Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for listening to Season 2!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This week Jarrod surprises Joe with director Ken Kwapis!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hosted by: J.D. Hansel

Panelists: Ryan Roe, Shane Keating, and Beth Cook

Artwork by: Kenny Durkin

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

ToughPigs Muppet Fan Podcast Executive Producer: Joe Hennes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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