The Barretta Brothers

Muppet Mini: Kevin Clash Remembers Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Carroll Spinney and Jerry Nelson

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Performer, Director, and Producer, Kevin Clash.

Episode Outline:

• Kevin remembers special moments and pays tribute to:
• Richard Hunt
• Caroll Spinney
• Jerry Nelson
• Jane Henson
• Jim Henson

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

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. 

America's Got Muppet Talent

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome guest judge Carmen Osbahr, to help feature our ten talented contestants.

Episode Outline:

• Gene introduces his new semi-nasty character “Simon Gene.”
• A Thank-You to the Muppet Fan Sites who have helped us promote the show.
• Intro to Carmen
• Contestant #01: Jordan Brownlee sings “In Our World”
• Contestant #02: Chris Fiser sings “Man or Muppet”
• Talk about Carmen’s character, Rosita.
• Contestant #03: Debra Forth sings “One Little Star.”
• Contestant #04: Stacey Henson sings “I'm Going to Go Back There Someday”
• Contestant #05: Scott Joy sings “Rubber Duckie”
• Contestant #06: Cassidy Lewis sings “Sesame Street Theme”
• Contestant #07: Thelonious Jawn sings “Do De Duckie”
• Contestant #08: Fergie Philippe-Auguste sings “I Don't Want to Live on the Moon”
• Contestant #09: Frank Simpson sings “I'm So Happy”
• Contestant #10: Lianna Rivera sings “Rainbow Connection”
• And questions for our guests from our Live Youtube Chat.

ABOUT OUR GUEST-HOST

Carmen Osbahr

Carmen Osbahr, performs Rosita, Ovejita, and other characters on Sesame Street. Originally from Mexico City, she began her relationship with the iconic program in 1987 when she met Jim Henson. She appeared on various television shows for Televisa (Mexico City), including The Treasure of Knowledge, Xe-Tu, and The Songs of Cri-Cri. Osbahr was also part of the Plaza Sésamo team before moving to New York. In 1988, Osbahr officially became a Jim Henson Muppet™ performer, working for Sesame Street, City Kids, Dog City, Aliens in the Family, Between the Lions, and Bear in the Big Blue House. Osbahr’s other credits include “Kiki” in The Puzzle Place, a role in The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, and “Lily” in Disney’s Johnny and the Sprites. Osbahr has performed  in the live stage shows The Muppets Take the Bowl at the historic Hollywood Bowl; The Muppets Take the O2 at the O2 Arena in London; The Jim Henson Retrospectacle Live in Concert series in Wellington, New Zealand; and A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting at Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Muppet Mini: Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Craig Shemin

On this Mini episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Performer, Puppeteer, and Actress, Stephanie D’Abruzzo.  Along with writer, producer, and director, Craig Shemin.

Episode Outline:

• Stephanie remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Caroll Spinney
• Craig remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Jim Henson
• Stephanie remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Jerry Nelson
• Craig remembers a special moment and pays tribute to Richard Hunt

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

 

Stephanie joined Sesame Street in 1993. Since then, she has performed hundreds of characters, including Lulu, Curly Bear, and Prairie Dawn since 2015. She has also puppeteered and voiced countless characters for projects like Bear in the Big Blue House, Donkey Hodie, and Julie’s Greenroom. And if that isn’t enough, this slacker has earned herself Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations, and wait for it, Theater World Award and a special Outer Critics Circle Ensemble Award – for originating her roles in Avenue Q.

Craig Shemin is a writer, producer, and director. His credits include work with The Muppets, The Jim Henson Company, TV animation, and books like The Muppets Character Encyclopedia, and the upcoming book about Jim Henson’s first TV series, Sam & Friends. Craig produced and directed the award-winning documentary Behind the Scenes at Frogtown Hollow. He is President of The Jim Henson Legacy, and curator for Henson screenings at The Museum of the Moving Image.

 

BRIEF ADDITIONAL BIOS

Richard Hunt:

Muppet performer, who performed characters like Beeker, Sweetums, Scooter, Statler, and Janice.

