Muley's Christmas Videos

Want to see a long history of Muley videos posted to the internet over the years for Christmas?  Well, now you can!  Click the image below to make the magic happen!

 

Acknowledgements for "Millionaire Magazines"

There are several people we wish to thank for helping us get the TV Special "The Muley and Friends Show" 'Millionaire Magazines' off the ground.  Of course, the credits in the show thank all those involved in the program: Martheus Wade, Janet Wade, Andrew Chandler, Nora Childers, Jonathan McCarver, Brad Alsobrook, Ed Griffith, Beth Kelly, Lisa Pretti, Drew Russom, and Anthony Howald.

First, we'd love to thank our home church, First Congregational Church, for allowing us space to hold auditions and the preview party, especially Julia Hicks who has been so helpful scheduling us the space.  Over all, we wish to thank all those who attend First Congo as they have always been supportive of our Mule.

For the Preview Party, we'd love to thank Steve Swift and Voices of the South for offering their chairs during the First Congo Thanksgiving Feast so we could keep chairs in the Conference Center!  (One of our favorite performances was at the First Congo 150th Banquet Dinner with Sister Myotis, with whom Steve is very close!)

Thanks to Bernie O'Brien at ACME Classics TV for giving us a televised stage for Muley the Mule and Friends!

We wish to thank Memphis Magazine and The Downtowner for offering us stacks of magazines for use in the finale, as well as The Memphis Flyer.

Those who helped us gather stacks of magazines:
Anita Osgood, Edwina Hackett, Linley Schmidt, Carol Leedham, Debbi Odom, and Nora Childers.

A big thank you shout out to Angela Freeman who helped turn the house into a big mess for shooting puppet films and helping stack up the magazines for the finale, as well as helping cater the meals and meetings.

Special thanks to Kent Hamson and Rising Fyre Productions for helping color-correct the film.

And a giant thank you to YOU, the reader, for your love and support during the filming of this program.

I think this about covers it for acknowledgements not listed in the credits!

Photo by Andrew Chandler.

 A few more acknowledgements from the cast and crew.

Buford the Dog's assistant, Martheus Wade, wanted to share what he's thankful for during the holiday that the show came to television:

I'm thankful for my wife and son. The ability to draw and teach others to do so. My family. My friends. And the friendship that has brought me so much laughter and a certain dog and a Christmas saint with a fish habit.

 

Stage Manager and Producer, Brad Alsobrook, has a few thanks he'd like to shout-out:

 

Hi Friends,

 

I'd like to start out by personally thanking everyone on the cast and crew for all their hard work and for doing such a great job....

 

But a special thanks goes out to Kevin L. Williams the creator and caretaker of Muley T. Mule, Buford the Dog, Roy Duck, Missy Mule and all the other screwball characters he has dreamed up.  Without Kevin's quick wit, good sense of humor and great script writing ability,  there would not be a Muley and Friends Show.

 

Thanks to our wonderful group of puppeteers for bringing Kevin's colorful cast of characters to life. And thanks to Nora and Jo-Nathan for taking care of Muley and his friends (thanks for potty training them)...

 

And last but not least...a BIG thank you goes out to Bernie O'Brien at Acme Classics TV for having faith in us (and for having patience)  and for giving us the opportunity to do The Muley and Friends Show.... Without your support, the Muley Show would not have happened... Thank-you for giving us a chance to share Kevin's dream and beloved characters with a wider audience. 

 

Brad Alsobrook
The Muley and Friends Show

 

Our camera assistant, Bethany Kelly, added:

 

Many thanks to my very talented friends, Kevin Williams and Muley The Mule, for including me on this great project and for allowing me in some small way to be a part of their wonderful, ever evolving dream come true. ----(And, an extra thanks to Muley and the rest of the gang just for being so darn cute!) 

Much love ~~ Bethany aka Beth

A Thanksgiving Wish - 2014

 

 

How to DVR "The Muley and Friends Show"

We can promise you that, although you can't see the show's name in the listings, the following channels will be showing "The Muley and Friends Show" on Thanksgiving Day:

Comcast 15
U-Verse 34

Over the air:
Memphis 23.2
Senatobia 34.1

The times are 8:55 am and 4:25 pm.

