http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

On Friday, July 21, 2023, I was honored to be asked to host a post-performance question and answer session with ventriloquist Terry Fator at the Puppeteers of America Festival at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.  I was able to chat chat with Terry about performing on America’s Got Talent, where his early puppets came from, how much improvisation goes into his act, his singing chops and more.  I’m happy to share a recording of that audio with you on this episode of Under The Puppet.

Connect with Terry Fator:
Website – https://terryfator.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/terryfator/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@officialterryfator

Discussed on the show:

Puppeteers of America – https://puppeteers.org

National Puppetry Festival – https://puppeteers.org/national-puppetry-festival

Sesame Street – https://sesamestreet.org

Sesame Street Live – https://www.sesamestreetlive.com

America’s Got Talent – https://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent

The Jim Henson Company – https://www.henson.com

The Muppets – https://muppets.disney.com

Kermit the Frog – https://muppets.disney.com/kermit-the-frog

Puppet Heap – https://www.puppetheap.com

Venthaven Museum – https://venthaven.org

UNIMA-USA – https://www.unima-usa.org

The Mirage Las Vegas – https://mirage.com

Sam and Friends – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_and_Friends

Edgar Bergen – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Bergen

Charlie McCarthy – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_McCarthy

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

Honey Goodenough is a puppeteer, clown, educator and magician.  She’s traveled the United States and the world with her shows Sock Monkey Circus and Word Play and she’s been featured at the National Puppetry Slam several times. She’s toured with the Frisch Marionettes and worked with past Under The Puppet guest Nick Coppola performing at Macy’s in New York City.  Honey has also founded several grants to assist puppeteers and is the creator of Puppet Pandemic, a nationally touring puppet slam funded in part by Heather Hensons Puppet Slam Network.  Honey Goodenough is my guest on this episode of Under The Puppet.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Honey Goodenough by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Honey Goodenough:

Website – https://goodheartedentertainment.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/goodhearted_entertainment/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@honeygoodenough304

Discussed on the show:

2001 – Yello Dyno: First professional wrangling Job 

https://youtu.be/apMsMF-9wpM?si=UplJL-mTYXkjlnrY

2010 – Sweet Dreams: Marionette Piece

https://youtu.be/v8uodD_8DVc?si=zNbPhwhREAnlA66h

2014 – A Dream of ME: 

https://youtu.be/qYPWO-RgaZs?si=zGEOXywcnx3b5EQ9

2016 – WORD PLAY: Trailer 

https://youtu.be/sc-49YbQD-k?si=KLdz5h4CoAUzVB4O

2017 – Sock Monkey Circus Trailer: 

https://youtu.be/9Jsxek_xQ0M?si=nVR8bSMWsAlxR7O0

2015 NYTimes: Robotica The Caring Bear: Boston Children’s Hospital

https://youtu.be/QwTCmbq9C4o?si=jVViBeyvQrKWc1Gm

2015 – Buzzfeed: I’m a clown but I’m not…

https://youtu.be/fLgm4qSc6SA?si=Ipyp-32BKoszSEbM

2015 Wired: Huggable, BCH Boston Children’s Hospital

https://youtu.be/UaRCCA2rRR0?si=asKcoD33qK7o429x

2009-2014 – Macy’s Marionette Theater: Miracle on 34th Street:

https://youtu.be/Km61BTxiDyc?si=36fLxLwZaHVw4qs5

2009-2014 – Macy’s Marionette Theater: Nearly FULL Show: Miracle on 34th St. 

https://youtu.be/_RzvwmwaGMY?si=ZwVaKAFx1gPgveAs

Trash Island, By Wonder Spark – Honey made costumes and helped with Puppet Builds. 

https://youtu.be/Vor0SiUqtY8?si=rYBhCL5E1YzsDKhk

2013 – The Fuzz: Head Wrangler

https://youtu.be/tiTrLy5D8k4?si=LNXTaqlNfIkHaC5A

Music Videos

2010 – Sia: Clap your hands: 

https://youtu.be/HLA0ofsu0Qg?si=o4nzjggD8nI94Dy7

2026- Mikky and the Dooms: H2Hoe

https://youtu.be/Jkb5_e9vuic?si=AnNEUQsg0i4avnzo

Mr. Leo’s Bus – https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-mr-leos-magic-puppet-bus

Word Play at the Puppet Fringe in 2026 – https://puppetfringenyc.com/

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – Nicolas Coppola became enchanted by puppetry at an early age.  This enchantment lead to a life of building, performing and running puppet companies that has lasted over 70 years.  He created shows for The Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. and had a long standing job creating shows and performing at Macy*s in New York City.  He also created PuppetWorks, a non-profit marionette theater in Park Slope Brooklyn, New York that has entertained families since 1980.  I chat with Nicolas Coppola about his amazing career on this episode of Under The Puppet.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Nicolas Coppola by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Nicolas Coppola:
Website – https://puppetworks.org
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/puppetworksnyc/

Discussed on the show:
Puppetworks History – https://puppetworks.org/blank/
Honey Goodenough – https://www.instagram.com/honeygoodenough/
Vincent Anthony – https://www.unima-usa.org/vince-anthony-tribute

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

Jim LoGiudice began his career making props and models for films such as The Abyss, Con Air, The Rocketeer, and Armageddon. He made the move to puppetry though his church and started developing the characters and the show that would become Far Outpost, which performs weekly at Granite Creek Church in Claremont, California. I talk to Jim LoGiudice about the development of Far Outpost, the building of the puppets on the show, their crazy special effects, and more on this episode of Under The Puppet.

