The MuppetCast

Show #84 - November 16, 2008

Hello, and welcome to The MuppetCast! This week we take a look at the new Sesame Street initiative "Let's Get Ready", the Muppets' invasion of the TODAY show, and the Fraggle Rock Complete Series DVD box set. Lots of stuff to get to, so let's go! Stay tuned ...

Show #83 - November 9, 2008

Hi-ho, and welcome to The MuppetCast! This week features a great new Muppet List with Bert & Ernie (thanks to Kyle Wilkinson), and a new exclusive interview with Muppet writer Jim Lewis. We'll talk with Jim about his new books "Jim Henson's Doodle Dreams", and ...

Show #82 - November 2, 2008

Welcome to The MuppetCast! Special thanks to Ryan "Prawnie" D. for his awesome Muppet intro to the episode! In this episode, I take my first look at the new Fisher Price Elmo Live doll, available now online and in many retail toy departments. Elmo takes a big ...

Show #81 - October 26, 2008

Welcome back to The MuppetCast, the only podcast on the web dedicated to the work of Jim Henson and the Muppets. This week I'm proud to welcome Clinton from Comedy4Cast in a special Profile of a Podcaster interview. If you haven't heard Clinton's work before, you're ...

Show #80 - October 19, 2008

This week's episode of The MuppetCast brings us to the final part in our 4-week look at the Center For Puppetry Arts, in Atlanta, GA. This special edition episode features over a dozen people who work for and with the Center, talking about what drew them to ...

Show #79 - October 12, 2008

Welcome to The MuppetCast! This is the only fan-created podcast on the web dedicated to the work of Jim Henson and the Muppets. Special thanks to actor Jason Mewes for doing the show intro! This week we celebrate someone very special in the life of the Muppets: ...

Show #78 - October 5, 2008

Hey everybody, come on down to The MuppetCast! This week we hear from Putumayo Kids, as we learn more about the International Sesame Street project "Sesame Playground". Also, continuing the short series on the Center for Puppetry Arts, I've got a full trip report from ...

Show #77 - September 28, 2008

Welcome to this week's edition of The MuppetCast! I'm away from the studio this weekend (visiting Atlanta once again), but in my absence I'm proud to feature a conversation with Heather Henson from the Center for Puppetry Arts. We discuss Heather's history with the Center, ...

Show #76 - September 21, 2008

Hello and welcome to The MuppetCast! I'm your host Steve Swanson, and in this episode I'll bring you to Atlanta, GA to visit the Center for Puppetry Arts. The Center just recently celebrated their 30th anniversary, and I was able to capture some very special moments ...

Show #75 - September 14, 2008

Welcome to The MuppetCast! Even though I'm not here in the studio, there's still a great episode on tap for this week! I'm joined by a very special guest, Vince Anthony. Vince is the Executive Director of the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta which, coincidentally, ...

Show #74 - September 7, 2008

Welcome to The MuppetCast! This week's show is just a bit shorter than normal, as I'm currently preparing for the next MuppetCast Road Trip. I'm traveling to Atlanta, GA next weekend to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Center for Puppetry Arts! So while ...

Show #73 - August 31, 2008

Welcome to another edition of The MuppetCast! On this week's show, puppeteer Terry Angus talks about his experiences performing with Jim Henson and the Muppets. Listener BJ also joins me for a segment as we talk about obscure and overlooked Muppet characters. This, along with all ...

Show #72 - August 24, 2008

Welcome to The MuppetCast! This episode features Lou Mongello in a new Profile of a Podcaster segment. I'm also happy to welcome back both David Quesal and Ryan & Joe from Tough Pigs, all good friends of the show. Along with a new Muppet List all about ...

Show #71 - August 17, 2008

Welcome to The MuppetCast! I'm your host Steve Swanson, and this episode is jam packed. Seriously, I had to sit on the suitcase just to get it closed! Included in this episode is some audio taken from the upcoming Road Trip DVD, in which you'll hear Jane ...

