Behind the Scenes | Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas | The Jim Henson Company

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Watch the Henson crew shoot a scene from the beloved Christmas special.
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. This channel features popular children's shows including Fraggle Rock, Pajanimals, Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid and more!
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[@susanaalmeida593]

The best part is that they still stay in character and work the puppets during the goofs and retakes like as if the muppets are actual actors which is what they've always been portrayed to be.

[@mesquitegirl2013]

I would have broke character after awhile

[@mesquitegirl2013]

agreed

[@mesquitegirl2013]

Just goes to show their dedication and talent to the art of puppetry

[@Tronomics2000]

They do this as well on the MST3K bloopers, it’s hilarious there too 😁

[@Chillitz]

"Can't we do it again ma?" "Shut up, Emmet"

[@minxythepiratefox5124]

"Who are we ma?" "I couldn't care less!" XD

[@mesquitegirl2013]

one of my fav parts

[@mesquitegirl2013]

@@minxythepiratefox5124 lol

[@jesslovesrammstein]

"Who are we, Ma?" "I couldn't care less."

[@savannahgrove]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@BronzeAgePepper]

Amazing how even when not going by the script, Jim Henson still convinces everyone his characters are played by real actors despite being puppets. That is the mark of a goddamn artist if ever there was one. His sense of humor is killer too.

[@TheBandMan]

Str0nk_Sad and heart. All of his stories felt real and you actually cared for the characters

[@squirlmy]

I disagree in the sense that I think we see the "real" Jim Henson expressed through his characters. He's not "acting", he's putting his real self and personality into the puppets. Still artistry of a high order, but also a different philosophy.

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@squirlmy Frank Oz, on the other hand, prided himself on his acting abilities. He was stern, serious, uptight and often moody, like Bert or Sam the Eagle. Then as the cameras started rolling he'd plop himself into a role with astounding ease. Jerry Nelson was somewhere in between the performing philosophies Henson and Oz: "[Each character] is an aspect of my own personality. The Muppets are roles I assume, rather than puppets I manipulate."

[@StrangeChickandPuppo]

I think it is Frank Oz (Ma, sounds like Fozzie) and Jerry Nelson (Emmett, sounds like Kermit's son Robin) doing the voices.

[@carrotman]

Now that's what I call a 'drum-roll'.

[@ZoraCatone]

Frank Oz saying "I'm a munchkin" in the dryest delivery ever is the best thing I never knew I needed. Poor guy. I love how you can hear his patience wearing thin throughout the outtakes.

[@yosefdemby8792]

And then he'd try everyone else's patience with _his_ demand for multiple retakes!

[@StrangeChickandPuppo]

I watch this a few times a week, and I always laugh at "I'm a munchkin" =)

[@tamajinn]

I have the DVD - what Jim Henson wanted was for the drum to hit the metal jug, and spin around and around on its rim (as a coin sometimes does) before clattering to a stop. They tried it out without cameras rolling and it worked on the first try. Dozens of takes later, they couldn't get it to happen again. I think in the end, they just settled for it landing with a thump, in-frame.

[@articakennedy4822]

Yeah. I’d imagine Jim was fed up by the end of the day!

[@tiffanycarter5432]

@@articakennedy4822 Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson certainly were.

[@articakennedy4822]

I’d imagine they were, but this footage shows that they managed to work through it and joke around a bit.

[@tiffanycarter5432]

@@articakennedy4822 True, but Oz was clearly over it by the end because they'd done so many takes trying to get that drum to do what Henson wanted it to.

[@davidw.2791]

And was there any dialogue once the drum spun like a coin?

[@RachelW1997]

I lost it at "I'm a munchkin"

[@sarahr9894]

"Kick him Emmett" gets me every time

[@METerrell]

"Can we do it again ma?" "Shut up, Emmet!"

[@whatever-qx9wx]

I demand more of theseeeeee!!!! God, never thought it'd be so hard to roll a drum P: "Who are we ma?" "I coldn't care less"

[@veralidaine97]

Frank Oz is a gift to the world.