Caroll Spinney:

Puppeteer, author, cartoonist, and Muppet performer, who originated and performed Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch.

Jerry Nelson:

Actor, Musician, and Muppet Performer, known for dozens of characters, including Count Von Count, Sherlock Hemlock, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Robin the Frog, and Sgt. Floyd Pepper.

Jim Henson:

Puppeteer, filmmaker, animator, director, writer, and creator of The Muppets. His characters include Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, and The Swedish Chef.

Actor David Arquette and Pro Wrestler RJ City

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome actor, producer, wrestler, David Arquette, and wrestler, actor, RJ City.

Episode Outline:

David Arquette

• David Arquette joins Bill & Gene 01:45-
• David discusses early TV work like The Outsiders, Parenthood with Leonardo DiCaprio
• Learning the craft by watching his Dad, actor Lewis Arquette, work.
• How joining his High School play turned his mind toward acting as a career.
• First film, “Where the Day Takes You.”
• Billy shows his Charlie Weaver (David’s Grandfather) Bartender toy.
• David’s obsession with collecting. Costumes, art, movie theater seats, and more.
• His Dad, Lewis Arquette’s work
• Pepe working with his sister, Alexis.
• His favorite Muppet experiences and loving the technical end of it.
• Wearing dead people’s clothes.
• The screening of The Tripper and the Paul Reubens anti-drug PSA

RJ City joins David, Gene, and Bill at 27:24mins

• RJ surprises Bill with a VHS copy of Muppet Classic Theater
• RJ and David engage in verbal jousting and insults.
• How RJ began wrestling
• RJ compares Wrestling to The Muppet Show
• Wrestlers from the 70s.
• How David and RJ send each other clothing once owned by Jerry Lewis.
• Discussion about their documentary, “You Cannot Kill David Arquette.”
• Gene and Bill show their homemade wrestling film from the 70s.
• Wrestling at traffic stops in Mexico
• Facial hair prepping for Scream 5

Gene and Bill get into a virtual wrestling match.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

David Arquette

David Arquette is an actor, director, wrestler, writer, producer, certified Bob Ross instructor and widely believed to be immortal.

RJ City

RJ is an actor, comedian and wrestling raconteur. He starred in the BBC/Nickelodeon show Splatalot; has sweat with (and on) various men all across North America; and every Sunday morning, makes coffee in his underwear on YouTube with such guests as Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mario Cantone. He is also David Arquette’s legal guardian.

 

 

 

Muppet Mini: Louise Gold Remembers

On this Mini episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Performer, Puppeteer, and Actress, Louise Gold.

Episode Outline:

• Louise remembers special moments and pays tribute to:
• Richard Hunt
• Caroll Spinney
• Jerry Nelson
• Jane Henson
• John Henson
• Jim Henson

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Louise trained as an actor at Arts Educational School but very early in her career she got a job with Jim Henson as one of the Muppet Performers on The Muppet Show (filmed at Elstree Studios) From then on, she has combined both acting and puppeteering. Most recently she played Yente in Trevor Nunn’s acclaimed production of "Fiddler on the Roof' at The Menier Chocolate Factory and the Playhouse Theatre London. Directly before that she was one of the core performers on The Netflix prequel series to the film, The Dark Crystal, 'Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance'. She was one of the original team that started Spitting Image, doing voices and puppeteering, worked on the recent Cbeebies show ‘The Furchester Hotel ‘playing Funella Furchester. She has appeared in many West End Shows as an actress including Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Assassins, The Cherry Orchard with the RSC and TV, Film and Radio.

During the lockdown she was part of GLOP (Glorious ladies of Puppetry) 

 

BRIEF ADDITIONAL BIOS

Richard Hunt:

Muppet performer, who performed characters like Beeker, Sweetums, Scooter, Statler, and Janice.

Caroll Spinney:

Puppeteer, author, cartoonist, and Muppet performer, who originated and performed Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch.

Jerry Nelson:

Actor, Musician, and Muppet Performer, known for dozens of characters, including Count Von Count, Sherlock Hemlock, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Robin the Frog, and Sgt. Floyd Pepper.

