Muppet Fan's Muppet Collection Chronicle, Part 5

The Muppet Fan's Muppet Collection Chronicle
Part 5: Ann Brooks

Today we feature the collection of Ann Brooks. Ann is a self-proclaimed Kermit and Muppet nut, and it shows in her small but impressive collection of Kermit the Frog memorabilia. Check it out!

If you would like to submit photos of your own Muppet collection, please email Ryan Dosier at ryguy102390@gmail.com! We'd love to feature you and your Muppet stuff!













The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

Muppet Comic Mondays: Muppet Snow White #4

Muppet Snow White #4

Written by Jesse Blaze Snider with Patrick Storck

Illustrated by Shelli Paroline

James Gannon - When we last left Muppet Snow White, after two failed attempts to become the Fairest in a five-mile-radius, Miss Piggy gladly leaps onto the prospect of the poisoned apple. This gambit backfires, as Spamella purposely tries to eat it, knowing the story well enough that it would get her the Prince. Considering that Kermit was cast in that role, Piggy wasn’t going to take it lightly. And, as Rizzo convinces them to end the story the Disney way (with a kiss instead of an accidental Heimlich), Piggy seizes the Prince and takes her back to her Castle base.  All the while, Gonzo and Rizzo are stymied for narration as even they can’t tell what happens next.  And the weirdest is yet to come.

This issue opens up with Pepe taking advantage of the situation, working a kissing booth at a buck a try. It seems that he knows all too well that none of them will really wake her up, but he makes a tidy profit in the process.  Let’s just say that some rare Muppets Tonight, and The Muppet Show characters and a character that may or may not be from Futurama are eagerly waiting. Rizzo convinces him to get out of it, but not before Pepe convinces Rizzo to get in on it. Meanwhile, the seven dwarves, and several other characters they met on the way that you probably forgot were there the whole time, stand outside the castle door as Piggy tries to forcibly marry Kermit. Of course, for her to be married, she needs to be divorced to the unseen king, who wasn’t even cast yet. There’s even a possible reference to The Muppets Take Manhattan when the wedding starts, Kermit asking about the legitimacy of the priest. Not wanting any distractions to FINALLY get the frog into her life, Piggy sicks Big Mean Carl the Dwarf Eater and his band of Muppet monsters on everyone that stands in her way. And…uh… the situation deteriorates from there.

Now, this issue is a very fast read due to a LOT of large splash action panels, and it almost seems like they were pressed for an ending. One of the covers was even swapped out due to a complete change of plot, which makes you wonder if there was another ending planned that was either too long, or not as funny and crazy as the one they had here (the latter is what I choose to believe). Let’s just say, there was a dragon on that cover, and there ain’t no dragon in this issue. Plus, there was a dragon battle last series, it would have been a little redundant. It is indeed abrupt, but so totally zany, I don’t think you’d really mind. Besides, what more could really happen at that point? The Disney version had the Dwarfs chase the Queen to a dangerous series of cliffs (leading to the long tradition of Disney villains falling to their deaths clean and off screen).

This has definitely been my favorite of the Muppet Classics so far. As I’ve said in the previous three reviews, it’s like what would have happened if The Muppet Christmas Carol was off the wall zany as the Muppets were intended, and free from having to play second or third to celebrity human stars. It’s a wackier and funnier foray into Snow White than the Muppet Babies version, with Piggy’s Wicked Queen being far more maniacal. The worst part is, it’s very much in Piggy’s character, a very deep glimpse into her darkness.
The writing (odd ending included) is nothing short of Muppet mania at its finest, and Shelli Paroline’s artwork has come quite a way since her Pigs in Space one shot. Like most artists, I hope they keep her around for another Muppet Classics series or when Roger goes on artistic break in the main comic series. And Pepe hasn’t been done better than in this series. His appearances in Robin Hood and Peter Pan seemed lacking, and King Arthur got him right, but he wasn’t used all that much. He’s been portrayed as a greedy, conniving businessman. Was he even ACTING while he was a greedy, conniving businessman? Uh... lessee… Gonzo and Rizzo are at their Christmas Carol best as the narrators… uh… seems Kermit has a smaller role in this series, letting the other characters shine… uh… that’s about it. Great series, check it out. At least buy the graphic novel version. Though, I highly recommend not even waiting for it to hit graphic novel.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

Sesame Street Goes 3D at Busch Gardens

Sesame Street: Lights, Cameras, Imagination!

Shane Keating - In 2003, a 3D Sesame Street show premièred at Universal Studios in Japan. That’s a tad unfair, since the show is American-made! But, in 2009, the show made its way across the Atlantic Ocean and most of the US to get to Williamsburg, Virginia and Tampa Bay, Florida to play at Busch Gardens when Sesame Street began to make its way into the parks.


