MUPPETS CELEBRATE JIM HENSON, THE (TV)
Summary
This special, "a tribute to a man and his imagination," celebrates the life and career of Jim Henson -- best known for his creation of the Muppets -- following his death in 1990. The retrospective includes appearances by celebrity guests, a variety of clips from Henson's television and film work, and candid, behind-the-scenes footage of Henson working with his creative team. As the program begins, Fozzie Bear receives a postcard from Kermit the Frog, who asks him to prepare a lavish production number in honor of Henson. But Fozzie and the other Muppets don't know their creator, and feel ill-equipped to give him a fitting tribute. Carol Burnett, John Denver, Ray Charles, Steven Spielberg, Harry Belafonte, and Henson's friend and close collaborator, Frank Oz, offer their impressions of Henson and reminisce about working with him and the characters that he invented, which helps the Muppets to learn more about him.
Topics discussed include Henson's collaboration with The Children's Television Workshop on "Sesame Street"; the universal message of Kermit's theme song, "It's Not Easy Bein' Green"; the grand scope of Henson's imagination, innovations, and artistry, evident in his design of various "creatures"; his concern for world issues; and the international appeal of "Sesame Street" and "Fraggle Rock." A short biographical film includes home movies of Henson in his youth; clips of early versions of the Muppets on the local Washington, D.C., TV series "Sam and Friends" and on a Wilkins Coffee commercial; and excerpts from Henson's experimental film, "Time Piece," which received an Oscar nomination in 1965. Also included are clips featuring Burnett, John Cleese, Charles Durning, John Hurt, Dabney Coleman, Ted Koppel interviewing Kermit the Frog on "ABC News Nightline," and others with the Muppets. Toward the conclusion of the program, Fozzie finds a stack of letters addressed to Kermit from Henson's fans, who offer their condolences about Henson's death. The sentiments expressed in the letters help the Muppets to realize the importance of Henson and his work, and how much he will be missed. In the finale, led by Kermit's nephew, Robin, the cast is joined by the "Sesame Street" regulars and Kermit to sing "If Just One Person Believes in You." Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 21, 1990 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:47:50
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:23996
- GENRE: Children's; Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: Children's programs; Puppets; Biography
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1990
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Don Mischer … Producer, Director
- Martin G. Baker … Co-Producer
- David J. Goldberg … Co-Producer
- Ritamarie Peruggi … Associate Producer
- Jerry Juhl … Writer
- Bill Prady … Writer
- Sara Lukinson … Writer, Clip segments by
- David Gumpel … Editor, Clip segments by
- Larry Grossman … Music by
- Carol Burnett … Special appearance by
- John Denver … Special appearance by
- Harry Belafonte … Special appearance by
- Ray Charles … Special appearance by
- Steven Spielberg … Special appearance by
- Frank Oz … Special appearance by, Muppet Performer
- Dave Goelz … Muppet Performer
- Richard Hunt … Muppet Performer
- Kevin Clash … Muppet Performer
- Jerry Nelson … Muppet Performer
- Steve Whitmire … Muppet Performer
- Kathryn Mullen … Muppet Performer
- Carroll Spinney … Muppet Performer
- Pam Arciero … Muppet Performer
- Fran Brill … Muppet Performer
- Camille Bonora … Muppet Performer
- Joe Mazzarino … Muppet Performer
- Jim Martin … Muppet Performer
- Peter MacKennan … Muppet Performer
- Carmen Osbahr … Muppet Performer
- Martin P. Robinson … Muppet Performer
- David Rudman … Muppet Performer
- Ted Koppel
- John Cleese
- Charles Durning
- Dabney Coleman
- John Hurt