Jane Henson:

Puppeteer, artist, wife of Jim Henson.

John Henson:

Muppet Performer, craftsman, second son of Jim Henson.

Jim Henson:

Puppeteer, filmmaker, animator, director, writer, and creator of The Muppets. His characters include Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, and The Swedish Chef.

 

 

Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers feature Composer, Michael Giacchino.

Episode Outline:

• Some birthday wishes for Michael, and memories from us all growing up in the same places.
• Royal Albert Hall performance. (Question from viewer)
• Early musical influences. Exploring his early passions for music.
• How he began working with The Muppets
• Michael shares some memorabilia
• Favorite concept albums
• His latest CD, “Travelogue Volume 1” and the trailer
• Stories about Ratatouille, Jo Jo Rabbit, Inside Out, Rogue One, Lost, The Incredibles, and Prep & Landing
• Thoughts on conducting a score
• Recording with Paul McCartney
• Michael writes us an impromptu theme on ukulele
• And questions for our guests from our Live Youtube Chat.

 

 

ABOUT OUR GUEST

 

Composer MICHAEL GIACCHINO has credits that feature some of the most popular and acclaimed film projects in recent history, including The Incredibles, War for the Planet of the Apes, Ratatouille, Star Trek, Jurassic World, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Coco. Giacchino’s 2009 score for the Pixar hit Up earned him an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, the BAFTA, the Broadcast Film Critics' Choice Award and two GRAMMY® Awards. Giacchino studied filmmaking at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. After college, he landed a marketing job at Disney and began studies in music composition, first at Juilliard, and then at UCLA. He moved from marketing to producing in the newly formed Disney Interactive Division where he had the opportunity to write music for video games.

After moving to DreamWorks Interactive, he was asked to score the temp track for the video game adaptation of The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Subsequently, Steven Spielberg hired him as the composer and it became the first PlayStation game to have a live orchestral score, recorded with members of the Seattle Symphony. Giacchino went on to score numerous video games including Spielberg’s Medal of Honor series. Giacchino’s work in video games sparked the interest of J.J. Abrams, and thus began their long-standing relationship that would lead to scores for the hit television series Alias and Lost, and the feature films Mission Impossible III, Star Trek, Super 8 and Star Trek Into Darkness.

Additional projects include collaborations with Disney Imagineering on music for Space Mountain, Star Tours (with John Williams), the Ratatouille ride in Disneyland Paris, and the Incredicoaster on Pixar Pier at California Adventure. Giacchino was the musical director of the 81st Annual Academy Awards®. His music can be heard in concert halls internationally with all three Star Trek films, Ratatouille, Jurassic World, Up and Coco being performed live-to-picture with a full orchestra. In June 2018, Giacchino premiered his first work for symphony orchestra, Voyage. Commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the piece celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of NASA. In July 2019, a third movement was added for the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing. Jojo Rabbit, the critically acclaimed Fox Searchlight film written and directed by Taika Waititi, earned Giacchino a BAFTA nomination this year. His upcoming film projects

include Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Giacchino’s first LP of original music, Travelogue Vol 1, featuring his Nouvelle Modernica orchestra, is described as a story in song and will be released on Mondo Records in October 2020. Giacchino serves as the Governor of the Music Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and sits on the advisory board of Education Through Music Los Angeles.

 

 

Muppet Mini: Fran Brill Remembers Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Caroll Spinney

On this Mini episode, The Barretta Brothers welcome Muppet Performer, Voice Actor, and Actress, Fran Brill.

Episode Outline:

• Fran remembers special moments and pays tribute to:
• Richard Hunt
• Caroll Spinney
• Jerry Nelson
• And Jim Henson

 

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Fran Brill Kelly was the first female Muppet performer hired by Jim Henson for SESAME STREET.  During her many years there she won an EMMY AWARD and created the characters of Zoe, Prairie Dawn, the Countess and many others.  Her other work with the Muppets includes THE MUPPET SHOW, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, THE JIM HENSON HOUR, DOG CITY, THE ADVENTURES OF ELMO IN GROUCHLAND, CINDERELMO and ZOE'S DANCE MOVES with Paula Abdul.  Fran was also in Frank Oz’s documentary MUPPET GUYS TALKING.

