Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com: Recent Episodes

ToughPigs.com

Celebrating the Muppets, Sesame Street, and Jim Henson with a series of podcasts presented by ToughPigs.com!

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The latest episode of FRAGGLE TALK takes us to one of the most popular episodes of Back to the Rock - "I'm Pogey" - featuring some fascinating conversation on gender and orientation.

With special guests Kanja Chen (Pogey), John Tartaglia (Gobo), and writer Charley Feldman!

PLUS! Pogey saves the world! Madison loves to swim! And finally finding something to complain about!

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Our journey through Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock continues as we meet the Repeatee Birds! If you ever see one, be sure to tell it to spread the word that FRAGGLE TALK is your favorite podcast!

With special guests puppeteer Andy Hayward (Pa Gorg, Jamdolin) and puppet builders Alex "Jurgen" Ferguson and Scott Johnson!

PLUS! Pa Gorg's pennies! Strawberry cannons! And what's the name of that Fraggle?

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Fraggle Talk: Back to the Rock (aka your favorite Back to the Rock companion podcast) is back with another new episode! This week, we're celebrating the love of Mokey Fraggle and her pet plant Lanford in "When Mokey Met Lanford". And who better to join us for this special occasion than the performers behind the two titular characters?

That's right! We're proud to welcome Donna Kimball (Mokey Fraggle) and Ingrid Hansen (Lanford) to the podcast!

PLUS! Plant puns! How Gorg booties work! And who the heck is Rhonda??

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FRAGGLE TALK - the companion podcast to Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock - continues with "The Twisty-Turny-Thon," in which Red Fraggle follows the beaten path and gets terribly off-course.

For this special episode, we're excited to welcome puppeteers Jordan Lockhart (Wembley Fraggle) and Ben Durocher (Junior Gorg)!

PLUS! Wembley and the Temple of Doom! What's a "Throw-Bo"? And Fraggle Rock as a metaphor for... Fraggle Rock!

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Fraggle Talk: Back to the Rock is back! We're covering Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock episode-by-episode with the talented folks who put the show together.

Season 2 kicks off with the season premiere "The Great Wind," and joining us are writers and Executive Producers Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson!

PLUS! We discuss Pa Gorg's 180, Wembley joining the Navy Seals, and "Fraggle Promises"!

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In 1979, two guys from Cincinnati spent a year of their lives trying to convince the Hollywood elite to nominate a pig puppet for Best Actress. They called their organization CAMPO — the Committee to Award Miss Piggy the Oscar — and their campaign inspired tens of thousands of people to embrace the impossible. This is their story.

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This week, we're joined by Calista Hendrickson, Miss Piggy's original costume designer, to talk about the joys and challenges of dressing a legend! We discuss calendars, parades, shoes, dress-up dolls, Miss Piggy's colors, and lots more in a very special interview.

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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!

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This week, Danny is joined by Jim Henson biographer Brian Jay Jones, to talk about Miss Piggy's development, Frank Oz's acting skills, and how hard it was to get Piggy underwater!

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She's the star of eight movies, wrote a best-selling book, and performed at the Hollywood Bowl. This week on the podcast, we ask the question: Is Miss Piggy famous? Join Danny and the insouciant Ryan Roe as we compare two TV specials — The Muppets Go Hollywood, and Miss Piggy's Hollywood — to calculate just how high a pig can fly in Tinseltown.

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A block of foam, a pair of scissors, and destiny: all you need to create a legend. This week, Danny and fellow Piggy enthusiast Peter Savieri are talking to the original creator of Miss Piggy: designer Bonnie Erickson! We're going to learn all about how the Miss Piggy puppet was made, what it was like working in the Muppet Workshop, and how very close Miss Piggy came to stealing the Hope Diamond.

Visit ToughPigs.com for more, including images mentioned in this podcast episode.

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In her early years, Miss Piggy was redesigned and rebuilt half a dozen times, in a long-term effort to refine her look and create the perfect Pig. This week, Danny is joined by the spectacular Peter Savieri and the divine Jamie Carroll for an unbelievably detailed discussion of the right way and the many wrong ways to build a Miss Piggy puppet. This episode contains the most hardcore Miss Piggy fan discussion on this or any other podcast. You will laugh, and you will learn, and you will never be the same.

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We've talked a lot so far about how Miss Piggy's character developed on The Muppet Show, but to truly understand how she became a superstar, you have to see what happened when she broke out of the confines of the Muppet Theater, and took over other people's programs. This week, the extraordinary Becca Petunia from the Muppet fan quiz show Hubba-Wha!? joins Danny to talk about four late-70s Miss Piggy appearances that set the screen on fire.

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Much to everyone's surprise, glamorous gal singer Miss Piggy managed to talk her way into a starring role in the first season of The Muppet Show. The show wanted to feature her more in the second season, so they stuck her in a tin can and shot her out into space, testing the limits of her acting ability and her patience. This week, the sensational Jarrod Fairclough from ToughPigs.com joins Danny to talk about Pigs in Space, and examine how First Mate Piggy dealt with new situations, new problems, and new insults from a crew of male chauvinist pigs.

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The first thing that we learn about Miss Piggy is that she's hopelessly in love with Kermit. But love is a mysterious thing, and sometimes it involves karate-chopping your boyfriend, biting a guest star, and flirting with a lot of other guys. This week, the adorable Anthony Strand from Movin' Right Along: A Muppet Movie Podcast joins Danny to talk about how Miss Piggy develops in season 1 of The Muppet Show, as she kissys her way from a one-joke character to a fully fleshed-out three-joke character.

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In 1974, a beautiful, talented and headstrong young starlet got her big break on The Tonight Show, launching a decades-long career as the most glamorous pig in the world. And now, finally, there's a podcast devoted to telling her amazing story — The Fantastic Miss Piggy Podcast!This labor of love is a history, an analysis and a celebration of Miss Piggy as a pop culture phenomenon, created by her devoted fan, Tough Pigs founder Danny Horn. This first episode is a solo Danny effort, as he delves into a crucial mystery: Is Miss Piggy's name really "Piggy Lee"? Coming up in the following weeks, Danny will be joined by Tough Pigs favorites as well as incredible special guests like Bonnie Erickson, Calista Hendrickson, Craig Shemin, Brian Jay Jones and more, as we discuss everything there is to know about this fascinating, fictional femme fatale.Is this too much fuss to make about a single Muppet character? Absolutely! But where Miss Piggy is concerned, "too far" is actually the appropriate amount of far. Join Danny as he begins this love story for the ages. Kissy-kissy, and welcome to the show!

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Kermitment’s Matthew Gaydos and ToughPigs writers Jarrod Fairclough, Beth Cook, and Anthony Strand join J.D. for another report on the state of The Muppets! They weigh in on the challenging topics of Muppet violence and Muppet fandom conflicts, and also the much lighter topic of a Disney World holiday show.

Also discussed: our final thoughts on The Muppets Mayhem, excitement for Back to the Rock, and uncertainty about Faeries.

Hosted by: J.D. Hansel

Panelists: Beth Cook, Anthony Strand, Matthew Gaydos, and Jarrod Fairclough

Artwork by: Kenny Durkin

Editing, writing, opening theme music and “Slappy Feet” arrangement by: J.D. Hansel

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

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Well, we’re at the end of a Hubba-Wha?! season, and the end of Hubba-Wha?! for a while, so it’s time for another grueling gauntlet of some of the toughest Muppet trivia questions around. But this time, Becca’s celebrating with all the friends she’s made along the way. Not only does Becca have three guests–Muppet Wiki admins Scott, Shane, and Tony–but almost every former Hubba-Wha?! contestant returns in some way or another. It’s a wild finale that can only be called “The Magic Store!” Do you remember all your Hubba-Wha?! friends? Or Mother Goose Stories and Farscape and Coldplay’s recent musical career? Everyone’s going to have to try if they want to be the ultimate, toughest pig of all. Play along at home and let us know how you do! PLUS: an awful lot of dwarfs.

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Don’t even talk to me until you’ve had your coffee. This week, Becca is taking her guests back to where it all began: Sam & Friends, the advertisements, and the variety show sketches of Jim Henson’s early puppetry career. Joining her on this trip down memory lane are two puppeteers and puppet builders: Stoph Scheer of The Creatures of Yes, Puppet Up!, and Muppets Mayhem; and Muppetwt Icon Richard Gomez. They’ll have to mind their business business as they answer questions about Sam’s mind, a new, new sound, and a whole mess of explosions. Play along at home and tell us how you do! PLUS: a whole lot of behind-the-scenes technical puppetry talk! Don’t miss it!

