1 The Muppet Mindset: 2011

Dec 31, 2011

The Muppet Year in Review, 2011

Ryan Dosier - It's happened again... another year has come to an end. He were are the end of another one--a year so different from previous that it's crazy. This year we were treated to a brand new theatrical Muppet movie, The Muppets, for the first time in a dozen years. The Muppets have never been more all over the place than they were this year, and even we had trouble keeping up with it all. Here's our attempt to highlight all of the major Muppet-related events of 2011 in one simple swoop!

January -
  • The Muppets Shut Down Hollywood Boulevard, Jan. 13 - Our first glimpse of the incredible effort being put into The Muppets came when we saw over 100 Muppets and 200 dancers take over Hollywood Boulevard for a massive number for not one, but two nights. Even then, we still didn't really know how big it would be.
  • Uncle Deadly is Confirmed for The Muppets, Jan. 20 - And he simultaneously returns us to 1976 and makes us realize that James Bobin is fantastic.
  • The Muppet Mindset Interviews Kevin Clash and Elmo, Jan. 25 - Still our only interview with a Muppet... and probably the best interview we've done. Thank you, Kevin!
  • Cameos for The Muppets Pile Up all month long. We attempt a Great Muppet Cameo Rundown but it changes and changes almost weekly... so it doesn't exactly work. Except now it's finished and we know everything already.
February -
March -
April -
May - 
June -
  • "Being Green" Parody Trailer Released Online, June 16 - The third parody trailer for The Muppets was the best one yet and put Kermit and the gang in action hero roles... sort of. I still sort of wish the movie was in Swedish (but not really).
  • First Full-Length Trailer for The Muppets Released Online, June 18 - Another week where two trailers came in two days--we were really spoiled this year, Muppet fans. This first trailer gave us some insight to the actual feel of the movie, and not a parody therein. Plus, we meet 80's Robot and Miss Poogy.
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
And... that's a year! Good grief, what a year it's been for the Muppets! They've taken over everything and seem to have found their way back into pop culture... I sincerely hope they'll secure that position and hold it through 2012 and beyond.

It's also been an incredible year for me, personally (as frequent readers will know). I've got no words for it... other than unreal. It's all thanks to you, the fans of The Muppet Mindset, who keep me going day after day that everything that happened to me was possible. So thank you for that, happy new year, and I hope you've enjoyed this look back at 2011, the Year of the Muppet!







The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Dec 30, 2011

What Muppet Fans Got for Christmas 2011

What Muppet Fans Got for Christmas 2011

Ryan Dosier - Christmas has come and gone, 2012 is almost here... and we're showing off the Christmas gifts that Muppet fans like you (yes, you) received this year! We had an avalanche of emails with lists and lists of Muppet things fans got. Here's a brief rundown of just some of the things Muppet fans got... there were far too many individual things to list every single thing, but these were the most received by the most people.
  • The Muppets Original Soundtrack was the most widely received gift across the board. Over half of the people who emailed me got this as a gift--and they surely loved it!
  • Disney Store Muppet Plush were given to almost as many people. Kermit was the one who got given the most, followed by Walter, Animal, and Piggy. But the Fozzie, Gonzo, Rizzo, and Beaker plush were given a lot as well. Not many got Pepe, though... I guess he sold out faster than we thought.
  • The Green Album
  • Various Muppet DVDs including The Muppet Show Seasons 1-3, The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, Muppet Treasure Island, The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, and more were given quite a lot--probably because Disney filled the stores with them this holiday season. Some folks also received Muppets From Space and The Muppets Take Manhattan on Blu-ray.
  • Muppet Vinylmation Figures were gotten by a few people, mostly the 9 inch figures of Tourist Kermit, Animal, Gonzo, and Sam Eagle--probably because they're the easiest to find on the Disney Store website.
  • The Muppets Books were bought quite a lot. The Junior Novel, the Theater Set, the Sticker Book, and all the others were distributed to many Muppet fans.
  • The Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas Album (2011 re-issue)
  • Muppet T-shirts from Threadless, Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart and a ton of other places. There are a lot of Muppet shirts out there right now.
  • Muppet Socks
  • Muppet Boxers
  • Muppet Monopoly
  • Muppet Yahtzee
  • 2012 Muppet Movie Parody Calendar
And so, so many more things. It was a very Muppety Christmas for many folks out there. But that's not all! Below we have the coolest gifts... rare, homemade, one of a kind, or just plain special items received by some of our readers. There are some really, really awesome items here, so enjoy!!
Bret Hansen was a very good boy this year, as Santa brought him the very rare 1983 Kermit the Frog telephone! I would never use any other phone again if I had this. Lucky duck!
Friend of the blog, Joel Swanson, received this awesome Muppet Snuggie featuring Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and Animal! I love the design used here. And Joel's expression is priceless in this picture. It's a win-win!
Santa was possibly the best to Robert Hearn, who received this absolutely amazing record signed by JIM HENSON and Kermit the Frog! I have know idea where he found this, but I'm amazed and I want one. Just spectacular.
Lauren Grant got a really cool homemade blanket with some fabric that I've never seen before. It looks like the usual gang is on there, plus Beaker and Rizzo, which is awesome! I'd cover up with that!
A personalized Whatnot from FAO Schwarz went to Sean Jones. Now he has a new doppelganger to send to parties--they've even go the same jacket!
Lucy Parat and her whole family got three different Kermit hats! They match perfectly--as you can see in the picture--and it's awesome that there are so many different Kermit hat selections out there.
This beautiful, hand carved wooden piece was made for Jeremy Wilcox to spotlight his favorite Muppets, Gonzo, Kermit, and Scooter. Personal and homemade... what Christmas gifts should be!
Jim Windisch and his family had these great homemade Muppet Christmas stockings hanging over their fireplace this Christmas. I love the Kermit one... but Fozzie is a close second. I'm going to need one of these for next year.