So, why doesn't the show name appear in the listings?

ACME Classics has to turn in their schedule a little over a month before the actual programming hits.  That way, Comcast and U-Verse will be able to have their television guides loaded and ready to show on your screen.

However, it was a little after the previous schedule was sent that the decision was made to show "The Muley and Friends Show" on Thanksgiving Day.  So, when you look at the schedule, you are going to see Roy Rogers or some such. 

Instead, ignore the listings and set your DVR for the above channels and times (a little before and give it about 40 minutes to run) to be sure you get a copy of the show saved on your system!

Best Pals - Muley the Mule, Buford the Dog, and Roy Duck!

So, let's look at some of the teams throughout history:

Laurel and Hardy
Abbott and Costello
The Marx Brothers
The Three Stooges
Muley the Mule and Friends...

Huh?

Muley the Mule has never been seen too far away from his best pals, Buford the Dog and Roy Duck. (And, who can forget the self-proclaimed unrequited love interest, Missy Mule?)  What made these three such great friends?  None could ever know; but, all it takes is that one little moment for something to spark and that's when great friends come in to your life.

One of the greatest things about Muley the Mule and Friends is that, no matter what their differences are, the critters look past their differences to what is on the inside.  They truly care about each other (yes, Muley cares about his friend Missy {who cares too much}).  Ultimately, they have each others' back, as they say.  What do you look for in a best pal?  Who are your friends?

Here are other friends of Muley's that will be making appearances in the shows as time goes on.  If you've been to any of the live shows at festivals and conventions, then it is very likely you may have seen some of them already.  Especially if you've read their comic strip collection.

 

 

 

 

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If you have questions for Muley the Mule or the team, use our comments section below, or you can visit Muley at his Facebook page by clicking here.

###

Video Credits:
Featuring Roy Duck
Videography, editing, music by Ed Griffith
Sound: Drew Russom, Brad Alsobrook
Camera assists by Lisa Fletcher
Written/Created by Kevin L. Williams
Assistant to Muley the Mule, Kevin L. Williams
Assistant to Buford the Dog, Martheus Wade
Assistant to Roy Duck, Andrew Chandler

Soon to be seen on "The Muley and Friends Show" only on Acme Classics!

Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable
CH 34 - U-Verse
###

Read the comics in "Muley's Comix and Stories" collection!



This is the first online publication of the full wrap-around cover!

 

"The Muley and Friends Show": Millionaire Magazines - Press Release

Contact Kevin Williams   PO Box 770397, Memphis, TN 38177 Email kevin@muleyshow.com Website www.muleyshow.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2014

“THE MULEY AND FRIENDS SHOW” JUMPS FROM STAGE TO SCREEN

THANKSGIVING DAY TELEVISION SPECIAL PRESENTATION

MEMPHIS, TN, November 14, 2014– FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, “The Muley and Friends Show” makes a debut to television with the special television presentation, Millionaire Magazines.  The episode will focus on the madcap misadventures of Muley the Mule (Kevin L. Williams) and his friends Buford the Dog (Martheus Wade), Roy Duck (Andrew Chandler), and Missy Mule (Janet Wade), as they work to help (badly) their human keepers, Jonathan Monroe (Jonathan McCarver) and Nora Moore (Nora Childers).  Appearing on ACME Classics, Comcast 15 and U-verse 34, 8:55am and 4:25pm, also over the air on CH 23.2.

“What I hope to achieve with our television program is bringing family members together for some fun and edutainment,” said creator, Kevin L. Williams.  “Having the show debut on Thanksgiving will do just that.  Muley the Mule and Friends have always been about friends and family, and keeping them close—viewing and laughing together—will be fulfilling to all of us.”

