News Update: December 20, 2012

NEWS UPDATE: December 20, 2012
Last night the Muppets appeared on WWE's Tribute to the Troops special on the USA Network. It was a two-hour long special, so I can't blame you at all if you didn't want to sit through it for what added up to a little over ten minutes of Muppet content. Luckily for you, the internet is awesome and all of the clips of the Muppets on the special are online now and you can watch them right here! (Note: The second video is especially bizarre.)









And now, here is a special message/reminder from our friend Josh Hankemeier...

December 21, 2012 is tomorrow. For us Muppet fans, this is the time to find a bell and participate once again in the annual ringing of the bells at 9:00pm central time on December 21st. If you are a newbie to this tradition, check out this post about it for further details. All you need is a bell (or something that jingles or rings) and an accurate clock. Since this tradition is inspired by "The Bells of Fraggle Rock," you can also celebrate by watching the episode. If you start the episode at precisely 8:38pm (or 22 minutes to the hour in your time zone), the Fraggles will ring their bells right on the stroke of the hour and you'll ring your bell too.

So, find a bell! If you don't have a bell, use something that rings or jingles. Everyone has keys or loose change. If it rings, it works. In 2010, I told someone about this tradition, and even though he's not with us anymore, I thought it would be nice to share what he wrote to me: "I will be joining all the other bell ringers this December 21st. Thanks for the info. First I've heard of it but happy to make it part of our tradition." -- Jerry Nelson For those of you who will be watching "The Bells of Fraggle Rock" this year, think of that quote as you watch Gobo ring his bell.

Finally, in huge news on the next Muppet movie... news: Ricky Gervias has been confirmed as the human lead character in the next movie. Many articles are reporting that Gervais' role will be on the same level as Jason Segel's Gary in The Muppets. Gervais confirmed the news that he would be in the movie with a tweet...

This is very exciting, because it means the casting process for the next movie is coming to an end. We've heard many times before that there is also a femme fatale character in the movie that has yet to be cast. That actress, whoever it will be, will join Ricky Gervais as the lead and Ty Burrell as an interpol inspector. With filming beginning in less than a month, we're sure to hear more casting details very soon.

For those of you who are completely perturbed by the choice of Gervais (I'll argue his case at some point later on the site), I submit the video below as evidence of how wonderful he is with Muppets:








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

News Update: December 15, 2012

NEWS UPDATE: December 15, 2012
Kermit the Frog (you may have heard of him) stopped by the VH1 offices while he was in New York City to be on their morning show VH1 Big Morning Buzz Live! He visited to give some relationship advice (and do some harmless flirting) with host Carrie Keagan. It's a charming, fun little interview so enjoy the video below!

As we've mentioned before, the Muppets are returning to WWE Raw later this month (specifically on Wednesday, December 19th at 9:00pm/8:00pm central time on the USA Network) for their WWE Tribute to the Troops. Well, as part of the promotion for the appearance Miss Piggy appeared in a video on the WWE YouTube page with rapper Flo Rida. It's odd, but it happened, so here it is!



Earlier this week Sesame Street made headlines as they promoted their newly released resources for families coping with divorce. As many Muppet fans know, this isn't the first time the show tried to tackle this tough topic. Back in the early 1990s, they tried an episode featuring Snuffy's parents getting divorced. It tested incredibly poorly and was completely scrapped. But thankfully, they tried again and this time (in my opinion) it worked beautifully. The producers chose Abby Cadabby to teach kids about divorce as she talked with Elmo, Rosita, and Gordon about her parents being divorced. My words can't really do the resources justice, so head on over to the official site for Little Children, Big Challenges: Divorce to watch and read through the content yourself.

Finally, our friends at Top Hat Sasquatch have given Muppet fans an early Christmas present this year with MP3 versions of all of the songs from the classic special A Muppet Family Christmas. You can download the soundtrack for free from the site and gain some fantastic songs to make your days merry and bright this holiday season! Thanks to Top Hat Sasquatch for putting the soundtrack together and alerting us about it!

