News Update: August 22, 2014

AUGUST 22, 2014

Like all major celebrities seem to be doing this week, Kermit the Frog took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Kermit was challenged by WWE's Vince McMahon (and many a Muppet fan), and took to the challenge bravely and coldly. Watch below!



Cookie Monster also took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and he in turn challenged Muppet fan MarshallGrover, who is a YouTube account that posts a ton of vintage Sesame Street clips. Watch Cookie Monster's challenge below!

Post by Cookie Monster.

Sesame Street's Bob McGrath, who is 82 years old, jumped out of an airplane recently. The video is incredible and sweet and wonderful... and so perfectly Bob. Watch it here:

Muppet performer Matt Vogel will be signing copies of Muppets Most Wanted on Blu-ray and DVD at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Monday, August 25th from 4-5pm. No word on if Constantine will be in attendance at the signing, but this pretty much confirms his appearance at the special "Villains Unleashed" event this weekend.

Finally, in celebration of The Muppet Mindset's Fifth Anniversary, the owner/operator/founder Ryan Dosier was interviewed by our friend J.D. Hansel on his Muppet fan podcast 11 Point Collar. Be sure to listen to the fun and get in early for The Muppet Mindset's fifth anniversary celebration!

The Muppet Mindset Most Wanted, Part 3

Ryan Dosier - Hi-ho, Muppet fans! Ready for more of my storied trip visiting the set of Muppets Most Wanted last May? If you're not, read Part 1 and Part 2 to catch up with what happened so far! To recap: I spent an amazing day on set at Los Angeles Union Station with ToughPigs' Matt Wilkie where we met Walter, watched the Muppet film, were treated to a private rehearsal of "We're Doing a Sequel," and spent the entire day with all of the Muppet performers. Yeah. All of that.

The day after my first day on set, I had lunch with huge Muppet fan and now great friend of mine Rachel Herrick. You know Rachel from her great Muppet movie video reviews that she did for The Muppet Mindset. This was my first time meeting Rachel and it was wonderful! After that, I went to Disneyland with my awesome, awesome friend Raymond Persi (story artist at Disney Animation Studios and voice artist in Wreck-It Ralph). Ray told me he was probably getting on set the next day as well through his Disney connections. I was excited.

The next day, Peter Linz texted me telling me Disney would be sending me a call sheet for filming that day with information about where to park, when to show up, etc. The call sheet is an amazing little souvenir and I'll always treasure it. This is the first time I found out that they would be shooting on Hollywood Boulevard with 200 extras. I was floored. Peter told me to show up around 7pm and prepare to be there all night for shooting if I wanted to stay. Obviously I did. Eventually I worked it out with Raymond to ride with him to set and I was on my way--again.

When we arrived on set, we found that the entire block in front of the El Capitan Theater was shut down for filming. The crew was setting up huge shots, there was a crane, tons of lighting, and a whole lot of union workers. It was amazing. When we got there, we were greeted by Tracy Gilbert, who works at the Muppets Studio. Tracy led us into the El Capitan, through the main lobby, into the basement, into a room they use for kid's birthday parties. Tracy told us there would be press interviews with some of the cast and crew, but we were absolutely not there as press--which is a round about way of saying, "If you tweet about this, you die." We had no idea what to expect, but we were thrilled. Eventually, Matt Wilkie and Rachel joined us in the basement. I'm still not positive how Rachel got on set, but I'm still impressed.

Anyway! The press interviews got underway, and we saw the costume designer, producer Todd Lieberman, and Peter Linz and Walter answer questions from the crowd. I was just so blown away, I really don't remember asking any questions. I don't think I did. But it was crazy awesome. Afterwards, Peter and Walter took pictures with everyone again. Matt and I got in line for pictures, but the Disney people who were there when we took pictures with Walter the other day glared at us, so we stepped out. Here's Rachel's awesome picture with Walter, though!

After the interviews, the press (and all of us) were led outside to watch some filming. The scene we saw is actually the very first scene of Muppets Most Wanted, with Kermit, Piggy, and Walter standing in front of Jason Segel and Amy Adams lookalikes. It was really weird to see two unknown actors that vaguely look like Jason and Amy wearing their exact costumes from the end of The Muppets. But, it was amazing to see Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, and Peter Linz work. They were ad-libbing quite a lot, since the scene didn't really have any specific dialogue. It was awesome.

While we were watching them film, I ran into one of my favorite people: Cristina Barretta. Cristina is Bill's wife and we've been friends since 2010. Anyone who has read any of my stories about getting to do awesome stuff with the Muppets knows that 90% of the time, it's because of Cristina Barretta that I have such an unbelievably great time. Cristina had brought her son Jackson, her dad, and some friends to the filming and introduced me around to everybody. Then she wrangled Bill and Peter to take a picture with me (that she insisted she take). That picture is at right. Once again, I owe Cristina the world.

