Articles

Here you’ll find the written heart of The MuppetCast—a collection of thoughtful, funny, and lovingly crafted articles written by friends and fellow Muppet fans over the years. These pieces capture not only the spirit of Jim Henson’s world, but also the passion of the people who helped make this site what it was (and is again).

At the moment, some author credits are missing as I continue restoring the site from old backup files. To all the wonderful writers who generously gave their time and talent: I haven’t forgotten you. I’m working hard to reconnect the dots so your names appear alongside the words you wrote.

Thanks for your patience—and thank you for being part of this story.

• All The Muppet Christmas Stuff You Can Handle in 2017 (11/28/2017) – Everything a Muppet fan needs to see and hear for the 2017 holiday season. We run down the best (and worst) from the Muppets at Christmastime.
• Review: “Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History” is an Ultimate Must-Own (11/4/2016) – For the film’s 30th anniversary, Insight Editions is bringing the world of Labyrinth to life with the release Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History.
• Muppet Halloween History (Feat. Kirk Thatcher) (10/30/2016) – Hello folks, Joshua Gillespie here. Long time no see. Well I’m back and I brought something special, a 4-part look at the history of Muppet Halloween specials, including a 2-part interview with Mr. Kirk R. Thatcher. Enjoy!  
• My Muppet Shirt Obsession (10/12/2016) – Let’s get this out of the way – I own over 170 t-shirts related to the creations of Jim Henson and the Jim Henson Company.
• Miss Piggy’s Superstar Limo: The Ride Redo That Never Happened (10/11/2016) – The hidden history behind Miss Piggy’s Superstar Limo, a Disney Parks ride that was planned but never opened.
• Calling All Muppet Fans: Want To Be On TV? (8/11/2016) – AMC’s “Comic Book Men” is looking for Muppet fans with stuff to buy, sell, and trade.
• Muppets WDW Show Gets A Name And Opening Date (7/28/2016) – Walt Disney Imagineering revealed the official name and opening date of a new Muppets attraction, coming to the Magic Kingdom.
• 54 Below Celebrates The Muppets (7/14/2016) – A firsthand account of 54 Below’s musical tribute to the Muppets, featuring some of Broadway’s biggest talents. Multiple videos included!
• May 16, 2016 (5/16/2016) – Thoughts on Jim Henson, today on the anniversary of the date he left us – May 16, 1990.
• Sesame Studios: A Fan’s Reaction (5/12/2016) – A fan’s report on Sesame Workshop’s new venture into the online video space: Sesame Studios.
• Uncle Deadly: One Muppet’s Triumphant Return (4/27/2016) – Uncle Deadly’s rise from relative obscurity to Muppet stardom.
• Sesame Place Prepares for it’s 36th Season (4/20/2016) – Sesame Place® opens for its 36th season on April 30th. The park has added new experiences to its already impressive lineup. The popular show Elmo Rocks took its final bows at the end of the last summer and is being replaced by a brand new show called The Magic of Art.   The new show […]
• Muppet History: A New Series from JG (3/28/2016) – JG is back with a new series called Muppet History.
• Video Review: Sesame Street Visits The Hospital (2/13/2016) – In “Sesame Street Visits the Hospital” Big Bird helps children understand what happens at a hospital, and why it’s okay to feel uneasy at first.
• The History of Costumed Characters at Sesame Place Part 3: 1992-1996 (2/4/2016) – This is part three in a multiple part series. Make sure and read Part 1 and Part 2. 1992 heralded the debut of The Count and Elmo at Sesame Place. The Count was the one featured most prominently in the park brochure. “Old friends (and new) are waiting to meet you! The Count and Elmo join the Sesame […]
• Muppet Fans, Sound Off About Bean Bunny (2/4/2016) – The rise and fall of Bean Bunny in the Muppet family. What’s your take on his insufferable cuteness?
• What should The Muppets Change Now? (If Anything) (1/28/2016) – Some thoughts on what should and shouldn’t change as The Muppets return to ABC to finish Season 1.
