iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Residents of Los Angeles’s Toluca Lake neighborhood, including a descendant of Walt Disney and a composer who can no longer compose, attended a town hall meeting over an unusual subject: the screams coming from Universal Studios’s new roller coaster.

deadline.com

Universal Studios Promises New Sound Barrier To Reduce Coaster Noise

Universal Studios Promises New Sound Barrier, More Research, To Mitigate Screams From New Coaster

101

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 5h

One last ran ran ru from Donald McDonald, whose name has officially been changed in Japan to Ronald McDonald as of October 1 to match the international outlets:

youtu.be

Ran Ran Ru

YouTube video by Wagnarock (Dimitalus)

001

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 6h

With Mattel’s former CEO leaving to run the combined Paramount-Warner Bros., Authentic Brands, the owners of multiple clothing brands and the licensing rights to Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and the Care Bears, seeks to acquire the toy giant for at least $6bil: www.reuters.com/legal/transa...

reuters.com

Mattel attracts takeover interest from Authentic Brands Group, source says

Mattel has been approached by Authentic Brands Group for a takeover that could value the Barbie maker at around $6 billion or more, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

012

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Paul Reubens’s belongings will be auctioned off next month. A lot related to Pee-wee and the Playhouse, of course, but also some nearly-wases (he was almost the voice of Monkeybone) and who-knews (who knew he was a huge fan of Thunderbirds and Ultraman?)

juliensauctions.com

Paul Reubens' Big Auction

Come on in and pull yourself up a chair! Julien's is honored to present Paul Reubens' Big Auction - a once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating the li...

000

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Unlike the animated Tales from the Cryptkeeper, Secrets of the Cryptkeeper’s Haunted House was not a children’s adaptation of the HBO show and/or the EC comics as this article claims; rather, it was a game show similar to American Gladiators or Legends of the Hidden Temple.

010

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

At last, we have created the machines from Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe’s animated comedy The Mitchells vs. the Machines

021

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

On October 3, Saturday Morning Cartoons United and Sony’s Ghostbusters Give Back will present a live reading of “The Boogieman Cometh” for The Real Ghostbusters’s 40th supporting the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which will also be livestreamed ($15):

calendar.dynastytypewriter.com

Giving Back with The Real Ghostbusters: A 40th Anniversary Celebration

at Dynasty Typewriter

122

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I just found out about the “Chester Cheetah thinks PepsiCo should be named CheetosCo and now all the products are arguing that they’re more important than Pepsi” campaign and it’s somehow dumber than “Why isn’t The Laughing Cow laughing anymore?”

110

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Rolling Stone article trying to apply a deeper anti-country meaning to people claiming “I’ve never heard Choosin’ Texas” gets it right about a third of the way in when it accurately declares the monoculture is dead then proceeds to add absolutely nothing to that conclusion

101

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Looking at the official listing of nominations, a handful of people did nominate animated shows, with Bob’s Burgers, Adventure Time, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Boondocks, and Rick & Morty being among those brought up more than once.

152

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This is believed to be the very first American television commercial specifically for an arcade video game, following an advertisement for Dig Dug that ran as a trailer before movies. *This account has gone 0 days without a Xevious reference*

Advertisement informing arcade operators of a TV and radio campaign for the Atari arcade game Xevious (manufactured under license from Namco) for three weeks beginning March 21, 1983 featuring advertising targeting males between ages 12 and 24 in 12 markets and nationally on MTV. “Bacula, Zoshi, Andor Genesis…your players will gasp as they discover what’s next[…]Devious Xevious…the Atari video game you can’t play at home!”

253

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Dollywood Foundation has announced September 25 (9/25) will annually be celebrated as Give Like Dolly Day. As part of the ceremony, Disney has announced “9 to 5” will get a theatrical run October 9-15 with all ticket proceeds going to Parton’s charity.

deadline.com

9 to 5 Starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin & Jane Fonda Returns For Parton Charity

A restored 9 to 5, the hit 1980 workplace comedy starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, will return to theaters to support Parton charity.

