For the sixth name on The Wasteland’s Hall of Fame roster I asked myself who has had the greatest impact on the most people in the world of TV history. There are many successful producers who are forever immortalised for their work in some way, but very few that are household names. Sure, there are any number of actors and actresses, and even directors, that have left their mark on TV legend; often on their way to a film career, or after their star in that sphere has waned, but very few true creators responsible for generations of quality work, whose legacy lasts to this day as vibrantly as ever. For that the list is small indeed, and right at the top – Jim Henson, probably the most famous puppeteer and pioneer of children’s programming of all time!
Even before Star Wars captured my imagination aged 3 1/2 in 1977, there was something colourful and vivid and fun that stands out from everything in my memory of early TV watching. I had a huge poster of C3P0 and R2D2 on one wall of my bedroom, and on the other a montage shot of The Muppets, with Kermit and Miss Piggy front and centre. I knew all their names, even the obscure ones; I could sing all the songs, and even tell a few of Fozzie’s bad jokes. For anyone buying me birthday gifts for the next 10 years it would be 50/50 between these two very different, but equally unique and creative universes.
Henson began in the early 6os working in many areas of TV production mostly on kids shows, and by 1969 he was instrumental in creating some of the most memorable characters on Sesame Steet – a show that still runs in 2021, some 1700+ episodes later. From there he took his team onto The Muppets, blending childlike wonder with a surreal and hip adult humour that meant everyone was a fan. And I mean everyone! In 1978 The Muppets was the most watched TV show in the world, and its iconography was truly global. His sensibility humour and cultural influence had created something entirely original that the world needed and wanted very much.
The Jim Henson Creature Workshop became synonymous with the values he himself represented, both in storytelling and morality. There was just something magical about what he did. Just think of the other lesser known achievements that have continued to resonate too – The Storyteller, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock amongst them. Each a cult classic for anyone old enough to remember them when they were new, and still favourites amongst new generations, who seem to prefer the intimacy and “reality” of the puppets over anything made of cold CGI.
For me, he was a great man, who lived as he worked and spread joy everywhere he went and with everything he touched. He died too young, of course, aged just 53 in 1990. But he left behind multiple charitable organisations, foundations and workshops all aimed at keeping magic in the lives of children and their parents through laughter, kindness and fun. As the Disney Plus channel relaunches the entire back catalogue of all 120 original Muppets episodes, there is no better time to remember him and celebrate his joyous work. Here is my top 5 from his career:
Jim Henson top 5
1. The Muppet Show (1976)
2. The Storyteller (1987)
3. Labyrinth (1986)
4. The Dark Crystal (1982)
5. Fraggle Rock (1983)
Thanks for dropping by The Wasteland for this new induction into the Hall of Fame. See you again soon for #7.
The Wasteland 