News Update: June 13, 2014

JUNE 13, 2014

Netflix is the new streaming home for both The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper. Both films are now available to watch on Netflix Instant service. So if you don't have both films on DVD, Blu-ray, VHS, or laser disc, there's finally a way for you to watch these Henson/Muppet classics! If you don't have access to any of these means... I'm so sorry. With these additions, this leaves only The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, The Muppets, and Muppets Most Wanted as the only Muppet feature films not on Netflix. Hopefully these will be added soon as well.

As we reported in our last News Update, Archaia is publishing a new graphic novel based off an unproduced 1968 screenplay from Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl called The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow. The graphic novel will feature art from the extremely talented Roger Langridge (of The Muppet Show Comic Book fame). USA Today officially announced the project a few days ago, and our friends over at ToughPigs.com have done a bang-up job of collecting all of the info in one convenient place. Check it out! The graphic novel will release in stores this October!

The folks over at The 13th Dimension website recently posted a fantastic tribute to the late John Henson. The tribute goes in depth with John's career as both a puppeteer and an artist. The author, Aimee LoSecco, notes how John's work was always larger than life, yet completely relatable, which is one of the finest descriptions of the man I've heard. The whole tribute is very beautiful and I suggest giving it a read, plus you get to see some of John's rarely-seen Kermit golfing illustrations (see right).

A few weeks ago, Disney announced the release of Disney Infinity 2.0, a sequel to their ultra-popular Disney Infinity video game/toy system. With this announcement, it was revealed that Marvel characters would be playable in the game and a whole slew of new Power Discs (in-game items) were revealed as well. One of these Power Discs is Miss Piggy's U.S.S. Swinetrek (see right), which allows players to bring the Swinetrek into the game and ride it. Always great to see the Muppets getting more representation in the Disney family!

This week, Variety published an article interviewing the writers of Sesame Street, Joey Mazzarino and Belinda Ward, about the upcoming, groundbreaking 45th season of the show. The article is really interesting, discussing everything from their spot-on "Homelamb" parody to the challenges of writing for both kids and adults. It's incredibly interesting.

Last but not least, last week Ricky Gervais tweeted the picture below, revealing that he had filmed a guest spot on Sesame Street, presumably for the upcoming season. I'm so glad to see Ricky is still working with the Muppets and coming back to Sesame Street!

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

Muppet Retro Reviews: The Muppets Go to the Movies

Abigail Maughan - Today I’d like to review a delightful little TV special from 1981 called The Muppets Go to the Movies, which was created to promote The Great Muppet Caper. The special consists almost entirely of the Muppets spoofing various classic films and film genres with guest stars Lily Tomlin and Dudley Moore. Yes, it is as wonderfully entertaining as it sounds.

What’s so much fun about it is that it feels like an extra episode of The Muppet Show. In addition to taking place in the Muppet Theater, the special has human guest stars, Statler and Waldorf heckling from their box, Jerry Nelson and his announcer voice, spotlights on major and minor characters, lots of songs, backstage antics, and a running gag that extends all the way to the end credits (keep an eye out under the “Writers” section).

Writers and Muppet performers both are on top of their game, and the human guest stars are wonderful as well. Both had worked with the Muppets previously (Tomlin on Saturday Night Live and Sesame Street, and Moore on The Muppet Show and again on The Jim Henson Hour years later). Once again, they adapt to the Muppet world effortlessly. In all of their respective scenes, Tomlin and Moore are just as goofy as their Muppet counterparts and make the special doubly enjoyable.

Muppet characters of all levels of fame are given plenty of attention that highlight their personalities perfectly:

• Miss Piggy leads a penguin chorus in “Heatwave”
• Scooter, Link, and Gonzo play the Three Musketeers 
• Dr. Strangepork, Fozzie Bear, and Mulch (three names you’ll never see together anywhere else) star in horror movie parody 
• The Muppets start off the special with a rousing reprise of a familiar Great Muppet Caper song
• Beauregard and Lew Zealand participate in a chariot race
• The cast performs a fun medley of Wizard of Oz songs
• Floyd and Janice have a number to themselves backstage
• Kermit stars with Lily Tomlin in a parody of war films. 

