The Muppets#Print publications

File:Jim Henson (1989) headshot.jpg

The Muppets were created by puppeteer Jim Henson in the 1950s; Henson claimed that he coined the term Muppet as a portmanteau of the words marionette and puppet.{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Brian Jay|title=Jim Henson: The Biography|year=2013 |publisher=Ballantine Books|location=New York|isbn=978-0-345-52611-3|pages=41–42|chapter=Sam and Friends|quote=It was really just a term we made up. For a long time I would tell people it was a combination of marionettes and puppets but, basically, it was really just a word that we coined. We have done very few things connected with marionettes.}} Among Henson's earliest creations was Kermit the Frog, who became his most recognizable character. Originally conceived for an adult audience,{{cite news|url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2015/05/30/the-rainbow-with-the-muppets/14329080001929|access-date=October 11, 2015|work=The Saturday Paper|title=Into the rainbow with the Muppets|date=May 30, 2015|archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925054252/https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2015/05/30/the-rainbow-with-the-muppets/14329080001929}} the Muppets were introduced in 1955 in Sam and Friends, a short-form television series produced for WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.{{cite news|author=Express|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2008/07/10/muppet_mania_karen_falks_exhibit_on_jim/|access-date=October 11, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 9, 2008|title=Muppet Mania: Karen Falk on Jim Henson|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305080055/https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2008/07/10/muppet_mania_karen_falks_exhibit_on_jim/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|df=mdy-all}} Developed by Henson and his future wife, Jane Nebel, the series was the first form of puppet media not to incorporate a physical proscenium arch typical of such works, relying instead on the natural framing of the television set through which it was viewed.{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Brian Jay|title=Jim Henson: The Biography |year=2013|publisher=Ballantine Books|location=New York|isbn=978-0-345-52611-3|pages=48–50 |chapter=Sam and Friends}}

During the 1960s, the characters—in particular, Kermit and Rowlf the Dog—appeared in skits on several late-night talk shows and on television commercials, including The Ed Sullivan Show. Rowlf became the first Muppet character to appear regularly on network television when he began appearing with Jimmy Dean on The Jimmy Dean Show. In 1966, Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett began developing a children's educational television program and approached Henson to design a cast of Muppet characters during this stage. Produced by the Children's Television Workshop, the program debuted as Sesame Street in 1969 on NET, and later PBS.

Henson and his creative team became closely involved with Sesame Street during the years that followed; Henson waived his performance fee in exchange for retaining ownership rights to the Muppet characters created for the program. Sesame Street garnered a positive response, and the Muppets' involvement in the series was said to be a vital component of its increasing popularity, providing an "effective and pleasurable viewing" method of presentation for its educational curriculum.Morrow, p. 93Davis, p. 163

In the early 1970s, the Muppets continued their presence in television, primarily appearing in The Land of Gorch segments during the first season of NBC's Saturday Night Live. The Muppet characters featured in The Land of Gorch behaved boorishly and made frequent references to drug abuse, sexual activity, and consumption of alcohol; adult themes that Henson wanted to explore with the characters in an effort to not let him nor the Muppets be typecast as entertainment for children. The writers of Saturday Night Live clashed with Henson's vision for the program, often refusing to commit to writing the segments, and several cast members bemoaned the inclusion of the Muppets. Eventually, the collaboration proved too divisive, and the Muppets departed Saturday Night Live after the conclusion of the first season.

As his involvement with Sesame Street continued, Henson began developing a network television series featuring the Muppets;Finch, p. 5 but distinct from Sesame Street; this series would be aimed at a more adult audience and would satirize sketch comedy. Two television pilots, The Muppets Valentine Show and The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence, aired on ABC in 1974 and 1975, respectively.

After ABC passed on the pilots and other networks in the United States expressed little interest in the project, British producer Lew Grade approached Henson and agreed to co-produce the series for Associated Television. Debuting in 1976, The Muppet Show introduced new characters such as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo, alongside existing characters such as Kermit and Rowlf. Aired in first-run syndication in the United States, The Muppet Show became increasingly popular due to its sketch-variety format, unique form of vaudeville-style humor, and prolific roster of guest stars.{{Cite news|last=Sepinwall|first=Alan|date=July 28, 2020|title='Muppets Now': Together Again, With a Touch of Amnesia|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/muppets-now-disney-plus-1034408/|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806145257/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/muppets-now-disney-plus-1034408/|url-status=live}} It was nominated for twenty-one Primetime Emmy Awards during its run, winning four, including Outstanding Variety Series in 1978. The success of The Muppet Show allowed Henson Associates to diversify into theatrical films, the first of which, The Muppet Movie, was released in 1979.{{Cite news|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|date=July 28, 2020|title=It's Time to Re-Re-Re-Meet the Muppets|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/arts/television/muppets-now-disney.html|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710002604/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/arts/television/muppets-now-disney.html|url-status=live}}

Following The Muppet Movie were The Great Muppet Caper and The Muppets Take Manhattan, released in 1981 and 1984, respectively. Collectively, the three films received four Academy Award nominations. The Muppet Show ended its five-season run in 1981. In 1983, Henson debuted Fraggle Rock, which aired on HBO in the United States until 1987.{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave |title=Joseph Gordon-Levitt Starring in 'Fraggle Rock' Movie (Exclusive)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/joseph-gordon-levitt-fraggle-rock-1201456256/|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=Variety |date=March 19, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510041553/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/joseph-gordon-levitt-fraggle-rock-1201456256/|archive-date=May 10, 2016|df=mdy-all}}

In 1989, Henson entered negotiations with Michael Eisner and The Walt Disney Company, in which Disney would acquire Jim Henson Productions and, in turn, the Muppets. Disney expressed interest in purchasing the company for $150 million.{{cite news|last1=Swansburg|first1=John|title=Muppet Man|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/books/review/jim-henson-the-biography-by-brian-jay-jones.html?_r=0|access-date=September 28, 2015 |work=The New York Times|date=December 6, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028220012/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/books/review/jim-henson-the-biography-by-brian-jay-jones.html?_r=0|archive-date=October 28, 2016|df=mdy-all}} Eisner was also interested in acquiring the Sesame Street Muppet characters, but Henson declined that proposal, considering it a "non-starter" for the deal.Jones, p. 455 An "agreement in principle" for the acquisition was publicly announced by Disney and Henson at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park in Walt Disney World Resort on August 28, 1989, along with plans for Muppets-themed attractions to debut at that park and Disneyland the following year.{{cite news|date=August 29, 1989|title=Muppets join Mickey|work=The Daily Sentinel|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86223270/muppets-join-mickey/|access-date=September 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} In anticipation of the acquisition, the television special The Muppets at Walt Disney World premiered on May 6, 1990.{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Blake|url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-henson-feud-muppetvision-3d-timeline-history/|title=Analysis: Timeline of the Disney/Henson feud that nearly derailed Muppet*Vision 3D|website=attractionsmagazine.com|date=November 2, 2023|accessdate=January 20, 2024}}

