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Official Podcast of The Barretta Brothers. Join them and many great guests from The Muppets, Movies, TV, and more. Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between The Lions, and The Jim Henson Company. But Wait! It’s a Podcast and a Vodcast! You can Listen or Watch. For the Vodcast go to: www.thebarrettabrothers.com New Podcast episode posts every Friday.
Episodes
Saturday Aug 15, 2020
Saturday Aug 15, 2020
On this two-part episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Performer, Director, Producer, Kevin Clash - and Designer, Art Director, Puppet builder, Jane Gootnick.
Episode Outline:
Gene & Bill discuss Gene’s “Billy Puppet” sketch.
Jane Gootnick – 2:48-37:40mis
- Jane discusses Character Sal Minella
- Designing and building a perfect puppet character
- Sir Didymus and Brian Froud designs
- Dinosaurs
- Dog from The Storyteller
- Working with animatronic servos
- Fraggle Rock characters: Trash Heap, Philo and Gunge
- Storyteller Bunny
- Dark Crystal Creatures
- Andy Warhol and David Bowie stories
- Miss Piggy Photo Shoot
Kevin Clash – 39:10 – 1:23:00
- Kevin discusses the special The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
- Clifford and Muppets Tonight
- Michelle Pfeiffer
- Sandra Bullock
- Splinter
- Muppets Go to Disney World and Jim Henson
- Arsenio Hall show along with Jim Henson
- Fat Blue and Jim Henson
- Baby from Dinosaurs
- Elmo and his Dad, Louie from Beginnings
- Gene, Bill, and Kevin work together on Fox & Friends
- Kevin assigning Gene and performer wives to do background characters on Muppet Treasure Island
- Muppet Treasure Island characters
- Happytime Murders
- Learning from other puppeteers
- The new Dark Crystal
- Earth to Ned
- Gene & Bill’s drag photos
- Bill tells Kevin how proud he is of him
- Getting a cab in NY
- The song/segment “Proud” from Families Stand Together and their funny recording session
Gene and Bill announce the winner of a viewer contest.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
JANE GOOTNICK
With college degrees in both acting and set design Jane first moved to
Europe working in Belgium and London. In the mid-70's she moved to NYC
working with alternative theatre groups (LaMama, Joe Papp's
Public Theatre). Jane became head sculptor at Brooks Van Horn Costume Co.
making props, masks and creatures for a large variety of venues:
Broadway shows (Sweeney Todd, Dracula, Peter Pan),
feature films (The Wiz, Hair), Warner Bros walkarounds, commercials,
Ringling Bros Circus, and the first four seasons of Saturday Night Live.
In 1978, the costume designer for SNL mentioned that the Jim Henson Company was
looking for sculptors for a film called The Dark Crystal and suggested she interview.
Jane was offered three weeks work to build a prototype support harness
for the Skeksis they were developing. So, she left her three-year full-time job for three weeks of work at Henson's and stayed 40 years!
Jane has worked in both the New York puppet shop and the London Creature Shop throughout the years. Designing/building puppets and creatures, supervising builds, and running workshops on location for Muppet/Henson films and TV series, (Dark Crystal, Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, The Storyteller, The Witches, Ninja Turtles, Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, The Muppets, etc.). She has also worked on a variety of talk shows, game shows, and awards shows (Oscars, Grammys, Hollywood Bowl and many more).
Jane is an art director for print and media photoshoots, film posters and endless fashion shoots with Miss Piggy with Louis Vuitton
KEVIN CLASH
Kevin Clash is best known for Elmo (Sesame Street) 1979-2012. He also was part of Labyrinth (1986), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 (1990) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (1991), Happytime Murders (SFX) 2018, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix) 2019. In addition to Elmo, Clash is also known for performing Splinter (TMNT) Baby Sinclair (Dinosaurs), and Clifford (Muppets Tonight).
Kevin Clash has won 29 daytime Emmys, over one hundred fifty -six performing title credits, thirty- one producing title credits and twenty- seven directing title credits. In 2011, his documentary, Being Elmo, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at Sundance. He has appeared in numerous television specials, commercials, feature films and direct-to-video products.
