My Weekend Crush

I’ve always loved the Muppets. My family used to gather on the couch and watch “The Muppet Show” together and the theme song send a warm, welcome wave of nostalgia over me from its very first notes. And now those loveable fuzzballs become even more sensational, inspirational, celebrational and Muppet-ational with their stance on the homophobic fast-food company Chik-fil-A and gay marriage. This week, the Jim Henson Company posted this on its official Facebook page:

The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD.

Now, I realize the Jim Henson Company sold the Muppets to Disney long ago. But it’s really the spirit of Henson and his fuzzy faced friends that I am celebrating here. I love the Muppets, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal – all his goofy and gangly and good-natured creations. They are the epitome of that rainbow connection, where the lovers, dreamers and even me can be embraced for exactly who we are. Keep your fried chicken, Chik-fil-A, and your embarrassing damage control attempts. Nothing tastes as good as equality feels. Happy weekend, all.

Merry Merry, Happy Happy

Merry Christmas and happy whatever you believe in.

Muppet Monday

Why are there so many songs about rainbows? Because rainbows are fucking awesome, that’s why. Now, when I first heard they were making a new Muppet movie, I was skeptical. Messing with beloved childhood memories is always a tricky proposition. But then I heard that Jason Segel was behind the project and I was really, really skeptical. Keep in mind, this news came out the same year as “Saving Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” So pretty much I knew him as that guy whose junk I saw way too much of. But, mostly, it was the beloved childhood memory thing. I cried the day Jim Henson died, I really did.

So then, as the movie developed, I was anxious to see what direction they’d go. The first trailer was perfectly charming. And now, well, their new parody trailer “The Pig with the Froggy Tattoo” has totally won me over. You had me at “Wocka. Wocka,” new Muppet movie.

The new Muppet movie also comes with a brand new Muppet album, which makes sense because music was such a big part of the original movies and show. NPR streamed the whole album last month. (Sadly, the stream is now over.) But, you can hear the very new, very different Muppet theme song by OK GO. When I first heard it, I hated it. Then it grew on me and I kind of dug it. Then I watched the video and I was a little “Nope, hipster nonsense.”

So, judge for yourself. I actually don’t mind the crunky synth wheeze of the new song. But for some reason when paired with the video it’s just not working for me anymore. I think it’s because the dude with the cap and beard looks more Muppety than the actual Muppets.

And, well, it is hard to improve upon something as flat-out sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetationalas this.

OK, new Muppet movie. I’m going to give you a try. Just don’t go breaking my heart. I already have “The Rainbow Connection” to do that. Talk amongst yourselves, kittens. I’ll just be sitting on this log, reliving my childhood until the new movie comes out.