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Space: it’s not as deep as you think. But it’s deep enough that, even after last week’s Muppets From Space episode, Becca is back with a Hubba-Wha?! all about Muppets in space. Like… the place. Look, it’ll make sense. Joining her on her mission beyond the stars are Broadway’s own Fergie L. Philippe and Tori Schmidt of the Muppets No Context Twitter. Who’s the Toughest Pig in the galaxy? These contestants will have to answer questions about the crew of the Swinetrek, the stars of Star Wars, and who wants to live on the moon if they want to succeed in their spaceflight. Play along at home and let us know how you do! PLUS: Becca finally pays tribute to that late 90s Henson alien show y’all love so much…

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It’s been said that in 1999, movies changed forever. The Matrix. The Sixth Sense. And of course, Muppets From Space and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. So on this episode of Hubba-Wha?!, Becca is ready to party like it’s 1999. Joining her in the time machine are Patrick Cotnoir of the George Lucas Talk Show and ASSSSCAT and Anthony Strand from ToughPigs. That’s right, a rematch for the ages! Who’s the Toughest Pig this time? Our contestants will have to answer questions about mixed up Christmases, the crimes of Telly Monster, and disappointing box office data if they want to win fabulous prizes! Play along and let us know how you do! PLUS: the adventures of M. Night Shyamalan’s good friend!

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Two Skeskis enter, one Skeksis leaves… it’s TRIAL BY MUPPET GAME SHOW! That’s right, welcome back to the second half of the third season of Hubba-Wha?! In this episode, Becca is challenging the assumption that The Dark Crystal is boring with an exciting ride through the legends of the Skeksis, Mystics, and all of Thra. Along for the quest are two legends of Muppet fandom: ToughPigs’ own Katilyn Miller and our pal Ren Goetz. If they want to win fabulous prizes, they’ll need to brave dangerous creatures, a behind-the-scenes tour, and…spicy peppers? Play along and let us know how you do! PLUS: A twist ending you’ll have to hear to believe!

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ToughPigs' latest podcast series, The Worst of the Muppets: Holiday Edition, is put out of its misery as we review the near-unwatchable Christmas special Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular!

Highlights include Lady Gaga's Sweetums-style wig, an especially incoherent Electric Mayhem, and an awkward encounter with Kermit the Frog.

Our special guest is ToughPigs co-owner Jarrod Fairclough!

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Welcome to the latest episode of The Worst of the Muppets: Holiday Edition! This week, we're cutting into "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie," in which we discover the world in which Kermit was never born. And if this movie doesn't exist in that timeline, maybe we should just stay there...

Joining us for this sinkhole of a special is actor and writer Sarah Elizabeth Grace!

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Join ToughPigs.com for a deep dive into what might be the WORST Muppet holiday special ever made! It's Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, featuring an unfortunate performance by Robert Downey Jr., terrible Swedish accents, and the infamous Honey Pot Dance!

With special guest: Puppeteer, puppet builder, and artist Noah Ginex!

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We're excited to premiere a brand new ToughPigs podcast series: The Worst of the Muppets! We'll be covering some of the most painful and cringe-worthy productions the Muppets have ever been a part of. And because 'tis the season, we'll be kicking it off with a miniseries all about Muppet holiday specials!

For our premiere episode, we'll be tackling the truly terribly A Special Sesame Street Christmas, in which Oscar sings "Yakkety Yak," Michael Jackson reads a book about ghosts, and Imogene Coca looks like an idiot.

Our special guest is actor, director, puppeteer, and Muppet fan Fergie Phillipe! (To whom we apologize profusely.)

Join us over the next four weeks for some coal in our stockings, bah humbugs, and Christmas jeers!

And don't worry - Hubba-Wha?! will return in January.

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We’re back with a new Great Muppet Fandom Panel, hosted by ToughPigs’ own J.D. Hansel. Join Muppet fans Richard Michael Gomez, Joe Hennes, Tori Schmidt, and the mysterious mononym “gav” for a conversation about this year’s Muppet events, Muppet merchandise, and Muppet more!

Also discussed: surprising DVD bonus features, the many ways to celebrate Dave Goelz, and swoopfoomers.

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She was counting in her castle late one night, when her eyes beheld an eerie sight: the midseason finale of Hubba-Wha?! Becca is ready to spookalize guests Mike Westfall of the Advent Calendar House podcast and ToughPigs’ own Jarrod Fairclough in a magical Halloween adventure! If her guests want fabulous prizes, they’ll have to face their fears of kooky costumes, cunning countesses, and horrifyingly horrible puns. Plus: when, exactly, did Bert and Ernie visit that pyramid? Play along at home and let us know!

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Hit me like a hurricane! If you’ve got both electricity and Muppet trivia in your brain, you’ve come to the right place. That’s right: it’s a Hubba-Wha?! Episode all about the Electric Mayhem! Becca is joined by Muppet artist and trumpet aficionado Dave Hulteen and ToughPigs’ own Joe Hennes in an episode all about the Muppets’ legendary house band. These dedicated Mayheads will have to picture that, stop blaming the dynamite, and refuse to take no for an answer if they want to prove they’ve got what it takes to be our Moog and win fabulous prizes. Plus: a correction of a fact from another ToughPigs podcast??? Play along at home and let us know how you do!

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She loves cinnamon toast, she’s Luis’s best friend, she wants to build a go-kart…That’s right: on today’s episode of Hubba-Wha?!, Becca Petunia is terrorizing Alethea Shirilan of Sesame History and Ryan Roe of ToughPigs with even more questions about the unsung hero of 54 years of Sesame Street, Betty Lou! Pick your pet! Take the subway! And acknowledge that everybody likes ice cream! Plus: the most ambitious Beat the Time round of all time. Play along at home and let us know how you do!

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Everyone knows the real happiest place on Earth is right here on ToughPigs, with a brand new episode of Hubba-Wha?!! This week, Becca Petunia is joined by former PizzeRizzo employee Melia Schnef and ToughPigs’ own Matthew Soberman for trivia challenges about the Muppets’ appearances in Disney theme parks! They’ll have to master their cheap 3D tricks, rock and roll around the world, and meet 999 Muppet ghosts if they want to win a fabulous souvenir! Plus: what professional swimmer does Big Bird admire, and what does that have to do with anything anyway? Play along at home and let us know how you do!

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The only thing more beautiful than spacious skies and amber waves of grain: Becca Petunia is back with Season 3 of Hubba-Wha?!. To kick things off, she’s paying tribute to all nations, but mostly America. Are Danny Horn from Superheroes Every Day and J.D. Hansel of ToughPigs knowledgeable world travelers? They’ll have to say “shalom” to Mar Ashpach, “bonjour” to Jean-Pierre Rampal, and “howdy” to Ronald Reagan if they want to win fabulous prizes and make Global Grover proud. Plus: How many Latin root words do you know, anyway? Play along at home and let us know how you do!

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ToughPigs’ own Matthew Soberman and Becca Petunia are joined by artist/designer Jamie Carroll and Broadway actor Fergie L. Philippe (Hamilton, Camelot) for our summertime summit on the state of The Muppets! Topics include the latest Muppet merchandise, surprise concert appearances, and, in our main segment, this year’s hit Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem.

Also discussed: TV specials we don’t know exist, the whereabouts of Clifford, and our shared desire to get drunk with Bunsen and Beaker.

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Over the past ten weeks, we've been proud to bring you an exclusive sneak peek behind the Muppets' latest series, The Muppets Mayhem. We have now arrived at the first season finale, which means this is also the season finale of The Muppets Mayhem: Backstage Pass. But shed not a tear, fellow Mayheads! Because this episode is a doozy.

We are extremely excited to welcome Muppet legend and longtime performer of Zoot - Dave Goelz - as our very special guest! And joining us as always are Co-creators and Executive Producers Jeff Yorkes and Bill Barretta.

Plus! Zoot's secret origin! Not filming at the Hollywood Bowl! Dave's very special soap dispenser!

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The penultimate episode of THE MUPPETS MAYHEM: BACKSTAGE PASS is upon us! So of course, we have to discuss the penultimate episode of The Muppets Mayhem - "Drift Away," in which the band splits up to pursue their own solo careers. Heartbreaking!

Joining us for this special episode is the Muppet performer who gives groove to guitar player Janice - it's David Rudman! And joining us as always are Co-creators and Executive Producers Jeff Yorkes and Bill Barretta!

Plus! How David met Richard Hunt! Soup jingles! How "culty" can Janice's cult get?

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Welcome back to THE MUPPETS MAYHEM: BACKSTAGE PASS - your one and only podcast peek behind the curtain of the Muppets' latest Mayhem-filled series! This week, we're going digital with "Virtual Insanity", in which the band manages to make enemies of every musical fandom, and then get sucked into the world of Minecraft.

Joining us for this episode is the Muppet performer responsible for keeping bass player Floyd Pepper on beat - it's Matt Vogel! And as always, Executive Producers and Co-Creators Jeff Yorkes and Bill Barretta are along for the fun.

Plus! Emmet Otter references! How to get rid of a van! And was Matt actually there or not??

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Welcome to another thrilling chapter in the saga we call THE MUPPETS MAYHEM: BACKSTAGE PASS! Our tour through The Muppets Mayhem has brought us to the Muppets' big spoof of The Beatles' Get Back as they're featured in their very own mockumentary.

Our extremely special guest is the performer who helped usher the brand new Muppet character Penny Waxman to life - Leslie Carrara-Rudolph! And returning to the show are The Muppets Mayhem Co-creators and Executive Producers Jeff Yorkes and Bill Barretta!

Plus! Every single Beatles reference! New female Muppet characters! How the Muppets met the Feebles!

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Our hit podcast series (The Muppets Mayhem: Backstage Pass) celebrating the hit Disney+ series (The Muppets Mayhem) continues! This week, we're chatting about Track 6: "Fortunate Son", in which we meet Dr. Teeth's parents!

And who better as guests for this episode than the Muppet performers behind the Teeth family? We're thrilled to welcome Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Dr. Tina Teeth) and David Bizzaro (Gerald Teeth)! And as always, Co-creators and Executive Producers Jeff Yorkes and Bill Barretta are joining for their annual cleanings.

Plus! New Orleans accents! The Adventures of Young Teeth and Young Floyd! A perfect Jerry Nelson homage!

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Good news! We've got a brand new episode of The Electric Mayhem's official unofficial podcast The Muppets Mayhem: Backstage Pass ready for your earbuds! Bad news, we're already halfway through the series. But you'll forget all about that once you hear our riveting conversation about Track 5: "Break On Through."

Joining us for this trip is our very special guest: Peter Linz! Peter's the Muppet performer who brings new life and new vocabulary to The Electric Mayhem's resident trumpet player, Lips! And as always, we've got color commentary from The Muppets Mayhem's Co-Creators and Executive Producers Jeff Yorkes and Bill Barretta.

Plus! How a new Lips is born! Improving on drug humor! The majesty of Weird Al!

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Aw yeah, we're back with another episode of THE MUPPETS MAYHEM: BACKSTAGE PASS, uncovering all the juiciest gossip about our newest favorite show The Muppets Mayhem! This week, we're covering Track 4, "The Times They Are A-Changin'", and we've got some extra special guests.

Joining us for this chat are two of the human stars of the show - Lilly Singh, who plays budding record exec Nora, and Saara Chaudry, who plays Nora's influential sister Hannah! And of course, Co-Creators and Executive Producers Bill Barretta and Jeff Yorkes are also along for the ride.

Plus! What was Karamo's big advice to Saara? What did Cheech and Chong leave behind? And what's up with Janice's sister???

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Our companion series to The Muppets Mayhem is drumming along! This week, we're discussing Track 3: "Exile on Main Street", in which Animal searches for a new job and we get a glimpse at his secret origin story.

Joining us is the Muppet performer behind The Electric Mayhem's madman drummer Animal - Eric Jacobson! Also along for the ride are Executive Producers and Co-Creators Jeff Yorkes and Bill Barretta.

Plus! The improv genius of Ben Schwartz, how Animal learned to do those hibachi tricks, and Eric's approach to performing the latest version of Baby Animal.

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In our latest episode of THE MUPPETS MAYHEM: BACKSTAGE PASS, we're diving deep into Track #2: "True Colors". Joining us is Tahj Mowry, who stars as the Electric Mayhem's biggest fan Moog!

PLUS! Is Tahj as big a Muppet fan as Moog? How hard is it to work with a goat? Is Moog real, or just very convincing CGI?

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Welcome to THE MUPPETS MAYHEM: BACKSTAGE PASS - a brand-new podcast from ToughPigs.com!

This is the podcast where we tour through every episode of The Muppets Mayhem to uncover behind-the-scenes stories, easter eggs, and more, with the talented cast and crew who helped put the series together.

In our premiere episode, we're talking about Track 1: Can You Picture That. Joining us are Executive Producers and Co-Creators Adam Goldberg, Jeff Yorkes, and Bill Barretta!

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Welcome to the newest ToughPigs podcast: FRAGGLE TALK: CLASSIC! Hosts Beth, Julia, and Adam will be reviewing every episode of the classic Jim Henson series Fraggle Rock, starting here with "Beginnings".

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to the FRAGGLE TALK podcast on your favorite podcatcher service!

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In this bonus episode of The Great Muppet Fandom Panel, it's the Muppet Friend Awards!

J.D. is joined by the hosts of the Muppeturgy podcast - Christie, Adam, David, and Michal - for a discussion of the stars who've been the best friends to The Muppets - as their guests, hosts, collaborators, champions, and sometimes lovers.

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It's the third installment of The Great Muppet Fandom Panel – ToughPigs’ recurring podcast featuring Muppet fans chatting about the Muppet news in the silliest ways they can.

This time, "Muppet Fans Talking" hosts Mary, Maria, and Sprout join J.D. in trying to assess the state of Sesame Workshop and what we can expect from Muppets Mayhem.

Also discussed: tall Count von Count, unwearable T-shirts, and which Muppets should play which Fraggles.

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Joe and Jarrod get together for one last episode to discuss Season 2!

Which episode had audio recorded 12 months after the interview? Which guest forgot to show up? Which guest had the worst audio imaginable?

Listen as we answer all those questions and tell you which talk show hosts were contacted, which legendary director could have appeared (kinda), and find out just how close Jarrod came to getting a certified Dame on the show!

We also have an important announcement about the future of To Introduce Our Guest Star.

Thanks for listening to Season 2!

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In our final interview for Season 2, Joe pulls out the big guns and surprises Jarrod with none other than the legendary Frank Oz!

Frank needs no introduction, but let's give him one anyway. Frank was the original performer of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal and Sam on The Muppet Show, as well as Bert, Grover and Cookie Monster on Sesame Street.  He directed The Muppets Take Manhattan, before going on to direct films like Bowfinger and Death At A Funeral.  A few years ago he released the incredible documentary Muppet Guys Talking, where he teamed up with Jerry Nelson and previous To Introduce Our Guest Star guests Fran Brill, Bill Barretta and Dave Goelz!

Listen as we discuss Frank's ideas for The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made, teaming up with Dave Goelz for voice overs and drinking with Joan Rivers.  Plus Muppets From Space wasn't great, Jarrod's getting surgery, and Frank thinks we're terrible at our jobs.

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Today Jarrod surprises Joe with comedian, actor and massive Muppet fan Bobby Moynihan!

Bobby has had an incredible career with nine seasons on Saturday Night Live and has worked on shows like DuckTales and 30 Rock, as well as films like Monsters University and Sisters.

But us Muppet fans love him for his guest appearance on Sesame Street as the Quacker Duck Oates Man and for being the guest star for both The Muppets Take The Hollywood Bowl and The Muppets Take The O2 live shows!

Listen as we discuss performing Happy Feet with Kermit, the props Bobby wishes he could have stolen, and the various times SNL parodied the Muppets.  Plus Bobby doesn't want to sing, Paul Williams asks everyone to play golf, and Mel Brooks is at an airport.

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This week Joe makes Jarrod go :O as he brings on actor and all round delight Yvette Nicole Brown!

Yvette has appeared on shows like A Black Lady Sketch Show, Drake & Josh and The Odd Couple, as well as films like (500) Days of Summer, Tropic Thunder and Avengers: Endgame, but we love her best for her role as Shirley Bennett on the cult favorite sitcom Community.

Yvette is an outspoken Muppet fan in her own right, and in 2021 played the role of the Hearse Driver in Disney Plus' Muppets Haunted Mansion.

Listen as we discuss being proud of your fandom, being kind to strangers and all the times Community intersected the Muppets.  Plus we want to call the Russo Brothers, we all love Paul Williams, and Yvette should be on Sesame Street!

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This week Jarrod surprises Joe with director Ken Kwapis!

Ken has had a remarkable career directing shows like 'Malcolm In The Middle', 'The Bernie Mac Show' and 'Parks and Recreation', as well as movies like 'He's Just Not That Into You', 'The Beautician and the Beast' and 'License to Wed'.  He also helped create the US adaption of 'The Office'.

But before any of that, his feature directorial debut was the 1985 Sesame Street film 'Follow That Bird'!

Listen as we discuss felt on tables, complicated shots with planes, and who could have worked at the Grouch Cafe! Plus the Count drives by himself, blue Big Bird is devestating, and chaotic preview screenings!

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We're extremely honored to present this new episode recorded with the late Bob McGrath, just a few months before he passed.

Bob was a fixture on Sesame Street since Episode 0001 back in 1969, and spent over 40 years singing and teaching and entertaining generations of kids.

Listen as Bob discusses some of his favorite lesser known songs, skydiving and why the characters of Bob and Linda never got married.  Plus being recognised at the urinal, Bob's wife pops in, and Bob muses on the meaning of life.

Stick around after the interview as Joe and Jarrod take a few moments to remember Bob and their time with him.  And thanks for joining us, Bob.

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This week Jarrod surprises Joe with legendary Muppet performer Fran Brill. Fran was the first female puppeteer hired by Jim Henson back in 1970 and spent over 40 years on Sesame Street playing beloved characters like Prairie Dawn, Little Bird and Zoe.

Listen as we chat Saturday Night Live, the Jim Henson Hour Zondra stans, little tiny Season 40 Zoe and a heck of a lot more!

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This week Joe surprises Jarrod with long time Sesame Street Muppet performer Martin Robinson!  Marty is the man under and inside some of your favorite characters like Telly Monster, Slimey and Snuffy, plus a whole tonne more.

Join us as we discuss the busted up microphone that helps voice Snuffy, Marty's work on Helpsters, and why it's important for kids to see anxious characters like Telly.  Plus Muppet Babies, weddings on the set of Sesame Street and the world's creepiest clown puppet.

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To Introduce Our Guest Star is back! We're kicking off Season 2 with the brilliant puppeteer Alice Dinnean, who has worked on projects like Sesame Street, Muppets Haunted Mansion and... oh yeah, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance!

