Latest news with #JimHenson
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Woman makes incredible find in thrift store and is told to sell it for £1m
A bargain hunter has been urged to insure her finds after stumbling upon two incredible pieces of 1980s Hollywood movie memorabilia in an American thrift store An American woman has been urged to cash in on her thrift store find after she unknowingly uncovered a stunning piece of personalised Oscars memorabilia. Self-confessed Star Wars nerd, Libbers, said she was hunting for action figures based on the space saga when she made her startling discovery. Taking to TikTok in excitement, she explained: "I found some action figures and a Jurassic Park VHS tape which I thought was super cool, and then I saw a China cabinet containing things I didn't think were for sale because inside of it was a whole bunch of Muppets memorabilia that looked like it came from a producer." After gaining permission to look in the cabinet, Libbers pulled out the programme for the 1980 Academy Awards where The Muppet Movie had received two nominations. Libbers continued: "Inside was a letter to [Muppets creator] Jim Henson, [puppeteer and filmmaker] Frank Oz and [executive producer] David Lazer as well as a note wishing David good luck." However, she wasn't done there as she went on to detail "the more impressive of the two" purchases she made. WARNING – explicit language in TikTok video below, viewer discretion advised She then showcased an original script of The Dark Crystal, a 1982 dark fantasy film directed by both Henson and Oz. "This is the fourth draft so not everything in here is even in the movie, which is insane to me," Libbers noted. "I'm trying so hard not to scream and jump up and down." Opening the original script, Libbers noted that it had been signed and dated by Lazer, who was the producer. "This is actually crazy," she said. "This is going to be my prized possession - I will have to put it on display. My Muppet-loving heart is going crazy." Libbers wasn't done there, however, as she went on to detail the "best part" of her find. "I got it for free," she exclaimed. "My mum had just bout $80 [£59] worth of stuff from the thrift shop and I was going to pay $40 [£29.50]. But after I bought the action figures and the VHS, the lady said, 'Don't worry about it - you're good'." She closed: "I am ecstatic right now! This is crazy. It's The Dark Crystal. Like The Dark Crystal." Libbers clip soon went viral, with amazed TikTok users quick to offer her advice on her relic. "Please get a lawyer if anyone tries to contact you, like for real… do not accept any offer if it's under 1 million," one person advised. A second hailed: "Jealousy is not even a strong enough word. Also as a 45 year old it makes me happy when younger people still love Muppets and The Dark Crystal." A third individual urged: "Disney is closing Jim Henson's final legacy piece in Hollywood Studios, you better not sell it to them." A fourth recommended: "I'm sure you're on it already, but get them appraised and insured." Whilst a fifth TikTok user said: "I would actually start sobbing if I was in your position. The Dark Crystal means so much to me. it's one of my favourite movies as a kid and one of the reasons why I make puppets today. I'm so glad that it's in hands that will cherish and take care of it." In response to several queries, meanwhile, Libbers returned to the comments section to clarify: "For everyone wondering, it was just a regular local thrift store, not a specialty one. David Lazer the producer of The Dark Crystal happened to live in my town upon his passing and the thrift store some how ended up with some of his belongings."
