The Barretta Brothers

In Part Three of Meet the Muppets Mayhem, we meet Muppets Galore! Michelin Sisti, Matt Vogel, Nicolette Santino, Bruce Lanoil, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, David Bizzaro, Donna Kimball, Tim Lagasse, David Rudman, Art Vega, Drew Massey, Eric Jacobson, Jackson Barretta, Bradley Freeman, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Alice Dinnean.

In Part Two of Meet the Muppets Mayhem, we meet the writers! Adam F. Goldberg, Bill Barretta, Jeff Yorkes, Crystal Shaw, Gabrielle Rodriguez, Hannah Friedman, and Donielle Muransky. 

The Barretta Brothers begin their series on The Muppets Mayhem, joined by Muppet Performers, Dave Goelz and Peter Linz. Plus, series actors, Tahj Mowry, Saara Chaudry, and Anders Holm. 

We celebrate Dave Goelz's 50-year career with The Muppets with a cavalcade of guests! Guests: Jackson Barretta, Ben Goelz (with girlfriend Felicia), Amy Goelz, Debbie Goelz, Dave Goelz (guest of honor), Frank Oz, Lucy Baker, Martin Baker, Jill Colley, Louise Gold, Andy Nyman (with Sophie Nyman), Nigel Plaskitt, Keith Radack, Lark Baskerville, Mark Waxman, Ernie Patterson, Heather Henson, Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, John Lovelady, Bonnie Erikson, Rollie Krewson, Calista Hendrickson, Amy Van Gilder, Karen Prell, Kevin Clash, David Rudman, Fran Brill and husband, Jan Nelson, Rita Peruggi, Lawrence Mirkin, Alexandra Rockwell, Tom Newby, Ed Christie, Polly Smith, Jane Gootnick, Fred Buchholz, Craig Shemin, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jim Lewis, Ed Mitchell, Charles Rivkin, Joel Behr, Karen Barnes, Adam Savage, Bobby Moynihan, Peter Friedman, Michael Giacchino, Peter Doctor, Leigh Slaughter, Michael Steinbach, Matt Vogel, Kelly Vogel, Caren Rudman, Eric Jacobson, Mary Jacobson (and children), Peter Linz, Alice Dinnean, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Jocelyn Stevenson, Barb Caswell, Chris Caswell, Duncan Kenworthy, Danny Trejo, Kirk Thatcher, Mike Quinn, Paul Williams, Ricky Gervais, Bill Prady, Dave's Glam Squad, Brad Freeman, Peter McKennan, Chris Neely, Allan Trautman, Jeff Yorkes, Adam F. Goldberg, Chelsea DeVincent, Donna Kimball, Michelan Sisti, Pat and Barbara Contini, Lynne Hale, Patricia Ulrich, Hillary Bradley, Bruce Lanoil, Laura Lanoil, Dani Iglesis, Richard Leonard, Drew Massey, Nicolette Santino, Andrew Williams

This episode of The Barretta Brothers is recorded live at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA on May 20, 2023. Their special guest is Ed Christie (Ex VP/General Manager of NY Muppet Workshop, with a surprise guest, Brian Henson. This special event centered around a special 35mm double-feature of The Muppet Movie (1979), and The Muppets (2011). Other in-person experiences included - Movie Greetings by Muppeteers, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Matt Vogel, Peter Linz, Eric Jacobson, and David Rudman; Muppet Trailers; Muppet Collectible Vendors; Costume contest; Muppet DJ Set & Book Signing w/ Gene Barretta; Mahoning Merch; Mahoning Raffle; Muppet-themed Snack: Mahna Ma-Nachos; Photo Ops; and an Intermission Sing-A-Long - RAINBOW CONNECTION!

Gene and Bill discuss the new series, The Muppets Mayhem, with Bill's co-creators & co-writers, Adam Goldberg (of The Goldbergs), and Jeff Yorkes. Plus, Executive Producers, Michael Bostick, and Kris Eber.

Contestants, Adrienne H. Lee, and Henry Greenberg compete to see who knows more about their favorite subject - The Muppets! Ben Barretta sits in with his Dad, Gene. A visit by Santa Claus. And to top it all off, Muppet performers, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, Matt Vogel, and Eric Jacobson, join Bill and Gene for some holiday Q&A and stories.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers talk about Muppets Haunted Mansion. Special guests Matt Vogel, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, Julianne Buescher, Alice Dinnean, Bruce Lanoil, Michael Steinbach, and Kelly Younger.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome actress, singer, and Muppet performer, Louise Gold.   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Louise Gold Louise trained as an actor at Arts Educational School but very early in her career she got a job with Jim Henson as one of the Muppet Performers on The Muppet Show (filmed at Elstree Studios) From then on, she has combined both acting and puppeteering. Most recently she played Yente in Trevor Nunn's acclaimed production of "Fiddler on the Roof' at The Menier Chocolate Factory and the Playhouse Theatre London. Directly before that she was one of the core performers on The Netflix prequel series to the film, The Dark Crystal, 'Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance'. She was one of the original team that started Spitting Image, doing voices and puppeteering, worked on the recent Cbeebies show ‘The Furchester Hotel ‘playing Funella Furchester. She has appeared in many West End Shows as an actress including Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Assassins, The Cherry Orchard with the RSC and TV, Film and Radio. In lockdown she was part of GLOP (Glorious ladies of Puppetry) 

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome actor, comedian, writer, and SNL Alumni, Bobby Moynihan.   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Bobby Moynihan Bobby Moynihan is an actor and writer, known for Saturday Night Live, DuckTales, Secret Life of Pets, and the upcoming Mr. Mayor. He has worked with the Muppets when he hosted the Muppet Show Live at the Hollywood Bowl and the O2. He is a happy boy.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat, while they watch old projects, home movies and TV sabotage videos. They welcome their life-long friend, musician, Ben Chatrer.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS: Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.   ABOUT OUR GUEST:  Ben Chatrer  Ben Chatrer has played his eclectic songs on The Gong Show, The Uncle Floyd Show, and Japanese T.V. More recently, he's opened for Foxygen. Andy Partridge of XTC is a fan. Dean Ween guests on his three CDs.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Santa Claus! They also hold the third Muppet Trivia contest, featuring contestants, Joseph Deply and Mike Mroz.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Santa Claus Yup. The real one. Thank you to actor, Chuck Gill for arranging the visit.   Joseph Deply Joseph Debly is a young actor, singer, and puppeteer from New Brunswick, Canada. He has been a Henson fanatic since he was very young and is a dedicated Barretta Brothers viewer.   Mike Mroz Convinced from the age of four that Fraggles were real creatures, 30-year old Mike Mroz lacks no whimsy in his everyday life, apparent in his childlike love of the Muppets and all things Jim Henson. His current endeavor is acquiring the complete Muppet Palisades figure collection.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome actor, comedian, Kevin Bishop.   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Kevin Bishop Kevin Bishop is a stalwart of the contemporary British TV comedy scene. He is best known for Star Stories on Channel 4; his own series The Kevin Bishop Show (Channel 4); The Tracey Ullman Show; and the BBC1 reboot of Porridge, playing Ronnie Barker's grandson, Nigel Fletcher AKA “Fletch”.  Kevin starred as Nigel Farage in the BBC2 mockumentary "Nigel Farage Gets His Life Back," and played Barry Hearn in the critically acclaimed "Rack Pack.” Kevin is soon to appear in the new series of Inside No. 9; and the movie, Kung Fury II alongside Michael Fassbender and Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Fan and Musician/Producer, Mark Read, plus Muppet Fanatic Chris Stulz. They both present their best Muppet Collectibles.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Mark Read Mark achieved global success with UK/Norwegian 90s/00s boyband A1, releasing 5 studio albums and a string of UK and international top 5 hits, reaching the coveted no. 1 spot with ‘Same Old Brand New You' and their cover of A-ha's classic ‘Take On Me'.  Their critical and popular acclaim led to numerous awards including MTV, Smash Hits, Disney Channel and the prestigious Brit award for Best Newcomer. The band split in 2002 after 4 years of chart-topping success but joined forces once again (this time as a 3-piece with Mark, Ben and Christian) in 2014 for ITV's hugely popular documentary series The Big Reunion. The candid programme gave fans an insight into the highs and lows of the group's history culminating in a major UK arena tour and a renewed surge of appetite from their loyal fanbase. In 2018, A1 announced that original member Paul would be reuniting with the band for the first time in 15 years for a huge 20th anniversary tour.  Away from the band, accomplished musician and songwriter Mark has written for international artistes including Michael Bolton, Boyzone, The Hollies, John Barrowman and Charlotte Church.  Mark has also established himself as a confident musical theatre performer. In recent years he has had lead roles in many productions including Cinderella and Aladdin and enjoyed a successful run of hit show Spoonful of Sherman and also appeared as Corny Collins in Hairspray, alongside Russell Grant as Edna. Mark also co-wrote and produced the score for Noah a Musical Adventure which toured across the UK for 2 years.   Chris Stulz Chris Stulz's obsession with all things Jim Henson started with hand-me-down toys from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show and has continued into adulthood, encompassing all kinds of Henson related items including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and, of course everything Muppets! Since 2012, Chris has run the Muppet Stuff blog where shares news and other information about all kinds of Jim Henson related productions and merchandise. His award-winning collection, aptly named The Muppet Stuff Museum, consisting of over three thousand items, was featured on MeTV's Collector's Call.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome TV Host, producer, and actor, Tom Bergeron. As well as writer/producers, Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Tom Bergeron Tom is an award-winning TV host, producer and actor, known for Dancing with the Stars, Hollywood Squares, America's Funniest Home Videos, The Jerry Lewis Telethon, occasional appearances with The Muppets, and more recently as a Masked Taco on The Masked Singer. He has been married to Lois Harmon since May 22, 1982. They have two children.   Marl McCorkle & Bob Schooley Mark McCorkle & Bob Schooley met at Sesame Place in 1981 and after working together on projects there, they moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in animation where they have produced such shows as “Kim Possible,” “Penguins of Madagascar,” “Big Hero 6,” and wrote the feature film, “Sky High.”

