Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com

This past February, The Muppet Script event brought celebrities, comedians, and musicians together for a live (and livestreamed) script reading of The Muppet Movie, with proceeds going to charity. It was such a hit, they're doing it again!The Scripted Muppet Caper is coming to Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles on May 5th. And like the first show, it will also be available to watch from the comfort of your own home. This time around, proceeds will be going to The Translatin@ Coalition.Among the many famous folks taking part is the incomparable Nina West from RuPaul's Drag Race! Nina will be reprising her role as Miss Piggy from the first script reading. And lucky us, we got the opportunity to chat with Nina about the show, Miss Piggy's effect on drag culture, and which of our favorite Drag Race stars would make for good Muppets.Click here to purchase your tickets to the livestream, airing on May 5th at 7:30pm PT!Enjoy!

Muppet performer Noel MacNeal is getting ready for his live cabaret show - "Hey, This Was Really Fun!" - and what a great opportunity for us to sit down with the man behind the Bear for a chat about everything he's been up to lately.Listen in as Noel tells us about performing, directing, making his off-Broadway debut, and his love of Big Birds and friendly Bears!Hey, This Was Really Fun! will be held at 54 Below in New York City on March 24th, and you (yes, YOU!) can watch via livestream if you're not in the NYC area! And be sure to follow Noel on Instagram!

When a crisis hits, Muppet fans are known to band together to help the world. After the devastating wildfires in California, Muppet fan (and ToughPigs contributor) Matt Wilkie decided to gather some of his Muppet fan friends - including some celebrities - for a special fundraiser called The Muppet Script. On Sunday, February 9th, these folks will be gathering for a live reading of the script of The Muppet Movie, with folks like Bobby Moynihan, Paul F. Thompkins, Nina West, and David Dastmalchian appearing as the cast of one of our favorite films. Joining us for a special one-off podcast interview is Producer/Director/Muppet nerd Matt Wilkie to tell us all about how the show is coming together, and why it's so dang important for people like us to do what's right. For tickets to the livestream of The Muppet Script, please visit the Dynasty Typewriter website.

The Great Muppet Fandom Panel is back! After a year-long hiatus, our podcast featuring Muppet fans talking over each other about the biggest headlines in the Muppet world. This uber-topical episode covers topics like the state of Sesame Street, the impending Muppets Rockin' Roller Coaster, drama in the fandom world, Muppet amigurumi, and so much more. With special guests ToughPigs writers Shane Keating, Danny Horn, Drake Lucas, and Katilyn Miller!

Get ready, because the Fraggles are coming to your town! Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE kicks off its cross-country tour this week, and we have SO many questions about the show. So who better to ask those questions to than the show's writer, director, choreographer, and Fraggle expert John Tartaglia?? Listen to our bonus episode of Fraggle Talk as we chat with John all about live Fraggles and what we can expect to see in the show. For more information about Fraggle Rock Live, including tour dates and locations, visit FraggleRockLive.com.

It's been a wild ride, but our Bear in the Big Blue Podcast podcast miniseries is coming to a close (for now). And what better way to end things than with a holiday party! Yes, it's Christmas (and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and something about a Winter Berry) in the Big Blue House! Joining us for this family gathering is ToughPigs' own Anthony Strand, co-host of the Movin' Right Along podcast! Episodes referenced in this podcast: Episode 325 - A Berry Bear Christmas, part 1 Episode 326 - A Berry Bear Christmas, part 2 (not available on Disney+, but you can watch on the Internet Archive)

Oh hi there! Welcome back to Bear in the Big Blue Podcast! We've got a sparkly new episode just for all you Toileteers, as we cover mistakes, computers, and going to the bathroom. All the hits! With special guest Danny Horn - founder of ToughPigs, host of The Fantastic Miss Piggy Podcast, and the brain behind Muppet Pictures! Episodes referenced in this podcast: Episode 210 - Oops My Mistake Episode 236 - When You've Got to Go Episode 319 - Let's Get Interactive Bear in the Big Blue House test pilot

Welcome back to Bear in the Big Blue Podcast - the podcast where we watch Bear in the Big Blue House and talk about it a lot! This week, we're highlighting the coziness of Bear, which is especially prevalent in these times when we can all really use a bit of quiet time. Joining us is special guest Eli Lee! Episodes referenced in this podcast: Episode 123 - Need a Little Help Today Episode 203 - The Big Sleep Episode 324 - Go To Sleep

Introducing BEAR IN THE BIG BLUE PODCAST, a podcast miniseries from ToughPigs.com! Join Becca Petunia and Joe Hennes as they dive deep into the classic Henson series "Bear in the Big Blue House". For our first episode, Becca explores what she loves about the show, while Joe meets the residents of the Big Blue House for the very first time.

As season 2 of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock comes to an end, so does season 2 of our companion podcast series FRAGGLE TALK: BACK TO THE ROCK. While we wait patiently for news about a potential third season pickup, we're wrapping things up with the season finale "Hope and Socks." Joining us to say "goodbye for now" are Executive Producers John Tartaglia and Halle Stanford! PLUS! Puppets performing puppets! Helicopter pads! And HERE COME THE BABIES!

Welcome back to FRAGGLE TALK: BACK TO THE ROCK, and the penultimate episode of Back to the Rock season 2! But we can't let go just yet - not before we have a chance to talk about the episode "Letting Go". This week, we're excited to welcome puppeteers Donna Kimball (Mokey) and Jordan Lockhart (Wembley) back to the podcast! PLUS! Bumping the lamp! A surprising therapy session! And RUTABAGA!

After a short hiatus, FRAGGLE TALK: BACK TO THE ROCK is back with the final three episodes of season 2! Starting with "Lost and Found Fraggles," in which every Fraggle gets a doppelganger. Perhaps there's even two of YOU! Trippy. With special guests puppeteers Aymee Garcia (Ma Gorg, The Trash Heap) and Kira Hall (Measure Doozer, Leader)! Plus! Which celebrity was supposed to play Sherry Contrary? Which Fraggles know the taste of meat? And Goobers!

There's no time for feelings - we've got a new episode of FRAGGLE TALK: BACK TO THE ROCK! This week, we're digging deep to cover "Fraggle Up". With special guests puppeteers Frank Meschkuleit and Dan Garza! PLUS! Two straws, one brain! What do Doozers taste like? And what does F.R.A.G.G.L.E. stand for?

Déjà vu! The latest episode of FRAGGLE TALK: BACK TO THE ROCK has us caught in a time loop! It's "The Great Radish Ball" all over again. And again. And again. With special guests John Tartaglia (Gobo) and Frank Meschkuleit (Boober)! PLUS! Fraggle prom! Horrible dancing! Boober can't have nice things!

Welcome back to FRAGGLE TALK: BACK TO THE ROCK! This week's podcast takes us through the ecological disaster of "Colder Boulders"! With special guests puppeteers Karen Prell and Ali Eisner! PLUS! Which character is "The Fonz"? And the unending torture of Icy Joe!

Welcome back to FRAGGLE TALK! We'll make a trade with you: we'll give you a podcast all about the episode "This for That," and you give us a strawberry. Just kidding, it's free! With special guests director Jordan Canning and writer (and original Fraggle Rock co-creator) Jocelyn Stevenson! PLUS! Teaching kids about communism! Doozer on a stick! Down at Coffin Rock!

Get on your feet for FRAGGLE TALK's podcast all about that buggy band MEZZO! With special guests: puppeteers Karen Prell (Red Fraggle) and Andy Hayward (Jamdolin)!

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!

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?

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??

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!

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"!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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…

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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! 

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.