"Muppet Newsflash" Replaces "GelflingWaldo Files"

As many of you know, I started this blog back in February. The small and casual project grew and flourished into the place to find all the greatest and latest Muppet, Fraggle, Sesame, and Henson news on the web. When I started out I had no real idea what this blog would be, and what it would ultimately become. After three months, I feel that the site had evolved to a level that I had not considered when starting the little project. The 100+ days working on The GelflingWaldo Files were educational and allowed me to learn what works (and what does not work).

But to respond to the needs of the blog (and the visitors) I decided to rework the project to a level that met the nature that the blog emerged to need. So I created a new blog; a replacement blog. This new blog, called “The Muppet Newsflash” is similar to The GelflingWaldo Files in many ways. Not only does it have the same blogmaster, but it will hold all the latest and greatest Muppet/Henson related news - that includes 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 will continue to dig up and compile all the news that Muppet-fans crave. This new blog, like its predecessor, will be the definitive source for Muppet news on the web.

Aside from a new name there are some changes in the format, the dogma, and the look – but the heart is the same of The GelflingWaldo Files. Since I am “moving” to the new blog, the GelflingWaldo Files will no longer be updated. The site will remain (for some time) for historical and reference purposes, but all new news will be on the new blog.

Be sure to check out the new home for great breaking Muppet news! And also don’t forget to update your bookmarks to reflect the new blog’s URL. Remember, it’s the same great news just with a new name. I hope you enjoy!

-- Go to "The Muppet Newsflash" Now! --

"The Muppets' Wizard Of Oz" Airs Tomorrow on ABC

Just a reminder that "The Muppets' Wizard Of Oz" will air tomorrow night at 8/7c on ABC; check your local listings for full details.

In the fun, contemporary take on a family classic, Dorothy Gale (Ashanti) is a teenager with dreams of showbiz that seem far from coming true in the Kansas trailer park where she lives. When she's transported to the magical land of Oz, she and her sidekick, PepÉ the King Prawn as Toto, join with the Scarecrow (Kermit the Frog), the Tin Thing (Gonzo) and the Lion (Fozzie Bear) to fight the Wicked Witch of the West (Miss Piggy) and find the wizard who might make her a star.

The film, which is directed by Kirk Thatcher, is the first Muppet production since the characters were bought by Disney last year. A home video/DVD release of the film is planned for August 9, 2005. Plans for futuring airings of the film are not avalible at this time, but Disney hopes to replay the movie throughout the summer on either ABC, The Disney Channel, or ABC Family. Spread the word, set your VCRs, and be sure to tune in tomorrow night to enjoy "The Muppets' Wizard Of Oz".

"The Muppet Show: Season 1" DVD Details

As I reported earlier, The Muppet Show is coming to DVD in season box sets. Today The Muppet Holding Company announced that the first season will be released on DVD the same day "The Muppets Wizard of Oz" hits DVD -- August 9, 2005. Disney plans on releasing "The Muppet Show: First Season - Special Edition" on a fully loaded 4-disc DVD collection for just $39.99. You can pre-order the set directly from Disney through the Muppets website, or by clicking here. More details on this awesome set are planned to be released soon.

Full Fraggle Details are Coming!

Many fans are hungrily waiting for the full details of the "Fraggle Rock - Season 1 DVD Box Set". The box set, which includes all 24 episodes from the first season, is due for release in September. HIT Entertainment, the producers of the set, stated today that a full press release with all the product and retail details will be issued within the next four weeks by the HIT Entertainment PR department. All information (such as disc features, release date, and retail price) will be available then. So be sure to check back throughout the next four weeks as we all wait for HIT to finalize the plans and release their detailed announcement.

We Remember...

We Remember Jim Henson

September 24th, 1936 - May 16, 1990

- Learn more about Jim -

More Muppet Music!

