Sesame Street's Daytime Emmy Nominations - 2014

Every year I'm always eager to see how many Daytime Emmy nominations Sesame Street garners--and every year it's in the double digits, which blows me away. This year is no different, as Sesame Street has received 15 nominations for Season 44. Below is the list of all 15 nominations for Sesame Street:

• Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Series
• Sesame Street
• Outstanding New Approaches – Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series
• Sesame Street
• Sesame Street: Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration
• Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series
• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (as Sigrid, Carrie, Flantine, Velvet and Old Lady)
• David Rudman (as Baby Bear and Cookie Monster)
• Joey Mazzarino (as Stinky, Murray, and Davy Jones)
• Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Series
• Sesame Street (Head Writer: Joey Mazzarino; Writers: Molly Boylan, Annie Evans, Christine Ferraro, Emily Kingsley, Luis Santeiro, Ed Valentine, Belinda Ward, John Weidman)
• Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Series
• Sesame Street (Kevin Clash, Ken Diego, Joseph Mazzarino, Scott Preston, Lisa Simon, Matt Vogel, Nadine Zylstra)
• Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction
• Sesame Street (Dan Kelley, Lighting Designer)
• Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing
• Sesame Street (Tom James, Supervising Editor; Jesse Averna and John Tierney, Editors)
• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – Live Action
• Sesame Street (Chris Prinzivalli, Sound Mixer; Michael Barrett and Michael Croiter, Re-Recording Mixers; Dick Maitland, SFX Mixer)
• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Live Action
• Sesame Street (Michael Barrett and Chris Prinzivalli, Supervising Sound Editors; Michael Croiter, Supervising Music Editor; Jorge Muelle, Music Editor; Chris Sassano, Sound Editor; Dick Maitland, Sound Effects Editor)
• Outstanding Original Song
• "ABCs of Moving" (Chris Jackson, Composer; Joey Mazzarino, Lyrics)
• "Rhymes with Mando" (Lin-Manuel Maranda, Composer; Luis Santeiro, Lyrics)
• Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design/Styling
• Sesame Street (Costume Designers/Muppets: Erin Slattery Black, Elizabeth Hara, Michelle Hickey, John Douglas James, Rollie Krewson, Lara Mclean, Colette Nickola, Anny Ozar, Connie Peterson, Jane Pien, Sierra Schoening, Polly Smith, Jason Weber; Costume Designers: Brian Hemesath, Jared Leese)

As you'll no doubt note, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is not nominated for Abby Cadabby. The Emmy nominations are chosen based on episode submitted, and apparently Abby was not in the episode that Leslie is nominated for. How amazing is it that she is still nominated without even needing Abby?

We at The Muppet Mindset would like to offer our huge, heartfelt congratulations to everyone nominated for Sesame Street. Special congratulations go out to our friends Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, David Rudman, Joey Mazzarino, and Matt Vogel on their extremely well-deserved nominations.

The 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards winners will be announced on June 22nd.

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

We Need More Female Muppets

Ryan Dosier - The world of the Muppets (in this case, specifically the world inhabited by Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the gang from The Muppet Show and the subsequent films and series) is filled to the brim with characters of virtually every ilk. You have pigs, bears, chickens, monsters, rats, Frackles, dogs, whatevers, and things. Yet, despite all of this diversity, there is a distinct lack of female representation among the core group. Today I'm writing about why thats not okay, and to offer some ideas on how to fix it.

It's so strange to me that there has never truly been an honest attempt to introduce another primary female character into the Muppet gang. Yes, you have Camilla the Chicken, Janice, and of course Miss Piggy, but there have been virtually no other prominent Muppet female characters in almost 40 years. Attempts to introduce new ladies fell through with Annie Sue Pig, Miss Mousey, Mildred Huxtetter, Gladys the cafeteria lady, Wanda, Hilda, Vicki from The Jim Henson Hour, Spamela Hamderson, Miss Poogy, and Emily Bear.