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Fan Artists, Stuart Reeves, David R. Hulteen, James V. Carrol, and Kenny Durkin.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Stuart Reeves In 2009 Stuart opened his own studio after working in-house at one of the U.K's largest privately-owned companies as Senior Creative since 2001, where he developed a collaborative expertise with the immensely talented creative team there and passionate belief that integrating digital techniques and photography often results in the most successful imagery. His approach has resulted in a number of national design awards, global magazine covers and professional accolades. Since opening the door to freelance, Stuart has had the opportunity to work on a number of global brands such as Lego, Disney, Warner Bros., Mercedes, Universal Pictures, Pizza Hut and The North Face. His work has spanned the fields of automotive, fashion, concept design, storyboards, character design and development.   David Hulteen For the last 15 years he has worked for The Salvation Army as a publications specialist, editor, writer, graphic designer, illustrator, and art director in New York. He has also done freelance work for the Jim Henson Company, the American Broadcasting Company, Clear Channel Communications, SModcast Internet Radio, the Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, and Imperial Brass. Dave has been fortunate to do commissioned work for Bill Barretta, Paul Rudolph, and Matt Vogel among other family members of Muppet performers.  "I have a beautiful wife and daughter and we are all a bunch of Jersey kids."   James V. Carroll James V Carroll is a San Francisco-based, freelance graphic artist. Over the past decade his creative endeavors have included everything from promotional billboards and illustration to multimedia and product design. He is an avid moviegoer and known contributor to the Muppet fan community. His passion for Jim Henson's characters led him to collaborate with Palisades Toys for many of their classic action figure designs. He also has contributed illustration work for licenses such as Fox and Disney.   Kenny Durkin Kenny Durkin is a Florida-based cartoonist/caricature artist who has illustrated children's books, designed everything from plush toys to garden gnomes, self-published his own comic books, and had his cartoons on apparel for AMC's Duck Dynasty, Disney's The Muppets, and The Jim Henson Company. He's designed numerous company logos and has illustrated the posters and playbills of several off-Broadway musicals. He writes and illustrates his own online comic strip Father of the Brood. He has performed live caricature entertainment at events across the United States for over 20 years. He's drawn caricatures at Walt Disney World retail locations and special events for 15 years. He is a proud member of the prestigious National Cartoonists Society and an award-winning Gold Member of the International Society of Caricature Artists.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome puppeteer, writer, producer, and Muppet performer, David Rudman.   ABOUT OUR GUEST: David Rudman is an Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and performer. On Sesame Street, David performs Baby Bear, Cookie Monster, and half of Two-Headed Monster. He has performed in numerous television shows and specials including Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors and the recent Disney Plus series Muppets Now.   With the Muppets, Rudman performs Scooter, Janice, and Beaker.  His film credits include The Muppets Take Manhattan, Labyrinth, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, A Muppet Christmas Carol, Elmo in Grouchland, The Muppets, and Muppets Most Wanted.   Rudman is co-owner of Spiffy Pictures, where he co-created, executive produced, directed, and performed in the Emmy nominated series Jack's Big Music Show (Nick Jr.), Bunnytown (Disney Junior), Nature Cat (PBS), Frankie and Frank (Nick Jr. Global) and the upcoming series Donkey Hodie (PBS). 

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat, reflecting on the first 30 shows, and more.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS: Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Bran Henson, as well as cousins, Gary Giordano, and Nancy Woloszyn.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Brian Henson Brian is Chairman of the Jim Henson Company, a puppeteer, director, and producer.   Gary Giordano Gary Giordano is a first cousin to Gene and Bill. He is an Artist, Gallerist, and Curator, living in Lambertville New Jersey. His Gallery and shows have been written up in Structure and Imagery, White Heat Magazine, The New York Optimist and Arte Fuse. His work is on display and sold at Gallery Gary Giordano, in New Hope, PA.   Nancy Woloszyn Nancy is a first cousin to Gene and Bill. She has been a school nurse for seven years at Red Bank Charter School in New Jersey where she is affectionately known as Nurse Nancy. She is Aunt Nancy to many nieces and nephews and has earned the title of Queen to our generation of cousins. Her most important title is Mom, to her children, Noelle and Paul. Nancy loves living at the Jersey Shore.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat, ahead of the Dinosaurs 30th Anniversary Show.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS: Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers are joined by 40 cast and crew members to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the TV show, Dinosaurs. The highly popular TV series Dinosaurs, produced by Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Television, premiered on April 26, 1991. Four seasons originally aired until October 19, 1994.  It's been 30 years since the show began development. Our episode will take you on a chronological journey from its inception to its premiere, featuring over 40 key members of the cast and crew. 

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat with guest visits by their sons, Jackson Barretta and Ben Barretta.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS: Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.   Guests: Jackson Barretta: Bill's son Ben Barretta: Gene's son

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome the gang from puppet design and fabrication company, Puppet Heap.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Paul Andrejco Paul Andrejco is the founder of Puppet Heap, an internationally recognized character design studio in Hoboken, NJ.  Working alongside top artists in his field, he creates characters for a wide variety of media including film, television, theater, and all kinds of new media.  Puppet Heap's clients and partners include such names as the Walt Disney Company, Fox Television, and Sesame Workshop.   Michael Bush Puppet builder, wrangler, and puppeteer with Puppet Heap since 2009.   Danielle Obinger My title is Muppets Coordinator.  I like to think of myself as an air traffic controller - know where everything is, keep all the planes  in the air and don't let anything crash! The most important thing is to keep the information flowing between Disney and the puppet builders, costumers and prop makers. I coordinate most closely with Peter MacKennan, the Production Supervisor. Peter is much! more is savvy about on-set needs, puppet protocols and idiosyncratic puppet issues. He is often on-set and I remain at PH, but we are in constant contact. A big part of my job is maintaining and updating the database of Muppet "assets". There are more than 2,200 boxes stored off site and the contents need to be accessed quickly and efficiently. I started working with the Muppets in 1980. I was hired, sight unseen - resume unseen, to build costumes for The Great Muppet Caper. I soon became the Photo Stylist and later the Photo Librarian (while continuing to do the occasional photo shoot). Iconic Muppet images I helped to create include: Hallmark cards, Sesame Street Viewmaster reels, most of the Miss Piggy calendars, The Kermitage Collection, Muppet Magazine, Got Milk? ads (both Kermit and Cookie Monster),Miss Piggy's Baked Lay's Potato Chip print ads (photographer: Richard Avedon!) and thousands of other photos.   Peter MacKennan Puppet Heap Senior Artist - Production Supervisor  Peter has worked for over three decades in the fields of visual arts & entertainment, almost always with character based properties and puppets.  He has held positions at Great Jones Studio, Jim Henson Productions, Sesame Workshop, HIT Entertainment and Puppet Heap. Peter has worked in pre-production and on set on numerous Muppet appearances, television and feature films including Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, The Muppets!, and Muppets Most Wanted. He is the recipient of 2 Emmy Awards for his work on Sesame Street (seasons 19-25) Peter holds an MFA in Painting and printmaking from Yale University. For more on his personal artwork follow him on Instagram.   Daniel Martin General Manager Starting at Puppet Heap 5 years ago with a creative and technical background, Dan runs day to day operations and has helped implement new technologies such as 3D by design, 3D printing and laser cutting into the generally traditional field of puppet building.   Mary Brehmer Mary started her creative career at the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade, working on floats and designing and building inflatables. After moving to New York, she supervised the sculpture department at Spaeth Design for 5 years before starting to freelance. For the past 25 years Mary has freelanced for The Jim Henson Company, Puppet Heap, Laika, SNL, Parsons-Meares, and Spiffy Pictures, building and wrangling puppets and building costumes. She has credits in 9 feature film, several television series, and has received 4 Emmy award nominations. She is happy to now work full time at Puppet Heap but can't resist an extra freelance project now and then.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat, with illustrator and author, Jay Fossgit.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS: Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Jay Fossgit Jay P. Fosgitt has created comics for many familiar properties, such as SESAME STREET and DREAMWORKS ANIMATION (Ape Entertainment), MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MICRONAUTS, TRANSFORMERS (IDW/HASBRO), POPEYE (KING FEATURES), ADVENTURE TIME, THE AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL, JIM HENSON'S LABYRINTH, THE DARK CRYSTAL and FRAGGLE ROCK (Boom/The Jim Henson Company), BETTY AND VERONICA and LITTLE SABRINA (Archie), and ROCKET RACCOON AND GROOT, AVENGERS, GWENPOOL, WEB WARRIORS, CHAMPIONS, DEADPOOL, JESSICA JONES, NOT BRAND ECHH. LOCKJAW AND SPIDER-GEDDON (Marvel), and Jay has illustrated YOUNG DONALD books for Disney Publishing, and drawn for RANGER RICK MAGAZINE (National Wildlife Federation).

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet performer, puppeteer, Eric Jacobson. Also the second edition of Muppet trivia with contestants, Madison Mantas, and Tyler Partnow.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Eric Jacobson: Eric Jacobson was born on January 15, 1971 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA as Eric Norman Jacobson. Eric performs many iconic characters including, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Bert, Oscar the Grouch, and Animal. Among his long list of credits: Muppets Now, Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House, The Muppets, Saturday Night Live, Between the Lions, The Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart, and Take Two with Phineas and Ferb   Madison Mantas: Madison Mantas is a life-long Muppet fan residing in the Milwaukee/Chicago suburbs. She grew up with dance, theater and improv comedy backgrounds and a love for pop culture who she would like to thank her parents and brother for bringing into her life. Most recently, she was a Skipper at Walt Disney's World-Famous Jungle Cruise in Florida telling crappy dad jokes on boats and loved every second of it.   Tyler Partnow: Tyler is a life-long Muppet fanatic, a musician, writer, artist, and puppeteer.  

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat, with special surprise visits by Muppet performer, puppeteer, producer, and director, Kevin Clash. Plus, actor, voice actor, Muppet performer, puppeteer, Tyler Bunch.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS: Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Kevin Clash: Kevin Clash is best known for Elmo (Sesame Street) 1979-2012. He also was part of Labyrinth (1986), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 (1990) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (1991), Happy Time Murders (SFX) 2018, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix) 2019. In addition to Elmo, Clash is also known for performing Splinter (TMNT) Baby Sinclair (Dinosaurs), and Clifford (Muppets Tonight). Kevin Clash has won 29 daytime Emmys, over one hundred fifty -six performing title credits, thirty- one producing title credits and twenty- seven directing title credits. In 2011, his documentary, Being Elmo, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at Sundance. He has appeared in numerous television specials, commercials, feature films and direct-to-video products. During his career, he has worked with great innovators who founded the classic puppet television industry including Kermit Love, Frank Oz, and Jim Henson. Clash has recruited, auditioned, and trained puppeteers from all over the world. He was the senior puppet coordinator, and was also a director, co-producer and senior creative adviser on Sesame Street.  Kevin was essential to the success of Elmo's World and the creative branding powerhouse of Elmo. Business Insider states that in 1996 the toy company Tyco saw their sales grow from $70 million to an astounding $350 million thanks to the Tickle Me Elmo Doll. Clash's most recent project, Earth to Ned, will be airing on Disney+ this Fall and he currently has several projects in development.     Tyler Bunch: Tyler's work as a puppeteer has appeared in productions like Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House, Between the Lions, and Crank Yankers. As an actor, he has appeared in The Electric Company, Law & Order “Criminal Intent” and “Special Victims Unit.”

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet performer, puppeteer, and actress, Stephanie D'Abruzzo. Plus, writer, and producer, Craig Shemin.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Stephanie D'Abruzzo Stephanie D'Abruzzo has been a Muppet Performer since she joined Sesame Street in 1993. Since then, she has performed hundreds of various characters (including Prairie Dawn since 2015). Her vocal performance in R.E.M.'s “Furry Happy Monsters” is a career highlight. She has worked on dozens of Sesame Street home videos and specials, and played “Grizzy” in The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.  She also plays Cody in Helpsters for Apple TV+ (and Helpsters Help You, a series of short videos shot in her apartment during the COVID-19 quarantine). Other major puppetry projects include the upcoming Donkey Hodie ("Duck Duck” and “Harriet Elizabeth Cow"), Julie's Greenroom (“Peri”), Scooby Doo Adventures: The Mystery Map (“Velma”), Oobi (“Uma,” “Inka”), Jack's Big Music Show, and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. She played “Jan S. Port” in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and has also performed in multiple episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver as various puppets, mascots, and even a Sesame Street penguin.  D'Abruzzo guest-starred in the musical episode of NBC's Scrubs, and returned twice during its ABC run, in a cameo in “My Finale,” and as a Sesame Street Muppet patient in “My ABC's.”  She has lent her voice to Nature Cat, Bug Diaries, Welcome to the Wayne, Wallykazam!, The Wonder Pets!, Sheep in the Big City, and The Book of Pooh, as well as many commercials, promos, video games, interactive products, demos, industrials, and audiobooks. She has also written several episodes of Nature Cat and Donkey Hodie. D'Abruzzo received Tony- and Drama Desk Award nominations – as well as a Theater World Award and a special Outer Critics Circle Ensemble Award – for originating her roles in Avenue Q. She has graced the New York stage in scores of productions, benefits, readings, and concerts, and has sung at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Her roles in I Love You Because and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical were also preserved in original cast recordings.  A Pittsburgh native and a graduate of Northwestern University, she is a former Burger King Employee of the Month who has been married to Craig Shemin since 1995.    Craig Shemin Craig Shemin is a freelance writer-producer in all media and the President of the Jim Henson Legacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the work of Jim Henson. Shemin is the author of The Muppets Character Encyclopedia and an upcoming book about Henson's first television series, Sam and Friends. A noted Henson historian, he produced and directed the award-winning documentary Behind the Scenes in Frogtown Hollow, about the making of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and curates the Henson screening events at Museum of the Moving Image. His television work includes the current PBS/Amazon series Clifford the Big Red Dog and Nick Jr.'s Abby Hatcher. He created and wrote Disney's Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol, and wrote the Emmy-nominated Tasty Time with ZeFronk, also for Disney. He writes and directs the L.O.S. Kids live concert series (and its current virtual version) for New York City's Little Orchestra Society. His adaptation of Babes in Toyland has played Lincoln Center for three holiday seasons and his updated version of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel made its debut there in 2014. His credits also include Nick Jr.'s Dora and Friends: Into the City, Oobi and Gullah Gullah Island and the Cartoon Network series Courage the Cowardly Dog. He began his career at The Jim Henson Company, where he wrote for Telling Stories with Tomie DePaola, Donna's Day and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (WGA nomination). He also wrote Muppets Inside, the award-winning computer game, co-wrote the Webby-nominated web series The Muppets Kitchen, assisted Miss Piggy with her cookbook, In the Kitchen With Miss Piggy and worked on numerous Muppet TV appearances. His more recent Muppet work includes Carnegie Hall's Jim Henson's Musical World and The Jim Henson Retrospectacle In Concert in New Zealand. He is married to the delightful Stephanie D'Abruzzo.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS: Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Creative Director of Character Design for Sesame Street, Louis Henry Mitchell. Plus, Gene discusses his Sesame Street animation.   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Louis Henry Mitchell As Creative Director of Character Design, Louis Henry Mitchell directs and oversees all aspects of character art for Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street. From designing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons and floats to directing Sesame Street Muppet photo shoots, Mitchell has been at Sesame Workshop for 20 years.   Prior to that, Mitchell freelanced for the organization since 1992. Most recently, Mitchell designed the character Julia, the first Sesame Street character on the autism spectrum. Julia was first designed exclusively as an illustrated character for an autism outreach book and then Mitchell expanded his design and art directed the Jim Henson Company in building the actual Muppet, and her family, for the show. He continues to be the chief Sesame Street Muppet designer along with his other duties as creative director of character design. Before his successful ongoing work for Sesame Workshop Mitchell began his artistic career at 17 years old working for Neal Adams, one of the top comic book and sequential artists in the world at that time. Mitchell continued his career through illustrating children's books, designing characters and toys as well as teaching and lecturing internationally. Among the skills he uses to accomplish his work are drawing, painting, and sculpting. In addition, he creates and art directs in traditional and digital media. Mitchell attended The School of Visual Arts, and The Art Students League. Mitchell resides in Rego Park, Queens, with his wife Yvonne.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Actress, Muppet performer, voice actress, Julianne Buescher AND puppeteer Alice Dinnean.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Julianne Buescher Julianne Buescher is a whimsically versatile, classically trained actor, voice-over artist and Muppet Performer…whose new Muppet character Beverly Plume can be seen in “Muppets Now!” on Disney+! Follow Julianne on IG at @juliannebuescher and see all her credits at IMDb.me/juliannebuescher   Alice Dinnean Alice Dinnean interned at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA. Alice has performed in several Muppet/Henson productions, such as Sesame Street, Muppets Tonight, Muppets Take the Bowl, and non-Muppet projects like Men in Black II, Crank Yankers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Cook, and TV personality, Alton Brown. Plus, Muppet Supervisor, designer, puppet builder, sculptor, Ed Christie, AND   designer, Creative Director, sculptor, and Visual Arts Educator, Ed Eyth.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Alton Brown In his words . . . “cook.”   Ed Christie During his 35 years working with the Jim Henson Company, Ed Christie worked on almost all of Henson's TV and film productions, including The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, The Jim Henson Hour, all of the Muppet movies as well as the 2 Sesame Street films, Follow That Bird and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. For 25 of those years he built & designed major and minor characters for Sesame Street as well as for 23 of its international coproductions (including South Africa, China, Japan, Russia, Mexico, Bangladesh, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Northern Ireland, England and The United Arab Emirates). He was the Muppet Supervisor for the domestic Sesame program for many years and then finally moved on as the VP/Muppet Workshop Manager. Outside of Henson, has designed and created puppet characters for Broadway (Doonesbury: The musical) and regional theater (The Kennedy Center production of the musical, Carnival), as well as for foreign television kid shows and commercials. Ed is now a mixed media sculptor, art gallery co-owner and craftsperson living on Cape Cod.   Ed Eyth Edward Eyth is a designer, creative director, sculptor, and visual arts educator. He has provided creative concept & design for such films as Back to the Future II, The Rocketeer, Hook, Men in Black, and Happy Time Murders. His client list includes Columbia Pictures, the Disney Company, the Jim Henson Company, MPC Film, Paramount Studios, Smithsonian Institute, Marvel Comics, Mattel Toys. As an Advanced Visual Communications instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena he received the “Great Teacher” award for outstanding contribution to education. He served as a Professor of Digital Art at Monterey Peninsula College and has lectured at UCLA, Parsons School of Design, New York, the School of Visual Arts, New York, the Society of Illustrators, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Boston Museum of Science, Arizona Science Center and for various other colleges and organizations. He was awarded the 2013 Sport Artist of the Year Award by the American Sport Art Museum and Archives, and has taught figure sculpture workshops at locations across the country, including annual workshops at the Scottsdale Artists School in Arizona. He currently resides in Savannah, Georgia with his wife and two sons and is a Professor of Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He can sing the entire Spongebob theme song, but has suffered with dry flakey scalp for most of his adult life.  

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome actor, voice actor, and comedian, Stuart Pankin.     ABOUT OUR GUEST:   Stuart Pankin Stuart Pankin: five time nominated, CableAce Award winning actor for HBO's Not Necessarily The News. Master's Degree in Theatre from Columbia University. Performed with the New York Shakespeare Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music Repertory Company, American Place Theatre, Lincoln Center, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, Musical Theatre West, Reprise LA!. Starred in over seventy Off Broadway, summer, and regional theatre productions; Starred and/or featured in such movies as The Artist, Fatal Attraction, Arachnophobia, Life Stinks, Honey We Shrunk Ourselves, The Hollywood Knights, Irreconcilable Differences, and Striptease. Series regular on nine prime time television shows and pilots; Guest starred and recurred in over 350 television productions, including MOWs, Web series; voiced numerous cartoons including the award-winning Dinosaurs.  

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Benjamin Franklin, as well as their first Muppet Trivia Contest with contestants, Jesse Oliver and John Papovich.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Benjamin Franklin (Bill Ochester) Printer, Statesman, Scientist, Inventor, Humanitarian, Cartoonist, Humorist, Musician, Diplomat, and Founder of The Unites States of America. Close, personal friend of Bill Ochester. www.bfranklinprinter.com   Jesse Oliver Jesse Oliver is an animator and illustrator living in Maryland. www.oliverstwistedcartoons.com   John Papovich John Papovitch works in film production. He once  ran the Instagram page for The Muppet Mindset. He lives in New York state.  

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers answer questions from the Live Youtube Chat during their 10th episode.   ABOUT OUR HOSTS:   Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta “What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles. Today, life isn't very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Director, Puppet Designer, Emmy-Award-Winner Puppeteer, and Co-Founder of DillonGale.   ABOUT OUR GUEST:   Ryan Dillon Ryan Dillon is the performer of Sesame Street's Elmo. Inspired by the Muppets since childhood and encouraged by his family and teachers, Dillon did shows wherever he could. In his senior year of high school, he was asked to join the cast of Sesame Street and has been a Muppet Performer for the past fifteen years.  Ryan's Daytime Emmy winning work as Elmo can be seen globally on television and the internet, with appearances on morning and late-night talk shows, CBeebies' The Furchester Hotel, as well as in toys, apps, live Sesame Street touring shows, and more. In addition to performing Elmo, Dillon has taken on performer duties for Sesame fan favorites Don Music, and Lefty the Salesman, as well as countless Anything Muppets. When he's not working on the Street, Dillon is a puppet designer, director, and puppet consultant. His work can be seen in national commercials and other television shows including work for The Jim Henson Company and Disney's Muppets. Dillon built and performs several original puppet characters, and with his creative partner Mark Gale, produces online puppet content for DillonGale (IG : dillongaleidiots)

The Blasucci Family Show Notes   On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Writer/Producer, Dick Blasucci. Writer/Producer Anthony Blasucci. And Writer/Producer, Actress, Maria Blasucci, to discuss their work on shows like Family Guy, SCTV, Muppets Tonight, Ghost Ghirls, and Drunk History, just to name a few.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Dick Blasucci Dick Blasucci began his career writing for “SCTV” the NBC late night sketch comedy show. While on SCTV he won two Emmy Awards for Best Writing and was nominated nine times. Other writing and producing credits include: “MadTV” “The Larry Sanders Show” “Tracey Ullman Show” comedy specials for HBO including “I, Martin Short Goes Hollywood” “Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started” and “Muppets Tonight” which won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program. He is currently writing and producing the SCTV Anniversary Special for Netflix and teaching classes in sketch comedy writing at Pepperdine University and the Harold Ramis Film School at The Second City in Chicago.   Anthony Blasucci Anthony is an Executive Producer, Writer, and Story Editor on Family Guy   Maria Blasucci Maria Blasucci is an actor, producer, and comedy writer. She is best known for her roles on shows such as HBO's Family Tree and Ghost Ghirls on Yahoo Screen. She was an associate producer on the 2016 film Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. She currently stars in the Comedy Central series Drunk History and can also be seen on Netflix in the films Mascots and Patchwork. She and Amanda Lund co-host the weekly podcast The Big Ones and is the co-founder of the podcast network, Earios.

Jim Lewis Show Notes On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Emmy Award-winning writer/producer, Jim Lewis to discuss his decades of work with The Muppets, The Jim Henson Company, and much more.   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Jim Lewis JIM LEWIS is an Emmy Award-winning writer/producer, who has been writing for frogs, pigs and other Muppets since 1985, where he worked with the late Jim Henson.   At The Jim Henson Company and later at The Walt Disney Company, Jim Lewis has written for, produced, consulted on and otherwise aided and abetted Muppet ventures in television and movies (e.g. Muppets Tonight!, A Very Merry Muppet Christmas) , theme parks (e.g. MuppetVision 3D, Great Moments In History…But Mostly America), as well as consumer products, live performances (e.g. The Muppets Take The Hollywood Bowl, The Muppets The O2) and media appearances, public relations and marketing. He has ghostwritten books for Kermit the Frog (“Look Before You Leap”), Miss Piggy (“The Diva Code”) and Pepe the King Prawn (“It's Hard Out Here For a Shrimp”). He also developed and wrote a Muppet feature script with Frank Oz, “The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever”. He still believes this should be the next Muppet theatrical feature. In addition to his Muppet work, Jim was also executive producer of the Hallmark Channel series Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola, wrote the theater production G2K R&H: Getting To Know Rodgers & Hammerstein for the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, has penned scripts for VeggieTales, Sid The Science Kid, Barney & Friends, etc, Las Vegas ventriloquist/impressionist Terry Fator, as well as done comedy “punch up” on Disney Executives (which is more fun than you can imagine). Prior to purveying mirth and myth, Lewis was a newspaper reporter, magazine editor and worked at Lewis & Carey, his family's New Jersey funeral home.  This explains a lot. Jim lives in Burbank, California with his wife, Judy, and son Danny. His daughter Mary Grace is at UC Berkeley and currently has green hair. No doubt a vestige of her living with a parent who has spent his life writing for a frog.  

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers celebrate the TV show Dinosaurs and welcome the people behind the Unisaurus and Hand Puppet Characters.   Episode Outline: 07:200mins: Conversation with Julianne Buescher, Michelan Sisti, John Kennedy, Rickey Boyd, and Jake Tate   33:30mins: Conversation with Julianne Buescher, Michelan Sisti, John Kennedy, Rickey Boyd, Jake Tate, Bruce Lanoli, Pons Maar, and Terri Hardin   35:50mins: Conversation with Allan Trautman, Terri Hardin, Bruce Lanoil, Tom Fisher, and Pons Maar.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Allan Trautman Allan Trautman was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Miami Beach with his family at the beginning of 9th grade. He began acting in Miami Beach Senior High under the direction of famed drama teacher Jay Jensen. He spent four years in St. Louis at Washington University, earning a BA in Physics and Drama. He then earned an MFA in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts, where he met his wife, Diane. While in St. Louis, he began his puppetry career working on The Letter People at public TV station KETC. He performed in all 60 15-minute episodes, each one shot on a Friday (he skipped classes). Two years after graduating from CalArts, while working full-time at Leo's Stereo in the San Fernando Valley, a friend told him about an audition notice for a “puppet school” sponsored by Sid and Marty Krofft. Allan spent the summer of 1980 at what were a series of workshops under the direction of Tony Urbano. There he met other young puppeteers who all became lifelong friends—Bruce Lanoil, Kevin Carlson, Tim Blaney, and others. Much of the 1980s were spent working on projects for the Kroffts and for Dave Pavelonis and his Peppercorn Productions, as well as pursuing his acting career. During this time he was sent on an audition for Return of the Living Dead, and was cast as the Tarman, who went on to become an iconic zombie film character—among the first to ask specifically for “Brains!” In 1990, as part of the then-pending purchase of The Muppets by the Walt Disney Company, Jim Henson came to Los Angeles to direct Muppetvision 3-D, an attraction for Disney's theme parks. Again, a friend was able to get Allan into the audition, and this was the beginning of Allan's career with The Jim Henson Company and the Muppets. In 1991 Allan joined the cast of the ABC-TV series Dinosaurs as the animatronic puppeteer for Fran Sinclair. That show remained in production for 65 episodes, until the end of 1993, introducing Allan to sophisticated animatronics. This experience continued with movies like Babe, Men in Black, Doctor Dolittle, Jack Frost, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, Monkeybone, Cats and Dogs, Men in Black II, and The Country Bears. After Dinosaurs, two producers on that show requested his presence on their next show, Unhappily Ever After, a sitcom on the brand-new WB Network. Allan puppeteered Mr. Floppy, the lead character's wise-cracking (imaginary) talking bunny, voiced in front of a live audience by Bobcat Goldthwaite. In the meantime, Allan's work with The Muppets included videos such as It's Not Easy Being Green and Muppet Classic Theatre, the movie Muppets from Space, and, for TV, Muppets Tonight, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz. In the summer of 2005, Allan became a founding member of Puppet Up!—Uncensored, Henson Alternative's puppet/improv show. He performed in the show off-Broadway, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, on tour throughout the U.S., and on the historic Chaplin Stage on The Jim Henson Company lot. He also acted as puppetry technique instructor. He was one of three on-set puppeteers during production of The Jungle Book (2016), and was a core puppeteer on The Happytime Murders. Allan continues to work in physical as well as digital puppetry, in shows such as Splash and Bubbles for PBS Kids, and has moved into directing for that show and others. Julianne Buescher  Julianne Buescher is a whimsically versatile, classically trained actor, voice-over artist and Muppet Performer…whose new Muppet character Beverly Plume can be seen in “Muppets Now!” On Disney+! Follow Julianne on IG at @juliannebuescher and see all her credits at IMDb.me/juliannebuescher Jake Tate Jack Tate is an actor/puppeteer/voiceover guy. Mostly, he's retired, but he'd work if someone asked.  He was in movies: The Right Stuff, Monster in the Closet, Interview with an Assassin and many others. On TV, he did a lot of day-player roles: Fresh Prince, Frazier, Hotel, Murder She Wrote and many others, before he landed on Dinosaurs, as a regular player, a Unisaur, appearing as many of the characters interacting with the family. Another show he was a regular on later, was The Journey of Allen Strange, for Nickelodeon. He was more successful in commercials than TV or movies, doing pretty near 1000 of them, many as a spokesman for AT&T, Pepsi, Bud Light, Ford Mercury and played, for 20+ years, the character Jack in the Box. Dinosaurs was easily his career favorite. Michelan Sisti Michelan began his performing journey as a musician, then an actor with multiple Broadway roles, which directly led to him becoming a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in the original live action movies (Michelangelo).  Being Mikey, evolved into our ultimate animatronics show, “Dinosaurs”.  The coolest suit show EVER!  Since then, Mich has enjoyed 26 more years of Muppets and other neat things with puppets and motion capture.  He has loved every minute of the trip. Rickey Boyd Rickey's interest in animation and puppetry began at an early age. At eleven, he and one of his friends produced their own crude TV puppet shows at a local cable access station and experimented with 8mm animated short films. During High School he continued designing and building his own puppet characters. Later, he attended Shorter College in Rome, Georgia where he majored in art and theater. During an internship at a local cable station he worked with college classmates Keith Thomas and Jeff Brown to produce two children's shows that featured his creations. This provided valuable monitor experience as well as enough footage for a demo reel. That reel would land him an audition with the Muppets. In 1988 he was interviewed by Jane Henson then met and auditioned for Jim Henson himself. He was asked to continue working with Jim Henson Productions as both an assistant and as a featured performer on various productions. He went on to performed various background characters on Sesame Street, The Abby in Wonderland special, Grandma Cookie Monster for Sesame Workshop's “Sesame Beginnings” project, Scooter and Crazy Harry in “Muppet's Wizard of Oz”, and Waffle in “Animal Jam”. Other projects include “Muppets From Space”, “Dinosaurs” the series, “Muppetvision 3D”, “Muppets at Disney World”, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, The Jim Henson Hour's “Dog City” and “Song of the Cloud Forest”. Aside from  Henson Productions, Rickey has performed lead characters for The Nashville Network's Peppercorn Productions. Most recently he continues to puppeteer as Doug the Slug in “The Slugs and Bugs Show” for RightNow Media, and as “George” in the web series “Wondermore” for In Touch Ministries. In addition to performing Rickey is an Emmy winning Creative Director for Magnetic Dreams Animation Studios in Nashville, Tn. There, he designs and directs animations for clients such as “Sesame Street”, among others. He lives outside Nashville with his wife Judy and their children Emily and Andrew. John E. Kennedy John E. Kennedy is a lifelong puppeteer who began performing at age three and met and worked with Jim Henson at the age of 22.  He has been a member of Sesame Street since 1994, and currently performs The Amazing Mumford, a character originated by Jerry Nelson. John has also been a Muppet™ performer on projects such as Muppets From Space, The Muppets Wizard of Oz, The Muppets Take the Bowl, and The Muppets Take the O2. He has authored two puppet-making books (Puppet Mania and Puppet Planet), and has been a puppet captain, a choreographer, and a musician.   As a puppet builder, Kennedy has represented Jim Henson's exhibits around the world with his puppet kits; he has also instructed young puppeteers on cruises, camps, and festivals.  He lives in Ocoee, Florida with his wife, Julie, and creates custom puppet characters for theme parks and performs music with his band, Johnny K Band. Bruce Lanoil Bruce ”B” Lanoil, spawned in Brooklyn N.Y., raised on steady diet of Saturday morning Cartoons, Sugary cereals, Mad Magazines, Jerry Lewis and Classic Star Trek, is today, a proud and grateful 30 year veteran Muppeteer,.. Oh, the beaten path was never in the mix! As a Theater major at Cal State Northridge, a vaudevillian improvisational clown at heart, fate truly lent a “hand” when Master Puppeteer Tony Urbano chose Bruce from hundreds, for Sid and Marty Krofft's exclusive 1980 workshop. Many Commercials and videos followed, furthering his performance skills with Master teachers, Paul Sills, Avery Schreiber, (Spollin Theater Games), and Harvey Kalmanson (V.O.). Destiny and Jim Henson came knocking when Brian Henson cast Bruce as “Charlene Sinclair”, in TV's DINOSAURS for five glorious seasons on ABC/Disney (1990-93). Animatronics and Facial Puppeteering was a specialty as Bruce traveled the world complements of the incomparable Jim Henson Creature Shop, both in Films, Dr. Doolittle (1998), Adventures of Pinocchio (1996), Jack Frost (1998), Cats and Dogs 1 & 2, (2001 2010) and Television, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat, Nickelodeon Season one (1996). Bruce helped pioneer Real-time CG animation with Henson's HDPS-Digital Puppetry System, Are We There Yet (2005), Francis (2008), Sid the Science Kid Movie (2012) and partnered with Dave Barclay Studios Where the Wild Thing Are (2009), and Ice King (2017). Muppet madness included MuppetVision 3D (1991),The Muppets Live at the Hollywood Bowl (2016),The O2 (2018), recent FEATURE FILM/TV reboots, The Muppets (2011) and Muppets Most Wanted (2014), and Muppets Tonight (1996), Muppets (2017). Live-action Reference Puppetry, Mon- keyBone (2001) Henry Selick Dir.,and Looney Tunes-Back in Action (2003) Joe Dante Dir., and nu- merous V.O. gigs, including voicing Lion King's TIMON (SAFTY SMART! video series) for Disney. Bruce is extremely grateful for lifetime of collaborative joy and laughter, and believes, that Everyone deserves to give themselves the Inner Permission to pursue their truth and passion freely, with an open heart. As a Teaching Artist, his quest is to release fear and doubt, allowing each learner and Artist the opportunity to connect, to share, to Soar! We stand upon the shoulders of all creative souls before us, that enables every single voice to tell Their story, their version, of life's unpredictable magnificent journey, while illuminating all our lives with the Magical Gift of Play :) Pons Maar Pons Maar trained as a visual artist in Florida, (yep, a Florida Man) then studied various performance disciplines in the SF Bay Area and, as a ‘performance artist',  created and toured his solo shows.  He somehow ended up with a career in film and television appearing in; Return to Oz, Golden Child, The Blob (1988), Dead Heat, Masters of the Universe, Teddy Rex, George of the Jungle, Monkeybone, and Dinosaurs TV series.  Beginning with Return to Oz Pons also acted as Movement or Creature Coordinator on various productions. Terri Hardin Terri has been performing and creative all her life.  She started earning a living doing art and acting at age 8.  Known as Walt Disney's Legendary Imagineer, she has designed and created attractions for Disney Theme Parks all over the world and is best known for creating the Dragon's Lair in Paris Disneyland where you can see a 35' dragon come to life before your very eyes. She is also an accomplished actress, Puppeteer and Voice Talent. Her work can be seen in over 45 different films and television including GHOSTBUSTERS, MEN IN BLACK I & II, THE COUNTRY BEARS and CAPTAIN EO w/ Michael Jackson, George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola. She became a MUPPETEER with the Jim Henson Company in 1989 after meeting Jim in New York.  Terri Hardin has worked on MUPPET 3D THEATRE, MUPPET MINI CLASSICS and DINOSAURS where she played BABY SINCLAIR'S arms. Other projects include the FOSTER FARMS CHICKENS where she designed the Original concept and has played the PASSENGER CHICKEN since 1993. Her career has given her many opportunities to work with a multitude of celebrities like Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Whoopie Goldberg and Guillermo Del Toro. A fully TRADEMARKED artist and sculptor Terri's work can be seen Internationally. Fine collectables, commissions and prototypes of all kinds she creates for clients DISNEY, MATTEL, G DEL TORO and MORE. She has even had her sculpture featured in LACMA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Her Company is TERRI HARDIN DESIGNS, INC.   Tom Fisher No bio provided

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers celebrate the TV show Dinosaurs and welcome the people behind the characters, Roy, Monica, and Spike.   Episode Outline: 05:50mins: Conversation with Pons Maar about casting the show.   13:30mins: Conversation about the character Roy. Pete Brooke, Julianne Buescher, Pons Maar.   30:50mins: Conversation about the character Monica. Jack Tate, Julianne Buescher, and   55:00mins: Conversation about the character Spike. John Kennedy, Lisa Rocco   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Pons Maar Pons Maar trained as a visual artist in Florida, (yep, a Florida Man) then studied various performance disciplines in the SF Bay Area and, as a ‘performance artist', created and toured his solo shows.  He somehow ended up with a career in film and television appearing in; Return to Oz, Golden Child, The Blob (1988), Dead Heat, Masters of the Universe, Teddy Rex, George of the Jungle, Monkeybone, and Dinosaurs TV series.  Beginning with Return to Oz Pons also acted as Movement or Creature Coordinator on various productions. Julianne Buescher Julianne Buescher is a whimsically versatile, classically trained actor, voice-over artist and Muppet Performer…whose new Muppet character Beverly Plume can be seen in “Muppets Now!” On Disney+! Follow Julianne on IG at @juliannebuescher and see all her credits at IMDb.me/juliannebuescher Jake Tate Jack Tate is an actor/puppeteer/voiceover guy. Mostly, he's retired, but he'd work if someone asked.  He was in movies: The Right Stuff, Monster in the Closet, Interview with an Assassin and many others. On TV, he did a lot of day-player roles: Fresh Prince, Frazier, Hotel, Murder She Wrote and many others, before he landed on Dinosaurs, as a regular player, a Unisaur, appearing as many of the characters interacting with the family. Another show he was a regular on later, was The Journey of Allen Strange, for Nickelodeon. He was more successful in commercials than TV or movies, doing pretty near 1000 of them, many as a spokesman for AT&T, Pepsi, Bud Light, Ford Mercury and played, for 20+ years, the character Jack in the Box. Dinosaurs was easily his career favorite. Pete Brooke Peter Brooke is the Creative Supervisor for the Academy Award®-winning Jim Henson's Creature Shop™ and is responsible for the conception, design and sculpt of each character and creature brought to life at the Shop's Los Angeles location. His work can be seen in such films as the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, George of the Jungle, Cats & Dogs, Dr. Dolittle, and Where the Wild Things Are, as well as the television projects Dinosaurs, Jim Henson's The Storyteller, and most recently, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.  Brooke works closely with the director and creative team of each project to guarantee that their vision is realized in the character he creates. He also liaises with the Shop's builders and supervises characters on set to ensure that the original concept and design style is maintained throughout the build and performance. Brooke began his relationship with The Jim Henson Company in 1988 as a graduate of the film school at Manchester Polytechnic. His first project was Jim Henson's The Storyteller as a sculptor of the series' various fantasy and folklore characters. When the Company began production in Los Angeles on Dinosaurs in 1991, Brooke relocated to the United States as a sculptor and designer on the technically ambitious comedy starring an entire cast of animatronic full-body dinosaurs. Brooke's own fine art sculpture has been featured in galleries and museums across the country for the past 25 years. He is a recipient of the Gold Medal for Best Sculpture from the California Art Club and the Award of Excellence from the Society of Animal Artists. His work has been featured in several magazines including Southwest Art, Art Talk, Art Revue and Wildlife Art News. John E. Kennedy John E. Kennedy is a lifelong puppeteer who began performing at age three and met and worked with Jim Henson at the age of 22.  He has been a member of Sesame Street since 1994, and currently performs The Amazing Mumford, a character originated by Jerry Nelson. John has also been a Muppet™ performer on projects such as Muppets From Space, The Muppets Wizard of Oz, The Muppets Take the Bowl, and The Muppets Take the O2. He has authored two puppet-making books (Puppet Mania and Puppet Planet), and has been a puppet captain, a choreographer, and a musician.   As a puppet builder, Kennedy has represented Jim Henson's exhibits around the world with his puppet kits; he has also instructed young puppeteers on cruises, camps, and festivals.  He lives in Ocoee, Florida with his wife, Julie, and creates custom puppet characters for theme parks and performs music with his band, Johnny K Band. Lisa Rocco No bio provided

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers celebrate the TV show Dinosaurs and welcome the people behind the characters, Charlene, Robbie, Baby, and BP Richfield.   Episode Outline:   03:15mins: Conversation about the character Robbie Sinclair. Day Murch, Steve Whitmire, Leif Tilden, and Lisa Rocco join Gene & Bill.   25:27mins: Conversation about the character BP Richfield. Jane Gootnick joins Day, Steve, and Leif.   40:30mins: Conversation about the character Charlene. Bruce Lanoil, MIchelan Sisti, and Jill Thraves join Gene & Bill.   1:07:00mins: Conversation about Baby Sinclair. Kevin Clash, Terri Hardin, John Kennedy, and Jane Gootnick join Gene & Bill.   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Jane Gootnick With college degrees in both acting and set design Jane first moved to Europe working in Belgium and London. In the mid-70's she moved to NYC working with alternative theatre groups (LaMama, Joe Papp's Public Theatre). Jane became head sculptor at Brooks Van Horn Costume Co. making props, masks and creatures for a large variety of venues: Broadway shows (Sweeney Todd, Dracula, Peter Pan), feature films (The Wiz, Hair), Warner Bros walkarounds, commercials, Ringling Bros Circus, and the first four seasons of Saturday Night Live. In 1978, the costume designer for SNL mentioned that the Jim Henson Company was looking for sculptors for a film called The Dark Crystal and suggested she interview. Jane was offered three weeks work to build a prototype support harness for the Skeksis they were developing. So, she left her three-year full-time job for three weeks of work at Henson's and stayed 40 years! Jane has worked in both the New York puppet shop and the London Creature Shop throughout the years. Designing/building puppets and creatures, supervising builds, and running workshops on location for Muppet/Henson films and TV series, (Dark Crystal, Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, The Storyteller, The Witches, Ninja Turtles, Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, The Muppets, etc.). She has also worked on a variety of talk shows, game shows, and awards shows (Oscars, Grammys, Hollywood Bowl and many more). Jane is an art director for print and media photoshoots, film posters and endless fashion shoots with Miss Piggy with Louis Vuitton, Prada and other diva designers.   Steve Whitmire Jim Henson invited Steve Whitmire to join his team in 1978 during the height of the popularity of The Muppet Show, and Whitmire had a hand in virtually every Muppet project for nearly four decades. He originated such characters as Rizzo the Rat, Lips the Trumpet Man, Miss Piggy's dog Foo-Foo, and Bean Bunny, and also sustained Richard Hunt's characters, the hapless lab assistant Beaker and codger Statler after Hunt's death in 1992. Upon Henson's death in 1990, Whitmire accepted the duty for the continuation of several of Jim's characters and is best known for his 24-years as Ernie and his 27-years as Kermit the Frog. Projects include Sesame Street and non-Muppet films such as The Dark Crystal, The Witches, Dreamchild and Labyrinth, as well as the popular sitcom Dinosaurs and the classic 1980's television series Fraggle Rock in which Whitmire originated Wembley Fraggle and Sprocket the Dog. After 19 films, 8 television series, numerous specials, multiple sound recordings, and volumes of unique live appearances, Whitmire carries forth the essential principles of the lineage as the foundation for a progressive approach to the art of puppetry in today's world and looks forward to sharing that spirit in his future endeavors. www.stevewhitmire.website   Leif Tilden Leif Tilden watched his mother drink herself into a deep depression while living with her in Berkeley California during the late 60's free love movement.   After her suicide he moved to Boston Massachusetts where he grew up in a segregated environment where the Irish, Italian and black neighborhoods beat each other up daily. Eventually he would find himself studying experimental theatre in New York City where he discovered his vulnerability through movement and the incredible falafel sandwich. Soon after that, which to him seems like a dream, he found himself inside the soul of a Teenage mutant ninja turtle.  Life was good. Soon after that he drove across country for a minimum wage job on a tv show entitled, Dinosaurs for Disney.  Life was not good and Leif will explain the details as to why on the show.   Day Murch Day worked in the theatre for many years, as a performer in Liquid Theatre, with Stomu Yamashtas Red Buddha Theatre, and the Young Vic, with appearances in provincial rep and the West End, gradually commuting a hobby of designing and making clothes into a career. An early introduction on Time Bandits to the Monty Python team led to a specialist interest in the care and presentation of difficult costumes, with work on The Meaning Of Life, Greystoke, Legend and Fifth Element and several projects for Jim Hensons London Creature Shop. This led in time to making this type of costume and he headed the Fabrication Unit for Nick Dudmans Department of Magical Creatures for the initial Harry Potter Movies, building Hagrid and other fantasticals. In children's television he helped create characters for In The Night Garden , BoohBahs and Zingzillas. He enjoyed a longterm association with the Batman franchise as Batsuit Wrangler with all the Caped Crusaders except Adam West! Now happily retired with his life partner in Wales, he doesn't miss show business.   Bruce Lanoil Bruce ”B” Lanoil, spawned in Brooklyn N.Y., raised on steady diet of Saturday morning Cartoons, Sugary cereals, Mad Magazines, Jerry Lewis and Classic Star Trek, is today, a proud and grateful 30 year veteran Muppeteer,.. Oh, the beaten path was never in the mix! As a Theater major at Cal State Northridge, a vaudevillian improvisational clown at heart, fate truly lent a “hand” when Master Puppeteer Tony Urbano chose Bruce from hundreds, for Sid and Marty Krofft's exclusive 1980 workshop. Many Commercials and videos followed, furthering his performance skills with Master teachers, Paul Sills, Avery Schreiber, (Spollin Theater Games), and Harvey Kalmanson (V.O.). Destiny and Jim Henson came knocking when Brian Henson cast Bruce as “Charlene Sinclair”, in TV's DINOSAURS for five glorious seasons on ABC/Disney (1990-93). Animatronics and Facial Puppeteering was a specialty as Bruce traveled the world complements of the incomparable Jim Henson Creature Shop, both in Films, Dr. Doolittle (1998), Adventures of Pinocchio (1996), Jack Frost (1998), Cats and Dogs 1 & 2, (2001 2010) and Television, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat, Nickelodeon Season one (1996). Bruce helped pioneer Real-time CG animation with Henson's HDPS-Digital Puppetry System, Are We There Yet (2005), Francis (2008), Sid the Science Kid Movie (2012) and partnered with Dave Barclay Studios Where the Wild Thing Are (2009), and Ice King (2017). Muppet madness included MuppetVision 3D (1991),The Muppets Live at the Hollywood Bowl (2016),The O2 (2018), recent FEATURE FILM/TV reboots, The Muppets (2011) and Muppets Most Wanted (2014), and Muppets Tonight (1996), Muppets (2017). Live-action Reference Puppetry, Mon- keyBone (2001) Henry Selick Dir.,and Looney Tunes-Back in Action (2003) Joe Dante Dir., and nu- merous V.O. gigs, including voicing Lion King's TIMON (SAFTY SMART! video series) for Disney. Bruce is extremely grateful for lifetime of collaborative joy and laughter, and believes, that Everyone deserves to give themselves the Inner Permission to pursue their truth and passion freely, with an open heart. As a Teaching Artist, his quest is to release fear and doubt, allowing each learner and Artist the opportunity to connect, to share, to Soar! We stand upon the shoulders of all creative souls before us, that enables every single voice to tell Their story, their version, of life's unpredictable magnificent journey, while illuminating all our lives with the Magical Gift of Play :)   Michelan Sisti Michelan began his performing journey as a musician, then an actor with multiple Broadway roles, which directly led to him becoming a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in the original live action movies (Michelangelo).  Being Mikey, evolved into our ultimate animatronics show, “Dinosaurs”.  The coolest suit show EVER!  Since then, Mich has enjoyed 26 more years of Muppets and other neat things with puppets and motion capture.  He has loved every minute of the trip.   Jill Thraves After growing up in the countryside of Yorkshire and Derbyshire I moved to London to attend University. Got my degree in French and went straight into making clothes and cotumes for dancers, musicians, strippers, and royalty. Bill Wyman, David Bowie, Freddy Mercury, Jimmy Page, Princess Margaret, were some of the people I dressed. Through friends I started working in films and tv., Time Bandits, The Meaning of Life and Labyrinth were early jobs. Labyrinth led to Mother Goose Stories and an Emmy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and then Dinosaurs! So after 20 years I in London I came to Los Angeles. Since then I have worked on a lot of Superhero films, from Batman to Avengers and Guardians. I seem to have made a lot of capes! Batman to Thor and many in between.  

Geoff Keighley Show Notes On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Video Game Innovator, Visionary, Muppet Lover, Geoff Keighley. Episode Outline: Gene surprises Billy with a puppet made by Jarrod Boutcher, based on Gene's “Billy Puppet” sketch. Geoff Keighley shows up and talks about: Growing up in Canada Visiting the set of Fraggle Rock His parents, who work in film/TV production, including producing some of the first IMAX movies. His childhood interest and involvement in video games Writing for video game magazines in his teens First TV video game hosting Talk about games as generational divides Origins of the Game Awards The format and success of The Game Awards Jackson Barretta and Ben Barretta join the conversation They discuss the Fortnite Pro Am Gaming as the new sport or concert event How did he meet Phil Spencer and Reggie Fils-Aimé First games Geoff played Plans for future Game Awards during the pandemic What does it take to become a gamer/twitch streamer? Where did the nickname Dorito Pope come from? ABOUT OUR GUEST: Geoff Keighley Keighley's foray into video game reporting and presentation had been through Cybermania '94: The Ultimate Games Awards, the first video game awards show broadcast on television. Keighley was fourteen at the time but was brought in to help write lines for the celebrity hosts to read. The show was not considered successful, aimed more for comedy than celebration, but from it, Keighley was inspired to develop some type of equivalent of the Academy Awards for video games in his career. In addition to GTTV, Keighley has been involved in many other video game-related projects on television. On Comcast's G4 network, he appeared as the network's lead anchor for its E3 press conference coverage, interviewing CEOs from companies like Sony and Electronic Arts. For MTV he created the concept and produced (with LivePlanet) "Gears of War: Race to E3" and "Gears of War: Race to Launch", two specials that took viewers inside the development of the hit Xbox 360 game from Microsoft. And in 2007, the Discovery Channel aired a five-hour documentary on releases including those of such companies as World of Wonder Productions, based on a treatment by Keighley, who also served as consulting producer. Geoff has also hosted and co-produced a number of video game launch specials for Spike TV, including "Madden NFL 08 Kickoff" featuring a performance by Ozzy Osbourne and "Halo 3: Launched!" featuring a performance by Linkin Park. He was also interviewed on what became a controversial Fox News' segment on Mass Effect and was later praised by gamers online for being the only one on the show who had actually played the game. Keighley was invited by the producers of Spike's Video Game Awards program to help with the programming from 2006 onward. In 2013, Spike changed the format of the show and rebranded the awards as the VGX Awards. To Keighley, the format became more commercial and promotional rather than a celebration of video game achievements, and subsequently left the show. Through 2014, he funded his own efforts to put together a new awards show, gaining the support of Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo as well as major publications and industry leaders. Keighley thus established The Game Awards which were first presented in December 2014, and which Keighley remains the primary host. Keighley is known for writing reviews and previews and going behind the scenes of the game industry for in-depth business profiles and lengthy feature pieces. While initially a writer at GameSpot from around 1998, Keighley wrote the site's column "Behind the Games". This column evolved into a series of articles "The Final Hours", where he has in-depth access to the various studios near the end of a development period and write in depth about the process as the game is nearing completion. In more recent years, these articles are released as mobile apps. In a July 2008 interview on The Jace Hall Show, Keighley spoke about the importance of this process, stating "There's such a lack of investigative journalism. I wish I had more time to do more, sort of, investigation. Really dig into some of these bigger issues, so I could look at like, the 'Red Ring of Death' problem. That's never really been properly reported about, like what really happens." However, he has faced criticism from some quarters for his willingness to positively present games to maintain exclusives, regardless of their actual quality, and to accept industry PR at face value in an October 2012 column published in Eurogamer.[12] In December 2016, Keighley was picked as a judge for the Viveport Developer Awards (VDAs). Keighley had been a participant of E3, the annual video game trade show, since its start, and starting in E3 2017, Keighley had arranged and hosted the E3 Coliseum, a live-streaming event running over the course of E3 that brought in developers and publishers at E3 for interviews and other discussions. However, with the Entertainment Software Association making significant changes to the format of E3 2020 (prior to its cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Keighley stated he will not be organizing an E3 Coliseum event nor attending the show for the first time in 25 years. With E3's cancellation among other several other trade shows and events like Gamescom from the pandemic, Keighley worked with several major publishers and video game industry leaders to launch the Summer Game Fest from May to August 2020. During this period, Keighley will help developers and publishers present game announcements and other presentations, along with Steam and Xbox to provide game demos during this period.  

On this two-part episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Performer, Director, Producer, Kevin Clash - and Designer, Art Director, Puppet builder, Jane Gootnick.   Episode Outline: Gene & Bill discuss Gene's “Billy Puppet” sketch.   Jane Gootnick –  2:48-37:40mis Jane discusses Character Sal Minella Designing and building a perfect puppet character Sir Didymus and Brian Froud designs Dinosaurs Dog from The Storyteller Working with animatronic servos Fraggle Rock characters: Trash Heap, Philo and Gunge Storyteller Bunny Dark Crystal Creatures Andy Warhol and David Bowie stories Miss Piggy Photo Shoot   Kevin Clash – 39:10 – 1:23:00 Kevin discusses the special The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson Clifford and Muppets Tonight Michelle Pfeiffer Sandra Bullock Splinter Muppets Go to Disney World and Jim Henson Arsenio Hall show along with Jim Henson Fat Blue and Jim Henson Baby from Dinosaurs Elmo and his Dad, Louie from Beginnings Gene, Bill, and Kevin work together on Fox & Friends Kevin assigning Gene and performer wives to do background characters on Muppet Treasure Island Muppet Treasure Island characters Happytime Murders Learning from other puppeteers The new Dark Crystal Earth to Ned Gene & Bill's drag photos Bill tells Kevin how proud he is of him Getting a cab in NY The song/segment “Proud” from Families Stand Together and their funny recording session   Gene and Bill announce the winner of a viewer contest. ABOUT OUR GUESTS:   JANE GOOTNICK   With college degrees in both acting and set design Jane first moved to Europe working in Belgium and London. In the mid-70's she moved to NYC working with alternative theatre groups (LaMama, Joe Papp's Public Theatre). Jane became head sculptor at Brooks Van Horn Costume Co. making props, masks and creatures for a large variety of venues: Broadway shows (Sweeney Todd, Dracula, Peter Pan), feature films (The Wiz, Hair), Warner Bros walkarounds, commercials,  Ringling Bros Circus, and the first four seasons of Saturday Night Live. In 1978, the costume designer for SNL mentioned that the Jim Henson Company was looking for sculptors for a film called The Dark Crystal and suggested she interview. Jane was offered three weeks work to build a prototype support harness for the Skeksis they were developing. So, she left her three-year full-time job for three weeks of work at Henson's and stayed 40 years! Jane has worked in both the New York puppet shop and the London Creature Shop throughout the years. Designing/building puppets and creatures, supervising builds, and running workshops on location for Muppet/Henson films and TV series, (Dark Crystal, Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, The Storyteller, The Witches, Ninja Turtles, Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, The Muppets, etc.). She has also worked on a variety of talk shows, game shows, and awards shows (Oscars, Grammys, Hollywood Bowl and many more). Jane is an art director for print and media photoshoots, film posters and endless fashion shoots with Miss Piggy with Louis Vuitton   KEVIN CLASH Kevin Clash is best known for Elmo (Sesame Street) 1979-2012. He also was part of Labyrinth (1986), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 (1990) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (1991), Happytime Murders (SFX) 2018, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix) 2019. In addition to Elmo, Clash is also known for performing Splinter (TMNT) Baby Sinclair (Dinosaurs), and Clifford (Muppets Tonight). Kevin Clash has won 29 daytime Emmys, over one hundred fifty -six performing title credits, thirty- one producing title credits and twenty- seven directing title credits. In 2011, his documentary, Being Elmo, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at Sundance. He has appeared in numerous television specials, commercials, feature films and direct-to-video products. During his career, he has worked with great innovators who founded the classic puppet television industry including Kermit Love, Frank Oz, and Jim Henson. Clash has recruited, auditioned, and trained puppeteers from all over the world. He was the senior puppet coordinator, and was also a director, co-producer and senior creative adviser on Sesame Street.  Kevin was essential to the success of Elmo's World and the creative branding powerhouse of Elmo. Business Insider states that in 1996 the toy company Tyco saw their sales grow from $70 million to an astounding $350 million thanks to the Tickle Me Elmo Doll. Clash's most recent project, Earth to Ned, will be airing on Disney+ this Fall and he currently has several projects in development. 

On this two-part episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Performer, Director, Producer, Kevin Clash -  and Designer, Art Director, Puppet builder, Jane Gootnick. Episode Outline: Jane Gootnick – 07:50 – 34:00 mins Jane talks about her very impression family tree and the early years People who originally inspired her. Pre-Henson work in NY, including SNL. Her start with Sesame Street and The Jim Henson Company. A review of characters she helped create. Gene & Bill announce details for a second Muppet Trivia Contest Kevin Clash –36:20 – 1:03:23 mins A funny wedding story. Stories about his childhood and early training at home. Working on the Captain Kangaroo & The Great Space Coaster. Puppet workshops with Jane Henson and starting at Sesame Street. The origins of Elmo with Richard Hunt. Elmo's connection with kids. Working with Jim Henson. The very first character he performed for Sesame Street. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ABOUT OUR GUESTS: KEVIN CLASH Kevin Clash is best known for Elmo (Sesame Street) 1979-2012. He also was part of Labyrinth (1986), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 (1990) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (1991), Happytime Murders (SFX) 2018, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix) 2019. In addition to Elmo, Clash is also known for performing Splinter (TMNT) Baby Sinclair (Dinosaurs), and Clifford (Muppets Tonight).   Kevin Clash has won 29 daytime Emmys, over one hundred fifty -six performing title credits, thirty- one producing title credits and twenty- seven directing title credits. In 2011, his documentary, Being Elmo, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at Sundance. He has appeared in numerous television specials, commercials, feature films and direct-to-video products. During his career, he has worked with great innovators who founded the classic puppet television industry including Kermit Love, Frank Oz, and Jim Henson. Clash has recruited, auditioned, and trained puppeteers from all over the world. He was the senior puppet coordinator, and was also a director, co-producer and senior creative adviser on Sesame Street.  Kevin was essential to the success of Elmo's World and the creative branding powerhouse of Elmo. Business Insider states that in 1996 the toy company Tyco saw their sales grow from $70 million to an astounding $350 million thanks to the Tickle Me Elmo Doll. Clash's most recent project, Earth to Ned, will be airing on Disney+ this Fall and he currently has several projects in development.    JANE GOOTNICK With college degrees in both acting and set design Jane first moved to Europe working in Belgium and London. In the mid-70's she moved to NYC working with alternative theatre groups (LaMama, Joe Papp's Public Theatre). Jane became head sculptor at Brooks Van Horn Costume Co. making props, masks and creatures for a large variety of venues: Broadway shows (Sweeney Todd, Dracula, Peter Pan), feature films (The Wiz, Hair), Warner Bros walkarounds, commercials,  Ringling Bros Circus, and the first four seasons of Saturday Night Live. In 1978, the costume designer for SNL mentioned that the Jim Henson Company was looking for sculptors for a film called The Dark Crystal and suggested she interview. Jane was offered three weeks work to build a prototype support harness for the Skeksis they were developing. So, she left her three-year full-time job for three weeks of work at Henson's and stayed 40 years!   Jane has worked in both the New York puppet shop and the London Creature Shop throughout the years. Designing/building puppets and creatures, supervising builds, and running workshops on location for Muppet/Henson films and TV series, (Dark Crystal, Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, The Storyteller, The Witches, Ninja Turtles, Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, The Muppets, etc.). She has also worked on a variety of talk shows, game shows, and awards shows (Oscars, Grammys, Hollywood Bowl and many more). Jane is an art director for print and media photoshoots, film posters and endless fashion shoots with Miss Piggy with Louis Vuitton, Prada and other diva designers.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome actress and Muppet performer, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph to talk about her career and answer questions from our Live YouTube Chat. She performs characters such as Abby Cadabby, Spamela Hamderson, Prairie Dawn's Mom, and more. Episode Outline: Gene and Bill answer questions for the first eleven minutes alone Dick the Shark shows up to taunt Gene Leslie Carrara-Rudolph joins the Q&A 11:30 – 58:30mins Her work before The Muppets Leslie's Muppet audition and her amazing Wizard of Oz medley. Paul Rudolph pops in for a moment. Questions from the Live Chat continue throughout Bobo meets Darcey The origins of Abby Cadabra Playing off each other as background players in Muppets Tonight Dick the Shark comes back Paul Rudolph pops in again Gene recalls drawing a fake tattoo on Leslie during Muppets Tonight Leslie draws Angel Cards for Gene and Bill Lolly Lardpop checks in for a visit Back to Bill and Gene Q&A on their own   ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Leslie Carrara-Rudolph   A graduate of San Francisco State University (BA degree, “Child Development through the Arts”) is a multi-faceted entertainer, writer, and artist best known for performing the fairy, Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street for which she earned her 5 Emmy nominations. Leslie got her start as a puppeteer on ABC's “Muppets Tonight.” Other TV credits- Jim Henson Company/PBS “Splash and Bubbles”, PBS Nature Cat, Disney's “Johnny & the Sprites”, Nickelodeon's Tough Puppy Leslie created an original musical stage show for the Walt Disney Company called “The Wahoo Wagon that ran at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. She was awarded the UNIMA citation of Excellence for her show “Wake Up Your Weird” and received two Jim Henson Foundation Grants.  Leslie recently had a residency at the Laurie Beechman theater performing her cabaret's “What Just Happened?”, “Moonlight Madness” and  “Bizarre Brunch.” Leslie performs and speaks throughout the country about “character development through the arts” with her puppet side Kicks “Lolly Lardpop” and Granny Dot.” These characters are featured in her original podcast on iTunes called “Lolly's radio playdate”

On this Mini episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Performer, and Actor, Dave Goelz. Episode Outline: Dave remembers special moments and pays tribute to: Jerry Nelson Richard Hunt Caroll Spinney Jane Henson Jim Henson ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dave is an Emmy award winning puppeteer. He also won a special Oscar for his dance sequence in The Parent Trap. He has performed with The Muppets since the mid 70s, performing such characters as Uncle Travelling Matt, Waldorf, Zoot, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and the iconic, Gonzo. He has also directed a dozen Traveling Matt episodes for Fraggle Rock.   BRIEF ADDITIONAL BIOS Richard Hunt: Muppet performer, who performed characters like Beeker, Sweetums, Scooter, Statler, and Janice.   Caroll Spinney: Puppeteer, author, cartoonist, and Muppet performer, who originated and performed Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch.   Jerry Nelson: Actor, Musician, and Muppet Performer, known for dozens of characters, including Count Von Count, Sherlock Hemlock, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Robin the Frog, and Sgt. Floyd Pepper.   Jane Henson: Puppeteer, artist, wife of Jim Henson.   Jim Henson: Puppeteer, filmmaker, animator, director, writer, and creator of The Muppets. His characters include Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, and The Swedish Chef.    

