Ep 61 - Frank Biondo

Highlights from the Muppets Take Mahoning 4 event at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater. Q&A with Fred Buchholz (Muppet Tech & Special EFX artist/puppet stunt coordinator) and Joe Hennes (Editor-in-Chief of ToughPigs.com. Plus our Rainbow Connection Sing-Along!

Our 4th event at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater was held on 08-01-26. Joining us were Dave Goelz and Frank Oz!  We did have some unfortunate audio issues in this episode, so please bear with us. 

Bobby Moynihan is back to challenge our fan, Sherwin Rackal, a puppeteer from Trinidad and Tobago. But wait, who shows up as a third contestant? Dave Goelz!!! 

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.

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. 

Audience contestant Gregory Di Bruno goes head to head with actor/comedian Bobby Moynihan with Muppet Christmas Trivia #05. Santa Claus also pays a surprise visit.

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.

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!

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.

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.