reality to Film.com sometime this year as well. Alt/Reality is a puppet-based sketch show that parodies the reality TV genre. The 15-episode series, created and directed by Mike Upchruch, features various reality television parodies. Shot with a diverse cast of puppets inserted into rich green-screen environments, the show has a unique look and feel that lampoons various reality television traditions. Episodes will feature such mock reality shows as "Antique Swap Meet" and "International Geographic's Jackass."

Film.com will also be offering some additional clips from the Jim Henson Company's Puppet Up! - Uncensored improv stage show. I will be sure to keep you updated with more details these upcoming Henson Alternative web projects as more details are confirmed.

Tales from the Laughing Place Talks Muppets with Lylle Breier

This month's issue of Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine features an exclusive interview with Muppets Studio general manager Lylle Breier. In the interview Breier speaks about some of the current and upcoming Muppet projects.

Of particular interest Breier states that The Muppet Show: Season 4 is indeed on its way to DVD, but that it won't be out until 2010. The third season was released last May, and while no reason was given for the an almost 2-year wait between releases, fans may remember that there was an equally long 24-month gap between the release of season 1 and season 2.

In addition to the DVD updated, the interview gives details on some plans to expland the Muppets' latest retail experience. The popular FAO Schwarz attraction - The Muppet Whatnot Workshop - will soon come to both the Disneyland Resort in California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The interactive built-your-own puppet store will likely launch at Disney's California Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios in the near future.

Issue #14 of Tales from the Laughing Place Magazine is out now, so be sure to pick up a copy and read the full interview. For more information please visit LaughingPlace.com.

Elmo to Visit Jimmy Fallon

Sesame Street's famous (and adorable) red monster, Elmo, will be a featured guest on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon next Wednesday (April 15, 2009). The furry red monster is scheduled to appear as a guest on Fallon's late night talk show along with Ice-T and musical guest Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is a late night talk show hosted by comedian Jimmy Fallon on NBC. Fallon worked with Elmo earlier this year when he visited the set of Sesame Street to film two episodes for the upcoming 40th season of the legendary children's television show.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airs weeknights on NBC at 12:35am (ET/PT) - check you local listings for details. While Elmo is the first Muppet to be a featured guest on the program, Fallon was heckled from the audience by the Muppets' own Statler and Waldorf last month. So mark your calendars, program your VCRs and DVRs, prepare to stay up late, and be sure to catch this very special late night appearance by Elmo!

Elmo and Abby Visit Bonnie Hunt

Everyone's favorite furry red monster and fairy-in-training will appear on Bonnie Hunt's daytime talk show tomorrow! Elmo and Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street are set to make a very special guest appearance on Tuesday's installment of "The Bonnie Hunt Show", a nationally syndicated daytime talk show hosted by comedian/actress Bonnie Hunt. The Muppet duo are scheduled to appear on the show on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 - check your local listings for time and channel.

Elmo and Abby will appear to promote their new DVD "Sesame Street: Being Green" (which hits stores tomorrow). The Muppet pair had previously appeared on the show back in October 2008 to promote the then-new DVD "Abby in Wonderland".

Elmo and Abby will appear together on Tuesday's show along with Denis Leary and Katie Cassidy. You won't want to miss this special appearance, so be sure to tune in for this very special Sesame Street appearance.

Elmo Goes Green on NBC's Today

Yesterday Elmo made a very special surprise appearance on NBC's Today in order to promote the new DVD "Sesame Street: Being Green". The little red green monster talked with co-hosts Meredith Vieira and Ann Curry about the importance of respecting the planet. In case you missed it, you can check out the special Muppet appearance below, and be sure to pick up "Sesame Street: Being Green" on DVD this Tuesday.

Help Sesame Street Choose Favorite Moments for Anniversary DVD

Genius Products and Sesame Workshop have teamed with Amazon.com to let fans vote on their favorite classic Sesame Street clip for inclusion on an upcoming 40th anniversary DVD collection.

Fans who visit Amazon's voting page can choose their favorite moment from a slate of 10 classic clips. The winning "fans choice" segment will be featured on the upcoming Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days 2-disc DVD set slated for release in November 2009.

From April 1 to April 28, viewers can view all 10 classic Sesame Street clips and vote for their favorite. Clips included on the ballot include "The King of Eight," "The Alligator King," "What’s the Name of That Song?," "Caribbean Amphibian," "Elmo's Debut," "I Just Adore Four," and others. So surf over to Amazon.com and be sure to rock the vote!

Sesame Street Airs "Coming Home" Tonight

Tonight (April 1, 2009), Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change will air nationwide on PBS at 8PM (check local listings for details). This 30-minute primetime special, presented by Sesame Workshop, explores the struggles that military families face. The special features Queen Latifah, John Mayer, and the Muppets of Sesame Street. Be sure to tune in for this special television event.

BOOM! Studios' June Muppet Comic Book Offerings

Last week, BOOM! Studios launched their new series of Muppet comic books. The debut mini-series, a four-part Muppet Show comic, is being written and drawn by Roger Langridge. The first issue, "The Muppet Show Comic Book #1", was released last week was an instant top seller. Retailers are completely selling out of their copies and a second printing is already planned for April. "The Muppet Show Comic Book #2" will be released on April 29th and "The Muppet Show Comic Book #3" will be released on May 27th.

The fourth installment of "The Muppet Show Comic Book" will follow the monthly release schedule, with "The Muppet Show Comic Book #4" planned to hit stores on June 24, 2009. In the fourth issue the spotlight is cast on Miss Piggy and asks the age old question "is the stage big enough for this such a massive ego?"

June will also bring the third installment of BOOM! Studios' second Muppet series, "Muppet Robin Hood". This four-part comic mini-series gives an irreverent retelling of the classic tale of "Robin Hood" with the Muppets. The series is being written by Tim Beedle, with artwork by Armand Villavert Jr. In the comic, Robin Hood (Kermit the Frog) joins up with the Merry Men to take on the stuffy Sheriff of Muppetham (Sam the Eagle) and the wicked Gonzo of Gisbourne (The Great Gonzo). In "Muppet Robin Hood #3", Robin enters an archery contest to win the love of Maid Marian (Miss Piggy). "Muppet Robin Hood #1" will be released on April 29th and "Muppet Robin Hood #2" will follow on May 27th. The third installment, "Muppet Robin Hood #3", will be released on June 24, 2009 with the final issue planned for release in July.

So mark your calendars because "The Muppet Show #4" and "Muppets Robin Hood #3" will both be released on Jun 24, 2009. I will be sure to keep you updated with more information on the upcoming Muppet comic book seriess as more information become available.