Geek Tyrant
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Kermit the Frog Delivers Heartfelt and Inspiring Commencement Speech at University of Maryland — GeekTyrant
Kermit the Frog took the stage at the University of Maryland's 2025 commencement ceremony and gave the graduating class a moment to remember, one that was as heartfelt and inspiring. With that familiar green face and humble wisdom, Kermit reminded the grads that life, like The Muppet Show , is best when shared with the people who truly get you. Why did Kermit give the commencement speech at Maryland? Jim Henson, Kermit's legendary creator, and his wife Jane were both proud University of Maryland alumni—and fans of the Maryland Terrapins. So for Kermit, this wasn't just another speech. It was a homecoming. Kermit told the students: 'Now there is no guarantee that the show is always good or that it'll go off without a hitch or it doesn't have its hecklers. But the show must go on and if you're with your people then you won't have to do it alone. Because life is not a solo act. 'No it's not. It's a big messy delightful ensemble piece especially when you're with your people. These are friends that you might have for your whole life and there will be many others to collect along the way.' He went on to urge kindness and connection over cutthroat competition: 'So as you prepare to take this big leap into real life here's a little advice if you're willing to listen to a frog. Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side because life is better when we leap together … 'Because if I know anything it's important to stay connected to your loved ones, stay connected to your friends, and most of all stay connected to your dreams. No matter how big, no matter how impossible they seem, the truth is dreams are how we figure out where we want to go.' In an age when so many commencement speeches blur together with corporate jargon and polished clichés, Kermit's words felt personal and sincere. That's the Muppet magic. Underneath the felt and googly eyes is a philosophy that's never gone out of style… community matters, dreams matter, and even in the mess, the show must go on. For a graduating class standing on the edge of uncertainty, it turns out one of the most reassuring voices they could hear wasn't a billionaire or politician, it was a frog reminding them to leap together.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Backlash over Kermit the Frog delivering 'woke' university's commencement address
The University of Maryland has been slammed after having Kermit the Frog deliver its commencement address. About 13,500 graduates gathered in the college's SECU Stadium on Thursday, where the character delivered his controversial commentary. Kermit was chosen as this year's speaker as an homage to his creator, Jim Henson, an alumni who passed away in 1990 at 53. 'As you prepare to take this big leap into real life, here's a little advice - if you're willing to listen to a frog,' the green Muppets star eagerly told the crowd. 'Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side, because life is better when we leap together.' His roughly 15-minute lecture also included a Rainbow Connection sing-a-long, a nod to the 1979 Muppet Movie where Kermit, voiced by Henson, debuted the song. But what was meant to be an inspirational message has sparked fierce backlash, with critics claiming the fictional frog was way off base. Riley Gaines, a conservative podcaster known for her advocacy against transwomen in women's sports, tore into the address on a Fox News Hannity Special on Friday. 'It's unserious, it's out of touch, and frankly, it's insulting,' the former swimmer told host Jason Chaffetz. 'Imagine being a 22-year-old student, who's graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering, and a frog from The Muppets is telling you to stay connected with your people.' She was not only upset with what Kermit had to say, but the fact that he was chosen to speak at the ceremony to begin with. 'Instead of honoring entrepreneurs or veterans or innovators, they picked Kermit the Frog,' Gaines added. 'We have students who are drowning in debt, who are struggling to find jobs, and universities are handing the mic to puppets.' Some people on social media share Gaines' sentiment, with one X user writing: 'Just wondering who the idiots were that made the choice to hire Kermit the Frog as a commencement speaker at the University of Maryland. Another man said: 'Imagine going to college for 4-5 years and at your graduation the commencement speaker is Kermit the Frog? I would be in there laughing the whole time.' 'Having Kermit the Frog speak at the University of Maryland graduation appears to indicate that the University leaders do not take the students seriously,' one woman agreed. But not everyone was infuriated by what Kermit - voiced by puppeteer Matt Vogel - told the graduates. One user asked: 'Do you know how f**king psyched I would've been to have KERMIT THE GRO as my commencement speaker?' 'I'm sorry but it would be AMAZING to have Kermit the Frog as commencement speaker,' someone wrote, directly responding to Gaines' commentary. Photos from the commencement show smiling students, seemingly thrilled with Kermit offering up some parting advice. The famous puppet has become a symbol on campus, with a bronze statue of Kermit chatting with Henson being placed in the garden in 2003 to permanently commemorate the pair. University President Darryll J. Pines announced Kermit would be the graduation's main speaker back in March. 'This incredible speaker honors the long history between the University of Maryland and Muppets creator Jim Henson, who graduated from UMD in 1960,' he wrote to students. 'A home economics major with an eye for innovation, Henson created Kermit using one of his mother's coats and a ping-pong ball cut in half. 'From those humble beginnings, Kermit has gone on to become one of the world's most beloved and enduring cultural icons - all while sharing a message of optimism and believing in yourself.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fox News Sets Sights on Latest Enemy: Kermit the Frog