Plus we talk elephants and Britta Perry, then some guy gate crashes.

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Welcome back to the second episode of The Great Muppet Fandom Panel - ToughPigs' recurring podcast featuring Muppet fans chatting about the latest in Muppet news!

ToughPigs writers Julia Gaskill, Louie Pearlman, and Joe Hennes join J.D. for a winter wonderland of Muppet news and discussion. Did we like Best in Snow? “Night of the Lights”? Fraggle NFTs? Results may vary.

Also discussed: Bob McGrath, imaginary Muppet theme park attractions, and Disco Kermit.

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Surprise!  There's a brand new episode of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock available to watch right now on Apple TV+!  Double surprise!  There's also a new episode of Fraggle Talk - the unofficial Fraggle Rock podcast - available to listen to as well!

After having completed our entire series of Back to the Rock reviews and recaps with the cast and crew of the show, we couldn't leave the project incomplete.  So with more from the show, we knew we just had to record an extra episode of our podcast.  It's a holiday miracle!

A special episode requires some special guests, so we're excited to welcome ToughPigs' Fraggle expert Beth Cook and ToughPigs' Christmas expert Anthony Strand!  We're talking about the Fraggles' newest holiday, sabre-toothed Inkspots, and the possibility that Fraggles don't have the concept of the number 3.

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ToughPigs is proud to introduce a brand new series of podcast specials airing between seasons of our various ToughPigs podcasts… it’s The Great Muppet Fandom Panel! This recurring series will feature a look at the latest Muppet news of the season, with ridiculous commentary from Muppet fans on the ToughPigs team.

In our debut episode, ToughPigs writers Beth Cook, Shane Keating, and Ryan Roe star as panelists, as moderator J.D. Hansel makes them talk about Sam & Friends, live events, D23, and Sesame Street: The Musical whether they’d like to or not.

Also discussed: trash merchandise, Shane’s hot wood takes, criminal latex puppets, and customizable door knockers.

Hosted by: J.D. Hansel

Panelists: Ryan Roe, Shane Keating, and Beth Cook

Artwork by: Kenny Durkin

Editing, writing, and opening theme by: J.D. Hansel

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

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Well, all good things must come to an end, and also Season 2 of Hubba-Wha?! has to come to an end. But don’t be too sad, because Becca’s wrapping the season with a challenge of Brobdinagian proportions. ToughPigs co-owners Jarrod Fairclough and Ryan Roe are in the hotseats for the hardest Hubba-Wha?! episode ever recorded, full of Muppet and Henson trivia even Becca isn’t always sure how to pronounce. Which ToughPigs titan will be this week’s toughest pig? Our contestants will have to survive the mysterious theater of Vincent Twice, face the monsters in the mirror, and find a mischievous duck named Hugo if they want to win fabulous prizes and prove they’re the champions of champions. Can you keep up? Plus: who’s out there rhyming “wubba” with “umbra” anyway?

Hosted by: Becca Petunia

Guests: Jarrod Fairclough and Ryan Roe

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Becca Petunia

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

Additional Host Artwork by: Richard Gomez

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

ALSO: Please comment on social media or message Becca to tell us what you thought of this season!

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Grab your duckies and your pigeons, because it’s time for a very special episode of Hubba-Wha?! This week, Becca’s thinking about the Muppets’ most dynamic duo in an episode all about Bert and Ernie! Or is it Ernie and Bert? Joining her are her good buddies Muppet fan artist Iffy and ToughPigs’ own Joe Hennes! Who will be this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to place their orders, feed Bert’s fish, and think of lovely, lilting words if they want to win our fabulous prizes. Plus: We’re still talking about which Muppet likes cinnamon toast! Do you remember?

Hosted by: Becca Petunia

Guests: Iffy and Joe Hennes

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Becca Petunia

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

Additional Host Artwork by: Richard Gomez

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

ALSO: Barenaked Ladies cover “La La La”

ALSO ALSO: Guster covers “I’ve Got to Be Clean”

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Subway is proud to present this week’s Hubba-Wha?! episode about Muppets Most Wanted. Just kidding: Becca didn’t get any sponsors for this. But she’s not kidding about a full episode of trivia questions about the Muppets’ most recent motion picture. Joining her on this world tour are David Levy from the Muppeturgy podcast and ToughPigs’ own Julia Gaskill. Who will be this week’s evilest pig? Our contestants will have to answer questions about celebrity lullabies, the longest jam sessions, and The Muppet Vault. Play along at home and see if you can outsmart the world’s greatest criminal frog himself! Plus: what rhymes with “unicorn” anyway?

Hosted by: Becca Petunia

Guests: David Levy and Julia Gaskill

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Becca Petunia

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

Additional Host Artwork by: Richard Gomez

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

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If you know Becca Petunia, you know she owns a lot of Sesame merchandise. This week on Hubba-Wha?!, she’s decided to make that into everyone else’s problem with a grab bag of Sesame questions inspired by things she found lying around her apartment. Join ToughPigs’ Louie Pearlman and Sesame Street Musical performer Joe Newman-Getzler as they rise to the occasion, answering questions about the letter of the day, Steve Martin’s influence on Sesame music, and how to teach an old dog new tricks. Plus: which Muppet is Luis’s best friend? You’ll never guess…

Hosted by: Becca Petunia

Guests: Joe Newman-Getzler and Louie Pearlman

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Becca Petunia

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

Additional Host Artwork by: Richard Gomez

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

ALSO: Here’s that “Sesamerot” TikTok user that Becca and Louie were talking about

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It’s only forever…or maybe closer to 57 minutes and 31 seconds! Becca leads the artist Shannguin and ToughPigs’ own JD Hansel through the wild maze that is the Labyrinth episode of Hubba-Wha?! What dangers untold and hardships unnumbered will they face on their quest to rescue fabulous prizes from the Goblin King? It wouldn’t be fair to tell you the specifics, but expect some questions about 80s pop stars, ghost writers, and what you need to cross the Bog of Eternal Stench. Plus: who reminds me of being reminded of the babe?

Hosted by: Becca Petunia

Guests: Shannguin and JD Hansel

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Becca Petunia

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

Additional Host Artwork by: Richard Gomez

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

SPOILERS: Special thanks to Montevideo for that one clip at the end!

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Hey nonny nonny, ha cha cha, it’s time once again for Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Becca Petunia is joined by Sprout of the Muppet Fans Talking Podcast and Beth Cook of ToughPigs! They’ll face a Marjory-sized heap of trivia questions about the original Fraggle Rock TV show. Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to work for thirty minutes, then find their only way home, and go back to where it all began if they want to be the best and win fabulous prizes. Plus: We talk even more about Snuffy’s brother for some reason!

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Happy… Thanksgiving? It’s time to gather around the table once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Becca Petunia hosts a very early Thanksgiving dinner for two members of her ToughPigs family, Shane Keating and Matthew Soberman! Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to theorize about relatives, eat the script of Doctor Zhivago, and celebrate Macy’s if they want to get the bigger piece of the wishbone and win fabulous prizes. Plus: How often do bombs appear in Swedish kitchens?

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It’s time once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Becca Petunia is joined by Matthew Gaydos of the Kermitment Podcast and Adam Grosswirth of the Muppeturgy Podcast. They’ll face challenges based on the first season of the world’s only frog-hosted variety show, The Muppet Show! Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to waltz at the dance, sit in with the orchestra, and remember Sweetums’ first appearance if they want to hit the bigtime and win fabulous prizes. Plus: Do we like Thog, or is he too perfect? Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

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It’s time once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Becca Petunia is joined by Eric Pahl, contributor to The Muppet Collection Page, and Danny Horn, ToughPigs’ founder and writer of Superheroes Every Day. They’ll face challenges based on the history of Muppet toys and other Henson merch. Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to sort through questions about Walter’s collection, things that go, and the scent of oudh if they want to hit the jackpot and win the most exclusive merch of all: our fabulous prizes. Plus: Did you read Ryan Roe’s recent articles or what? Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

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Just when you thought it was safe to stop thinking about Muppet trivia, Becca Petunia is back with Season 2 of Hubba-Wha?! This week, she’s joined by Patrick Cotnoir of the George Lucas Talk Show and RAAAATSCRAPS and ToughPigs’ own Anthony Strand. They’ll face some scary challenges based on the lovable monsters of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and…classic cinema? Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to brave questions about beautiful days, 39 steps, and the emotions you can express by laugh-growling if they want to survive the night and win fabulous prizes. Plus: More discussion of Splurge than you’ll hear anywhere else! Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

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Well folks, we've made it to the end.  This is the final episode of Fraggle Talk: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast.  We've spelunked through 12 episodes of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (plus two bonus episodes), and we've now made it to #13 - the season finale, "All of Us".  Finally we'll see how Gobo and his pals wrap up all of the various crises in the Rock as we also wrap up this podcast season.  Joining us for this special episode are the two guests who helped kick things off way back in our first episode - Executive Producers John Tartaglia and Halle Stanford!  And of course, Tartaglia also brings along his history performing Gobo Fraggle, the Architect Doozer, Sprocket, and more as we discuss this episode and the season's end in great detail.  Happy listening!

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We've made it to the penultimate episode of Fraggle Rock: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast!  And folks, let me tell you - this episode is pure trash.  Yes, we're sneaking through the Gorgs' garden to talk about the all-knowing Marjorie the Trash Heap!  We're diving deep into the Back to the Rock episode "Into the Trash" with three talented puppeteers from the show: Aymee Garcia, Ingrid Hansen, and Kira Hall.  Together, they join forces to bring the Trash Heap to life!  So jump on into the trash, and enjoy our latest episode of Fraggle Talk!

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FRAGGLE TALK: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast is back in action with another brand new episode!  This week we're diving deep into "Deep Dive", in which the Fraggles, Merggles, and Craggles are still dealing with a ton of problems, so Mokey tries to help Red get through her anxiety about the whole thing.  Joining us for this episode is another one of Back to the Rock's key performers - the puppeteer behind Cotterpin Doozer, the Storyteller Fraggle, and Mokey Fraggle: Donna Kimball!  Happy listening, gang!

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We're super excited about our latest episode of Fraggle Talk: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast!  Not just because we get to talk about Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock for a little longer, but because we're welcoming an extremely special guest!  Joining us for a chat all about "Doc" is Doc herself: Broadway actress Lilli Cooper!  We're chatting with Lilli all about how she got the role as Doc, what it's like working with Sprocket, and what might be Doc's real name!  Listen in for a revealing interview that puts the "bonus" in "bonus episode"!

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We're back (to the Rock) with another episode of Fraggle Talk: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast!  Put on your leather jackets, hop on your hog, and grow some mutton chops, because we're talkin' about "Wembley the Spokesfraggle"!  Learn all about Jack Hammer - the coolest Doozer in all Doozerdom, character find of the year Pogey Fraggle, and how to perform Red Fraggle's right hand.  Joining us in this episode are two puppeteers whose work can be seen all over the Rock: Kanja Chen and Ali Eisner!  Happy listening, Fraggle fans!

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It's the latest installment of Fraggle Talk: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast!  In this episode, we're talking about the Giggle Gaggle Games, the narcoleptic Craggles, and the incomparable Barry Blueberry!  Our very special guest is director Jordan Canning, who oversaw several episodes of Back to the Rock including this one.  So naturally, she's the perfect person to take us step-by-step through the Fraggles' version of the Olympics.  Enjoy!

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Fraggle Talk: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast is back with another deep dive into the world of Back to the Rock!  This week, we're learning all the secrets of Junior Gorg, thanks to the two puppeteers who bring him to life: Dan Garza and Ben Durocher.  We're also chatting with Dan and Ben about the Craggles, the terrifying Mantivore, and the one and only Inspector Red!

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We're back with another episode of Fraggle Talk: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast, and this week we're talking about Boober's big speech, a box full of Flutterflies, and the funkiest Fraggle of all time: Jamdolin the Troubador!  We're joined by two very special guests, who know a thing or two about jamming with the Fraggles.  Puppeteers Andy Hayward (who performs the puppetry for Jamdolin) and Frank Meschkuleit (who performs the puppetry for Boober Fraggle).  Together, these two have joined forces to bring Pa Gorg to life.  And of course, they've joined forces for this exciting podcast chat!  Enjoy!

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Music is unarguably one of the most important aspects to the world of Fraggle Rock.  And with so many incredible new songs, as well as a slew of classics, we were excited to chat with the man behind the tunes. In this bonus episode of FRAGGLE TALK: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast, we're chatting with Executive Music Producer and songwriter Harvey Mason, Jr. all about what it takes to craft a perfect Fraggle song.

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We've got another episode of FRAGGLE TALK: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast hot off the presses!  Or in this case, ice cold.  We're talking about the introduction of Fraggle Rock's newest resident: The rough and tough and slightly frigid Icy Joe.  And who better to join us than Icy Joe's performer and the longtime puppeteer who originated the iconic Red Fraggle: Karen Prell! We're talking with Karen about returning to Fraggle Rock, picking up the reins of Red Fraggle as if she never left, and the challenge of developing a brand new character for the series.  And of course, it's always a pleasure to chat with a bona fide expert in all things Fraggle!

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Our latest episode of FRAGGLE TALK: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast is one worth celebrating!  Not just because it's all about Wembley's birthday, but because this week we're joined by another extremely special guest!  It's the performer responsible for Wembley himself - one of Fraggle Rock's newest additions - Jordan Lockhart!  Jordan is chatting with us about getting the role as Fraggle Rock's resident wembler, and the challenges for playing four different versions of the character in this episode.  I think Wembley would find this choice pretty easy to make: this episode is a must-listen for any Fraggle fan!

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ToughPigs' Fraggle Talk podcast series continues as we dive into the Back to the Rock episode "The Glow", featuring Boober's glowing tail and the debut of The Archivist Fraggle, voiced by the talented Cynthia Erivo! Joining us in this episode is a Muppet performer who originated characters like Boober Fraggle, Uncle Traveling Matt, and The World's Oldest Fraggle.  He's reprising his characters in Back to the Rock, and we're beyond excited to chat with him all about returning to the world of Fraggle Rock.  Yes, our guest is the amazing Dave Goelz!

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We're back with another episode of FRAGGLE TALK: The Unofficial Fraggle Rock podcast! This week we're diving deep into the Back to the Rock episode "The Merggle Moon Migration", in which Mokey finds herself trapped in the Echo Chamber, while the Fraggles witness the birth of a new generation of Merggles! Our guests this week include three members of the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock writing team.  We're pleased to welcome Executive Producers Alex Cuthbertson and Matt Fusfeld, as well as one of the co-creators of the original Fraggle Rock Jocelyn Stevenson!

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Our newest podcast series FRAGGLE TALK continues as we climb a giant Doozer tower to dive deep into the second episode: "Red and the Big Jump"! Our very special guests all join us from the Jim Henson Creature Shop, and have had a hand in designing, building, and maintaining the incredible puppets seen in Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.  We're pleased to welcome Creature Shop Supervisor Scott Johnson, On-Set Wrangling Supervisor Alex "Jurgen" Ferguson, and Puppet Build Supervisor Rollie Krewson! For more details, please visit us at ToughPigs.com.

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We're proud to announce the debut of FRAGGLE TALK - The Unofficial Fraggle Rock Podcast!  We've teamed up with our friends at The Jim Henson Company to deliver a series of interviews with the puppeteers, producers, writers, and builders who helped create the recent series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock.  Our first episode features two special guests: Executive Producer and Gobo Fraggle performer John Tartaglia, as well as Executive Producer and Henson Company President of Television Halle Stanford!  We're talking about how the show came together and what it was like filming the very first episode.  For more details, please visit us at ToughPigs.com.

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The current Muppet Babies is sadly coming to an end.  The series finale, airing this week, will be a send-up of the classic Muppet Show.

In honor of this momentous and memorable series, we're interviewing Producer and performer of Baby Kermit MATT DANNER!  We're chatting all about the origins of the series, how and why the show is ending, and the secret identity of Dr. Teeth???

Enjoy!

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What a long, strange road it’s been, but we’ve reached the finale of the first season of Hubba-Wha?!, America’s favorite Muppet quiz show. In this episode, Evan G. challenges longtime ToughPigs editors Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe to a grab bag of nigh-impossible Muppet mayhem. Can these Muppet experts handle questions about Around the Corner, Detective Monk, and maybe even Mr. Poodlepants? If anyone can, it’s Ryan and Joe, but the odds might not be in their favor. Play along with us at home and let us know how you do… and let us know your thoughts on this first season!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

One of the 32%: Episode 103

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Just when you thought we were out of questions, Evan G. is back with another episode of America’s weirdest quiz show, Hubba-Wha?! In this episode, Evan is joined by Muppet artist Richard Gomez and ToughPigs contributor Megan Barbeau to puzzle through the Muppet gang’s strangest weirdo, The Great Gonzo! Who will be this week’s Toughest Weirdo? Our contestants will have to board Noah’s Ark, jump through a flaming hoop, and even remember all of the Dave Goelz characters living down at Fraggle Rock. It’s a fun-filled extravagonzo for everyone! Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Richard Gomez and Meagan Barbeau

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

The Betweeniest Guy You’ve Ever Seen: Mr. Between

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Ho ho ho, Muppet fans! It’s time once again for America’s jolliest Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! Nothing is more Christmas-y than the Muppets and trivia, so in this extra-long, extra-special episode Evan G. is joined by Brandon Hardy of the Brandon Hardy Art TikTok and Matthew Soberman of ToughPigs.com as they answer questions about the Christmas specials and albums released during Jim Henson’s lifetime. Who will be this week’s Toughest Pig? We carol together as we puzzle through holly, ivy, and all that good stuff. Does anyone remember the Christmas Toy as well as Evan does? Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Brandon Hardy and Matthew Soberman

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

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It’s time once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! To celebrate 2021 being ToughPigs’ 20th birthday, host Evan G. is joined by Maria Nance of the Muppet Fans Talking podcast and ToughPigs’ own Julia Gaskill as they answer questions about the past 20 years of Muppet productions. Who will be this week’s Toughest Pig? If they want to get their face on Walter’s watch, our guests will have to remember Disney’s Muppet films, Disney’s Muppet shows, and also some Nintendo games about boats. Do you know your recasts? Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Maria Nance and Julia Gaskill

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

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It’s time once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Evan G. is joined by master Muppet maker Emily Engel and ToughPigs’ own Joe Hennes as they head for Hollywood and answer questions about The Muppet Movie. Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? If they want to get rich and famous, our guests are going to have to remember the rainbow connection and figure out exactly where Sweetums might be. Do you have what it takes to escape Doc Hopper? Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

ALSO: Check out Emily Engel’s Etsy page to see (and commission) some of her incredible art!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Emily Engel and Joe Hennes

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

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We’re off celebrating this week, but we’ve still got time for a special gift with this Hubba-Wha?! bonus episode! Here is a question for… ToughPigs’ own Staci Rosen! Evan G. leads Staci through a mini-game about the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah! What do penny candy, octopi, and little notes have in common? Who did Bob wink to? Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Staci Rosen

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

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It’s time once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Evan G. is joined by Scott Hanson of the Muppet Wiki and ToughPigs’ own Shane Keating as they take a trip way back to 1969 with some questions about old-school Sesame Street. Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests are born to add and born to answer questions about Gordon, but can even they figure out why we should care about Farley? Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

ALSO: Check out Muppet Wiki’s amazing coverage of all things Muppetational, including some newly-unearthed Sesame Street information!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Scott Hanson and Shane Keating

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

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It’s time once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Evan G. is joined by David Levy of the Muppeturgy Podcast and ToughPigs’ own Anthony Strand as they tackle some cultural questions about The Muppet Show. Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to tell some classic Fozzie jokes, sing with the Beatles, and remember... DC live action movies? It’s all to win the most Muppetational prize yet. Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

ALSO: Listen to David Levy on Muppeturgy, which just began its second season!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: David Levy and Anthony Strand

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

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It’s time once again for America’s favorite Muppet trivia show, Hubba-Wha?! This week, host Evan G. is joined by ToughPigs’ own Ryan Roe and Anthony Strand in some challenges based on The Muppets Take Manhattan. Who’s this week’s Toughest Pig? Our guests will have to answer questions about rats with jobs, saying goodbye, and Mayor Brooke Shields to win this episode’s fabulous prizes. Play along with us at home and let us know how you do!

ALSO: Listen to Ryan and Anthony on Movin’ Right Along, which just finished its season about The Muppets Take Manhattan!

Hosted by: Evan G.

Guests: Ryan Roe and Anthony Strand

Questions, Logo, Production, and Editing by: Evan G.

Theme Music by: Staci Rosen

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Just in time for Halloween, the Muppets have given us a brand new special - Muppets Haunted Mansion - now streaming on Disney+!

ToughPigs co-owners Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe sit down for an informal chat and review of the new special to see what worked, what didn't work, and what was genuinely terrifying.

Stay tuned for a new Muppet podcast on this channel coming very soon!

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We sat down the day after Muppets Haunted Mansion premiered to chat with our pal, writer and director Kirk Thatcher, about the 30 year journey it took to get this special made.

We also discuss the spookier elements, Gonzo and Pepe as a duo, the return of Johnny and Sal, and even the nipple gag from Muppets Wizard of Oz gets a mention!

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FINAL EPISODE! We're joined by ToughPigs' latest recruit, and also ToughPigs' latest co-owner! Jarrod Fairclough tells us all about running our competitor The Muppet Mindset, merging the Muppet Mindset with ToughPigs, and then joining the ToughPigs crew

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • The Worst of The Muppet Show: Rich Little

  • Muppet Cupcakes: A Fill-in-the-Blank Response

  • 40 Favorite Muppet Show Moments

  • Cookie Monster and Abby Interview

  • Arrested Develmuppet

Click here to find all of Jarrod's ToughPigs articles. You can follow Jarrod on Twitter @jazzfairclough and on Instagram @jarrodfairclough.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Jarrod Fairclough

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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Ever wonder how ToughPigs stays on top of all the latest Muppet news?  It's all thanks to Shane Keating, our resident news guru! Shane tells us all about some of the unique Muppet videos he's created for ToughPigs and how often he has to refresh Twitter to keep us all properly informed.

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • The Scooter Fist

  • One Second from Every Muppet Show Episode

  • One Muppetational Shot

Click here to find all of Shane's ToughPigs articles.  You can follow Shane on Twitter @sokdrawer.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Shane Keating

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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Meet Louie Pearlman! He's a comedy writer, a podcast writer, a musical theater writer, and even a Sesame Street writer! We're chatting with him about the exciting work he's created as ToughPigs' resident music expert and the punk rock aesthetic of the Muppets.

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • Make America HATE Again: Ronald Grump on Sesame Street

  • The Manhattan Music of the Muppets

  • Emmet Otter Songs Ranked by Christmassyness

  • The Musical Legacy of Muppet Babies

Click here to find all of Louie's ToughPigs articles. You can follow Shane on Twitter @Louie4711 and on Instagram @Louie4711.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Louie Pearlman

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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It's been a week since our last episode ofToughPigs at 20, which can only mean one thing: It's time for another episode of ToughPigs at 20! Today we're chatting with longtime ToughPigs contributor Evan G., who shares with us stories about creating Muppet artwork, caring about obscure Muppet characters, and doing WAY too much research.

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • Weird Science: A Guide to the Romance of Bunsen and Beaker

  • ToughPigs Art: Muppets Wearing Ugly Christmas Sweaters

  • Muppet Christmas Carol: The Fraggle Rock Connection

  • 12 Muppets Reimagined as Office Supplies (April Fools Day)

  • Drawing a Blank: Remember the Muppets? (April Fools Day)

  • We Need to Talk About Jen

  • The History of Joe the Legal Weasel

  • Finally, the TRUE Sesame Street Zodiac

  • Understanding Pepe the King Prawn

Click here to find all of Evan's ToughPigs articles. You can follow Evan on Twitter @UnclePetunio.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Evan G.

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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It's time for another episode of the podcast where we talk about ourselves! And also Muppets! Longtime ToughPigs writer Matthew Soberman regales us with stories of how he joined the team, our annual April Fools Day gags, and our epic Sesame Street: 50 in 50 review series!

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • Fred vs. Buster: The 2012 Muppet Stakes

  • Sesame Street: 50 in 50

  • Doctor Who Week: The Muppet Companions

  • Muppet News From the Future: October 21st, 2015

Click here to find all of Matthew's ToughPigs articles. You can follow Matthew on Twitter @matthewsoberman.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Matthew Soberman

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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ToughPigs' 20th anniversary celebration continues as we chat with the great Julia Gaskill! Julia is renowned amidst the ToughPigs office as our resident Gonzo expert, for her spot-on feminist commentaries, and for her brilliant slam poetry.

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • An Open Letter to Jim Henson from Kermit the Frog (slam poem)

  • Steve's Hair: The Journey of a Muppeteer's Head of Hair

  • The Need to Do Better

  • Fixing the Muppets' Female Representation Problems in 3 Easy Steps

  • Frog Kissin' (podcast)

Click here to find all of Julia's ToughPigs articles. You can follow Julia on Twitter @geekgirlgrownup and on Instagram @geekgirlgrownup.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Julia Gaskill

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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Today we're talking with another classic ToughPigs writer - Matt Wilkie! Matt tells us about all the cool stuff he's gotten to see and do as ToughPigs' LA correspondent, including Comic Cons, promotional events, and red carpets. Also that time we secretly touched an original Jim Henson puppet.

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • Bert (Ernie) & Ernie (Bert)
  • Muppetationalism
  • What the Heck is Manhattan Melodies?

Click here to find all of Matt's ToughPigs articles. You can follow Matt on Twitter @WritingWilkie and at WritingWilkie.com.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Matt Wilkie

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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In a surprising turn of events, we're chatting with a talented writer who was NOT a member of the ToughPigs team! Ryan Dosier created The Muppet Mindset in 2009, focusing on Muppet commentaries, interviews, and more.  We're sharing stories about what it's like to run a Muppet fan site, attending the Muppets Most Wanted red carpet premiere, and Ryan's current job running the social media accounts for the Muppets.

You can follow Ryan on Twitter @RyanDosier.

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Ryan Dosier

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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Anthony Strand has been one of the best friends of ToughPigs.com since its earliest days. Today, he's one of our longest-running writers, having authored over 100 articles and co-host of the Movin' Right Along podcast. We're chatting with him about his love of the Muppets, his history with ToughPigs, and his impressive memory of all things vintage pop culture!

You can read all of Anthony's articles here, and you can follow him on Letterboxd at ZeppoMarxist.

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • ToughPigs: November 9, 1970
  • Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: The Gingerbread Men
  • An Open Letter to Bill Prady
  • ToughPigs Elections
  • The Great Muppet Casting Call
  • Very Special Henson Specials
  • Counterpoint: Muppet Beach Party is Terrible

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Anthony Strand

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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Over ToughPigs' 20 years in existence, Ryan Roe has served as co-owner for 15 of them. In that time, Ryan has written over a thousand articles, hosted hundreds of podcasts, interviewed Muppet visionaries, and generally helped keep the lights on. And now we're chatting with him all about his time running the greatest Muppet fan site in the history of Muppet fan sites!

