Muppet Fan Podcasts with ToughPigs.com

We're joined by Muppets Studio Creative Director Dani Iglesias and Walt Disney Imagineering Producer Bette Lombardi to get the behind the scenes stories on the new Rock'n'Roller Coaster starring The Muppets, now open at Walt Disney World!

J.D Hansel talks with producer Halle Stanford and puppeteer/writer/executive producer Dorien Davies about The Jim Henson Company's newest special, 'Wowsabout'!

Shiver my timbers and shiver my soul. The live Muppet script readings are back May 12th 2026 with Muppet Treasure Scriptland. Today we chat with director Matt Wilkie, as well as comedian and writer D.J Mausner who will be playing Spa'am! (This episode contains some cursing towards the end)

Shiver my timbers and shiver my soul. The live Muppet script readings are back May 12th 2026 with Muppet Treasure Scriptland. Today we chat with director Matt Wilkie, as well as Erika Ishii reprising their role of Rizzo, plus Siobhan Thompson who takes on the role of Jim Hawkins! (This episode contains some cursing towards the end)

In December, Muppet fans got their first new Rizzo and Bean content in almost a decade. Now performed by Bradley Freeman Jr, both are back in the fold in both social media videos, and in the new Muppet Show special. Recently our friends at The Muppets Studio asked if we'd like to help them introduce Bradley to world, and of course we said yes! So we sat down over Zoom to discuss his audition,...

Who cares what the grown ups thought of the new Muppet Show Special? The kids are here, and they've got opinions! Join Iris, Miles, Jojo and Addison as they discuss their favorite moments, singing rats, and what The Muppets should do next!

We're getting pumped for The Muppet Show special by getting some Muppet fans together to talk about how excited we are. But also, what we're totally afraid of. Hosted by Joe Hennes, with special guests Becca Petunia, Drake Lucas, and Cameron Garrity. Be sure to watch The Muppet Show, premiering on Disney+ and ABC on February 4th!

Our podcast miniseries covering The Muppets Scriptmas Carol - the live, star-studded script reading for charity on December 20th - continues with our two musical directors! For this last episode, we're chatting with comedian and actress Hannah Pilkes, who will be playing Belinda Cratchit and Lew Zealand, as well as being joined as usual by the shows director and producer, Matt Wilkie! To sign...

Our podcast miniseries covering The Muppets Scriptmas Carol - the live, star-studded script reading for charity on December 20th - continues with our two musical directors! We're chatting with accordian player Tyler Tafolla and piano player Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz, as well as being joined as usual by the shows director and producer, Matt Wilkie! To sign up for the livestream of The Muppet Script...

Our podcast miniseries covering The Muppets Scriptmas Carol - the live, star-studded script reading for charity on December 20th - kicks off with its director and one of the stars! We're chatting with show director and producer (and friend of ToughPigs), Matt Wilkie, as well as comedian and actress Jiavani (The Ghost of Christmas Present)! To sign up for the livestream of The Muppet Scriptmas...

A new Fraggle Rock special just premiered on Apple TV, which means Fraggle Talk: Back to the Rock is back with another new podcast episode! We're digging deep into the new special, scene by scene, to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on how it came together and what sort of Fraggle magic can be found throughout. Joining us with the insider info is Executive Producer and the performer of Gobo Fra...

Four Muppet fans gather to discuss current Muppet events about the Muppets. Including the Muppet Show revival, the Jim Henson birthday event in NYC, and the Muppets' takeover of the Rockin' Roller Coaster!

The Jim Henson Company is auctioning off hundreds of items from their archives, including props, puppets, and more from productions like Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Muppet Christmas Carol. Naturally, we have a ton of questions, so we went to the source: Jim Henson Company archivist Karen Falk. Listen as we chat with Falk about how the auction came together, why they're doing it, and ho...

Our podcast miniseries covering The Muppets Take Scripthattan - the live, star-studded script reading for charity on October 24th - concludes with two of our favorite famous Muppet fans! We are so excited to chat with Drag Race All-Star Nina West (Miss Piggy) and Broadway's own James Monroe Iglehart (Dr. Teeth)! To sign up for the livestream of The Muppets Take Scripthattan, visit Veeps.com an...