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

News Update: November 16, 2012

NEWS UPDATE: November 16, 2012

Ever since last Halloween, when the Muppets made an awesome appearance on WWE Smackdown, we've been aware of the fact that some WWE folks are Muppet fans as well. Perhaps no one crosses over as much into both categories as WWE wrestler Hornswoggle, a self-proclaimed Muppet fanatic. Don't believe me? Well, then check out this awesome new video from WWE which features Hornswoggle showing off his impressive Muppet collection and Muppet geekitude (which is now a word, deal with it).



Speaking of WWE, earlier this week we received the exciting news that the Muppets are returning to the wrestling show next month as part of WWE's "Tribute to the Troops" holiday special. TV By the Numbers confirmed the news and has a press release about the event. The Muppets will appear in the special which will be broadcast on USA Network on December 19th as a two hour event and on December 22nd on NBC as a one hour event. So be prepared for some more Muppet wrestling madness!

Earlier this week it was announced that D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, would be hosting a Muppet meet up event later this month. Kermit the Frog and Pepe the King Prawn will be live and in person at the Times Square Disney Store in New York City on November 27th! Unfortunately, advance tickets were only available to D23 members and sold out extremely fast. However, you can read all about the upcoming event on the D23 website and I'm sure we'll have plenty of details about the meet up after it happens. I know for a fact that our friends Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe from ToughPigs will be at the event, so at the very least they'll have some cool pictures and stories to share.

Finally, in awesomely weird Muppet video news, the Swedish Chef appeared in the most recent video from Chris Hardwick and the Nerdist Channel on YouTube. The video is a parody of the popular "Ermahgerd" internet meme (which you should Google if you don't already know it). Somehow Nerdist got the real, actual Swedish Chef to come in for the music video and rap (I think, you never can tell with the Chef). Really, you should just watch it for yourself...









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

News Update: November 4, 2011

NEWS UPDATE: November 4, 2011

On Monday, the Muppets appeared on WWE Raw SuperShow to promote The Muppets. while most people assumed this would be the strangest Muppet appearance in some time (and they were pretty much right), the Muppets themselves were fun, funny, and awesome as always. To see for yourself, check the video below to see every Muppet segment from the appearance!



In their continuing efforts to release merchandise for The Muppets, the Disney Store online has put out a place-holder preview for a Walter plush!! Walter looks fantastic and adorable as ever--don't you just want to throw him into an electrified fence (in a good way)? No word on when Walter will be available for ordering, but keep your eyes on The Muppet Mindset for up to the minute information!

The Muppets are hitting full promotional form in the coming weeks, appearing all over the place on numerous talk shows. The Tonight Show is welcoming three members of The Muppets cast: Miss Piggy on November 4th, Jason Segel on November 8th, and Kermit the Frog on November 11th. Kermit will also be appearing on The Ellen Degeneres Show on November 9th, and that same day Miss Piggy will be presenting an award on ABC's Country Music Awards. Jason Segel and Miss Piggy will also be appearing on LIVE! With Regis and Kelly sometime in the week of November 21st-23rd. More appearances are sure to be on the way, so keep an eye out and if you find any before we do, let us know! Plus, check out our brand new "Upcoming Muppet Appearances" list on the right side of the website!

Mahna Mahna has taken over Facebook with the new Never-Ending Mahna Mahna Phenomena, where you can film a brief video of yourself saying "Mahna Mahna!" and have it included in an endless loop of videos alongside other Muppet fans, Muppets themselves (I've seen Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Pepe, Rowlf, and Big Mean Carl), and celebrity guest stars, including Alan Arkin, Mickey Rooney, and Kristen Schaal! Check it out for yourself and record your own Mahna Mahna! Doo do doo do it!

Our good friends over at ToughPigs.com got the great opportunity to interview Muppteer legend Kevin Clash after a recent screening of Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey in New York City. The interview is fantastic (almost as good as our interview with Kevin), so be sure to check it out and find out how Jim Henson helped make Clifford the host of Muppets Tonight, what Kevin thinks of the Elmo backlash, and a lot more great information!