I went to the Busch Gardens in Virginia and it was the first thing I wanted to do (though I didn’t get to it until the next day). It was shown in England’s Globe Theater (which was rectangular in actuality), replacing a Goosebumps 3D show that was there on my last visit (trust me, it won’t be missed). The main foyer was a big room with a big sign, some posters and a table for 3D glasses, in other words, pretty bland. After waiting fifteen minutes for something to happen (I got there a little too early), I sat through an ad for Sesame Place (shameless, Sesame Workshop) and the show began…


In the pre-show, all the characters have gathered into a room for the “Sesame Street Film Festival”, a series of films they all made themselves using their imaginations (along with what Bert considered the most important thing – “Electrical tape!”) They view trailers for The Count’s “The Counting Kid Counts Again” and Prairie Dawn’s “Prairie and the Pretty Space Ponies”, where Prairie hams it up with her unenthused cast of monsters. Telly is especially excited to show off his chicken stunt movie (much to his stunt chicken’s dismay). However, the film project malfunctions, spreading film all over the room and ruining their movies. Oscar’s delighted, but Elmo still thinks there’s a chance to still show their movies and heads in after the crowd.


The main show starts with Big Bird announcing the sponsors (the number 4 and letter D) and heads to the street singing a pretty forgettable song. He finds all his friends sad that they can’t play their movies. Elmo appears and shows them they can use their imagination to play their movies. Grover starts off imagining himself as a cowboy, a firefighter (spraying the crowd with his hose) and Super Grover, who is crushed by a falling meteor.


Ernie then takes Bert on a wild ride while imagining their movie. First they go to the Sahara Desert, but Bert demands something more wet, so Ernie imagines them in their bathtub. Next, Ernie images them underwater, where an octopus begins to dance the tango with Bert. Cookie Monster imagines his movie where a giant monster cookie terrorizes the city and Cookie Monster is the only one who can stop it.


Oscar has had enough of the cuteness and decides to imagine his own movie, where Sesame Street is covered with trash, Pesties roam free, stinky socks form a chorus line, and it rains. Elmo thinks he’s ruined the film festival, where Big Bird tells him he can use his imagination to make things better. Elmo gives it a try and the street is now covered with light, balloons, confetti and Telly is finally able to do his final stunt – shooting a chicken out of a tuba while wearing a bungee chord.


So, the movie was pretty good. The pacing was a little fast and it wasn’t as funny as most Sesame productions (which is odd because Joey Mazzarino wrote this). I didn’t really hear anyone laughing at the jokes. I thought for sure Bert’s line “I can see it now, INTERIOR: LAUNDROMAT” was gonna slay ‘em. The 3D effects were well done, as well as other things (like Grover climbing off the stoop). The seats had some vibrators in them, which would go off whenever something slammed, like Oscar’s can lid. It was a short buzz, so it kinda felt unnecessary. What I did like was when the Pesties came out and little whips below the seat starting moving, simulating vermin running through our legs. There was also water and wind sprayed at the crowd (as well as some bubbles for Ernie’s bathtub scene), but I sat too far away to experience them. Some wind also blew in our faces when Oscar’s can slammed at one point too.


I didn’t visit the Sesame Street Forest of Fun area, but I could see a lot as I walked by. There’s also a lot of Sesame merch in the stores, including dolls of Telly and Prairie Dawn (seriously, how often do you see them in cuddly plush form?). One store was even playing a classic episode on their TV (episode 0926 to be exact), but no DVDs were available.


So, it was a good experience. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would, but it was still a fun movie. The 3D effects were great, the interactive theater was fun and the movie is pretty funny. So, if you go to Busch Gardens, make sure this is the first thing you do! Unless you get there late and have to wait for another showing.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

A Little Thank You Music

Greetings, Muppet Fans! As you know, this past Thursday, The Muppet Mindset turned one year old. You've seen our fans and contributors come out in full force to send us well-wishes, you've seen the amazing artwork of Dave Hulteen, Jr., Jarrod Fairclough, and James Silvani as they pass along their incredible talents in support of our one-year, and you've seen some of the greatest people in the world--not just the Muppet world--help make this the most meaningful anniversary any blog-runner could ask for. But now it's my turn, so if you'll indulge me for a few paragraphs, I'd greatly appreciate it.

The Muppet Mindset was, literally, started on a whim and a prayer by yours truly. If you don't know the story, it goes a little something like this... After many failed attempts to help Muppet fans with great ideas and brilliant work contribute to the Muppet world, it finally became time to take matters into my own hands and let Muppet fans' voices be heard. Thus, The Muppet Mindset was born. When it first started there were only a handful of people committed to contributing, but it soon exploded into an entire community of fans who were excited to express their love for The Muppets in an article for The Muppet Mindset.

Today we sit at the fore-front (or at least in the first couple rows) of the Muppet fan community. We've worked side by side with our friends Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe from ToughPigs.com and Steve Swanson from The MuppetCast. We've interviewed countless (or twelve, if you want to count) fantastic people who have a hand (that's a joke, son) in bringing us The Muppets, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock. We've garnered 421 Fans on Facebook, 879 followers on Twitter, and just this month alone (and it ain't even over yet!) we've had over 20,000 visitors to the site.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the success of The Muppet Mindset stems directly from the overwhelming support the Muppet fan community has shown us. The outpouring of everything from articles to comments to photo submissions to... everything has been beyond humbling and overtly awesome. Without you guys, The Muppet Mindset would just be me, The British Correspondent, and Lisa the Intern arguing back and forth about frog-knows-what. (Well... that's sort of what it is anyway.)

