A R T I C L E S
   Reviews
   Editorials
   Interviews
   MuppetFest
   Tributes
   Henson Timeline


 

New Collectibles

•11/01 - The Muppet Christmas Carol Pop! Figures: Bob Cratchit with Tiny Tim, Mrs. Cratchit, Charles Dickens with Rizzo, Fozziwig, The Marley Brothers, Scrooge

•10/24 - The Muppets Take Manhattan 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with Frank Oz Commentary

•10/1 - Supersize Count von Count

•10/01 - Sesame Street Action Figures Wave 1: Ernie with Rubber Duckie, Bert with Bernice, Count von Count, Yip Yip Martians

•9/1 - Fraggle Rock Action Figures Wave 1: Gobo, Red, Traveling Matt, Architect and Cotterpin, Flange

 
     

 

Join the Muppet Central Mailing List

 



Memories of Henson, the Muppet man

By Susan Wloszczyna
USA TODAY, LIFE, Page 1D
May 17, 1990

Henson and KermitThe Muppet man knew how to pull the strings of our hearts.

The death of Jim Henson on Wednesday has deprived a whole generation who grew up on Kermit the Frog and Big Bird of a wonderful, imaginative playmate.

Although shows like PBS' Sesame Street were aimed at children, adults delighted in his brand of fantasy - especially those who worked with him.

Jimmy Dean, whose '60s TV variety show gave Henson his first national exposure by featuring canine Rowlf: ''I fell in love with that dang dog. Rowlf worked so beautifully, you would believe it was him and totally forget about Jim Henson and Frank Oz working him.'' Dean still has a Rowlf in his office - underneath is a Muppet version of Henson.

Danny DeVito, who appeared on Sesame Street as a curator of a grouch museum: ''He helped unify the family through his creativity, imagination and energy.''

Shari Lewis, creator of Lamb Chop who did a PBS special with Henson: ''He raised puppeteering to an art form beyond people who just jiggle dolls. Lamb Chop and Kermit were very funny together. Kermit would get very rattled whenever she asked, 'So Kermie, how's the pig?' ''

Charles Grodin, who starred in the movie The Great Muppet Caper in 1981 and NBC's recent Muppets at Walt Disney World special: ''Ironically, I just got a letter from him this morning. It was typical of him, very generous and complimentary. He had the sensibility of Kermit - sweet, kind and sensitive.''

Fred Rogers, host of PBS' Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood: ''He was a consummate puppeteer and an enormous help to public television. He was able to communicate playfulness to children.''

Referring to Sesame Street composer Joe Raposo, who died last year, Rogers added: ''I just imagine Joe and Jim in heaven singing It's Not Easy Bein' Green.''

Read
more

Go forward

 

 

home | news | collectibles | articles | forum | guides | radio | cards | help

Fan site Muppet Central created by Phillip Chapman. Updates by Muppet Central Staff. All Muppets, Bear
characters are copyright of The Muppets Studio. Sesame Street characters are copyright of Sesame Workshop.
Fraggle Rock, Creature Shop and similar likenesses are copyright of The Jim Henson Company.
Muppet Central is hosted by KnownHost.

Muppet Central exists to unite fans of the Muppets around the world.
Site debuted on January 28, 1998.