• Sesame History: Farewell to Mr. Hooper (1/19/2016) – Sesame Workshop helped children understand the concept of death when actor Will Lee, better known as Mr. Hooper, passed away.
• Muppet Mayhem Colors the Holiday Season with “Kodachrome” (1/7/2016) – The Electric Mayhem rock the crowd as Muppet selfies light up the show, with their version of Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome.”
• Book Review: “Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx” (1/4/2016) – Sonia Manzano’s “Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx” wipes away the dirt to show the seeds from which Sesame’s “Maria” grew.
• Lost To History: Gonzo’s Pandemonium Pizza Parlor (12/28/2015) – The history of a once-planned but never-opened restaurant, which would have been owned and operated by Gonzo and Rizzo.
• Review of “Keep Christmas with You” DVD (12/23/2015) – A review of the “Keep Christmas with You” DVD with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Santino Fontana & the Sesame Street Muppets.
• One Fan’s First Muppet Christmas (12/21/2015) – Jordan Harff shares memories of the first Muppet Christmas special he ever watch, “Elmo Saves Christmas.”
• JG’s Holiday Muppet Videos for 12/11 (12/11/2015) – JG is back for some holiday related videos including 3 reviews and a Top 12 list!
• How Sesame Helps Children With Incarcerated Parents (12/7/2015) – Sesame Workshop provides in-depth materials for families with incarcerated parents, to start conversations and teach all family members how to cope.
• Muppets Through The Years: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (12/2/2015) – A thorough retrospective of the Muppet appearances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• JG’s Muppet Video OVERLOAD for November (11/28/2015) – JG is BACK with not just one, not just two but EIGHT brand new Muppet videos!
• How Sesame Street Helps Children Become Better Siblings (11/5/2015) – Sesame Street has helped children better understand pregnancy, and what it means to be a sibling of a new baby in the family.
• JG’s SPOOKY Muppet Videos For 10/30 (10/30/2015) – (Not Actually Spooky) Reese Whitherspoon and Alice Cooper, that’s a combination you’ll only find in JG’s Muppet Videos
• Here’s How Sesame Helps Families Going Through A Divorce (10/26/2015) – Sesame Workshop has presented the topic of divorce to children multiple times, and in multiple ways.
• JG’s Muppet Videos for 10/23 (10/23/2015) – Great Scott! There wasn’t a new episode of “the muppets” this week, so JG decided to do something different.
• New Henson Plaque Unveiled in England (10/16/2015) – Time to plan a trip to jolly old England all you stateside Muppet fans!
• JG’s Muppet Videos for 10/16 (10/16/2015) – Karaoke with Ed Helms and a video sure to TICKLE your funny-bone. These are JG’s Muppet Videos for 10/16
• What If Frank Oz Hadn’t Retired From Performing? (10/15/2015) – Jordan Harff wonders what the Muppets might be like if Frank Oz hadn’t retired from performing, and what might happen if Frank ever returns.
• JG’s Muppet Videos for 10/9 (10/9/2015) – A bear on the road and a chaotic carnival, these are JG’s Muppet Videos for the Week of 10/9!
• JG’s Muppet Videos for 10/2 (10/2/2015) – Miss Piggy dating Josh Groban and a Monster Adventure, these are JG’s Muppet videos for this first week of October!
• What If Jim Henson Was Alive Today? (9/30/2015) – Jordan Harff explores the question of what might be different if Jim Henson were still alive, and the creative force behind the Muppets.
• Mandatory Mayhem: “Weird Al” and the Muppets (9/29/2015) – It’s finally time for “Weird Al” to appear with the Muppets and jam with the Electric Mayhem.
• JG’s Muppet Vlogs For 9/25 (9/25/2015) – JG and Wallace have the Muppet vlogs for the week of 9/25. Looking at “the muppets” and “The Storyteller”
• Editorial: 1 Million Moms Mashing Muppets (9/24/2015) – Jared Kauffman offers some advice for the “One Million Moms” protesting the new Muppets series on ABC.
