Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for The Barretta Brothers
ArtsPerforming ArtsTV & Film

The Barretta Brothers

thebarrettabrothers

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.

Play
Open in
  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 21 min
  • English

Episodes 20

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
  • S1 · E64
    May 8, 2025 · 37 min

    Ep 64 - Muppets Take Mahoning 3: The Stage Events

    Featuring three live events during a Muppets Take Mahoning #3 event at the Mahoning Drive-In Theater on May 3, 2025. Hosted by the Barretta Brothers Vodcast/Podcast. Gene Barretta leads a Q&A and Prop Show & Tell with Fred Buchholz, who is a Special Effects artist, Technical Effects artist, Pyro-Technician, Propmaster, and Puppet Designer for The Muppets, as well as many other TV and Film projects. That is followed by a Puppet Contest and a Costume Contest. Several other activities took place before the double-feature of Muppets Take Manhattan, and Muppet Treasure Island.

  • S1 · E63
    May 5, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min

    Ep 63 - Muppets Take Mahoning 3

    This live episode of The Barretta Brothers is the third time they've hosted a Muppet event at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA on May 3, 2025. The name of the evening is Muppets Take Mahoning 3. They showed a double feature of Muppets Take Manhattan and Muppet Treasure Island, plus lots of other fun activities. Unfortunately, the audio for the costume and puppets contests is shaky. But we have posted those events separately on our Youtube Channel.

  • S1 · E63
    Dec 1, 2024 · 2 hr 42 min

    Ep 61 - Frank Biondo

    We celebrate the 55-year career of Frank Biondo, The A-Cameraman on Sesame Street since Day One 1969! With over 40 surprise guests from the show's 55 season run.

  • S1 · E62
    May 18, 2024 · 1 hr

    Ep 60 - Muppets Take Mahoning 2

    This live episode of The Barretta Brothers is recorded at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA on May 18, 2024. It is the second night of an event called Muppets Take Mahoning. Our special guest is Puppeteer, producer, and director, Matt Vogel. Along with this live recording, the IN-PERSON event includes a special 35mm double-feature of Muppets Most Wanted (2014), and Labyrinth (1986) - on night one, the double-feature was The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and The Dark Crystal (1982). The event also includes Video Greetings by Muppeteers, Louise Gold, Bill Barretta, Matt Vogel, Peter Linz, Alice Dinnean, also Danny Trejo, and Ricky Gervais. There were Muppet Collectible Vendors; Muppet DJ Set & Book Signing w/ Gene Barretta; an Open Mic/Talent Show; Costume Contest, Puppet Contest; Mahoning Merch; Mahoning Raffle; Muppet-themed Snacks: Mahna Ma-Nachos and Puppet Punch; Photo Ops; and an Intermission Sing-A-Long!

  • S1 · E61
    Dec 3, 2023 · 2 hr 16 min

    Ep 59 - Meet the Muppets Mayhem PART FOUR

    Gene & Bill Barretta take a glimpse behind the scenes with lots of great stories from Directors: Matt Sohn, Kimmie Gatewood, Rob Cohen; Director of Photography: Craig Kief; 1st AD: Ross Novie; Production Designer: Denise Pizzini; Key Grip: Bodie Hyman; Puppet Heap Puppet Designer: Paul Andrejco; Muppets Coordinator: Danielle Obinger; Designer, builder/Prod. Coordinator: Peter McKennan; Props: Bethany Barton; Puppet Wranglers: Jürgen Ferguson, Russ Walko, and Rachel Burson.

  • S1 · E60
    Nov 26, 2023 · 2 hr 9 min

    Ep 58 - Meet The Muppets Mayhem PART THREE

    In Part Three of Meet the Muppets Mayhem, we meet Muppets Galore! Michelin Sisti, Matt Vogel, Nicolette Santino, Bruce Lanoil, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, David Bizzaro, Donna Kimball, Tim Lagasse, David Rudman, Art Vega, Drew Massey, Eric Jacobson, Jackson Barretta, Bradley Freeman, Stephanie D’Abruzzo, Alice Dinnean.

  • S1 · E59
    Jul 10, 2023 · 1 hr 22 min

    Ep 57 - Meet the Muppets Mayhem PART TWO

    In Part Two of Meet the Muppets Mayhem, we meet the writers! Adam F. Goldberg, Bill Barretta, Jeff Yorkes, Crystal Shaw, Gabrielle Rodriguez, Hannah Friedman, and Donielle Muransky.

  • S1 · E58
    Jun 26, 2023 · 1 hr 42 min

    Ep 56 - Meet The Muppets Mayhem PART ONE

    The Barretta Brothers begin their series on The Muppets Mayhem, joined by Muppet Performers, Dave Goelz and Peter Linz. Plus, series actors, Tahj Mowry, Saara Chaudry, and Anders Holm.