Show #70 - August 10, 2008

Live from New Jersey, it's The MuppetCast! Coming to you from the comfy confines of my hotel room in New Jersey, this week's episode consists of me giving a play-by-play description of everything I experienced while visiting Jane Hunt (mother of Muppeteer Richard Hunt) and Arthur Miller at their home. ...

Show #69 - August 3, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's The MuppetCast! I'm your host, Steve Swanson, and I'm not anywhere near Swanson Studios this week. In fact, I'm not even in my home state of Ohio. This weekend marks the first road trip of the summer, and I'm off to New Jersey, ...

Show #68 - July 27, 2008

Welcome to The MuppetCast! I'm your host Steve Swanson, and this week's show is jam-packed with so much content that I had to push back the upcoming special edition episode devoted to The Muppets Take Manhattan (which was the winner in the listener poll). This episode ...

Show #67 - July 20, 2008

It's The MuppetCast! This week we look at a fan favorite as we continue our look at the short-lived series from 1989, The Jim Henson Hour. The episode we're concentrating on this time is titled Dog City. Inspired by C. M. Coolidge's series of paintings, ...

Show #66 - July 13, 2008

Measuring the Marigolds, it's The MuppetCast! Brought to you by our friends at Bell, Book & Comic, this week I'm very happy to present a listener interview with Christy B from Tennessee. Christy just returned from a trip to Walt Disney World, and she has plenty to ...

Show #65 - July 6, 2008

It's The MuppetCast, yaaay! Sam Eagle said I should be more dignified this week, but what the hey. We present our Salute to the 50 States, in a uniquely Muppet-y fashion, for your listening enjoyment this week. Check out The MuppetCast Flickr Page for the latest photo additions! The ...

Show #64 - June 29, 2008

This episode of The MuppetCast is dedicated to the memory of Kermit Love. This week's show is devoted entirely to The Muppet Movie! We celebrate its release of June 22, 1971 just one week late. Joining me on the show is Muppet writer and historian Craig Shemin, and ...

Show #63 - June 22, 2008

Special thanks to Cory Edwards, director of the new Fraggle Rock movie, for leaving the voicemail that kicks off this week's episode of The MuppetCast! It's time for some more rare Muppet audio! Thanks a listener submission, we have footage of Jim Henson on the Mike Douglas Show; one ...

Show #62 - June 15, 2008

June 15 is Father's Day, so this week we salute fathers on The MuppetCast! With the help of several dads sharing their thoughts, and some father-related Muppet audio, I hope this will be a fitting tribute. Thanks to Kristin Shea for her recent donation to The MuppetCast. All ...

Show #61 - June 8, 2008

Our series focused on the Jim Henson Hour continues this week, as we look and listen to episode 3, "Monster Telethon". Sounds like a good album title, doesn't it? The deadline for contest submissions for the "Make Something Cool Contest" is June 15. I can't wait to ...

Show #60 - June 1, 2008

Coming to you from Swanson Studios, it's The MuppetCast, episode #60! 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 ...

Show #59 - May 25, 2008

This week's episode of The MuppetCast is dedicated to all of our brave men & women serving in the US Armed Forces at home and abroad, and to the memory of all those who have fallen while serving our country and preserving our freedom. Our focus this week is the outreach ...

Show #58 - May 18, 2008

We celebrate the life of Jim Henson this week on The MuppetCast. Sadly, Jim passed away on May 16, 1990, and we take some time in this special edition to reflect on the man, his work and his legacy. Stories, songs, laughter, tears, and a wonderful special ...

Show #57 - May 11, 2008

We celebrate Mother's Day this week with a very special guest. Jane Hunt, mother of Muppeteer Richard Hunt, has returned to talk again with me as we discuss motherhood. We also look at some of the Mother-related Muppet books that have been published through the years. ...

Show #56 - May 4, 2008

Hi-ho, and welcome back to The MuppetCast! This week we begin a new series, discussing the TV series The Jim Henson Hour. Plus the Muppet news, history, listener feedback, the montage, and a new addition to the MuppetCast Unplugged collection! The MuppetCast is sponsored by our friends at ...

