Jim Henson

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Jim Henson: Changing the Face of Children's Entertainment Forever

Of course, Jim Henson did much more than children's entertainment. He changed the world of puppetry forever and made both children and adults laugh, love and their imaginations ignite with his unique characters. This is my tribute to one of the most important men in my childhood. Though I never met him, his contributions to my life are endless.

Why Jim Henson? 

I can remember being very small, sitting directly in front of the television and watching The Muppet Show. Images from that show were imprinted onto the fabric of my mind at a very early age and my love for Kermit and the gang would be carried from those moments to this very day.

Sesame Street and The Muppet Show were probably the pre-cursors to my rabid love of fantasy and humor. Later, shows like Fraggle Rock and movies like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth would broaden that love even further.

Jim, according to those that worked with him, was not only a master creator and puppeteer, but also a gentle, loving person who enjoyed seeing those that worked with him succeed even more than he did himself. This gracious spirit could be seen through the characters that were seemingly an extension of his personality, Kermit the Frog and Rowlf the Dog.

Though his characters continue to live on, I think it's important to remember the man that created them and brought them into our lives. This lens is my tribute to one of the most important men of my childhood.

I will continue to add and update to this lens. So, keep an eye out for it and make sure to bookmark this lens!

Lens of the Day! 

This lens was picked as Lens of the Day!



Thanks, guys!

More About Jim Henson on the Web 

Henson.com
The official site of the Jim Henson company. Includes information on past, present and future projects.
TIME 100: Jim Henson
Time's 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century profile.
The Jim Henson Foundation
A foundation that provides grants to up and coming artists and puppeteers.
Jim Henson - Muppet Wiki - a Wikia wiki
Muppet Wikia's tribute to Jim.
Muppet Central Articles - Tributes: Rembering Jim Henson
A tribute to Jim by Muppets Central.
Leland, Mississippi - Birthplace of the Frog
Leland, MS touts itself as "the Birthplace of the Frog." As Jim's hometown, the town hosts a small museum dedicated to the life and work of Jim.

Muppets on the Web 

The creatures that made Jim famous..

Muppets.com -- The New Official Home of the Muppets!
Muppets.com is your official source for all Muppet information, news and fun.
Muppets Home - Muppet Central Fan Site
Muppet Central is the Internet's leading source for Jim Henson news and collectibles.
Muppet Wiki - Muppet Wiki - a Wikia wiki
Muppet Wikia is the wikipedia of The Muppets.
Statler & Waldorf: From the Balcony
Muppets Statler and Waldorf Review upcoming releases on Movies.com
Sesame Workshop - Sesame Street
Sesame Street actually came before Jim's Muppet Show. This is the official Sesame Street website with information about the show, products and more.
Labyrinth on Squidoo
Not exactly Muppets, but even so, Labyrinth was one of Jim Henson's contributions to fantasy film. This lens includes everything you need to know about Labyrinth including song lyrics!

Yet Another Muppet News Flash! 

The retired Muppets that were once housed at the Smithsonian Institute, Kermit and Oscar, have been moved to The Center for Puppetry Art in Atlanta! So, if you're nearby, make sure to stop by and pay Kermit and Oscar a visit. Check out the new flickr module below for photos of the exhibit.

The Muppets in Atlanta 

Muppets Come to Atlanta - The Hensons by Josh Phillipson

Press conference at The Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. The Henson family i...

Muppets Come to Atlanta - Kermit by Josh Phillipson

One of the original Kermits. Now living in Atlanta at the Center for Puppetry Ar...

Muppets Come to Atlanta by Josh Phillipson

Vince Anthony, executive director of the Center for Puppetry Arts, and Cheryl He...

Muppets Come to Atlanta - Kermit Sketch, Gone With The Wind by Josh Phillipson

NY Times Article:

Newsflash! 

Hiho! Kermit the Frog is here! Season Two of The Muppet Show is now available for pre-order!

And if you haven't already bought Season One, get with it, slo-poke!

The Muppet Show - Season Two

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

The Muppet Show - Season One (Special Edition)

Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Jim Henson Vids on YouTube 

From Manahmanah to Sesame Street


the muppets show intro

Runtime: 0:52
1940347 views
10 Comments:


The Count meets Cookie Monster - Classic Sesame Street

Runtime: 2:14
1871396 views
10 Comments:


Fraggle Rock Intro

Runtime: 1:03
2969465 views
10 Comments:


Dance Magic Dance

Runtime: 3:00
325898 views
10 Comments:

Characters Voiced by Jim Henson 

These are just some of the characters that Jim voiced during his career...

  • Kermit the Frog
  • Rowlf the Dog
  • The Swedish Chef
  • Ernie
  • Waldorf
  • Guy Smiley

What's Your Favorite Jim Henson Production? 

