Bear is Back on "Breakfast with Bear"

Brace yourself Bear fans, because Bear, from "Bear in the Big Blue House", is making his TV come back in a brand-new, daily, hour-long television show for kids. "Breakfast with Bear", a new song-filled hour for preschoolers, will bring Bear out of his Woodland Valley surroundings for the first time ever. The show will illustrate the benefits of healthy living as Bear pays visits to real homes in cities throughout the country. Each weekday morning, Bear will be seen greeting a preschooler (and his or her family), and interacting with them as they go about their daily routines; including brushing teeth, making wardrobe choices and getting dressed, tying shoes, stretching, getting their body moving, and eating a healthy breakfast.

The announcement for the show was made today by Gary Marsh, the Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Production for the Disney Cable Networks Group. "Breakfast with Bear" is the first new entertainment initiative launched by the Muppet Holding Company. And of course fans can expect the new show will be supported with additional initiatives, including Internet content, live theatre shows, and a new merchandise rollout.

The Breakfast with Bear hour, features the highlights from Bear's visits to a new home along with fun songs, activities, lessons, and fun. The show will premiere in June, 2005 during the new learning-based programming block for preschoolers on the Disney Channel. Production of the show begins next month (March 2005) in cities around the United Stated (to be announced soon).

Preschoolers and parents have come to depend on Bear to help decipher the world around them and he's a trusted source for reinforcing the message about good nutrition, healthy habits and age appropriate activity, but from Bear, it's not presented as a lesson, rather a wonderful learning experience where warmth and affection stands out. This new show will not feature as large of a puppet cast as the original show, but will still keep the charm and fun of the original. Stay tuned to the GelfingWaldo Files for more details as they are released.

The Muppets & Oscar (the award, not the grouch).

On the Academy Awards tonight a short clip of Ms Piggy was played during a tribute to talk show legend, Johnny Carson. The clip showed Piggy talking to Johnny complaining about how she was not nominated for an Oscar for her work with the Muppet. Piggy said "Aren't I good enough for an Oscar?" to which Johnny responded, "Oscar Mayer maybe." It was a great tribute to Johnny and a nice clip with the Muppets too. Maybe in years to come we'll see the Muppet have a bigger role at the awards (presentors, pre-show guests, etc.) - hey maybe we'll see them win an Oscar in the future.

A Look Back: Sesame Interviews on NPR

I thought that today, rather than bringing the latest happenings in the Muppet-world, I would share some of two fun finds from the past. So after digging thought some of my “favorite places” I found some old (but not too old) links to some awesome audio interviews with Sesame Street stars. These audio interviews are from NPR (National Public Radio), for those not familiar with NPR, check out there website at NPR.org for more information (they are like the radio equivalent of television’s PBS).

The two interviews I dug up are with Carroll Spinney (the man behind Big Bird and Oscar) and Kevin Clash (the man behind Elmo). If you missed the radio broadcast of the segments (or just want to hear them again), NPR has them on their website. Each interview is beautifully done inter-splicing Sesame music and sound clips with interview and narration. I hope you enjoy listening to these (maybe for a second time) as much as I did.

The first one, “A Life Inside Big Bird”, is a great interview with Caroll Spinney from May 5, 2003 (around the time Caroll’s autobiography came out). The interview is a little under eight-minuets in length and provides a lot of information on Caroll’s role on Sesame Street. You can listen to it here (click on the red “listen” button at the top of the article to listen to it). There is also a nice accompanying article also with a Sesame video and audio clip there too.

The second interview is with Keving Clash and Elmo, called “'Sesame Street' Turns 35: Kevin Clash and Elmo”, the interview is from the April 7, 2004 episode of the Travis Smiley Show. It runs just shy of ten-minuets in length. You can listen to it here (click on the red “listen” button right at the top of the article to listen to it). There is also a nice accompanying article with it too.

