JIM HENSON HOUR, THE: "MUPPETELEVISION" AND JIM HENSON'S "THE STORYTELLER: THE SOLDIER AND DEATH" (TV)
Summary
One in this series of hour-long programs hosted by Jim Henson, which includes special presentations featuring an assortment of live-action Muppets and creatures. This program includes two half-hour segments: "Muppetelevision," in which Kermit the Frog and his Muppet crew direct their own variety show from a TV studio; and "The Soldier and Death," an episode of the series "The Storyteller" featuring fantasy characters from Jim Henson's Creature Shop. In the first portion, Kermit and his crew members clash over programming choices for the show, and Kermit is finally tricked into relinquishing control, with chaotic results. Highlights include the following: The Nylons sing an a cappella rendition of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"; Fozzie Bear asks weatherman Willard Scott for advice about becoming a "weatherbear," and appears on "The Today Show" with host Jane Pauley; monster Muppets hold a "Monsterthon" and use threats and scare tactics to solicit donations; a human, life-size doll named Bootsie describes her plan to run for president, and chooses her boyfriend, Brad, as her vice president; in a satirical tale about a country with no king, the former king reclaims his throne and his subjects discover that they enjoy following orders; and Kermit, who has left the studio for a tropical island vacation, is joined by the other Muppets for the closing number, "Sweet Vacation." In the second portion, the Storyteller narrates the tale of "The Soldier and Death," which illustrates the dangers of trying to cheat death. A soldier rids the tsar's palace of an army of winged devils by trapping them in his magic sack and sending them back to Hell. Years later, when he captures Death in his sack and nobody in the world dies anymore, he discovers the value of Death and must eventually pay the price for his error. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: April 28, 1989 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:49:14
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:25403
- GENRE: Variety; Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Jane Pauley); Children's programs; Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Fairy tales; Music, popular (songs, etc.); Puppets
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1989
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jim Henson … Host
- For "Muppetelevision":
- Lawrence S. Mirkin … Producer
- Jerry Juhl … Co-Producer
- Martin G. Baker … Co-Producer
- Ritamarie Peruggi … Associate Producer
- Kirk Thatcher … Associate Producer
- John Blanchard … Director
- Jerry Juhl … Writer
- Tim Burns … Writer
- Barbara Samuels … Writer
- Mark Saltzman … Writer
- Bill Prady … Writer
- Chris Langham … Writer
- Karen Barnes … Production (Misc.), Executive in Charge of Production
- Russell Chick … Production Design
- Michael K. Frith … Muppet Design Consultant
- Tim McElcheran … Special Effects
- Don Gillis … Music (Misc. Credits), Musical Director
- Philip Balsam … Composer, "Sweet Vacation" music and lyrics by
- Dennis Lee … Composer, "Sweet Vacation" music and lyrics by
- Willard Scott … Special Guest
- Jane Pauley … Special Guest
- The Nylons … Music Group
- Dave Goelz … Muppet Performer
- Frank Oz … Muppet Performer
- Steve Whitmire … Muppet Performer
- Kevin Clash … Muppet Performer
- Fran Brill … Muppet Performer
- Gordon Robertson … Muppet Performer
- Rob Mills … Muppet Performer
- Dan Redican … Muppet Performer
- Jennifer Lee … Cast, Bootsie
- Andrew Wilson … Cast, Brad
- Erica Lancaster … Cast, Amanda
- Chris Langham … Cast, the Officer
- For "The Soldier and Death":
- Duncan Kenworthy … Producer
- Jim Henson … Director
- Anthony Minghella … Writer, Screenplay by
- John Stephenson … Production Design, Creative Supervisor, For Jim Henson's Creature Shop
- Roger Hall … Production Design
- Rachel Portman … Music by
- John Hurt … Cast, the Storyteller
- Bob Peck … Cast, the Soldier
- Stuart Richman … Cast, the Fiddling Beggar
- Walter Sparrow … Cast, the Card Trick Beggar
- John Franklyn Robbins … Cast, the Tzar
- Ishia Bennison … Cast, the Tzar's Wife
- Jan Chappell … Cast, the Soldier's Wife
- Gavin Knights … Cast, the Soldier's Son
- David Fleeshman … Cast, the Innkeeper
- Alistair Fullarton … Cast, Death
- Brian Henson … Cast, the Storyteller's Dog