The Muppets Take Scripthattan live event (coming up on October 24th) is going to be chock full of celebrities, but also live musicians! Because what's a Muppet movie without music?? We're excited to welcome Dana Wickens (Animal), Brett Morris (Floyd Pepper), and banjo enthusiast Lucas Ross! To sign up for the livestream of The Muppets Take Scripthattan, visit Veeps.com and search for &quot...

Geeking out over the Muppets with two more stars of the upcoming live "Muppets Take Scripthattan" show! It's Paul F. Tompkins (Fozzie Bear) and Marc Evan Jackson (Kermit the Frog)! To sign up for the livestream of The Muppets Take Scripthattan, visit Veeps.com and search for "Muppets"!

On October 24th, celebrities are gathering in NYC for a special script reading of The Muppets Take Manhattan, with proceeds going to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In this miniseries, we'll be chatting with some of the stars of the show, starting with the hilarious and talented Janet Varney and Griffin Newman! To sign up for the livestream of The Muppets Take Scripthattan, visit Ve...

It’s the season finale of A Prairie Dawn Companion, and Becca Petunia is wrapping up her look at the female Sesame Muppets of the 1970s. That’s right: it’s time to check back in on Betty Lou and Prairie Dawn in their late 70s book appearances. But also: What classic  Sesame Street  song is technically a feminist anthem? What can we expect to hear in Season 2 of this show? And wait a minute, should...

As everyone knows, Rodeo Rosie is really a rose. But does anyone really know Rodeo Rosie? And is she even worth knowing at all? This week on A Prairie Dawn Companion , Becca and her special guest, composer and writer Rachel Garrett Steele , are saddling up to figure out if Rodeo Rosie is...good. What does she say about culture's fascination with the American West and law and order? What can sh...

In 1973, Sesame Street introduced a new Muppet character named Tina. In 1974, Sesame Street introduced a second new Muppet character named Tina. In this episode, Becca and guest Drake Lucas talk about both Roosevelt Franklin's friend Smart Tina and the sometimes-smart Tina Twiddlebug, in an episode that is less confusing than it sounds. While neither of these characters became all-stars, they&...

In 1971, a new pink, blonde little girl joined Betty Lou on Sesame Street . That's right, it's finally time for Prairie Dawn! And while Betty Lou faded to the background, Prairie Dawn stuck around and still appears on the show over 50 years later. Why did one work rather than the other? Well if anyone can help Becca answer that question, it's Stephanie D'Abruzzo , a performer who has years of expe...

Becca's got an endless alphabet purse full of obscure female Muppets and arcane media criticism terms in this episode of A Prairie Dawn Companion ! Join Becca Petunia and her special guest, Kristi O , as they talk about Roosevelt Franklin's mother, a little girl named Frannie, and the unforgettable oddball Granny Fanny Nesselrode. Featured in this episode are discussions of 70s media, trop...

Look, we'll cut to the chase: in this episode, Becca Petunia talks to the queen of Muppet performers, Fran Brill . She was Prairie Dawn! She was Zoe! She was also Roxie Marie but that's less important to most of you! Becca and Fran talk about her entire career and the joys and challenges of bringing so many beloved characters to life. Come on, what else do I have to say? It's Fran Brill!!! Credits...

Becca Petunia takes a close look at Sesame's first recurring female character, softhearted Betty Lou. Not only that, but she is joined by fan favorite recurring ToughPigs guest, puppeteer Stoph Scheer ( The Creatures of Yes , Puppet Up, Muppets Mayhem )! Featured in this episode are discussions of drag performances, monsters, and the importance of merchandise. Plus: you'll learn all about...

Welcome to A Prairie Dawn Companion , the new podcast from ToughPigs.com! On "A Prairie Dawn Companion," Becca Petunia applies a feminist lens to the history of Sesame Street . Although Sesame always prioritized diversity, it is well-known that prior to the 1990s, the show did not devote much time to its female Muppets. As a lifelong Sesame superfan, Becca seeks to explore the history of...