[@mesquitegirl2013]

Yes

[@patu8010]

I've never seen the movie or whatever this is, but I'm laughing my ass off. "My feet are stapled!"

[@shmoopy3528]

patu8010 It's a Muppet Christmas special called "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas"

[@aarphi1984]

Watch it, it's amazing!

[@tanookio3943]

"Do we get hazard pay for this?"

[@gabe_s_videos]

Hearing "What the hell was that?" in Fozzie/Grover's voice makes me smile! XD

[@scientistservant]

I love how he doesn't even break character :)

[@CaptainJZH]

I love Muppet outtakes

[@mesquitegirl2013]

agreed

[@Gradient___]

"Sweet Jesus!" My whole family utterly busted a gut at that line!

[@scootersweetpuppy]

Sweet Jesus! Good Lord! Did you see that?

[@tiffanycarter5432]

IDK why, but that line always makes me fall over laughing.

[@justinmaier4649]

It's funny how the otters look at the people as they move the drum

[@PolychromaticManiac]

Can we do it again, Ma? Shut up, Emmet.

[@Cinedragon]

2:36, my favorite part! If I could get up like that in the morning, I would never be late for school!

[@ImWeirdAndILikeIt]

so beautifully in character

[@domenicricci2978]

I Cannot Even Breathe From Laughing So Hard At These Outtakes! 😂😂😂

[@forrestprather2678]

The Henson company people are basically saints.

[@YoungGillian]

HUBBA WHA? HUBBA HUBBA WHAA?

[@madahad9]

This became an instant classic as soon as I saw it in '78 on HBO and eagerly awaited its airing every Christmas season.....but it's not really a Christmas special. It hasn't lost any of its charm in those decades since that first viewing. The effects are still impressive,especially the one when Emmett and his mother are rowing on the lake. It wasn't until I watched this special features that it was revealed how it was done. It doesn't lessen the reaction. I was 14 when I first saw it and as I inch towards 60 I still love it.

[@SkylineTTurbo]

You're the most recent comment I could find. I don't know if you'll answer or not, but what are they trying to get the drum to do exactly? Every take that looks good to me, seems to be wrong.

[@madahad9]

I imagine they wanted it to land in a very specific spot. I'd have to watch the special again and compare what it looked like on the final cut and how it differs from these outtakes. It's fun watching the creative process. Hopefully I never outgrow it.

[@williamseo2725]

Hubawa! Hubahubawa!

[@hypedupdemon]

Who are we ma? I couldn't care less.

[@dadora73]

12/02/2022: This is my first time seeing this. It is amazing. I was four when this movie came out and watch it every year since childhood.

[@jennifermaxwell4427]

This is my absolute favorite Jim Henson production and I love the out takes. Too funny

[@JonasClark]

"All she needs is a bottle of Ripple." I lost it.

[@mjj1434]

This is so cute. "And Ma was looking for a present for Emmett, and Emmett was looking for a present for Ma". I named a little stuffed animal Emmy in honour of Emmett.

[@GHanson]

'I'm a munchkin' XD

[@wrsltnmusclefan]

Weird hearing Frank Oz perform Ma Otter vocally! Never knew they dubbed Marilyn Sokol's voice later...

[@mesquitegirl2013]

I think I remember hearing that he was the puppeteer for ma , but was standing in vocally when they shot this

[@MatthewLCarter]

Just curious, what happened that they needed to redo voice? Did someone die / fired?

[@elysedonoghue6294]

@@MatthewLCarter they wanted a female voice ( even if Frank does a great job)

[@umbrellashotgunman]

@@MatthewLCarter Basically, the actress they hired wasn’t a great puppeteer, but they still wanted her voice, so Frank Oz stepped in to do the puppeteering and on-set voicing, so they could dub in the actress later.

[@maggieent3215]

WOAH, giant people are invading the set. Repeat, Giant People are invading the set!

[@tvccreator_elysius]

Best five minutes and thirty-nine seconds of my life. XD

[@justinknox571]

This is the funniest blooper reel ever!