  • S1 · E57
    Jun 11, 2023 · 3 hr 15 min

    Ep 55 - Celebrating Dave Goelz: 50 Years With The Muppets

    We celebrate Dave Goelz's 50-year career with The Muppets with a cavalcade of guests! Guests: Jackson Barretta, Ben Goelz (with girlfriend Felicia), Amy Goelz, Debbie Goelz, Dave Goelz (guest of honor), Frank Oz, Lucy Baker, Martin Baker, Jill Colley, Louise Gold, Andy Nyman (with Sophie Nyman), Nigel Plaskitt, Keith Radack, Lark Baskerville, Mark Waxman, Ernie Patterson, Heather Henson, Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, John Lovelady, Bonnie Erikson, Rollie Krewson, Calista Hendrickson, Amy Van Gilder, Karen Prell, Kevin Clash, David Rudman, Fran Brill and husband, Jan Nelson, Rita Peruggi, Lawrence Mirkin, Alexandra Rockwell, Tom Newby, Ed Christie, Polly Smith, Jane Gootnick, Fred Buchholz, Craig Shemin, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jim Lewis, Ed Mitchell, Charles Rivkin, Joel Behr, Karen Barnes, Adam Savage, Bobby Moynihan, Peter Friedman, Michael Giacchino, Peter Doctor, Leigh Slaughter, Michael Steinbach, Matt Vogel, Kelly Vogel, Caren Rudman, Eric Jacobson, Mary Jacobson (and children), Peter Linz, Alice Dinnean, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Jocelyn Stevenson, Barb Caswell, Chris Caswell, Duncan Kenworthy, Danny Trejo, Kirk Thatcher, Mike Quinn, Paul Williams, Ricky Gervais, Bill Prady, Dave's Glam Squad, Brad Freeman, Peter McKennan, Chris Neely, Allan Trautman, Jeff Yorkes, Adam F. Goldberg, Chelsea DeVincent, Donna Kimball, Michelan Sisti, Pat and Barbara Contini, Lynne Hale, Patricia Ulrich, Hillary Bradley, Bruce Lanoil, Laura Lanoil, Dani Iglesis, Richard Leonard, Drew Massey, Nicolette Santino, Andrew Williams

  • S1 · E56
    May 20, 2023 · 1 hr 16 min

    Ep 54 - Muppets Take Mahoning

    This episode of The Barretta Brothers is recorded live at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA on May 20, 2023. Their special guest is Ed Christie (Ex VP/General Manager of NY Muppet Workshop, with a surprise guest, Brian Henson. This special event centered around a special 35mm double-feature of The Muppet Movie (1979), and The Muppets (2011). Other in-person experiences included - Movie Greetings by Muppeteers, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Matt Vogel, Peter Linz, Eric Jacobson, and David Rudman; Muppet Trailers; Muppet Collectible Vendors; Costume contest; Muppet DJ Set & Book Signing w/ Gene Barretta; Mahoning Merch; Mahoning Raffle; Muppet-themed Snack: Mahna Ma-Nachos; Photo Ops; and an Intermission Sing-A-Long - RAINBOW CONNECTION!

  • S1 · E55
    Mar 20, 2022 · 1 hr 17 min

    Ep 53 - The Muppets Mayhem

    Gene and Bill discuss the new series, The Muppets Mayhem, with Bill’s co-creators & co-writers, Adam Goldberg (of The Goldbergs), and Jeff Yorkes. Plus, Executive Producers, Michael Bostick, and Kris Eber.

  • S1 · E54
    Dec 20, 2021 · 1 hr 6 min

    Ep 52 - Muppet Performers, Santa Claus,& Muppet Christmas Trivia

    Contestants, Adrienne H. Lee, and Henry Greenberg compete to see who knows more about their favorite subject - The Muppets! Ben Barretta sits in with his Dad, Gene. A visit by Santa Claus. And to top it all off, Muppet performers, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, Matt Vogel, and Eric Jacobson, join Bill and Gene for some holiday Q&A and stories.

  • S1 · E10
    Oct 27, 2021 · 22 min

    Ep 51 - Muppet Mini #05: 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.

  • S1 · E12
    Oct 19, 2021 · 32 min

    Ep 50 - Muppet Mini #04: 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.

  • S1 · E53
    Sep 7, 2021 · 1 hr 16 min

    Ep 49 - Muppets Haunted Mansion Live Q&A

    On this episode, The Barretta Brothers talk about Muppets Haunted Mansion. Special guests Matt Vogel, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, Julianne Buescher, Alice Dinnean, Bruce Lanoil, Michael Steinbach, and Kelly Younger.

  • S1 · E14
    Sep 6, 2021 · 23 min

    Ep 48 - 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.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes