Beaker's Ballad

Make a Monser with Elmo's New iPhone App

Do you have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Now you can make your own Muppet monsters, and even send them to a friend. Elmo's Monster Maker is a brand-new app that lets you create thousands Sesame Street monsters, by combining a variety of parts. the monster you create even plays and dances with Elmo. The new app is for all ages, and helps teach body part to children.

Sesame Workshop's Assistant Vice President for Business Development, Jeffrey Fleishmann, commented that "What's really unique about Elmo's Monster Maker App is the interaction with the live video—Elmo is literally playing with a Muppet you've just created."

The new app launched on February 2; Sesame Workshop previously released the game Grover's Number Special, back in November 2009.

Henson's "Stuffed and Unstrung" Puppet Show Comes to NYC

WestBeth Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company's Henson Alternative have just announced the New York debut of "Stuffed and Unstrung", a live uncensored show that lets loose the perilous and provocative elements of comedic improvisation on stage with a bunch of puppets. Created by Brian Henson and Patrick Bristow, this one-of-a-kind comedy performance is set for a special 10-week limited engagement kicking off Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at the Union Square Theatre in New York. The official opening will then take place on Thursday, April 1 at 9:00 PM.

"Stuffed and Unstrung" is a madcap multimedia romp in which the skilled art of puppetry and comedic intelligent nonsense collide. Unpredictable, irreverent and rebellious, it’s never the same show twice as a team of expert puppeteers sets off on a trail of twisted sketches and songs at breakneck pace while interaction with the audience prompts the spontaneous storylines unfolding on stage.

"Stuffed and Unstrung" evolved from Henson’s previous production "Puppet Up! – Uncensored", which made its debut at the 2006 HBO Comedy Festival (Aspen, CO) and later toured the 2006 Edinburgh Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland), The 2007 Comedy Festival (Las Vegas, NV) and Australia’s Sydney Big Laugh Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (both 2007). Most recently, "Puppet Up!" continued to be workshopped in monthly performances at Avalon Hollywood. The New York engagement of "Stuffed and Unstrung" marks the debut of a completely revamped production featuring all new technical wizardry and original music and staging.

With live musical accompaniment and Bristow as host, "Stuffed and Unstrung" features a cast of six puppeteers in an uninhibited live puppet performance, as never seen before. This production serves up “two shows in one” as the hilarious puppet action is projected on large screens flanking the stage, while the puppeteers display their skillful talents below all in full view of the audience.

For more information on the Jim Henson Company's "Stuffed and Unstrung," or to get your tickets for this must-see show, check out www.StuffedAndUnstrung.com. I will be sure to keep you posted as more information on this New York City stage show unfolds.

"Old School" Sesame Street Music Comes to CD in March!

E1 Music (formally known as Koch Records) is planning to release "Sesame Street Old School Vol. 1," a new CD box set, on March 23, 2010. The set, originally planned for a November release, will feature three of the earliest "Sesame Street" albums - including the original recording and artwork. All three albums have been fully remastered and this set marks the first time these albums will be available on CD. The 3-disc collection will carry a suggested retail price of $21.98

The package includes: "The Original Cast Recording" (first released in 1970), "Big Bird Sings" (1974) and "Bert & Ernie Sing Along" (1975). "The Original Cast Album" peaked at #23 on Billboard Top LPs chart in 1970, and was RIAA Gold Certified. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children. "Bert & Ernie Sing Along" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children in 1975.

So be sure to pick up this exciting collection of classic Sesame Street music when it hits stores in March. I'll keep you updates with more information on these, and other, Sesame Street CDs as details become available.

The Original Cast Album
1. Sesame Street Theme
2. ABC-DEF-GHI
3. I've Got Two
4. Goin' for a Ride
5. What Are Kids Called
6. Everybody Wash
7. One of These Things
8. Up and Down
9. Bein' Green
10. Somebody Come and Play
11. I Love Trash
12. A Face
13. J-Jump
14. People in Your Neighborhood
15. Rub Your Tummy
16. Number 5
17. Five People In My Family
18. Nearly Missed
19. Rubber Duckie

Big Bird Sings!
1. AB-C-DEF-GHI
2. The Noodle Song
3. The "J" Poem
4. Very, Very Special Letter
5. Big Bird Writes a Poem
6. How Do I Know I'm Here?
7. Everyone Likes Ice Cream
8. Y'all Fall Down
9. Everyone Makes Mistakes
10. The Sound of the Letter A
11. Just Three Colors
12. Ha Ha
13. No Matter What Your Language
14. Big Bird's Poem

Bert & Ernie Sing-Along
1. I Refuse to Sing Along
2. I've Been Working on the Railroad
3. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
4. A Really Good Feeling
5. Bats in My Belfry
6. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
7. I'll Give You a Song
8. Oscar Don't Allow
9. The Limerick Song (Come On and Sing Along With Me)
10. On Top of Old Smokey
11. Living Hand in Hand
12. What's the Name of That Song?
13. A Very Simple Dance
14. Morningtown Ride
15. Everyone Likes Ice Cream
16. C is for Cookie
17. Peanuts
18. John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith
19. She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
20. What's the Name of That Song? (Reprise)
21. Sing

The Muppet Newsflash: 5 Years and Counting

It is really hard to believe, but it has been 5 years since I started blogging here. This site debuted on February 1, 2005 and has been growing ever since. The site was founded with a simple mission - create a place to collect the latest Henson and Muppet news in one convenient place. Today, The Muppet Newsflash continues to provide fans with all the latest Muppet happenings.

I want to thank everyone who has given support to make The Muppet Newsflash one of the web's premiere spots for Muppet news. Over the past four years this site has grown (and grown). I hope that the Muppet Newsflash will be able to continue to uncover, investigate, report and compile all the news that Muppet-fans crave; and I hope that The Muppet Newsflash continues to be among your top sources for Muppet news.

Once again, I want to extend a gigantic "thank you" to everyone who supports this site, everyone who sends in news, everyone who gives us feedback, all the visitors, all the readers, all the friends and all of the fans around the world.

Here's to many more years of great Muppet news!

Jim Henson's Animal Show Comes to DVD!

Lionsgate Entertainment has informed retailers that Jim Henson's Animal Show with Stinky and Jake is coming to DVD! "Jim Henson's Animal Show: Lions, Tigers and Bears!" will hit DVD stores on April 13, 2010. This single-disc title runs over 120-minutes and contains five full-length episodes of the Henson Company series.

Hosted by Stinky the Skunk and Jake the Polar Bear, "Animal Show" welcomes guests of the animal kingdom to the furriest talk show to ever hit the airwaves. There's music and merriment in this show that has the animal world roaring. The episodes included on this first-ever DVD release from "Jim Henson's Animal Show" are "Zebra & Lion," "Tiger & Tiger Beetle," "Raccoon & Polar Bear," "Chimpanzee & Hyena," and "Grizzly Bear & Hedgehog."

On the same day, Lionsgate will also be releasing another single-DVD Henson Company title, Song of the Cloud Forest, which will contain two additional episodes of Jim Henson's Animal Show as a bonus: "Owl & Frog" and "Kangaroo & Frog". Lionsgate is planning to release these special DVDs just in time for Earth Day 2010, and I will be sure to keep you updated as more information on these exciting Henson Company titles become available.

"Song of the Cloud Forest" Comes to DVD

Today, Lionsgate Entertainment has informed retailers that a DVD of Jim Henson's Song of the Cloud Forest will be available starting on April 13, 2010. Originally appearing as part of "The Jim Henson Hour" in 1989, "Song of the Cloud Forest" features a blend of music, puppetry and animation resulting in a vibrant landscape of color that echoes the natural beauty found in the real world's rain forests. Starring a brightly colored cast of puppet animals, the show celebrates the beauty of this natural environment, while educating about the real dangers threatening the survival of both the rain forests and their inhabitants. "Song of the Cloud Forest" features a vibrant blend of music, puppetry and animation in a unique celebration of the rain forests.

Running 100-minutes, this disc will include the half-hour-long title story, plus three bonus episodes from othe Henson productions: the Fraggle Rock episode "River of Life", plus two installments of Jim Henson's Animal Show: "Owl & Frog" and "Kangaroo & Frog".

Lionsgate will release this special DVD title just in time for Earth Day 2010. I will keep you updated as more release information on this exciting Jim Henson title becomes available.

Jimmy Fallon & the Muppets Sing "The 12 Days of Christmas"

Muppets Make Dreams Come True on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

It has been announced that the Muppets will be making a special guest appearance in an upcoming episode of the hit ABC series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"! The Muppet-filled episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will air on Sunday, January 3, 2010 (8:00-9:00pm ET) on ABC.

On October 2, 2009 the "Extreme Makeover" team went to St. Paul, Minnesota to help fulfill the dreams of Sandy Morris and her family. Sixteen years ago, Sandy left a promising career in the public school to open a daycare to serve the needs of her community. Sandy runs the daycare out of her 100-year-old home, which is now falling apart. The numerous repairs needed to make the home safe threaten to shut down the daycare. Sandy's dedication to her daycare and her community has produced one of the best daycares in the city; even the Mayor of St. Paul sent his son there. Now it's up to Ty and the designers to build the Morris family a safe home that is a sanctuary for their family and will enable the daycare to remain a center of community life and education.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team leader Ty Pennington, designers Ed Sanders, Tracy Hutson and Paul DiMeo, call upon the help of Sam Champion ("Good Morning America"), the Muppets, community volunteers and others to get the job done. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat and the entire Muppet gang volunteer for "Get on the Bus" campaign and pitch in to help rebuild the Morris family's home.

This is not the first time the Muppets have been on hand to help the design team. Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and Animal helped the team build the home of the Harris family in 2005, and Kermit filled in for Ty as host during the building the Craft family's house durring a special two-hour episode in 2006. You won't want to miss this very special episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." So mark your calendars, set your DVR, or program those VCRs; you won't want to miss this epsidoe of Muppet construction and mayhem on January 3rd on ABC.

The Muppets Make Some More Holiday Appearances

The Muppets are planning to deliver some special holiday cheer with a batch of special guest appearances in the coming week.

