MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SCREENING SERIES, THE: THE LEGACY OF JIM HENSON: MUPPETS FOREVER, PACKAGE 1: THE MUPPETS BEGIN

Summary

For thirty-five years Jim Henson brought wit and imagination to the art of presenting puppetry on television. He created a singular world of characters -- the Muppets -- that he inventively expanded from a small core of friends to a multitude of families. The Museum's screening series pays tribute to the artistic developments of Henson's television career. In 1955 Jim Henson introduced his Muppets on the late-night series "Sam and Friends," seen locally in Washington, D.C. His creations soon began to reach a wider audience in commercials and in guest appearances on such network programs as "Today"; "The Tonight Show"; "The Ed Sullivan Show"; and "The Jimmy Dean Show," which featured Rowlf the Dog as a cast member. Since 1969 the Muppets have been regulars on the landmark educational program "Sesame Street." In 1976 Henson developed his own syndicated series, "The Muppet Show," which reached an estimated weekly audience of 235 million around the world and in fall 2001 celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. Among many honors the show has received the 1978 Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series and the 1978 Peabody Award for its "gentle satire, clever characters, genuine good humor, and for high standards in family viewing." During the eighties Henson extended his range in family entertainment. He created a cable series, "Fraggle Rock," introducing a new family of Muppets, the Fraggles; ventured into Saturday morning television with the animated "Muppet Babies"; contributed characters to the music appreciation series "Jim Henson's 'Ghost of Faffner Hall'"; and updated traditional folktales for network television in "Jim Henson's 'The Storyteller.'" He received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program for "Dog City," a segment from his innovative series "The Jim Henson Hour," while additional Emmy Awards went to the "Storyteller" episode "Hans My Hedgehog" for Outstanding Children's Program, and to "Muppet Babies" for Outstanding Animated Series in four consecutive years (1985-1988). In May 1990 the world was saddened by Jim Henson's untimely death, but his legacy endures. The creative team he brought together continues to produce new projects in the Henson tradition of quality family entertainment with such programs as "Farscape," "Bear in the Big Blue House," and "Jim Henson's 'Animal Show.'" The universe of Muppets, suffused with tolerance and love, entertains and enlightens children and adults alike. The Museum's screenings and collection testify not only to Jim Henson's optimistic philosophy of life, but also to his contributions to the artistic possibilities of television.

"Jim Henson: The Early Years" This compilation contains some of the earliest existing footage of the Muppets, including clips from Henson's local Washington, D.C., series "Sam and Friends;" commercials for Wilkins Coffee; and Rowlf the Dog's appearances on "The Jimmy Dean Show." (1955-66; 60 minutes)

"The Muppets Valentine Show" This special is notable for anticipating the format of "The Muppet Show." Here, as in the subsequent series, the Muppets are joined by a single guest star (Mia Farrow), and the musical numbers and sketches are connected by a loose, continuing narrative (a Muppet named Wally tries to define love). Includes commercials. (1974; 30 minutes)

"The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence" The actual pilot for "The Muppet Show" features characters who would become quite familiar to fans of the series, including the incomprehensible Swedish Chef, crotchety elders Statler and Waldorf, and Miss Piggy (seen briefly). Kermit the Frog's participation is confined to a cameo, and the hosting duties are handled by a Muppet named Nigel. (1975; 30 minutes)

Details

NETWORK: N/A
DATE: November 30, 2000
RUNNING TIME: 1:54:26
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: T:64576
GENRE: Children's
SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Music, Popular (Songs, etc.); Puppets; TV - Commercials; TV - Parody; Valentine's Day
SERIES RUN: N/A
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

For "The Early Years":
David Brinkley
Jimmy Dean
Jim Henson
Al Hirt
Chet Huntley
Edward R. Murrow
Jack Paar
Louis Prima
Keely Smith
For "The Muppets Valentine Show":
Jim Henson … Executive Producer, Director
Diana Birkenfield … Producer
Jerry Juhl … Writer
Jerry Ross … Writer
Christopher Lyall … Choreographer , For "Real Live Girl"
Keith Textor … Music (Misc. Credits), Conductor, Music arranged and conducted by
Tom H. John … Art Director
John Lovelady … Puppets by
Dave Goelz … Puppets by
Bonnie Lewis … Puppets by
Donald Sahlin … Puppets by
Caroly Wilcox … Puppets by
Faz Fazakas … Puppets by
Kermit Love … Puppets by
Mia Farrow … Special Guest Star
Frank Oz … Muppet Puppeteer
Jerry Nelson … Muppet Puppeteer
Jim Henson … Muppet Puppeteer
Richard Hunt … Muppet Puppeteer
John Lovelady … Muppet Puppeteer
Dave Goelz … Muppet Puppeteer
Nancy McGeorge … Muppet Puppeteer
Jane Henson … Muppet Puppeteer
Charles Nelson Reilly … Talent
For "The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence":
Jim Henson … Producer, Writer
Jon Stone … Co-Producer, Writer
David Holman … Associate Producer
Dave Wilson … Director
Marshall Brickman … Writer
Norman Stiles … Writer
Joe Raposo … Composer, Music and lyrics by
Alan Compton … Art Director
Barbara Wood … Special Effects
Richard Maitland … Special Effects
Bonnie Lewis … Production Design, Puppets by, Costume Designer
Caroly Wilcox … Production Design, Puppets by
Dave Goelz … Production Design, Puppets by
John Lovelady … Production Design, Puppets by
Rollin Krewson … Production Design, Puppets by
Janet Lerman … Production Design, Puppets by
Mari Kaestle … Production Design, Puppets by
Don Sahlin … Production Design, Special Fabricatur
Frank Oz … Muppet Puppeteer
Jerry Nelson … Muppet Puppeteer
Richard Hunt … Muppet Puppeteer
Dave Goelz … Muppet Puppeteer
Fran Brill … Muppet Puppeteer
John Lovelady … Muppet Puppeteer
Rollin Krewson … Muppet Puppeteer
Caroly Wilcox … Muppet Puppeteer
Jane Henson … Muppet Puppeteer