Having this website has opened up an entirely new world for me, and I can't thank you all enough for your support and love and for making everything happen. But enough generalizations... it's time for personal thank you shout-outs!

Ryan Dosier Would Like to Personally Thank...

Matthew Drapper - You don't know him, but he's one of the best friends I could ever have--and we've never even met! His support and prodding and joking and friendship and everything in between is what makes The Muppet Mindset what it is. I wouldn't be half the Muppet fan I am today if it weren't for him!

Lisa "The Intern" Alexander - Another best friend I've never even met. She keeps me on my toes, keeps me from going overboard, gives me ideas, and does the spell-checking 'round these parts (it's not as easy as it sounds). I owe her a ton!

The Muppets Studio - Every person you meet there is the new nicest person you've ever met. They've done more for me than I can express--plus, they give me something to do. Keep up the AMAZING work.

Sesame Workshop - Same as above. The nicest people around who do the greatest work in the world. What they've done for the world is beyond anything. We can never thank them enough.

The Jim Henson Company - Once again... see above (twice, even). Wonderful people whose work is responsible for all of this!

Bill Barretta - He knows why, okay. Is pretty easy to see.

Jim Lewis - The so-ugly-someone-has-to-have-it Bob's Big Boy hat says it all.

Louis Henry Mithcell - His friendship sprang out of nowhere, but boy am I glad it did! He rocks my socks every time I talk to him. He's one of the best people out there and I hope to meet him in person some day very soon!

BOOM! Studios - They quoted me on the back of a comic book. Need I say more?

James Gannon - Consistently saves my butt every Monday there's a new comic out. HE deserves to be quoted on the back of a comic book!

James Caroll - You know that logo you usually see at the top of the page (and that will return tomorrow)? Yeah, Jamie's responsible for making that look awesome beyond belief. He also provides an unbelievable amount of the pictures you see in posts.

Joe Hennes - His support and friendship mean the world! He may be a Tough Pig on the outside, but on the inside he's one of the nicest guys out there! (And he's also a Tough Pig on the inside.)

Ryan Roe - Funny, friendly, and an all-around great guy. Plus, we have the same name!

Steve Swanson - From the time I won The MuppetCast impression contest with my Bunsen Honeydew voice, Steve and I have been pretty close compadres. He does so much for this community and I only wish I was as influential and consistently awesome as him!

Dave Hulteen, Jr. - See that AWESOME anniversary logo at the top of the page? (How can you miss it?) Dave did that. He's an awesome friend and I owe him way too much. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this man is the most talented graphic artist I know! Hire him, Muppet people!!

Michael Wermuth, Jr. - A great Muppet fan with SO much to contribute. His articles are always a treat to read! (Plus, they've saved me from a day-with-no-post more than a few times.)

James Silvani - It never ceases to amaze me how much talent and friendliness can come together in people. Every time he's been featured or mentioned on the site, he's contributed an AMAZING piece of artwork. Plus, he was the first to finally head the call and put Angus McGonagle in a comic! I'd really like to have a print of that signed by James... Hmmm. Excuse me, I've got an email to send.

The British Correspondent - I still haven't found my cat. ...Why am I thanking him, again?

Shane Keating - The resident Sesame Street pro! This kid is incredible. His articles have graced more Sesame Street Saturdays than anyone else--even me! Did you know he's also a talented puppeteer? He is!

Matt Baker - Helped me start the push for Fraggle Music on CD. He's a great guy with GREAT ideas!

Anthony Mazucca - You'd be hard pressed to find a Facebook post of ours that he hasn't liked. This kid's everywhere!

Sparkle - Her comments on our posts are extremely prevalent and very... interesting.

ALL of our fantastic contributors...

• Kelly Masters
• Colbynfriends
• John Papovitch
• D.W. McKim
• Arianne Gallagher
• Dwayne Fletcher
• Erin Roll
• Frank "muppetguy"
• David Rosenberg
• Ed Castle
• Jarrod Fairclough
• Justin H. Piatt
• Beth Kondrick
• Josh Hankemeier
• Christopher O'Connor
• Matt Patton
• Daniel Moss

ALL of our fantastic interviewees...

• Amy Mebberson
• Stuart Reeves
• Grace Randolph
• Pam Arciero
• Paul Rudolph
• Dave Alvarez
• Anon #1
• Matt Vogel
• Cory Edwards
• Juliana Donald

And super special thanks to...

• Jesse Blaze Snider
• Emilio Delgado
• Fran Brill
• Sonia Manzanno
• Aaron Sparrow
• Kirk Thatcher
• Lylle Breier
• Grant Baciocco
• Roscoe Orman

Last, but not least, I'd like to thank you. For reading, for supporting, and for just being a fan. It means the world and I mean every word! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

The Muppet Mindset Accounting Department

Oh, and I guess I should thank the people in accounting (in that they account for everything we do)... Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Caroll Spinney, Steve Whitmire, Kevin Clash, Eric Jacobson, Martin P. Robinson, David Rudman, Joey Mazzarino, Richard Hunt, Jerry Juhl, and some guy named Hanson. Er... Henson. Jim Henson.