This Tuesday Disney will release their first Muppet CD - "The Best of the Muppets Featuring the Muppets Wizard of Oz". The CD which not only holds the songs from the upcoming tele-film (which is this Friday at 8/7c on ABC), it also holds some of the Muppets greatest hits and best songs. Even though this CD has not even been released yet, Disney hopes to continue releasing more Muppet albums.

An internal newsletter at Disney stated that over the next two years, Walt Disney Records plans to release three additional Muppets albums. Included in these plans is a Muppet holiday CD which is due out in time for the 2005 holiday season. It is unsure at this time if the album will contain new recordings of holiday songs by the Muppets, existing recordings of holiday songs from the Muppets' past Christmas movies and specials, or a combination of the two. More details on the upcoming holiday album will be released as it surfaces.

The content of the other two upcoming albums, which are set for a 2006 release, is unsure. It is unsure if these CD will be themed albums, contain new recordings, be collections of unreleased material, be collections of already available songs/soundtracks, or a combination of them all. I'll keep you posted as information on these two additional albums surface.

JHC plans for The Dark Crystal Sequel

It has been reported that The Jim Henson Company is planning on making a sequel to the 1982 fantasy classic The Dark Crystal. The film, which is titled "The Power of the Dark Crystal", has been written by David Odell (The Dark Crystal, The Muppet Show) and Annette Duffy. No director is yet attached to the film which will start shooting this fall and is is planned for a 2007 release. The film will combine live-action animatronic characters with CG animation. Like its predecessor, the film hopes to push the boundaries of puppetry, special effects, and visual story-telling

The story for the film takes place several years after the original movie. The first film's heroes Jen and Kira are now king and queen, and must fight to save their kingdom when the crystal is once again split.

Any further cast and crew announcements have not been made at this time. But it has been cited that The Jim Henson Company wants to involve many of the people who worked on the original movie. Brian Froud is very interested in the project. Frank Oz (co-director on the first film) is not official yet, but he is watching the film's progress with "much interest". The official word on the cast & crew should be made later this year once production picks up on the project.

The Jim Henson Company had tossed around ideas of a sequel (or prequel) over the years. In late '90s there was strong support from many Henson executives, led by Brian Henson, to make a prequel to the 1982 film. Sadly the plans never materialized; but now that the company is "Muppet-free" they want to work to bring back many of their existing productions and franchises. The film has built a strong cult-following since 1982 and, mixed with the new surge in "fantasy world" films in the recent years, Henson feels that now is the perfect time to bring back the world of the Dark Crystal. Henson says that the script for the film is being polished and they are excited to begin work on the new film.

The company is also working on developing animated series, interactive games and other related media as well. It is unsure how the film will be released. Henson hopes for a theatrical release, but it could ultimately end up as a straight-to-video or a TV-movie release. I'll keep you all posted as more details on the production and release of "The Power of the Dark Crystal" surface.

Participate in our Survey!

As I mentioned on Wednesday, this blog has been running for over 100-days. After 100 days of of trying things and "getting my feet wet", there are many things that people have commented on. Before going any further I would like to get the blog to a more concrete place. I want to insure that this blog is heading down the right-path and is fulfilling the needs and desires of all the visitors. At the end of March I asked for some feedback from visitors; since then I have been working on ideas to upgrade this blog. Before I make any major changes (and even before making some of the minor ones too) I would like to get a feeling of how the visitors feel on the issues. So please take a few seconds to answer the questions in this simple survey to let me know how you feel on the issues at hand regarding the blog. In the coming week I hope to have some new features and functions on the blog. I don't claim to have the perfect blog, but I want to work toward getting even better. If you have any specific comments or feedback, feel free to e-mail me.Thank you for participating.

Take Survey Now!

Muppets invade your TV!

In the coming week there will be a huge batch of Muppet television apperiances to promote "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" so be sure to catch all the TV events leading up to the big tele-film. Check local listings for full details, channels, and show times.