After that, we were brought back inside for more interviews. This one was with Kermit the Frog. After the interview, they announced Kermit would take pictures with us, and I nearly passed out. I was the last one in line, so when it was my turn to go up to Kermit for my picture, I was the only one. It took me a minute to realize what was happening, but before I knew it, Kermit the Frog was looking at me, smiling, and waving. Kermit said, "Hey, Ryan!" and I floated over. Kermit saw my t-shirt and said, "Wow, I love that shirt." He pointed at himself on the shirt and I felt Kermit touching me. Again, nearly passed out. All this time I completely forgot that Steve Whitmire was literally right there. It didn't even register with me, because KERMIT THE FROG was right there taking a picture with me. Here is that picture.

I really can't describe that feeling of meeting Kermit the Frog. So I won't even try, just know it happened and it was perhaps the highlight of my career. After our froggy photos, they brought us back outside again to watch more filming. But this didn't last long before we were taken back inside again, this time for Miss Piggy's interview. Again, they allowed us all to get pictures taken, and again I was the last one in line. What happened when I met Miss Piggy is still my favorite thing. I walked up to her, waved briefly to Eric, and I said, "Hello, Miss Piggy." Miss Piggy rolled her eyes and grumbled "Hello, Ryan..." I had no idea what to do, so I laughed and said, "Did I do something wrong?" At this point I should mention that the entire Los Angeles press corp was standing there watching this interaction. Miss Piggy looked at me, then looked at the press corp and said, "No, no. This is Ryan, one of moi's many stalkers!" I was literally stunned silent and that's when they took the picture. Sheesh.

So after Miss Piggy nearly killed me, we went back outside for even more filming. It was around this time that the press members started to leave, so the whole shoot became a lot more informal. We got to talk to Eric Jacobson for a long, long time. The lot of us stood in a circle, in the middle of the road on Hollywood Boulevard, and just talked and talked to Eric for at least half an hour. He is the nicest, funniest, most intelligent guy and I really can't get over that fact. He's such a delight and I love every second I get to spend hanging out with him. After we talked, we took a picture.

By this time it was at least midnight and the production showed no signs of slowing down. Rob Corddry came in and filmed his cameo. David Rudman performed Scooter. Thog walked down Hollywood Boulevard. It was amazing. At about 1:00 am, the production paused for dinner (at least I think it was dinner) and everyone walked over to the adjacent Hollywood High School to have craft services in their cafeteria. I think it was probably Matt Vogel or Bill Barretta that invited me, Matt, and Rachel to come eat (Raymond had already left at this point), so obviously we did. Once again, the food was amazing, but the company was even better. Dave Goelz invited Matt and I to sit at his table with him, so we talked to Dave for quite a bit. Later I got to talk for awhile with Debbie McClellan, which is always wonderful, and John Bernstein, who works on DVD/Blu-ray content for Disney and who oddly enough went to my college. We bonded over pizza places and crappy dorm rooms.

After the food, everybody returned for more filming. We saw Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Walter, Rowlf, and Scooter shooting the opening group scene from Muppets Most Wanted ("Those were paid dancers"). During this scene, Dave Goelz was dismissed and went out of his way to come say goodbye to us--insane. The scene was so funny, and went over so well. The best part was Fozzie/Eric never being able to nail his line when the tumbleweed blows through the background. Every time he would flub it, the tumbleweed wrangler would have to run across the street, grab the tumbleweed, and run back. Movie making at its finest.

They shot different coverage for each character, so during some shots Matt Vogel wasn't needed and he came over to talk to us. Again, I can't reiterate how freaking cool Matt Vogel is. He treated me like family and was always so interested in talking to me. He's really the best. We took a picture in front of the Disney Soda Fountain store, so it looks like we're cross-promoting Iron Man 3.

Not too much more happened between then and the end of filming. But when they were finally ready to rap, James Bobin called out, "Martini shot!" and we realized that we were watching them film the final shot of Muppets Most Wanted. It was incredible. They shot it, got it in that one take, and Bobin yelled cut. The entire street started applauding and cheering and hugging each other and we got to be there in the middle of it all. Truly magical and a moment I'll never forget. Eventually everyone started leaving, so I said my goodbyes to the performers. Bill, Matt, and Peter all hugged me and Steve, Eric, and David were so happy to have me there. Me. I still can't get over it.