Grumpy Old Men on Films

The Disney synergy is working for the Muppets once again, this time giving them a weekly internet gig. The Disney owned website Movies.com, now features a weekly video segment called "Statler & Waldorf: From the Balcony". The 8-minute segment (available for viewing in 2 files sizes for Windows Media, Real Player, or Quicktime) features the classic Muppet hecklers commenting on current films hitting theatres; even Pepé pops in with a review of new DVD releases. Not only do viewers get a look at upcoming films and DVD, but they also get a good laugh from the Muppets. So surf over to the From the Balcony section of Movies.com and watch this week's clip. This is a great use of the characters and gives them a new opportunity to shine, and grow their fan base. So check out this weeks video, and enjoy!

Fraggle Follow-up.

Yesterday I reported on the Fraggle UNO game and other upcoming Fraggle products from Sababa Toys. Since yesterday some more information has surfaced, so I though I would share it with you while it is still fresh. Aside from Fraggle Rock UNO, and the Mokey and Traveling Uncle Matt plush dolls I mentioned some smaller doll two-packs with bonus DVDs. I have gotten a bunch of e-mails and questions about what these are; so here are the details (as we know them now).

These dolls (which are similar in size to a beanie-baby) are about half the size of original Sababa plushes. They come in a pack of two characters and a bonus dvd (the DVD contains just one episode of the show on it, and nothing more - no bonus features, no fancy packaging, probally not even a menu - just one episode).

The first one is a Gobo and Wembley dolls with a bouns DVD of the episode "The Beast of Blue Rock". The second one features a Red and Boober doll with a bonus DVD of the episode "Boober's Quiet Day". No set release date was announced, but they are estimated for a summer/fall release.

Again, Mokey (the "fifth-wheel-Fraggle") is left out of this initial release. But if these two sets are sucessfull we will see a third (and maybe even fourth) set next year with Mokey (and possibly Uncle Matt, Sproket, a Doozer, or a Gorg) released with another bonus episode. Only time will tell.

Also the rummor of a Fraggle Box set that was floating around the toy fair has been offcially shot down as false. HIT has no official plans for a DVD box set this spring, or any other time for that matter. So I guess we'll just have to keep nagging.

Uno Fraggles, Por Favor!

Some more news coming from the New York Toy Fair. This time it is not Sesame related (as we reported earlier this week), nor is it about The Muppets - this time it is Fraggle Rock!

Sababa Toys has created some excellent Fraggle products in the past, and this year they plan to do it again. Sababa plans to create some more dolls of Fraggles - Mokey and Uncle Traveling Matt plush dolls are getting ready to ship (to go with the already existing Gobo, Wembly, Boober, and Red plushes Sababa created). They also have created a new two-pack of "Beanie-baby" type Fraggles coming that will include a bonus DVD with one Fraggle Rock episode.

But one of the more unique and exciting Fraggle products is a Fraggle Rock UNO game. The game, which is a variant of the classic card game UNO, features Fraggle fun on every card! The set comes in a special collectors tin, and a full deck of specialty Fraggle UNO cards. The Fraggle Rock version even features a new special "Travel" card which is new to the UNO game-play experience. There is no set release date for the UNO game announced, but it is coming, probally this spring/summer sources say.

There are also a rumor buzzing around the Sababa booth of a Fraggle Rock DVD Box Set coming real soon (like this spring), but still no official confirmation of these claims. We'll keep you posted on this one. But it is great to see the Fraggles coming back into the spot light on some great products this year.

Henson Gets Rights to More Books!

The Jim Henson Company has recently purchased the film rights to several books. They plan to turn the books into screenplays, and then into feature films. Henson has been doing this for years from Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas in th 70's, to "The Witches" in the 80's, and "Buddy" in the 90's (just to name a few Henson book adaptations). The books Henson is working on now include:

"Perfect Circle" by Sean Stewart
"Weslandia" by Paul Fleishman
"Conversations With the Goddesses" by Agapi Stassinopoulos
"Gods and Goddesses in Love" by Agapi Stassinopoulos
"Elbo Elf: P.M.O.C." by Ralph Romano and Joe Burke
"The Witch's Children" by Ursula Jones
"Five Children and It" by Edith Nesbit
"Astro Boy" by Osamu Tezuka
"Puss in Boots" by Charles Perrault

These book-to-film transitions are all in diffrent stages of development. Many are just getting ready to have their screenplay written, some are in production, and some are in post-production. These are just some of the things Henson has cooking. If you can't wait to see what these stories are all about go and read the books now!

Toy Story

Today's post brings you a little more information on the Sesame Street action figures being produced by Palisades Toys. The company had their upcoming Sesame Street figures on display at their showroom at the US ToyFair this week. For those who don't know, series 1 of the Sesame line will consist of Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Guy Smilie, the Two-Headed Monster, and Super Grover. The "mass market" version of the figures will come with a limited number of accessories, whereas the "exclusive market" figures will come with even more accessories, and a piece Sesame Street itsef. The street peices will fit together to make the buildings and areas on Sesame Street (and eventually the whole street). The pieces from the Series 1 collector version will fit together to create Big Bird's nest area. Then Palisades will work there way down the street with Series 2's parts forming the facade of the 123 Seasame Street apartment building.

Series 1 is not due out until this summer/fall, and series 2 may seem a long way off. But Palisades has announced the characters that will be found in the second series of figures this week. Series 2 will include: Bert, Count Von Count, the Yip-Yip Martians. and Roosevelt Franklin. Palisades also assured the fans that a Big Bird figure in the works.

A Muppet Make Over.

According to ABC's website, The Muppets will be on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." on Sunday, March 6, 2005 at 8/7c on ABC.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- along with the help of a special team of Muppets -- gives a home makeover to the family of America's first-ever set of surviving African American sextuplets.When Diamond Harris was pregnant, she was put on bed-rest and had to leave her nursing job. Husband Chris's salary as a third-grade teacher wasn't sufficient to cover their expenses, and soon they found their home in foreclosure. Fortunately their wonderful neighbors rallied around them and raised enough money to stop the bank proceedings. But the 2000-sq. ft., three-bedroom house was in desperate need of repair, and matters were made worse when Hurricane Ivan sent a tree crashing through the living room, which had become the children's playroom. Because there were so many children in the family, design team leader Ty Pennington thought some "child experts" should be brought in to help. The Muppets themselves heeded his call, along with Florence Henderson -- "Mrs. Brady" herself!"

So be sure to set your VCRs and be sure to watch the Muppets lend a hand in making on family's dream come true. (Check local listings for details). Disney has been sending the Muppets to "promo-land" recently with apperancnes on Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, Pizza Hut Commercials, The Apprentice, The Disney Christmas Parade, and many more; now you can add "Extreme Make Over - Home Edition" to that list.

An A-maze-ing Tail!

Today's daily bit brings you a fun little puzzle made just for you by none other than me, GelflingWaldo. The game is a simple maze (feel free to print it out and try it out) featuring Rizzo the Rat. Your task is to help Rizzo get the cheese, and oh-yeah have fun too! Hope you enjoy.

Get Lost in The Maze Here!

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PS - Sorry about the corny title today, An A-maze-ing Tail, but Fozzie Bear was helping me write the daily bit today and cramed more puns then needed into it.

What's all this?: Part 2

It's been 18 days since the GelflingWaldo files launched. And since then 18 daily bits have been posted. But today instead of bringing news from the Henson/Muppet world I decided to talk a bit more about what the GelflingWaldo files are.

As you may see, each day a new post is added full of information and fun. If you want to read the past items from the days before, simple scroll down (or if you want to go further back, look at the archives on the right - grouped by week).

In the coming weeks and months there will be new kinds of daily posts comings. I've been working on some new and exciting things to share with you all. Some days may bring a new download, some may have a review of a past productions/products, some may have inside looks, detailed descriptions and other information, and others (as you've seen a lot of already) will hold the latest Muppet news. If you ever have breaking news, an idea, or feedback t feel free to e-mail me (their is a link on the right of the page). I'd love to hear your thoughts; or if you want you can reply to any of the posts (like this one) with your feedback. Also be sure to tell your friends and family about this site and get all of them to stop by and check us out (and have them tell a friend too). The more readers the better! Thanks, and I hope you enjoy what will be coming to the GelflingWaldo files in the next few days, weeks, months, and beyond.

The Disney Deal: One Year and Counting!

