Miss Piggy, Colorforms Glamor Puss

Once upon a time at least, Colorforms was a primo licensee, creating all kinds of celebratory play sets centering on Disney, Snoopy, Marvel (Spider-Man), DC (Superman) and more. In 1981, Colorforms started releasing a wonderful line of Muppets toys and sets starring the white-hot troupe of fuzzy and furry players. Everything was of course created in association with Jim Henson and the Muppets Workshop, thus assuring imagination, "play value" and quality. One of their most creative (and unusual for Colorforms) releases was the Miss Piggy Paper Doll. The Muppet Workshop created six different outrageous outfits (as well as six fashion wigs) for that glam gal Piggy (a large 16 inch Stand Up Doll) to wear. These were real costumes that were photographed to be placed on the Miss Piggy "paper" doll (an actual photograph, not a drawing or painting); as Colorforms put it, "Miss Piggy, herself, modeled all the fashions in-person." This is believed to be the first paper doll to ever use a photographic image as the doll, as opposed to an illustrated figure. Piggy's Theatrical Trunk on the back of the package (also a real object that was photographed) served as an envelope to hold the dresses and wigs; look closely (as always click on the image for a larger view) at the trunk's travel stickers, also created by the Muppet Workshop, and you'll see some fun touches, such as the patch from "Frogstaff," Arizona.  Enjoy this classic Colorforms creation and Muppets memorabilia, and be sure and check out my regularly published Muppetology articles at D23.com, including this profile of Miss Piggy.

Muppet Month Merriment

It's been Muppets Month all November long here at Tulgey Wood, and to mark the last day, here's the first page of one of the articles I wrote for the latest edition of Disney twenty-three magazine. (Look closely and you can see my byline; click on the image for a larger view.) Does this mean that the Muppet madness is over? Of course not—there will be more Muppety goodness in Tulgey Wood's future, so be sure and check back. In the meantime, be sure and pick up your own copy of the special Muppets issue of Disney twenty-three magazine, on sale now. I was very honored to write an article about the history of the Muppets and especially to author the tribute to one of my heroes, the great Jim Henson.

Welcome To The Muppet Theatre

Tulgey Wood's Muppet Month brings us this wonderful piece of Muppet merchandise. As always, Hallmark created some beautiful products and this elaborate Muppet Show centerpiece is no exception. This three-dimensional table decoration (which stands over a foot tall when assembled) not only wonderfully features many Muppets, but it also showcases the Muppet theatre (stage and back stage) itself —an appropriate theme for this centerpiece, for the theatre is the centerpiece of both The Muppet Show and the new Muppets movie. This 1978 Hallmark gem is a true celebration of Jim Henson's Muppets.

The Password Is "Fuzzy"

Back here I mentioned the recreation of the classic 1960s TV game show Password that is occasionally seen on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. So what did Jimmy do when his guests were Martin Short, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy on November 16? He had them play Password, of course! Just in time to promote the new Muppet movie—and to be part of Muppets Month here at Tulgey Wood. It was as you can imagine a fun and fantastic game—even though Miss Piggy was not happy when one of the passwords turned out to be "bacon."

Miss Piggy: Post-Thanksgiving Shopping Pro

We couldn't have Tulgey Wood's Muppet Month without putting Miss Piggy front and center, and the Divine Miss P would have it no other way. (In fact, she would say, "It's about time!"). Miss Piggy graced the cover of this recent issue of New York magazine to usher in the holiday shopping season, for there is no bigger (or plumper) shopping pro than Piggy. Of course for many shopping is a big part of the post-Thanksgiving fun, but be careful out there—there are shoppers who want to make pigs of themselves.

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Sesame Street Songs

Back here I posted the cover of a Captain Kangaroo record to illustrate that show's Thanksgiving celebration. Did you happen to notice that the credit "Words and Music by Jeffrey Moss"? After composing a number of charming songs for Captain Kangaroo (on which he started as a production assistant), Jeff became one of the leading creative forces on Sesame Street, which debuted in 1969 (a year after the Captain Kangaroo record was released). In addition ti being head writer, Jeff composed many songs for the show, including "I Love Trash" and most famously the Sesame Street standard "Rubber Duckie," which became a mainstream hit (sung by Jim Henson as Ernie). A winner of 14 Emmy Awards for his Sesame Street work, Jeff Ross created many memorable music Muppets moments, including the Oscar-nominated score and songs for The Muppets Take Manhattan. We just couldn't have Muppets Month here at Tulgey Wood without the Sesame Street songs of Jeff Moss.

The FIRST Muppet Movie

In celebration of Muppet Month here at Tulgey Wood... and to honor the release of the new Muppets movie to theaters today... here's the LP album for the the first Muppet movie, which was entitled... The Muppet Movie (1979). The charming album-cover artwork was created by master Muppet artist Michael K. Frith. The designer of such characters as Fozzie Bear and Dr. Teeth, Michael was an important creative force for the Muppets, as his ultimate title, Executive Vice President and Creative Director for Jim Henson Productions, indicated. The LP cover art seen here is Frith at his most delightful and Muppet-licious; the album itself won a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children.

Kermit The Frog Flies Again

Since it's Muppets Month all November long here at Tulgey Wood, it seemed like a good time to point out that the lovable leader of the Muppets will be once again seen as a giant balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kermit first flew in America's favorite Thanksgiving spectacular in 1977. If you want to know more about the Macy's parade as it celebrates its 85th performance this year be sure and check out this great story on the D23 website written by Sarah Smith. And on Thanksgiving evening, there's a special all about the parade on NBC. It's a veritable feast of facts about Macy's annual Turkey Day parade, this year featuring once again everyone's favorite frog.

What's Green And Fuzzy And "Read" All Over?

Back here I asked what else is green and fuzzy besides Kermit the Frog? Now it's time to reveal the answer: it's the new Winter 2011 issue of Disney twenty-three Magazine! It's true that the cover and many articles therein feature Kermit and his puppet pals... but thats not the reason I had in mind. You see (or feel), the back cover of each issue is covered with green and fuzzy felt, as are the words "twenty-three" on the front cover. That fun touch of green fuzz is just the beginning, as there is Muppets madness a-plenty between the covers, including two Muppet articles written by me. This warm and fuzzy issue hits the stands today— so if you aren't a D23 Member be sure and get your copy at select Barnes & Noble bookstores, DisneyShopping.com or at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Kermit Goes To The Head(s) Of The D23 Expo

Muppet Month continues here at Tulgey Wood! Kermit the Frog not only turned heads at the D23 Expo in August 2011, he topped heads. That's right, this Kermit the Frog "crown" was given out by Muppet licensee Mighty Fine, utilizing the simple yet dynamic design of Kermit's happy face (a design from Muppet founder and creator Jim Henson that's right up there with Mickey Mouse in terms of uncomplicated but enormous appeal). This happy headwear was given out free and many D23-ers must have felt it was easy to be green after all because a good number of the Expo attendees were proudly wearing the Frog above their foreheads. Be sure and check back here at Tulgey Wood all month for more Muppet madness.

Kermit Went Green Before Going Green Was Cool

Muppet month practically demands a salute to the color green in honor of the fuzzy green guy himself. But what else besides Kermit the Frog is green and fuzzy? Stop by later this month and find out.

It's Muppets Month...

...here at Tulgey Wood. In celebration of the new Muppet movie being released at Thanksgiving, and all the accompanying Muppet frenzy, I'll be posting some Muppet fun that I hope you will enjoy. To get things started here are the front and back covers to the program for The Muppets Take Manhattan. Released in 1984, this third Muppet movie was directed (and co-written) by master Muppet-teer Frank Oz. Part of the appeal of this film was the introduction of the Muppet Babies, so it makes sense that these fuzzy toddlers were featured on the movie program's back cover. (Click on either image for a larger view.)