Show #55 - April 27, 2008

It's Bunny Week on The MuppetCast! This episode features a look at the classic "Tale of the Bunny Picnic", as well as a new interview with two fan favorites: James and Joe, of Bunnies in Peril (and WDW) fame. The MuppetCast is sponsored by our friends at

Show #54 - April 20, 2008

Welcome back to The MuppetCast! This week we take a look at a Jim Henson masterpiece, The Dark Crystal. The MuppetCast is sponsored by our friends at Bell, Book and Comic. Coming soon to a comic and gaming retailer near you, it's Free Comic Book Day! As ...

Show #53 - April 13, 2008

This is the first MuppetCast episode of our second year on the web. We're celebrating by looking back at a classic Sesame Street movie, Follow That Bird, and by chatting with Sesame Street Muppeteer Fran Brill! The MuppetCast is brought to you by the number 5, the number 3, ...

Show #52 - April 6, 2008

It's the one-year anniversary of The MuppetCast! Thanks for making it happen and listening in this week. Lots of listener voicemails and emails this week. Jim Henson's Fantastic World, the traveling exhibition put together by the Jim Henson Legacy and Simthsonian SITES, is now open for viewing at ...

Show #51 - March 30, 2008

Regrettably, the Swanson Studios are experiencing some rather serious technical difficulties this week. Luckily however, there is still a show! Thanks to the trusty, dusty old tower, there's still an entertaining and supremely Muppet-y MuppetCast to enjoy this week. The MuppetCast continues to be brought to you by Bell, ...

Show #50 - March 23, 2008

Can you believe it? This week marks 50 episodes of The MuppetCast, which puts us only two weeks away from our one-year birthday. Thank you so much for listening to the podcast and continuing to make it all possible. The MuppetCast is sponsored by Bell, Book and Comic. Life ...

Show #49 - March 16, 2008

Hi-ho everyone, and welcome again to The MuppetCast! This week we find some great little nuggets of joy in Muppet History, we find a great reason to celebrate in Muppet News, and...well there's even other stuff too! The MuppetCast is brought to you in part by our friends at

Show #48 - March 9, 2008

At no point in this podcast will we be stooping to any cheap 3D tricks. Well okay, maybe just one or two. Back from a refreshing vacation at Walt Disney World, we've got a great show in store for you this week. I'm happy to welcome Kevin Clash on ...

Show #47 - March 2, 2008

This week I'm letting other people do the work. No really, it's my birthday, and I'm not home! I'm in WDW, and I put this show together ahead of time so there would still be a show to enjoy. And I think you're really gonna love ...

Show #46 - February 24, 2008

Hola everyone! This week on The MuppetCast, my special guests are Ryan Roe and Joe Hennes. That's right, it's Tough Pigs week! Before we get into that, though, I won't be here in Ohio next weekend. I'll be spending my birthday in WDW, but fear not, there'll ...

Show #45 - February 17, 2008

This is a recording of the live telecast of the 4th Annual Muppet Central Forum Awards Ceremony. The ceremony, and The MuppetCast, are brought to you courtesy of Bell, Book and Comic. Life should be more fun! Please logon or register (for free, as always) at the

Show #44 - February 10, 2008

Lots of listener questions and feedback this week, along with a new contest! Make sure to vote on the new poll this week at MuppetCast.com, and tell me who you'd like to hear as the next guest on the podcast. The prize for the new contest is a Palisades Muppet figure from ...

Show #43 - February 3, 2008

With a watch of gold on a diamond chain, it's time for The MuppetCast! This week I'm pleased to be able to speak with Paul Barrie, host of A Window To The Magic. Paul is a class act, and one of the finest podcasters on the Net. Get ...

Show #42 - January 27, 2008

We found one more version of the Bananas song! Yes! Less than five months to wait until The Muppet Show, Season 3. Can you believe it? Lots of other good stuff going on, too. Check out the Muppet News Flash for more details. Also be ...