During his career, he has worked with great innovators who founded the classic puppet television industry including Kermit Love, Frank Oz, and Jim Henson.
Clash has recruited, auditioned, and trained puppeteers from all over the world. He was the senior puppet coordinator, and was also a director, co-producer and senior creative adviser on Sesame Street. Kevin was essential to the success of Elmo’s World and the creative branding powerhouse of Elmo. Business Insider states that in 1996 the toy company Tyco saw their sales grow from $70 million to an astounding $350 million thanks to the Tickle Me Elmo Doll.
Clash’s most recent project, Earth to Ned, will be airing on Disney+ this Fall and he currently has several projects in development.
Saturday Aug 08, 2020
Saturday Aug 08, 2020
On this two-part episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Performer, Director, Producer, Kevin Clash - and Designer, Art Director, Puppet builder, Jane Gootnick.
Episode Outline:
Jane Gootnick – 07:50 – 34:00 mins
- Jane talks about her very impression family tree and the early years
- People who originally inspired her.
- Pre-Henson work in NY, including SNL.
- Her start with Sesame Street and The Jim Henson Company.
- A review of characters she helped create.
- Gene & Bill announce details for a second Muppet Trivia Contest
Kevin Clash –36:20 – 1:03:23 mins
- A funny wedding story.
- Stories about his childhood and early training at home.
- Working on the Captain Kangaroo & The Great Space Coaster.
- Puppet workshops with Jane Henson and starting at Sesame Street.
- The origins of Elmo with Richard Hunt.
- Elmo’s connection with kids.
- Working with Jim Henson.
- The very first character he performed for Sesame Street.
- The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
KEVIN CLASH
Kevin Clash is best known for Elmo (Sesame Street) 1979-2012. He also was part of Labyrinth (1986), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 (1990) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 (1991), Happytime Murders (SFX) 2018, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix) 2019. In addition to Elmo, Clash is also known for performing Splinter (TMNT) Baby Sinclair (Dinosaurs), and Clifford (Muppets Tonight).
Kevin Clash has won 29 daytime Emmys, over one hundred fifty -six performing title credits, thirty- one producing title credits and twenty- seven directing title credits. In 2011, his documentary, Being Elmo, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at Sundance. He has appeared in numerous television specials, commercials, feature films and direct-to-video products.
During his career, he has worked with great innovators who founded the classic puppet television industry including Kermit Love, Frank Oz, and Jim Henson.
Clash has recruited, auditioned, and trained puppeteers from all over the world. He was the senior puppet coordinator, and was also a director, co-producer and senior creative adviser on Sesame Street. Kevin was essential to the success of Elmo’s World and the creative branding powerhouse of Elmo. Business Insider states that in 1996 the toy company Tyco saw their sales grow from $70 million to an astounding $350 million thanks to the Tickle Me Elmo Doll.
Clash’s most recent project, Earth to Ned, will be airing on Disney+ this Fall and he currently has several projects in development.
JANE GOOTNICK
With college degrees in both acting and set design Jane first moved to
Europe working in Belgium and London. In the mid-70's she moved to NYC working with alternative theatre groups (LaMama, Joe Papp's Public Theatre). Jane became head sculptor at Brooks Van Horn Costume Co.
making props, masks and creatures for a large variety of venues:
Broadway shows (Sweeney Todd, Dracula, Peter Pan), feature films (The Wiz, Hair), Warner Bros walkarounds, commercials, Ringling Bros Circus, and the first four seasons of Saturday Night Live.
In 1978, the costume designer for SNL mentioned that the Jim Henson Company was looking for sculptors for a film called The Dark Crystal and suggested she interview. Jane was offered three weeks work to build a prototype support harness for the Skeksis they were developing. So, she left her three-year full-time job for three weeks of work at Henson's and stayed 40 years!
Jane has worked in both the New York puppet shop and the London Creature Shop throughout the years. Designing/building puppets and creatures, supervising builds, and running workshops on location for Muppet/Henson films and TV series, (Dark Crystal, Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, The Storyteller, The Witches, Ninja Turtles, Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, The Muppets, etc.). She has also worked on a variety of talk shows, game shows, and awards shows (Oscars, Grammys, Hollywood Bowl and many more).