• Miss Piggy will appear on "The Bonnie Hunt Show" on Friday, December 18th.
• Miss Piggy will also appear on "The Wendy Williams Show" on Friday, December 18th.
• Lastly, there will be a must-see appearance by the Muppets on the Wednesday, December 23rd episode of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" as well.

Additionally the 2008 holiday special "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" will re-air on NBC this Saturday - December 19th (8/7c). Check your local listings for details on all these appearances and be sure to tune for some all these Muppet appearances on your TV.

Beat the Drums with Animal's iPhone App

Disney Interactive Studios has just released the latest (and loudest) addition in their catalog of iPhone Apps, The Muppets Animal Drummer. Now available on the App Store for just $1.99, the new app puts iPhone and iPod touch users in the drummer's seat for a game that will test their rythm, speed, timing, and memory. Plays must watch and listen to Animal play, then match Animal's beat and timing to score points and unlock new songs.

The Muppets Animal Drummer app also features a "Free Play Mode" where users can rock out with Animal to original music or songs imported from their iTunes music library. Users can also score points and create combos to charge their "Rock Meter" and power their stage presence. You can even use the App to create original music, then hit the record feature and watch Animal replay your jam session.

"We're excited to bring Animal and The Muppets to a broad mobile audience, and what better way to do that than an innovative, music-based App that taps into Animal's wild personality and the unique functionality of the iPhone and iPod touch," stated Stephen Saiz, director of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios.

So be sure to download this great new app for your iPhone or iPod Touch today! The Muppets also plan to release other iPhone apps in 2010 - including "Pepe's Love Meter", "Gonzo Grams", and "Statler & Waldorf's Theater". I will keep you updated on the release of new apps as things develop.

Ringing of the Bells

Muppets Take the Web with 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

Since debuting two weeks ago, the Muppet parody of the classic music video of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" has been viewed more than 10-million times on YouTube. It's an exceptional hit for the first video posted on a new YouTube channel by the Muppets Studio.

A promotional Twitter feed has also been launched, and an official Facebook page has been started.

Muppets Studio general manager Lylle Breier said the online push for the Muppets was designed to help reboot the franchise and quickly get new content to fans. The purpose of the sudden Muppet expansion is mainly promotional. The studio is hoping to showcase the characters while rebuilding a more widespread interest in the brand.

"When the Muppets came into real popularity was the '70s. What was popular in the '70s? Variety shows — that's what 'The Muppet Show'=' was," said Breier. "What's the Web? It's a giant variety show. That's why the Muppets fit so perfectly. Parody has always been at the heart of what the Muppets do."

Breier said the Muppets singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" had long been an idea on the back burner, but the project only recently came together. In it, many famous Muppet character makes a cameo: Gonzo and his chickens appear in silhouette; Rowlf plays piano; Beaker supplies his normal "meep-meep-meep-meep"; Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem rock out.

It's not the Muppets first foray into online video. Several videos were released last year, most notably Beaker's award-winning rendition of "Ode to Joy." More than 7-million have since watched Beaker's video.

Breier says more Web videos are on the way. A version of "Carol of the Bells" will be released for Christmas, and a handful of other videos will follow in 2010 (including such titles as "Stand By Me," "Dust in the Wind," and "American Woman").

"It's all part of a plan for new creative content with online, television, a new theatrical movie," said Breier. "We're bringing the Muppets back."

Muppet Whatnot Workshop Adds New Options

Last fall, the Muppets introduced fans to the world of the Whatnots at FAO Schwarz in New York City. Whatnots are the extras of the Muppet world - the background characters, creatures, monsters and other assorted weirdoes who add extra mayhem and madness to every Muppet production. FAO Schwarz's Muppet Whatnot Workshop allows customers to create and customize their very own Whatnot puppet by picking a puppet body and customizing it with a variety of Muppet features and accessories.

This fall, the Muppets have introduced an additional clothing line for the Whatnots plus special facial pieces including mustaches, beards and more! There are several new costumes in the Whatnot line-up, including a football player, a princess and new Muppet Monster Whatnots! Additionally, for the first time ever, a selection of Whatnot outfits and costumes will be sold separately, each in its own Muppet-size garment bag.

For fans who can't make it to New York's FAO Schwarz flagship store, the Muppet Whatnot Workshop is available online at FAO.com. Each custom Whatnot retails for $129.99 and comes in a clear vinyl bag. So check out the all-new options in the Muppet Whatnot Workshop and get your very own custom Whatnot today!

Muppets Make Holiday Appearances on NBC

The Muppets will make some special appearances on NBC this holiday season.

• The Electric Mayhem plus Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat, and Pepe the King Prawn will perform on Christmas in Rockefeller Center on Wednesday, December 2nd at 8/7c.
• Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will appear on The Today Show on Thursday, December 3rd.
• Andrea Bocelli and the Muppets will perform together on The Jay Leno Show on Monday, December 7th at 10/9c.

Additionally the 2008 holiday special A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa will re-air on NBC this holiday season - Friday, December 4th (8/7c) and Saturday, December 19th (8/7c). Check your local listings for details and be sure to tune in to NBC for some holiday Muppet cheer.