There’s a bunch of other scenes that I won’t spoil for you. Rowlf, Statler and Waldorf, Rizzo the Rat, Sam Eagle, Beaker, the Swedish Chef, and even Foo-foo all get chances to shine in this special as well.

Because this is a promotional vehicle, the special shows a handful of clips from the upcoming The Great Muppet Caper. They don’t necessarily add anything to the show, but I imagine Muppet fanatics of the early ‘80s were beyond thrilled at the sneak peeks, just like you or I were towards any glimpses of Muppets Most Wanted in the past year. The endorsement is brief enough, and special’s overall delight factor makes it easy to overlook the obvious promotion.

There is no real plot to The Muppets Go to the Movies, but that’s not a bad thing. Far from it! How can anything that features Kermit and Miss Piggy reenacting Casablanca possibly be? If nothing else, this special is continually hilarious. What it lacks in plot, it more than makes up for in humor. I’d go so far as to say that, not counting the theatrical movies or the two main TV shows, it’s one of the most purely funny projects the Muppets have ever done, poking fun at all sorts of classic movies, but never being entirely disrespectful, in the way the Muppets do so well. If you’re looking for good old Muppet humor, fun song covers, and a lot of laughs, this is the show for you. And if Beaker playing the Angel of Death isn’t enough incentive to watch this, I don’t know what is. It’s all available to see on YouTube-- here’s part 1!









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

Review: The Great Muppet Caper/Muppet Treasure Island Blu-ray

Ryan Dosier - Tomorrow sees the release of The Great Muppet Caper and Muppet Treasure Island on a dual Blu-ray. The odd pairing doesn't make much sense, but there's no denying that putting two in one will probably sell more copies than individual releases. The release tactic is frustrating for Muppet fans, because we know both of these films deserve individual releases and it makes displaying the Muppet movies in chronological order incredibly difficult. (Or is that just me?)

Moving on, the release itself is really not bad. In fact, it's a joy to have all seven theatrical Muppet films on Blu-ray high definition. And boy, does the Blu-ray format make these two movies look outstanding. The Great Muppet Caper is one of my favorite films ever, so needless to say I've seen it countless times. The Blu-ray transfer is crisp, colorful, and really nice. Even the sound gets a wonderful revamp for this release. Muppet Treasure Island looks better, of course, being that it was released 15 years after Caper. The high definition transfer for Treasure Island is simply stunning. The "Cabin Fever" number leaps right off the screen in gorgeous color.

The bonus features for the release are incredibly sparse. In fact, the only feature for The Great Muppet Caper is two "Frog-E-Oke" tracks. Would it have been too much to ask for new commentary from the Muppets or the Muppet performers? Why not include The Muppets Go to the Movies, the TV special produced to tie into the film? It's incredibly disheartening that Jim Henson's feature directorial debut gets so little in the way of bonus features. Muppet Treasure Island fares slightly better, with one "Frog-E-Oke" track, old Brian Henson commentary, the old "Tale Behind the Tail" feature, and a "Let the Good Shine Out" music video from the Muppet Treasure Island sing-along tape. Why they didn't just include the whole tape, I'll never know.

The release is presented with both films on one Blu-ray disc and two individual DVDs, which is a great deal for the price and very handy for those who want the new release but don't have a Blu-ray player handy. The disc menus are very, very well done--especially Caper--and give the release some legitimacy. In fact, the menus for these films are better than the Blu-ray menus for the recent Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Movie Blu-ray releases.

Overall this release is worth your time for the gorgeous high-definition presentation of both of these wonderful films. If you own them on DVD already, I highly recommend upgrading to the Blu-ray if you have the ability. Plus, it comes with DVD copies so it's a win-win. The sparse bonus features are incredibly frustrating, but Muppet fans are unfortunately used to that by now. This release will be a great addition to any Muppet movie collection and makes a great Christmas gift for the Muppet fan in your life!

The Great Muppet Caper/Muppet Treasure Island Blu-ray
-- 3 out of 5 photographic essays on kneecaps

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

Rachel Herrick Reviews... The Great Muppet Caper

Last month, our friend Rachel Herrick reviewed The Muppet Movie in the first part of her seven-part countdown to Muppets Most Wanted in March 2014. This month (after much technical difficulty), Rachel is reviewing my personal favorite Muppet movie: The Great Muppet Caper. Check out her fantastic video review below--but get ready to be extremely jealous of Rachel within the first minute... Fair warning.









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

News Update: September 6, 2013

NEWS UPDATE: September 5, 2013

This past weekend the annual Dragoncon was held in Atlanta, Georgia. For the past few years Dragoncon has had an uncanny ability to attract Muppet performers and personalities for panels and appearances. This year was no exception, as Karen Prell, Kathryn Mullen, and Michael Frith all appeared to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Fraggle Rock. Of course, since Karen Prell and Red Fraggle are basically inseparable, Red Fraggle was also there--and so was Mokey Fraggle! This is the first time Kathy Mullen has performed Mokey since Fraggle Rock ended. Check out the video below for a purely delightful appearance!



Last week our good friends Bill Barretta and Gene Barretta (henceforth known as the Barretta Bros.) appeared on the "Preston & Steve Radio Show" in Philadelphia. Luckily, since most of us (myself included) probably aren't within listening range, the entire appearance is online! Take a listen for some Barretta Bros. fun!

As you'll certainly remember, The Great Muppet Caper and Muppet Treasure Island are coming to Disney Blu-ray on December 10th. We've already seen the (lackluster) cover art for the dual release, but now, thanks to our friends at StitchKingdom.com, we have information on the bonus features included! First of all, as expected, both films are restored and remastered for Blu-ray high definition, which is incredibly exciting. The "Classic Bonus Features" included are "The Tale of the Story Beyond the Tail" and "Muppet Treasure Island Audio Commentary." The new bonus features include Frog-E-Oke sing-along, a rediscovered music video of "Let the Good Shine Out," and an exclusive preview of Muppets Most Wanted. Some pretty exciting stuff there, but very little bonus content for The Great Muppet Caper which is insanely disappointing.

Last week our friends at ToughPigs.com found some artwork for some gorgeous potential Muppet figures designed by the talented Jim Valeri. On his website, Valeri says he designed the figures for a client but does not know the status of them or what they might be used for. However, judging by the stylistic designs, these figures certainly look like they would be a great addition to the recently released Disney video game/toy line Disney Infinity. Of course, nothing is confirmed, but they look like Disney Infinity figures to me, so perhaps come spring we'll see Muppet figures! Check them all out below:

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

The Great Muppet Caper and Muppet Treasure Island Coming to Blu-ray!

This news is almost two weeks old, but we're playing catch up and realized we never posted about it on the site. For those of you who haven't heard, get excited, because The Great Muppet Caper and Muppet Treasure Island are being released on Disney Blu-ray on December 10th! This release will mean that every single theatrical Muppet movie will be released in Blu-ray high-definition! That's the good news. The semi-bad news is that the two movies are being released together (a practice that Disney has been doing recently with its animated classics and their not-so-classic sequels), in what is being called the Of Pirates & Pigs 2-Movie Collection. The really bad news is that the cover art is pretty terrible:

While I admire the idea of combining the two movies into one cover, the execution is pretty lame. Plus the usage of flat-head Kermit is never okay. But still, I appreciate that Disney tried. Although, come on, would it have been all that hard to use a photo of Piggy, Fozzie, and Animal that's actually from The Great Muppet Caper? Blah.

Anyway! The current price for the 2-Movie collection is only $24.99, which is a pretty stellar deal for two Muppet classics. It looks like this will be another must-have! Cross your fingers for some bonus features... but don't hold your breath. I'll just be happy to have my favorite movie of all time (The Great Muppet Caper) in high definition. Pre-order now on Amazon!






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

120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 5

Ryan Dosier - 60 songs in, and I'm still loving doing these installments every Tuesday. I hope you're still loving it too, Muppet fans. If you need to play catch up, don't miss out on Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of our 120 Awesome Muppet Songs series. Tune up the instruments and get ready to jam!

