My special guest in this episode is Matt Ficner, creator of the Creepy Puppet Project. We’ll hear Matt talk about his life as a writer, director, puppet builder, and performer, and some of the wonderful projects and people he’s had the opportunity to work with. Also listener Wayne Cordova makes a special appearance to bring back the Muppet List for 2009! Listen and laugh as we discuss some favorite moments with the two old guys in the balcony, Statler & Waldorf.
The MuppetCast is sponsored by Bell, Book & Comic. Life should be more fun!
Don’t forget, on January 30, William Paterson University will be hosting “Sesame Street at 40: A Night of Celebration and Discovery with the Legendary Cast“. This special evening’s panel discussion will feature Frank Oz, Kevin Clash, Caroll Spinney, Marty Robinson, Fran Brill, and David Rudman. Also on the panel are Sonia Manzano, Bob McGrath, and writer Tony Geiss. Author Michael Davis will be the evening’s moderator. Tickets are still on sale, call 973-720-2371 or email boxoffice@wpunj.edu to reserve your seats.
Fans who plan on attending the Sesame event at WPU can read and participate in this discussion going on at the Muppet Central Forums. Maybe we can all meet up somewhere during that weekend!
February 7 marks the opening of “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” in Orlando, FL at the Orange County History Center. Join me if you’re in the Orlando area for fun and Muppets!
The Electric Company made a comeback this week on PBS. The original Electric Company, which aired from 1971 to ’77 and in repeats until ’85, was created by Joan Ganz Cooney as a follow-up to her Sesame Street. The new 30-minute program changes things up a bit from what many of us remember, but the show is just as viable a teaching tool today as it was then. One of the actresses is even from the Columbus, OH area!
Set your DVR for Scrubs this Tuesday January 27 on ABC! This new episode is titled “My ABCs” and features a plethora of Sesame Street Muppets. What could be better?
Norman Stiles will be honored at the WGA Awards ceremony on Feb. 7 at the Hudson Theater in Gotham. He’s won a dozen Emmys for his work on Sesame Street and Between the Lions (which he co-created). During his career, Stiles oversaw more than 2,000 scripts, supervised a staff of 15 to 20 writers, authored or co-authored many Sesame Street books and wrote or co-wrote many of the show’s songs.
The Henson digitally puppeteered series Frances is set to release the DVD and book set “Bedtime for Frances” in late March. This series is based on the popular Russel Hoban books about a high-spirited young badger named Frances. Hoban also co-wrote the book “Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas.”
Muppet Central Forums member “Hat Sharpener” has some photos on his Flickr page of Kermit the Frog at his wedding! Congratulations Hat, and the photos were very well done.
The new Muppet book “The Diva Code”, written by Miss Piggy (with help from our friend Jim Lewis) hits store shelves this Tuesday. Pick it up at your local bookstore or online at Amazon!
ToughPigs.com reader Peter Savieri graces the front page of that website with some original Muppet artwork that’s quite a cut above the usual. He’s lent some images of Gonzo, Piggy, Animal, and Kermit. You’ll also find two new irreverent comics from artist Chris Smigliano.
Before the big event at WPU on January 30, Michael Davis – along with Christopher Cerf, Roscoe Orman, and Caroll Spinney – got a practice round in, with a panel discussion at a Barnes & Noble in Lincoln Triangle in NYC. You can see pictures and hear the full audio of the discussion here!
Mr. Davis himself sent a link to a recent radio appearance he did in Boston promoting the book “Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street”. You can listen to the entire audio streaming over the internet or download it to your computer.
Listener David Manley sent a link to his website, Puppet Muse, with some very well-made characters. He also sent a beautiful scan of a foldout from a magazine featuring Jim Henson and the Muppet Whatnots from the Muppet Show dates. A rare find indeed!
New picutres are up on The MuppetCast Flickr Page from listeners Amanda and Luke.
Thanks for downloading and listening to the podcast! The MuppetCast couldn’t continue to produce new weekly episodes without the continued support of listeners like you.
Questions/Comments about the Muppets or The MuppetCast can be emailed to me@muppetcast.com, or called in to the voicemail line at 614-364-4270. Even better, stop by the Muppet Central Forums and discuss this and many other episodes with Muppet fans worldwide.
Have a great week!
-Steve
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