The Muppets was spotlighted on ABC News and Nightline last night, and featured incredible behind-the-scenes looks at the new film, interviews with Kermit, Jason Segel, and Miss Piggy, and just an amazing good feeling exuding from the entire thing. There are three magnificent videos on the page linked to above that you should see. The first is a seven minute overview of the film and what went into making it, the second features Jason Segel as he walks us through his puppet and Muppet-filled screening room, and the third is a clip of the Muppets from 1984 when they co-hosted Nightline. Muppety goodness knows no bounds!

The Muppets was also the main attraction on last night's episode of the Canadian talk show, Strombo. Kermit the Frog appeared on the show to talk about the new movie, his career, his co-stars, and so much more. It may be 12 minutes long, but this is one of the greatest interviews I've seen with the Frog in a long time--plus it includes a fantastic career retrospective at the beginning. Watch it!



The Muppets are the feature story of the fall issue of Disney Twenty-Three Magazine. The magazine, which is delivered to many D23 members quarterly, is set to feature a slew of details about The Muppets with cast interviews, behind-the-scenes and on-set details, and remembrances of Jim Henson from Brian Henson and Steve Whitmire. The issue comes out on November 15th and is available at most bookstores. Look out for it!

Speaking of magazines, Kermit the Frog graces the cover of this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly. Inside the magazine, you'll find out how "The Muppets Were Saved" in an extensive article. The issue also includes an interview with Walter and tips from Muppeteer Bill Barretta on how to bring Muppets to life. It's fantastic to see the Muppeteers being interviewed in all of this promotional blitz! The issue is on newsstands today, so what are you doing? Go buy it!

Another new actual-movie clip from The Muppets has surfaced online--and it's the first musical one! Walt Disney Pictures Australia has put up a 50 second clip of the film's opening number, "Life's a Happy Song," online! It's as fantastic as you would expect... but you can see for yourself below!



But before you go... we have an extremely exciting announcement to make: the owner/operator of The Muppet Mindset, Ryan Dosier, will be flying out to Los Angeles on November 10th to attend the cast and crew screening of The Muppets (which he was EXTREMELY lucky to be invited to)!!!! Ryan will also get to see Kermit on The Tonight Show on November 11th, and will be stalking the red carpet at the premiere of The Muppets at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on November 12th! None of this would have been possible without the support of you, the fans of The Muppet Mindset! So... thank you!! If Ryan could take all of you with him, he definitely would.

Be sure to keep up with Ryan on Twitter as he embarks on his journey, and be on the lookout for his exclusive review of The Muppets nearly two weeks before it hits theaters!!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Halloween with The Muppets!

Happy Halloween from
The Muppet Mindset!!

And don't forget to catch the Muppets big appearance on WWE Raw tonight on the USA Network! It should be on at 9:00pm/8:00pm central time... but it might vary by region, so check your local listings to be sure!

Also, check out some exclusive Muppety Halloween content provided to us by our good friends at Disney and The Muppets Studio! Have a spook-tacular, Halloween, Muppet fans!!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

News Update: September 20, 2011

NEWS UPDATE:   SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Promotion for The Muppets is ramping up very quickly, so expect to see Muppets everywhere (except in your closet, unfortunately). First up, Kermit recently filmed a commercial for the celebrity-heavy ad campaign of Wonderful Pistachios. You can check out Kermit's cute TV spot (that you'll surely be seeing all the time on while watching your shows) right here:



On October 2nd, Miss Piggy will be returning to Disney Channel on their extremely popular sketch comedy show So Random! (think SNL for 14 year olds). Piggy will be playing herself as the big, celebrity guest star for the show who everyone on the show attempts to appeal to. You can see the promo for the episode here:



And in extremely random Muppet appearance news, the Muppets will be appearing on the wrestling program WWE Raw on October 31st to promote the movie. The official WWE website provides this little bit of information on the upcoming appearance, "What will happen when Kermit the Frog meets The Viper? Will the Divas make Miss Piggy flip with jealousy? Will Beaker be confused for Sheamus? On Halloween, it's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights, because the Muppets are about to get Raw!" I don't really know what any of that means, but this has the potential to be a very fun and funny appearance!