020

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

As “Weird Al” Yankovic took his tour to Tucson, Arizona, he was awarded with a plaque backstage by the University of Arizona’s Allison McGraw, who backed the decision to officially name an asteroid 14331 Alyankovic: www.space.com/astronomy/as...

space.com

Astronomers just named an asteroid after 'Weird Al' Yankovic

Asteroid Alyankovic was discovered in 1981 and resides in the main belt of asteroids found between Mars and Jupiter.

142

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Sesame Street has officially been renewed for four, four seasons bringing it to 62, 62 seasons in total! Ah ah ah! The series will continue to be available same-day on both Netflix and PBS. A Sesame Street movie is also in the works as previously reported.

about.netflix.com

Netflix Announces 'Sesame Street' Expansion, New Shows from the World of 'Gabby's Dollhouse', 'Puppy Pirates' and More for Preschoolers and Kids - About Netflix

A New Sesame Street Film is in Development, and Netflix Extends its Series Deal to Bring More New Seasons of the Beloved Show to Audiences Around the World

061

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Jim Henson would have been 90 years old today. In his creations, he taught us that even the simplest things can bring joy to others and become gateways to wonderful fantasies. Make someone smile in his honor today. Photo: Ted Neuhoff, 1971

Jim Henson sits on a windowsill holding a Bert toy.

05125

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A new day’s comin, oo-hoo People are changin’ Ain’t it beautiful, oo-hoo

010

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

What makes this worse is that the paper in question was for a classic literature class and the goal was to write a letter in Latin from the point of view of “a controversial figure”, either historical or fictional

162

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Reviews are coming out for the Willy Wonka reality show and at one point AI Wonka claims the grand prize is “a lifetime supply of money - a six-figure salary for 30 years”, which is a statement that is not only contradictory but hilariously phrased

010

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

“Trump’s Ford’s Theatre” has a very Ruth’s Chris Steak House ring to it

000

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The upcoming New York City Center Encores! staging of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown will be the original 1967 version as Rachel Dratch has joined the cast as Patty (not Peppermint Patty, and not Sally, who replaced her in the 1999 revival):

broadwayworld.com

Rachel Dratch & Jeff Hiller Join Encores! YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

Happiness is Encores! news! NEW YORK CITY CENTER just announced that Encores! Let ’Em Eat Cake replaces the previously announced Hallelujah, Baby! from…

130

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

With NECA offering a blue variant of their Big Bird figure at NYCC, Muppet Wiki has brought my attention to Blue Bird, an incredibly obscure Muppet who only appeared on two episodes of Sesame Street before being dropped (voiced by Reg E. Cathey) and I am strangely obsessed

111

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

With a little help from Ryan Reynolds’s advertising agency, #CoyoteVsACME has catapulted (not with an ACME-brand catapult) to $100 million worldwide. Next stop: Best Animated Feature Oscar campaign (there’s enough animation to qualify).

thewrap.com

'Coyote vs. Acme' Crosses $100 Million: Inside the Underdog's David vs. Goliath Marketing Campaign | Exclusive

How "Coyote vs. Acme," a movie deemed unreleasable by Warner Bros., managed to cross $100 million at the global box office.

04018

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It’s not the Muppets, but Disney and Seth Rogen are partnering again for a reboot of iconic superhero pastiche “Darkwing Duck” from showrunners Sean Tretta (“12 Monkeys”) and Borja Peña Gorostegui with contributions from show creator Tad Stones:

variety.com

‘Darkwing Duck’ Reboot Ordered to Series at Disney+ With Mark Hamill, Seth Rogen in Lead Roles

The "Darkwing Duck" reboot has been ordered to series at Disney+, Variety has learned.

186

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Garfield isn’t even friends with Odie, Nermal, and Jon let alone Orson

232

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius, meet Donald J. Trump, Super Intelligence.

111

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I nearly shit me pantaloons!

050

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

“The Coyote probably started chasing the Road Runner during some time of incredible famine. Somewhere along the line the Coyote started chasing the Road Runner; then, when he no longer had to chase the Road Runner, he’d still never caught him, so he continued to chase him…

A stylized illustration by Chuck Jones depicting Wile E. Coyote holding a salt and pepper shaker which he is attempting to sprinkle onto the Road Runner, who has lept into the air and is no longer standing in front of the Coyote, making his presence known with his signature “Beep! Beep!”