[@BenjaminMankowski]

1:35, alternate timeline, Emmet and Ma turn to a life of crime.

[@ComicPhreak]

Puppetry is timeless, in the midst of all the advance and supposedly realistic making technology, nothing beats watching storytellers using puppets. Netflix are fools for canceling The Dark Crystal series.

[@kingbopit9318]

4:30 "Who are we Ma?" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

The meaning of the universe has weigh itself down on Ma!

[@savannahgrove]

I couldn't care less. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheBandMan]

Tell me in watching this you don’t feel the cold of the winter weather, the warmth of the glowing light inside the shop windows...

[@Bradwick1]

Oh thank you so MUCH for posting this! As an adult, this aspect of it is so surreal to see years later. The characters were such a part of our childhood and its nice to see the brilliant crativity in action. Would love more!

[@whitelion44]

Oh I love this. I love it how they stay in Character while doing ad libs each time

[@4stringz.]

“All she needs is a bottle of ripple” 😂😂😂

[@BoogsterSU2]

RIP Jerry Nelson! He's been teaching me how to count!!!

[@hypedupdemon]

This is beautiful

[@zachcando]

23 dislikes?!? WHAT'S TO DISLIKE ABOUT FUNNY OTTER-MUPPETS!

[@80MWH]

Obviously, 'Hooligans, is what they are.'

[@zachcando]

Probably some of those River Bottom Boys

[@BlazingSteel]

They couldn't get the drum

[@matthewmoran5297]

"I'm a munchkin!" ROFL

[@sierral140]

"did you see that? did you see that? d-d-d-ID YOU SEE THAT?" LOVE THIS MOVIE!

[@otistherigger]

"spare change?" LOL!

[@jocelyndickman1374]

When Emmett's Ma turns into Grover...

[@frankiehuntproductions]

Oh my gosh i remember this! Me and my brother would laugh our butts off everytime we watched this! We have the DVD. ;D

[@AndrewMeans]

Crazy Harry is so fantastic. I love that character.

[@klmn.o7]

This is my favorite video on the Internet

[@Cloofinder]

"I can't move my feet are stapled to the floor" "Do we get hazard pay?"

[@SilentTinSoldier]

The "she needs a bottle of rumple" killed me. Oh goodness.

[@tiffanycarter5432]

Unheralded gem: Emmet - "I'm gonna drum you out of this business!'

[@LaDracul]

This video is a CLASSIC. Frank and Jerry's adlibs are great. :)

[@Targemq8]

Nothing says Christmas for me like watching Frank and Jerry gradually losing the will to live.

[@AndrewMeans]

I think he says "My feet are *stapled*" I love how the muppets sometimes have knowledge of the fact that they're puppets but they stay in character...

[@catbot158]

"He likes them all, he just likes to see the drum roll out the door."

[@savannahgrove]

XD

[@sammylane3]

Jerry Nelson taught millions of little children how to and yet he himself as The Count,Emmet Otter, Robin the Frog, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and a personal Muppet favorite, Crazy Harry are forever priceless and will never be forgotten.NEVER!

[@trilobright]

Aside from just being hilarious, watching this is an excellent way to brush up on one's Frank Oz impression. Sounds silly, but when you have a toddler who loves her stuffed toys of Grover, Cookie Monster, and Yoda, you appreciate what a valuable skill this is. Oddly enough Bert/Fozzie is the one I still can't even come close to approximating.

[@matthewrascoe8690]

“HUBBA WHA!?..HUBBA WHU HUBBA WHA!?”

[@TheWolfeMonster]

Best outtakes, my god. I love this

[@Klattu]

We laughed so hard first time we watched the bloopers on DVD, the dogs began barking at us.

[@MarissaOfUnderground]

Watching the puppets react is the funniest part. Mama Otter: "Jesus! Did you see that? Good lord!" XD XD XD XD

[@savannahgrove]

Do you mean Ma Otter?

[@SilentJutube]

"All she needs is a bottle of Ripple" lmao!

[@mikeyirish1967]

I have no idea why this made me so happy, but it did.

[@Xquebecker321]

Always the first Christmas special I watch each year. And this was taped the day and year I was born.

[@chickypooh73]

I loved this as a kid

[@doug9117]

I watch this any time I need a laugh. It always gets me!

[@FishingtheSkyxd]

lmfao i haven't even watched half of it and im laughing my head off XDDD tears are falling down my face, oh god "ima munchkin" XDD

[@stinkyham7324]

"who are we ma?" "I couldnt care LESS"

[@Quidam]

So they were just trying to get the drum to land a certain way?

[@amym1885]

Yes.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

@@amym1885 I'm sure it can be tough getting the right take.

[@Wrestling824]

Essentially what Jim wanted was for the drum to hit the metal jug and spin on its rim like a coin until it clatters to a stop. They did it in one try when the cameras weren’t rolling, but when they started recording...it wasn’t doing it.

[@davidw.2791]

@@Wrestling824 I gotta say it was a case of hubris to think that feat was easily replicable.

[@ralphg2771]

I saw this as a kid around 1986.

[@doug9117]

You're right! Ma Otter was re-voiced by Marilyn Sokol after the filming was completed. The puppeteer is Frank Oz and that's his voice you hear in these outtakes.

[@kakabobo22]

"I'm a munchkin." Dying.

[@kidkanYeBLAH]

Emmet: "Can we do it again Ma?" Ma: "SHUT UP EMMET!!!"

[@ZeacorZeppelin]

"did you see that?"

[@cathy26]

i was literally sitting there laughing like a crazy person

[@sariusmonk]

This really made me smile.

[@savannahgrove]

3:12 I love how Emmet said that.

[@RuthHill]

emmet: "he likes them all he just likes to see the drum roll out the door" lol

[@savannahgrove]

That got me too. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dragonmarnix]

Go Emmett, get the drum!

[@Carlitosway2369]

I was just watching this! Had to look up and see if there were a making of this. This was my favorite Christmas movie to watch as a kid. I try and watch it every Christmas to feel that same feeling when I was a little boy.

[@leetalityv2]

They wanted the drum to come out, spin and land on the curve slanted. Don't ask me why it mattered so much but that's why you hear them cheer when it happens.

[@MrCorruptex]

Puppeteers are the best people

[@Ladyknightthebrave]

I just really want to know WHAT WAS THAT DRUM SUPPOSED TO DO. It rolled in front of them and off screen so much what was going wrong? Also is Frank Oz doing both puppets?

[@MetFanMac]

Emmet (on the left) is Jerry Nelson. And I have no idea what they were trying to get the drum to do. As Nelson snarks about the director at 3:12, "He likes 'em all, he just likes to see the drum roll out the door..."

[@Ratelzwatel]

I think they want the drum to stop lying half on the paventment and half on the street. After that happens, there's applause. And Emmet jokes: "Can we do it again, ma?"

[@amiericson]

It was supposed to roll on the rim a few times like a coin does as it settles.

[@Ne0nLobster]

RIP Jerry Nelson (Emmet Otter) ='(

[@theremixphilly]

through out this I could at different times hear all the different Frank voices while he did "ma" - Yoda- Burt- Miss piggy- Fozzy even

[@217isotope]

"Well, win a few lose a few, right drum?"

[@MissBettylulu]

Hilarious! "Spare change for my ma? All she needs is a bottle of Ripple." LMAO

[@The-DP79]

The bottle of ripple line slays me...

[@dannyglover1369]

Spare change spare change any one its for my mom..all she need is a bottle of ripple 😂😂😂

[@stevarino1989]

lmfao after about 20 takes they finally got it right Emmet: Can we do it again, Ma? Ma: shut up, Emmet

[@Nasubionna]

This is SO hilarious!

[@abysssans1652]

Spare change help my ma out spare change all she needs is a bottle of ripple

[@KnuckleBallz]

Im a munchkin :D