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: C…

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 cl…

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. Thi…

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…

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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–b…

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 U…

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…

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 fro…

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 l…

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 speci…

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 a…

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…

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 D…

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 …

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.…

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 acknow…

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 trick…

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…

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 Muppet…

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 extremel…

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 - i…

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…

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 Waxm…

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 Stephan…

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 …

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 Sin…

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 Executiv…

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?…

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: C…

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!…

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.…

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 disc…

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 (kind…

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 …

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 Qua…

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 sit…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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.

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 N…

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 …