• Fri. May 13 - Fozzie Bear on Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05 am EST on ABC)
• Thurs. May 19 - Muppets on Good Morning America(check local listings for ABC )
• Thurs. May 19 - Miss Piggy on Live with Regis and Kelly (check local listings)
• Fri. May 20 - Ashanti appearing on Live with Regis and Kelly (check local listings)
• Fri. May 20 - The Muppets' Wizard of Oz Tele-film (8/7c on ABC)
  

100 (and still counting)

The GelflingWaldo Files has reached 100 news posts! That's right, 100 post of Muppet news and events. It was over three months ago that I started this blog to post Muppet news each and every day, and I'm glad that people enjoyed the results. Many of you may wonder what the future of The GelflingWaldo Files will be like, and I have some important news on the subject of some big changes that will be taking place here in the coming days. I hope to have all the details ready later this week. I have some big changes planned for this place, so keep visiting, and enjoying the news here at The GelflingWaldo Files. There will be a lot more news and changes to come in the coming week of the GelflingWaldo Files' centennial-celebration.

Muppets' Wizard of Oz Music Video on Disney Channel

Be sure to check out the Disney Channel as they are now playing the music video for Kansas from "The Muppets Wizard of Oz". The music video features the song from the film sung by Ashanti and is full of a ton of great clips from the film (which will air on Friday, May 20, 2005 at 8/7c on ABC). So be sure to check out the Disney channel to see the video (which is in their regular "commercial break" rotation and is shown pretty regularly), hopefully this music video will also make it onto the DVD release in August.

Fozzie Plugs Oz on Kimmel this Friday!

In order to promote the upcoming Muppets' Wizard of Oz (which airs on Friday May 20, 2005 at 8/7c on ABC), Fozzie Bear will make an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" this week. Tune in to Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday, May 13, 2005 to see Ozzy Osbourne, Fozzie Bear, and musical guest Erasure.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live" is shown on ABC at 12:05am (so technically it is really early Saturday morning). Be sure to tune in to ABC to see Fozzie and Jimmy chatting and having fun. This should be a fun television appearance by Fozzie (helmed by Muppeteer Eric Jacobson). Muppet fans may remember that Grover also helmed by Eric Jacobson) appeared on the show in April to plug the 36th season of Sesame Street. Kermit the Frog also appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in 2003. Fozzie is sure to delight the audience and provide a fun segment for fans to enjoy. You don’t want to miss this appearance – so say up late, tune in, and watch (or at least set your VCRs and check it out over the weekend).

A Holiday Greeting from GelflingWaldo...

AFHV Reminder

Just a reminder that the Muppets will be appearing on the hour-long America’s Funniest Home Videos season fanale on tomorrow (Sunday, May 8, 2005) from 7:00pm-8:00pm EST on ABC. In the season finale of AFHV, the Muppets will be there to help host Tom Bergeron show the best videos of the season and award the season's final $100,000 prize. They’ll also show some never-before-seen Muppet “home videos” during the show as well. So be sure to mark your calendars and set your VCRs to catch the Muppet gang on AFHV. For more information check your local listings and ABC.com.

"Oz" promotion on Regis & Kelly

Mark your calendar for another TV appearance. Miss Piggy is scheduled to appear on Live with Regis & Kelly on Thursday, May 19, 2005 to promote the Muppets Wizard of Oz tele-film (which airs Friday May 20, 2005 at 8/7c on ABC). And Ashanti (who plays Dorothy in the film) is scheduled to appear on the show the following day (Friday, May 20, 2005) to promote the film. Check local listings for time and channel.

Book 'em Jim!

A timeless collection of wisdom on life, friendship, individuality, creativity, collaboration, and more will be hitting the bookshelves this fall from the works of Jim Henson (and his friends). Hyperion Books is planning on releasing a new book in September titled It's not easy Being Green - And Other Things to Consider written and compiled from the works and friends of the late Jim Henson by Jim's daughter, Cheryl Henson.