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet performer Peter Linz, who performs such characters as Ernie, Herry Monster, Walter, Robin, Statler, and more.   Episode Outline: Bill and Gene discuss the upcoming America's Got Muppet Talent contest Gene and Bill intentionally delay brining in Peter Peter Linz enters – 5:35mins Comparing Walter with a character from The Puzzle Place First movie – Pet Cemetery 2 First experiences working at Sesame Street Talk about his family Billy offers Peter some loving compliments The first puppet he performed at Sesame Street The audition process for Big Big World. Pip and Pop Hollywood Walk of Fame Playing Ernie and Herry Monster Eric Jacobson as Bert Joe the Legal Weasel Walter Auditioning against other Muppet performers Choosing Walter's voice Walter wins an Oscar Pepe and Walter Is Walter Jewish? Passing on characters to new puppeteers Years of assisting other puppeteers before getting his own characters Various questions from the Live Youtube Chat throughout Shooting The Muppets (2011 movie) Between The Lions   Surprise visit by Alice Dinnean! At 55:00mins   Favorite shows he has worked on Headcanons Lips Missing Steve Whitmire His acting part in Muppets From Space Performing Miss Piggy in Muppets From Space ABOUT OUR GUESTS:   PETER LINZ Peter Linz has wanted to be a MuppetTM performer on Sesame Street since he was a child, growing up in Atlanta, Georgia. His dream came true two years out of college when he was hired as a puppeteer for Sesame Street. In addition to performing various chickens, penguins, monsters, and a multitude of other characters, Linz also gives life to Herry Monster and Ernie. Linz is also one of the six, core Disney MuppetTM Performers. He originated the newest MuppetTM, Walter, who appeared opposite Jason Segal and Amy Adams in the widely acclaimed Disney feature films The Muppets (in which he performed the Oscar-winning song, “Man or Muppet”) and Muppets Most Wanted. He also performs the characters Statler (one of the old men in the balcony), Link Hogthrob, Lips, Joe the Weasel, and Kermit's nephew, Robin. Linz's other film credits include Men in Black, Muppets From Space, Pet Sematary 2, and the 2005 remake of The Producers. In addition to his 27 seasons on Sesame Street, Linz's other television credits include 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bear in the Big Blue House, Lomax - The Hound of Music, Blue's Room, The Book of Pooh, Between the Lions, It's A Big Big World, Puzzle Place, Word World, and the ABC primetime sitcom, The Muppets, plus multiple appearances on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Good Morning America, among others. He is an original Broadway cast-member of the Tony Award winning musical, Avenue Q. Linz has led auditions and created workshops in television/film puppetry for international co- productions of Sesame Street in Germany, Mexico, China, and Jordan, and continues to do so independently in the United States and New Zealand.   ALICE DINNEAN Alice Dinnean began her puppetry career in high school at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, CA. After graduating from Oberlin College, she went right back to puppets, starting at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. She has performed principal roles on Sesame Street and for various Jim Henson Company productions, including Turkey Hollow, Sid the Science Kid, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Alice has appeared in multiple Muppet productions including live performances at the Hollywood Bowl. Other favorite projects include Jack's Big Music Show, The Country Bears, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Crank Yankers, The Happytime Murders, Team America: World Police, Splash & Bubbles and Word Party.  

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Performer, Director, and Producer, Kevin Clash. Episode Outline: Kevin remembers special moments and pays tribute to: Richard Hunt Caroll Spinney Jerry Nelson Jane Henson Jim Henson ABOUT OUR GUEST: KEVIN CLASH Kevin Clash is best known for Elmo (Sesame Street) 1979-2012. He also was part of Labyrinth (1986), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 (1990) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (1991), Happytime Murders (SFX) 2018, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix) 2019. In addition to Elmo, Clash is also known for performing Splinter (TMNT) Baby Sinclair (Dinosaurs), and Clifford (Muppets Tonight). Kevin Clash has won 29 daytime Emmys, over one hundred fifty -six performing title credits, thirty- one producing title credits and twenty- seven directing title credits. In 2011, his documentary, Being Elmo, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at Sundance. He has appeared in numerous television specials, commercials, feature films and direct-to-video products. During his career, he has worked with great innovators who founded the classic puppet television industry including Kermit Love, Frank Oz, and Jim Henson. Clash has recruited, auditioned, and trained puppeteers from all over the world. He was the senior puppet coordinator, and was also a director, co-producer and senior creative adviser on Sesame Street.  Kevin was essential to the success of Elmo's World and the creative branding powerhouse of Elmo. Business Insider states that in 1996 the toy company Tyco saw their sales grow from $70 million to an astounding $350 million thanks to the Tickle Me Elmo Doll. Clash's most recent project, Earth to Ned, will be airing on Disney+ this Fall, and he currently has several projects in development. 

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome guest judge Carmen Osbahr, to help feature our ten talented contestants. Episode Outline: Gene introduces his new semi-nasty character “Simon Gene.” A Thank-You to the Muppet Fan Sites who have helped us promote the show. Intro to Carmen Contestant #01: Jordan Brownlee sings “In Our World” Contestant #02: Chris Fiser sings “Man or Muppet” Talk about Carmen's character, Rosita. Contestant #03: Debra Forth sings “One Little Star.” Contestant #04: Stacey Henson sings “I'm Going to Go Back There Someday” Contestant #05: Scott Joy sings “Rubber Duckie” Contestant #06: Cassidy Lewis sings “Sesame Street Theme” Contestant #07: Thelonious Jawn sings “Do De Duckie” Contestant #08: Fergie Philippe-Auguste sings “I Don't Want to Live on the Moon” Contestant #09: Frank Simpson sings “I'm So Happy” Contestant #10: Lianna Rivera sings “Rainbow Connection” And questions for our guests from our Live Youtube Chat. ABOUT OUR GUEST-HOST Carmen Osbahr Carmen Osbahr, performs Rosita, Ovejita, and other characters on Sesame Street. Originally from Mexico City, she began her relationship with the iconic program in 1987 when she met Jim Henson. She appeared on various television shows for Televisa (Mexico City), including The Treasure of Knowledge, Xe-Tu, and The Songs of Cri-Cri. Osbahr was also part of the Plaza Sésamo team before moving to New York. In 1988, Osbahr officially became a Jim Henson Muppet™ performer, working for Sesame Street, City Kids, Dog City, Aliens in the Family, Between the Lions, and Bear in the Big Blue House. Osbahr's other credits include “Kiki” in The Puzzle Place, a role in The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, and “Lily” in Disney's Johnny and the Sprites. Osbahr has performed  in the live stage shows The Muppets Take the Bowl at the historic Hollywood Bowl; The Muppets Take the O2 at the O2 Arena in London; The Jim Henson Retrospectacle Live in Concert series in Wellington, New Zealand; and A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting at Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

On this Mini episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Performer, Puppeteer, and Actress, Stephanie D'Abruzzo.  Along with writer, producer, and director, Craig Shemin. Episode Outline: Stephanie remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Caroll Spinney Craig remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Jim Henson Stephanie remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Jerry Nelson Craig remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Richard Hunt ABOUT OUR GUESTS:   Stephanie joined Sesame Street in 1993. Since then, she has performed hundreds of characters, including Lulu, Curly Bear, and Prairie Dawn since 2015. She has also puppeteered and voiced countless characters for projects like Bear in the Big Blue House, Donkey Hodie, and Julie's Greenroom. And if that isn't enough, this slacker has earned herself Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations, and wait for it, Theater World Award and a special Outer Critics Circle Ensemble Award – for originating her roles in Avenue Q. Craig Shemin is a writer, producer, and director. His credits include work with The Muppets, The Jim Henson Company, TV animation, and books like The Muppets Character Encyclopedia, and the upcoming book about Jim Henson's first TV series, Sam & Friends. Craig produced and directed the award-winning documentary Behind the Scenes at Frogtown Hollow. He is President of The Jim Henson Legacy, and curator for Henson screenings at The Museum of the Moving Image.   BRIEF ADDITIONAL BIOS Richard Hunt: Muppet performer, who performed characters like Beeker, Sweetums, Scooter, Statler, and Janice. Caroll Spinney: Puppeteer, author, cartoonist, and Muppet performer, who originated and performed Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch. Jerry Nelson: Actor, Musician, and Muppet Performer, known for dozens of characters, including Count Von Count, Sherlock Hemlock, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Robin the Frog, and Sgt. Floyd Pepper. Jim Henson: Puppeteer, filmmaker, animator, director, writer, and creator of The Muppets. His characters include Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, and The Swedish Chef.

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome actor, producer, wrestler, David Arquette, and wrestler, actor, RJ City. Episode Outline: David Arquette David Arquette joins Bill & Gene 01:45- David discusses early TV work like The Outsiders, Parenthood with Leonardo DiCaprio Learning the craft by watching his Dad, actor Lewis Arquette, work. How joining his High School play turned his mind toward acting as a career. First film, “Where the Day Takes You.” Billy shows his Charlie Weaver (David's Grandfather) Bartender toy. David's obsession with collecting. Costumes, art, movie theater seats, and more. His Dad, Lewis Arquette's work Pepe working with his sister, Alexis. His favorite Muppet experiences and loving the technical end of it. Wearing dead people's clothes. The screening of The Tripper and the Paul Reubens anti-drug PSA RJ City joins David, Gene, and Bill at 27:24mins RJ surprises Bill with a VHS copy of Muppet Classic Theater RJ and David engage in verbal jousting and insults. How RJ began wrestling RJ compares Wrestling to The Muppet Show Wrestlers from the 70s. How David and RJ send each other clothing once owned by Jerry Lewis. Discussion about their documentary, “You Cannot Kill David Arquette.” Gene and Bill show their homemade wrestling film from the 70s. Wrestling at traffic stops in Mexico Facial hair prepping for Scream 5 Gene and Bill get into a virtual wrestling match. ABOUT OUR GUESTS: David Arquette David Arquette is an actor, director, wrestler, writer, producer, certified Bob Ross instructor and widely believed to be immortal. RJ City RJ is an actor, comedian and wrestling raconteur. He starred in the BBC/Nickelodeon show Splatalot; has sweat with (and on) various men all across North America; and every Sunday morning, makes coffee in his underwear on YouTube with such guests as Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mario Cantone. He is also David Arquette's legal guardian.      

On this Mini episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Performer, Puppeteer, and Actress, Louise Gold. Episode Outline: Louise remembers special moments and pays tribute to: Richard Hunt Caroll Spinney Jerry Nelson Jane Henson John Henson Jim Henson ABOUT OUR GUEST: Louise trained as an actor at Arts Educational School but very early in her career she got a job with Jim Henson as one of the Muppet Performers on The Muppet Show (filmed at Elstree Studios) From then on, she has combined both acting and puppeteering. Most recently she played Yente in Trevor Nunn's acclaimed production of "Fiddler on the Roof' at The Menier Chocolate Factory and the Playhouse Theatre London. Directly before that she was one of the core performers on The Netflix prequel series to the film, The Dark Crystal, 'Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance'. She was one of the original team that started Spitting Image, doing voices and puppeteering, worked on the recent Cbeebies show ‘The Furchester Hotel ‘playing Funella Furchester. She has appeared in many West End Shows as an actress including Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Assassins, The Cherry Orchard with the RSC and TV, Film and Radio. During the lockdown she was part of GLOP (Glorious ladies of Puppetry)    BRIEF ADDITIONAL BIOS Richard Hunt: Muppet performer, who performed characters like Beeker, Sweetums, Scooter, Statler, and Janice. Caroll Spinney: Puppeteer, author, cartoonist, and Muppet performer, who originated and performed Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch. Jerry Nelson: Actor, Musician, and Muppet Performer, known for dozens of characters, including Count Von Count, Sherlock Hemlock, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Robin the Frog, and Sgt. Floyd Pepper. Jane Henson: Puppeteer, artist, wife of Jim Henson. John Henson: Muppet Performer, craftsman, second son of Jim Henson. Jim Henson: Puppeteer, filmmaker, animator, director, writer, and creator of The Muppets. His characters include Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, and The Swedish Chef.