The Museum of Moving Image in New York City, which is currently playing host to the wonderful Jim Henson's Fantastic World exhibit, is having a fun celebration for Jim's birthday on September 24th. Here is a breakdown of what's occurring on the 24th, for more information visit the museum's website:

• At 1:00 p.m. in the Main Theater, attend the special program “Muppet Music Moments,” with special introductions by Craig Shemin, President of The Jim Henson Legacy, and Bonnie Erickson, Executive Director of The Jim Henson Legacy and designer of Miss Piggy, along with special guest speaker Larry Grossman, music consultant for The Muppet Show. This special 77-minute compilation features performances by Harry Belafonte, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, and other Muppet Show guest stars, in a wide range of musical genres—classic music numbers interpreted as only the Muppets can. Tickets are free with Museum admission and will be distributed first-come, first-served. Museum members may reserve advance tickets. (This compilation program will also be presented on Sunday, September 25, at 1:00 p.m. with Larry Grossman in person).
• Receive a custom-designed commemorative cookie featuring Kermit the Frog’s signature foot prints (as long as supplies last). These artisanal cookies were produced especially for the Museum by Bonne Fete Baking, Inc. and You Cake, Inc., two Queens-based small businesses that operate at the Entrepreneur Space, a partnership of the Queens Economic Development Corporation and Mi kitchen es su kitchen.
• Watch a special episode of The Muppet Show in which the cast celebrates Kermit the Frog’s birthday. The 22-minute program will screen continuously in the Museum’s Fox Amphitheater in the Education Center and is included with Museum admission.
• Write a personal message and sign your name in a commemorative journal that will be given to The Jim Henson Legacy for their archives.

Our good friends over at WeLoveFine T-shirts are hosting another official Muppet T-shirt design contest and they want YOUR art! The Grand Prize winner wins $3,000, with prizes for first and second place as well. The winning design will also get printed on a shirt and sold at WeLoveFine. It's really exciting to think of the prospect of another amazing Muppet t-shirt after our friend James Carroll's shirt was printed. Submission deadline is October 2nd before 11:59 PM and voting for the designs opens up on October 14 until November 4, with winners being announced on November 11. And, just between you and me, most of the designs submitted so far pretty much suck (thankfully not all--see right), so to all you extremely talented Muppet fan artists who we know and love... get to it!

Speaking of t-shirts and awesome artists, our friend and staff member James Carroll's gorgeous and insanely awesome "Muppetational Mosaic" design is now being printed on all sorts of things (unfortunately not your chest) at the Threadless-sponsored Society 6. Via the site, you can order Art Prints, Canvas Prints, iPhone Cases, Laptop and iPad Skins, and iPhone and iPod Skins. It's awesome, and some of the proceeds do go to James, whose artwork makes our website so gorgeous (the header). Buy something! (You know, if you can.)

Finally, Disney has given the official website for The Muppets, TheMuppets.com, a complete makeover and Disney website overhaul. On the site, you'll find Characters (descriptions/pages for Kermit and Piggy, with others coming soon), About the Movie (The Story, The Cast, The Crew [coming soon]), Video Clips (just trailers for now, but more probably coming soon), a picture Gallery, Products (currently only selling The Green Album, but Movies, Toys, Books, Apparel, Beauty, Designer Apparel, Kitchen, Electronics, and Sationary coming soon), Games (Coming Soon), and Downloads (Coming Soon). There currently isn't too much to see on the site, aside from a few cool new pictures if you know where to look, but there is certainly a ton coming very soon as promotion heats up. Keep an eye on the movie site and on The Muppet Mindset for whatever might come from Disney!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com