Holiday: Peter Weyland Day

On this day in 1958 puppeteers Jim and Jane (Nebel) Henson created Muppets Inc. together, currently The Jim Henson Company, and were married within one year of incorporation. Jim Henson is credited as the father modern puppetry. He transformed the art and the craft, building flexible puppets who could express a full range of emotions to captivate audiences on big and small screens alike.

The Hensons had already had success with a puppet comedy series called Sam and Friends that opened the Tonight Show. Sam and Friends included a lizard-like character named Kermit that eventually became Kermit the Frog. The company hit a puppet sweet spot with children’s programming in 1969 with the PBS premier of Sesame Street, which is now one of the longest running shows in the world.

ABC produced The Muppet Show pilots in 1974 and 1975 before the show was picked up by the British station, ATV, for five seasons starting in 1976 as a variety TV show. By 1977 more than 100 countries were signing up to license the broadcast and celebrities were lining up to be guest hosts. The Jim Henson Company is still in the family, controlled by Brian, Lisa, Cheryl, and Heather Henson. The characters from The Muppet Show have continued to thrive in theatrical films and guest appearances, and the Jim Henson Company continues to craft new puppets and contribute to multiple productions.

Music Du Jour:

• Muppet Movie Soundtrack
• Rock-On-Singles from The Muppets Mayhem

Films Du Jour:

• The Muppet Movie (1979)
• All Muppet Films
• The Muppet Show (1976–1981)
• The Dark Crystal (1982)
• Labyrinth (1986)
• Fraggle Rock
• Sesame Street
• Bear in the Big Blue House (1997–2006)
• Jim Henson Idea Man (2024 documentary by Ron Howard)

Snacks du Jour: Swedish chef recipes include stew, popcorn, and Swedish meatballs. Serve cookies for the Cookie Monster and bananas for Fozzie Bear.  Here’s a link to Muppet snack ideas for a party. See also Food in The Land of Gortch.

Cocktail Du Jour – Kermit Cocktail

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz Pisang Ambon
• 1 dash sour mix
• Lemon-lime soda

Shake vodka, Pisang Ambon and sour mix with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into highball glass over ice. Add lemon lime soda to taste and stir.

Mocktail Du Jour – Kermit Mocktail

• 1 oz non-alcohol vodka
• 5 oz banana syrup
• 5 oz melon syrup
• 1 dash sour mix
• Lemon-lime soda

Shake non-alcohol vodka, syrups, and sour mix with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into highball glass over ice. Add lemon lime soda to taste and stir.

Beer Du Jour

Animal Tropical IPA by Fort Point Beer. Miss Piggy – Premium Pig Ale by The Smoke Shop. Prison City Brewing Fozzie Bear Hazy IPA.  Mason Aleworks Tragedy At The Sock Puppet Theater and Peaks & Pints RAR Muppets Labels.

Wine Du Jour

Nurse Piggy was caught with a wine spritzer in her medical kit. Kermit has also been known to drink Elderflower wine; here’s a recipe if you want to make it yourself: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/elderflower-wine

Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.

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Photo credit: “Miss Piggy & Kermit | Muppets Mural | Jim Henson Studios” by JeffChristiansen is licensed under CC BY 2.0.