It was one year ago today that the news broke of Disney buying the Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House from the Jim Henson Company. The transaction included all Muppet assets, including the Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and other characters, the Muppet film and television library, and all associated copyrights and trademarks, as well as all the Bear in the Big Blue House characters, television library, copyrights and trademarks. The deal also included production and consulting agreements under which The Jim Henson Company will develop potential new programming featuring the Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House for Disney until at least 2008 . Many people were skeptical of the deal, due to Disney's reputation, but so far Muppet fans have had little to complain about.

Although 2004 had what some would consider "little Muppet action" (although iit was probably more than 2003), Disney has begun to do great things. Some of the things done so far include: forming the Muppet Holding Co. to manage the Muppets, they Re-launched Muppets.com, they put the Muppets on a bunch of TV shows & ads (Saturday Night Live, Disney Christmas Parade, Good Morning America, Pizza Hut, Dr. Pepper, The Apprentice...), and they continued to support and produce other Muppet works already in progress before the deal (The Muppets Wizard of Oz TV-move. US postage stamps, final series of Palisades toys...) The deal also allowed The Jim Henson Company, now free of the Muppet, became able to concentrate on their other properties and productions in their Family Showcase (like Fraggle Rock) and Sci-Fi & Fantasy Library.

That list may seem a little disappointing to the hard-core Muppet fan expecting the deal to sky-rocket the Muppets back on top. But rest assured, this first year was a year of transition, and allowing Disney to get situated and acquainted. Already in the first year Disney has started many projects which should be coming out in 2005 and 2006. These projects include Muppet Show season set DVD, Disney theme park attractions, other DVD/VHS re-releases and special editions of Muppet productions, other Muppet productions, Muppet merchandise, and much more! So although the first year may not have been the most exciting year ever, 2005 and 2006 may be even better as Disney gets more acquainted with Kermit and the gang. So far Disney has done little to upset or disappoint Muppet fans, and I think as the Muppets settle into their new home we will be able to see great things.

The Barretta brothers get ready to pen "Elbo Elf: P.M.O.C." for Henson!

In December 2004, The Jim Henson Company acquired the rights to Elbo Elf: P.M.O.C., a book by Ralph Romano and Joe Burke. It is a holiday tale about an unusual elf in Santa’s workshop - an elf with four arms. The book is now in development to become a feature length production written by brothers Bill Barretta (Muppeteer and co-writter off Jim Henson's Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story) and Gene Barretta (children’s book illustrator of Merry Creature Christmas and Journey, Easter Journey).

Elbo Elf: P.M.O.C. has a heart-warming message about never giving up and helping others. It’s the kind of project that continues The Jim Henson's mission to "celebrate diversity through creative and inspiring stories.”

Tom Romano, Ralph Romano's brother and co-owner of the rights to Elbo Elf, said, "My favorite holiday has always been Christmas and Henson had the vision to see that Elbo Elf could become a seasonal favorite. After 35 years, we look forward to working with Gene and Bill [Barretta] to bring Elbo to life for all children to enjoy.”

There is no information on when the film would be released, who would star in it, or anything else - they're still working on the script. But as soon as I hear anything, I'll keep you all posted on the status of this production.

Get "Emmet Otter" The Proper Way!

A few weeks ago I brought you the news of a future DVD release of “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas" by HIT Entertainment. After following up to see if any more details on the release (and asking if it would be the edited version or the original broadcast version) I got the following response; “At this time, information on which version will be released or if bonus features will be included has not been decided and is not available at this time.” So there is still time to voice your opinion to HIT. If you are not familiar with the changes made in the Columbia Tri-Star 1998 VHS release and seen again in their 2001 DVD release, check out a listing of the edited parts from Muppet Central's FAQ's.

Together we maybe able to get the DVD released the way we want it. Please consider contacting HIT Entertainment in the next few days and do the 3 following things (contact information is listed below).

1) Express your interest in the Emmet Otter DVD.
2) Tell HIT you would like to see the original 1977 broadcast version of the film; not the re-edited version found on the most recent re-release.
3) Also, express interest in bonus features; such as behind the scenes, “making of” features, and other bonus features. There is a nice collection of footage and material in the Henson archives to create some nice DVD features.

Phone: 1-866-405-7625 (toll-free)
Mail: HIT Entertainment, PO Box 9000, Allen TX, 75013
E-mail: consumerrelations@hitentertainment.com

This Christmas HIT will share Emmet with the world again, but let’s get our voice in now and gat HIT to give a great, and proper DVD treatment to Emmet Otter.