61.   "When the River Meets the Sea" from Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas 
How have we never noticed that Paul Williams writes the most beautiful, profound, and perfect Muppet songs? What's that? We have? Oh, good. Well anyway... the greatest song from Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is one of the greatest Muppet songs ever. It is poignant, it is powerful, and it is the perfect song for Jerry Nelson. Jerry performed the song as Emmet Otter, Robin the Frog, and himself with Louise Gold at Jim Henson's Memorial Service, adding to the beauty of the song. Thank you Jerry, and thank you Paul Williams, for this perfect piece of music. Favorite lyrics: "Though our minds be filled with questions/In our hearts, we'll understand/When the river meets the sea."
62.   "Steppin' Out With a Star" from The Great Muppet Caper 
One of the few songs to feature the awesome trio of Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo, "Steppin' Out With a Star" is the most fun anyone ever had getting ready for a date with a pig. I love the interplay between the three guys in this song. I adore Kermit when he is peppy and fun and dancing in a tuxedo (okay, sure, I love Kermit all the time, but still). It's such a great moment in The Great Muppet Caper that lets us escape from the caper plot with a bouncy number. It's fantastic. Favorite lyrics: "Have I got style?/Have I got taste?/On someone else/I swear, this savoir faire/Would be such a waste!"
63.   "Couldn't We Ride" from The Great Muppet Caper 
Another song from The Great Muppet Caper! Gotta love that iTunes shuffle. Thank goodness it's another brilliant, beautiful number. (Aren't they all?) One of the most technically amazing feats in Muppet history... I honestly still have no idea how some of the bike stunts were done--and I don't want to know. It is a true example of pure Muppet magic. Kermit standing on one leg on his bike is a moment I'll always see as perfectly Jim Henson. The song features some wonderful imagery and beautiful music. It never fails to make me want to go ride a bike. Favorite lyrics: "It all seems so right/It all feels so rare/Summer soft, sudden breeze/Watch the wind play tag in the trees/The world is so bright/So perfectly fair."
64.   "Easy is the Only Way to Go" from Fraggle Rock 
Perhaps an obscure choice, but I adore this song. This is one of the few songs on this list that is performed by a one-off character, Phil Fraggle, who was voiced by Fraggle Rock songwriter Phil Balsam. In the show, the song comes after the Fraggles make Mokey their new oracle so they don't have to risk visiting the Trash Heap. The song features a magnificent guitar instrumental that pairs perfectly with Balsam's vocals. It's rollicking and joyful and makes for a great anthem anytime good things happen. It may be repetitive, but it's repeating great lyrics. Favorite lyrics: "We found a way/To live on easy street/No more troubles/No more cares and woe/Oh happy day/It's made our lives complete/'Cause easy is the only way to go."
65.   "It Feels Like Christmas" from The Muppet Christmas Carol 
How can you not positively adore this song? Jerry Nelson and the Ghost of Christmas Present make this a truly show-stopping, major production number for The Muppet Christmas Carol when it definitely needed one. This song is a stand-out in an otherwise somber film, that celebrates the joy of the Christmas season with amazing music and lyrics. I have no idea why this isn't a timeless classic on the radio every Christmas season... it's a crying shame. Thank goodness we Muppet fans know it and love it all year round. Favorite lyrics: "It is the season of the heart/A special time of caring/The ways of love made clear/And it is, this season of the spirit/The message if we hear it/Is make it last all year!"