“The Muley and Friends Show,” based upon comic strips (published in newspapers, international journals, magazines, comic books, newsletters, and the internet) featuring the same characters, has appeared in live performances in the convention and festival circuit where Muley has emceed events such as Fan Films and costume contests.  While shooting his own “Mule on the Street” mockumentary, he was interviewed on the TV Guide Channel and seen nationwide.  Given the title “Official SpokesMule of the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis” charity, he often volunteered to emcee, maitre’d, and talk about the House at events, news, and radio.  To date, Muley (and his friends) have appeared in all forms of media with the exception of motion pictures.

Now, in their first-ever televised TV special, a 22-minute story on helping – proper ways to do that – and how parents should handle things when kids do things wrong, the story will achieve answering the question of social issues as well as a need for family time and fun.

“One of our greatest compliments was when Muley the Mule and Friends were described as ‘taking Muppets and Peanuts, mixing together in a bowl, putting in the oven until half-baked,” said creator Kevin L. Williams.  “Innocence and irreverence rolled into one happy burrito.  Or, one happy burro—since the title character IS a mule.”

Catch “The Muley and Friends Show” Thanksgiving 2014 on ACME Classics television on Comcast 15, U-Verse 34, and over the air on channels

www.muleythemule.com

www.muleyshow.com

www.acmeclassics.com

About Kevin L. Williams Productions, LLC.

A recognized entertainment resource, Kevin L. Williams Productions has excelled as a go-to for family entertainment whether comic strips or books to live puppet productions.  Adults and kids alike are drawn to the diverse cast of characters that have appeared on stage, television and radio, and all forms of print media.  The characters have been highly sought after to emcee events and other stage productions, and non-MuleyVerse puppets have appeared in various other productions, including fan-favorites and award-winning shorts.

# # #

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kevin Williams at kevin@muleyshow.com.

Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!
Your Pals,
Kevin L. Williams
& Muley the Mule

Kevin L. Williams Productions
PO Box 770397
Memphis, TN 38177

Visit Muley the Mule and Friends Comix and Stories at
www.muleythemule.com

Roy Duck, Buford the Dog, and Muley the Mule plan to win $1million.

Art time.

Missy Mule interrupts art time.

Jonathan comes home to find a broken lamp.

Nora collects Missy, Pascha Dog, and Bernetta Duck for home.

 

"The Muley and Friends Show" Opener

To get you in the mood for the TV Specials, here is our TV Show Opener.
(If you have been to one of our live shows, you know this is different than how we usually greet the audience--
no eyes being put out by cookies flung into the audience.)

Hope you enjoy the show!

Soon to be seen on "The Muley and Friends Show" only on Acme Classics!

Watch AcmeClassics on... 
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable
CH 34 - Uverse

TV Show Opener Video Credits:
Videography, editing, music by Ed Griffith
Sound: Drew Russom, Brad Alsobrook
Camera assists by Lisa Fletcher, Bethany Kelly
Written/Created by Kevin L. Williams
"Muley the Mule and Friends" Circle Logos by Kevin L. Williams
"Muley the Mule and Friends" Logo art designed by Kevin L. Williams and Lindsey Hensley
Muley the Mule assisted by Kevin L. Williams
Buford the Dog assisted by Martheus Wade
Roy Duck assisted by Andrew Chandler
Missy Mule assisted by Janet Wade
Jonathan Monroe performed by Jonathan McCarver
Nora Moore performed by Nora Childers

The Boys and Jonathan

Just when you think it's safe to simply agree and say "yes," you realize all too late who it was that you just agreed with, and that you didn't find out exactly what you agreed to.  This is a lesson in caution, because (while you were reading this, you didn't realize that) you promised to bring me a bunch of delicious cookies.

Well, you did.

 See them in the TV Special "Millionaire Magazines" coming Thanksgiving 2014 to ACME Classics Television!


Video Credits:
Videography, editing, music by Ed Griffith
Sound: Drew Russom, Brad Alsobrook
Camera assists by Lisa Fletcher
Written/Created by Kevin L. Williams
Muley the Mule assisted by Kevin L. Williams
Buford the Dog assisted by Martheus Wade
Roy Duck assisted by Andrew Chandler
Jonathan Monroe performed by Jonathan McCarver

Soon to be seen on "The Muley and Friends Show" only on Acme Classics!

Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable
CH 34 - Uverse

Missy Mule and Nora Moore

It's what happens when two divas meet.

Nora Moore is an actress.  She stars in a lot of plays, short films, commercials, and radio announcements.  She has done modelling for stores and magazines.  She's busy.

Missy Mule has not and is not, but thinks she has.  She's been on the road to making that happen her whole life. 

Nora doesn't have to convince people that she does what she does, Missy has learned the secret verbiage that makes people think she's done it. 

Just like that day she convinced Nora she got her own TV show...by changing the show's title.

That's Missy for ya.

See them in the TV Special "Millionaire Magazines" coming Thanksgiving 2014 to ACME Classics Television!


Video Credits:
Videography, editing, music by Ed Griffith
Sound: Drew Russom, Brad Alsobrook
Camera assists by Lisa Fletcher
Written/Created by Kevin L. Williams
Missy Mule assisted by Janet Wade
Nora Moore performed by Nora Childers

Soon to be seen on "The Muley and Friends Show" only on Acme Classics!

Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable
CH 34 - Uverse

Meet the Keepers!

Behind all healthy critters are good keepers.  In the MuleyVerse, the televised version of 'The Muley and Friends Show,' we have Jonathan and Nora, as drawn here by Muley!

Jonathan Mueller, guardian of Muley, Buford, and Roy Duck.
Nora Moore, guardian of Missy, Pascha Dog and Bernetta Duck.

Before we get to the video and biographies of our two human 'keepers,' we've re-posted some meet and greets here for your quick reference, and to get you caught up.


Before we get to the "keepers," let's look at this bit of history!

Muley the Mule and Friends first appeared in Muley's Comix and Stories over the years.  There has been one collection of comics created with another in the works, and you can purchase this comic by clicking on the image below!



But, these uber-smart 6-year-olds have had to have someone watch over them.  In "The Chronicles of Muley the Mule and Friends," they are initially kept by Kevin Rhea and his sister, Michelle Rhea, and watched after by their grandparents, Papa Roy and Granny Ethel Rhea.  Eventually, the Rhea twins' cousin, Kevin Williams, became the keeper until he told his friends that he'd be leaving for a little while.

And the little while kept going and going and...

Nowadays, Jonathan Monroe and Nora Moore, best friends since childhood, have become the keepers of Muley the Mule and his friends taking on the roles of guardians, parental figures, and role models.

Nora Childers stars as Nora Moore, Jonathan McCarver stars as
Jonathan Monroe.  More show notes follow this post.

Jonathan Monroe – A computer programmer. Caretaker of Muley the Mule, Buford the Dog, and Roy Duck. Fatherly, kind, soft-spoken, patient—all with a possibility of that being broken by the others’ behavior. While others may refer to the fact that they’re in a show, he’s the main one who usually breaks the fourth wall and looks at the camera for sympathy from the audience. Friends with Nora, almost like siblings.

Nora Moore – Actress. Caretaker of Missy Mule, Pascha Dog, and Bernetta Duck. Her work as an actress create interesting tension between herself and Missy, who usually tries to steal the show. Happy, energetic, fun, funny, and the ‘neighbor who walks right in’ type. Has known Jonathan for many years. Missy consistently messes up her name by adding something to the end, "Nora Darling."

GET INVOLVED!

You can take a lead from Jonathan and Nora and head down to your local animal shelter to adopt a furry new baby into your household.  Dogs, cats, and more are there and need your attention and love to bring back to a forever home.  Of course, there is more to adopting a pet than just doing it.  Keep in mind it is called a "forever home" for a reason!  You can learn more about how to adopt a pet by CLICKING HERE. 

There are also children in need.  You might find a charity to help support them.  You might be the type person who would like to foster or adopt a child.  Or, maybe simply mentor them by joining such places as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America! 

Organize a trip for your group, church, or other organization to head down to your local charitable organization to learn how you can do more to help them with food, house supplies, and more.  Our pet charity is The Ronald McDonald House of Memphis.