One quick note.  During my interview with Jim we discuss some of the special effect techniques uses on Far Outpost.  Jim is a Hollywood professional and has trained in creating these special effects.  Do not attempt any of the effect techniques discussed in this interview for yourself.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Jim LoGiudice by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Jim LoGiudice:
Far Outpost – https://www.youtube.com/@FarOutpost
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jimbo.logiudice/
IMDB – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0517754/

Discussed on the show:
Granite Creek Community Church – https://www.granitecreek.org
The Abyss (1989) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096754/
Con Air (1997) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118880/
The Rocketeer (1991) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102803/
Armageddon (1998) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/
Flubber (1997) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119137/
Men in Black (1997) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/

Sesame Street – https://www.sesamestreet.org
The Muppet Show – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Muppet_Show
The Muppet Movie (1979) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079588/
Mystery Science Theater 3000 – https://www.gizmoplex.com
Joel Hodgson – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0388273
Joel Hodgson’s TV Wheel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meqonUzc-pI

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

In July of 2025, an incredible group of people got together at the Amazon MGM studios in Culver City, California on historic stage 15, to shoot a series of shorts called Judge Boing Boing.  I recently sat down with the creative forces behind this project Bill Barretta and Frank Oz to find out how it all came together for this episode of Under The Puppet.

Connect with Judge Boing Boing:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/judgeboingboing/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@JUDGEBOINGBOING
TikTok –  https://www.tiktok.com/@judgeboingboing

Discussed on the show:
Milton Berle on the Muppets clip – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POH8xAsuNr4
Wilkins and Wontkins – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K33mMjsjbdA

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

Amanda Maddock is a puppeteer, builder, wrangler, and teacher who has experience working with puppets of all sizes. From the regular puppets of The Book of Pooh, Bear in the Big Blue House, Between the Lions, Sesame Street, and The Muppets to the enormous puppets of Walking with Dinosaurs and How to Train Your Dragon, Amanda’s career has taken her across the country and around the world—including to Iceland to work on LazyTown and to Russia to puppeteer in the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Versed in many styles of puppetry, from tabletop to hand-and-rod to the animatronics of the two Five Nights at Freddy’sfilms, she has done it all. It’s my pleasure to chat with Amanda Maddock about all these projects and more on this episode of Under the Puppet.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Amanda Maddock by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Amanda Maddock:

Website – http://www.amandamaddock.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mander_mudduck_puppeterer
IMDB – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1566555
Sandglass Theater Summer Intensive (Amanda is teaching) – https://www.sandglasstheater.org/summer-intensive

Discussed on the show:

The Book of Pooh – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Pooh

Bear in the Big Blue House – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_in_the_Big_Blue_House

Between the Lions – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Between_the_Lions

Sesame Street – https://www.sesamestreet.org

The Muppets – https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/The_Muppets

Walking with Dinosaurs – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_with_Dinosaurs_%E2%88%92_The_Arena_Spectacular

LazyTown – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LazyTown

2014 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Winter_Olympics_opening_ceremony

Skidmore College – https://www.skidmore.edu

University of Connecticut Puppet Arts Program – https://drama.uconn.edu/puppet-arts/

National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center – https://www.theoneill.org/pup

Puppets in Prague – https://www.puppetsinprague.eu

Sandglass Theater – https://sandglasstheater.org

The Henson International Puppetry Festival – https://www.hensonfestival.org

The Jim Henson Company – https://www.henson.com

Bob Baker Marionette Theater – https://www.bobbakermarionettetheater.com

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

Geneviève Flati is a puppeteer, producer, and one of the most driven creative individuals I know. Her passion has led to work as Puppet Director, Puppet Captain, and Puppeteer on several nationwide tours, including a role as puppeteer and puppet director for The Maybe Man Arena Tour by pop band AJR. She’s performed with the Jim Henson Company’s Puppet Up! Uncensored, worked on Earth to Ned, and was the Jim Henson Company’s youngest female puppet captain on the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live Tour. From commercials to web series to live shows, Geneviève has done it all—and I talk to her about it on this episode of Under the Puppet.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Geneviève Flati by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Genevieve Flati:

Website – https://www.gflati.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gflati/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@genevieveflati2460

Discussed on the show:
AJR’s Karma Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b86Hx3UdZo
AJR – https://www.ajrbrothers.com
Jim Henson Company – https://www.henson.com
Puppet Up! – Uncensored – https://puppetup.com
Earth to Ned – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_to_Ned
Disneyland – https://disneyland.disney.go.com
Maverick Theater – https://www.mavericktheater.com
Backstage – https://www.backstage.com
Disney Careers – https://jobs.disneycareers.com
Chapman University – https://www.chapman.edu
Kevin Clash – https://saturdaymorningmedia.com/2020/10/utp-52/
Alan Trautman – https://saturdaymorningmedia.com/2017/09/utp-007/