66.   "Doin' the Pigeon" from Sesame Street 
Oh, Bert. The nerdiest of the nerds, the dweebiest of the dweebs. Bert so weird but so reserved and delightfully boring. Who else would develop an entire song and dance around the way pigeons move? Thank goodness he did, though, because "Doin' the Pigeon" is the defining song for Bert--his "Rubber Duckie," if you will. I believe this song says everything you need to know about Bert as a character: he's passionate about odd things and he's one "coo" cat. (Get it?!) Favorite lyrics: "Every time I feel alone and slightly blue/That's when I begin to think it's what I'd like to start to do/So though it may not be the kind of thing that's quite your cup of tea/I recommend you pay attention to the little dance you're gonna see."
67.   "Eye to Eye" from Fraggle Rock 
So far this is the only song on the list that wasn't available in some fashion on YouTube. So if you have Fraggle Rock Season 3 on DVD, pop in "The Cavern of Lost Dreams" to hear this great song. Led by Cotterpin Doozer with back up from ancient Doozers Yeaster and Crusty, it's one of my favorite Doozer songs. The trio sing about how coming together and connecting makes things so much better. It is a great message that should be adopted all over. Favorite lyrics: "I felt so helpless, yes, I felt so blue/I never dreamed that I'd see eye to eye with you/But hallelujah, we've made the whole thing new/I'm gonna see eye to eye to eye with you."
68.   "Happy Feet" from The Muppet Show 
Besides "Rainbow Connection," this is probably my favorite Kermit song. He is just so happy when he's singing "Happy Feet" (fitting, I know). The idea behind this sketch on The Muppet Show, that we never see Kermit's feet, is brilliant, but it's Jim Henson's vocal performance that really stands out here. I love seeing Kermit cut loose and have fun performing--which he was born to do. "Happy Feet" is one of the best examples of that. Favorite lyrics: "Weary blues can't get into my shoes/Because my shoes refuse/To ever grow weary/I keep cheerful on an earful of music sweet/'Cause I've got hap-hap-happy feet!"
69.   "Bless Us All" from The Muppet Christmas Carol 
Boy, Paul Williams is all over this week's list. Thank goodness, because he rocks, of course. "Bless Us All" might just be Paul's most beautiful song. Coming at a time when the world had just lost Jim Henson and Richard Hunt, this beautiful and thankful song is really powerful. This song is another great vehicle for Robin, who never sounded better. Jerry Nelson gets to harmonize here with Steve Whitmire and Frank Oz, and it's truly wonderful. It's touching, it's uplifting, and it's magic. Favorite lyrics: "Life is full of sweet surprises/Everyday's a gift/The sun comes up/And I can feel it lift my spirit/Fills me up with laughter/Fills me up with song/I look into the eyes of love/And know that I belong."
70.   "Bohemian Rhapsody" from YouTube 
One of my favorite Muppet moments ever is this truly amazing 2009 video parodying the Queen classic starring... everyone. Opening with Gonzo and the chickens, then Animal, the song spotlights nearly every single major, secondary, and minor Muppet character. There are so many moments that make this song so great, but my favorite is when the Electric Mayhem comes in and brings down the house. It was a triumphant return for my favorite band. Also of note: silhouetted Pepe, Big Mean Carl eating Rizzo, Mahna Mahna, Lew Zealand, and literally every moment of this video. Favorite lyrics: "So they told us this video was going to fly/All I know is we're not getting paid tonight/Oh, baby, can't do this to me baby/Just gotta get out/Just gotta get right outta here!"