There are few things that evoke such a universal feeling of warmth and humor as the work of Jim Henson. In his own words, as well as those of some of his best-known characters like Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, and Ernie, readers will get a glimpse of the philosophy and humor that was so essential to Jim’s creations. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the collaborative spirit of this gentle artistic genius from the people Jim knew, loved, and inspired.

This uplifting collection of quotes, stories, anecdotes, songs, and insights gives new life to Jim’s magical world. With chapters titled Dynamite Determination; Listen to Your Heart; Together We Can Do It; It Starts When We’re Kids; and A Part of Everything and Everyone, It’s Not Easy Being Green will be entertaining, inspiring, touching, and laugh-out-loud funny. Readers young and old will cherish this collection.

Culled from The Jim Henson Company archives, program transcripts, personal letters, and interviews, along with some of Jim’s never-before-published writings, It’s Not Easy Being Green is a testament to the legacy of a man who changed the way we see the world. The book will be releases on September 14, 2005 in hardback print, and also on audio CD. More information on this delightful collection to follow as more details emmerge.

Muppet Holding Co. Names New Consultant

The Muppets Holding Company (MHC), a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, announced today that Martin G. Baker has been hired as a consultant for the organization's new entertainment endeavors. A close colleague of the late Muppets creator Jim Henson, Bakerhas more than 25 years of experience producing Muppets content in all media. Baker's primary responsibilities will be consulting on entertainment initiatives as MHC enters its second year of stewardship of the Muppets brand. The Muppets franchise was purchased by The Walt Disney Company in April 2004 from The Jim Henson Company. Since that time, Baker has utilized his expertise to help integrate the Muppets into The Walt Disney Company family, including serving as a producer on the new ABC telefilm "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz". Baker's duties will include searching for ways to expand the Muppets' unparalleled talent base as demand for the brand grows. He will be leading a search for more multi-talented performers in the world of puppeteering who will serve as understudies to core Muppets performers and help the company develop new characters and service the growing international demands for the classic characters.

"After decades of working with the Muppets, I know how very much they areloved the world over," said Baker. "I am truly delighted to be part of extending Jim Henson's vision for the future of these characters at The Walt Disney Company."

"No one could help us continue and grow these heartwarming and humorous Muppet characters better than Martin Baker," remarked Chris Curtin, general manager and vice president of MHC. "He played an invaluable role in helping ensure that the brand's integrity remained true during MHC's first large scale endeavor, 'The Muppets' Wizard of Oz,' and we are thrilled to have him onboard as we move forward."

Baker has worked with The Jim Henson Company on Muppets productions since1979. As their executive vice president of production, Baker was integral tothe production of such television projects as "The Muppet Show," "FraggleRock," "Jim Henson's The Storyteller," "Jim Henson's Secret Life of Toys," "Muppets Tonight," and the NBC TV movie "It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie." His feature film credits include "The Muppet Movie," "The GreatMuppet Caper," "Follow That Bird," "The Dark Crystal," "The Muppet Christmas Carol," "Muppet Treasure Island," "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland," and "Muppets From Space." Prior to joining The Jim Henson Company, Baker spent 14 years working for the ATV network in the U.K.

An Oz-apolooza of Videos

As you probally know by now, the Muppets' Wizard of Oz will be airing in just over two weeks in the United States (May 20th on ABC at 8/7c). And Disney is going to be watching the ratings closely in order to decide how popular the Muppets are. Scott (aka scarecroe), the webmaster of Muppet Fansite of Back Stage Left, has put together an online collection of all the video clips that have been made available to (so far) for the Muppets' Wizard of Oz. The page has trailers, promos, interviews, classic clips, and more! Check out all the Oz videos here.

All the clips are RealMedia files and are a delight to view and share. These are just the things to not only entertain viewers but also will get them excited and informed about the upcoming TV movie. Please feel free to share the link (http://mfiles.scarecroe.com/oz/) with anyone (and everyone) via email, blogs, journals, instant messages, forums , message boards, and any other way you can think of. Hopefully film (and the airdate) will get some exposure. And remember Friday May 20th, at 8/7c on ABC.

Sesame "Box Set" Details

A few weeks ago I updated The GelflingWaldo Files' Henson/Muppet release calendar with some upcoming Sesame Street DVD titles. Since then I have gotten many questions about three items in particular – the 3-disc box sets.

First of all these are not season box sets; these are not new nostalgic collections; these are not sets of complete episode. These are collections of Sesame Street home video releases (past and upcoming). Sesame Workshop is know for releasing get videos (and now DVDs) of Sesame Street. They usually features a combination some new footage with a bunch of existing show skits/songs/clips all somewhat related to one central story/theme. Sesame workshop is now releasing “box sets” of these releases. The sets are literally a box with three of the existing (or upcoming) DVD. Aside from a cardboard box to keep the three disc cases in, what would cause anyone buy these? Well they are cheaper than buying all three discs independently, and it is a lot easier to track down and buy one item than three. So what are in these sets? I have the answers.

The first set “Sesame Street: Dance and Move” contains the following three discs: “Dance Along”, “Zoe’s Dance Move”, and “Elmocize”. The set will be released on May 10, 2005. All of these discs were released over the past few years independently.

The next set, “Sing Along with Sesame Street”, is due out on June 14, 2005 and contains the following three discs: “Kid’s Favorite Songs”, “Let’s Make Music”, and “Sing Yourself Silly at the Movies”. The first two discs have been released before, and the last title is due for independent release for the first time on the same date as the box set.

The third set, “Sesame Street: Stories, Games, and Songs”, is also due out on June 14, 2005 and will hold the following discs: “Play-Along Games & Songs”, “Big Bird’s Story Time”, and “Sleepytime Songs & Stories” The last two titles are due for independent releases on the same date as the box set; yet the first title is not available on DVD outside the set (yet).

Now you may be saying why would I buy theses? If you don’t own these Sesame Street DVDs pick up these sets; it will be easier than finding all three discs, it will save you money rather than buying them all separate, plus you get a cool cardboard box to keep the discs in. These are great ways to build up your Sesame DVD collection. All these discs are full of great moments, skits, songs, and stories. If you don't have any of the DVDs in the Sesame line, I suggest you check some of these out (and at $20 for three full DVDs, that a pretty good deal).

If you are new to the world of Sesame Street DVD collecting and would like to bulk up you collection with all the greatest Sesame moments in one fowl swoop check out this Amazon.com exclusive – a huge 48 disc Sesame Street DVD collection. You may think $400+ is excessive for a bunch of DVDs, but being that you would spend well over $620 if you bought them independently, it is a huge time and money saver. A full list of the 48 discs can be found at Amazon.com

As more news on any new DVD collections and/or sets is released I’ll be here to share it with you all. Hope this answers all your questions on the "box sets".

MC Radio Wins!

From the silly to the sacred, Muppet music has impacted generations young and old. Muppet Central Radio, a service of fansite Muppet Central, broadcasts so that people around the world can listen to Muppet music 24 hours a day. The radio service is provided by Live365, an online radio service provider.

This evening Muppet Central Radio won a "Best of Live365" award in the "Guilty Pleasure" category. All of the nominees were fantastic and all of them deserved this honor. Phillip Chapman, webmaster of Muppet Central, wants to thanks everyone who voted and took some time to listen. This awards never would have happened without the faithful Muppet fans who take time to listen.

Phillip Chapman expressed his feelings on the win in the Muppet Central forum by saying, " I am really blown away that we won. It's great to see that lots of people enjoy Muppet music. One of the things the Muppets do best is music and I'm grateful that we can share it with everyone through Muppet Central Radio."

So take some time out of your day to listen to the award-winning Muppet Central Radio. I would like to say congratulations to Muppet Central, and happy listening to all the Muppet-music lovers.