Show #41 - January 20, 2008

The Richard Hunt MuppetCast Tribute. Cast: Richard Hunt Jane Hunt, Richard's mother Jim Henson Frank Oz Jerry Nelson Dave Goelz Kevin Clash Martin Baker Pete Coogan David Rudman Jim Lewis Jocelyn Stevenson Kyle Wilkinson Jack Read Bryan Seastrom BJ Wanlund Caroline And your host, Steve Swanson Special thanks to Arthur Novell for making a lot of this ...

Show #40 - January 13, 2008

This week is Beatles week on The MuppetCast. The Muppets have covered many Beatle songs over the years, and this week we take a listen to some great songs, some of them very rare! In the news, the Muppets, Music & Magic touring exhibition, presented by the Jim Henson Legacy, ...

Show #39 - January 6, 2008

Dance your cares away! This week we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fraggle Rock's first episode going out on the air. Can you believe it's been that long? The MuppetCast is sponsored by Bell, Book & Comic. As any Fraggle worth their salt would say, Life Should ...

Show #38 - December 30, 2007

Welcome to the last episode of The MuppetCast for 2007! This week we take a look at some of the greatest past moments of the podcast, as well as look forward to some of the awesome things coming out from Henson and the Muppets in 2008. Happy 74th Birthday to ...

Christmas Eve - December 24, 2007

Another day, another podcast. Merry Christmas everyone! This is the special Christmas Eve edition of The MuppetCast, and I think you'll really love it. Some updates on a few goings-on in the Muppet world, lots of great listener emails, and, just this once, we're even playing some Muppet Christmas ...

Show #37 - December 23, 2007

This week we pay tribute to a favorite Muppet Christmas movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol. We take a look and listen to many parts of the movie, and even get some interviews with people involved in the film! Gonzo the Great, Rizzo the Rat, Brian Henson, Steve ...

Show #36 - December 15, 2007

This episode of The MuppetCast is devoted to "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie". It's rare that a Muppet movie is not a musical, but this is one of them. That said, there's still plenty of music and Christmas Muppet material to enjoy! Speaking of Muppet Christmas music, ...

Show #35 - December 9, 2007

This special edition of The MuppetCast is devoted to the Christmas specials "A Muppet Family Christmas" and "John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together." Lots of Muppet-y Christmas stuff to enjoy, so watch the icy patch and have fun! Three sponsors to thank this week: Bell, Book & ...

Show #34 - December 2, 2007

Welcome to this Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas special episode of The MuppetCast! We'll take a good look at Emmet Otter this week, and even talk to some people who have some special connections to this great Christmas special. Remember that you still have one week to enter the MuppetCast Christmas ...

Show #33 - November 25, 2007

This is a combination Thanksgiving and Holiday Season Kickoff episode of the MuppetCast. We'll listen to parts of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as some great Christmas-y Muppet-y goodness. Thanks to Bell, Book & Comic for continuing to sponsor the MuppetCast every week. They play ...

VidCast #2 - November 25, 2007

The MuppetCast - VidCast #2 The David Quesal Puppet Troupe. Taken from David's new DVD "The David Quesal Puppet Troupe 2007."

Show #32 - November 18, 2007

Welcome to the MuppetCast, a weekly podcast dedicated to the work of Jim Henson and the Muppets. Brought to you weekly by Bell, Book & Comic. If you're going to MouseFest 2007, make sure to attend Muppet Meets, a Muppet fan meet held by MagicMeets.com! The MuppetCast still needs ...

Show #31 - November 11, 2007

This week we take a look at some great UK content. While Kermit was hamming it up on NBC's Deal or No Deal and Paula's Party on the Food Network, Miss Piggy has been leaping from show to show over in the UK, promoting the Muppet Show ...

Show #30 - November 4, 2007

Ah, November. The leaves, the turkey...the turtles. I like turtles. At any rate, we hit the ground running here in the first week of November. Lots of new photos popping up on the MuppetCast flickr page, so check back there periodically to see what Muppet ...

Show #29 - October 28, 2007

Welcome to The MuppetCast Halloween show! Get ready for a Halloween podcast that DOESN'T play the Haunted Mansion song. We did that last week, remember? Thanks as always to Bell, Book & Comic for continuing to sponsor The MuppetCast. Life should be more fun! Kyle Wilkinson was kind ...