A Holiday Greeting From GelflingWaldo...

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Y Happy Valentine's Day Y

To: You
From: GelfingWaldo

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The Muppets Keep it Real.

Last month a Disney employee newsletter made mentioned to a Muppet reality special. This would be a one-shot, one-time only special; not a new series. The reported plot is that the Classic Muppet characters (like Kermit, Piggy, and Gonzo) would be auditioning new and diffrent puppet acts, in an "American Idol"-like format.

Sources have confirmed that a reality show pitch pilot was filmed in Los Angeles during the summer of 2004. Some fans are speculating whether or not it is a good idea for the Muppets to jump on the reality show bandwagon, but this one time special would allow the Muppets do great parody - something the Muppets do best and something that has always been part of the Muppet's make-up. A reality special lIke this might help the Muppets reach a wider audience of teens and adults.

The already compleated special could potentially air alongside "the Muppets’ Wonderful Wizard of Oz" TV-movie in May. It may air at a later date. Or it may never make it to the airwaves, and become one of those few Muppet productions that never see the light of day. Only time will tell.

Action Figures Update!

Since 2002, Palisades Toys has been creating quality Muppet action figures. Sadly at the end of 2005 their contact to produce Muppet figures will expire. The last figures will be released this year, but unlike the previous sets of figures the figures in this series will only be avalible as exclusives (and will not be avalible in the mass market outlets). The figures that will be produced in this final line are Uncle Deadly, "Rainbow Connection" Kermit (with Robin), Treasure Island Gonzo & Rizzo, and Frog Scout Leader Kermit (with either blue or green Frog Scout). The figures over the years have been a treat and a dream of any Muppet collector, it will be sad to see the line come to an end.

But Henson fans shouldn't worry about their collecting day ending anytime soon, because Palisades has received the rights to produce Sesame Street figures. Each of these figures are planned to be released in a mass market and collector's version. The first series of figures should be out this summer and will include the following characters: Super Grover, Ernie, Oscar (with Slimey), Two-Headed Monster, and Guy Smiley. The official list of the figures that will be created for the second series should be announced this summer. It looks like the teaming-up of Palisades and Sesame Workshop will produce great things for Sesame fans!

Live From New York, It's The Muppets!

Kermit and the gang showed up on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on December 18, 2004. The Muppets appeared in two segments during the episode with host Robert DeNiro and musical guest Destiny's Child. Kermit sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with Robert DeNiro in the opening monolog. And then Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo, and Animal showed up to give Horatio Sanz help with his Christmas greeting by singing the recurring song “Christmas is Number One”. Like many of the current season episodes, this episode will be repeated sometime in the near future (probably sometime in the next month). So check your local NBC listings for Saturday nights to see if this episode will be on up again. It was a great Muppet appearance and a treat for all to see.

Also, I have shared a compleate transcript (and some small pictures) of the skit entitled “Season's Greetings From Saturday Night Live” with a popular Saturday Night Live website, SNL Transcripts. The site hosts the largest collection of transcripts of SNL skits and segments, so be sure to check out one of the Muppet’s skits from December 18th here. Hopefully Disney continues to get the Muppets out there and back in the spotlight.

But Wait There's More!

Last month HIT Entertainment released 2 DVD collections of Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories on DVD. Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories: Humpty Dumpty and Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories: Jack and Jill. You can read my review of the disks at Muppet Central. Each of the DVDs featured 8 stories from the show (that comes to 16 total), leaving some to wonder what would happen to the remaining 23 stories from the show that are not be found on these two releases.

Well HIT has responded to that question saying that 2 more single-disk DVD collections (similar to the first 2) will be released towards the end of June 2005. The two DVDs, titled Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories: Eensy Weensy Spider and Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, will each contain 8 stories like the first releases. There is no word on which episodes or features will be on the 2 upcoming disks, or the exact release date; HIT says that information is not avalible yet. I'll keep you posted on that information once it is avalible. Hopefully the 7 remaining stories will also get a DVD treatment on a 5th collection later on in order to finish out a compleate Mother Goose Stories collection.