Jane is an art director for print and media photoshoots, film posters and endless fashion shoots with Miss Piggy with Louis Vuitton, Prada and other diva designers.
Saturday Aug 01, 2020
Saturday Aug 01, 2020
On this episode, The Barretta Brothers answer questions from the Live Youtube Chat during their 10th episode.
ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta
“What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles.
Today, life isn’t very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company.
The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.
Saturday Jul 25, 2020
Saturday Jul 25, 2020
In this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Actor/Activist/Restauranteur, Danny Trejo. Featuring surprise celebrity-guest visits by Kermit the Frog, Jon Voight, The Swedish Chef, and director Robert Rodriguez.
Episode Outline:
- Working with The Muppets
- Trejo’s Tacos and eating with family
- A visit from Robert Rodriguez. They talk about their films, and how they discovered they are related.
- A visit from The Swedish Chef
- Muppets Most Wanted – and the special reason why he loves Kermit.
- A visit by Kermit the Frog
- Talk about his documentary, “Inmate #1”
- His first film, “Runaway Train”
- A visit from Jon Voight
- Tony Bennett story
- How making movies is Danny’s platform for doing great community work.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Danny Trejo has developed a prolific career in the entertainment industry with a hard-earned and atypical road to success. From years of imprisonment to helping troubled youth battle drug addictions, from acting to producing, and now on to restaurant ventures, Trejo’s name, face, and achievements are well recognized in Hollywood and beyond.
Trejo has starred in dozens of films including DESPERADO, HEAT, the FROM DUSK TILL DAWN series, CON AIR, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, the SPY KIDS movies, MACHETE, and MACHETE KILLS, the BAD ASS trilogy, DEAD AGAIN IN TOMBSTONE and co-starred in DEATH RACE 2, DEATH RACE: INFERNO, MUPPETS MOST WANTED, GRAND DADDY DAY CARE, 3 FROM HELL which was
released in September 2019. Danny can also be seen in MADNESS IN THE METHOD, directed by Jason Mewes which was released in August 2019.
On the television side, Trejo reunited with Robert Rodriguez for Miramax’ From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. He also had recurring roles on Sons of Anarchy, King of the Hill, Breaking Bad, and The Flash, and has been featured in episodes of Blue Bloods, WHAT We Do in the Shadows, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Kidding, among others. Danny has recently wrapped the 3rd season of AMERICAN GODS, where he will be playing the character of MR. WORLD.
Additionally, Trejo has voiced characters in the animated films STORKS and THE BOOK OF LIFE, along with the series American Dad!, Rick and Morty, Puss in Boots, Young Justice and Family Guy. He also voices the character of Boots in DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD, which released in August 2019. More recently, Trejo has lent his voice to Cartoon Network’s Victor and Valentino, Disney Channel’s Big City Greens, and Universal Pictures’ MINIONS 2: The Rise of Gru. Comedian Pete Davidson recently performed an original rap song titled “Danny Trejo”on Saturday Night Live as a tribute to Mr. Trejo.
If you didn’t think Trejo was busy enough, he recently expanded his Trejo’s Tacos empire to include 8 locations in the Los Angeles area, including two new locations at the Original Farmer’s Market and in the Colony in West LA. Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts has also proven to be just as successful and will continue to expand in the near future.
Despite Danny’s impressive list of credits, it is his continuous role as a devoted father of three and an intervention counselor that bring him the most satisfaction. Danny is excited to share his love of food with the world with the release of his first cookbook Trejo’s Tacos: Recipes and Stories from LA, released in April, 2020. Danny’s colorful life and prolific career are chronicled in the new bio-documentary Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo.
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Fan Artists, Stuart Reeves, David R. Hulteen, James V. Carrol, and Kenny Durkin.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Stuart Reeves
In 2009 Stuart opened his own studio after working in-house at one of the U.K’s largest privately-owned companies as Senior Creative since 2001, where he developed a collaborative expertise with the immensely talented creative team there and passionate belief that integrating digital techniques and photography often results in the most successful imagery. His approach has resulted in a number of national design awards, global magazine covers and professional accolades.
Since opening the door to freelance, Stuart has had the opportunity to work on a number of global brands such as Lego, Disney, Warner Bros., Mercedes, Universal Pictures, Pizza Hut and The North Face. His work has spanned the fields of automotive, fashion, concept design, storyboards, character design and development.
David Hulteen
For the last 15 years he has worked for The Salvation Army as a publications specialist, editor, writer, graphic designer, illustrator, and art director in New York. He has also done freelance work for the Jim Henson Company, the American Broadcasting Company, Clear Channel Communications, SModcast Internet Radio, the Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, and Imperial Brass.
Dave has been fortunate to do commissioned work for Bill Barretta, Paul Rudolph, and Matt Vogel among other family members of Muppet performers.
"I have a beautiful wife and daughter and we are all a bunch of Jersey kids."
James V. Carroll
James V Carroll is a San Francisco-based, freelance graphic artist. Over the past decade his creative endeavors have included everything from promotional billboards and illustration to multimedia and product design. He is an avid moviegoer and known contributor to the Muppet fan community. His passion for Jim Henson’s characters led him to collaborate with Palisades Toys for many of their classic action figure designs. He also has contributed illustration work for licenses such as Fox and Disney.
Kenny Durkin
Kenny Durkin is a Florida-based cartoonist/caricature artist who has illustrated children's books, designed everything from plush toys to garden gnomes, self-published his own comic books, and had his cartoons on apparel for AMC's Duck Dynasty, Disney's The Muppets, and The Jim Henson Company. He's designed numerous company logos and has illustrated the posters and playbills of several off-Broadway musicals. He writes and illustrates his own online comic strip Father of the Brood.
He has performed live caricature entertainment at events across the United States for over 20 years. He's drawn caricatures at Walt Disney World retail locations and special events for 15 years.
He is a proud member of the prestigious National Cartoonists Society and an award-winning Gold Member of the International Society of Caricature Artists.
Saturday Jul 11, 2020
Saturday Jul 11, 2020
On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Cook, and TV personality, Alton Brown. Plus, Muppet Supervisor, designer, puppet builder, sculptor, Ed Christie, AND designer, Creative Director, sculptor, and Visual Arts Educator, Ed Eyth.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Alton Brown
In his words . . . “cook.”
Ed Christie
During his 35 years working with the Jim Henson Company, Ed Christie worked on almost all of Henson’s TV and film productions, including The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, The Jim Henson Hour, all of the Muppet movies as well as the 2 Sesame Street films, Follow That Bird and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.
For 25 of those years he built & designed major and minor characters for Sesame Street as well as for 23 of its international coproductions (including South Africa, China, Japan, Russia, Mexico, Bangladesh, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Northern Ireland, England and The United Arab Emirates). He was the Muppet Supervisor for the domestic Sesame program for many years and then finally moved on as the VP/Muppet Workshop Manager.
Outside of Henson, has designed and created puppet characters for Broadway (Doonesbury: The musical) and regional theater (The Kennedy Center production of the musical, Carnival), as well as for foreign television kid shows and commercials.
Ed is now a mixed media sculptor, art gallery co-owner and craftsperson living on Cape Cod.
Ed Eyth
Edward Eyth is a designer, creative director, sculptor, and visual arts educator. He has provided creative concept & design for such films as Back to the Future II, The Rocketeer, Hook, Men in Black, and Happy Time Murders. His client list includes Columbia Pictures, the Disney Company, the Jim Henson Company, MPC Film, Paramount Studios, Smithsonian Institute, Marvel Comics, Mattel Toys. As an Advanced Visual Communications instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena he received the “Great Teacher” award for outstanding contribution to education. He served as a Professor of Digital Art at Monterey Peninsula College and has lectured at UCLA, Parsons School of Design, New York, the School of Visual Arts, New York, the Society of Illustrators, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Boston Museum of Science, Arizona Science Center and for various other colleges and organizations. He was awarded the 2013 Sport Artist of the Year Award by the American Sport Art Museum and Archives, and has taught figure sculpture workshops at locations across the country, including annual workshops at the Scottsdale Artists School in Arizona. He currently resides in Savannah, Georgia with his wife and two sons and is a Professor of Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He can sing the entire Spongebob theme song, but has suffered with dry flakey scalp for most of his adult life.
