The following will come as no surprise to you if you’ve been keeping up with this blog for the last year. At least I think all of those Jim Henson posts were done last May… I have a hard time keeping track of this thing.
This is ‘fly in my soup’ guy, right? Love him!
Circa 1976. A very special year. Loving the color coordination.
Stahs in the sky!
Food Network’s Challenge Sesame Street Cake
As Sesame Street celebrates its 40th Anniversary, Time Magazine wonders whether President Barack Obama is our first president from Sesame Street.
“The President is every bit as much a product of the show, but it’s not just his age and mastery of the alphabet that make Obama the first Sesame Street President,” writes Nancy Gibbs in Time, in the cleverly titled “Tickle Me Obama: Lessons from Sesame Street.” “The Obama presidency is a wholly American fusion of optimism, enterprise and earnestness — rather like the far-fetched proposal of 40 years ago to create a TV show that would prove that educational television need not be an oxymoron.”
Meanwhile, in Newsweek, Lisa Guernsey gives us the story of “The Show that Counts: How Sesame Street Changed the World.”
“It is, arguably, the most important children’s program in the history of television,” writes Guernsey. “No show has affected the way we think about education, parenting, childhood development and cultural diversity, both in the United States and abroad, more than Big Bird and friends. You might even say that Sesame Street changed the world, one letter at a time.”
Guernsey goes on to give a wonderful detailed history of the development of the show, from its days created by the Childrens Television Workshop to now, and the spectacular effect it’s had on the ability of television to be both an entertainment and education vehicle.
Today’s kids have Big Bird in common with their parents and possibly their grandparents. That kind of thing may only be possible on “Sesame Street.”
GOOGLE CELEBRATES SESAME STREET’S 40th ANNIVERSARY
While I’m on the topic of childhood fun, I’d like to take this time to admit to you all that I still watch Sesame Street sometimes. Most recently, I’ve been watching in lieu of Good Morning America. I was so saddened by the news that Diane Sawyer will be leaving GMA, that I jumped ship before she did. There’s no team like Diane and Robin in the morning. Honestly, I don’t know why she is doing this to us. I understand that it’s a big deal for a woman to anchor network nightly news, and I’m happy for her to have gotten the offer…. but to ACCEPT it!? Mornings will never be the same.
I digress. Now, I don’t have the attention span to watch an entire Sesame Street, but I do like to check in and can be certain that it will make me smile. I know I already went on and on about how much I love Jim Henson and all of his creative contributions to society. It’s definitely the Henson characters that pull me in to the show. I’ve noticed that as soon as they cut away to clips of “real life,” I tune out. Groups of kids playing games, learning things, making crafts just doesn’t do it for me. Never did. Looking back I think this reflects the social anxiety I suffered from as a child. I was good one on one. I was good using my imagination and pretending to be something other than I was. But “threaten” me with a group of kids, and the butterflies in my stomach would begin to flutter like crazy. That’s something I realized about myself while recently watching Sesame Street. I’m sure it has something to do with the biracial.
omg. the tears. i got teary reading the title of the first video below. i clearly remember the day that jim henson died. i was 13. i was standing in the kitchen of the home i’d been born into. (i was born in the hospital, but i mean this is where they brought me after that.) i could hear, but not see the tv. and i heard someone say it on the news. maybe it was breaking news. and i was sure i’d heard incorrectly, so i timidly peeked out into the living room at the tv and i saw his picture and dates and i knew what that meant, so i leaned back into the kitchen and desperately tried to un-know this horrible thing that i knew that i knew. and it was just so sad and it seemed like time stopped for a second and everything changed. i know that sounds a little dramatic, but i’m sticking to it. jim henson is so special. still.
The most sophisticated people I know – inside they are all children.
When I was a kid, I never saw a puppet show. I never played with puppets or had any interest in them.
My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there.
I believe that life is basically a process of growth – that we go through many lives, choosing situations and problems that we will learn through.
Despite this discussion of things spiritual – I still think of myself as a very ‘human’ being. I have the full complement of weaknesses, fears, problems, ego, and sensuality. But I think this is why we’re here – to work our way through all this, and, hopefully, come out a bit wiser and better for having gone through it all.
I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best. I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked out for me.
I spend a few minutes in meditation and prayer each morning. I find that this really helps me to start the day with a good frame of reference. As part of my prayers, I thank whoever is helping me – I’m sure that somebody or something is – I express gratitude for all my blessings and try to forgive the people that I’m feeling negative toward. I try hard not to judge anyone, and I try to bless everyone who is part of my life, particularly anyone with whom I am having any problems.
If our ‘message’ is anything, it’s a positive approach to life. That life is basically good. People are basically good.
Life’s like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending.
Nobody creates a fad. It just happens. People love going along with the idea of a beautiful pig. It’s like a conspiracy.- Jim Henson.
The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show aired on ABC on September 17, 1982.
In this one-hour special, the glamorous Miss Piggy stars in her own variety show, with special guests John Ritter,George Hamilton, and Andy Kaufman (as “Tony Clifton”).
Under the direction of Kermit the Frog, the Muppets work in the studio control room and, amidst chaos, manage to keep the show on the air. Throughout the show, a romantic triangle develops among Miss Piggy, Ritter (who is smitten with the pig) and Hamilton (who is deeply uncomfortable with the star’s romantic inclinations).
Highlights include:
As the program concludes, Miss Piggy throws a tantrum and walks off the show after arguing with the network vice president about whether her show is a special or the pilot for a series. She laments, “I’m too delicate for show business.”
I love this movie, but don’t really think of Jim Henson first. Usually David Bowie, then Jennifer Connelly, then the Bog of Eternal Stench, followed by Hoggle. But of course all of that brilliance comes thanks in part to Mr. Henson.
and
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Jim Henson since I posted that quote earlier. I know it’s not a Jim Henson quote, but it just made me think of him. And keep thinking of him. I really loved him. His work meant so much to me. Sesame Street, The Muppets, Fraggles! OMG, the love! I have never stopped watching Sesame Street. I don’t watch it everyday or anything, but I will watch it every now and then. I have Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock dvds. He was a true genius and a gift! I’ve collected quite a few Jim Henson photos. I don’t even know where to begin with the posting of them. But I have to start somewhere. And I’ll start with
This one. Because it’s brilliant.
classic
I heart Bert & Ernie!
I always liked Vincent Price for unknown reasons. Maybe Thriller. Anyway, that coupled with the fact that I recently watched the entire first season of True Blood in two days made me want to include this one.
Fraggle Rock may be my favorite. I can’t commit, but that’s the conclusion I keep coming to. The Doozers! Those crystal-ish things they contructed for the Fraggles to eat! Madame Trash Heap! The Gorgs! Sprocket! Uncle Traveling Matt! Don’t even get me started.
I think it’s too late for that….
mulatto diaries 