• The Review: Pig Girls Don’t Cry (9/23/2015) – The MuppetCast review of “The Muppets” premiere episode “Pig Girls Don’t Cry.”
• An Introduction To Jordan Harff (9/21/2015) – Jordan Harff introduces himself to The MuppetCast.com audience, with stories of his childhood.
• “Sesame Street LIVE” Coming to Madison Square Garden (9/19/2015) – Sesame Street Live’s “Let’s Dance!” is on its way to Madison Square Garden! Ticket sales begin Sept 29, and offer a range of seating and personal experiences with Sesame Street characters.
• The Henson Hour Vlogs: Water (E2) (9/18/2015) – JG looks at the second episode of The Jim Henson Hour
• Here’s Why This Is Jim Henson’s Best Birthday Week Ever (9/16/2015) – Jim Henson’s birthday is Sept 24, and this year Jim’s getting one of the best presents ever: his beloved Muppets back on prime-time TV.
• LIVE EVENT: The (First) MuppetCast AMA With Steve Swanson (9/15/2015) – Thursday, Sept 17, 8pm EST – Steve Swanson Google Hangout AMA Event! Details to follow, get your questions ready!
• Build Your Own Cookie Monster Cup at Sesame Place (9/14/2015) – The Sesame Street theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania has added a station where you can create your own ‘Cup That Cares.’
• The Muppet Show Vlogs: Juliet Prowse and Connie Stevens (9/9/2015) – JG TheMuppetMan looks at the first 2 episodes of The Muppet Show with Juliet Prowse and Connie Stevens
• The History of Costumed Characters at Sesame Place Part 2: 1987-1991 (9/8/2015) – Part 2 of an ongoing series documenting the history of costumed characters at Sesame Place theme park.
• The History of Costumed Characters at Sesame Place Part 1: 1980-1986 (8/27/2015) – Part 1 of a multi-part series on the history of costumed characters at Sesame Place theme park.
• The Henson Hour Vlogs – Outer Space (E1) (8/21/2015) – In this series, JG be reviewing the short lived television show “The Jim Henson Hour” starting with the first episode: Outer Space!
• Sesame Workshop and HBO Partnership (8/20/2015) – Sesame Workshop recently announced a partnership with HBO. This public-private alliance benefits everyone.
• The Breakup – One Man’s Opinion. (8/18/2015) – An assessment of the “celebrity breakup” between Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, as told by MuppetCast writer Jon Soble.
• Review: The Muppets Nearly Die in the Woods (8/6/2015) – Joshua Gillespie’s review of the 1981 book “The Muppets Go Camping.”
• Sesame Place’s 35th Birthday Ceremony and Celebration (7/31/2015) – The play-by-play of Sesame Place’s 35th Anniversary celebration!
• Major Questions About ABC’s “The Muppets” (7/27/2015) – Hard-hitting questions from a Muppet fan, asked months too soon for ABC to even think about answering them in “The Muppets”, premiering Sept 22 at 8pm EST.
• Why a Sesame Street TV Network is Good for Fans (6/30/2015) – Is it finally time for Sesame Street to become a full-fledged cable network, offering 24-hour programming?
• A Brief History of the Water Fun at Sesame Place (6/24/2015) – Sesame Place balances characters, amusement park rides, and water attractions.
• Christmas Bonus: New Acoustic Christmas 2011 Mashup (12/18/2011) – Here’s a little something non-Muppet related from me that will surely get you in the Christmas spirit! A week ago I put together a new Christmas song made up of lyrics borrowed from several other Christmas songs. I recently posted it to YouTube, but just in case you missed it, enjoy it here. Also, if […]
• EXTRA – Muppet Fans On The Web! (11/4/2011) – Time for Muppet fans to start sporting their Muppet fandom en masse online! Listen to find out how. Send your pictures to me@muppetcast.com, or share them on the Facebook page. Have a great week! -Steve