You can read all of Ryan's articles here, follow him on Twitter @MeRyanRoe, and on Letterboxd at MoviesAreNeat.

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • Stop Being Wrong
  • Interview with Caroll Spinney
  • Movin' Right Along podcast series
  • Muppets Most Wanted: The Lost Commentary

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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Soon after Danny Horn created ToughPigs.com, he recruited one other person to help contribute to his commentaries. Comedy writer Kynan Barker became the only other person to write for ToughPigs in those early days, taking the reins of several of the "My Week" series, teaming up with Danny for conversation-style pieces, and much, much more.

You can view all of Kynan's articles here, and you can catch his latest work by watching Frogger, coming soon to Peacock!

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

  • My Week with Sesame Music
  • My Week with Muppets Online
  • Animal Fan
  • Save the Muppets (aka "One Muppet, One Voice")

Find us at “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com” on your favorite podcast catchers, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

Hosted and Edited by Joe Hennes

Guest Kynan Barker

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo Art by Chris Smigliano

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Ever wonder who provided all that terrific artwork on the front page of Muppet fan site ToughPigs.com?  It's all courtesy of our artist-in-residence Chris "Smig" Smigliano!  Smig joins us for a chat about his early days providing art for MuppetZine, creating the ToughPigs logo, and his decades of creating brilliant fan artwork of the Muppets!

Select articles mentioned in this episode:

MuppetZine archive

Playing with Dolls

Smig's art spotlights

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Introducing TOUGHPIGS AT 20, a brand new podcast miniseries celebrating the 20th anniversary of the premiere Muppet fan site ToughPigs.com.  In this series, we'll be hosting interviews with all the writers and artists who helped make ToughPigs what it is today.

Episode #1 features an extended interview with ToughPigs founder Danny Horn. We're covering the website's humble beginnings as MuppetZine, the origins of the My Week series, Grover's Mom, and when Jim Henson met Big Boy.

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For the past 10 weeks you've listened to Jarrod and Joe surprise each other with guests, performing interviews with literally zero preparation.  It's been chaotic, insightful, terrifying and extremely fun.

This week our hosts are together again to wrap up the first season and give you some of the inside goss.  How do we schedule these things?  How do we deal with timezones?  Which potential guests said no?  Which celebritie's publicists said no on their behalf?

Listen and find out who had internet so bad that they disappeared for 45 minutes, which interview Jarrod performed with during very first migraine, which guests made us most nervous, how long we chatted off mic with Eric Jacobson for, and whose father did Paul Williams video chat with?

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This week Joe surprises Jarrod with Bill and Gene Barretta, aka The Barretta Brothers!  Bill is of course known as one of the core Muppet performers for the past 25 years with characters like Pepe, Rowlf and the Swedish Chef, and his brother Gene is an illustrator who has worked for Sesame Street, as well as doing the storyboards for Muppets From Space.

Last year the brothers began a YouTube series called The Barretta Brothers, where they've interviewed fellow performers, Muppet writers, crew members and even fans.  Bill has been doing some great puppet videos with a new bear character named Jules, while Gene has started up a new art Instagram account.

Listen as we discuss Gene's disastrous day right handing for Bill, Gene's double page spread of Muppet performers and fans, Bill's various statues, Australian impressions, Jarrod the ear of corn, and Gene decides to eat some melon.

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This week Jarrod surprises Joe with the personification of delight herself, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph! Leslie has worked on a myriad of Muppet/Henson projects over the years, like Muppets Tonight, Wubbulous World of Doctor Suess, and Animal Jam, and has played Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street since 2006!

Aside from that, Leslie has worked on shows like The Simpsons and Nature Cat, and (when she can) does live shows with her sock puppet Lolly Lardpop, which reguarly garners great acclaim!

Listen as we discuss disastrous auditions, having moments with Paula Pell, letters to Whoopi Goldberg, and we finally find out a little more about what the heck that America's Next Muppet pilot from 2005 was.  Plus, Leslie's husband and Sesame composer Paul Rudolph makes the worst cameo ever, and cooks a full meal in the background.  And, as always, a heck of a lot more.

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This week Joe surprises Jarrod with some guy named Eric Jacobson.  If, like Jarrod, you'd never heard of him, he plays small time characters like Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam Eagle, Bert, Grover and recently took over Oscar the Grouch from the late Caroll Spinney.

Eric has been one of the core Muppet performers for almost 20 years, and has worked on every Muppet production in that time.  He has sung with Celine Dion, done sketches with Seth Rogen, and has read books with Michelle Obama.  Now he's hit a career high, talking with two guys on a podcast.

Listen as we discuss the recasting of legacy characters, tailoring Miss Piggy to each appearance, the varying intelligence of Fozzie Bear, how Sam does nothing in Muppets Most Wanted, plus much more!

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On 'To Introduce Our Guest Star' this week we welcome writer and director Nick Stoller!  Alongside Jason Segel, Nick wrote the 2011 movie 'The Muppets', as well as it's sequel 'Muppets Most Wanted' with director James Bobin.

Nick has had a huge career in comedy, directing 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall', 'Get Him To The Greek' and the 'Neighbors' films, as well as writing more family friendly stuff like 'Storks' and the recent Dora the Explorer film.

Listen as we discuss Nick's learning curve when it came to obscure characters, why 'Muppets Most Wanted' deserved more recognition, how marketing can affect a movie's performance, and a whole lot more!

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This week on 'To Introduce Our Guest Star', Joe surprises Jarrod with longtime Muppet performer and star of Broadway's Avenue Q, Jen Barnhart!  Jen has had a huge career on shows like It's A Big Big World, The Book of Pooh and, of course, Sesame Street, where she took over the role of Zoe after Fran Brill's retirement, as well as playing new human Charli's mom!

Listen as we discuss Snuffy's mom, massage therapy, Avenue Q, criminal admissions and Jen's dual role as a Sesame human performer and puppeteer, sometimes on the same day!

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On 'To Introduce Our Guest Star' this week Jarrod surprises Joe with the one and only Dave Goelz!  Known for his many decades playing characters like Gonzo and Bunsen Honeydew, Dave has worked on every major Muppet production (even a couple of days on Sesame Street) and continues to this day.

Listen as we discuss the perks of anonymity, the best Gonzo costumes, dinner with Peter Sellers, the Goelz family taking over Hollywood, and so much more.

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On 'To Introduce Our Guest Star' this week Joe surprises Jarrod with writer and director Kirk Thatcher!  For over 30 years Kirk has worked on some of the world's favorite Muppet stuff, like Muppet Treasure Island, Dinosaurs, Bohemian Rhapsody and the live Hollywood Bowl and O2 shows.

Listen as we discuss a fan funded Muppet movie, what Walter might do with a cake, Kirk's approach to directing, and a heck of a lot of Christmas chat, because we recorded this in December!

...like, a LOT of Christmas chat...

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On this week’s episode of To Introduce Our Guest Star, Jarrod surprises Joe with Grammy and Academy Award winner Paul Williams! Among many things in his career, Paul famously wrote the songs from The Muppet Movie with Kenny Ascher, and returned to write the songs for Muppet Christmas Carol and Letters To Santa.

Listen as we discuss the meaning behind Can You Picture That, the definiton of an ‘I Am’ song, Paul’s time writing for Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas, the love for Rainbow Connection, and a heck of a lot more!

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On this week's episode Joe surprises Jarrod with Muppet performer Stacey Gordon, who has been playing Julia on Sesame Street since Season 47.  Julia's debut made headlines around the world as she was the first Muppet with autism, something Stacey is very familiar with.

Listen as we discuss Julia's impact on the community, the audition process getting on the show, and a lot more talk of Chip & Dale than you'd expect on a Muppet podcast.

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We're excited to a launch a brand new podcast, 'To Introduce Our Guest Star' for ToughPigs.com!

Over the coming weeks, Jarrod and Joe will take it in turns to surprise each other with guests from the world of The Muppets, Sesame Street and The Jim Henson Company.

In our first episode we're joined by Emilio Delgado, famous for his role as Luis on Sesame Street for over 40 years.  We discuss the importance of Latina characters on television, the death of Mr Hooper, the work ethic of Jim Henson, and much, much more!

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It's our wrap-up episode! We're talking about the presentation pilot that preceded this show, and summarizing our feelings on the series as a whole. With both of your hosts, Joe and Ryan!

PLUS: Muppets and sex! Why did they recast Fozzie's girlfriend? Is it funny that Piggy doesn't recognize Gonzo? The agony of cancellation! And long-lost Muppet TV pilots that never got off the ground!

Hosted by Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe

Guests Nobody

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 16, "Because... Love," in which Kermit & Miss Piggy both ponder reuniting. With TWO special guests: Tough Pigs' own Dave Hulteen and Matt Wilkie, who witnessed the taping of this episode!

PLUS: Are we Team Kermit or Team Piggy? How the heck does Kermit flip a coin?! What should the Muppets have for lunch? The greatness of Bobby Benson's babies! How the heck does Kermit jump out a window?! And the return of very weird Muppets!

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guests Matt Wilkie and Dave Hulteen

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 15, "Generally Inhospitable," in which Miss Piggy breaks her ankle and the Muppets become kidnappers. With special guest Jarrod Fairclough from MuppetMindset.com!