Huge special thanks to everyone who sent us lists of what they got for Christmas... Bret Hansen, John Sheehan, Joel Swanson, Beth Kondrick, William Jardine, Robert Hearn, Lauren Grant, Sean Jones, Logan McQueary, Noah Ginex, Nall Lokie, Shane Keating, Julia Gaskill, Lucy Parat, Paul Liadis, Frederic Fontus, Jeremy Wilcox, Joe Vassalotti, Gavan Sullivan, Michael Verdi, Maxwell Jessop, Frank Scuderi, Darrin Granter, Bert Goldsnider, and Jim Windisch. You guys are the best!! We've never had such a great response! We'll be doing things like this more often from now on!






The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Dec 28, 2011

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Dr. Julius Strangepork

Today's post was written by Maxwell Jessop. If you would like to submit a Weekly Muppet Wednesdays post, contact Ryan Dosier at muppetmindset@gmail.com!

DR. JULIUS STRANGEPORK

Performed by...
Jerry Nelson (1977-1997)
Matt Vogel (2009-present)

First appearance...
The Muppet Show Episode 203: Milton Berle (1977)

Most recent appearance...
Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Best known role...
Resident scientist and inventor on the S.S. Swinetrek

WHO IS DR. JULIUS STRANGEPORK?
Dr. Julius Strangepork is the elderly pig scientist aboard the S.S. Swinetrek in the popular recurring sketch "Pigs in Space" on The Muppet Show. His jobs on the ship range from routine repair work to offering diagnostics on planets. Strangepork also made several odd inventions that, unintentionally, backfire on the crew.

The German-accented swine, while mostly appearing in "Pigs in Space" sketches, appeared in other places as well. He appeared as a rural-accented smoker in the chorus of "Cigarettes and Whiskey" with Peter Sellers, as Fritz, a murdered director in the murder mystery plot in the Liza Minnelli episode, and frequently appeared onstage as a pig chorus member.

Aside from his roles on The Muppet Show, Strangepork made non-speaking cameos in many of the Muppet movies. In The Muppet Christmas Carol, he did have a speaking role, as one of Nephew Fred’s party guests. He was also seen in animated form on the short-lived Little Muppet Monsters series during the Pigs in Space segments.

On Muppets Tonight, Strangepork made an appearance in another pig-themed sketch, "Bay of Pigswatch," as a beach commissioner. He was credited in this sketch as a "special guest." Following this, Strangepork faded to obscurity, much like Link Hogthrob. Though, in 2009, he made a silent comeback in the viral YouTube video, "Bohemian Rhapsody." This marked his first appearance in over a decade. In addition to the video, Strangepork was featured in every issue of The Muppet Show Comic Book and also was seen in The Muppets.

In 2003, Palisades Toys released an action figure of Dr. Strangepork in Series 4 of their Muppets action figure line. Much later, in 2011, Disney Parks released a Vinylmation figure of Dr. Strangepork in their Muppets Series 2 line of collectible Vinyl figures. A no longer used puppet of Strangepork currently resides at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside Link Hogthrob.


PIGS IN SPACE MOMENTS WITH DR. JULIUS STRANGEPORK
Here is a list of Strangepork's starring or standout roles in "Pigs in Space."
  • Strangepork activates the Electric Toaster (Episode 303: Roy Clark)
  • Strangepork invents the Disolvatron (Episode 307: Alice Cooper)
  • Strangepork switches bodies with Janice (Episode 314: Harry Belafonte)
  • Strangepork makes an invisible pill (Episode 324: Cheryl Ladd)
WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED DR. JULIUS STRANGEPORK?
Why do the Muppets need Dr. Strangepork? Well, for starters, Pigs in Space is probably the most memorable sketch from The Muppet Show. So what is Pigs in Space without their scientist? He provides wacky inventions, helps when Link is too dumb (which is almost always), and makes the Swinetrek just the slightest bit more civilized. So, long paragraph short, the Muppets need Strangepork to help out at the Swinetrek.








The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com

Dec 27, 2011

Happy New Year (Not Quite Yet)

Hello.

I do not know when I will get a chance like this again, so I am going to post quickly while it is still 2011 and hope that its the thought that counts (and not the days that are counted). Your regular host, Ryan, has fallen asleep on his keyboard after what appears to be much Christmas partying (recognisable by the paper hat on his head, the faint odour of Turkey, and the fact he is wearing an utterly ridiculous Christmas jumper...goodness...who knew there was knitwear so ugly...Hmm...perhaps someone gifted it to him...)