Fox News has taken aim at a tough new political opponent—Kermit the Frog. The prominent Muppet gave a commencement speech at the University of Maryland on Thursday, chosen to honor his creator, Jim Henson. An economics major, Henson graduated from Maryland in 1960 and died in 1990. 'As you prepare to take this big leap into real life, here's a little advice—if you're willing to listen to a frog,' the upbeat and persistently kind felt character told students. 'Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side, because life is better when we leap together.' Kermit's appearance drew the ire of conservative commentator and podcast host Riley Gaines during an appearance on a Hannity Special on Friday night. 'It's unserious, it's out of touch, and frankly, it's insulting,' Gaines raged. 'Instead of honoring entrepreneurs or veterans or innovators, they picked Kermit the Frog.' Kermit was created in 1955 and became the star of The Muppets franchise, alongside Miss Piggy. Fox News did not see the funny side. 'Imagine being a 22-year-old student, who's graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering, and a frog from The Muppets is telling you to stay connected with your people,' Riley told host Jason Chaffetz. 'We have students who are drowning in debt, who are struggling to find jobs, and universities are handing the mic to puppets.' Henson, who went on to assist in the creation of Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and worked with stars including George Lucas and David Bowie, is commemorated at Maryland. A statue of him sitting on a bench alongside his beloved creation Kermit is a popular attraction at the university's Campus Park. Most accounts suggest the commencement speech, which ran for around 15 minutes, was well received by the graduating students. Riley, however, took the opportunity to paint the stunt as an example of 'woke' university failures. 'I see this as the same institutions who have been pushing political agendas and cancel culture now want to use a puppet to inspire students,' she said. Incredibly, this is not the first time that Fox has gone to war with The Muppets. In 2012, Fox Business attacked the perceived political agenda of their latest film, prompting the social media hashtag #GOPMuppetHearings. 'It's almost as laughable as accusing Fox News as, you know, being news,' Miss Piggy quipped in response to the accusations. 'If they take what I say seriously, they got a real big problem.' The Muppets are not the only cultural icons to have found themselves the target of Fox News. The organization has previously gone after Bud Light, Lego and Jaguar cars for embracing stances they consider woke.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
New York's most fascinating neighbourhood is across a familiar bridge
Later that afternoon I sip a stein of excellent Czech beer at Bohemian Beer Hall And Garden ( which has been here since 1910 and is the oldest biergarten in New York. In the evening I experience the modern flipside at SingleCut Beersmiths ( a buzzing post-industrial space which became the first brewery to open in Queens since Prohibition when it debuted in 2012. The next morning I head to MOMI – the Museum Of The Moving Image built on the site of the former Paramount film studios in 1989. The Behind The Scenes exhibit features interactive displays involving sound effects, music and editing, plus there are cabinets of film and TV memorabilia and a whole wall of vintage videogames that you can play. Over the years there have been immersive exhibitions based around everything from Mad Men to The Walking Dead, and a permanent Jim Henson exhibition follows his history with puppets, from Sesame Street and the Muppets movies to Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. As I wander the neighborhood that afternoon I can see the old and the new co-exist on the commercial stretches of Ditmars Boulevard, Broadway, Steinway Street and 30th Avenue. Newcomers such as Lockwood ( a trendy three-store mini-empire that sells stationery, gifts, accessories and clothing, sit alongside old-school favourites such as Alba's Pizza ( and La Guli Pastry Shop ( At the end of my two days, I have a nightcap at The Let Love Inn ( a cocktail bar that's as dark and atmospheric as the Nick Cave song Let Love In, after which it is named. As I sit at the bar sipping my drink, I go through my notebook and find something Ali El Sayed had said the previous day at Kabab Cafe. 'In the morning I have my coffee at the Italian cafe. When I shop, I deal with people who are from China and India and Bangladesh and Greece. It's a place where all these people can keep their culture, but live side by side. That's why I like living here.' And perhaps that's why Astoria is becoming the king of Queens. THE DETAILS VISIT If you're staying in midtown Manhattan you can easily get to Astoria on an N express train in about 20 minutes. Get off at Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard and you'll be right in the middle of things. STAY Tempo By Hilton New York Times Square ( rooms from $US335 [$A519]) is in the heart of midtown Manhattan, and only two blocks from the 49th Street N train stop, which takes you directly to Astoria. This 661-room hotel is the first from Hilton's Tempo brand, which emphasises affordable style and fitness/wellness.
