I’m glad to welcome John Rick from the Disney Pincast onto the show, this week, as we discuss some of the collectible Muppet-themed Disney pins, and the phenomenon of pin trading in general.

The deadline for entries in the Make Something Cool for The MuppetCast Contest is June 15! Make sure to email your entries or have them postmarked by this date. Also email me if you need a mailing address to send it via regular postage.

The MuppetCast has begun collecting ideas for what might be included in a MuppetCast Care Package. This will be a collection of Disney and Muppet items, along with letters of support and items from our various hometowns for troops overseas. Right now, there is one package that we’re putting together, and it’s destined for a listener (and his fellow soldiers) stationed in South Korea. If this goes well, and if there’s interest, this might bloom into a wider-spanning project. Here is a direct link to the discussion on this topic at Muppet Central.

During our discussion of Muppet pins, it may help you to actually see the pins we’re talking about. You can do so by clicking on the links below (if you’re reading this on the website and not your iPod):
Bunsen and Beaker
Rizzo: Year of the Rat
Swedish Chef
Gonzo
Miss Piggy: Year of the Pig
NYC Thanksgiving Day 2004
Kermit’s 50th Anniv
Leap Day 2008
The Muppet Fountain
MV3D: Piece of History

John Rick also heads up the Central Jersey Disney Pin Traders club. Even if you’re not from New Jersey (like most of us), if you’re interested in Disney pins, you absolutely must check out their website!

Also happening this week:

Shoppers Drug Mart is in hot water with Sesame Workshop, after being caught selling cigarette lighters with unauthorized (of course) Sesame Street images.

Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas will soon be a musical! Wait, wasn’t it already a musical? Well yes, but soon it will be a hit Broadway show, thanks to Brian Henson and the folks at iTheatrics.

Take a look on the Muppet News Flash to get your up-to-the-minute Muppet news fix!

Gaston Morineau sent a link to a video he recently shot of Big Bird’s Beach Party, one of the Sesame Street shows now happening at Sea World San Diego.

Rafi Levavy pointed out a great new CD from Tony-nominated actress and singer Kerry Butler: Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust.

Our buddy Dwayne keeps fans in touch with Jim Lewis on the Ask Jim Lewis Thread over at Muppet Central. Read what Jim has to say to Muppet fans. Fascinating reading!

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show, and for your continued support of The MuppetCast. It feels wonderful to know that there are so many people who were touched by what Jim Henson created, and that our world is indeed a little better for it.

Questions/Comments can be emailed to me@muppetcast.com, or called into the voicemail line at 614-364-4270. Also, stop in and say hello at the Muppet Central Forums! And don’t forget to check out Muppet Central Radio. Jam to some Muppet tunes!

Have a great week!

-Steve