71.   "Love Led Us Here" from Muppet Treasure Island 
You know what's amazing? How few Kermit and Miss Piggy duets there are. Yes, there's "The First Time It Happens," but there really aren't many others. Thankfully, there's "Love Led Us Here," the beautiful romantic duet from Muppet Treasure Island. It's crazy that Kermit and Piggy performed this song entirely upside down. But really... Steve Whitmire very much hit his stride as Kermit by this point and the blending of Kermit and Piggy's voices is perfect here. Thank goodness they have this great duet that spells out their love since there are so few out there. Favorite lyrics: "Was I dumb?/Or was I blind?/Or did my heart just lose its mind?/Why'd I go and throw/Our perfect dream away?"
72.   "Friendship Song" from Fraggle Rock 
It seems like every time someone talks about Fraggle Rock and notable episodes of the show, "Marooned" always comes up. It absolutely should, because "Marooned" is the pinnacle of the show's power to connect emotionally to the viewers. By pitting Red and Boober in such a dire situation, we also got the beautiful "Friendship Song." This wonderful duet between the two polar-opposite Fraggles warms the heart completely. It's soft and lilting and completely beautiful. The definition of a tear jerker should be this song. Favorite lyrics: "You work all night/You work all day/You still can't keep/Those worried blues away/Try a little longer/For your friends/Try a little stronger/For your friends."
73.   "Pukka, Pukka, Pukka Sqeetily Boink" from Fraggle Rock 
Yay! More Fraggles! And it's a song by my favorite Fraggle! Wembley can do no wrong in my eyes, and his nonsense song is no exception. It's so delightfully goofy and abstract. The song also showcases Steve Whitmire's weird, wonderful noises he squeaks and squawks as Wembley. Steve is such a great singer on deep, powerful songs, but I just love moments like this when he gets to be goofy and wacky. Favorite lyrics: "I believe in magic words/I believe in love/I believe in buried treasure falling from above/One more time the world goes round/One more magic day/Now I've learned the magic sounds/That speed it on its way!"
74.   "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" from The Muppet Movie 
I'm going to be honest right up front here... this is my favorite song of all time. Not just Muppet song... song, period. The hauntingly beautiful lyrics, the emotionally gripping music, Gonzo's soul-searching movements and emotions... every single thing about this song is perfect. Paul Williams has scribed so many masterpieces for the Muppets (four of them in this week's list alone), but I don't think I could ever love a song more. Gonzo's words speak to me, and I'm sure they speak to all Muppet fans. Favorite lyrics: "There's not a word yet/For old friends who've just met/Part heaven, part space/Or have I found my place?/You can just visit, but I plan to stay/I'm going to go back there someday."
75.   "Turn the World Around" from The Muppet Show
The perfect closing number for The Muppet Show becomes the perfect closing number for the list this week. Harry Belafonte was one of the Muppets' great collaborators and a good friend of Jim Henson, and this song he scribed specifically for the show is truly amazing. Harry sings so powerfully and the African mask puppets built for the song are incredible. I love the message of this song, showing how the world is all connected. Favorite lyrics: "Do you know who I am?/Do I know who you are?/See we one another clearly/Do we know who we are?"