Well, that just about does it for another one. Admittedly a very long one... But there were just so many great people to thank and if I forgot anyone I can't apologize enough--but as you can see, I had a lot of folks on my mind. Thank you all for everything you do. I can not wait to spend another year running The Muppet Mindset--if just so I get to meet more people like all of you!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

News Update: August 26, 2010

NEWS UPDATE: August 26, 2010
The Muppets Studio announced (via their Twitter account) that a new Muppet-themed store had opened on the XBox Live Marketplace. For those who don't know, XBox Live Marketplace is an virtual store where you can buy outfits and accessories for your XBox Avatar--the character that represents you in all of your XBox Live exploits. There are TONS of cool Muppet items to add to your avatar, such as Penguins, a Chicken, a remote control cream pie, a Gonzo costume, and plenty more. (Including some misspellings--Fozzy? Really?) If you have XBox Live... how can you NOT get some of this stuff for your avatar?

Earlier this week The Jim Henson Company and The Smithsonian Institute announced that the Henson family was donating the original Kermit the Frog puppet, along with the other original Sam & Friends puppet characters, to The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. This magnificent collection of history will be put on display in the Smithsonian museum in D.C. where millions of people can enjoy them. Check out a brief video of the announcement here.

Sesame Street posted a picture on their official Tumblr account of a giant corn maze made in the shape of some favorite Sesame Street characters. The Hunter Brothers, who own the farm in New Brunswick, New Jersey, created the maze in honor of Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary last year. The maze opens this September.

And, finally, please enjoy this graph of The Name Etymology of The Muppets created by the very funny people over at CollegeHumor.com.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

The Muppet Mindset's One Year Anniversary!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, penguins of all ages... The Muppet Mindset has turned ONE YEAR OLD! Exactly one year ago today, Ryan Dosier (that's me!) started this blog with the intention of giving Muppet fans all over the world a chance to make their voices heard. The Muppet Mindset became the only Muppet blog on the internet that actively pursued (and subsequently stalked) articles, reviews, and opinions of fans of the Frog, the Pig, the Bird, and the Fraggles. What followed was a truly (sort of) revolutionary amount of feedback from the Muppet world. Fans turned out to contribute to our cause, amazing Muppet fan-site administrators from the likes of ToughPigs.com and The MuppetCast provided more support than anyone could possibly imagine, and higher-ups from the various Muppet worlds turned out to be interviewed and sing the praises of The Muppet Mindset. Today, exactly 350 posts later, the little blog that could (or couldn't, depending on your optimism level) is one year old. An entire year of spreading the GREAT news of Disney's Muppet revolution. An entire year of celebrating 40 years of Sesame Street. An entire year of keeping our fingers crossed for a Fraggle renaissance. An entire year in which only 15 days did not have a new post. (I don't believe it either!)

Today on our One Year Anniversary, some of the biggest names in the Muppet world have turned out to send birthday wishes to The Muppet Mindset. I am continually humbled and honored that such incredible, talented people (some of them my personal heroes) were kind enough to send their comments our way. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the comments of some of the greatest people out there!

~ Ryan Dosier

 Art by Dave Hulteen, Jr.

WHAT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY WISH FOR THE MUPPET MINDSET?

"I wish you many and more wonderful years of tracking The Muppet Mindset, capturing it, tagging it, and most important of all, releasing it back into the wild where it can continue to be fruitful and multiply like Koozbanians on a honeymoon. Long may you run!" ~ Jim Lewis, Muppet Writer

"More of the same! I love the in-depth look at specific characters - very insightful and thorough." ~ Paul Rudolph, Sesame Street Musical Director

"My birthday wish for The Muppet Mindset is that all Muppet fans would up and move to the United Kingdom where The Muppet Show was originally filmed...and party hard. In the British way...with tea and little cakes and some quiet cricket." ~ The British Correspondent, Cat-Stealing Brit

"Congrats on an amazing first year, Muppet Mindset!  Scooter himself couldn't run a better website!" ~ Grace Randolph, Muppet Peter Pan Writer

"My birthday wish for the mindset is that it continues to age gracefully, like a beautiful Hollywood starlet and doesn't succumb to those nasty, nasty viruses or become too wrinkly around the edges as so many websites do! In all seriousness, I would love to see it go from strength to strength. The past 12 months have been exceptional and hopefully this proves a fantastic springboard into bigger and better Muppety treats for all us lucky fans! You the guy, Ry!!!" ~ Stuart Reeves, Muppet Fan Artist

"My birthday wish is for you guys to stop doing such great work. The Muppet Mindset keeps upping the ante in terms of quality content, great interviews, and a big fan base. It's making ToughPigs look bad! And I'm a lazy man at heart. So please, just cool it with all the great stuff so I can start sleeping in again." ~ Joe Hennes, Owner/Operator of ToughPigs.com

