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Muppet History was a bright spot online — now it’s embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal
The Verge ^ | December 6, 2024 | Mia Sato

Posted on 12/17/2024 12:03:12 PM PST by Angelino97

For years, a fan-run account called Muppet History has been central to the Muppets fandom. It shared little-known facts, memes, and wholesome messages, amassing half a million followers on Instagram and more than 280,000 on X. Publicly, it was a wholesome and sweet platform, a passion project that took off. It became an unofficial ambassador of Jim Henson’s iconic cast of characters — inside and outside the world of diehard fans.

But on Monday night, a post on the account’s Instagram page had an ominous tone. “Good Evening,” the message started. “We wanted to take a moment to address some concerns that have arisen as of late.” The vague post — on which comments had been disabled — mentioned “overstepped” boundaries, the “harm” caused, and that people were made “uncomfortable.” It did not specify exactly what had happened.

Since that post, however, a rough sketch has come into focus. Fans claim that Muppet History’s co-runner Joshua Gillespie, who operates the account with his wife, Holly, was sending unwanted sexual messages to other people. Now, it’s gone from a bright spot on the internet to another soured piece of online culture, leaving a small community navigating the fallout.

The Muppets fandom, like many others, is relatively small and insular. Many of the people involved know each other, swapping jokes, memes, and other content in online spaces created by and for fans. But Muppet History transcended the fanbase. Celebrities and other public figures — from musicians like Kacey Musgraves to the official Sesame Street account on X — follow the account, and even nonfans regularly encounter its posts. While it was mainly devoted to Muppets, it periodically broke into conversations about mainstream politics, posting in support of LGBTQ+ communities, voting rights, and anti-racism.

(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: muppets; socialmedia; woke

1 posted on 12/17/2024 12:03:12 PM PST by Angelino97
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To: Angelino97

2 posted on 12/17/2024 12:09:06 PM PST by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: Angelino97

3 posted on 12/17/2024 12:10:21 PM PST by PGR88
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To: Angelino97

Did Kermits finger smell like bacon ?


4 posted on 12/17/2024 12:25:50 PM PST by Craftmore
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To: Angelino97

This is just another thing wokism has ruined.


5 posted on 12/17/2024 12:26:24 PM PST by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: Craftmore

Yes, and his breath too.


6 posted on 12/17/2024 12:30:29 PM PST by chuckb87
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To: Tell It Right

“made”


7 posted on 12/17/2024 12:32:06 PM PST by AppyPappy (If Hitler were alive today and criticized Trump, would he still be Hitler?)
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To: Angelino97

8 posted on 12/17/2024 12:35:58 PM PST by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
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To: PGR88

Having a good laugh is quite contagious.


9 posted on 12/17/2024 12:37:21 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: Angelino97

Most leftists know they are useless in the real world.
Hence, they cling to power as life itself.


10 posted on 12/17/2024 1:08:53 PM PST by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: Angelino97

11 posted on 12/17/2024 1:19:48 PM PST by Alas Babylon! (Repeal the Patriot Act; Abolish the DHS; reform FBI top to bottom!)
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To: Angelino97

Wasnt ELMOS Voicer a GAY ACTIVIST?


12 posted on 12/17/2024 1:21:38 PM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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