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

In 1981, Rita Peruggi was hired by The Jim Henson Company as a production assistant on various projects including Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and The Muppets. She then moved on to the role of producer for the company working on many projects such as the Jim Henson Play along Videos, Muppet Vision 3D, Dinosaurs, Dark Crystal Age of Resistance, Earth To Ned and Fraggle Rock Back To The Rock.  Outside of the The Jim Henson Company, Rita has served as Producer on Jack’s Big Music Show and Yo Gabba Gabba! and the updated Yo Gabba GabbaLand!.  I talk Rita Peruggi about all of these projects and more on this episode of Under The Puppet.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Rita Peruggi by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Rita Peruggi:
IMDB – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675745/
Wikipedia – https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Ritamarie_Peruggi

Discussed on the show:
Rita Peruggi – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675745/
Jim Henson Company – https://www.henson.com/
Jim Henson Play-Along Videos – https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Play-Along_Video
Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets – https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_Holiday
Muppet Babies Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5EUpo1pXq8
Muppet*Vision 3D – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppet*Vision_3D
Dinosaurs (TV series) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101081/
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance – https://www.netflix.com/title/80148535
Earth to Ned – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_to_Ned
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock – https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/fraggle-rock-back-to-the-rock/
Jack’s Big Music Show – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack%27s_Big_Music_Show
Yo Gabba Gabba! – https://www.yogabbagabba.com/
Splash and Bubbles – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splash_and_Bubbles

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2026 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

Louise Gold is puppetry royalty. A trained theatre performer, Louise began her puppetry career working on the second season of The Muppet Show, where she played many characters — including the role of Annie Sue, much to Miss Piggy’s dismay. In addition to continuing her work with The Muppets, she went on to perform in The Dark Crystal, Sesame Street, and the Sesame Street spin-off The Furchester Hotel, where she played the hotel’s proprietor, Funella Furchester. She’s also performed on Spitting Image, The Ghost of Faffner Hall, Dodge’s Pup School, and many, many more puppetry projects. I talk to Louise Gold about her incredible career on this episode of Under The Puppet.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Louise Gold by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Louise Gold:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gold7046
IMDB – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0325028/
Muppet Wiki – https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Louise_Gold

Discussed on the show:
The Muppet Show – https://shows.disney.com/the-muppet-show
Annie Sue – https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Annie_Sue
The Dark Crystal – https://www.darkcrystal.com/
Sesame Street – https://www.sesamestreet.org/
The Furchester Hotel – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Furchester_Hotel
The Ghost of Faffner Hall – https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/The_Ghost_of_Faffner_Hall
Dodge’s Pup School – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33665574/
Spitting Image – https://www.youtube.com/c/SpittingImage

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2025 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com

http://www.UnderThePuppet.com – 

Stacey Weingarten is a puppeteer, puppet wrangler, director, writer, and producer who got her puppet start studying with John Tartaglia and later went on to work on the show Johnny and the Sprites. Since then, she’s worked with The Muppets and Sesame Street, where she won an Emmy Award for her work on the show’s 50th season.  She also has her own theatrical puppetry projects — Rescue Rue and Runaway Rue — that have played Off-Broadwayand at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.  I talk to Stacey Weingarten about all these projects and more, including her work on the upcoming The Muppet Show special for Disney+, on this episode of Under The Puppet.

Plus, hear more of my conversation with Stacey Weingarten by becoming a Saturday Morning Media Patreon Patron.  Visit www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia for info and to help create more episodes like this.

Connect with Stacey Weingarten:

Website – https://www.saweingarten.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sayetc/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/stacey.weingarten.9
IMDB – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3899160/

Discussed on the show:
John Tartaglia – https://saturdaymorningmedia.com/2019/02/utp-25/
Johnny and the Sprites – https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Johnny_and_the_Sprites
Sesame Street – https://www.sesameworkshop.org
The Muppets – https://muppets.disney.com
Rescue Rue & Runaway Rue – https://www.rescuerue.com
Fordham University Theatre Program – https://www.fordham.edu/theatre
CTY (Center for Talented Youth) – https://cty.jhu.edu
The O’Neill Puppetry Conference – https://www.theoneill.org/pup
Tim Lagasse – https://www.timlagasse.com
Jim Henson Company – https://www.henson.com
Puppet Kitchen NYC – https://www.puppetkitchen.com
John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tartaglia%27s_ImaginOcean

Connect with the Show:
http://www.instagram.com/underthepuppet
https://www.facebook.com/underthepuppet
http://www.twitter.com/underthepuppet

Connect with Grant:
http://www.MrGrant.com
http://www.twitter.com/toasterboy
https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

Art by Parker Jacobs
Music by Dan Ring
Edited by Stephen Staver

©2025 Saturday Morning Media – http://www.saturdaymorningmedia.com