Another big problem is that the three semi-prominent female characters that the Muppets currently us are all performed by men. Of course this in no way means that Matt Vogel (Camilla), David Rudman (Janice), and Eric Jacobson (Miss Piggy) are anything short of insanely talented and magnificent with the characters--because they are--it just means that for a long time female Muppet performers have been unable to bring a character with lasting impact to life. That's not for lack of trying, because Louise Gold, Fran Brill, Eren Ozker, and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph have all performed characters that could have gone the distance, but never connected with an audience.

The biggest and most frustrating problem here is that it seems like it would be so easy for the Muppet creative team to bring in a prominent female character. It's not like there's a lack of hugely talented female puppeteers (see: Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Julianne Buescher, Alice Dinnean, etc.), and there are certainly voids that could be filled by female characters (Miss Piggy's best friend, Fozzie's female counterpart, a young girl with big dreams like Walter, etc.). There's really only one reason not to add a new female character: lack of productions.

Yes, the Muppets are back and making big-time feature films, but that really isn't the best platform for introducing new characters (although Walter and Constantine both proved that very wrong). The greatest platform for this would be a new Muppet television show... but who knows if that will happen. But there really should be a concentrated effort to introduce a new female Muppet in the near future. The number of female Muppet fans--both young and young at heart--is staggering and absolutely as important as the male fanbase (maybe even moreso). Muppet fans deserve more female representation.

The most obvious fix for this issue would be to introduce, in officially official capacity, Skeeter. For those who don't know, Skeeter is Scooter's twin sister in Muppet Babies but never made the jump to actual Muppet canon. She was a featured player in The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion series with an impeccable redesign by Amy Mebberson (see right). I can think of virtually no good reason not to bring Skeeter in looking exactly like this, performed by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph or Karen Prell or one of the other ultra-talented female Muppet performers. Skeeter would automatically be a huge hit, playing off of nostalgia from kids who watched Muppet Babies as much as I did.

So there are just a few rambles about why more female Muppets are needed and how it could easily be done. Come on, Disney, give us more ladies to cheer for, sing along with, and love. The Muppets have always been about inclusiveness, and adding more female Muppet characters is just the first step in becoming all-inclusive again.

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

Review: Leslie Carrara-Rudolph's "Wake Up Your Weird"

WAKE UP YOUR WEIRD

Josh Hankemeier - "Wake Up Your Weird" is Leslie Carrara-Rudolph's new album based on the theater performance of the same name.  If you have been lucky enough to see this performance, great!  If you haven't, you should!  Here's the story:

Leslie introduces us to the CD and to her brain, which she has named "Doyle." Doyle has a habit of keeping Leslie up at night, so she puts Doyle on a leash. That way, her mind can wander. The title track "Wake Up Your Weird" is simply about celebrating the joy of weirdness and getting it out there through music, art and stories. We all know it's fun to be weird. (Hey, we're all Muppet fans here!)

After this track, the main story begins. Lolly is excited to attend her first "Dolly Circle." Think of it as sort of a Show-and-Tell, but with a specific fanbase. Lolly, with the help of her Granny Dot, created a "Lolly Dolly": a doll of her own design. Lolly doesn't give much thought to the way dolls are "supposed" to look (i.e. Barbie). Lolly just decided to use her imagination and create something totally new. The members of the Dolly Circle approve of Lolly's doll, which can do anything (including bark).

The Dolly Circle suddenly grows quiet as Pristina (a very popular member of the Dolly Circle) immediately criticizes Lolly. She insults Lolly by calling her "weird" and also says her doll is "ugly," "stupid," and "not good enough."

Lolly, once happy, proud and optimistic, is now crushed by Pristina's bullying. The rest of the members of the Dolly Circle decide that Pristina must be right (with her being popular and all) and further criticize Lolly. The song "My Heart is Blue" expresses Lolly's self-reflection and struggle with her self-confidence. Momentarily, the bad thoughts take over. In "Pristina's Tease," the scene from the earlier Dolly Circle is played out like a bad dream, emphasizing the "importance" of following the crowd. Negative thoughts enter Lolly's mind: "Leave your imagination, check it at the door. Never do anything new unless it's been done before."