By the time I got back to my hotel, it was 4:30 am. I had spent literally all night with the Muppets and I could not have been happier. And that's my story, Muppet fans. The story of how I met Walter, Kermit, and Miss Piggy, hung out with the Muppet performers, ate lots of craft services, and saw the final shot of Muppets Most Wanted filmed. Thanks for reading, believing, and supporting. I couldn't have done any of it without your support! I also have to say an endless amount of thank yous to Peter Linz, Debbie McClellan, Bill Barretta, Matt Vogel, and everyone who was so freaking kind to me.

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

The Muppet Mindset Most Wanted, Part 2

Ryan Dosier - Greetings, Muppet fans! When we last spoke about my journey to the set of Muppets Most Wanted last May, I had just gotten my picture taken with Walter and I had just watched a dozen Muppets shoot a scene in front of an Amtrak train. (To recap fully, just read Part 1.)

So! Where could we possibly go from there? Well, after getting our pictures with Walter, Matt Wilkie and I returned to the main hub where all the cast, crew, and extras were having lunch. It was a fully catered craft services lunch that you hear about. Honestly there was everything. Pasta, chicken, fish, cookies (more on those later), ice cream... everything. It was awesome. And Matt and I got to eat it for free and no one said anything to us. Very strange, wonderful times.

And yet the times got even stranger and wonderfuller. Matt and I sat down at one of the few empty tables and started eating. We were only a few bites in when Peter Linz and Matt Vogel came to sit with us. I don't know if this was because there was nowhere else to sit... but I doubt it. Almost immediately after sitting down, Peter and Matt whipped out their iPhones and started showing us pictures on-set pictures they had taken. I distinctly remember shots of Louise Gold and Annie Sue, Walter and Ricky Gervais in their trench coats, Peter and Bill Barretta performing the flamingos, the Muppet performers freezing at the gulag set, and so much more. It was unreal.

And yet it got more unreal. After lunch, the producers dismissed all of the extras, background puppeteers, and 90% of the crew, but somehow Matt and I got to stick around. At that point, things got crazy, as all of the Muppet performers--Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, and David Rudman--came to sit at our table. There we were, me and Matt, just casually hanging out with our heroes. No one questioned it, no one asked why we were still there... everyone was just so happy to sit and talk to us. Unbelievable.

Honestly, I can't think of any words to describe that moment. It completely blew me away to be in the presence of these people that I adore--and to be with them all at one time? I was stunned. I can't recall what we talked about, but I do remember lots and lots of laughter. I know that I was a part of something special there and I'm thankful for every single thing that led to that moment. Out of everything I've gotten to do because of The Muppet Mindset, I think that one moment, sitting with seven of my heroes as just one of the guys, is the culmination of it all.

And yet, it didn't stop there. While we were waiting (and at that point I wasn't even sure what we were waiting for), I asked to take a picture with Peter. Of course he said yes, so we posed for the picture... and then Dave Goelz wanders in because he was jealous he wasn't in the picture. Ridiculous. Here's that glorious picture:

After that, I noticed David Rudman was eating a cookie... and obviously I had to get a picture of that. The performer of Cookie Monster eating a cookie? Come on. Anyway, here's that picture:

At one point after that, the Union Station crew was putting away the tables, so we had to get up. I grabbed my backpack to move it out of the way. Dave Goelz saw me do this and said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Are you leaving?! You can't leave!" I said, "No, no I'm just grabbing my backpack." He was relieved. I was confused. And enthralled. The day just kept getting better.

And then the day turned into the best. We finally found out what we were waiting around for when some of the performers went into a back room to do some on-set ADR (automated dialogue replacement, aka dubbing). Steve, Eric, Bill, and Dave stayed behind for a rehearsal with James Bobin. There, in the grand hall of Union Station, Steve Whitmire pulled out Kermit, Eric Jacobson pulled out Fozzie, Bill took Statler, and Dave took Waldorf, and the four of them rehearsed the lines leading up to "We're Doing a Sequel" and the first few bars of the song.

So Matt and I sat there, watching our own private Muppet rehearsal and hearing the start of "We're Doing a Sequel" nearly a year before the film's release. I'm not kidding when I say that those lines of the song did not leave my head for 10 months until I heard the whole thing. I knew then and there that Muppets Most Wanted would be a hysterical, incredible experience. They must've rehearsed that opening a dozen times, because the lyrics were ingrained in my brain. Again, I could not believe I was there experiencing this.

After the rehearsal wrapped, everyone was finished and the day was over. At this point it was probably about 5 in the evening, making for a long, hugely fulfilling day. As we were leaving, Peter and Debbie McClellan told Matt and I that they would be filming another scene--this one on Hollywood Boulevard--two days from then. They said we could come and they would be in touch... so my trip was clearly just beginning. Hard to believe that after the day I had just had, there would be another day on set with the Muppets. But... more on that later.