As an actress, Fran appeared on and off Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre, Manhattan Theater Club, Playwrights Horizons and was twice nominated for the Drama Desk Award.  She also played leading roles at many regional theaters including Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Mark Taper Forum, and Yale Rep.  Her film credits include MIDNIGHT RUN with Robert De Niro, WHAT ABOUT BOB? with Bill Murray and BEING THERE with Peter Sellers.

She had running roles on several soap operas and guest-starred on many night-time dramas including LAW AND ORDER and its spin-offs.  Her voice was also heard on hundreds of radio and TV commercials and the cartoon series' DOUG and SHEEP IN THE CITY.

She retired, happily, on Sept. 30, 2014.  www.franbrill.com

 

BRIEF ADDITIONAL BIOS

Richard Hunt:

Muppet performer, who performed characters like Beeker, Sweetums, Scooter, Statler, and Janice.

Caroll Spinney:

Puppeteer, author, cartoonist, and Muppet performer, who originated and performed Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch.

Jerry Nelson:

Actor, Musician, and Muppet Performer, known for dozens of characters, including Count Von Count, Sherlock Hemlock, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Robin the Frog, and Sgt. Floyd Pepper.

Jim Henson:

Puppeteer, filmmaker, animator, director, writer, and creator of The Muppets. His characters include Kermit the Frog, Ernie, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, and The Swedish Chef.

 

Danny Trejo, Robert Rodriguez, Kermit the Frog, Jon Voight, The Swedish Chef.

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.

 

GLOP: The Glorious Ladies of Puppetry

On this episode, The Barretta Brothers feature GLOP (Glorious Ladies of Puppetry), a team of over twenty of the most talented female puppeteers working today. And speak with GLOP creators, Donna Kimball, Colleen Smith, and Alice Dinnean.

 

Episode Outline:

• They discuss why and how they were motivated to start their project.
• We watch and comment on 3 of their 6 short episodes
• Behind the Scenes discussion
• The process of Covid Pandemic shooting, when everyone shot their parts separately.
• Their various Muppets & Henson projects, and more.
• The growing opportunities for female puppeteers.
• And questions for our guests from our Live Youtube Chat.

 

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Donna Kimball:

A puppeteer for 25 years, Donna is the new Mokey in the reboot of The Jim Henson Company’s FRAGGLE ROCK (Apple TV). Other Henson credits include EARTH TO NED (Disney+), WORD PARTY (Netflix), SID THE SCIENCE KID (PBS), and the voice of Aughra in DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE (Netflix). Her work with Sid & Marty Krofft Productions includes MUTT & STUFF (Nick Jr.), SIGMUND AND THE SEA MONSTERS (Amazon), and she is the new voice of H.R. PUFNSTUF’s beloved character Freddie the Flute. She was a writer for WORD PARTY and the animated Henson series FRIENDZSPACE. 

 

Colleen Smith:

Colleen is a GROUNDLINGS SUNDAY CO. & SECOND CITY Conservatory Alumna. She joined the cast of Brian Henson's PUPPET UP! as an improviser over ten years ago. As a human her credits include HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, THE OFFICE AND SELFIE. As a puppeteer she played various characters in THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS, Rose from THE CURIOUS CREATIONS OF CHRISTINE MCCONNELL and Beti on EARTH TO NED on Disney +. Colleensmi.com

 

Alice Dinnean:

Alice Dinnean began her puppetry career in high school at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, CA. After graduating from Oberlin College, she went right back to puppets, starting at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. She has performed principal roles on SESAME STREET and for various Jim Henson Company productions, including TURKEY HOLLOW, SID THE SCIENCE KID, AND THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE. Alice has appeared in multiple Muppet productions including live performances at the Hollywood Bowl. Other favorite projects include JACK'S BIG MUSIC SHOW, THE COUNTRY BEARS, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, CRANK YANKERS, THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS, TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE, SPLASH & BUBBLES AND WORD PARTY.

 

Frank Oz and Dave Goelz

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.