ANYWAY! As he has fallen asleep, I have snuck through the skylight on a rope made out of the lime green stockings that I had to wear as an undercover Elf and safety executive at the North Pole where I was checking in on the production of Muppet Bobble Heads for next year's Christmas stockings (which I realize is a very elaborate explanation for the reason that I was wearing lime green stockings in the first place, but probably still not believable...so...let's just go with it).

ANYWAY, as previously established, I have dropped into Ryan's room and nudged him aside so that I can quickly write all you marvelous Muppet fans a quick New Year's message from the United Kingdom (and suburbs of the same).

The Muppets themselves will be one thing connecting 2011 and 2012 in a unique way this year as the release of their movie on this side of the pond (UK direction) will not be until after the ball drops on your side of the pond (USA direction). For that reason alone, I already know that 2012 is going to be a great year for me (maybe my best yet!) and I hope that it will be a simply fantastic year for everyone else as well (Note: I realize also that this post seems far too cheerful for something to have been posted by TBC, but what can I say? This has been one of my favourite Christmases ever, what with receiving Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas on DVD, seeing John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together online and receiving more Animal Muppet mugs than I will ever need to drink out of from people who felt the Miss Piggy mugs were too pink for me).

ANYWAY, the end of 2011 brought us so much in the way of TV appearances, internet releases, and special merchandising throughout America, and I am sure this will continue well into 2012, so we will all have plenty of goodies to look forward to in the upcoming year!

On the downside, one of my new year's resolutions is to give up chocolate. So, yeah. That's it for cheerful TBC. Coming January the 1st, the grumpy, site-stealing, Moopet loving, villian reviewing, never-contraction-using, Big Mean Carl analysing, stiff-upper-lipped British Correspondent will be back...

Until then, I hope your Christmas was Merry and Happy, etc, and that you will have a SUPPER DOOPER AWESOME FANTASTIC FABULOUS New Year!!!

- TBC

(P.S. These fireworks remind me of Kermit crossed with Mickey Mouse...)

Muppet Fans: What Did YOU Get for Christmas?

Ryan Dosier - Greetings, Muppet fans! Well, here we are, one of the saddest days of the year... December 27th. Why is it so sad? Because Christmas is long gone, and New Years is still a few days away. There is nothing too extraordinary about December 27th. (Apologies if your birthday is on December 27th--and Happy Birthday!! Where's the cake?) As you've probably observed, it's been rather difficult to keep up with our one article a day routine in this dull and busy (don't ask how that works) time of the year... Thus, I turn to you for assistance!

We hear at The Muppet Mindset want to know the answer to a burning, itching (should probably see a doctor about that) question... What did YOU, the Muppet fan community, get for Christmas [or other wintery holiday]?!

Simply send us a list (to ryguy102390@gmail.com) of all the Muppet stuff you received this year. We'll compile this list into an article, and post it for all the world to see! I'm very interested to see just how many people got The Muppets Soundtrack, Disney Store plushes, and other goodies. But what I'm most interested in, is any creative, personal Muppet gifts given to you (or by you, I guess) this year. We Muppet fans are a creative bunch, so there's bound to be some fun stuff out there to showcase... I'll even show off some of the awesome stuff I got!

So... send me a list, I'll check it twice, find out who got The Muppets Soundtrack thrice (guilty), and post it here on Friday, December 30th! So get your emails to me by midnight of the 29th and this business will be in business! Thanks, Muppet fans!







The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Dec 26, 2011

(Kind of) Weekly Muppet Quotes - Christmas Spotlight Part 2


Casey Daron - Happy Holidays! I hope everyone had a great Christmas! Today I will be spotlighting a Muppet Christmas classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol! Here's your last present for the day, one that doesn't even need to be wrapped!

"At this time in the proceedings, it is a tradition for me to make a little speech."
"And it’s a tradition for us to take a nap!"
~ Fozziwig and Jacob Marley

"You're a little absent-minded, spirit."
"No, I'm a LARGE absent-minded spirit!"
~ Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present

"We were always heckling you."
"It's good to be heckling again."
"It's good to be doing anything again!"
~ Jacob and Robert Marley

"There are two things in this life I hate: heights, and jumping from them."
"Too late now. Come on, I'll catch you."
"God save my broken body!"
~ Rizzo the Rat and Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo)

"Oh, wait, I forgot my jellybeans!"
"You can fit through those bars?"
"Yeah."
"You are such an idiot."
~ Rizzo the Rat and Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo)

"Rats don't understand these things."
"You were never a lonely child?"
"I had twelve hundred and seventy four brothers and sisters."
"Boy! Rats don't understand these things!"
~ Rizzo the Rat and Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo)

"Boomerang fish! Throw the fish A-WAY... and it comes back to me! Get 'em while they're fresh!"
~ Lew Zealand







The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com
The Muppet Whatnot Workshop-Only Available at FAO.com
The Muppet Whatnot Workshop-Only Available at FAO.combanner