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Muppets, Jim & More on Amazon 

The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set)

The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set)

This was such an imaginative, creative film. Certa more...1 point

Muppet Show: Music Mayhem & More - 25th Anniv Coll

Muppet Show: Music Mayhem & More - 25th Anniv Coll

Manahmanah? What else do you need to know?0 points

The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition

The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition

The first Muppet film and the film in which Kermit more...0 points

The Muppets Take Manhattan

The Muppets Take Manhattan

This was the film in which we actually first saw & more...0 points

Jim Henson's the Storyteller - The Definitive Collection

Jim Henson's the Storyteller - The Definitive Collection

Some of Jim's more eclectic and myth-based work. O more...0 points

Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection - (Labyrinth / MirrorMask / The Dark Crystal)

Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection - (Labyrinth / MirrorMask / The Dark Crystal)

This collection contains two films that Jim worked more...0 points

Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination by Christopher Finch

Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination by Christopher Finch

This is the BEST book on Jim and his work. I never more...0 points

Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook by Alison Inches

Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook by Alison Inches

I actually haven't read this one, but it is on my more...0 points

It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider by Jim Henson

It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider by Jim Henson

Think of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff& more...0 points

Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons by Kermit the Frog

Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons by Kermit the Frog

This is just a sweet little book that would make a more...0 points

Fraggle Rock - Complete First Season

Fraggle Rock - Complete First Season

We children of the 80s have a soft spot for this s more...0 points

Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974)

Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974)

This is true, old-school Sesame Street. Everything more...0 points

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol

This one is a Christmas tradition for me to watch.0 points

A Boy and His Frog 

A beautiful tribute on YouTube

I saw this on YouTube and was genuinely moved to tears. That's really all you need to say about it. Just watch. Tissues may be required.

A Boy and His Frog

A small Jim Henson tribute made by me, mostly out of boredom, but also because I heard this song and the song just wouldn't leave me alone. I know I'll never be able to do Henson or the song justice, but I made the video anyway. Song - "A Boy and His Frog" by Tom Smith LYRICS Life is unfair, so they tell me, Because they think I wouldn't know. They only can see a cheap gimmick On their children's favorite show. They say, "Oh, that's just foam and a wire, Attached to a green velvet sleeve, Anyone can do that" -- well, that's true, I suppose, But who else could make them believe? What can I say without you there to guide me? How else am I supposed to give? How can I sing without you there beside me? How else am I supposed to live? You could never just do the expected, I was just an idea in a bog, But you sewed up your dream and we made quite a team, Jim and Kermit, a boy and his frog. It was me, Rolph, and you, but I think that he knew There was something that you and I had. The magic we made just kept growing, And none of it ever was bad. Then came Ernie and Scooter and Gonzo, Doctor Teeth, Cookie Monster, and more. But now all of those voices are silent, And I want to go on... but what for? No one can make me what you did, No one could walk in your shoes, Nothing can make me forget you, But that's not a thing that I'd choose. I can't just let it be over, And you wouldn't want it that way, So I'll stand up and I'll face it, And, though not quite in your voice, I'll say: I will go on without you there to guide me, There's so much more I can give. Whenever I sing, you will be there beside me, As long as I keep you, you'll live. We just wanted to make people smile, I was always much more than your toy. I will never regret and I'll never forget What we had, I'll miss you, Dad, This frog and his boy. Check out Tom Smith at this url- http://www.tomsmithonline.com/main1.htm This song and video are released under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike license

Runtime: 4:13
113809 views
10 Comments:

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Limbo - The Organized Mind 

An Experimental Film by Jim in 1974

Technically, this was both a film and a performance. The puppeteering was performed on The Tonight Show, superimposed over the film. You've really got to see it. It's imaginative and fascinating.

Limbo, The Organized Mind (1974) - Jim Henson

Just watch it.

Runtime: 4:21
42383 views
10 Comments:

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Muppet Scrapbook Stickers! 

This weekend, I found something so cool, I actually squealed. Yes, squealed. Muppet scrapbooking stickers. They're the absolute coolest. They're three dimensional and feature such characters as Kermit, Animal, Gonzo - even Sam Eagle and The Swedish Chef! I'm in love with them and think they'll be perfect for a page on the Muppets attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

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Have something to say? 

Feel free to drop me a line about the lens or just chat about Jim.

Tipi wrote...

Jim Hensen is great! Lots of good memories here for me to enjoy.
Congratulations on the Purple Star!
Susie

ReplyPosted June 06, 2009

poutine wrote...

Jim Henson was a great creator and has made children's
lives more interesting by teaching them while having fun.

ReplyPosted April 26, 2009

Amanda_Blue wrote...

I found myself sitting in front of the computer much as you had sat in front of the TV as a child, looking at your marvelous selection of Henson videos. The Count and Cookie Monster has my vote as no. 1 but in fact they are all number 1. What a marvelous lens! 5* and thanks.

ReplyPosted June 20, 2008

MerryM wrote...

omg, you were so right. tissues for Boy and His Frog. *sniffle*

ReplyPosted May 12, 2008

beachbum_gabby wrote...

he's a world entertainer and a great person. 5* for him!

ReplyPosted May 02, 2008

 
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