March 20, 2018 ▸ People, Technology

Episode 281: Jim Henson: Master of Muppets

On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we look at the life, works, films, television shows, and Muppets of the one and only Jim Henson. Jim Henson was one of the most influential figures in popular culture for several decades. By creating everything from Sesame Street to the Muppet show and from Dark Crystal to Labyrinth, Henson did it all. He was even responsible for the cult classic Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas and the creation of Yoda.

So how did it all start? Henson was a creative child who happened to do some puppet work after his grandmother taught him how to do various art forms. He went to college to study home economics and while there, he was given a shot to do five minute shorts on a local television show. Here, he made use of his puppets, and it spread rapidly. Eventually, he branched off to start doing commercials and corporate films, and through all of this his famous Muppets were born.

Kermit was his first, followed by a proto-Cookie Monster named Wheel Stealer for IBM spots. Eventually, Rolf the dog was created to sell dog food, and everything from coffee companies to Faygo used Jim Henson’s new puppets in their ads.

Once the Muppets hit the national stage through ads, he was given a shot at Sesame Street, and from there The Muppet Show. Nobody backed either of these projects, but once they were finally produced, they were huge hits. All this time, Jim Henson created new forms of puppeteering and made friends with innovators such as George Lucas and Lorne Michaels. From truly bizarre experimental short films to truly bizarre experimental long films (I’m looking at you, Dark Crystal), Henson’s imagination could not be rivaled. He changed the face of public television, movie making, Star Wars, kid’s entertainment, and America through his positive belief that TV can be used for good. Sorry we don’t have serial killers in this one for all you sickos who like our show, but Jim Henson is legit, so give this one a listen!

Time Piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDwCwMIRJlI

Paperwork Explosion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IZw2CoYztk