"I hope The Muppet Mindset gets a shiny new bicycle for its birthday! Wait, no... Websites can't ride bicycles. Well, then I hope the Muppet Mindset gets a huge, delicious slice of strawberry cheesecake!  Hmm... no, websites can't eat either. Okay, I got it... I hope The Muppet Mindset, for its birthday, gets a talking porcupine! Yeah! That makes sense." ~ Ryan Roe, Owner/Operator of ToughPigs.com

"Wishing for at least another 99 years of Muppety goodness to and from the Mindset! And then, a few days of silence in recognition for all the good penguins we lost in the war... then back to more happy times! Next year I'd like to see the Mindset Movie, about one man's struggle to create awareness for organ donation, then after being struck by lightning, invents a machine to write witty blog posts... thus was born; THE MUPPET MINDSET! I'm pretty sure that's how it happened in real life, right? Happy Birthday!" ~ Dave Hulteen, Jr., Muppet Fan-Artist

"My birthday wish? Cash, check or gift certificate are always good, okay. Gracias!" ~ Pepe the King Prawn, via Bill Barretta

"I wish for you your VERY OWN MUPPET: 'Marty the Mindset Marmoset.'  Marty would be a shaggy beatnik monkey with his own bongo drums. He would do his own blog for the website which would always end with 'And that's how the "Marmo" sets. Peace out!' I'll get on the horn with the Creature Shop and see if they can get to work." ~ Cory Edwards, Writer/Director of Fraggle Rock: The Movie 

"My wish is that the new Muppet film launches the Muppets back into the spotlight where they deserve to be and that leads to more films, a relaunched Muppet Show (Where I will one day be a musical guest) and of course, all of this will lead to wider and greater attention paid to the Muppet Mindset! ;)" ~ Jesse Blaze Snider, Writer Muppet Snow White

"I wish for The Muppet Mindset to be around for many, many years. Disney is about to launch The Muppets again in a big way and we will need a genuine place to follow along. To me everything about The Muppets and  their legacy is about the fans! There is no passion like that of the Muppet fans!" ~ Louis Henry Mitchell, Associate Design Director of Special Projects for Sesame Street

"My birthday wish for The Muppet Mindset is to learn a foreign language. I know it doesn't seem like it would be of any use right now, but someday, you may want to travel or work abroad." ~ Matt Vogel, Sesame Street and Muppet Muppeteer; Floyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, Big Bird 


"Where do I see the Mindset in a year? Well, that depends. If all goes well, we’ll have run out of Muppet-related people to interview (although we may not have actually heard back from all of them), we’ll be reporting all the fantastic Muppet news coming our way, and I (as a recent college graduate in desperate need of a job) will be successfully persuading you to start paying me for my services. If all does NOT go well, we won’t hear back from anyone we try to interview, The British Correspondent will take over, we will somehow miss all of the fantastic Muppet news, and I’ll be obnoxiously begging for a paycheck in a most unsuccessful manner. Either way, I’ll still be nagging you about comma splices." ~ Lisa Alexander, the Nagging, Unpaid Intern

 ~ James Silvani, Artist Muppet King Arthur and Darkwing Duck

WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MUPPET MINDSET WILL BE IN ONE YEAR?

"I don't think it is unreasonable to consider Muppet Mindset World Domination by the end of next year. Dream big, right? And short of that, I hope and expect there will be much to consider, ponder and share as the coming year unfolds...so that by the time of your second anniversary, you will be hailed rightfully as a believer in Muppets long before it was so insanely fashionable. At which point, I hope, you'll still take my calls." ~ Jim Lewis, Muppet Writer

"Hopefully technology will allow a Muppet Mindset chip in our brains so we can access our favorite Muppet information at all times!" ~ Paul Rudolph, Sesame Street Musical Director

"Wherever it is in another year, it better get a move on as that's the last year before 2012 when the Mindset will be rebooted along with the rest of us (minus John Cusack) in a massive tidal wave." ~ The British Correspondent, House-Wrecking Brit

"On the internet...is this a trick question???" ~ Stuart Reeves, Muppet Fan Artist

"In one year, I predict you will be in Kermit's Top Five on his wireless plan." ~ Grace Randolph, Muppet Peter Pan Writer

"Hopefully working out of something more appealing than the family garage.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" ~ Fran Brill, Sesame Street Muppeteer; Zoe and Prairie Dawn

"In another year, The Muppet Mindset will be everywhere, thanks to the enormous success of MTV's new Muppet Mindset reality show, in which cameras follow Ryan Dosier 24-7 and capture the intense drama of running a Muppet website. The most talked-about scenes will include Ryan watching Fraggle Rock, Ryan reading an issue of The Muppet Show Comic Book, and Ryan staring at his computer screen for an hour trying to come up with a reason 'Why the Muppets need Annie Sue Pig.'  Before long, college kids all over the country will be starting their own Muppet fan sites in the hopes of landing a show of their own, but most of them will fail because most college kids have no idea who the Muppets are." ~ Ryan Roe, Owner/Operator of ToughPigs.com

"I think...they will be broke if they keep sending people monies for their birthdays, okay." ~ Pepe the King Prawn, via Bill Barretta