However, the proposed merger was cancelled after Henson's death on May 16, 1990.{{cite news|last=Apel|first=Mary|url=https://darkhorsepressnow.com/celebrating-one-of-mississippis-own-jim-henson/|title=Celebrating one of Mississippi's own: Jim Henson|website=darkhorsepressnow.com.com|date=September 28, 2023|accessdate=January 20, 2024|quote=Tragically, on May 16, 1990, the world lost Jim Henson at the age of 53.|archive-date=December 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209184816/https://darkhorsepressnow.com/celebrating-one-of-mississippis-own-jim-henson/|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, Disney initiated a licensing agreement with Jim Henson Productions to continue developing Muppets attractions and the use of the characters within the Disney theme parks.{{cite magazine|last1=Ackman|first1=Dan|title=Disney Deal: Kermit Goes For The Big Bucks |url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/02/18/cx_da_0218ton.html|access-date=10 September 2015 |magazine=Forbes|date=18 February 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105632/http://www.forbes.com/2004/02/18/cx_da_0218ton.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all}} The following year, Muppet*Vision 3D debuted at Disney–MGM Studios, the only attraction successfully developed from the original plans. Walt Disney Pictures also co-produced the fourth and fifth Muppets films, The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) and Muppet Treasure Island (1996), with Jim Henson Productions.{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|title=Fuzzy Renaissance|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/movies/21barn.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=29 December 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=18 September 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511170924/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/movies/21barn.html?pagewanted=all|archive-date=May 11, 2013|df=mdy-all}} The characters subsequently starred in Muppets Tonight, which aired on ABC from 1996 to 1998; and a sixth film, Muppets from Space, released by Columbia Pictures in 1999.

In 2000, The Jim Henson Company was sold to EM.TV & Merchandising AG for $680 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/18/business/kermit-and-miss-piggy-join-stable-of-walt-disney-stars.html|title=Kermit and Miss Piggy Join Stable of Walt Disney Stars |last=Meier|first=Barry|date=February 18, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 13, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722040620/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/18/business/kermit-and-miss-piggy-join-stable-of-walt-disney-stars.html|archive-date=July 22, 2017|df=mdy-all}} However, EM.TV's stock collapsed and the Henson family re-acquired the company in 2003, with the exception of the Sesame Street characters, which were in the interim sold to Sesame Workshop.

Fourteen years after initial negotiations began, Disney acquired the Muppets intellectual property from the Henson company for $75 million on February 17, 2004. The acquisition consisted of a majority of the Muppet film and television library, as well as the Bear in the Big Blue House television series. Exceptions included the Sesame Street characters;{{cite news|title=Kermit Is Now Part of Magic Kingdom|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2004-02-18 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-feb-18-fi-muppets18-story.html|access-date=2010-10-18 |first=Meg|last=James|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212141446/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/feb/18/business/fi-muppets18|archive-date=February 12, 2009|df=mdy-all}} the Fraggle Rock characters, which were retained by Henson; the distribution rights to four films: The Muppets Take Manhattan, Muppets from Space, and Kermit's Swamp Years, which were retained by Sony Pictures Entertainment; and It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, retained by NBCUniversal Television Distribution.{{cite news|last1=Ackman|first1=Dan|title=Disney Deal: Kermit Goes For The Big Bucks |url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/02/18/cx_da_0218ton.html|access-date=September 13, 2016 |work=Forbes|date=February 2, 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105632/http://www.forbes.com/2004/02/18/cx_da_0218ton.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all}} Following the acquisition, Disney formed The Muppets Studio (originally The Muppets Holding Company), a wholly owned subsidiary responsible for managing the characters and franchise. As a result, the term "Muppet" became a legal trademark of Disney; under license from Disney, Sesame Workshop continues to use the term for their characters, as well as archival footage of Kermit the Frog.

Henson retained the rights to several productions featuring the Disney-owned Muppet characters, including Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas; The Christmas Toy; Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting; Henson's Place; Billy Bunny's Animal Songs; the original Dog City special; and Donna's Day. While some of these have since been released uncut, most current releases of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and The Christmas Toy omit the appearances by Kermit the Frog. The 2015 ABC Family airing, the 2017 DVD and the 2018 Blu-ray releases of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and the Amazon Prime Video release of The Christmas Toy reinstate Kermit's scenes.

After the acquisition was complete, Disney gradually began reintroducing the franchise to the mainstream, synergistically promoting the Muppets across different parts of the company.{{cite news|last=Jurgensen|first=John|title=A Muppet Makeover|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111903596904576514760501039394|access-date=24 July 2012|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=19 August 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510204459/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903596904576514760501039394.html|archive-date=May 10, 2013|df=mdy-all}} The Muppets made appearances on Disney Channel and starred in the ABC television film, The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005). A television special, A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, premiered on NBC on December 17, 2008.[http://ultimatedisney.com/ DVDizzy.com and UltimateDisney.com: The Ultimate Guide to Disney DVD and Beyond] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805040044/http://www.ultimatedisney.com/|date=August 5, 2009}} As a method of regaining a wider audience, Disney produced a series of vignettes for YouTube and Disney.com. A cover version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was among these projects and immediately went viral, ultimately amassing 90 million views and winning two Webby Awards.{{cite news |first=Megan |last=O'Neill |title=How The Muppets Made A Comeback On YouTube |date=July 20, 2010 |url=http://www.socialtimes.com/2010/07/how-the-muppets-made-a-comeback-on-youtube/ |access-date=December 30, 2011 |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125065747/http://www.socialtimes.com/2010/07/how-the-muppets-made-a-comeback-on-youtube/ |url-status=dead }} In 2010, the Muppets starred in The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora, which co-starred Cat Cora and showcased cooking demonstrations.{{cite news |first=Kasia |last=Pilat |title=Awesome of the Day: The Muppets Kitchen |date=September 18, 2010 |work=Paste Magazine |url=https://pastemagazine.com/blogs/awesome_of_the_day/2010/09/awesome-of-the-day-the-muppets-kitchen.html |access-date=December 30, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907012832/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/awesome_of_the_day/2010/09/awesome-of-the-day-the-muppets-kitchen.html |archive-date=September 7, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} That same year, Disney used the Muppets to promote their volunteerism program at the company's theme parks.{{Cite news|last=Bevil|first=Dewayne|date=January 14, 2010|title=Don't miss: VoluntEars Cavalcade|work=Orlando Sentinel|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-xpm-2010-01-14-os-cal-spot-disney-muppets-20100114-story,amp.html|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930213210/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-xpm-2010-01-14-os-cal-spot-disney-muppets-20100114-story,amp.html|url-status=live}} A Halloween special featuring the Muppets was developed during that time and expected to air on ABC that October, but was canceled.{{cite news |title=With new merch & a new movie in the pipeline, there's no stopping the Muppets now |first=Jim |last=Hill |date=April 29, 2010 |work=Jim Hill Media |url=http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2010/04/29/with-new-merch-a-new-movie-in-the-pipeline-there-s-no-stopping-the-muppets-now.aspx |access-date=December 30, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510102521/http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2010/04/29/with-new-merch-a-new-movie-in-the-pipeline-there-s-no-stopping-the-muppets-now.aspx |archive-date=May 10, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

File:Bret McKenzie Muppets Most Wanted Premiere (cropped).jpg won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2012 for "Man or Muppet" from The Muppets, winning the first Oscar for the franchise.]]