PLUS: Is Miss Piggy more polite than Beyonce? The difference between funny & disturbing Muppet injuries! What's up with Deadly's teeth? Are Sweetums & Robin friends? Is Pache a bad character, or a well-acted obnoxious character? And are drunk and drugged Muppets funny?

ALSO: Watch Jarrod's Arrested Development/The Muppets parody on YouTube!

Hosted by Joe Hennes

Guest Jarrod Fairclough

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 14, "Little Green Lie," in which Kermit tells Robin a falsehood and Gonzo tries to balance romance and friendship. With very special guest Brian Jay Jones, author of Jim Henson: The Biography!

PLUS: The genius of Big Mean Carl! Is laser tag fun? Bobo gets fitted for a suit! How tacky is the ironic pillow fight? And should the Swedish Chef be subtitled?

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guest Brian Jay Jones

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 13, "Got Silk," in which Miss Piggy tries to make new friends and Uncle Deadly just wants to be appreciated. With EXTREMELY special guest Matt Vogel, Muppet performer and one of the stars of this series!

PLUS: Technical challenges! Matt Vogel is the guy who throws things! Miss Piggy's appendix! And Uncle Deadly as Alicia Silverstone!

Hosted by Joe Hennes

Guest Matt Vogel

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 12, "A Tail of Two Pigges," in which Miss Piggy has a wardrobe malfunction and Gonzo looks for a new place to live. With very special guest Erik Adams, managing editor of The AV Club!

PLUS: How long ago did Zootopia come out? Gratuitous pop culture references! Pig puppets with faces that move! And we love it when Muppets eat things!

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guest Erik Adams

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're not talking about an episode of The Muppets this week. We're checking in with each other (and you!) to see how we're liking our series rewatch before we take a brief hiatus. We'll be back soon with the rest of the season!

Hosted by Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 11, "Swine Song," in which Up Late gets retooled and Kermit & Denise break up. With EXTREMELY special guest Julianne Buescher! She's a Muppet performer who worked on this show! She plays Denise in this episode! 

PLUS: The origins of Denise! Yolanda's podcast! The chaos of creative changes! Being a puppeteer is hard! And why aren't there more female Muppets?

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can’t find it right away, try searching for “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com.”

Hosted by Joe Hennes

Guest Julianne Buescher

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 10, "Single All the Way," in which Kermit struggles to make the big Christmas show happen and Yolanda cheats at Secret Santa. With special guest Matthew Soberman of ToughPigs.com!

PLUS: Fozzie in an existential crisis! Eric Jacobson talks to himself! Getting rewarded for the wrong reasons! The Muppets' odd Christmas album! Why aren't there Muppet elves in this episode?

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can’t find it right away, try searching for “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com.”

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guest Matthew Soberman

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 9, "Going, Going, Gonzo," in which Gonzo rediscovers his daredevil side, Piggy endorses bottled water, and Scooter almost gets his ear pierced. With special guest Julia Gaskill of ToughPigs.com!

PLUS: Piggy Water vs. Trump Steaks! Joseph Gordon-Levitt's numerous Muppet credits! Why is Gonzo nervous about doing a stunt? Scooter's fight-or-flight instinct kicks in! And too many drum battles!

ALSO: Check out the Muppet Show Haiku Project by David Beukema on ToughPigs.com!

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can’t find it right away, try searching for “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com.”

Hosted by Joe Hennes

Guest Julia Gaskill

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 8, "Too Hot to Handler," in which Scooter has a thing for Chelsea Handler and Kermit has a problem with Fozzie's girlfriend. With special guest Louie Pearlman, co-host of the podcasts Kick the Jukebox and XOXO Riverdale!

PLUS: Why doesn't Up Late feel more like a real talk show?Does Scooter have lips? How the heck does Rizzo do a spit take? Is cheating at trivia an unpardonable sin? Why is Floyd a conspiracy theorist? And our terrible Kermit impressions!

ALSO: Read Ryan's article on the different phases of Kermit's personality on ToughPigs.com!

ALSO: Read Steve Whitmire's blog post about how Kermit picked up a banana on Steve Whitmire's website!

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can’t find it right away, try searching for “Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com.”

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guest Louie Pearlman

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 7, "Pig's in a Blackout," in which Kermit goes to a spa to relax and Scooter almost destroys the show. With special guest Alaina Breeden!

PLUS: Is Bobo the ideal work husband? Does it make sense for Sam to have a crush on Janice? Should Rowlf have been Piggy's sidekick? Do all moms like Pentatonix? And why doesn't Jason Bateman know the names of his favorite Muppets?

Hosted by Joe Hennes

Guest Alaina Breeden

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 6, "The Ex-Factor," in which Kermit has to buy Denise a birthday present and the band takes Kristen Chenoweth to the desert. With special guest Scott Hanson, co-founder of Muppet Wiki!

PLUS: Is Denise interesting? How articulate should Animal be? How old is Floyd? Lots of product placement! Ryan sends Pepe an e-mail! And the comedic value of the "whoopsie bin!"

ALSO: Read the now-legendary article "GroversMom.com" on ToughPigs.com!

ALSO: See a picture of Ryan's painted pottery monster on ToughPigs.com!

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guest Scott Hanson

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 5, "Walk the Swine," in which Miss Piggy is feuding with Reese Witherspoon, Rizzo is in a battle of wits with Scooter, and Fozzie is in a fight with his girlfriend. With special guest Rachel Deering!

PLUS: America falls in love with Uncle Deadly! Should Piggy actually be good at building houses? A truly amazing musical number! And is Fozzie too mean?

ALSO: Rachel's Facebook page supporting Disney park cast members and their projects is CM Side Hustles!

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can't find it right away, try searching for "Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com."

Hosted by Joe Hennes

Guest Rachel Deering

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 4, "Pig Out," in which Piggy joins the staff for karaoke night, and Fozzie injures Statler with a t-shirt cannon. With special guest Meagan Barbeau, longtime Muppet enthusiast and Tough Pigs pal!

PLUS: The Swedish Chef's bald head! Does anyone ship Sam & Janice? What's the best karaoke performance in this episode? And does Bradley Cooper actually have exceptionally large white teeth?

ALSO: Read Anthony Strand's ranking of every post-Muppet Show Muppet episode on ToughPigs.com!

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can't find it right away, try searching for "Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com."

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guest Meagan Barbeau

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 3, "Bear Left Then Bear Write," in which Fozzie Bear attempts to live in the woods, Miss Piggy attempts revenge on Christina Applegate, and Gonzo attempts online dating. With special guest Anthony Strand of ToughPigs.com! PLUS: Are Fozzie & Kermit actually Joey & Chandler? Is Rowlf's Tavern a bad idea? Is the Swedish Chef's name Megan? Who is the Ann Cusack of Australia? And is this show better or worse than Go On?

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can't find it right away, try searching for "Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com."

Hosted by Joe Hennes

Guest Anthony Strand

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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We're talking about Episode 2, "Hostile Makeover," in which Miss Piggy dates Josh Groban and Fozzie steals Jay Leno's candy dish. With special guest Evan G of ToughPigs.com!

PLUS: Defending Pepe! Why is Piggy a villain on this show? Where does the Electric Mayhem get their marijuana? And what if it's actually okay that Fozzie accidentally steals a candy dish?

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can't find it right away, try searching for "Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com."

Hosted by Ryan Roe

Guest Evan G

Edited by Ryan Roe

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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Introducing a brand-new Tough Pigs podcast! It's been five years(!) since the primetime sitcom The Muppets premiered on ABC. On this podcast, we'll be taking a look back at each episode and see how it holds up. Is it better than we remembered? Worse than we remembered? And what about Denise?

You can find The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find podcasts. If you can't find it right away, try searching for "Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com."

This week: The debut episode "Pig Girls Don't Cry," in which Miss Piggy has a talk show, Kermit has a girlfriend, and Fozzie also has a girlfriend! Is it funny enough? Is it weird enough? Are the Muppets in character? Your hosts Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe take a good, long look!

Hosted by Joe Hennes & Ryan Roe

Edited by Joe Hennes

Theme Music by Staci Rosen

Logo by Joe Hennes

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In our season finale, Matt Vogel joins us for his first in-depth interview since taking over the character of Kermit the Frog!

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Lisa Loeb is an iconic singer and songwriter, but did you know she's also a huge Muppet fan?? "Stay" and listen to our interview!

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Muppet performer John Tartaglia joins us for a chat all about Fraggle Rock and more!

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Las Vegas ventriloquist and America's Got Talent winner Terry Fator joins us for a chat about his lifelong love of the Muppets!

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Comedy writer, author, and Dark Crystal megafan Kendra Alvey joins us for a Muppet-filled chat!

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Comedy writer Jenny Jaffe joins us for a chat about her Vulture reviews of The Muppets sitcom, elementary school musicals, and casting the Muppets as the Fab Five!

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Our Muppet-filled conversation with Broadway star James Monroe Iglehart continues!

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Talking Muppets with Broadway star James Monroe Iglehart!

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Talking Muppets with WWE wrestler and Muppets Most Wanted star Dylan Postl!

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Talking Muppets with "I Am Jim Henson" author Brad Meltzer!