Saturday Jul 04, 2020
Saturday Jul 04, 2020
On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Benjamin Franklin, as well as their first Muppet Trivia Contest with contestants, Jesse Oliver and John Papovich.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Benjamin Franklin (Bill Ochester)
Printer, Statesman, Scientist, Inventor, Humanitarian, Cartoonist, Humorist, Musician, Diplomat, and Founder of The Unites States of America. Close, personal friend of Bill Ochester. www.bfranklinprinter.com
Jesse Oliver
Jesse Oliver is an animator and illustrator living in Maryland. www.oliverstwistedcartoons.com
John Papovich
John Papovitch works in film production. He once ran the Instagram page for The Muppet Mindset. He lives in New York state.
Saturday Jun 27, 2020
Saturday Jun 27, 2020
On this episode, The Barretta Brothers take questions from the Live Youtube chat with guest visits by their sons, Jackson Barretta and Ben Barretta.
ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
Gene Barretta & Bill Barretta
“What are they up to now?” That was the popular question around their house and neighborhood while growing up. It was not unusual to see Gene and Bill dressed up in homemade costumes – filming Super 8mm dramas – attempting risky stunts in the ravine – animating GI Joes and weird-looking clay figures – building and performing clunky puppets – drawing offbeat comics, - and imitating The Beatles.
Today, life isn’t very different. In addition to personal projects and various acting roles, Bill has been a director, writer, producer and core performer with The Muppets for nearly 30 years. Gene is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. He has also animated and illustrated for Sesame Street, Between the Lions, and The Jim Henson Company.
The best part of their careers is that they occasionally get to work together! Unfortunately, no one will pay them to imitate The Beatles.
Guests:
Jackson Barretta: Bill's son
Ben Barretta: Gene's son
Saturday Jun 20, 2020
Saturday Jun 20, 2020
On this episode, The Barretta Brothers feature veteran Muppet performers and Emmy Winners, Frank Oz, and Dave Goelz. Two hours of love and cutting remarks.
Episode Outline:
- Gene serenades Bill for his birthday with a crash landing.
- Frank’s early years, including his dramatic overseas, post-war immigration from Belgium.
- Dave’s early career in Industrial Design and his father’s influence.
- Frank’s pantomime
- Dave’s Studio Show and Tell
- Beginning with The Muppets, and early productions
- Hilarious story about Frank and Dave’s dinner date.
- Early inclinations to become artists
- What makes a good puppeteer?
- Little Shop of Horrors
- Plus, questions from our Live Youtube Chat
ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Frank Oz:
Frank is a four-time Emmy winner, recipient of The Art Director’s Guild Award, The Comedy Award, Saturn Lifetime Achievement Award, George Foster Peabody award, and others. He’s performed with THE MUPPETS and on the STAR WARS Films. The dozen feature films he’s directed include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, IN & OUT, THE SCORE, and DEATH AT A FUNERAL, and has been patiently tolerant of Dave for years.
Dave Goelz:
Dave is a one-time Emmy winner, and did not receive The Art Director’s Guild Award, The Comedy Award or the Saturn Lifetime Achievement Award. He did not receive the George Foster Peabody award, but Jim Henson shared his with Dave. He’s performed with THE MUPPETS, but not on the STAR WARS Films. He has directed a dozen Traveling Matt episodes for FRAGGLE ROCK. He’s not as accomplished as Frank, but at least his given name auto-capitalizes.
Saturday Jun 13, 2020
Saturday Jun 13, 2020
On this episode, The Barretta Brothers are joined by 40 cast and crew members to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the TV show, Dinosaurs.
The highly popular TV series Dinosaurs, produced by Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Television, premiered on April 26, 1991. Four seasons originally aired until October 19, 1994.
It's been 30 years since the show began development. Our episode will take you on a chronological journey from its inception to its premiere, featuring over 40 key members of the cast and crew.