Just when Lolly is at her lowest, her Granny Dot steps in to help tackle all of the negative thoughts, as heard in "Granny Power." In this track, we discover that Granny Dot is one of Lolly's most positive influences. Like in real life, it helps a great deal to have someone older and wiser as a guide when times get tough. Otherwise, one runs the risk of believing the negative thoughts caused by being bullied.

At this point on the CD, it seems that the plot involving Lolly and the Dolly Circle has ended.  But this is merely half of the music! The last half of the CD contains my favorite tracks. "A Storm of Many Colors" is sung by Velvet, a six foot tall, blue lamb who would feel right at home onstage with Aretha Franklin (She is also Lolly's fairy godmother). In this number, Velvet reminds us that "you can't have a rainbow without a storm." This is one of Leslie's best musical numbers!

"With a Little Bit of Inspiration"
This is my favorite track on both of these albums, hands down.  I enjoy drawing and this song never fails to inspire me to get my pen moving.  If you are an artist, you should seriously consider listening to this track.  In the original theatrical production, Leslie will create a drawing on the spot while she sings the song.
"Believe"
"Believe" is a song of trust and faith, and of course, believing that things will work out in the end
"Be a Present"
Just like Kermit, spreading joy is one of Leslie's biggest dreams. This upbeat, energetic song reminds us that we should be there for others and to "make your life a gift of joy."
"I'm Not Old, I'm History"
Granny Dot, heard earlier in "Granny Power," has the same amount of gusto in this number with an "old timey" instrumental backup.  Granny Dot is proud of her wrinkles and she thinks of them as pages of the book in her life. She also is proud of the fact she's been around as long as she has and eagerly looks forward to the next chapters of her life. "I'm 99 and I'm in my prime!" Granny Dot boasts.
"Slax Swing"
Slax the Lizard began life as a slipper and a dryer hose, items that most people would pass by. In this laid back swing number, Slax reminds the audience not to judge a creature by their appearance, but by who they are within. It would be easy to picture Slax performing this at a poetry slam, backed up by Zoot and Floyd.
 "Can I Help You?"
Is chivalry dead? Not according to Lolly and Granny Dot it isn't! This basic tune about chivalry is one of Leslie's favorites. It's very easy to get wrapped up in our own little worlds that we forget to help those who need it. There is a line in the song with a profound interpretation of the word "mankind."
"Beatrice Fennelbulb"
The last track on this CD features the plight of Beatrice Fennelbulb, whose ridiculously long hair causes her misfortune after misfortune. This Shel Silverstein-like song also bears a slight resemblance to some of Jeff Moss's poetry from his book "The Butterfly Jar."

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
"Wake Up Your Weird" holds a deep significance. It teaches children (and us grownups, too) the importance of individuality and joy. It also has a powerful anti-bullying message. Bullying can damage and even destroy that sense of self-worth. Leslie's music is a reminder that even though bullying is out there, it is extremely important to never lose one's self-confidence, even through the tough times. With guidance, rethinking one's thinking and realizing one's uniqueness, joy will prevail. If you know anyone, young or old, that has been bullied because they weren't "just like everyone else," introduce them to "Wake Up Your Weird."

When listening to the CD, I was reminded of this quote by Jim Henson: "I know that it’s easier to portray a world that’s filled with cynicism and anger, where problems are solved with violence. That’s titillating. It’s an easy out. What’s a whole lot tougher is to offer alternatives, to present other ways conflicts can be resolved, and to show that you can have a positive impact on your world.  To do that, you have to put yourself out on a limb, take chances, and run the risk of being called a do-gooder."

I believe that this statement can be said for what I have heard on "Spunkinsass" and "Wake Up Your Weird".  I would highly recommend them for fans of Leslie, kids, and kids at heart. To learn more about the work and characters of Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, please visit the following websites: Wake Up Your Weird and Lolly Lardpop's YouTube Channel.

As Leslie would say, "Joy to you!"

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

Review: Leslie Carrara-Rudolph's "Spunkinsass" CD

Josh Hankemeier - Well Muppet fans, the holidays are long over, and we're still in the middle of the "winter blahs."  It's still cold enough out there to freeze your Winnebago, but the days seem to drag on with overcast skies even duller and grayer than Bert's oatmeal. Muppets Most Wanted isn't here yet, and it's way too late to watch any Muppet Christmas specials. So, what are Muppet fans supposed to do to add joy to these cold, dreary days?  The answer is simple: "Spunkinsass" and "Wake Up Your Weird," courtesy of Leslie Carrara-Rudolph!

As many Muppet fans know, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is probably best known as the woman behind Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street's resident fairy-in-training. Leslie was also interviewed on The Muppet Mindset in a three part interview (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).

Besides Abby, there is another character just as dear to Leslie's heart. This character has never appeared on Sesame Street (mostly due to her restraining order). She's five years old, she loves candy, expeditions to Cracker Barrel Country Stores and she believes in celebrating joy through creativity and individuality. Her name is Lolly Lardpop, the star of Leslie's theatre show "Wake Up Your Weird", the CD of the same name, and the CD "Spunkinsass". Both albums are available at CD Baby. "Spunkinsass," currently, is only available as a download, but the physical CD may come back in print. "Wake Up Your Weird" is available in both CD and in download form. I have them in my collection and they make great companion pieces to Jerry Nelson's "Truro Daydreams".

SPUNKINSASS Review:
"Spunkinsass" stars Lolly, Leslie, and a plethora of Leslie's original characters. Here are some of the characters you will meet on this album:

Granny Dot: a feisty, vibrant, active 99 year old who enjoys aqua aerobics. Granny Dot is one of those "cool" senior citizens, not unlike Fozzie's mom or the grandma from "A Garfield Christmas."
Madame Velveeetaaaa: an eccentric gypsy who describes herself as "Very psychedelic, very psychotic, very flamboyant, very flatulent."
Gordon: Not to be confused with the Gordon we know on Sesame Street. Gordon is Lolly's pet Sasquatch.
Armond: Lolly's pesky next door neighbor, who tries to sneak his way onto Lolly's CD.

Guest stars on "Spunkinsass" include musician Grant Baciocco, who makes a couple of appearances to play some folk songs. Singer Irene Soderberg also performs a duet with Lolly. Paul Rudolph, Sesame Street's Vocal Music Director (and Leslie's husband), also produced this album. He also mixed and mastered the music on "Wake Up Your Weird." Paul Rudolph also directed Jerry Nelson's CD "Truro Daydreams."

Tracks:
1. Pure Imagination
Yes, this is the classic song from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. We get to hear this track sung by Leslie herself. We are also introduced to Lolly, who is having a problem with her neighbor, Armond.
2.  Lolly Theme
Lolly introduces herself to the audience and with the help of close harmony backup singers (The Perry Combovers), explains what she is all about. (Paul Rudolph's talents especially shine in the Perry Combover numbers).
3. Coupon Diaria
Throughout the CD, we hear Lolly's thoughts written down in her diary (which Lolly refers to as a "diaria"). In this snippet, we learn a little bit about Lolly and her relationship with her Granny Dot. Lolly, like any good narrator, engages the listener and can get him or her to imagine one of Lolly and Granny's favorite activities.
 4. Spunkinsass
The title track defines what the word "Spunkinsass" means in this bouncy tune. The Perry Combovers provide backup (and adapt to the different ways Lolly performs the song).
5. Spy Diaria
This entry in Lolly's "diaria" explains Armond doing what he does best... being a pest!
6. Candy Man (w/ Irene Soderberg)
Warning: you will get hungry listening to this track. Irene and Lolly perform a fun, simple cover of the classic song with piano accompaniment.
7. Hug Your Sasquatch (w/ Gordon)
Lolly introduces the audience to her pet Sasquatch, Gordon. Gordon is shy, (being a Sasquatch, he is worried about being seen by the audience). After assuring Gordon that no one can see him, we learn, along with Lolly, what happens when "If You're Happy and You Know it" is played with an overly energetic, 8 foot tall, 500 pound creature.
8. Bessie The Heifer (w/ Grant Baciocco)
Did you know that it's a requirement on a kid's CD to have a folk song? According to Lolly, it is. Her friend Grant has a similar problem. His CD is required to have a song about cows on it. The two of them cooperate by singing "Bessie the Heifer". (Visitors to The Adventurers Club at Walt Disney World might be familiar with this novelty song). Lolly provides some unique (and hilarious) percussion.
9. Cup of Sugar (dialogue)
This track serves mainly as an introduction to the next song. Granny Dot is out of sugar, so she sends Lolly to borrow some from their eccentric friend, Madame Velveeetaaaa.
10. Monster Muffins
Show of hands...who likes the Swedish Chef? Everyone. Good. Well, chances are you will also like Madame Velveeetaaaa. This track shows off her cooking skills. The spooky, yet silly recipe she is preparing for her monster friends encourages Lolly (and the audience) to add disgusting ingredients. If you have kids or know someone with kids, keep this track handy for next Halloween!
11. Thankful Diaria (dialogue)
This is an introspective moment where Lolly counts her blessings.
12. Believe
Lolly is sad that her best friend Sofy is moving away. Leslie encourages her that even though friends do move away, there is a way to keep them close in one's heart. "Believe" is a song of trust and faith, and of course, believing that things will work out in the end.
13. Sunny Side Of The Street
"Grab your coat, grab your hat. Leave your worries on the doorstep...", Lolly performs her own cover of this jazz standard from 1930.
14. Meat Cookies
Granny Dot whips up a batch of Lolly's favorite dessert treats... Meat Cookies! (Cookies that look like meat.) Hey, if potato pancakes can exist, why not meat cookies?
15. Armond's Tinkle
Much to Lolly's dismay, Armond sings on the CD. If that wasn't bad enough, Armond messed up the song he was supposed to sing...
16. Lolly Is Her Name (w/ Grant Baciocco)
Grant returns with an energetic folk song all about Lolly.
17. Sofy & Leslie
Sofy and Leslie finish the CD with an encore of "On the Sunny Side of the Street".

Check back next time when Josh reviews Leslie's Wake Up Your Weird!






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

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Zondra

Today's article was written by Michael Wermuth, Jr. Photoshop work was once again done by the phenomenal Chris Stulz.

ZONDRA


Performed by...

Fran Brill (1989)
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (1997-1998)

First appearance...
The Jim Henson Hour Episode 105: "First Show" (1989)

Most recent appearance...
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)

Also known as...
Darci

Best known role...
Gorilla Television pirate station worker; Housemate on "The Real World Muppets"

WHO IS ZONDRA?
Zondra is among the crew of Gorilla Television, a station that despises popular television. Joined by a gorilla named Ubu and a nerdy technician named Chip, Zondra seems to be the leader of the group. In two episodes of The Jim Henson Hour, they interrupt the MuppeTelevision signals to showcase what they want broadcast, which includes a puppet act by Marc Weiner and forcing a TV consumer into watching commercials. Unfortunately for them, their taking over of the airwaves only lasts a few minutes, allowing the Muppets to continue with their show.

After The Jim Henson Hour was cancelled, Zondra wasn't seen again until the second season of Muppets Tonight, where she was part of the cast of the recurring segment "The Real World Muppets." In these segments, she was renamed Darci and was an aspiring songwriter and poet. Her terrible songs focused on her hatred of men, bears, and rats--offending her roommates Clifford, Bobo, and Rizzo. As Rizzo once said, "We had to tell her that her songwriting was good. She threatened to read us her poetry." All but one of "The Real World Muppets" segment were not featured in the original United States broadcasts, limiting her exposure on the show to US audiences.

After Muppets Tonight, Zondra made silent background cameos in Muppets From Space and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, and hasn't been seen since.

Why Do The Muppets Need Zondra?
Well, there aren't many female Muppets, and she is a fairly tough female character. Her goth attire may very well appeal to today's goth audiences. Although she was never exactly portrayed as a villain, she and her Gorilla Television crew could very well pass off as villains or anti-Muppets in the same way the Moopets do.

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

News Update: August 30, 2012

NEWS UPDATE: August 30, 2012

Last week, Grover stopped by ABC's Good Afternoon America to promote a new Sesame Workshop initiative called "The Partnership for Healthy Mouths and Healthy Lives." Grover showed up to brush his (lack of) teeth with a dentist, a bunch of kids, and the overly-perky show hosts. It's mostly the dentist talking about fairly boring things... but watching Grover try to brush makes it all worth it. I don't understand how to embed videos from Hulu at the proper point, but luckily our good friends at ToughPigs.com do! So head on over there to watch the video, and then watch the other video in which the hosts and Grover discuss I Am Big Bird!

New Muppet plush toys are now available at Toys R Us! Currently available are beanbag plush dolls of Kermit, Fozzie, Animal, and Gonzo for $7.99, medium sized dolls of Kermit, Gonzo, and Animal available for $14.99, and bendable plush toys of Kermit, Gonzo, and Animal as well. To the right is the adorable Fozzie beanbag plush, but you can find them all on ToysRUs.com.

This weekend in Atlanta, Georgia is the annual DragonCon fantasy convention! Guests at the convention this weekend include our good friends Peter Linz and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as well as Heather Henson! If you're in the area, you should absolutely join in the fun. Below is a breakdown of the various panels that Peter, Leslie, and Heather will be a part of:

• Friday, 4:00pm: The Muppets Screening w/ Peter Linz
• Saturday, 11:30am: Puppetry for Children’s Television with Peter Linz and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph
• Saturday, 4:00pm: Heather Henson: "A Daughter Remembers" 
• Saturday, 4:00pm: Puppetry for TV with Peter Linz
• Saturday, 7:00pm: Leslie and Lolly Make Stuff Up LIVE!
• Sunday, 11:30am: It’s Time to Raise the Curtain... with Peter Linz and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph
• Sunday, 4:00pm: Create-A-Puppet Workshop w/ Lolly Lardpop
• Sunday, 7:00pm: Peter Linz Muppeteer

The annual Star Wars convention, Star Wars Celebration VI was held last week. Much like the Jedi Knights on Geonosis in Attack of the Clones, out of nowhere, Muppets appeared! (Congratulations, Ryan, that's the nerdiest thing ever said on The Muppet Mindset!!) During the Disney Parks panel at the convention, they revealed two new sets of upcoming Muppets/Star Wars figures! Amazingly, this series includes Bean Bunny as Wicket the Ewok and Uncle Deadly as Emperor Palpatine!! Check out the amazing pictures below!

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

Kevin Clash Brings Home the Emmy (Again)

Last week we reported on the seven big wins for Sesame Street at the 39th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. After this, the official ceremony for the Daytime Emmy Awards was held and broadcast on HLN, where the Sesame performing nominees, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Kevin Clash, and Caroll Spinney, appeared to find out if they would win the coveted statue. The winner was Kevin Clash for his performance as Elmo, marking his eighth Emmy Award win for Elmo. A video of Kevin accepting his award has yet to surface, but if it does, it will be posted here.

While we don't have a video of Kevin's win, we do have a video (thanks to our friends at ToughPigs.com) of Oscar the Grouch performing with TV's Anderson Cooper. Enjoy!



Congratulations to our friend Kevin Clash on his big win as well as our friend Leslie Carrara-Rudolph and our hero Caroll Spinney for their nominations!

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

Sesame Dominates Daytime Emmys and Muppets Host Comedy Festival

Big news came yesterday on the fronts for both Sesame Street and the Muppets. The nominees for The 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced yesterday and, as usual, Sesame Street swept the children's TV categories, garnering an incredible 16 total nominations, including nominations for Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series, and nominations for our friends Kevin Clash (Elmo) and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (Abby Cadabby), as well as our hero Caroll Spinney (Big Bird). Check below for a full break down of all 16 nominations for Sesame Street:

• Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series: Leslie Cararra-Rudolph as Abby Cadabby
• Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series:Kevin Clash as Elmo
• Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series:Caroll Spinney as Big Bird
• Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design/Styling: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Directing in a Children's Series: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Original Song – Children's and Animation: “Don't Give Up”
• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Live Action: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – Live Action: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Special Class Directing: Kevin Clash, Sesame Street
• Outstanding Special Class Writing: Christine Ferraro, Sesame Street
• Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control: Sesame Street
• Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series: Sesame Street

It seems that Sesame Street is once again poised to bring home quite a few little golden statues at this year's ceremony with Creative Arts Emmys presented on June 17th and regular Daytime Emmys on June 23rd. We also should mention that The Jim Henson Company's Sid the Science Kid scored a nomination for Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series as well! Our huge congratulations to everyone involved!

The Muppets also released huge news yesterday, as it was revealed that Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the entire Muppet gang will be a major part of this year's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada! On July 26th, the Muppets will be performing LIVE for the festival audience where they will host two galas on the 26th at 7:00 and 10:00pm. It's sure to be a major event with plenty of wonderful Muppet mayhem, so if you're near Montreal, get your tickets and go see the Muppets!! Stay tuned to The Muppet Mindset for more information on this exciting development as it comes!

Now if you'll excuse me... I have to find the cheapest way to get to Canada. Anyone know of any geese flying north this summer?

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

Weekly Muppet Wednesday: Abby Cadabby

Written by Ryan Dosier.

ABBY CADABBY

Performed by...
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

First appearance...
Sesame Street Season 37 (2006)

Most recent appearance...
Sesame Street Season 44 (2013)

Best known role...
Fairy god-child, doer of magic, Fairy School student, fan of pumpkins

Famous quote...
"That's so magic!"

Best friends...
Elmo, Rosita, Zoe, Big Bird

WHO IS ABBY CADABBY?
Abby Cadabby is a relative newcomer to Sesame Street. She is a fairy god-child and the daughter of Cinderella's fairy godmother. She is currently a fair-in-training and she possesses amateur magical skills, mostly involving turning things into pumpkins. She has been known to fly into the air when she is excited or elated. Her magic spells usually go haywire, causing some havoc among her friends on Sesame Street. She has made gravity disappear, everyone sing and dance, everyone wear tutus, turned Chris and Baby Bear into bees, made Elmo huge, made Big Bird small, among many other things, learning lessons about life all the while.

Abby Cadabby first moved to Sesame Street in Season 37 in 2006. The first person she encountered Oscar the Grouch, who told her to scram. Abby grows concerned about moving away from home and meeting new people. It takes reassuring comments and a song from Big Bird and Snuffy, who teach her to play hide and seek, to make Abby come around. She later meets Elmo, Zoe, Count von Count, Maria, Luis, and the kids, to whom she demonstrates her magic powers, finally making friends in her new home.

In the next episode of Season 37, Abby attended her first day of Storybook Community School with Baby Bear. Taught by Mrs. Goose, Abby encountered all sorts of other characters, including Mary and her little lamb and Red Riding Hood. In Season 40, however, Abby either moved up to the next level of fairy schooling or transferred schools as the recurring segment "Abby's Flying Fairy School" debuted on Sesame Street. At Flying Fairy School, Abby and her classmates Blögg and Gonnigan go on magical adventures in school with their teacher Mrs. Sparklenose. They have encountered trolls, fairies, genies, and a Macaronisaurus in school. Flying Fairy School segments became part of every episode of Sesame Street since Season 40.

Since she first arrived on Sesame Street, Abby has made many friends. The friends she spends the most time with include Elmo, Big Bird, Telly, and especially Zoe and Rosita. Together, Abby, Zoe, and Rosita, have bonded and become great friends. They have celebrated the Number 7, had arguments, made up, and sang songs about the four seasons and what they can do because they're friends. Abby's magic powers have turned her and Zoe into twins, and Rosita is teaching Abby Spanish while Abby teaches Rosita to speak a language called Dragonfly.

Elmo and Abby are also great friends, playing together nearly every day. They have operated a counting booth for The Count, played knights with Telly, played superheroes with Telly, rode tricycles together, and much more. Together, Elmo and Abby are the two most prevalent Muppets seen on Sesame Street daily, with "Elmo's World" and "Abby's Flying Fairy School" appearing in every episode of the show. Yet, Abby and Elmo's friendship is wonderful, as the two solve mysteries, problems, and have a great time.

In 2008, Abby starred in her first Sesame Street direct-to-DVD special, Abby in Wonderland, where she and the other Sesame Street gang play characters from the classic "Alice in Wonderland" stories. Abby encounters the Count-erpillar, Elmo the Red Rabbit, Grover the Mad-Hatter, Zoe the Doormouse, the Cookie Monster Cheshire Cat and Oscar the Grouch of Hearts. Abby is joined in her adventure by her traveling companions, a talking cookie and bottle of milk.

Abby Cadabby has quickly risen to the ranks of one of the most popular Muppet characters on Sesame Street. Not only does she appear in every episode in "Abby's Flying Fairy School," but she also appears in nearly every Street Story as well, using her magic to cause/solve problems.

ABBY CADABBY AND LESLIE CARRARA-RUDOLPH
Abby Cadabby is the first major character performed by Muppeteer Leslie Carrara-Rudolph. When she was cast as Abby, Leslie proved why she was the only performer who could truly bring this character to life. Leslie's energy, spirit, and passion makes Abby more than just another girly-girl fairy character, it makes Abby real and magical. In an interview with The Muppet Mindset, Leslie revealed that when she first saw the Abby puppet, she fell in love. "I told them, you're going to have to cut this puppet off my arm." But what Abby has given Leslie is a life-changing thing: "I love piloting Abby. We have Make A Wish kids on set, we do military outreach, we deal with kids who deal with issues of hunger." Truly, Leslie and Abby are a match made in heaven.


ABBY CADABBY EPISODES
Since she arrived in Season 37, Abby Cadabby has been a major part of Sesame Street episodes. Here are just some of the episodes where Abby plays a major part.

• Season 37: Episode 4109 - Abby comes to Sesame Street
• Season 37: Episode 4110 - Abby's first day of school
• Season 38: Episode 4139 - Abby plays the Letter "P" game
• Season 38: Episode 4140 - Abby gives everyone tutus with a magic spell
• Season 38: Episode 4157 - Abby learns to make believe
• Season 39: Episode 4173 - Abby thinks Oscar is a prince
• Season 39: Episode 4177 - Abby's first sleepover
• Season 40: Episode 4189 - Abby turns Chris and Baby Bear into bees
• Season 40: Episode 4191 - Abby changes the seasons
• Season 40: Episode 4199 - Abby comes down with a case of Sparkle Speckle Fairy Freckles
• Season 40: Episode 4210 - Abby rides her tricycle
• Season 40: Episode 4238 - Abby helps Leela get ready for a party

WHY DOES SESAME STREET NEED ABBY CADABBY? Abby Cadabby brings a new, magical perspective to Sesame Street. Not only is she the first prominent female character in over a decade, she is also technically a foreigner in that she comes from somewhere new and must learn new things. Her magic spells have given the Sesame Street writers a fun new device for their stories as well, using the magic to either start the plot or finish it.

But what makes Abby so special and necessary is that she represents the curiosity and the energy of the children watching. Although she is a pink girl fairy, Abby still appeals to the young boys watching because she is energetic and a ton of fun. Her interactions with every character on Sesame Street are wonderful. Whether she's driving Oscar batty with her cuteness, keeping Telly sane, or using her magic to help Elmo or Big Bird, Abby works with everyone in a funny, adorable, and magical way.

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