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

120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 4

Ryan Dosier - We're back and after this post we'll be halfway through our countdown of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs! Don't miss Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 before jumping in today. Remember that these songs are presented in completely random order chosen by iTunes shuffle. Who's ready to jam?!

46.   "There's No Business Like Show Business" from The Muppet Show 
This classic of the Broadway stage has been co-opted by the Muppets. The Muppets first performed the number with Ethel Merman on The Muppet Show and it is still the best version they've done. Merman's vocals hammer the song home. The song would later be used to open The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years and during The Muppet Show Live. It's one of the best numbers of The Muppet Show Season 1 and it speaks to the great joy the Muppets find when performing. Favorite lyrics: "There's no business like show business/Like no business I know/Everything about it is appealing/Everything the traffic will allow/Nowhere could you get that happy feeling/When you are stealing that extra bow."
47.   "Baby Face" from The Muppet Show
This is perhaps the only song I ever need to listen to for the rest of my life. The Muppeteers clucking this classic song as chickens for two minutes is pretty much the best thing I can think of. The idea behind this song is pure genius and the execution is undeniably perfect. When it was performed by the Muppeteers at Jim Henson's Memorial it provided a laugh in a somber world--something Jim would've loved. Favorite lyrics: "Bawk buck baw/Buck buck buck buck buck buck buck/Bawk buck baw!" 
48.   "Let Me Be Your Song" from Fraggle Rock
One of Jim Henson's greatest characters was Cantus the Minstrel, Fraggle Rock's wandering bard. Cantus could hit deep, powerful ideas in his words and especially in his music. Nowhere is this more true than Cantus's quintessential song. This is absolutely one of the best songs from the entire run of Fraggle Rock and you could tell that Jim already loved this character. It's a magnificent number and me saying more about it really just distracts from the beauty of the music and the power of the lyrics. Favorite lyrics: "Everything seems to sing, everywhere I go/I say one, two, play me do/Let me sound as sweet as you/Play me wide, play me long/Let me be your song."
49.   "Workin'" from Fraggle Rock 
One of the first of many many songs written for Fraggle Rock, "Workin'" tells you everything you need to know about the Fraggle Five and even about Fraggles as a whole. The idea of only working for 30 minutes every week? Hilarious. The extended album version of the song available on the album "Perfect Harmony" features some amazing saxophone work. But the best part about this song is the great vocals from the Fraggles and the rockin' tune. Favorite lyrics: "The work I think I'll work at/Unless I think I won't.../It's sort of something that you do/Unless you maybe don't?"
50.   "Ain't No Road Too Long" from Follow That Bird 
One of my favorite moments from one of my favorite movies is this magical number from Follow That Bird. Country singer Waylon Jennings gives Big Bird a ride in his chicken truck and sings this inspirational song. They're joined by Gordon, Olivia, Cookie Monster, the Count, and Super Grover as well. It's bouncy and fun and it reminds you to always keep going. It's one of the most uplifting numbers Sesame has ever produced. Favorite lyrics: "Don't look back, don't'cha turn around/Just keep your eye on where you're bound/And you're bound to get from here to there/'Cause the dream can take you anywhere."
51.   "Jamboree" from The Muppet Show 
After Gonzo performed this song, Statler and Waldorf responded "I've seen wars started over less than that." "Wrong, there's nothing less than that!" I disagree with the old coots, because this is one of Gonzo's greatest numbers. It is absolutely bizarre, with lyrics inviting rats in balloons and penguins throwing popcorn, and chickens on a well-dressed moose. But honestly, it is just perfect Gonzo the Great. Trivia: This song was written by Frank Oz. Favorite lyrics: "Well you go run from thunder/And you stay away from rain/But I'll be looking at the color in the puddles/To see my Jamboree!"
52.   "Dum of a Son of a Gun" from Fraggle Rock 
It's a real shame that Pa Gorg didn't get to sing more on Fraggle Rock. I'm sure the rough voice was hard on Jerry Nelson, but Pa is so much fun when he sings. This is probably his trademark song (or "I'm Not Scared of Anything at All") and it's perfectly Pa. He bemoans the idiocy of Junior while poor Junior is behind him dancing and nonsensically singing along! It's a wonderfully fun little ditty with some great lyric work as well. Favorite lyrics: "It's bad enough ya huff and puff/To make the kingdom run/And worse, I curse the wretched universe/That brought a witless wonder bludner dummy of a son!"
53.   "Garden Song" from The Muppet Show Music Album 
John Denver may have performed this on The Muppet Show (see video), but my favorite versions are from The Muppet Show Music Album or Ol' Brown Ears is Back. How fitting that the gem is performed by Jim. Both Kermit and Rowlf's versions are fantastic, but Kermit's is slightly better, in my opinion. Maybe it's because I can picture tending a garden much more vividly than I can Rowlf. This song is all about sewing seeds and tending plants but the metaphor is so much more. Favorite lyrics: "Plant your rows straight and long/Temper them with prayer and song/Mother Earth will make you strong/If you give her love and care."