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

The Muppet Mindset Most Wanted, Part 1

Ryan Dosier - Isn't life funny? One minute, it's 2013, the next, it's 2014, then it's May 2014 and you realize it's been literally an entire year since you had one of the greatest experiences of your life. What's worse, you realize it's been a year and you haven't written anything about one of the greatest experiences of your life. I can attribute this to many things... lack of approval from Disney, not wanting to spread spoilers--but mostly it's just me forgetting to sit down and write. But that's being fixed right now!

One year ago today, May 6, 2013, I was on a a bus headed for Los Angeles Union Station. I had been invited by my amazing friend Peter Linz to be his guest on the set of Muppets Most Wanted while they filmed a few scenes in LA after months of filming in London. It was (and still is) an unbelievable gift for Peter to invite me and a really, truly can never thank him enough or repay him for what I got to experience over the few days I was there.

I arrived at Union Station around 9:00am. Peter had told me to get there at 10, but I wanted to make sure I was there early enough. Getting there at 9 happened to work out extremely well, because as I was walking through the station trying to get my bearings, I just happened to run into Bill Barretta. Bill and I go back almost five years. He was the first Muppet performer I ever interviewed and met in person so it's oddly fitting that he became my guide through my first on-set Muppet experience. Bill swept me up and walked me around, showing me the train platform where they would be filming.

As we were walking out onto the platform, a security guard stopped us (obviously, since he was guarding a big-budget film set) and Bill simply told him, "We're with the Muppets" and we got through. Me. I was with the Muppets. It was unbelievable just to hear those words... and then we went out to the train platform. There were large black crates, obviously holding the Muppets themselves. There were animatronic rats sitting on boxes that Bill was delighted to show off. Thog's head was sitting on the ground and Bill said, "Go ahead and touch him. Take a picture if you want." So obviously I did. Then I nearly fainted.

Somewhere in here, I ran into my buddy Matt Wilkie, who was on set as a correspondent for ToughPigs. I can't express how glad I was to have Matt on set with me. Not only is he a fantastic person to have around anytime, anywhere, but he was just as geeked out and freaked out as me. The number of times Matt and I turned to each other and mouthed "Oh. My. God." or audibly gasped together is too many for me to count. We had a blast and there's no one I would've rather had alongside me on set that day.

After Bill walked us around the set, he took Matt and I to the main hub where the extras, puppeteers, and crew would wait in-between and after takes. The first person we ran into was Steve Whitmire. Steve, who I had met a handful of times before, lit up immediately when he saw us. We talked for a little bit about the movie, he signed a photo of Kermit I brought, and took photos with Matt and I. Then I believe he said, "I've gotta go out front and film something. Will you guys be around later?" Matt and I, stars in our eyes, nodded, and Steve said, "Great! We'll talk more" and went off to be Kermit the Frog. Nuts.

After our Steve encounter, Matt and I discovered the bounties of craft services (thanks to Muppets Studio chief Debbie McClellan, who assured us it was fine that we eat something) and had some coffee (bad idea, considering how jittery I already was) and breakfast. We sat down with the group of extra hands--the background Muppet performers. It was such a treat to talk with hugely fun and talented folks like Nathan Danforth (my awesome friend), Michael Oosterom, Bruce Lanoil, and Mike Quinn. Mike, especially, was incredible to talk to, with more than 30 years of history with the Muppets, plus credits in Star Wars (he's Nien Nunb!!) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Mike and all of the puppeteers treated us so well and I'm so glad to call them friends.

After awhile, Bill came back and assigned each of the puppeteers a character to perform. He sat down and rattled off names such as Wayne, Lips, Lew Zealand, Janice... I'm pretty sure I sat slack-jawed just hearing the Muppets I'd get to see in person. After he was done, Bill told Matt and I we could follow him out onto the platform. When we got there, we saw Kermit the Frog and I had to stop for a second. I had seen Kermit in person a few other times before, but I was never this close. I was six feet from the frog and he was on camera working his magic. The scene he was filming was unfortunately cut from the final film, but every take there was a line that required Kermit to turn and point. Each time he did, he looked directly at me and pointed, and each time my heart skipped a beat.

The scene they were filming also featured lines from Scooter and Beauregard, so David Rudman and Dave Goelz were standing off camera feeding the lines to Kermit. In between takes they both came over to talk to me and Matt. They were incredible as always (duh). During one conversation with David, he was so into our talk that he actually missed his cue. It was hilarious and probably my fault entirely... but everyone got a good laugh out of it. Eventually we were found by Matt Vogel and Peter Linz, who are two of the greatest people I know. They took us to more craft services and then talked to us for what felt like an hour chatting about the movie. Matt said, "Your the fans, ask us anything!" and they answered. It was crazy. It was here I first found out Matt was performing Constantine, found about about a helicopter scene, Walter jumping from a moving train, and more.