243

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The settlement brings to mind the phrase “don’t write checks your butt can’t cash”. Bonta says industry jobs and films produced domestically will increase as a result of the promises Paramount made, but saying you’ll do something and actually DOING it are two different things.

042

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

California AG Rob Bonta has reached a settlement agreement in the Paramount/WB antitrust lawsuit. Neither company will have to sell off their cable channels in a merger but must agree to an independent review board to oversee both CNN and CBS News. www.reuters.com/legal/transa...

reuters.com

Paramount settles with California, other states over Warner Bros merger, Bloomberg News reports

Paramount Skydance has reached a settlement with California and other states suing to block its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery , Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing a person fam...

145

Reposted by Ryan W. Mead

Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Who wants to see Charles Martinet talk to himself? These animatronic puppets were on display at E3 in 1997 and they're not terrifying at all. Nope. Definitely not. archive.gamehistory.org/item/dd16d0… #Nintendo64 #Nintendo #Wario #Mario #E3

12458124

Reposted by Ryan W. Mead

Brian Jay Jones @brianjayjones.com · 20/09/2026

But that's getting ahead of things. While The Muppet Show would win its own Emmy in 1978 for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series (watch Jim bound to the stage to accept his Emmy in the clip below), it had actually taken more than a decade--and several tries--to bring the show to television.

youtube.com

THE MUPPET SHOW Wins Outstanding Comedy, Variety or Music Series | Emmys Archive (1978)

YouTube video by Television Academy

1162

Reposted by Ryan W. Mead

Brian Jay Jones @brianjayjones.com · 20/09/2026

It was a good show to start with. At the 1977 Emmy Awards, Moreno would win Best Supporting Actress in a Variety Series, beating Gilda Radner and Vicki Lawrence. "Up for 3 (Emmys)," Jim wrote in his journal. "--only Rita won--sigh." It was the win that gave Moreno the E to complete her EGOT.

Rita Moreno at right, in a black dress, with Sweetums and Kermit the Frog.

1283

Reposted by Ryan W. Mead

Brian Jay Jones @brianjayjones.com · 20/09/2026

While there was no real "correct" order in which to show the episodes, most US stations started with the Rita Moreno episode--actually the fifth episode produced, which had been completed only 3 1/2 months earlier. It was a good choice, and features one of the show's most memorable, um, duets.

youtube.com

FEVER - rita Moreno/Muppets

YouTube video by wisomban

1362

Reposted by Ryan W. Mead

Brian Jay Jones @brianjayjones.com · 20/09/2026

Fifty years ago today--on Monday, September 20, 1976--The Muppet Show went on the air in New York on Channel 2 at 7:30 p.m. While the show had officially debuted in the UK on September 5, its 9/20 launch in New York was the point at which Jim Henson began tracking its reception--and ratings . . .

A house ad for NYC Channel 2 featuring the first episode of the Muppet Show (also: Rhoda, Phyllis, Maude, and two new shows All's Fair and Executive Suite)

28936

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“They’re DOGS! And they’re playing POKER!”

An excerpt from a Wall Street Journal review of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art by Lance Esplund:

But the few strong illustrations and even fewer high-quality paintings and sculptures are bracing outliers amid a sea of mostly 19th- and 20th-century melodramatic, sentimental and patriotic illustration. I knew the museum was in trouble when Cassius Marcellus Coolidge's infamous whiskey advertisement "A Pat Hand" (1894)-the first oil painting of dogs playing poker, and the epitome of kitsch-registered as a refreshing jolt of straightforward humor.

A still from The Simpsons depicting a parody of Rod Serling’s “Night Gallery” in which Homer is terrified by a novelty painting by C.M. Coolidge: “They’re DOGS! And they’re playing POKER!”