"I bet you will land many more big interviews with Muppet titans... much larger than me. I am also hoping for an on set visit for you -- maybe on Sesame Street, maybe on a new Muppet movie! The way things are going, it will probably be with Kermit and friends before the Fraggles roll film. Happy birthday, Muppet Mindset. Always keep your MIND set on MUPPETS." ~ Cory Edwards, Writer/Director of Fraggle Rock: The Movie

"Boffo. 'Nuff said. ;)" ~ Jesse Blaze Snider, Writer Muppet Snow White

"I think The Muppet Mindset will excel and bring much pleasure to those who subscribe. I fully recommend to all to make this the source of the deeper Muppet information and i will do all I can to assist in bringing my "inner sanctum" access to The Muppet Mindset. In the second year I hope to do another interview and share some amazing new stories- one in particular about Kermit the Frog that was a life changing experience for me. Congratulations and THANK YOU to The Muppet Mindset!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!" ~ Louis Henry Mitchell, Associate Design Director of Special Projects for Sesame Street

"In another year, I see The Muppet Mindset expanding in the puppet universe to host sister sites like the Krofft Puppet Psyche, the Lambchop FanShop and the Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy McMentality." ~ Matt Vogel, Sesame Street and Muppet Muppeteer; Floyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, Big Bird 

"As for my birthday wish for The Muppet Mindset… a salary would be nice. (Oh wait—that’s still for me. Um… Well, how about a new pumpkin knife?)" ~ Lisa Alexander, the Unpaid, Unscrupulous Intern 

 ~ James Silvani, Artist Muppet King Arthur and Darkwing Duck

I'd just like to extend another HUGE thank you to everyone who contributed to our Anniversary celebration. You're all the greatest and I owe you all more than you know! The Muppet Mindset is always here for you if you need anything at all. Thank you, thank you, thank you!













The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier 

Birthday Wishes For The Muppet Mindset

As we've mentioned quite a few times in recent weeks, The Muppet Mindset turns one year old this week! (Tomorrow, to be precise.) We obviously wanted to do something special for all of The Muppet Mindset's fantastically awesome and loyal fans, contributors, and friends. We've got some great fun coming up throughout the rest of the week, but we couldn't think of a more fitting way to kick off the celebration than by asking our fans and contributors to contribute their thoughts and well-wishes for The Muppet Mindset. We've had such a great response from some wonderful people and we really can't thank everyone who has contributed and supported The Muppet Mindset in he past year enough for everything they've done. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... without all of you, The Muppet Mindset would be nowhere. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now enjoy our wonderful fans, contributors, friends, and colleagues as they talk about The Muppet Mindset!

~ Ryan Dosier

The Muppet Mindset's 

One Year Anniversary Celebration

Day 1 - Fans, Contributors, and Friends

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF THE MUPPET MINDSET'S FIRST YEAR?

"My favorite memories from the first year were coming on each Wednesday and seeing which Muppet you profiled. It was and still is fun to see and read about who they are and your thoughts on why each Muppet character is needed . I also liked reading your DVD Reviews and logging on to see that you posted heaps of updated news. I also liked how at the end of some of your posts you would put a little silly phrase or something, (for example, on your Father's Day you posted: Now... if you'll excuse me,I have to go mow the lawn for my dad) I liked those kind of things also." ~ Anthony Mazucca, Muppet Mindset Fan

"I personally enjoyed the article about the Count being better than Edward Cullen...  Or the article about the Bunsen and Beaker logo rip off...  That said, I wrote those articles, so I’m totally biased! I also loved The Great Muppet Survey, I always find it funny to see what people come up with." ~ Jarrod Fairclough, Muppet Mindset Contributor

"I have to be biased and say when my Muppet Toy Story article was published. It's the first time anything I've written has ever been featured in a more professional environment than my own blogs or on the fan fiction boards at Muppet Central, so this was a huge deal to me! I would have to say all the interviews you've featured have been just first rate as well and I think it's awesome that so many folks from the greater professional Muppet Community are so willing to reach out and connect with the fans in this way - it's just amazing!" ~ Beth Kondrick, Muppet Mindset Contributor

"I'll admit: I don't always have time to read every post. But when I saw the profile on Zoot, the saxophone player, I had to laugh and I had to share the blog post via my networks. I am a saxophone player and when I was a kid, watching The Muppets at night with my family, I used to wait to see ol' Zoot play a few notes. So, thanks for that bio and information about him. He may be a secondary character, but he was always one of my favorites." ~ Kevin Hodgson, Muppet Mindset Fan


"Aside from the initial discovery of The Muppet Mindset as a great site to go to for everything Muppets, I have a few favorites from this year.  I have enjoyed the interviews.  The Weekly Muppet Wednesday profile about Dr. Honeydew as written by Beaker was, of course, a highlight - it's not every day you read something written by someone with that kind of star power. As a Disney fan, I liked the suggestion for Pixar to provide script assistance to the upcoming Muppet movie (which ironically ended up happening!). I also enjoyed anytime the British Correspondent took over; he's just plain funny.  And lastly, my other favorite memory was having the privilege to write a Weekly Muppet Wednesday article about my favorite Muppet, Sam the Eagle!" ~ Blake (of BlakeOnline.com), Muppet Mindset Contributor

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE MUPPET MINDSET IN ITS SECOND YEAR?

"In the second year I would just like you to continue posting like you do and maybe post more links to Sesame Street skits and sketches that are not well know but make you laugh, and that you think others would enjoy. Maybe you could even post links to the Muppet Wiki to articles that struck you as interesting or funny, other than that, keep up the great work!!" ~ Anthony Mazucca, Muppet Mindset Fan

"More interviews with puppeteers, perhaps one with the makers of the new Muppet movie? Like Jason Segal! I LOVE that guy! Can I interview him, please?" ~ Jarrod Fairclough, Muppet Mindset Contributor

"More of the same! In the words of Kermit from The Muppets Take Manhattan, "Your blog is great, don't change a thing!" I hope to contribute again sometime, that I guess would be something I'd personally like to see, but in that case I need to start nagging myself to get writing something... yeah..." ~ Beth Kondrick, Muppet Mindset Contributor

"I would love to learn more about Jim Henson and the other folks who created the concept. What were the story sessions like? What were some rejected ideas? Did they ever worry they were being a bit too risque for the family audience?" ~ Kevin Hodgson, Muppet Mindset Fan

"Online at the same address. Unless, of course, it's possible for the Mindset to move next door to Sesame Street and above Fraggle Rock." ~ Michael Wermuth, Jr., Frequent Muppet Mindset Contributor

"Hopefully still here, on Facebook and Twitter and maybe even sporting its own fancy website?" ~ Beauregard, Muppet Mindset Janitor


"I really like the interviews; they open up a new perspective into a good variety of different parts of "backstage" that you wouldn't find elsewhere." ~ Blake (of BlakeOnline.com), Muppet Mindset Contributor

WHAT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY WISH FOR THE MUPPET MINDSET?

"I just want to say happy first birthday to a great Muppet site!!! I really enjoy logging on and seeing what news and features you post each day, everyday is something new and exciting and that is what being a Muppet Fan is all about, learning something new but having fun and laughing while doing it, and I think your site captures that pretty well. Keep up the great work and thanks for all you do for us Muppet fans." ~ Anthony Mazucca, Muppet Mindset Fan

"I wish The Muppet Mindset a happier birthday than the one my sister had in 2008... Well, technically her birthday was pretty standard. But I ditched her and went to the Sesame Street set instead.  So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MUPPET MINDSET, and may you always be one of the first websites I go to each day." ~ Jarrod Fairclough, Muppet Mindset Contributor

"To stay forever young! Or something like that." ~ Beth Kondrick, Muppet Mindset Contributor
 
"May your Muppet always make the world laugh.

Or something like that." ~ Kevin Hodgson, Muppet Mindset Fan

"To have an interview with somebody involved with production of Sesame Street DVD's to give us an overview of what it's like for one to get made and maybe help influence more classic Sesame Street DVD releases." ~ Michael Wermuth, Jr., Frequent Muppet Mindset Contributor 

"My Birthday wish for the Muppet Mindset is that it get it's own *whispers really really quietly* internetchatforumtypeapplicationstyleforumthing" ~ Beauregard, Muppet Mindset Janitor

"Happy birthday, Muppet Mindset!  Here's to many more years of being a friendly place for Muppet fans to get some Henson fun." ~ Blake (of BlakeOnline.com), Muppet Mindset Contributor

As a special treat, our good friend and frequent Muppet Mindset contributor, Shane Keating, created a video of two of his original puppet characters wishing us a very happy birthday (and providing a few shameless plugs along the way). Check it out!

And, finally, our friend Jarrod Fairclough was kind enough to make us a great birthday card...

If you would like to join The Muppet Mindset's one year anniversary celebration, post a comment here, let us know what you think on Facebook, or just say hello on Twitter! We would absolutely love to hear from you! Thanks again to all of our fantastic fans! Without you guys, none of this would be possible!











The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

How to Train Your Dog to Be Like Sprocket

Lisa Alexander, with Ryan Dosier - Today we have the start of a brand new series here on The Muppet Mindset: "The Muppet Mindset's How To," where we provide Muppet fans with a set of instructions to reach a goal.

Today's How To is sure to interest all of you pet lovers out there. How many of you, when watching Fraggle Rock see Doc's beloved and awesome dog, Sprocket, think to yourself, "Boy howdy, self, I would just love it if my tired and boring dog was more like the expressive and magnificent Sprocket."

Well, Muppet fans, we at The Muppet Mindset have the solution! Yes, by simply following our patent-pending 11-step system, you too can be on your way to having a funny, furry companion much like Sprocket!

The Muppet Mindset Apathetically Presents...

HOW TO...

Train Your Dog... To Be Like Sprocket

1. Get a dog. Preferably a highly animated dog. Even more preferably a dog performed by Steve Whitmire.
2. Make sure you are as crazed as Doc. Most of Sprocket's quirkiness probably stemmed from Doc being Doc. So... get to work on that. (If you're following these rules, you're well on your way.) Make sure to have a fascination with the world around you. Be incredibly curious about the way everything works, go crazy over scientific research, and find a NEW way to sew a button onto a fried egg. (They just take so long to freeze...)
3. Put a hole in the wall (if one does not already exist there).
4. Be sure to encourage and include your dog in all of your misadventures and curiosities. Your dog will make a fantastic assistant, handing you wrenches and sledgehammers and a can of dog food while it tries to tell you about the furry creatures living behind your wall. (If you manage to get any. Try some radish-bait.)
5. Teach your dog to stand on its hind legs.
6. Move into a house where you can hear the Pipe Bangers. (Preferably on/near a cave.)
7. Train your dog in the following arts: using the bathroom outside, eating, behaving in the bath, keeping quiet when trying to sleep, enjoying praline ice cream, paranoia of things inside a hole in the wall, and pantomime.
8. Make sure your neighbor has an impossible-to-spell last name and an evil cat.
9. Never believe a thing your dog is "telling" you. This increases its paranoia of things living in the hole.
10. Pay plenty of attention to your dog. Expression comes from love! (Or is that just an expression?)
11. Above all else, love your dog. It's when you CARE about your dog that you truly understand its every expression--and once you've mastered that, you don't really need it to tap-dance with a rose in its mouth in attempt to avoid the vet.

DISCLAIMER: The Muppet Mindset does not now, nor does it ever, believe that any or all of these steps will make your dog more like Sprocket. Sprocket is one of a kind and, confidentially, a puppet (or so I've been told) (I don't really believe it, but that's what my lawyers tell me). Also, Steve Whitmire does not work for private vendors performing a pet dog, so don't ask. Trust me. I asked him once and he just laughed in my face. Steve is a great guy, but having him laugh in your face is more than slightly discouraging. What was I talking about? Oh. Right. The legal stuff. Umm... so yeah, don't sue us, okay? For starters, we don't have any money. And plus, our lawyer is Rizzo... and between you and me, he don't come cheap.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

Muppet Comic Mondays: Two New Comic Previews

Yesterday our good friends at ToughPigs posted five page previews for both The Muppet Show Comic Book #9 and Muppet Snow White #4. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the five page previews and pick up your own copy of each comic at your local comic book store when they're released this Wednesday, August 25th.

The Muppet Show Comic Book #9 Preview - Written and Illustrated by Roger Langridge

Muppet Snow White #4 Preview - Written by Jesse Blaze Snider with Patrick Storck, Illustrated by Shelli Paroline

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

Fraggle Rock Music Campaign - Have You Voted?

As you surely remember, a few weeks ago, we here at The Muppet Mindset, in a partnership with Matt Baker, started a campaign to have a Complete Fraggle Rock Music Collection released on CD or for download. Well, I'm proud to say that our efforts have garnered over 200 positive votes so far--but we still need more!

If we hope for our efforts to be taken seriously by The Jim Henson Company or any music company that may release the set, we need to garner quite a few more votes. The effort has been endorsed by Cory Edwards, writer/director of the upcoming Fraggle movie, on his blog, so we're already starting to pick up steam and support.

So cast your vote in the polls today, let your friends know, and let's get Fraggle Rock music released so we can all dance our cares away!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier

News Update: August 20, 2010

NEWS UPDATE: August 20, 2010

BOOM! Studios confirmed yesterday that the latest series in the Muppet Classics line of comic books, Muppet Sherlock Holmes, will be released on September 15th. Muppet Sherlock Holmes is being written by Patrick Storck (Muppet Snow White, Muppet King Arthur) and illustrated by friend of the blog Amy Mebberson (Muppet Peter Pan, Family Reunion). With folks like that working on this book, it's bound to be epic! Don't believe me? Then check out Newsarama's preview pages and interview with Patrick Storck and see for yourself!

There are also rumors circulating that The Muppet Show Comic Book #9 and Muppet Snow White #4 will be released next Wednesday, August 25th. If these rumors are indeed true, look for our good friends at ToughPigs to have a five-page preview of both issues before Wednesday!

Speaking of those burly swine, remember a few weeks ago when ToughPigs and The MuppetCast hosted a Muppet fan meet-up event, The Muppet Vault? Well, as it turns out, ToughPigs' own Ryan and Joe have turned The Muppet Vault into a monthly event. That's right, every month in NYC, there will be a new opportunity for Muppet fans to view Muppet rarities on screen! This month's event, The Muppet Vault: Fairy Tales, is being held on September 12 at 2:00pm, once again at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY and only costs $5.00. Be sure to check out ToughPigs' official post for more info and visit the official Muppet Vault Facebook page for even more fun!

In Muppet Mindset news, remember that the last day to submit birthday wishes for The Muppet Mindset's one year anniversary is on Tuesday, August 24th. If you want to join us in celebrating our one year anniversary, submit answers to these three questions (or one, or two)...

What was your favorite memory of The Muppet Mindset's first year?

What would you like to see from The Muppet Mindset in its second year?

What is your birthday wish for The Muppet Mindset?

...to Ryan Dosier at ryguy102390@gmail.com. Your answers will be posted right here on The Muppet Mindset on Wednesday, August 25th to add to our celebration of one whole year of talking about doll wiggling! We really hope for your contribution--because without you, the fans, we would be nowhere, so it only seems right that you celebrate with us!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier