Whelp. It’s been a hell of a year. It’s hard to even nail down what we went through over the past 365 days. It felt like both a month and a decade, all happening at the same time forever and ever. Were there any notable Muppet moments? Or were there too many? Who’s to say!
Thankfully, 2020 is just about over. But before we move on, we must look back. Hence the return of our annual Year in Review, spotlighting all of the biggest Muppet news stories and our favorite ToughPigs articles from the year.
This year saw the Muppets’ latest TV show, a brand new Fraggle Rock series, and the end of The Dark Crystal. Meanwhile, on ToughPigs we launched a few new podcast projects, video interviews, and charity fundraisers. Despite the awful happenings in the world throughout 2020, we still managed to fill the year with an incredible amount of Muppet stuff.
Speaking of which, let’s dive in and reminisce about the year behind us!
January:
2019 Year in Review – Hey, it’s just like the article you’re reading now, but a year in the past! Tricky!
The Best and Worst of the 2010s – Last year saw the end of a decade, and the ToughPigs crew gathered for our thoughts on the best and worst the 2010s had to offer.
Sam the Eagle restaurant announced – Funny, I wouldn’t have thought Sam a barbeque guy.
Hopes for a Muppety 2020 – I mean, there’s no way we could’ve predicted this 2020.
Gonzo and Piggy come to Disney Emoji Blitz – We don’t have a new Muppet movie, but we have emojis! Yay…?
Caroll the Bird Man – Looking back at a rare cameo by Caroll Spinney from the early days of Sesame.
Sesame Street Humans statistics – Good news for all you statistics fans!
The lost Wicked Witch episode of Sesame Street – We’re uncovering the most sought-after Sesame Street episode for the first time since its original airing!
RIP Terry Jones – The Monty Python member and Labyrinth writer has passed away.
One second from every Muppet Show episode – We may not have 120 episodes of The Muppet Show on Disney+, but we have 120 seconds of it on YouTube.
The six-foot-tall juggling monkey on Sesame Street – No, not that six-foot-tall juggling monkey, the other one.
RIP Kobe Bryant – We remember the legendary basketball player for his appearance on Sesame Street.
ToughPigs spoofs the Oscars – As we do every year, we Photoshopped a bunch of ridiculous movie posters with the Muppets.
RIP Muppet Show writer Jack Burns – The Muppet Show’s first head writer passes.
Officer Frank Oz on Sesame Street – Frank Oz appeared as a slightly problematic police officer on Sesame Street, and it’s super weird.
February:
Watch Caroll Spinney’s memorial service – We lost the legendary Caroll Spinney in 2019, and in 2020 we were invited to peek in on his touching memorial service.
ToughPigs’ 2020 Oscar predictions – As always we brought you the results of the Academy Awards before the actual ceremony. You’re welcome!
Jerry Nelson and Richard Hunt’s Sesame Street cameos – We looked back at a classic Sesame Street episode featuring some Muppet performers as actual humans!
Dark Crystal video game released – Much like the Dark Crystal film, it’s impressive but not for everyone.
RIP Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Joseph Shabalala – We said goodbye to the soothing voice that made several Sesame Street appearances.
ToughPigs and Gonger make a PB&J – Gonger teaches us how to make a sandwich, and the result was hilarious and delicious.
Meet Big Bird’s extended family – Did you know that Big Bird had a brother? Well, he sort of kind of does!
Muppet merch at Toy Fair – We look at all the Muppet toys that probably didn’t actually get made. It was a tough year on all of us.
March:
Spotlight on Sesame Street’s senior citizens – We’re looking back at the Avengers-style team-up featuring all the old folks on Sesame Street.
Muppets as Super Mario Bros characters – Finally, we found a way to talk about Waluigi on ToughPigs.
The epic love story of Bert and Bertha – The classic and lost Sesame Street episode where Bert falls in love with his female clone.
Health tips from the Muppets – As the COVID crisis begins, we present some helpful health tips through the lens of the Muppets.
Quarantine tips from the Muppets – More COVID coverage as the Muppets help us figure out how to live in quarantine.
RIP Kenny Rogers – The Muppet Show guest star and legendary country music artist has passed away.
Big Bird gets vaccinated in classic Sesame episode – If it’s good enough for Big Bird, it’s good enough for the rest of the world.
ToughPigs launches Cabin Fever interview series – We planned to do a live video interview every week until the pandemic ended. Oh how naive we were!
RIP Tomie dePaola – We remember the star of the Henson Company series “Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola”.
April:
April Fools: ToughPigs time travels with Sam & Friends – ToughPigs went monochrome for April Fools Day, only truly tricking people who haven’t been on the internet since 1955.
RIP Sesame Street composer Adam Schlesinger – The Fountains of Wayne musician surprisingly wrote music for Sesame Street as well.
Introducing: One Muppetational Shot – We launched our new Twitter account spotlighting some truly spectacular images from Muppet movies, TV shows, and internet videos!
The Muppets Sound Button – It’s a button that makes Muppet sounds. Or does it???
Moira Rose’s wigs as the Muppets – Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek has had a lot of wigs with a life of their own. They’re basically Muppets already.
Elmo’s Playdate special filmed in quarantine – Sesame Street proves that they can do anything, even while social distancing.
15 Seconds to Curtain podcast debuts – We have a new podcast! We talked to a bunch of famous people about their love of Muppets. You should listen to it – the celebrities will thank you.
Fraggle Rock: Rock On premieres – We got new Fraggle Rock content?? In 2020??? Am I hallucinating?
Remembering Sesame Street’s Deena – Deena likes to play! Deena does not like being forgotten. Don’t forget Deena.
Kermit sings Rainbow Connection in quarantine – I know, Kermit has sung “Rainbow Connection” a lot in recent years. But this one felt particularly poignant.
Yes, the Sesame Street characters are Muppets – An important resource for anyone who’s wondering about the distinction between Muppets and Muppets.
It’s time to give us The Muppet Show on Disney+ – We’ve waited long enough, Disney.
May:
Disney+ show Prop Culture spotlights The Muppet Movie – There’s a severe lack of behind-the-scenes spotlights on Muppet movies, and this Disney+ series does their due diligence on fixing that.
When the Star Wars Droids came to Sesame Street – Don’t you want to read about the time R2-D2 fell in love with a fire hydrant??
RIP Little Richard – The legendary musician, who appeared on Sesame Street and Muppets Tonight, has passed away.
RIP Jerry Stiller – We lost Ben Stiller’s father, who we saw in an episode of Shalom Sesame.
Baby Scooter and Skeeter return to Muppet Babies – The stars of Muppet Babies finally appear on Muppet Babies.
Remembering Jim Henson, despite never having met him – It’s hard to eulogize someone we’ve never met. Then again, Jim made it easy for us.
RIP Fred Willard – We remember the classic comedian, who made a memorable appearance on Muppets Tonight.
RIP Phyllis George – We lost another Muppet Show guest star, who hosted the first (and only) “Muppet Awards”.
Highlights from Muppet Guys Talking reunion – The stars of Muppet Guys Talking talk some more!
Oscar the Grouch wins Webby Award – And I bet he hated every minute of it.
The Muppets need better stock photos – I’m so sick and tired of look at the same pictures of the Muppets over and over again. It’s time someone took a stand!
Elmo’s Not Too Late Show premieres – Move over, James Corden! Keep moving, James.
Fraggle Rock reboot announced – We’re getting MORE Fraggle Rock? Okay, maybe 2020 isn’t so bad after all.
Potential Goblin King replacements – If we have to get a new Labyrinth movie, not just anyone could fill David Bowie’s shoes.
June:
List of all the Muppet content currently streaming – If we’re all going to be stuck at home for a while, we might as well spend it watching Muppet stuff.
What Muppet fans can do to help – The world is in a rough place, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pitch in.
Miss Piggy gives commencement speech – It stinks that this year’s graduates can’t celebrate in person, but Miss Piggy is here to make them all feel better.
Muppet Fans Doing Good campaign launched – We raised over $10,000 for several progressive charities and organizations. Muppet fans are the best.
Real racism on classic Sesame Street – We look back on a classic episode that tackled racism, proving that Sesame Street has been dealing with these issues for a lot longer than most people realize.
The Barretta Brothers host Dinosaurs reunion – Unfortunately, no actual dinosaurs were able to attend.
Yes, Sesame Street should be covering these important topics – Why are people complaining that Sesame Street is suddenly talking about certain topics??
Kermit the Frog guest stars on Amphibia – Another Muppet performer performing a Muppet performing a voice on a cartoon. This makes… sense? To someone?
The Muppets sing with James Corden – They sing a song! On television! This is our version of a news scoop!
Kermit the Frog delivers Pride message – Kermit makes a pointed message in support of LGBTQI rights, and it’s terrific.
RIP Carl Reiner – Although he only made a brief appearance in a Muppet production, we’re sad to say goodbye to this comedy legend.
Kermit, Paul Williams, and other celebs sing Rainbow Connection – Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers, and a couple dozen celebrities.
July:
ToughPigs launches Important Muppet People series – We’re giving a small spotlight to people who’ve made a big impression on the Muppet world.
The Great Muppet Emoji Quiz – ????
Oscar’s nose of shame – When Oscar doesn’t have a nose, how does he smell? (Terrible.)
Is Oscar a jerk or not? – Of course he is! …Or is he?? (He is.)
The origins of your favorite Muppet GIFs – Featuring such classics as “Animal hits the ‘like’ button” and “Kermit’s sheesh face”.
The history of Joe the Legal Weasel – He wasn’t always Joe. Or a lawyer. Or a weasel.
ToughPigs talks with Gonzo and Pepe – We got to interview a couple actual Muppets about Muppets Now!
RIP Regis Philbin – Regis had appeared with every television celebrity, and that included lots of Muppets.
Muppets Now premieres – The Muppets have their first new TV series in five years, and it’s NOW.
Ranking every post-Muppet Show Muppet episode – There are exactly 50 episodes from post-Muppet Show series featuring the Muppets. Let’s rank them before Muppets Now ruins that perfectly round number.
The Muppets were made for streaming – Funny how the Muppets have always done better with non-network series. Therefore, Muppets Now is destined to be a hit! Right??
Only one thing could make Muppets Now more exciting – We’ll give you a hint. It rhymes with “Shmuppet Shmoe”.
August:
Interview with Muppet writer Mark Saltzman – The Sesame Street writer gives us the scoop on his Bert & Ernie scoop.
Muppet avatars added to Disney+ – Finally, you can watch Pete’s Dragon as Scooter!
Matt Vogel’s Below the Frame podcast launches – The Muppet performer begins his series of interviews with folks in the Muppet world. Hey, isn’t that our job??
DisneyBounding with the Muppets – Disney fans have been dressing in outfits inspired by their favorite characters for years, and they’ve finally made their way around to the Muppets!
One lucky fan’s Muppet*Vision 3D set visit – Joe Apel gives us a recap on the Mickey Mouse Club episode that never aired, featuring his one-of-a-kind visit to the set of Jim Henson’s final production.
Why there AREN’T so many songs about rainbows – We asked, you answered. And we still don’t really know anything.
September:
Earth to Ned premieres – The Jim Henson Company’s new series about aliens attacking celebrities through overly personal questions and crass humor hits Netflix.
RIP Diana Rigg – The star of The Great Muppet Caper passed away, leaving us with the greatest plot exposition scene of all time.
Muppets Now should’ve been more like Flowers on the Wall – I mean, most things should be more like Flowers on the Wall.
Bizarre Statler & Waldorf theories – I knew there was more to those guys than insults and scoliosis!
A Muppet fan’s salute to VCRs – Would we even be here without VCRs? I mean probably.
Celebrating 50 years of Rubber Duckie – Ernie’s bathtime song peaked on the Billboard charts 50 years ago. In more important news, “Rubber Duckie” actually hit the Billboard charts.
Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance canceled – Why can’t we have nice things???
The Muppets: The Sitcom: The Podcast debuts – We have another podcast! This time we’re talking about that Muppet sitcom most people hated!
