DefunctTV: The History of the First Muppet Show, Sam and Friends

[@ryangabrillo1824]

“Do you have any Wilkins coffee?” “No” *proceeds to commit acts of domestic terrorism*

[@glowkirby]

"Just a stab in the dark!"

[@ghastlybespoke9541]

relatable

[@Xbsnsiisywgwbwkapapaiuw888]

Since wilkins is out of business (which means we cant buy it), se will all die by kermot

[@TripleDeckerSupreme]

Goddamn Right!

[@reillymcwriting]

"People who don't drink Wilkins coffee explode sometimes!"

[@fs9096]

There is very much an art to documentary and it's one this channel performs very, very well. Learning is rarely so fun.

[@IntergalacticSpaceKitten]

This guy's videos are like TV quality. This channel is one of those hidden gems of KZbin. Seriously, look at the intros too. Crazy.

[@eryanez8337]

This is beautifully produced ♡

[@mattmelis762]

Thanks so much for putting this together!

[@imabrokenglowstick]

kevin you ridiculously talented and dedicated bastard, you made me actually want to get squarespace

[@GCJACK83]

Fun Kermit the Frog fact: Jim Henson came up with Kermit's voice for an earlier puppet he had created for a series of commercials for Wilkins Coffee brand named Wilkins. Wilkins had a foil character named Wontkins. Every time Wontkins refused to drink Wilkins brand coffee, Wilkins would abuse Wontkins in one way or another.

[@mittensfastpaw]

The Muppets were still big when I was a kid. A tragedy he was taken so soon with so much left he could do.

[@mathieuleader8601]

nice comprehensive biography of Henson in the first part

[@kameronbiggs5495]

Oh, Jim just made up the word "Muppet". I always thought the word "Muppets" was a mix of puppets and music, since singing is their specialty.

[@VeronicaStorm98]

Very interesting video! I really enjoyed it!

[@birdy6049]

Jim And Jane would make a good name for a biopic

[@Proteusbound]

Let's not gloss over the historical fact that Jim Henson's mother walked around in a Kermit Green felt coat.

[@Proteusbound]

@Alex Munz I know. I was making a joke.

[@Proteusbound]

@Alex Munz no problem.. When I worked for Henson's, they didn't appreciate my humor either.

[@NoahDaArk]

@@Proteusbound WHAT?! You can’t just drop a bombshell like that out of nowhere! You’re gonna hurt somebody with that kind of plot twist!

[@SlushysSecret]

@Alex Munz no, I searched and it says pale green

[@thebluetarp]

And Kermit used to murder people too. Wilkins coffee.

[@MHThinkinBoutTheEnd]

I think this is the only video where I actually enjoyed a Squarespace ad, that was cute as shit

[@EnderP119]

hptothaizzo I agree

[@NobleKos]

it was almost the perfect Rizo voice.

[@Blueoriontiger]

How about we get Squarespace to actually USE that for an ad? >:)

[@issiahh]

The 1k like

[@HoustonHistoricRetail]

i just got that Cody's name doubles as Code-y

[@frostbytefreemanfilms9971]

Episode 1: “Kermit was alive.” Episode 6: “And so was Jim.” That payoff was coming the whole time and it’s a thing of beauty

[@tysargent9647]

Pretty heartwarming if you think about it. But he's right: Jim Henson was Kermit the Frog. Kermit the Frog was Jim Henson. And no matter which puppeteer performs him, when they give new life to Kermit the Frog, they are giving new life to Jim Henson. When we see Kermit the Frog or Ernie or Rowlf the Dog, no matter who performs them, we are not just seeing Kermit or Ernie or Rowlf. We are seeing the rebirth of Jim Henson. Thank you, Mr. Henson, for inspiring countless generations of puppeteers and artists. All of them are continuing your legacy. All of them are doing you proud. Goodbye, Jim. We'll find the rainbow connection for you. We all will.

[@k.pacificnw02134]

In the above video, in one scene you can see old footage of Jim and his wife and puppeteering partner Jane taking a bow after a show. Jim has a puppet on his hand, and Jane has another. Her puppet is Kermit. So, obviously she played Kermit at least once, if not more times.

[@frostbytefreemanfilms9971]

Ty Sargent this is an incredible addition to my admittedly lackluster analytical comment. Thank you for this, a genuinely emotional read

[@phuonglu1332]

Then kermit jumped off a roof and died

[@fullofocho]

Phuong Lu ok

[@mightyfilm]

The fact that you made a delightful tribute to Jim's old commercials in the advertisement segment really shows the level of care and love that went into this episode.

[@Feasco]

Before I heard the squarespace bit I genuinely thought it was one of those old ads

[@kevinlucas1987]

@@Feasco except he didn't straight up murder the guy for not using squarespace #soft

[@theberrby6836]

Yeah

[@theberrby6836]

@@Feasco me too!