While we were talking with Matt and Peter, one of the puppet wranglers walked by carrying no fewer than six Muppets--including Dr. Teeth and Janice--and asked Peter if he wanted to take Walter now. He gave Matt and I a sly grin and said yes. Then he put on Walter and he came to life. Walter talked to Matt and I for a little bit and I seriously felt like a kid in a candy store. It was one of the coolest things I've ever gotten to do. It was my own private little moment with Walter and it doesn't get better than that.

And then they called for the puppeteers to get in place and true Muppet magic was turned on. There, directly in front of me, maybe four feet away, was Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Walter, Scooter, Rowlf, Swedish Chef, Floyd, Animal, Dr. Teeth, Janice, Zoot, Lips, Bunsen, Beaker, Wayne, Lew Zealand, Sweetums, and Thog. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and honestly I still don't believe it. It was truly breathtaking and like a dream to see all of these Muppets alive right in front of me. It was fascinating to see James Bobin direct them (and boy is he brilliant at it). I honestly don't know if I'll ever see anything quite like that again. I have no words to explain how utterly amazing it was.

After they wrapped the scene, the Muppets were whisked away (I'm still miffed I didn't get a picture with Lew Zealand) and Matt and I finally got to talk to Eric Jacobson. Eric is really the nicest guy around and one of the easiest people to talk to. He signed a picture of Fozzie I brought and then asked Matt and I if we were sticking around for lunch. I believe we said, "If we're allowed to" and he said, "Of course you are! Come on with me." So Matt and I started to follow Eric... but then we had to stop because we saw Peter and Walter chatting with the members of the press that were on set that day. Eric went on to lunch and we told him we'd catch up with him later.

Thank goodness we stuck around, because, thanks to Debbie McClellan, Matt and I got to sneak into the back of the line of press people getting their photos with Walter. When I got to Walter he said, "Hey, hey, Ryan! What pose should we do? Ooooh! I got it!" Walter then jumped on my shoulder and grinned wildly... and so did I, because how can you not? Then this picture happened:

And I think that's where I'll stop the story for today. What happened the rest of that day is more than enough to fill another article, and then there's a whole other day on set as well! There's still lots more story to come, Muppet fans, so be on the lookout for Part 2 and Part 3 of my incredible visit to the set of Muppets Most Wanted--a year later!






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

See Muppets Most Wanted Opening Weekend and Win!

As everybody reading certainly knows, Muppets Most Wanted opens in 3,000 theaters across the United States and Canada starting tomorrow! After months and months of waiting, Muppet fans will finally get to see Kermit, Miss Piggy, Constantine, and the whole Muppet gang dominate the big screen again.

I'm sure that most of you are going to see the film as soon as you possibly can, but if you can't decide if you should see it opening weekend or not, allow me, Matt Vogel, and Peter Linz to provide you some incentive. Details below:

SEE MUPPETS MOST WANTED OPENING WEEKEND AND SUBMIT YOUR TICKET STUBS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES SIGNED BY MATT VOGEL AND/OR PETER LINZ!

If you see Muppets Most Wanted on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, Saturday, March 22, or Sunday, March 23, submit photographic proof of your ticket stubs to muppetmindset@gmail.com for a chance to win a prize signed by Muppet performers Matt Vogel (Constantine) and Peter Linz (Walter). Winners will be chosen at random by Ryan Dosier and announced on Monday, March 24th via Facebook and Twitter. Only one entry will be counted per person. Submitting ticket stubs more than once will not help your chances. Submitting more than one ticket stub does not help your chances. The winner will be decided completely at random.

So there you go, Muppet fans! A chance to win actual signed stuff from two of the most talented and nicest guys in the world. Go see Muppets Most Wanted opening weekend. Send us your ticket stubs. And above all, have a blast seeing the Muppets on the big screen again!

Huge, huge, heartfelt thanks to my incredible friends Matt Vogel and Peter Linz for their help with this--and a hundred other things.

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

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Constantine

Written by Ryan Dosier.

CONSTANTINE

Performed by...
Matt Vogel

First appearance...
Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Most recent appearance...
Various talk shows

Best known role...
The World's Number One Criminal; The World's Most Dangerous Frog

WHO IS CONSTANTINE?
Constantine is an evil, Russian frog with a proclivity for martial arts, blowing things up, and knitting. Constantine is widely observed as not only the World's Most Dangerous Frog, but quickly rises to the rank of World's Number One Criminal. Of course, the most obvious trait Constantine possesses is that he's a dead-ringer for Kermit the Frog--if you ignore the black mole, shorter collar, and angry eyes.