Celebrating Jim Henson’s 84th birthday with 84 minutes of Muppet content – 84 is a milestone to us… apparently.
RIP Helen Reddy – We remember the Muppet Show guest star, who sang and danced with a camel.
RIP Mac Davis – We lost another Muppet Show guest, this time the country star who appeared with a couple dozen Beakers.
October:
Sesame Street Needle Drop: Monsters – Sesame Street sang about some monsters, and now we’re writing about ’em!
Cookie Monster for President – With the election coming up, we remember the time Cookie Monster ran for office.
Celebrating 20 years of Muppet Racemania – The classic Muppet video game gets a video review!
Big Bird for President – With the election coming up, we remember the time Big Bird ran for office
ToughPigs endorses Joe Biden for President – You know things are serious when the Muppet fan sites are getting involved. Hachi Machi.
Oscar for Mayor – With the election coming up, we remember the time Oscar the Grouch ran for office
ToughPigs 2020 Halloween Parade – Celebrating Halloween the only way we know how: Sharing photos of people dressed as Muppets!
ToughPigs Election: Kermit vs. Doc Hopper – Every four years, ToughPigs holds its own election. This year, we made the decision a little easy for you.
November:
Kermit the Frog elected as ToughPigs President – See? Your votes matter!
The Monster at the End of This Story premieres – Sesame Street’s newest animated special has a spoiler in the title.
The Muppets return to Walt Disney World – In that “strong, silent type” sort of way.
RIP Alex Trebek – The Jeopardy host, who worked with the Sesame Street cast, has passed away.
The TRUE Sesame Street Zodiac – Forget those posers, we’ve got the real scoop on Sesame Street astrology, unless you happen to be a Capricorn.
Things that are not Muppets – There are many things in this world that are Muppets, but even more that are not Muppets.
Labyrinth: The ABC Storybook released – Luke Flowers retells the story of Labyrinth through his incredible art in alphabetical order.
Museum of the Moving Image memories – We shared some of our favorite MOMI stories, while helping raise funds so they can keep their doors open through the pandemic.
RIP NYC Mayor David Dinkins – The only New York City mayor to appear on Sesame Street has passed.
Revisiting the Muppets’ Macy’s parade appearances – It’s a weird year for the Macy’s Parade, so we made a video of the Muppets’ appearances throughout the parade’s history.
The Muppets and our quest for SEO glory – In which we prove that we totally and completely understand how the internet works.
December:
GLOP: The Glorious Ladies of Puppetry – Female puppeteers joined forces for a new web series, impressively produced remotely!
LEGO Sesame Street set released – And we put the whole thing together piece-by-piece, just as Mr. Hooper probably did for his store.
When Love is Gone to be re-inserted into Muppet Christmas Carol – Life is made up of meetings and partings. This is somehow both.
The Swedish Chef included in Overcooked game – No kitchen is complete without a Swedish Chef appearance, not even virtual ones.
Dinosaurs announced for Disney+ – The classic Henson series is on its way, and it’s only about 60 million years late.
Is Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree a secret comedy classic? – The Muppet holiday special is a laugh riot, but not really in the way they intended.
2020 Muppet Hallmark ornaments released – Celebrate Christmas with Gonger on your tree!
Meet Fozzie’s sister, Rozzie – Muppet Babies is introducing Fozzie Bear’s little sister, making us wonder why she’s been missing for all of Fozzie’s adult life.
Letters to Santa revisited – This article is dedicated to the United States Post Office.
Muppet Christmas Carol teas reviewed – Wherever you find love, it tastes like Christmas.
The unquestionable legacy of The Great Santa Claus Switch – The special is full of Frackles who all went on to great heights in the Muppet world.
Hopes for a Muppety 2021 – I mean, it’s gotta be better than 2020, right?
2020 Year in Review – Hey, that’s this article! You’re already ahead of the curve for next year!
Thanks to all of you for reading ToughPigs and making this an extraordinary year, despite some of the terrible happenings of 2020! Here’s hoping 2021 brings even more Muppet joy for everyone.
Click here to get this year over with on the ToughPigs forum!
by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
