Show #108 – May 3, 2009

The MuppetCast

The summer 2009 travel season is fast approaching! Joining me to help you find Sesame Street characters and attractions is Ann Kearns, Vice President of Licensing at Sesame Workshop. Ann has several options for families, including Sesame Place, Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Beaches Jamaica!

Nicholas Lemon also joins me to talk about his recent experience on Ace of Cakes, a show on the Food Network. Along with fellow puppeteer and friend Noel MacNeal, Lemon Productions has the distinction of having the first puppets in a reality series! There has to be an award for that somewhere.

David B. has two YouTube links to the Cosby Show episode “Cliff’s Nightmare” (Part 1, Part 2). Lots of fun Muppet moments here, I remember seeing this when it first aired!

BJ Wanlund found that Plaza Sesamo, the Mexican version of Sesame Street, now has episodes available for purchase on iTunes.

Speed Tracer and Hannah from Indiana both found links to the new Night At The Museum film, featuring a cameo by Oscar the Grouch. Oscar appears on screen next to Darth Vader. Very appropriate!

Check out Pete P.’s new puppet webseries Treehouse Studios! Appropriate for adult audiences, this is a fun new series created by Pete and his friends. Also check out their Facebook group!

This week’s Muppetology segment introduces us to Froggy the Gremlin, one of the true first amphibians in show business. Kermit even credits him as being an inspiration in his 2006 memoir “Before You Leap”.

In the news, Plaza Sesamo has released four Public Service Announcements on Televisia, a TV channel in Mexico, advising children how to stay clean and safe from the unfortunate outbreak of swine flu.

More Muppet comic books are on the way! Once the current Muppet Show Comic Book run is finished, artist and writer Roger Langridge is set to create a new four-part miniseries, The Muppet Show: Treasure of Peg Leg Wilson!

The Muppets, Music & Magic film series will be in Oregon during the month of May. Muppeteer Dave Goelz was on hand for the festivities this past weekend, and Willamette Week Online has a nice interview with Mr. Goelz and Gonzo!

Amazon.com now offers an exclusive CD soundtrack from the Jim Henson Company: “Sid The Science Kid Soundtrack Vol. 1“. Here’s hoping for its success, and a Volume 2 to follow soon. There’s also an exclusive Sid ringtone available for a short time at PBS Parents.

“Puppets Take Atlanta & Beyond” is a special puppetry event coming to Atlanta, GA this summer, coinciding with the Puppeteers of America‘s National Festival and Conference. A huge event not to be missed, and you can bet that I’m very excited about this!

Finally, WickedLocal.com brings us a special tour of Acton, MA. In a special video posted on their website, you can actually see the boyhood home of Mr. Caroll Spinney (performer of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch).

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Have a great week!

-Steve

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