What Muppet Fans Got for Christmas 2013, Part 2

We're back with more Muppety gifts that Muppet fans got for Christmas this year. It was a very Muppet Christmas for quite a few people, it seems!

Darrin Granter also got two new Muppet Christmas ornaments...

Ed Carol got some awesome Dr. Teeth and Fozzie Bear pillows from The Retro Inc...

Jayden Libran got Muppet pajama pants, an Animal doll with Animal blanket, Sam the Eagle with Gonzo Star Wars figures, and an Oscar shirt...

Reese Scott got a heap of Muppet stuff including Muppet bobbleheads and some rare Muppet Palisades figures...

Megan in Winipeg received Muppets Monopoly, two rare Palisades figures, Muppet Star Wars figures, and more...

Andrew Smith got a warm and cozy Kermit onesie...

Erick Garcia was lucky enough to open up an Animal Master Replicas photo puppet...

Finally, Macy Ball received Jim Henson: The Biography, a Kermit Ty Beanie Buddy, a homemade Kermit infinity scarf, and John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together on CD...

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

What Muppet Fans Got for Christmas, 2013: Part 1

Every year we like to ask Muppet fans about their Muppet related Christmas gifts. I look forward to seeing great pictures and reading great stories about the Muppety presents. So without any further ado...

Frederic Fontus got a huge pile of awesome Muppet stuff...

Meredith Cummings received a copy of Jim Henson: The Works...

Lisa Garbato's son Michael, who loves all things Muppets and Jim Henson, received a new Muppet Whatnot...

Lucy Parat got a Dr. Teeth bobblehead and a neat Muppet mug...

Darrin Granter received a Kermit keychain/watch and a host of other Muppet stuff...

Brendan Gallagher was lucky enough to get some Palisades Toys Muppet figures...

Anne Wassman received an amazing autographed photo of John Denver and the Muppets...

Finally, Becca Kirker's beautiful 11 month old daughter received a Murray plush, all of the Muppet movies on DVD, and the complete Fraggle Rock collection. Without a doubt the most adorable picture we've ever been submitted!

Special thanks to everyone who submitted pictures! Submit your Muppet Christmas presents to muppetmindset@gmail.com





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

Merry Christmas, Muppet Fans!

Merry Christmas, Muppet fans! All of us here at The Muppet Mindset wish you and yours a very merry, very bright Christmas Day full of joy, laughter, and love. As we celebrate this Christmas, remember these words of wisdom...

Careful of the icy patch...

Light the lamp, not the rat...

Ding-dong, you're wrong...

and, of course...

Bless us all, that as we live, we always comfort and forgive. We reach for you, and we stand tall, and in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD DAY, NIGHT, AND WEEK!

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

The Great Muppet Survey - Ryan Dosier's Christmas Edition

Today we have a different sort of Great Muppet Survey. Since Christmas is coming in just a few short days, we thought it would be nice to share some answers from our head-honcho Ryan Dosier that are Christmas-related, since the Muppets have done spread so much holiday cheer over the years.

Christmas Answers from Ryan Dosier

1.   What is your favorite Christmas production starring The Muppet Show family of characters and why?
This is such a tough question for me, because I absolutely adore both A Muppet Family Christmas and The Muppet Christmas Carol. But now I'm wondering if A Muppet Family Christmas even counts in this category, since it has everybody. But anyway... Family Christmas is fun, funny, and simply incredible. Christmas Carol is funny, dark, musical, and impressive. It's so hard to choose. I'm gonna stick with both.

2.   What is your favorite Christmas production starring the Sesame Street family of characters and why?
Hands down it's Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Very little can touch the innocence, magic, and heartfelt performances in this special. Big Bird, Oscar, Grover, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Bob, Mr. Hooper... everyone is at their very best in this special. It's so hard not to love every inch of Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. It's vintage Sesame at its absolute finest. Plus, original songs "Keep Christmas With You" and "True Blue Miracle" will keep you singing all through the year.

3.   What is your favorite Christmas production starring the Henson family of characters and why?
Once again this is an easy choice for me, because Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is far and away my favorite. Little can touch the charm, the wonder, the innocence, the beauty, and the pure magic of this little special. Jerry Nelson's performance here as Emmet is unmatched, but all of the Muppet performers were on top of their games here. They really gave their all to this production. Also giving his all was the unmatched Muppet muse Paul Williams, who probably gave his best work in this special. "Barbecue," "Our World/Brothers," "Riverbottom Nightmare Band," and, obviously "When the River Meets the Sea" are all masterpieces.

4.   What is your favorite Muppet Christmas song?
Ooh... such a hard choice. Probably "It Feels Like Christmas," which I can never get enough of. But "Bless Us All," the John Denver/Muppets "Twelve Days of Christmas," and Kermit's rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are very close to the top.

5.   What is your favorite Sesame Christmas song?
"Keep Christmas With You (All Through the Year)" tops my list. But I have a special place in my heart for Bert and Ernie's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Blue Christmas" as sung by Grover, Cookie Monster, and Herry Monster.