54.   "Sesame Street Theme" from Sesame Street 
I don't think that any explanation for this entry is needed, is it? Both the Sesame theme and The Muppet Show theme are present in the list this week, and it is so impossibly hard to choose the superior song. I think, lyrically, the Sesame Street Theme has the edge. The lyrics transport listeners to another world with their earnest ideals and beautiful words. It's so simple but so impossibly brilliant. Favorite lyrics: "Sunny days, sweepin' the clouds away/On my way to where the air is sweet/Can you tell me how to get/How to get to Sesame Street?/Come and play, everything's a-okay/Friendly neighbors there, that's where we meet!"
55.   "Happiness Hotel" from The Great Muppet Caper 
This is one of my top five favorite Muppet songs (I think... it changes all the time). Joe Raposo proved himself a master at Muppet mayhem with this ditty featuring lines from every major character in the movie (minus Miss Piggy). Scooter sings, Rowlf sings, rats tap dance and harmonize, Pops is great, and the Electric Mayhem has never rocked harder. You really can't beat the fun and snappiness brought out by this song. It's a big reason of why The Great Muppet Caper is my favorite Muppet movie. I absolutely love it. Favorite lyrics: "Okay, the lobby's lookin' shabby/And it's got the wrong address/And the whole dang thing/Has been condemned by American Express/The management is cheerful/Though the whole joint's gone to hell/Well welcome home/To Happiness Hotel!"
56.   "Movin' Right Along" from The Muppet Movie 
Well what do you know... another of my top five favorite Muppet songs! This classic duet between Kermit and Fozzie is both hilarious and joyful. The frog and the bear deserve more duets purely based on this Paul Williams/Kenny Ascher classic. It's the perfect road trip song, the perfect Kermit/Fozzie song, and a true highlight of The Muppet Movie. Honestly, if you don't picture a giant fork anytime someone says "Left at the fork in the road," I worry about you. I really can't say enough about this perfect song. Favorite lyrics: "Movin' right along/We've found a life on the highway/And your way is my way/So trust my navigation/California, here we come/The pie in the sky land/Palm trees and warm sand/Though sadly we just left Rhode Island..."
57.   "The Muppet Show Theme" from The Muppet Show 
The greatest opening ever for the greatest television show ever? Perhaps. Like I said, it's hard for me to choose between this and the Sesame Street Theme. The Muppet Show Theme is absolutely amazing because of how well it opens a show--any show, really. It's bouncy and energetic and goofy and totally Muppety. It becomes a truly awesome Muppet song when it is paired with the visuals. The arches and the dancing Muppets and Kermit's introduction... sheer perfection. Who didn't go nuts when they remade the opening for The Muppets? Favorite lyrics: "It's time to play the music/It's time to light the lights/It's time to meet the Muppets on The Muppet Show tonight!"
58.   "Elmo's Song" from Sesame Street 
Cute, adorable, hinging on annoying--all of these are words that describe both Elmo and "Elmo's Song." The video for the song, featuring Elmo on the tiniest piano ever, is absolutely adorable. Elmo is joined by Big Bird and Snuffy, who revamp the lyrics to fit their names. But more than anything, this is Elmo's anthem. It's not just a silly little song for a three and a half year old, it's something Elmo is proud of as well. Just listen to my favorite lyrics: "Elmo wrote the music/Elmo wrote the words/That's Elmo's song!"
59.   "Sing" from Sesame Street
Boy... a lot of amazing, classic songs on the list this week. At last count, I had 15 versions of "Sing" in my iTunes library--and I love every single one of them. My favorites? Either the version sung at the end of Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting or at the end of Sesame Street's 25th Anniversary: A Musical Celebration. Both incorporate the whole cast, which I love, and both incorporate the rarely heard extended lyrics, which I also adore and happen to be my favorite lyrics. This song is pure beauty, pure optimism, and pure joy--everything singing should be. It's amazing that something this beautiful and wonderful could come from a kid's TV show (but, let's face it, I say that a lot about Sesame Street). Favorite lyrics: "Sing of love there could be/Sing for you and for me/Sing, sing a song/Make it simple/To last your whole life long/Don't worry that it's not good enough/For anyone else to hear/Just sing... sing a song!"
60.   "Jingle Bell Rock" from A Muppet Family Christmas
Hey, man! What a rockin' number to finish with! Not only is this the best version of this song ever (don't argue, just accept it), it's also one of the Electric Mayhem's greatest numbers. It features Lips, which is always a plus for his awesome trumpet solos, and Dr. Teeth, Floyd, Janice, and Animal all get awesome moments. I also love the adorable, soft moment of Kermit and Robin singing "Jingle Bells" before the Mayhem so awesomely interrupts. How this is not the quintessential version of "Jingle Bell Rock" that plays everywhere every Christmas, I'll never know. Favorite lyrics: "Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time/Dancin' and prancin' in jingle bell square/In the frosty air!/What a bright time/It's the right time/To rock the night away!"

That's it for this week! Tune in next time for 15 more of our favorite 120 Awesome Muppet Songs! 






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