Show #28 - October 21, 2007

Welcome to the first of two spooky MuppetCasts! Thank you listener Ryan Dosier for the Bunsen & Beaker intro and outro! Thanks also to Jon Melville from Edinburgh, Scotland for your donation to The MuppetCast! I found a video of the opening of Jim Henson: Puppeteer from the

Show #27 - October 14, 2007

I'm proud to welcome James Wojtal to the MuppetCast this week. James is a very well-known and respected puppet designer and builder, and I was delighted to be able to talk with him on the podcast. Here are several links to websites containing James's work, starting with his YouTube page:

Show #26 - October 7, 2007

I don't know how I made it this far and haven't used this intro yet! Seems to be a good week for bunnies anyway. This week marks 6 months of the MuppetCast. Can you believe it? Me neither, but here we are. Thank you! To celebrate, I've ...

Show #25 - September 30, 2007

Sorry, we had a mis-fire earlier while posting this weeks show. Were back up and running with the correct show now. This weeks show is very special. Im proud to bring you audio this week from the Center for Puppetry Arts, located in Atlanta, Georgia. This week you will hear from ...

Show #24 - Sept 23, 2007

Here is my tribute to Jim Henson on his birthday, along with Jerry Juhl. It's a little bit more "bite-size" than normal, but I'm still very happy with it. I feel like so much was done earlier this year in the May tribute to Jim, but I wanted ...

Show #23 - September 16, 2007

Listen to the first three minutes...then tell me you weren't thinking the same thing. Special thanks as always to Bell, Book & Comic for continuing to be the official sponsor of The MuppetCast. Life should be more fun! We have two touring Henson exhibitions, now that Jim Henson's Fantastic ...

Show #22 - September 9, 2007

Bouncing baby figs...great, now I'll never eat a Fig Newton again. Welcome to The MuppetCast! This week we hear from some MuppetCast listeners, in some new Listener Interview segments. Grab a turkey leg and let's go! Our first two MuppetCast listeners come to us from Walt Disney World! ...

Show #21 - September 2, 2007

What's a Muppet? To find the answer, listen to the MuppetCast this week. Thanks for downloading the show! Thanks again to Bell, Book & Comic for continuing to sponsor the MuppetCast. Life should be more fun! Unfortunately, MuppetVision 3D will be leaving Disney's California Adventure sooner or ...

Show #20 - August 26, 2007

Thanks to David Quesal for the awesome intro! It is indeed the MuppetCast, show #20, for August 26, 2007. Welcome back! Remember to watch the MuppetCast VidCast #1, available in iTunes and at muppetcast.com. The hilarious Balcony Puppeteers are featured, with some behind-the-balcony footage! Congratulations to Terry Fator, the ...

VidCast #1 - August 24, 2007

Here it is, the first MuppetCast video podcast! This is a look into a really fun group of guys called the Balcony Puppeteers. The video was taken at the recent Puppets Up festival. You'll get to see some of their improvised performance at the festival in front of real live ...

Show #19 - August 19, 2007

First, I want to say that I'm really, really sorry about the long show. But when you miss a whole week, you have to make up somewhere! Special thanks to Bell, Book & Comic for continuing to sponsor the MuppetCast. Life should be more fun! I'm happy to be ...

Show #18 - August 12, 2007

This week is a change of pace from the usual. In a somewhat lighter load this week, we enjoy the complete soundtrack from the now-extinct WDW show "Here Come the Muppets". This was a stage show featuring walkaround Muppet characters which ran from May 1990 to September ...

Show #17 - August 5, 2007

Is everything all right in here? Yes nanny... Last show before Muppets, Music & Magic in Huntington, Long Island, and here we go! Thanks as always to Bell, Book & Comic for continuing to be the official sponsor of the MuppetCast. Life should be more fun! New contest! Email the ...

Show #16 - July 29, 2007

No he's not, he's a-wearin' a necktie! Hiya everyone, welcome back to the MuppetCast! As always, the MuppetCast is brought to you by Bell, Book & Comic. Why? Because life should be more fun! The MuppetCast Impression Contest is a wrap! Listen in to hear ...

Show #15 - July 22, 2007

Welcome to this week's MuppetCast! Show #15 means it's a quarter after our first show, and that's progress in my book! Thanks as always to Bell, Book & Comic for continuing to sponsor the MuppetCast. Life should be more fun! This week I decided to hand the ...

Show #14 - July 15, 2007

It's 11:15, so I'm posting on time this week. No complaints! Hehe...welcome back to the MuppetCast for show #14. So, is Live365 going to shut down due to the CRB royalty rate hike? Find out on this week's show. Thanks again to Jonathan Dichter for this ...

Show #13 - July 8, 2007

Welcome to show #13! Is it any coincidence that this show took longer than any other show to complete and post? Unlucky, wouldn't you say? Thanks to Jonathan Dichter for this week's show intro. Make sure to catch Jonathan and Bryan over at All About the ...

Show #12 - July 1, 2007

Welcome back to the MuppetCast! As always, we are brought to you by the letter C, the number 8, and Bell, Book & Comic! Before we come to our feature this week, the Cinema Arts Centre has posted a complete schedule events for the Muppets, Music ...

Show #11 - June 27, 2007

With a "surprise" beginning this week, we head into show #11! This week's special guest on the podcast is Arthur Novell, executive director of the Jim Henson Legacy! This week's show is brought to you by Bell, Book & Comic. Tell Peter and Betsey hello! The MuppetCast ...

Show #10 - June 17, 2007

Show #10! We made it to double digits! Hehe...thanks for hitting up the website and/or downloading the show. Remember, the Muppet Impression contest will end on June 24! So if you want to enter the contest, now is the time. Now is the best time!

Show #9 - June 10, 2007

We start the show first with one of the funnier Muppet clips I've heard in a very long time. Then, we really open the show with the Jim Henson Hour theme! Thanks David (all of you). The MuppetCast is brought to you this week by the number 2, the ...

Show #8 - June 3, 2007

We start this week's show with an awesome clip from one of the newest Puppet Up! skits found on TBS On Demand. This week's show is brought to you by the number 5, the letter L, and BellBookAndComic.com, where you can find all the comics, games, and ...

Show #7 - May 27, 2007

Welcome back for show #7! I know, it's been a while, but we're now on a Sunday release schedule, and you won't have to endure a week-and-a-half wait ever again! This show is worth the wait, though. On the news front this week, I was delighted to learn ...

Show #6 - May 16, 2007

This week's show is a special edition podcast, as it is our tribute to Jim Henson. May 16, 1990 is the date that Jim passed away, and in this episode we remember Jim, and we celebrate his life with laughter, song, and a few tears. Enjoy the show --Steve

Show #5 - May 11, 2007

Here comes show #5! I misquoted the date this week, but that's because I didn't anticipate the show being as long, and it was a little more work than I expected. Not to worry, though, it's a great show, and it is truly a labor of love. This week, ...

Show #4 - May 2, 2007

Come on in, it's show #4 this week! WARNING: You may be dancing the Kermambo before the end of the show. Once you've listened to the show this week, click over to The Magical Definition Podcast, one of the best Disney podcasts on the web! Some good news ...

Show #3 - April 26, 2007

Hello again! This show definitely shows how we're coming along in shaping a well-formed podcast loaded with great Muppet content. We've got just a little bit of news, some wonderful listener email, a Muppet History segment, and as advertised, the brand-new super secret segment makes its appearance! The ...

Show #2 - April 19, 2007

First, thank you to everyone who found the show this past week. It's been a great week, reading all your feedback, and making this new podcast a part of my daily life. Every day I find a little something to add to the show, and I really want ...

Show #1 - April 11, 2007

Hi-ho and welcome to the MuppetCast! This podcast promises to be an interesting and informative show, right podcast? Podcast: "I promise!" We start off with a clip of Sam the American Eagle that I edited back in college, and it still makes me giggle. In this first episode I spend just ...