Jim Henson Biography

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He spent his earlier years in Mississippi where his father had worked with the U.S. Department of </div> <div> agriculture. He loved going to the creek and spending time outdoors.He also enjoyed to draw, and aspired to be a cartoonist as shown in the new book, Jim Henson, Designs and Doodles. He was very close with his Grandma and visited her a lot when he was younger. He loved the radio personalities such as Edgar Bergan and Charlie McArthey. His parents soon bought a television set. Jim was hooked. He loved the program Kukla Fran and Ollie, and Ernie Kofax's television show. From that day forward he would put his art aside to work in television. In 1954,he saw an ad in the local paper that said:PUPPETEER WANTED FOR CHILDREN'S TELEVISION PROGRAM. He Wasn't looking for a carrer in puppetry oddly enough, but if it got him into television, he was willing to do it.He built two cowboy puppets,Longhorn and Shorthorn, and a French Rat named Pierre (who was originally a cartoon he created for his high school's paper.) The show, The Junior Morning show was canceled after 2 weeks, but Jim didn't care. He was ready to do something else. Then in 1955, station WTOP was looking for a late night puppet show. Iddmediatly, Jim wanted to do it. He auditioned. They said he was good, but too young. So he went down to the library, got some books out on puppetry, and went back to the studio. Then he said to them,"Now I'm a puppeteer, will you hire me?"! He was hired. The show was called Sam and Friends.The show was 5 minutes and aired twice a night, at 6:45 PM and at 11:45 PM.The show usually had the puppets lip synch to comedy records or popular music of the day. His co puppeteer in the show was a woman named Jane Nebel, and they would soon fall in love, get married and have 5 children. Sam and Friends featured a bald Muppet named Sam, A professor puppet, A jazzy Muppet named Harry among others. Among those was KERMIT. </div> <bR> <div> At the time, Kermit was not yet a frog. He didn't have flippers, but stubby little feet. He also did not have a pointy collar. Jim didn't know what he was, he just called him "abstract". He was made out of his mothers spring coat, and his eyes were a ping pong ball cut in half. Kermit would not go on to be a frog until the late 60's. </div> <bR> <div> Sam and friends would help the Muppets get recognized . The did many guest spots on such shows as as The Steve Allen Show, The Jack Paar Show and The Today Show. They also did over 100 commercials for products such as Linit Fabric Finish spray, Gleem toothpaste,Royal Crown Cola, and Wilkins Certified coffee. . This is when the Muppets really took off. </div> <bR> <div> Then,in 1969, a revolutionary show was about to take place. It was to be an educational show called "Sesame Street". The show was not supposed to have Jim's Muppets featured in it. Bu Joan Ganz Cooney,a film producer wanted him to join along. The show was to teach preschoolers thier numbers and letters. </div> <bR> <div> The show went through 5 test shows which were shown to parents and children in Philadelphia. The only Muppets on the shows were Ernie and Bert. The shows did not go over well. So Jim Thought "We need to build More Muppets!" He built a 8'2 bird named Big Bird, an ORANGE Oscar, Muppets that could change features named Anything Muppets among other monsters and hairy things. Kermit would join the show . Yes, he was now a frog. He gained a collar and webby feet. He was now Kermit THE FROG as apposed to just Kermit. </div> <bR> <div> The show was a success from day 1. But now, people thought as jim as a "puppeteer for kids." He definitely was not. He wanted to prove them wrong. In 1975, a new late night show was about to air on NBC. The show was Saturday Night Live. Jim was called into the project. Michael Lorne, the show's creator, wanted the more friendly Muppets such as Kermit and Grover, but that's not at all what he got. Jim created a reacurring skecht called Land of Gorch. The show had odd creatures with taxidermist's eyes dealing with drugs and sex. The puppets were Controversial. He left the show after 1 season. </div> <bR> <div> In 1976, the world was about to see something they had never seen before.The Muppet Show was a half hour variety show starring those lovable Muppets made by Jim Henson himself. Many characters made their debut here, such as Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Statler and Waldorf, and Fozzie Bear. Nobody (as in the American networks) picked up the show in 1976, but a man named Lew Lord Grade would go on to syndicate the show, making it a smash. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> AND THE REST IS HISTORY......... </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Jim Henson died May 16th, 1990. But his legacy still continues due to a group of great puppeteers, writers, etc.Steve Whitmire now performs most of Jim's characters. </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>