At the beginning of Muppets Most Wanted, Constantine escapes from a Russian gulag prison using explosives and stunning karate moves. Constantine's partner in crime, his "Number Two," is Dominic Badguy, who resents Constantine for treating him so poorly. At times it seems Number Two might have better and smarter plans than Constantine... but it's hard to say. Constantine uses Dominic to break into some of Europe's most heavily guarded museums and banks as their major evil plan unfolds.

Constantine unfurls his wicked plot by planting a fake mole on the face of Kermit the Frog and getting him sent to the gulag. With Number Two already infiltrated into the Muppets as their tour manager, Constantine slips right into Kermit's role, trying his best to mimic the famous amphibian. Fortunately for Constantine, the Muppets are all gullible and dumb enough to buy his act. Constantine's impression of Kermit is nowhere near spot on, but using by his charm and allowing the Muppets to do whatever he want, he quickly sways them.

Although he is evil and dangerous, Constantine is also a very talented performer. His two songs in the film, "I'm Number One" and "I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu)" showcase his singing and dancing skills. Despite this, when Constantine first opens The Muppet Show on the Muppets' World Tour, he is struck by severe stage fright. As he studies his tapes of Kermit the Frog and (reluctantly) practices more, his Kermit impression gets slightly better, even fooling the Interpol and CIA.

The only Muppet Constantine seems to have a real problem with is Miss Piggy. He finds her appalling and is completely put off by her every time she is around. This hatred doesn't show, however, and Miss Piggy somehow buys Constantine's act almost whole hog (pardon the pun). Will Piggy ever figure out Constantine's true identity? Will Constantine frame the Muppets for his burglaries? Will Number Two "dance, monkey, dance"? See Muppets Most Wanted to find out!

WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED CONSTANTINE?
In my opinion, Constantine is the greatest (and worst) villain the Muppets have ever faced. He's dangerous, he's menacing, he's smart, cunning, and even scary. The villains who preceded him never brought all of these things together. Doc Hopper proved to be dangerous, but never smart; Nicky Holiday was smart, but not really scary; Long John Silver was never menacing; Tex Richman was never all that dangerous. Constantine is also the very first true Muppet villain, a villain who is actually a Muppet. That alone is incredible to me.

Besides all that, Constantine is hysterical. Watching Matt Vogel perform in off the cuff interviews with the character is a joy. He gets to let loose and show us how conceited and kind of dumb Constantine is in real life. It's fantastic to see another new Muppet character already have so much depth and promise to him. I don't know what Constantine could do with the Muppets in the future, but I sincerely hope this isn't the last time we see him.

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

News Update: March 18, 2014

MARCH 18, 2014

Kermit the Frog made a big-time appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night. He sat in as Jimmy's second guest and then performed "Bein' Green" accompanied by The Roots and Jimmy Fallon. It was a delightful appearance and Kermit was a lot of fun in the interview. Enjoy the videos below!





Miss Piggy stopped by Toronto's CP24 Breakfast show thiorning on her big promotional tour through Canada. Unfortunately, the video cannot be embedded, but you  can watch the fantastic nine minute appearance on the CP24 Breakfast website.

Tina Fey was spotted in Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios theme park a few days ago. Obviously, she stopped by Muppet*Vision 3D. While she was there, she got to hang out with the Muppet*Vision version of Sweetums, and we got this stellar picture:

The Muppets overwhelmed QVC on Sunday, appearing on the network for almost nine hours straight. The appearances were fun and Muppety, but few and far between. However, we got to see Rizzo, Constantine, Bobo, Big Mean Carl, and Link Hogthrob (plus the frog, pig, bear, whatever, and prawn), so it's all worth it. Our friends at ToughPigs.com have collected all of the videos from the appearance in one massive post, and I highly suggest checking it out!

The Swedish Chef and Constantine appeared on ABC's The Chew this morning. The Swedish Chef helped cook some meatballs. Unfortunately, the videos are once again not able to be embedded, but the appearance is hysterical and felt like an old Swedish Chef sketch on The Muppet Show. You've got to check it out. Visit The Chew's website for the two videos.

Constantine is the subject of a great article from The New York Times which also features interviews from James Bobin and Matt Vogel. It's a really insightful article about the creation of the character and goes into detail about some of their difficulties in distinguishing Constantine from Kermit. Give it a read!

Entertainment Weekly has yet another clip from Muppets Most Wanted. In this clip, we see Kermit attempting to break out of the Russian gulag he's trapped in. Unfortunately for the frog, Nadya (Tina Fey), doesn't really like that idea. Watch below (or don't to remain spoiler free):



Muppet fans Ryan Dosier (hey, that's me!), Ryan Roe, and Joe Hennes (both from ToughPigs) were interviewed by The Wall Street Journal for an article profile on Muppet fandom. The article is incredibly well written and I'm so honored and thrilled to be quoted alongside my friends Ryan and Joe. Read the article over on The Wall Street Journal site.