Hope one of these ideas will inspire you to adopt, foster, or sponsor!!

###

Video Credits:
Videography, editing, music by Ed Griffith
Sound: Drew Russom, Brad Alsobrook
Camera assists by Lisa Fletcher
Written/Created by Kevin L. Williams
Jonathan Monroe performed by Jonathan McCarver
Nora Moore performed by Nora Childers

Soon to be seen on "The Muley and Friends Show" only on Acme Classics!



Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable



SHOW NOTES   by creator, Kevin L. Williams

When working to create human characters for the show, there was no real struggle as the names just came to me.  I remembered that I loved thinking that the character names on Sesame Street were the real names of the actors, and when I learned that it was so for characters like Bob, Linda, and Buffy that kind of stuck with me and I had a better feeling of familiarity with them.  So, I chose to keep the actors' real first names for the leads in The Muley and Friends Show TV Special.  The last names are more or less made-up for this program.

I wanted there to be a connection between Jonathan's character and the comics.  First, a character named after me, Kevin Rhea, wore blue all the time.  I wanted the male lead in the show to also wear blue.  I also wanted to give him a semi-connection to Muley.

In the comics, there is a character that was created after my childhood friend who everyone said looked like my sister and was so created as the twin of Kevin Rhea, Michelle Rhea.  The real-life Michelle liked red, so her character's shirt was red.  That seemed a bit too stark for the show, so in battle with Missy Mule's clothing choices, Nora's clothes are pink (which is a shade of red with lots of white thrown in, so it still counts).

Also, since my friend and I were basically like brother and sister growing up I chose to give that relationship to Jonathan Monroe and Nora Moore, whose last name I borrowed from my own childhood friend.  So, of course, when the critters were adopted out after "my departure" from the story, the two of them split duties and he took the three boys and she took the three girls, and neither, to this day, are sure who got the better bargain.

 

Coming soon...Thanksgiving Day 2014

Stepping off the comics page to stage, and from stage to television...

"The Muley and Friends Show" A Special Presentation features Muley the Mule and his pals Buford the Dog, Roy Duck, and Missy Mule, and their keepers Jonathan Mueller and Nora Moore.  There are also cameos by Missy's pals Pascha Dog and Bernetta Duck.  It is a story that adults and kids can enjoy together, and maybe learn something along the way.  Come along and visit with Muley and Friends.

Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable
http://www.acmeclassics.com/

 

Meet the Gang (Reprise)

Coming soon, meet the human guardians behind Muley and his friends.  But, to re-cap, click on the images below to catch up on your critter pals' and learn more about them!

Meet MULEY THE MULE!

Meet BUFORD THE DOG!



Meet ROY DUCK!



 Meet MISSY MULE!



Stay tuned to meet the "keepers," but first let's look at this bit of history!

Muley the Mule and Friends have appeared over the years in live shows at all kinds of venues in "The Muley and Friends Show," first having appeared in Muley's Comix and Stories. There has been one collection of comics created with another in the works, and you can purchase this comic by clicking on the image below!



But, these uber-smart 6-year-olds have had to have someone watch over them.  In "The Chronicles of Muley the Mule and Friends," they are initially kept by Kevin Rhea and his sister, Michelle Rhea, and watched after by their grandparents, Papa Roy and Granny Ethel Rhea.  Eventually, the Rhea twins' cousin, Kevin Williams, became the keeper until he told his friends that he'd be leaving for a little while.

And the little while kept going and going and...

Coming soon:  Meet the Keepers, Jonathan Mueller and Nora Moore.

Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable
 

Muley and Friends: Appearing Live in Metropolis, IL!

Puppet shows and workshops, learn more by clicking on the image below!

 

Here she is: Meet Missy Mule!

You already know her.

She's that girl who is a born leader, who knows everything, and is the prettiest one in the whole room no matter what room she's in.  At least, in her own mind.  But, in the MuleyVerse, we have that girl and figure (for what it's worth, and that she's a 6-year-old talking mule) ours is correct! 

