To sum up this episode in five words: Boy, Twitter kinda sucks, huh? To sum up this episode in several words: Here we are, back for season two, baby! Last season, I covered the episode “The Merggle Moon Migration,” which tackled a very modern issue of misinformation in the digital age (even though Fraggles have no computers). This season, we’ve gotten a spiritual sequel in the form of “The Repeatee Birds,” which also handles a distinctly digital message in an analog setting while not being as blunt with the terminology (even though I didn’t mind the “Echo Chamber” from the former episode, I ..read more

Disney has released a trailer for Jim Henson: Idea Man, and we’re getting our first look at the archival goodies that await us. In the trailer, we get to see footage of Henson family movies and an animated reenactment of the creation of Kermit the Frog (RIP Betty’s coat) along with interviews of such recognizable folks as Frank Oz and Jennifer Connelly. We’ve heard of them! Directed and produced by Ron Howard, Jim Henson: Idea Man tells Henson’s life story with new interviews and rarely-seen archival footage. Earlier this month, we got to see the first poster for the documentary, which feat ..read more

We’re talking about Minutes 21-22 of Muppet Treasure Island, in which Jim and the boys meet Fozzie, Bunsen, and Beaker. With special guest Jesse Hassenger! PLUS: Magnifying glass comedy! Rizzo is Rizzo and Beaker is Beaker! The big blue wet thing! Which Muppet Show character might have made a better Squire Trelawney? And which painter’s work does the dock remind us of? ALSO: We couldn’t find a concise explainer online, but “That’s Chappie” is a reference to a popular tweet from years ago! Hosted by Anthony Strand & Ryan Roe Guest Jesse Hassenger Produced & Edited by R ..read more

In our latest FRAGGLE TALK: CLASSIC, we review episode 4 of season 2, “Red’s Sea Monster,” in which Red befriends the Last of the Lily Creatures, but no one believes her. PLUS: Seaweed research time! Gaslighting vs Casslighting. The subjectivity of rock beetles. We demand Marlon’s Monster Museum T-shirts! It was only a matter of time before we referenced the Folgers commercial. Find us on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, or Spotify! CREDITS: Fraggle Talk: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast is brought you to by ToughPigs.com. Produced ..read more

It’s sunny days in the writers room, as we’re happy to report that writers for Sesame Workshop have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, avoiding a strike. Voting to ratify the deal will be held in the coming days. Their previous deal was set to expire on Friday, with plans to form picket lines as early as Wednesday, April 25th. The 35 writers, represented by the Writers Guild of America East, voted unanimously to strike earlier in the week. The WGA negotiating committee said in a statement, “We are so proud to work for an organization that values its writers, and we believe this ..read more

Synopsis: When Pa and Ma Gorg are away, Junior is approached by the slimy Wander McMooch. McMooch tricks Junior into selling the Gorgs’ castle to turn into a housing development. Red and Mokey help Junior trick McMooch and win the farm back for the Gorgs. “Junior Sells the Farm” is not a good episode of Fraggle Rock. The plot is very simplistic, the resolution is largely nonsensical, and the music is a little forgettable. But in a weird way, this is maybe the most interesting episode of the show so far. If this episode is remembered for anything, it’s for introducing Wander McMooch, that gia ..read more

This week, I’m joined by the longtime Muppet staff writer Craig Shemin, to talk about what it was like writing Miss Piggy scripts for Frank Oz. Craig explains Frank’s rules for how to treat Piggy, and we go behind the scenes of some of the Pig’s most outrageous appearances with Matt Lauer, Martha Stewart, Jay Leno, and Regis and Kathie Lee. Plus: CD-Rom games, Project Runway, how Piggy became a diva, and why Kermit and Miss Piggy are still broken up! Don’t miss this one! Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts,&nbs ..read more

Who among us hasn’t been in a situation where we are stressed, scared, or angry, and all we want is to forget the negative feelings that won’t leave us alone? So, in order to cope, we fixate on something else; dive into delicious escapism. It can be something large and important in our day-to-day, or it can be a small, obscure thing that leaves our friends wondering what’s going on. And, if we’re not careful, that fixation can consume us and make us forget ourselves. Turns out, Fraggles go through this too, y’all! In the episode “When Mokey Met Lanford”, we see that the wind gusts are still ..read more

The season of strikes is on the verge of hitting Sesame Street. Writers for Sesame Workshop voted unanimously to strike should a new deal be not be reached before the current one expires on April 19th. In a statement, the Writers Guild of America East, which includes the 35 affected writers, said: “The writers that Sesame Workshop hires are deeply committed to the work that we do. Like the Workshop itself, we are mission-driven and child-focused, and we work hard at telling stories that contribute to the Workshop’s curricula inspired by heart, curiosity, community, kindness, diversity, equit ..read more

We’re talking about Minutes 19-20 of Muppet Treasure Island, in which Jim and the boys leave the burning inn and head off to meet Squire Trelawney. With EXTREMELY special guest Stephanie D’Abruzzo! PLUS: A Muppet true crime podcast! The origins of yelling “Geronimo!” The dearth of female Muppets! Where are Rizzo’s arm rods? The joys of Louise Gold! When do Star Wars characters shower? And the Feast of Saint… LULU! Hosted by Anthony Strand & Ryan Roe Guest Stephanie D’Abruzzo Produced & Edited by Ryan Roe Logo by Morgan Davy Movin’ Right Along: A Muppet Movie Podc ..read more