Our amazing friends at ToughPigs.com have organized fan screenings of Muppets Most Wanted in major cities across the United States. If our base wasn't in the middle of nowhere, we would've jumped at the chance to host one of these. But look at all the cities covered: New York City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portland, Washington, DC, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Phoenix! Incredible. For more information, check out ToughPigs.

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

News Update: January 16, 2014

JANUARY 16, 2014

The Muppets Most Wanted merchandise train is finally leaving the station at the Disney Store. Yesterday, our friend Max Jessop alerted us to the fact that new Muppet plush are being released for the movie. The characters being made into plush are Constantine and, most excitingly, Rowlf the Dog! Check out pictures of the plush below. We also have been told that a lot more Muppets Most Wanted stuff is on the way as well.

CBS This Morning got the chance to send one of its correspondents, Mo Rocca, to the set of Sesame Street recently, where he got to learn how to be a Muppet performer from our friends Matt Vogel and Martin P. Robinson. The video is really, really cool and fun. Gotta love seeing the Muppet performers given the spotlight they so richly deserve.

Muppets Most Wanted is in the running in MTV's Movie Brawl, a March Madness-style tournament pitting the year's most anticipated movies up against each other. Muppets Most Wanted is up against something called Camp X-Ray that I've never heard of. So let's rock the vote, Muppet fans, and make sure the Muppets win the first round (and the whole thing, if we can help it)!

In big, hugely exciting news, the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia announced this week their plans for a major expansion to be completed in 2015. The press release has everything you need to know about the amazing full expansion, but here is the relevant Muppet related info:

In 2007, Jim Henson’s family announced a momentous gift of puppets and props to the Center for Puppetry Arts. We are thrilled that approximately half of our expanded museum space will be dedicated to the Jim Henson Collection. 

This interactive exhibition will follow Henson’s prolific imagination chronologically, transporting visitors through environments that typified the master puppeteer’s world such as Jim’s Office and the Television Studio.

In addition to learning how Henson’s characters came to life and are stillperformed, visitors will be able to view iconic puppets such as Kermit 
the Frog and Miss Piggy.

We are so, so thrilled for our great friends at the Center. They are a huge part of keeping the art of puppetry alive and well and their museum is absolutely amazing. If you ever have the chance to visit them in Atlanta, I cannot recommend it enough. Already they have on display Big Bird, Rowlf, Dr. Teeth, Emmet Otter, Mokey and Red Fraggle, Link Hogthrob and Dr. Strangepork, and plenty, plenty more. Take the time to see it if you can!

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

Sesame Workshop Wants to See Your Puppetry Skills

Some hugely exciting news this week from our friends Matt Vogel and Martin P. Robinson at Sesame Workshop. Sesame is holding a workshop for highly talented puppeteers, age 18 and over, who are looking to develop and hone their on-camera puppeteer skills. If you are familiar with the Sesame Street style of puppetry, and interested in the opportunity to participate in a puppeteer workshop in New York City in early 2014 please click here for more information:

http://www.sesameworkshop.org/puppeteer-workshop/

For a chance to attend the workshop, you simply have to create a three minute video of you puppeteering. The link above has more specific details. This is a huge, thrilling chance to perform for and alongside Sesame Street's finest puppeteers. Workshops like this are the best way to get your talent seen by the people at Sesame Workshop. Please note: this is not a training camp for inexperienced puppeteers, this is an effort by Sesame to find talented puppeteers and give them a chance to hone their skills with the best of the best.

This is an almost unprecedented opportunity for highly talented puppeteers. If you think you have what it takes, then get to work and submit your video now! There is no reason not to--and every reason that you should. How often do you get the opportunity to work with Matt Vogel and Marty Robinson? Not often. So hop to it, Muppet fans and puppeteers! Get your videos made and submit them before October 11th!

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

News Update: March 8, 2013

NEWS UPDATE: March 8, 2013
Late Tuesday night news came out that Disney would be using its expert cross-promotional techniques on the Muppets once again. Access Hollywood reported that the Muppets will apepar on Disney Channel's hit show Good Luck Charlie on April 28th. According to the official synopsis for the episode, "The Duncan Family decides to build their dream house after the family home is devastated by termites. Everyone, with the exception of Charlie (played by Mia Talerico), is excited at the prospect of a new and larger home. However, Teddy (Bridgit Mendler) has a change of heart after a dream in which Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Animal convince her that the old family home is really the house of her dreams." It sounds like it could be a fun appearance for Kermit and the gang.

While on the set of Good Luck Charlie, Access Hollywood talked to Miss Piggy about her appearance on the show and filming The Muppets... Again. The interview is fantastic and Eric Jacobson continues to be perfect as Piggy. My favorite part of the interview comes when Piggy refers to Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey as "background actors." Spectacular. Watch the video below!

Our good friends over at ToughPigs.com have all the news on the kids' portion of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Why do we care? Because Sesame Street is going to play a big part in the festival this year. Head over to ToughPigs for the entire Sesame-related schedule, which includes panels featuring Maria and Murray Monster and their friends/same people Sonia Manzano and Joey Mazzarino, which are sure to be exciting. So if you're headed to TIFF, be sure to check them out! If not, be sure to check out the great video with Murray and Maria below!

It's been awhile since Fraggle Rock saw a DVD release, but the fine folks over at TVShowsonDVD.com have some great news for those who missed out on the series on DVD the first time around. Series sets will be released on DVD periodically throughout the year (Season 1 on March 12; Season 2 on April 16; Season 3 on May 14; and Season 4--tentaively--on June 18). Perhaps most exciting is the 30th Anniversary Collection, also released on May 14th, which comes with all four seasons on DVD, a Red Fraggle plush keychain, the complete Animated Series, and a new Fraggle graphic novel. The cost is reasonable for two complete series, and the new box art is pretty great (see right). No word if new bonus features will be included... but the world can hope.

In other odd Fraggle news, the Jim Henson Company seems to be bringing their long in development children's TV series, Doozers, to television. An official video preview for the show was released on YouTube by our friends at Muppet Newsflash. I'm not sure how I feel about the video... it seems pretty confusing so far, but hopefully it will be much less confusing when it finally airs sometime in 2013. Enjoy the video below!



Finally, in hugely exciting and momentous (for many reasons) news: Sesame Street's YouTube Channel yesterday became the first ever non-profit organization to reach over 1 billion views! They promised to celebrate with a top-secret video, which they released yesterday. It stars Count von Count, performed for the first time since Jerry Nelson passed away. The Count is performed here by the amazing Matt Vogel, who does a nearly flawless job. The characterization, movement, and excitement is perfect. The voice is nearly uncanny. There are moments where Matt emulates Jerry's voice so perfectly, he could fool anyone. I am so thrilled and proud of Matt for this video and for taking over Count von Count. No one could do better. Watch the wonderful video below!









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

News Update: May 17, 2012

NEWS UPDATE: May 17, 2012
Remember a few years ago when the Muppets were never on television? Yeah... me too. Aren't you so glad that's changed? Nowadays we get Muppets on TV at least once a month! And May is no different, as Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are scheduled to appear on ABC's The Bachelorette this coming Monday, May 21st. We have a short clip of their appearance thanks to our friends at StitchKingdom.com and Disney/ABC! Check it out below:



The fine folks at Garmin GPS have released some exciting new character voices for their GPS that will give you directions to wherever you need to go (probably). Now, if you own a Garmin, you can get your directions from Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch! You can hear our furry pals give some guiding advice on the Garmin Voices website and purchase the content from there as well! Anybody want to donate a Garmin GPS to The Muppet Mindset? For... business purposes, of course!

It's always a rare treat for Muppet fans when Frank Oz gets interviewed in an official capacity. Well, that just happened again, with this brief interview with Entertainment Weekly magazine. In which he discusses the remake of his classic Little Shop of Horrors. But what is more interesting to us Muppet fans is his discussion of the new Muppet movie, The Muppets, and his attempts to not have "sour grapes" about it. He seems semi-positive about it--at least about the characters being back in the public eye, which is a lot more positive than he was last year.

Speaking of interviews with awesome people, friend of the blog and Muppeteer extraordinaire Matt Vogel was recently interviewed for Dramatics Magazine. In the interview, Matt discusses playing Big Bird, working with the other Muppeteers, performing Jerry Nelson's characters, and the World Premiere of The Muppets (where we ran into each other). There's a moment in the interview where he talks about coming off of the green carpet to sign things for the fans, and I'm proud to say that I was the first fan he talked to when he came over there! Anyway... check out the interview because it's absolutely fantastic.

Finally, we have yet another beyond incredible video of Muppeteer legend and friend of the blog Jerry Nelson recording the song "Little Red" for his beautiful, amazing album Truro Daydreams (which you absolutely have to buy right now). What makes this video even more spectacular is the added vocals of two more friends of the blog and Muppeteer legends: Kevin Clash and Fran Brill, who provide the voices of the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood. Plus, a brief appearance from Carroll Spinney! The video comes straight from Muppet writer/Jim Henson Legacy coordinator Craig Shemin, whom you should follow on Twitter... after you watch the video, of course.









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