Fraggle Rock Season Sets Update

Yesterday’s USA Today had nice article on the Fraggle Rock and DVD campaign. If you got the paper, flip over to the Life Section (page 6D at the bottom left), and you will see the article "Fans are getting their way on DVD" by Mike Snider. The article focus on fan-inspired DVD releases of TV shows. Included front and center in the article is the Fraggle Rock resurrection. The article mentions the possibility of season box sets, the DVD petition (which can be found here), and the upcoming April 26th release of the next single-disk Fraggle DVD. For all you fans who cannot get a hold of the USA Today, you can read it online here.

Now, the fans are pushing for box sets of entire seasons, HIT Entertainment representative Jamie Cygielman says, "we're considering that." So they are thinking about it, which is a good thing. Also when contacting HIT Entertainment customer service yesterday about the possibility of season sets they said (and I quote), “A final decision on season sets has not been made at this time. We are still looking into this and hope to have more information by this Spring.”

So maybe by the time “Live By the Rules of The Rock” (the next 3-episode, single-disk release) on April 26, 2005 we may have a definite “yes” (or possibly a “no”, but let’s not think about that). Keep the letters, e-mails, and calls up to remind HIT that we really, really want season sets. Just give them some time to develop a plan, and announce it; but soon we may be able to rejoice and dance our cares away (we can only hope)!

Gather Round the Good Stuff!

Pizza Hut and the Muppets came together to deliver fun for the whole family in this year's Pizza Hut commercial debuting on Super Bowl Sunday. The ad introduces the new Dippin' Strips pizza, a pizza specially designed for dipping that comes with three popular dipping sauces. The commercial features many popular Muppets, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, The Great Gonzo, and Animal. The spot featured Miss Piggy hurtling around her friends, out of control at breakneck speed, and ends with a hilarious surprise visit from Statler and Waldorf (with an insult as always). If you missed the commercial on Sunday (or just want to see it again), you can view the commerical online by clicking here (look for Pizza Hut: Its the Muppet Show).

While on the topic of Muppet commercials, look for the latest ad for Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper. The commercial features the song "Mahna Mahna" (recorded from the Muppet Show). Although no Muppets appear in the spot, it is still nice to hear Jim Henson's voice belt out "Mahna Mahna" on current TV again.

Bert and Ernie go around the world in 2005

Sesame Workshop and National Geographic Kids are working together to create a one-hour, prime-time family special. The two globally respected powerhouses will send Bert and Ernie on Globe-trotting Adventure in 2005!

Sesame Street residents Bert and Ernie are about to embark on one of their biggest adventures ever; a one-hour, prime-time, comedy-adventure special. Developed for a family audience, the special will star Bert and Ernie in a rollicking on-the-road adventure that finds the pair on several continents, celebrating the unique cultures they experience along the way. The special was conceived due to the positive response from the Sesame Street segment “Global Grover,” which supports Sesame Workshop’s cultural diversity initiative.

The special will include on-location shoots in South America and Africa, and has a targeted premiere date during the fourth quarter of 2005 and a home video to follow. National Geographic Kids’ Group and Sesame Workshop are currently exploring broadcast outlets for the one-hour program in the U.S. and abroad.

“National Geographic has an unequaled history of introducing people of all ages to the world beyond their door,” said Karen Gruenberg (Sesame Workshop Vice-President ). “We look forward to collaborating on a unique program that will invite children and families on a global adventure that celebrates cultural diversity and builds geographic literacy. Sesame Workshop has a long history of providing content towards creating a global community.”

Read the Official Press Release

Fraggle Rock Season Sets are not in the works (as of right now)

Some of you may be under the impression that Fraggle Rock season sets are in the works and will be out in the fall of 2005. We'll they are not. HIT Entertainment has no plans for season sets of Fraggle Rock at this time. I sent HIT a simple e-mail and they quickly responded.

Thank you for contacting us. At this time, it has not been decided if season sets will be made. But we will pass your interest along to our Brand team for future consideration.
Thank you for your interest in HIT Entertainment.

So as of right now (February 8, 2005), there are no plans for season sets, or a decision to produce such a product. Somewhere along the line there was a miscommunication that got "Fall 2005" into people's heads, but as of now there are no plans for season sets. So I urge everyone to write and call.

Their toll-free number is 1-866-405-7625....

or You can write them a letter at:
HIT Entertainment
Attn: Consumer Relations (Fraggle Rock Season Sets)
PO Box 9000
Allen TX, 75013

...or just send an e-mail to consumerrelations@hitentertainment.com saying you want season sets of Fraggle Rock!

The more e-mails (and letters, and phone calls) they get with interest in season sets the more likely they will do something in responce. It takes 2 seconds and can make all the differance. So send an e-mail, make a call, write a letter. Let's get their attention and get the fraggles on dvd the proper way - in season sets.

Emmet Otter Strikes Back

I contacted HIT Entertainment , and asked if there were any news on "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas" (DVD, VHS, TV airings). And it looks like they now have a plan for Emmet. The responded with this great news:

Thank you for contacting us. We are looking into releasing Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas on VHS/DVD Fall 2005. We are also looking into deals for TV airings for the 2005 holiday season.
Thank you for your interest in HIT Entertainment.

-Kris
HIT Entertainment Consumer Relations


It looks like next Christmas HIT will give us Emmet again. But I think the letters, phone calls, and e-mails about getting the unedited version should start before it is too late. I also wonder if any special features will be encluded on the dvd? Wow, this is great news for those who missed the release the first time (and even those who didn't miss it). Next Christmas we'll have Emmet Otter again!

Henson's Toys on DVD?

I recently E-mailed a bunch our friends at HIT! Entertainment about the possibility of a DVD release of “The Christmas Toy” and the subsequent TV Show, “The Secret Life of Toys”. I quickly got a response, and it was full of some general good news. Here is the repsonce I got from Simon Forrest, the Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for HIT Entertainment.

Thanks for your comments. We are already on the case! You should be able to expect good things in the coming year with regards to this issue.
- Simon Forrest

It sounds like HIT! maybe working on a DVD releases for the Toys! Hopefully by next Christmas we’ll see some products released.

The Muppet Show Season Sets!

At November's "Muppets, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy" event in New York, Henson writer and historian Craig Shemin announced that Disney will be releasing season by season box sets of "The Muppet Show" on DVD.

Craig Shemin (Henson Historian), Jerry Juh (Muppet Writter)l, Jerry Nelson (Muppeteer), Dave Goelz (Muppeteer), Carroll Spinney (Muppeteer), and many other Henson employees and fans were interviewed for bonus material on the discs at the event.

It was announced that the season box sets would begin arriving in the summer of 2005. That estimate seems a little optimistic. Late 2005, early 2006 sounds like a more realistic target date. Nonetheless, this is long-awaited news for Muppet fans. Hopefully, Disney will release the episodes uncut with UK skits and the original first season openings. Bonus material like two pilot episodes/specials ("The Muppets Valentine Show", and "The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence") and the behind the scenes special "Of Muppets and Men" would be excellent special features.

What is this?

For the second post in this blog I thought I would explain a little bit about what to expect here. The simple answer is anything - well anything Henson/Muppet related. That included The Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and the dozens of other shows, movies, specials, and properties spawned from the mind, the magic, and legacy of Jim Henson. I may post news and information from the Henson/Muppet world, I may post reviews or reactions to things in the Henson/Muppet world, I may share something else Muppet/Henson related. Each day will bring a new surprise and adventure. I hope you enjoy what I end up posting here and find it usefulm informative, and fun.

So with all that said; And now let's get things started. Why don't you get things started? It's time to get things started on the most sensational inspirational celebrational Muppetational. This is what we call the GelflingWaldo Files!

Welcome to the Blog!

Hello and welcome to my blog. This is the place you can find all the greatest and latest Muppet, Fraggle, Sesame, and Henson news on the web. Feel free to read all the posts, and comment on any of the ones you like. Some of you may know me from the Muppet Central forums, other's may know me from elsewhere, and some may not know me at all.

Check back each and every day as I try my best to bring you the updates on the Muppet, Jim Henson, and everything else. I will try my best to add something new here each day (I'm not promising something everyday - but I'll try my best). From news, to commentary, to whatever. I hope you enjoy it!


More fun to come tomorrow (and the day after that...)!