Jim Henson first experienced national success helping create several of Sesame Street’s cast of colorful characters. But he and his team – including Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt and Dave Goelz – never wanted to be pigeonholed into only performing for children. A more sophisticated The Muppet Show was pitched to several U.S. networks, but eventually found its champion in British television producer Lord Lew Grade. Filmed in the United Kingdom and syndicated globally, The Muppet Show was a smash, eventually resulting in 1979’s The Muppet Movie.

With a script by The Muppet Show writers Jack Burns and Jerry Juhl, The Muppet Movie relishes in clever wordplay and is unapologetically hokey. And, while some of the big name cameos might not be as relevant now, the pacing and shooting lets the audience know each one is important, and gives them their moment to shine. Most of its quick wit and comedy lets the audience in on the joke, and almost requires their active involvement. Like figuring out how to get a felt frog to believably ride a bicycle, The Muppet Movie treats the theatrical “fourth wall†as one more challenge to overcome.

Why did they feel the need to take this approach? Why not make The Muppet Movie – or The Muppet Show, for that matter – “simple†children’s entertainment? Why does The Rainbow Connection always make me cry? This week, we welcome Silver Eyes author, Geek’s Night of Comedy performer, and What’s a Podcast? with Brendan Kennedy and CB Wilkins co-host CB Wilkins to discuss The Muppet Movie and the Fourth Wall!

Captain America: The Winter Soldier saves the day on Blu-ray and DVD Sept. 9, and we’re giving away a free Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack to one of our lucky fans! All you have to do is help us reach our goal – 300 Likes on Facebook, and 200 followers on Twitter – by clicking that friendly “Like†button over at the Block Bluster! Facebook page, or that enchanting “Follow†button @blockblusterpod for your chance! That’s it! We’ll reach out to you, and get you that combo pack… but only AFTER we’ve reached that goal. (Sorry international listeners… Block Bluster! giveaways are limited to the contiguous U.S. for now.) So let us hear you, Blockhead Army! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for your chance to take home Captain America: The Winter Soldier! Do it for America!