6.   What is your favorite Henson Christmas song?
"When the River Meets the Sea" is my absolute favorite. In fact, I made this question just so I could mention that song. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard.

7.   What is one Muppet/Sesame/Henson related gift you would love to receive this year?
What do you get the Muppet fan who has everything? More shelf space. But really, I'd very much like a Fraggle Rock t-shirt from Threadless. Fingers crossed that Santa is reading!

8.   Which Muppet character would make the best Santa Claus?
We've seen Cookie Monster, Bobo, Oscar, Kermit, Two-Headed Monster, and so many others take a turn as Santa, but I think the best Muppet Santa would be Dr. Teeth. He's got the perfect build! How has this not happened yet?!

9.   Which Muppet character would you most like to receive a Christmas card from?
I think a Christmas card from Grover would be pretty entertaining... or Fozzie. But I think the very best would come from Gonzo. Can you imagine reading that Christmas letter?

10.   Would you rather eat fruitcake or The Swedish Chef's shredded wheat and cranberry sauce?
Swedish Chef's dish all the way. Aunt Helen's fruitcake has got nothing on the Chef.

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

News Update: December 19, 2013

NEWS UPDATE: December 19, 2013

Cookie Monster made a few appearances on Michael Buble's 3rd Annual Christmas Special (that's actually the title) last night on NBC. The moments featuring Cookie Monster are scattered throughout the 45 minute program, sandwiched in between the likes of Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige. In the special, Cookie Monster eats all of Michael Buble's cookies, impersonates Mariah Carey, and more. You can watch the special now on NBC.com, but unfortunately there is no good way to link to just the Cookie Monster segments.

A new DVD collection of The Jimmy Dean Show has been released online. This is of course relevant to Muppet fans because it features tons of material starring Rowlf the Dog. Rowlf was perhaps as big a star as Jimmy Dean was on the show, so the DVD collection is bound to feature a lot of Rowlf. The 3-DVD set is $30, so if you're a fan of Rowlf, Jimmy Dean, or good old fashioned country music you may want to give it a purchase!

Another Fraggle Rock tribute album has been released on iTunes to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the show. The album, called Shine On is $11 and features 19 songs from Fraggle Rock performed by 19 artists I've never, ever heard of. Also, the album was apparently released in October? I guess it's not very good, or else someone probably would've promoted it. Anyway, you can listen to samples of the album and buy it on iTunes.






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

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Mew

Today's article was written by our frequent contributor Kyle Mahoney.

MEW

Performed by...
Steve Whitmire (1986)
Nigel Plaskitt (1994)

First Appearance...
The Christmas Toy (1986)

Last Appearance...
The Secret Life of Toys (1994)

Best Known Role...
Cat toy; Old friend, dear friend, friend who has gone away

WHO IS MEW?
Mew is a simple cat toy made to look like a mouse who appeared in the 1986 TV special The Christmas Toy and the subsequent series The Secret Life of Toys. His owner is Wee-Gee the Cat and he resides in the playroom with the rest of the children’s toys. He is small and has no arms or legs, just wheels which he uses to somehow propel himself. Mew isn’t hated among the kids' toys, but in a way is treated as a lower class citizen for being a cat toy. Upon arrival to any gathering, all toys will say “Pew it’s Mew!” in unison, in reference to the scent of cat nip that he emits (being a cat toy and all).

Mew’s best friend in the playroom is Rugby Tiger, even though he will make fun of Mew and the scent of catnip causes him to sneeze. But it’s because of Mew that the rest of the toys go out to save Rugby after he leaves in the playroom. While trying to help Rugby, Mew discovers Meteora: Queen of the Asteroids and develops a crush on her.  He also has the ability to mimic Wee-Gee which saves the rescue team from being discovered after Meteora begins knocking things down.

While returning to the playroom, Mew is discovered out of his spot by Mr. and Mrs. Jones and is therefore frozen forever. Instead of the Joneses bringing him to the playroom, they put him in the cat’s bed near the Christmas tree. Rugby leaves the playroom and goes to say a final goodbye to his friend who has stood by his side no matter how much of an abusive, one-sided relationship they shared. According to Mew being frozen was very dark and cold, but after Rugby showed his true feelings for Mew and admitting that he was beginning to like the scent of Cat Nip, it got brighter and warmer, and then he woke up. On Christmas morning, we see the Wee-Gee got a new cat toy, whose name also happens to be Mew.

Mew appeared in the series The Secret Life of Toys which featured some of the characters from the special, but also added new ones. Mew had changed in design and in performance. Instead of his wheels he was given arms and legs and he was now performed by Nigel Plaskitt instead of Steve Whitmire. Although Mew was not as criticized for his smell and his social status among the toys, the others would still comment on his stench and refer to him as a cat toy.

WHY DO WE NEED MEW?

Without Mew, Rugby would have successfully gotten into Meteora’s box under the Christmas Tree and the entire Toy Community’s cover would have been revealed leading to every toy becoming frozen forever. He acts as Rugby’s sense of reason, and maybe because he leads a much harder life as a cat toy, he has just about the same wisdom as Balthazar the Teddy Bear.

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

Muppet Retro Reviews: Elmo Saves Christmas

Michael Wermuth - Elmo Saves Christmas is a Sesame Street special from 1996. The special begins with Telly, Zoe, and Baby Bear spending Christmas with Maya Angelou, for some reason. When they express a desire for every day to be Christmas, Maya tells them the story of “the time Elmo saved Christmas, and almost lost it again.”

In the story, Elmo decides to stay up on Christmas Eve to see Santa Claus come down the chimney. He falls asleep, but does wake up to find Santa stuck in the Chimney. This was the first time Santa had ever gotten stuck in a chimney (and he’s been delivering presents since before Elmo was born), due to his young reindeer Lightning stowing away in his sack of toys. In gratitude for Elmo getting Santa unstuck and therefore saving Christmas, Santa gives Elmo a choice of gifts. Elmo chooses a magical snow globe with three wishes, and wishes for every day to be Christmas.

Once the news of Christmas being every day hits the North Pole, Santa instantly figures out what happened and goes to Sesame Street to convince Elmo that having Christmas every day won’t be as good as it sounds. When Elmo remains unconvinced, Santa has Lightning the Reindeer, who can travel faster than the speed of light and time, to take Elmo to the future, to see what it will be like to have Christmas in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and then finally the next December 25th (Santa can’t join them, due to having to go down chimneys every night).

At first, most of Sesame Street is happy having Christmas every day, but eventually they all get tired and annoyed by it. Grover has trouble selling Christmas trees (as there is now a worldwide Christmas tree shortage), Big Bird misses Snuffy, who is visiting his Granny in Cincinnati for Christmas (and he can’t even send him a letter, due to the post office being closed).  Maria and Luis are tired of not working. The only one happy with this is Oscar, since it annoys everyone else. However, by December 25, the street has pretty much become a ghost town, Bob and 14 Karat Soul lose their voices from singing Christmas carols every day (oh, did I forget to mention that Bob sings with 14 Karat Soul in this?), and the Count even gets annoyed with counting all the Christmases. But in the end things get back to normal.

This special has quite a bit for me to nitpick about. If Santa was able to give Elmo a gift that could grant wishes, couldn’t Santa manage to wish for Christmas to not be every day (especially since it’s mentioned that he had given away three wishes in the past)? Everybody treats every day like Christmas because it is Christmas every day, but couldn’t they all just treat every day (besides the 25th of December) like a regular day (especially when they all tire of it)? And due to it being Christmas every day, the only program on TV is It’s a Wonderful Life. But since when is that the only Christmas program to air? There’s hundreds of other Christmas movies and specials that could be broadcast (A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street…).

But ignoring those nitpicks, there’s a lot to like about this special, including the scenes with Grover and Mr. Johnson, a short scene where Ernie and Bert watch a scene from It’s a Wonderful Life where that movie’s Ernie and Bert are referred to by name, a news report from Kermit, and so much more. Most of the songs are great, including “It’s Christmas Again” (appropriately sung every day by Bob and 14 Karat Soul), Big Bird’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” (no, not the Mariah Carey song), “Every Day Can’t Be Christmas” (whether sung by Santa or Elmo), and a new performance of “Keep Christmas With You”, sung by Elmo and the cast (though I prefer the original from Christmas Eve on Sesame Street). The only song I don’t like as much is “Give Your Friend an Easter Egg for Christmas” sung by the Easter Bunny (played by Harvey Fierstein). Charles Durning (who you may remember as Doc Hopper from The Muppet Movie) does a great job as Santa Claus, and Lightning is a great character. This is my second-favorite Sesame Street Christmas special (after Christmas Eve on Sesame Street).

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

12 Days of Muppet Presents

Ryan Dosier - Today we've come up with a list of some great Muppet items released in 2013 that would make perfect Christmas gifts for the Muppet fan in your life (or for you, if you're so inclined). So check out our fun little list below!

On the first day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: The Muppet Movie on Blu-ray and DVD.

On the second day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: The Great Muppet Caper and Muppet Treasure Island on Blu-ray and DVD.

On the third day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: three tiny batteries for a new Kermit ornament.

On the fourth day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: four Fraggle Rock seasons.

On the fifth day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: 500 pages in Jim Henson: The Biography.

On the sixth day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: six Electric Mayhem members on a print.

On the seventh day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: seven Muppet Hot Wheels.

On the eighth day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: an $80 Kermit bust (with shipping).

On the ninth day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: nine Muppets on pajama pants.

On the tenth day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: a $10 pack of Fraggle playing cards.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: 11 tracks on The Muppet Movie soundtrack.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Muppets gave to me: twelve Vinylmation in Muppets Series 3.

Special thanks to our friends at Muppet Stuff for helping us find some of this... Muppet stuff.






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