“It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights, it’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet show tonight…”
That first line was more than the beginning of a TV show theme; it meant to millions of viewers that for the next ½ hour, sitting in front of the television was the place to be. Adults and kids alike relished THE MUPPET SHOW when it began its run in 1976. There was obviously nothing else like it – a TV show that starred a talking frog, pig, bear, dog, and whatever Gonzo was (that’s still up for debate). Creator Jim Henson couldn’t have imagined when he created his most famous green friend what his visions and dreams would become. Starting with a green piece of his mother’s coat, a ping pong ball cut in half (for eyes), incredible imagination and a wondrous sense of humor, Kermit the Frog (the ringleader of the merry group of Muppets) became the most famous puppet in the world (and possibly the only one to overshadow Yoda, whose voice is provided by Henson partner Frank Oz). But THE MUPPET SHOW was not the beginning.
Children around the world have grown up with Jim Henson and his Muppets since 1969. He breathed life into a small educational PBS show, which you may all know as SESAME STREET. There he brought to our lives – with Frank Oz and many other talented “Muppeteers” – Bert and Ernie, Grover, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and many others too numerous to mention here (the character list is absolutely staggering). I can’t imagine growing up without SESAME STREET. For the record, Jim Henson’s talent wasn’t only relegated to SESAME STREET. He branched out to television’s FRAGGLE ROCK and big screen endeavors including six Muppet films and the magical fantasies THE DARK CRYSTAL and LABRYINTH. He also established The Creature Shop, a puppet studio and special effects dynasty.
But it is THE MUPPET SHOW that everyone associates with Jim Henson. For the first time, Season One is available on DVD and the show’s accomplishments are almost as astounding as the talent it represents: 5 seasons, 120 episodes and 44 Emmy nominations. Among the unsung heroes are all the other Muppeteers besides Henson and, of course, the show had a cast of hundreds, countless represented in this collection. THE MUPPET SHOW lasted longer in its original run than most shows on television today and it is still in syndication all over the world (it’s even a theme park attraction at Disney’s MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida).
Filmed in England, countless celebrities flew across the pond to join Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem band for a musical number (including rock royalty Elton John and even shock rocker Alice Cooper), or just to see if the Swedish Chef was actually going to be able to cook a meal without it chasing him around the kitchen. Season One arrives at retail as a Special Edition 4-DVD set packaged in a collectible green furry touch cover [Yes kids, Kermit said it was okay, and no frogs were harmed in the making of this DVD set]. All of the shows (including two never-before-seen shows) include an introduction by Henson’s son, have been completely restored and remastered and the set includes the original pilot episode.
What a better tribute to a man who shared with us our childhood, and for many of us, our adulthood. Jim Henson passed away in May of 1990, but his dreams are still alive. And thanks to collections like this, SESAME STREET, his films and television shows, Kermit the Frog and the rest of the Muppet gang will live in our hearts forever.