030

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The fault lies not at the hands of Netflix but distributor Carsey-Werner, who hired an outlet named Performance Post to produce AI-generated 16:9 copies of every episode of both Rosanne and A Different World which hit streaming services last March:

gizmodo.com

Corporate Hacks Have Turned ‘Roseanne’ and ‘A Different World’ Into AI-Upscaled Nightmares

Your favorite shows from the ‘80s and ‘90s are streaming in 4K but they may make you nauseous.

11510

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#CoyoteVsACME director Dave Green shared some storyboards, including a new character whose role was replaced with Tasmanian Devil and an unused Reservoir Dogs parody involving Tweety and a can of gasoline.

instagram.com

Instagram

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

010

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

AI almost started WWIII. A military report this spring stated a Chinese ship in the Middle East was carrying the components for a nuclear weapons facility. A planned operation was called off when it was discovered the report was generated by a chatbot.

cnn.com

Exclusive: US military had close call after using AI for false intelligence report, sources say | CNN Politics

The episode shows the risks of using this new, relatively poorly understood technology in the middle of the Iran war

120

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Did they personally have to ask Chappell Roan “can we use your song only with lyrics involving Cookie Monster having to use the bathroom”? Because if I were a celebrity and I heard the Muppets wanted to use my work I’d say yes immediately no matter what.

youtu.be

GOT TO GO! Potty Song 🧻 🚽 (HOT TO GO! Parody) | Sesame Street Songs

YouTube video by Sesame Street

000

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Research into another “video game story accepted as fact”: was Uniracers really discontinued due to a lawsuit from Pixar? Apparently, yes. The case of Pixar v. Nintendo of America was filed in California in May 1995 and settled in October.

010

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The Pope Orb looks like a jawbreaker to me. Were Ed, Edd, and/or Eddy somehow involved?

Pope Leo XIV stares at a large green sphere being carried by two men.

041

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Whoa did they trap Elvis in the Pope orb mama?

010

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Although there were certain shorts that never aired for S&P reasons, the HBO Max crop of Looney Tunes shorts had a suicide joke in them (Sylvester accidentally gets neutered, walks into the middle of the street and gets run over by a truck). They also had this.

youtu.be

W E A R M E , D O C . . .

YouTube video by TUMToons Archive Channel

260

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This is old-fashioned Internet journalism right here: a singing jack-o-lantern has gone viral for a song (which the manufacturer will remove after complaints) about being “wicked for one night” and “spoil[ing] you with my roasted pumpkin seeds”.

111

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Either Snoopy or Charlie Brown have appeared in almost every Macy’s parade since 1968 (Snoopy sat out the 1983, 1984, and 1986 parades due to damage). Snoopy has had a record 10 balloon designs including an astronaut (twice), a Beagle Scout, and of course, the WWI Flying Ace.

cbsnews.com

New Snoopy balloon to take flight in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026

The iconic Peanuts character Snoopy is getting a new look for the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

063

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

“Netflix plans reality show based on the Stanford Prison Experiment” sounds like the punchline to a joke from three years ago poking fun at the concept of turning Squid Game into an actual competition

021

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

With the Oscars moving to YouTube, the shifting media landscape may lead television’s biggest award night off television itself as the Primetime Emmys are in talks to move the ceremony broadcast to Amazon Prime: variety.com/2026/tv/news...

variety.com

Emmys in Talks to Move to Amazon Prime Video Under New Licensing Arrangement, as the Broadcast Wheel Deal Ends (EXCLUSIVE)

The 78th Emmys on NBC was the last to air under the previous broadcast wheel deal, as the TV Academy discusses moving the show to Amazon Prime Video.

121

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Did you know? Steven Spielberg originally wanted to call the movie “Eat T the Extra-Terrestrial”, but both studio executives and Mr. T rejected the original premise of “Jaws again, but this time an alien is trying to eat Mr. T”

031

Ryan W. Mead @rwmead.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#rwmeadreads “Voice-A-Versa” by Billy West: With the help of a Catholic priest, an autistic boy with OCD and ADHD and his mother flee an abusive, alcoholic neo-Nazi only for the priest to end up as equally alcoholic, abusive, and negative towards the boy.

131