File:Rainbow Connection Kermit the Frog with Banjo (10229136905).jpg, 2013]]

In 2011, the Muppets were featured in an eponymous seventh film The Muppets, intended to serve as a "creative reboot" for the characters. Walt Disney Pictures had been furthering development on a Muppets film since 2008, when it considered adapting an unused screenplay by Jerry Juhl. Directed by James Bobin, written by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, and starring Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, and Rashida Jones, The Muppets was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing puppet film of all time and winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Bret McKenzie's "Man or Muppet".{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Michael|title=Segel and Stoller take on Muppets|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/news/segel-and-stoller-take-on-muppets-1117982291/|access-date=August 28, 2020|work=Variety|date=March 12, 2008|archive-date=November 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104065144/http://variety.com/2008/film/news/segel-and-stoller-take-on-muppets-1117982291/|url-status=live}} During the film's publicity campaign, the Muppets appeared in promotional advertisements and marketing efforts by Disney and were also featured in a promotional video for Google+.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/8981219/Google-gets-Muppets-boost.html |title=Google+ gets Muppets boost |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Christopher |last=Williams |date=December 9, 2010 |access-date=January 10, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109091904/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/8981219/Google-gets-Muppets-boost.html |archive-date=January 9, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} In March 2012, the Muppets received a collective star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.{{cite news|last=Gorman|first=Anna|title=Muppets to get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/muppets-to-get-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame-.html|access-date=27 April 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=20 March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506105451/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/muppets-to-get-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame-.html |archive-date=May 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}} That year, the Muppets hosted a Just for Laughs comedy gala in Montreal.{{cite news|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|title=Just For Laughs Fest Books Chelsea Handler, Aziz Ansari and The Muppets |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/just-for-laughs-comedy-festival-chelsea-handler-aziz-ansari-muppets-322603|access-date=16 September 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 May 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823050355/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/just-for-laughs-comedy-festival-chelsea-handler-aziz-ansari-muppets-322603|archive-date=August 23, 2013|df=mdy-all}}

Following the release of The Muppets, Disney announced an eighth film in 2012, with Bobin and Stoller returning to direct and write, respectively.{{cite news|url=https://vulture.com/2012/03/new-muppet-movie-in-the-works-but-without-jason-segel.html |title=New Muppets Movie Going Ahead, But Without Jason Segel As a Writer |first=Claude|last=Brodesser-Akner|date=March 1, 2012|work=Vulture |access-date=March 1, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302173400/http://www.vulture.com/2012/03/new-muppet-movie-in-the-works-but-without-jason-segel.html |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |df=mdy-all}} Muppets Most Wanted was released in 2014 and starred Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, and Ty Burrell.{{cite news|last=Fritz|first=Ben|title=Disney cancels 'Little Mermaid 3-D,' dates 'Pirates 5' for 2015|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-disney-cancels-little-mermaid-3d-pirates-5-2015-20130114,0,6139988.story|access-date=14 January 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=15 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115182307/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-disney-cancels-little-mermaid-3d-pirates-5-2015-20130114%2C0%2C6139988.story|archive-date=January 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=Tina Fey in Talks to Join Disney's 'Muppets' Sequel (Exclusive) |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/tina-fey-disneys-muppets-sequel-409623 |access-date=9 January 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=8 January 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110033320/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/tina-fey-disneys-muppets-sequel-409623|archive-date=January 10, 2013|df=mdy-all}} The film received positive reviews but was a commercial disappointment at the box office.{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|date=September 7, 2015|title=On 'The Muppets', Miss Piggy Has a Talk Show and a Chatty Staff|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/13/arts/television/on-the-muppets-miss-piggy-has-a-talk-show-and-a-chatty-staff.html|access-date=September 7, 2015|work=The New York Times|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045550/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/13/arts/television/on-the-muppets-miss-piggy-has-a-talk-show-and-a-chatty-staff.html|url-status=live}}

Disney Theatrical Productions announced in 2013 that a live show based on the Muppets was in active development and that a 15-minute show had been conducted by Thomas Schumacher to see how the technical components would work.{{cite news|last=Cox|first=Gordon|title=Disney Theatrical Eyeing Muppets On Stage|url=https://variety.com/2013/legit/news/disney-theatrical-eyeing-muppets-on-stage-exclusive-1200495467/|access-date=12 June 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=11 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613044908/http://variety.com/2013/legit/news/disney-theatrical-eyeing-muppets-on-stage-exclusive-1200495467/|archive-date=June 13, 2013|df=mdy-all}} Muppet Moments, an interstitial television series, premiered on Disney Jr. in April 2015. The short-form series features conversations between the Muppets and young children.{{cite news|last1=Kelley|first1=Seth|title=Kermit Talks to Kids in Disney Junior's 'Muppet Moments'|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/disney-junior-muppet-moments-kermit-the-frog-1201454397/|access-date=March 19, 2015|work=Variety|date=March 17, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319003341/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/disney-junior-muppet-moments-kermit-the-frog-1201454397/|archive-date=March 19, 2015|df=mdy-all}}

After the release of Muppets Most Wanted, Disney was interested in expanding the Muppets' presence across other media, particularly in television.{{cite news|last1=Lynch|first1=Jason|title=Inside The Muppets' Decade-Long Journey Back to Prime-Time TV ABC places its biggest fall bet on Kermit and Miss Piggy|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/television/inside-muppets-decade-long-journey-back-prime-time-tv-167031|access-date=October 1, 2015 |work=Adweek|date=September 20, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001214918/http://www.adweek.com/news/television/inside-muppets-decade-long-journey-back-prime-time-tv-167031|archive-date=October 1, 2015|df=mdy-all}} Discussions for a new primetime series began internally within The Muppets Studio.{{cite news|last=Setoodeh|first=Ramin|title=How Kermit and the Muppets Got Their Mojo Back |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/the-muppets-talk-about-comebacks-and-their-relationship-with-disney-1201128921/|access-date=12 March 2014|newspaper=Variety|date=11 March 2014|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311192102/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/the-muppets-talk-about-comebacks-and-their-relationship-with-disney-1201128921/|archive-date=March 11, 2014|df=mdy-all}} By April 2015, Bill Prady was commissioned to write a script for a pilot with the working title Muppets 2015.{{cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley |title='Muppets' Revived at ABC With 'Big Bang Theory' Co-Creator |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-revived-at-abc-big-786193|access-date=April 6, 2015|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 3, 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405185857/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-revived-at-abc-big-786193|archive-date=April 5, 2015|df=mdy-all}} In May 2015, ABC commissioned an eponymous series, co-developed by Prady and Bob Kushell and directed by Randall Einhorn.{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=Comedies "The Muppets", "Dr. Ken" & "The Real O'Neals" Get ABC Series Orders"|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/the-muppets-dr-ken-the-real-oneals-abc-series-1201422682/|website=Deadline|date=May 8, 2015|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510164538/http://deadline.com/2015/05/the-muppets-dr-ken-the-real-oneals-abc-series-1201422682/|archive-date=May 10, 2015|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|title='The Muppets,' Comedy from 'Community' Star Ken Jeong Among ABC Orders|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-muppets-the-real-o-neals-dr-ken-abc-comedy-series-1201490465/|access-date=7 May 2015|newspaper=Variety|date=7 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509023433/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-muppets-the-real-o-neals-dr-ken-abc-comedy-series-1201490465/|archive-date=May 9, 2015|df=mdy-all}} Developed as a parody of other mockumentary-style series such as The Office, Modern Family, and Parks and Recreation, The Muppets portrayed the everyday personal and professional lives of the Muppets in Los Angeles as they produced a late-night talk show hosted by Miss Piggy. The ABC series portrayed the characters in more adult situations than previous incarnations, including depictions of alcohol consumption, sexual innuendos, and mild profanity.{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt |date=September 22, 2015 |title=Muppets Under Fire: EP Insists 'Adult' Jokes Will Always 'Work on Two Levels |url=https://tvline.com/news/muppets-abc-controversy-mature-perverted-humor-643919/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |website=TVline.com |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419040529/https://tvline.com/news/muppets-abc-controversy-mature-perverted-humor-643919/ |url-status=live }} The series premiered on September 22, 2015, in the United States,{{cite news|last=Friedlander|first=Whitney|date=June 10, 2015|title=ABC Sets Fall Premiere Dates for 'Muppets,' 'Wicked City,' 'TGIT' & More|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-sets-fall-premiere-dates-for-muppets-wicked-city-more-1201516557/|url-status=live|access-date=June 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611043325/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-sets-fall-premiere-dates-for-muppets-wicked-city-more-1201516557/|archive-date=June 11, 2015|df=mdy-all}} and received mixed reviews, with critics praising the show's adult humor but criticizing the writing and characterization.{{Cite news|last=Poniewozik|first=James|date=September 21, 2015|title=Review: In 'The Muppets' on ABC, Kermit Is in a Mundane Midlife Crisis|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/arts/television/review-muppets-abc-kermit-ms-piggy.html|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802115620/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/arts/television/review-muppets-abc-kermit-ms-piggy.html|url-status=live}} The Muppets was canceled after one season, which concluded on March 1, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Holloway|first1=Daniel|date=May 12, 2016|title='The Muppets' Canceled by ABC|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/the-muppets-cancelled-by-abc-1201773341/|url-status=live|access-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513113031/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/the-muppets-cancelled-by-abc-1201773341/|archive-date=May 13, 2016|df=mdy-all}}

On September 24, 2016, The Muppets were featured in a benefit concert called "Puppets for Puppetry," hosted by the Jim Henson Company for the Center for Puppetry Arts.{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-jim-henson-company-hosts-puppets-for-puppetry-fundraiser-to-honor-the-esteemed-puppeteer-dave-goelz-on-september-24-2016-300316988.html | title=The Jim Henson Company Hosts, "Puppets for Puppetry" Fundraiser to Honor the Esteemed Puppeteer Dave Goelz on September 24, 2016 }} This concert honored Puppeteer Dave Goelz and celebrated the 30th anniversary of Labyrinth. Musical guests Gerard Way and Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance, along with Jarrod Alexander, [https://x.com/mattgorney?s=21 Matt Gorney], and Jamie Muhoberac performed a tribute to Labyrinth with a medley of songs including "Underground" and "As the World Falls Down".

In September 2017, the Muppets performed a live concert series at the Hollywood Bowl, hosted by Bobby Moynihan.{{Cite news|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-muppets-bowl-20170910-story.html |title='The Muppets Take the Bowl' captures the zany, all-inclusive spirit of the puppets at their best|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=September 9, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 14, 2017}} This performance was followed by a second event in July 2018 at London's O2 Arena, their first outside of the United States.{{cite news|last1=Beaumont-Thomas|first1=Ben|title=It's time to light the lights! Muppets to play first ever UK shows |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/23/the-muppets-first-uk-live-shows-london-o2-arena|access-date=March 12, 2018|work=The Guardian|date=February 23, 2018}}

In February 2018, Disney announced that a streaming television reboot series was in development for Disney+.{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|date=February 21, 2018|title=Disney Planning Another 'Muppets' Reboot for Its Streaming Service|language=en|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/disney-planning-muppets-reboot-streaming-service-1086800|access-date=August 26, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222112002/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/disney-planning-muppets-reboot-streaming-service-1086800|url-status=live}} The project, known as Muppets Live Another Day, was intended as a limited-run series set in the 1980s after the events of The Muppets Take Manhattan and depicted Kermit recruiting the Muppets to locate Rowlf the Dog after his disappearance.{{Cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=September 9, 2019|title=The Muppets Comedy Series Reboot Not Going Forward At Disney+|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/the-muppets-reboot-comedy-series-muppets-live-another-day-not-going-forward-dead-disney-plus-josh-gad-adam-horowitz-and-eddy-kitsis-1202730154/#comments|access-date=August 4, 2020}} The series was intended to be directed by Jason Moore; written by Josh Gad, Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis; produced by ABC Signature Studios and The Muppets Studio, and feature original music by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. After an executive change at The Muppets Studio that prompted a different creative direction for the Muppets, Disney canceled development on the project in September 2019.{{cite news |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title=Muppets Series From Josh Gad, Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis Scrapped at Disney Plus |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/muppets-series-josh-gad-adam-horowitz-edward-kitsis-disney-plus-1203330138/ |access-date=September 12, 2019 |work=Variety|date=September 9, 2019}}{{Cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=September 9, 2019|title='The Muppets' Disney+ Comedy Series Scrapped|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-disney-comedy-series-scrapped-1238475|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803131648/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-disney-comedy-series-scrapped-1238475|url-status=live}} A second Disney+ series, Muppets Now, a short-form improvisational comedy series, was announced in August 2019 and was released on July 31, 2020.{{Cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=August 23, 2019|title='Muppets' Shortform Series a Go at Disney+|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-shortform-series-a-go-at-disney-1234166|access-date=August 4, 2019|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824002359/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-shortform-series-a-go-at-disney-1234166|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Nakamura|first1=Reid|title='Muppets Now' Short-Form Series to Debut on Disney+ in 2020 |url=https://www.thewrap.com/muppets-now-short-form-series-to-debut-on-disney-in-2020/|access-date=September 12, 2019|work=TheWrap|date=August 23, 2019}} Muppets Haunted Mansion, a Halloween special based on the Disney attraction of the same name, was released on October 8, 2021.{{cite news|last1=Del Rosario|first1=Alexandra|title='Muppets Haunted Mansion': Disney+ Sets First-Ever Muppets Halloween Special|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/muppets-haunted-mansion-disney-plus-muppets-halloween-special-event-1234751284/|access-date=May 7, 2021|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 7, 2021|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510160526/https://deadline.com/2021/05/muppets-haunted-mansion-disney-plus-muppets-halloween-special-event-1234751284/|url-status=live}}

A third Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem, was ordered in March 2022. The series was developed and written by Adam F. Goldberg, Bill Barretta and Jeff Yorkes and starred Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, alongside Lilly Singh and Tahj Mowry.{{cite web|title='The Muppets Mayhem' Comedy Series Ordered By Disney+; Lilly Singh Stars, Adam F. Goldberg EPs|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-muppets-mayhem-comedy-series-disney-plus-lily-singh-stars-adam-f-goldberg-1234972429/|work=Deadline Hollywood|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=March 7, 2022|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=March 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307154614/https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-muppets-mayhem-comedy-series-disney-plus-lily-singh-stars-adam-f-goldberg-1234972429/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title='The Muppets Mayhem': Tahj Mowry Joins Lilly Singh For Disney+ Comedy Series|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-muppets-mayhem-tahj-mowry-lilly-singh-disney-comedy-series-1234994836/|work=Deadline Hollywood|last=Del Rosario|first=Alexandra|date=April 5, 2022|access-date=April 5, 2022|archive-date=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405211819/https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-muppets-mayhem-tahj-mowry-lilly-singh-disney-comedy-series-1234994836/|url-status=live}} The series received five Emmy Award nominations at the Children's and Family Emmy Awards, winning one for Outstanding Children's or Family Viewing Series.

{{Main|List of Muppets}}

File:KermitBeinGreen.jpg is Henson's most famous Muppet creation]]

The principal characters of The Muppet Show and subsequent media include Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Rowlf the Dog, Scooter, Rizzo the Rat, Pepe the King Prawn, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Statler and Waldorf, The Swedish Chef, Sam Eagle, Walter, and The Electric Mayhem, consisting of Dr. Teeth (vocals, keyboards), Animal (drums), Floyd Pepper (bass, vocals), Janice (guitar, vocals), Zoot (saxophone), and Lips (trumpet).

As well as The Muppet Show, the characters are popular for their appearances on Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock; and also feature in Sam and Friends, The Jimmy Dean Show, The Jim Henson Hour, Muppets Tonight, Bear in the Big Blue House, Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony, The Muppets, and The Muppets Mayhem. An adult-oriented segment, The Land of Gorch, was a regular feature in the first season of Saturday Night Live. Guest stars on Saturday Night Live occasionally include both the Muppets and Sesame Street characters, as well as Muppet likenesses of real people; these likenesses appear recurrently in early episodes of The Muppet Show and on Sesame Street, and appear occasionally on other series such as 30 Rock.

Following Disney's acquisition of the Muppets, puppets created by The Jim Henson Company are no longer referred to as Muppets. Puppets created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, including those in Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, have never been considered Muppets,{{cite journal|author=Judy Harris|date=1982-09-21|title=Jim Henson's Muppets|journal=Cinefantastique|url=http://users.bestweb.net/~foosie/henson.htm|access-date=February 14, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324090421/http://users.bestweb.net/~foosie/henson.htm|archive-date=March 24, 2012|df=mdy-all}} as they are generally more complex in design and performance than regular Muppets. At Henson's suggestion, the Star Wars character Yoda was originally performed by Frank Oz,Finch, p. 176 and has been loosely described as a Muppet in media and reference works; he is not, however, and Henson otherwise had no involvement in the character's conception.{{cite news|last=Hauptfuhrer|first=Fred|title=Yoda Mania: America Falls in Love with the 26–Inch, Green, Pointy-Eared Sage and his Master Puppeteer, Frank Oz|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20076674,00.html|access-date=17 December 2012|newspaper=People|date=9 June 1980|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927192013/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20076674%2C00.html|archive-date=September 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|last=Plume|first=Kenneth|title=Interview with Frank Oz (Part 2 of 4)|url=https://ign.com/articles/2000/02/10/interview-with-frank-oz-part-2-of-4|website=IGN|date=February 10, 2000|access-date=17 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115212551/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/10/interview-with-frank-oz-part-2-of-4|archive-date=January 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}

File:Wilkins and Wontkins reproductions.jpg Muppets originally created by Jim Henson in 1957; these early characters feature the basic design features that would become typical of Muppet characters]]

From 1962 to 1978, Don Sahlin was the primary designer and builder of the Muppets and was described by Henson as “the man most responsible for the look of the Muppets.”{{cite web |title=Donald G. Sahlin, at 49; Made Muppets for TV For More Than 16 Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/02/22/archives/donald-g-sahlin-at-49-made-muppets-for-tv-for-more-than-16-years.html#:~:text=these%20archived%20versions.-,Donald%20G.,causes%2C%20possibly%20a%20heart%20attack. |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=The New York Times | date=February 22, 1978 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418003026/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/02/22/archives/donald-g-sahlin-at-49-made-muppets-for-tv-for-more-than-16-years.html#:~:text=these%20archived%20versions.-,Donald%20G.,causes%2C%20possibly%20a%20heart%20attack. |url-status=live }} Sahlin's designs are often recognizable for their spheroid heads partially bisected to create large mouths; several characters designed by Sahlin include Rowlf the Dog, Bert and Ernie, Grover, and Cookie Monster.

The majority of the Muppets are designed as hand puppets, with several characters utilizing rods. Common design elements of the Muppets include flexible faces with wide mouths and large protruding eyes. Most of the Muppets are molded or carved out of various types of foam and covered with any felt-like material. The characters may represent humans; anthropomorphic characters; realistic animals; animate inanimate objects; robots; extraterrestrial or mythical creatures; or other forms of abstract characters.

The Muppets are distinguished from ventriloquist dummies, which are usually animated only in the head and face, in that their arms or other features are also animated. They are also generally made of softer material. They are presented as being independent of the puppeteer, officially known as a "Muppet performer", who is usually hidden behind a set or outside of the camera frame. Using the camera frame to this advantage was an innovation of the Muppets. Prior to this, a stage was used to mask the performers, as would be the case in a live performance. Sometimes, they are seen full-bodied; in most cases, invisible strings are used to manipulate these puppets, with vocals added at a later point.Christopher Finch Jim Henson: The Works 1993, {{ISBN|0-679-41203-4}}. Performers often use dollies to mimic walking.{{Cite news|last=Spitznagel|first=Eric|date=September 30, 2011|title=Sesame Street puppeteer Eric Jacobson reveals shocking news that Sesame Street is not a real place|magazine=Vanity Fair|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/09/-i-sesame-street--i--puppeteer-eric-jacobson-reveals-shocking-ne|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924231426/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/09/-i-sesame-street--i--puppeteer-eric-jacobson-reveals-shocking-ne|url-status=live}}

Since 2006, Disney has contracted Puppet Heap to produce and maintain newer models of the Muppets.{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|title=Wocka, Wocka, Wocka! Muppet Antics Resume|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/movies/new-muppet-and-movie-leading-franchise-into-new-era.html?_r=4&pagewanted=2&|access-date=20 February 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 November 2011|archive-date=July 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722042502/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/movies/new-muppet-and-movie-leading-franchise-into-new-era.html?_r=4&pagewanted=2&|url-status=live}} During most performances, the performer holds the character above their head or in front of their body, with one hand operating the head and mouth and the other manipulating the hands and arms, either with two separate control rods or – in the case of "live-hand" Muppets – wearing the hands similarly to gloves. One consequence of this design is that most of the Muppets are left-handed, with the performer using their right hand to operate the head while operating the arm with their left hand.

For more complex Muppets, several performers may operate a single character, with the performer controlling the mouth usually voicing the character. As technology has advanced, the Jim Henson team and other performers have developed several means to operate the Muppets for film and television; these include the use of suspended rigs, internal motors, remote manipulators, and computer enhanced and superimposed images. Creative use of different technologies has allowed for scenes in which the Muppets appear to exhibit complex movements wholly independently of the performer.

In his book, Street Gang, author Michael Davis wrote that the characters tend to develop "organically", alluding to the performers taking up to a year to develop their characters and voices. They are also "test-driven, passed around from one Henson troupe member to another in the hope of finding the perfect human-Muppet match".{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Michael |title=Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street |publisher=Viking Press |year=2008 |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/streetgangcomple00davi/page/166 166] |isbn=978-0-670-01996-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/streetgangcomple00davi/page/166 }} When interacting with them, children believed that Muppets were living beings, even when the performers were present.{{Cite book |last=Morrow |first=Robert W. |title=Sesame Street and the Reform of Children's Television |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |year=2006 |location=Baltimore, Maryland |page=[https://archive.org/details/sesamestreetrefo0000morr/page/84 84] |isbn=0-8018-8230-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/sesamestreetrefo0000morr/page/84 }}

File:BillBarrettaTheMuppetPerformers.jpg

At the start of the Muppets' formation, Jim and Jane Henson were the group's only performers. In 1961, Jane retired to focus on raising their children. Seeking additional performers, Jim Henson came into contact with Frank Oz that year. Although interested, Oz initially declined due to his youth and commitment to high school, and instead suggested Jerry Juhl, who worked with Oz at the Vagabond Puppet Theater in Oakland, California. Upon graduating, Oz subsequently joined in August 1963, which then consisted of Henson, Juhl, and Muppet designer Don Sahlin. By the time The Muppet Show began, the primary cast of performers grew to consist of Henson; Oz; Dave Goelz; Jerry Nelson; Richard Hunt; and later, Steve Whitmire, while Juhl became head writer for the series. From The Muppet Show onward, Kevin Clash; Kathryn Mullen; Louise Gold; Karen Prell; Fran Brill, Caroll Spinney; and Brian Henson performed several minor characters and assisted the main performers with puppeteering. Many of these puppeteers performed characters across The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and other Henson-related projects.

Jim Henson, Hunt, and Nelson continued performing until their deaths in 1990, 1992, and 2012, respectively.{{Cite news |last=Abramovitch |first=Seth |date=November 2, 2020 |title=Disney's Muppets Problem: Can the Franchise Reckon With Its Boys' Club Culture? |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/disneys-muppets-problem-can-the-franchise-reckon-with-its-boys-club-culture |access-date=February 21, 2021 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Goelz, Whitmire, and Bill Barretta, who joined the main cast of performers in the mid-1990s, assumed Henson's characters, with Whitmire cast in the role of Beaker and Nelson cast in the role of Statler, both previously performed by Hunt. The remainder of Hunt's characters were left without a stable performer until David Rudman was cast in those roles in the 2000s. Oz continued performing until his retirement from puppeteering in 2000; Eric Jacobson was cast as his characters beginning in 2002. At Nelson's behest, Matt Vogel gradually began performing his characters in 2008. Peter Linz joined the main cast in 2011, debuting the role of Walter in The Muppets.

Whitmire was dismissed from the cast in 2016, with Vogel cast as Kermit the Frog in 2017, and most of Whitmire's other characters were assumed by the remainder of the cast, primarily by Linz.{{Cite news |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=July 13, 2017 |title=Kermit the Frog Muppeteer Says Disney Fired Him |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/kermit-frog-muppeteer-says-he-was-fired-by-disney-1020466 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713213313/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/kermit-frog-muppeteer-says-he-was-fired-by-disney-1020466 |archive-date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=July 13, 2017 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |df=mdy-all}} The Muppets are currently performed by a core cast of six principal puppeteers: Goelz, Barretta, Jacobson, Vogel, Rudman, and Linz, with the occasional ensemble of "additional" Muppet performers that includes Julianne Buescher, Tyler Bunch, Alice Dinnean, Bruce Lanoil, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Drew Massey, Mike Quinn, and Michelan Sisti.

{{main|List of The Muppets productions{{!}}List of The Muppets productions}}

{{main|The Muppets discography{{!}}The Muppets discography}}

On September 17, 2002, Rhino Records released The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem, and More, a compilation album of music from The Muppet Show and subsequent film releases. With John Denver, John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together was produced and released in 1979.

Under Disney ownership, The Muppets album releases have been released by Walt Disney Records; including new album releases and album reissues, such as The Muppet Christmas Carol in 2005 and The Muppet Movie in 2013. Legal music publishing rights to Muppet songs are administered by Fuzzy Muppet Songs and Mad Muppet Melodies, imprints of Disney Music Publishing.

File:MuppetVision 3D 2019.jpg has operated at Disney's Hollywood Studios since 1991. It is scheduled to close in 2025.]]

Similar to other Disney characters, the Muppets appear at the Disney Experiences, having first appeared at Walt Disney World Resort in 1990. Their first featured attraction, Here Come the Muppets, was a live stage show that opened shortly after Jim Henson's death and ran at Disney's Hollywood Studios (known at that time as Disney-MGM Studios) for a year.{{cite web|url = http://www.studioscentral.com/column/remember-when/here-come-muppets|title = Here Come the Muppets|date = 28 March 2007|access-date = 14 October 2015|website = Studios Central|last = Hochberg|first = Matt|archive-date = March 14, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160314100145/http://www.studioscentral.com/column/remember-when/here-come-muppets|url-status = live}} Muppet*Vision 3D, a 4D film attraction that also uses Audio-Animatronics characters, opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 16, 1991, exactly one year after Henson's death.{{Cite web|last=Radulovic|first=Petrana|date=July 28, 2020|title=Muppet*Vision 3D is a spot of pure sunshine in a busy Disney day|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/28/21345447/muppet-vision-3d-disney-world-hollywood-studios-best-muppets|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=Polygon.com|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729024841/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/28/21345447/muppet-vision-3d-disney-world-hollywood-studios-best-muppets|url-status=live}} It is Henson's final directorial effort. Muppet*Vision 3D subsequently opened at Disney California Adventure, on February 8, 2001; this version closed in 2014. The version of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios is scheduled to close on June 8, 2025.{{cite news|last=Ferreira|first=Chloé|url=https://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/hollywood-studios/muppetvision-is-closing-sooner-than-we-thought-at-disney-world/|title=Muppet*Vision Is Closing Sooner Than We Thought at Disney World|website=wdwinfo.com|date=January 24, 2025|access-date=January 24, 2025}}

The Muppets also were featured in The Muppets Present...Great Moments in American History at the Magic Kingdom from 2016 to 2020; and the Muppet Mobile Lab at Epcot since 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-muppet-show-magic-kingdom-20160728-story.html|title=Disney: Muppets show coming to Magic Kingdom|date=July 28, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|last1=Bevil|first1=Dewayne|access-date=July 28, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729141902/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-muppet-show-magic-kingdom-20160728-story.html|archive-date=July 29, 2016|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/07/the-muppets-are-coming-to-walt-disney-world-resort-this-fall-in-an-all-new-show/|title=The Muppets Are Coming to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall in an All-New Show|date=July 28, 2016|work=Disney Parks Blog|last1=Slater|first1=Shawn|access-date=July 28, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820203648/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/07/the-muppets-are-coming-to-walt-disney-world-resort-this-fall-in-an-all-new-show/|archive-date=August 20, 2016|df=mdy-all}} The latter attraction is a free-roving vehicle with Audio-Animatronics of Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker. As part of Disney's Living Character Initiative, it premiered at Disney California Adventure{{cite news|last=Hill|first=Jim|url=https://jimhillmedia.com/muppet-mobile-lab-gets-ready-to-roll-through-california-adventure/|title=Muppet Mobile Lab gets ready to roll through California Adventure|website=|date=January 30, 2007|access-date=January 29, 2025}} and later made appearances at Epcot and Hong Kong Disneyland.{{cite web|url=http://allears.net/tp/ep/mobilemuppets.htm|title=Muppets on Wheels Debut at Epcot|last=Marshall|first=Jack|date=21 August 2007|website=AllEars|access-date=13 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906130445/http://allears.net/tp/ep/mobilemuppets.htm|archive-date=September 6, 2015|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://themeit.com/thea_15annual/articles/Disney.pdf|title=The Themed Entertainment Association's 15th Thea Awards: Delightfully Disney|last=Palicki|first=Martin|date=11 Nov 2010|website=Themed Entertainment Association|access-date=13 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130090041/http://themeit.com/thea_15annual/articles/Disney.pdf|archive-date=November 30, 2010}}

In 2010, the Muppets were the face of the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" charity campaign. Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Sweetums appeared in daily parades at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. The Muppets appeared in television and print ads for the campaign and were featured prominently on the campaign's web site.{{cite web|url = http://www.unit9.com/project/interactive-muppet-mayhem|title = Disney Parks: Interactive Muppet Mayhem|date = 8 Nov 2014|access-date = 6 Oct 2015|website = Unit9 Digital|publisher = CAID|last = Daher|first = Thierry|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160224023219/http://www.unit9.com/project/interactive-muppet-mayhem|archive-date = February 24, 2016|df = mdy-all}}

Disney has released numerous collector pins featuring the Muppets since 2004. These include Limited Edition pins, Hidden Mickey pin collections, mystery pin sets, 2008 pin sets promoting The Muppets, cast lanyard pins, and assorted individual rack pins. Over 100 pins displaying the characters have been released overall.{{cite web|url=http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/pins|title=Pins – Collections By Disney|website=Collections By Disney|language=en-US|access-date=2015-10-08|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007103446/http://disneyparksmerchandise.com/pins/|archive-date=October 7, 2015|df=mdy-all}}

In November 2024, it was announced that the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be re-themed to the Muppets.{{cite magazine|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|url=https://ew.com/disney-world-muppetvision-3d-closing-muppets-replace-rock-n-roller-coaster-8750097|title=One of Jim Henson's final projects, MuppetVision, to close: Disney World moving Muppets to replace Aerosmith coaster|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 22, 2024|access-date=November 22, 2024}}

File:Jim Henson's Muppets (comic strip).png

Among other print media, the Muppets have featured in comics since the 1970s. An eponymous comic strip by Guy and Brad Gilchrist first ran on September 21, 1981, in over 500 daily newspapers, six months after The Muppet Show ended its five-year run. By the end of its run in 1986, the comic strip was seen in over 660 newspapers worldwide. Many of the strips were compiled in various book collections.{{cite web|last=Gilchrist|first=Guy|title=Muppets from the 1980s...|url=http://www.guygilchristmusic.com/fr_muppetscomics.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404012843/http://www.guygilchristmusic.com/fr_muppetscomics.cfm|archive-date=2013-04-04|access-date=17 June 2013}} Special strips were also created in color, exclusively for issues of Muppet Magazine.

Muppet Magazine was published from 1983 to 1989. The magazine was presented as being run by the Muppets themselves and included such features as celebrity interviews and comic stories.{{cite news|last=Dougherty|first=Philip H.|title=ADVERTISING; Muppet Magazine In Cheerios Promotion|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/07/business/advertising-muppet-magazine-in-cheerios-promotion.html|access-date=17 June 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=7 April 1983|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524135019/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/07/business/advertising-muppet-magazine-in-cheerios-promotion.html|archive-date=May 24, 2015|df=mdy-all}}

The only Muppets film adapted as a comic book was The Muppets Take Manhattan. The comic book series was adapted by Marvel Comics in 1984, as the 68-page story in Marvel Super Special issue #32. The adaptation was later re-printed into three limited series issues, released under Marvel's Star Comics imprint (November 1984 – January 1985).

In the wake of Muppet Babies{{'}} success, Star Comics adapted the series into a bi-monthly title, of which 26 issues were produced.{{cite web|url=https://www.comics.org/series/3033/ |title=GCD :: Series :: Muppet Babies |website=Comics.org |date=1989-01-23 |access-date=2020-04-27}}

The final issue of Disney Adventures, released in 2007, included a one-page strip by Roger Langridge. In 2009, Boom! Studios began publishing a series of comic books based on The Muppet Show, written and illustrated by Langridge. After two mini-series, an ongoing series, The Muppet Show Comic Book, was published for eleven issues. Additionally, Boom! Studios published fairy tale adaptations centered on the Muppets. In 2012, the Langridge series was transferred to Marvel Comics, which released an omnibus edition in 2013.{{cite web|title=Marvel and Disney Publishing Worldwide launch Disney•Muppets Presents giant-sized comic|url=http://marvel.com/news/story/15605/meet_the_muppets|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128081929/http://marvel.com/news/story/15605/meet_the_muppets|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 January 2013|publisher=Marvel Comics|access-date=27 December 2012}}

The first video game in the franchise was Kermit's Electronic Storymaker, which was released in 1984 for the Commodore 64. In 1989, Muppet Adventure: Chaos at the Carnival, was released by Hi Tech Expressions for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS, the following year it was ported by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1990.{{cite web|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/18009/jim-hensons-muppet-adventure-no-1-chaos-at-the-carnival/|title=Muppet Adventure: Chaos at the Carnival|work=Moby Games|access-date=September 28, 2023|archive-date=September 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928182931/https://www.mobygames.com/game/18009/jim-hensons-muppet-adventure-no-1-chaos-at-the-carnival/|url-status=live}} In 1996, Activision and in association with Jim Henson Interactive released the CD-ROM game, Muppet Treasure Island (on which the film of the same name was based) for Windows 95. Later in 1996, Starwave released The Muppet CD-ROM: Muppets Inside, the second CD-ROM game was advertised for a January release,{{cite web|url=https://toughpigs.com/muppetzine-issue-15/|title=MuppetZine Issue #15|work=ToughPigs|access-date=September 28, 2023}} and available in stores beginning in March.{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/g/clari.tw.new_media/c/tqx3PX0vxwk/m/KEh3N86LD8IJ |title='Deep Space Nine:' Best 'Star Trek' Game?|author= Gene Emery|work=Google Groups|date=March 30, 1996|access-date=September 28, 2023}} In April 2000, Take-Two Interactive released the platform game under the title Jim Henson's Muppets for the Game Boy Color.{{cite web|title=Jim Henson's Muppets|last=Woods|first=Nick|website=Allgame|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20346|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114232823/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20346 |archive-date=2014-11-14 }} In October 2000, Midway Games released the two Muppet video games, Muppet RaceMania and Muppet Monster Adventure for the PlayStation console.{{cite web|url=https://muppetcentral.com/news/2000/100400.shtml|title=Muppet RaceMania debuts in the USA|work=Muppet Central|date=October 4, 2000|access-date=September 28, 2023|archive-date=September 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928182932/https://muppetcentral.com/news/2000/100400.shtml|url-status=live}} On April 18, 2002, TDK Mediactive acquired the rights to The Muppets games,{{cite web|url=https://muppetcentral.com/news/2002/041802.shtml|title=Muppets will arrive on next generation game consoles|work=Muppet Central|date=April 18, 2002|access-date=September 28, 2023}} and released two video games, The Muppets: On with the Show! (2002) and Spy Muppets: License to Croak (2003) for the Game Boy Advance and Muppets Party Cruise (2003) for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube consoles.{{cite web|url=https://muppetcentral.com/news/2003/111103.shtml|title=TDK ships Muppets Party Cruise and Spy Muppets to retail|work=Muppet Central|date=November 11, 2003|access-date=September 28, 2023}} In 2014, Virtual Toys released The Muppets Movie Adventures for PS Vita.{{cite web |url=http://playfrance.com/news-vita-the-muppets-movie-adventures-annonce-sur-ps-vita.html |title=[Info] The Muppets Movie Adventures announced on PS VITA |date=August 8, 2014 |website=PlayFrance |access-date=September 11, 2016 |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811055035/http://www.playfrance.com/news-vita-the-muppets-movie-adventures-annonce-sur-ps-vita.html |url-status=live }} The mobile game Disney Magic Kingdoms, developed by Gameloft, includes characters and attractions based on The Muppets franchise during limited time contents.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG-ZwxUF9Ds |title=Update 77: The Muppets {{!}} Event Walkthrough|author=Disney Magic Kingdoms (Gameloft)|publisher=YouTube|date=December 8, 2023}}

File:CeeLo Green performing with the Muppets at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 2012 (11200418446).jpg at Rockefeller Center in 2012]]

The Muppets' prevalence in popular culture is such that the characters have become regarded as celebrities in their own right.{{cite news|last1=Nakamura|first1=Reid|title=Why the Media Won't Stop Treating the Muppets Like Real People|url=https://www.thewrap.com/why-the-media-wont-stop-treating-the-muppets-like-real-people/|access-date=September 23, 2015|work=The Wrap|date=September 22, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926004649/http://www.thewrap.com/why-the-media-wont-stop-treating-the-muppets-like-real-people/|archive-date=September 26, 2015|df=mdy-all}} The Muppets have a collective star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Kermit having been previously individually inducted in 2002. The characters have appeared at the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards;{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZwEhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1093,3089733&dq=muppets+academy+awards+1980&hl=en|title=The Day – Google News Archive Search|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403192240/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZwEhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1093,3089733&dq=muppets+academy+awards+1980&hl=en|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Muppets Most Wanted: Movie Review |url=http://www.hitz247.com/muppets-most-wanted-movie-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305135909/http://www.hitz247.com/muppets-most-wanted-movie-review/ |archive-date=2016-03-05 |author=Katrina M. |date=April 10, 2014 |access-date=June 30, 2014}} made cameo appearances in films including Rocky III,{{cite news |title=The Muppet Brand in Other Mainstream Movies |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/news/muppet-brand-other-mainstream-movies-162000275.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304171206/http://movies.yahoo.com/news/muppet-brand-other-mainstream-movies-162000275.html |archive-date=2014-03-04 |author=Nicole A. |date=November 23, 2011 |work=Yahoo! Movies |access-date=December 31, 2011}} An American Werewolf in London,[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/fullcredits#cast An American Werewolf in London (IMDb)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202213936/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/fullcredits |date=February 2, 2009 }} and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium;[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457419/fullcredits#cast Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (IMDb)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114181518/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457419/fullcredits |date=January 14, 2009 }} and have been interviewed on the news magazine 60 Minutes.

Kermit was interviewed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show;{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-13-2001/kermit-the-frog|title=Kermit the Frog|work=thedailyshow.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409013200/http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-13-2001/kermit-the-frog|archive-date=April 9, 2010|df=mdy-all}} was a guest host on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, America's Funniest Home Videos, and an April Fools' Day edition of Larry King Live;{{cite web|url=http://talkshows.about.com/od/larryking/a/KingOverview.htm|title=Larry King Live: An Overview|author=Thomas Tennant|work=About.com Guide Company|access-date=February 13, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202113253/http://talkshows.about.com/od/larryking/a/KingOverview.htm|archive-date=February 2, 2012|df=mdy-all}} and has served as Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade.{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/episode-detail/morris-family/359883|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103081032/http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/episode-detail/morris-family/359883|archive-date=2012-11-03|title=Extreme Makeover Home Edition Season 7 Morris Family Episode Guide - ABC.com|work=ABC}} The characters also appeared on The Cosby Show and The Torkelsons,{{Citation|title="The Torkelsons" Educating Millicent (TV Episode 1991)|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099783/fullcredits|access-date=2019-02-01|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126115219/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099783/fullcredits|url-status=live}} among other sitcoms. The music video for Weezer's "Keep Fishin'" is aesthetically based on The Muppet Show and consists of the band interacting with the characters.

On September 28, 2005, the United States Postal Service released a Jim Henson and the Muppets postage stamp series.United States Postal Service (September 28, 2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090329021734/http://usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2005/sr05_046.htm Jim Henson, Muppets, get stamps of approval]. Press Release. The Muppets also appeared on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on December 31, 2007, in which Kermit and other characters presented segments following advertising breaks. After one such segment, with Kermit in Times Square, co-host Ryan Seacrest thanked "Kerms" for his assistance.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1143908/ New Year's Rockin' Eve 2008 (2007) (TV)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229115444/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1143908/ |date=December 29, 2007 }} Miss Piggy has appeared as a guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Kermit appeared on Hollywood Squares and as one of the celebrity commentators on VH1's I Love documentary series. The Muppets, as well as the title character of Bear in the Big Blue House, have made frequent appearances on The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

On July 25, 2007, the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta announced plans for the Jim Henson Wing, which would house up to 700 retired Muppet characters. The wing, featuring films, sketches, and other materials from the Jim Henson Company archives, was set to open in 2012 but eventually opened as a gallery within the Worlds of Puppetry exhibition at the Center in November 2015.{{cite news|last=Pousner|first=Howard|title=With Muppets on-screen, puppet center works to secure Henson legacy|url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-events/with-muppets-on-screen-1249213.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114065649/http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-events/with-muppets-on-screen-1249213.html|archive-date=2012-01-14|access-date=December 30, 2011|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=December 2, 2011}}{{cite press release |title=Nation's Largest Puppetry Center to Open Jim Henson Wing in Atlanta |url=http://www.puppet.org/pdf/R-Henson.pdf |publisher=Center for Puppetry Arts |date=July 25, 2007 |access-date=December 30, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124065951/http://puppet.org/pdf/R-Henson.pdf |archive-date=November 24, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.toughpigs.com/henson-atlanta/|title=It Belongs In a Museum: The New Henson Exhibit in Atlanta|last=Lee|first=Barry|website=Toughpigs|date=January 15, 2016|access-date=15 July 2017|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606194938/http://www.toughpigs.com/henson-atlanta/|url-status=live}}

Muppet-like characters star in the Broadway musical Avenue Q, the concept of which is a parody of Sesame Street. The Peter Jackson film Meet the Feebles, a satire on the television industry, is largely reminiscent of The Muppet Show. A Kermit the Frog stuffed toy rigged to spray fake vomit was a recurring joke on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and the Muppets were frequently preempted at the beginning of episodes of You Can't Do That on Television. The sitcom series Greg the Bunny centered on sentient hand puppets working on a Muppet-like children's show. Among other examples, television series such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, The West Wing, and Robot Chicken have referenced the Muppets.

The term "muppet" is commonly used in Ireland, Britain, and Australasia to refer to a stupid or ineffectual person.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/02/10-british-insults-americans-wont-understand|title=10 British Insults Americans Won't Understand|last=Margolis|first=Ruth|website=BBC America|access-date=11 November 2019}}

• Sesame Street Muppets
• Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
• The Dark Crystal
• Fraggle Rock
• Labyrinth

{{Reflist}}

• Davis, Michael (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=i3ilsEuFUkAC Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street]. New York: Viking Penguin. {{ISBN|978-0-670-01996-0}}
• Finch, Christopher (1981). Of Muppets and Men. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. {{ISBN|0-394-52085-8}}
• Jones, Brian J. (2013). Jim Henson: The Biography. New York: Ballantine Books. {{ISBN|978-0-345-52611-3}}
• Morrow, Robert W. (2006). Sesame Street and the Reform of Children's Television. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. {{ISBN|0-8018-8230-3}}

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• {{Official website}}
• {{Muppets}}

{{The Muppets}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children}}

{{Sesame Street}}

{{The Jim Henson Company}}

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