She clings to every moment she can find with Muley, whether he feels like being her friend or not.  Apparently, she has a thing for him while, frankly, he could care less.  As far as he's concerned, they're in the friend-zone.  As far as she's concerned, they're engaged!

Poor Muley.

She has to deal with the admirations of Roy Duck (who is girl-crazy anyway, so it doesn't mean much).  We think she likes it just because it's more attention and we do know for a fact that Missy loves the attention.  Spotlight, center of the party, the "look at me" attitude: it is what makes her so well-known and (dare we say) popular?

She studies dance, singing, acting, and modelling.  And we're still waiting to see her do some of it.

In the meantime, here is her "intro video" for this website.  The same one in which she caused one of our stage hands to quit.  I think you get to see it happen in the video.

So, yeah.  That was when he quit.

She has been seen performing live, most notably in "Muley's Talent(less) Revue" where she turned the whole program into a guys vs. girls for top billing, and as the femme fatale in "SuperMule and the Cookie Caper" where she is victimized and her cookies are taken from her.

Let's learn a little more about Missy Mule:

Here is a painting by artist DaMarco Randle:



www.damarcoarts.com for more artwork.

FUN AND GAMES

Want to help Missy make it to the runway?  (Right click to save and then print.)

BOXY MISSY!  Created by Janet Wade (who has a hand in Missy's performances), you can now create your own Boxy Missy to add to your collection!  (Right click to save and then print.)

What can you do with your own Boxy Missy?

Want to own a collection of Muley the Mule and Friends' Comix and Stories featuring Missy Mule?  You can!  Click here:

####

If you have questions for Muley the Mule or the team, use our comments section below, or you can visit Muley at his Facebook page by clicking here.

###

Video Credits:
Featuring Missy Mule
Videography, editing, music by Ed Griffith
Sound: Drew Russom, Brad Alsobrook
Camera assists by Lisa Fletcher
Written/Created by Kevin L. Williams
Assistant to Missy Mule, Janet Wade
Stage hand performed by Martheus Wade

Soon to be seen on "The Muley and Friends Show" only on Acme Classics!

Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable

Meet Roy Duck

We all have "that" friend.  The guy who is quiet, but when he has something to say you can't shut him up.  The guy who gets a few things confused or is easily distracted.  The guy who is your most dedicated friend and confidant and willing to do anything to help you.  The guy who is the ladies' man (in his own mind). 

And, in the MuleyVerse, that guy is Roy Duck.  He's never really been called a nick name (such as "Muley" is short for Muleton Mule, Jr.) and he's never been called just "Roy."

Ladies and Gentlemen of all ages, meet Roy Duck.



Yes, you saw the distraction: Shiny.  Also, what kind of duck is he?  A wood duck.  Not that he's a duck made of wood, mind you...

Of his roles in "Muley's Talent(less) Revue" and "SuperMule and the Cookie Caper" live stage shows, he said, "They really quacked me up!"

Here is a little more about Roy Duck:

He has appeared in fine art oil painting as well.


By Damarco Randle

Fun and Games:

Right-click and save to your computer, or print -- HAVE FUN!

Make your own Boxy Roy Duck, see below

for samples how you can display yours!

Did you know you can find comic strips featuring Roy Duck in "Muley's Comix and Stories" comic strip collection?  Well, you can.  Click below to get your copy now!

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If you have questions for Muley the Mule or the team, use our comments section below, or you can visit Muley at his Facebook page by clicking here.

###

Video Credits:
Featuring Roy Duck
Videography, editing, music by Ed Griffith
Sound: Drew Russom, Brad Alsobrook
Camera assists by Lisa Fletcher
Written/Created by Kevin L. Williams
Assistant to Roy Duck, Andrew Chandler

Roy Duck stars with Buford the Dog and Muley the Mule
in "Muley's Talent(less) Revue"

Soon to be seen on "The Muley and Friends Show" only on Acme Classics!

Watch AcmeClassics on...
CH 23.2 - Memphis
CH 34.1 - Senatobia
CH 15 - Comcast cable