[@Gummy_Pop.]

@@kevinlucas1987 I think I know what commercial you're referring to with murdering lol (thanks to tumblr)

[@redmagejack]

The fact that almost two years later, the playlist to this documentary is still one of the first things that comes up when you search “Jim Henson” on KZbin is a testament to the effort put in and the quality of the entire series

[@brycevo]

That has got to be one of the Best sponsorship ads

[@brycevo]

Thank you so much for the ♥️

[@Savannah_Simpson]

Bryce McKenzie I was going to comment the same thing. Normally I just skip past them, but that was legitimately charming.

[@ebwarg]

“This machine will make you wanna use Squarespace!”

[@notsusan]

Jim would've loved it. Needs more explosions though

[@ebwarg]

notsusan There are five more opportunities for explosions. And possibly cannibalism.

[@ZtheHellKat]

I just wanted to say thanks for this video and the mentioning of Jane Neble, as well as, her involvement in the development and growth of the muppets and the Henson legacy. I am the Step grandson of one of her cousins and I emailed him this video which in turn he immediately emailed it out to his brothers and the rest of the Neble family. I often heard stories about her involvement but you did it justice, thanks again.

[@sarinabina5487]

this comment should more popular!!! glad u all enjoyed it:)

[@henriquedearruda8902]

Jim Henson you did a lot you made Sesame Street, The Muppet a show and fraggle rock pluse so much more.

[@baptistgenerals]

Henson was such a genius. Cried the day he died. I'm now fifty years old and grew up with his creations. Still don't think there has been THE definitive documentary produced about him, but this DefunctTV segment is pretty damn thoughtful. Thank you.

[@PRGME7]

baptistgenerals I don’t see many older folks online. Glad to have your input. =)

[@cm5g]

ok boomer

[@PRGME7]

Derpy Dude no u

[@Chry_salxms]

A Normal Human this dude legit made a speech about a guy who died and what you said is ok boomer I hate my generation

[@vfspectrum4652]

Username Username go fuck yourself

[@mr.s1d590]

"hey do you have any wilkins coffee?" "uh. no" *proceeds to drop bomb in his house*

[@sprucebadger8229]

*A bomb has been planted on our ammo supply!!*

[@blackwidow5120]

Wilkins coffee it's a explosion of flavor!

[@elizabethalvarado8698]

"You know, a house just isn't a home, without Wilkins."

[@TheREALBOJACK]

I feel like those old coffee ads would still do just as well today. Just a testament to how good Jim Henson was at what he did!

[@CouchSpud91]

Just replace Wilkons with Folgers or Maxwell and it'd be perfect.

[@jdpragmatic8644]

They do make me want coffee

[@elizabethalvarado8698]

Not just coffee, but maybe bread, or lunch meats, too?

[@DGCpicturesEntertainment]

I saw another comment somewhere saying "Its the perfect length for a KZbin ad," which honestly I agree with. No one would ever wanna skip em. At least I wouldn't ever skip them.

[@efrainoctavio3506]

Those would be the perfect KZbin ads Short and actually funny to see

[@collinmclaren6608]

_"His brother's death had another impact; An acute awareness of his own mortality...a ticking clock."_ I watched these episodes out of order, and knowing the ticking clock theme in the later episodes, that really hit me hard.

[@tysargent9647]

Oh, it goes deeper than that. That same theme, the ticking clock, the relentlessness of time itself, can be found in Jim's other works. Examples include Henson's underrated short film, Time Piece (in which Henson's character becomes disturbed by various ticking clocks while attempting to go about his life) and Labyrinth (the main character, played by Jennifer Connelly, must rescue her baby brother from the powerful Goblin King, played by David Bowie, in thirteen hours, and the clocks around the Labyrinth serve as a motivator toward that task). In 1960, Henson recorded a jazz piece entitled "Tick Tock Sick", which is about, you guessed it, a man becoming disturbed by a cacophony of clocks ticking relentlessly. All of these, I believe, play into Henson's deepest fear; that time (and death) would catch up to him if he stopped doing as much as possible.

[@mygrandmasfavoriteflower]

​@@tysargent9647 weirdly reminds me of Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton

[@joshuachavers6456]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@mygrandmasfavoriteflower Both worked “Non-Stop”, neither were ever “Satisfied”, both were in “The Room Where It Happened”.

[@DensetsuVII]

W-what?! You can't end it THERE - h- how do I get to that street?! Can anyone tell me?

[@dats3]

I know, right? I was expecting to see Henson's work on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.

[@muguelcydhhd1941]

@@dats3 It cause it's a six part series

[@dats3]

@@muguelcydhhd1941 Thanks. I didn't know. Something to look forward too.

[@Disneyland2015]

I think a little red monster who talks in the first person can help

[@MythrilShotgun]

@@Disneyland2015 You mean third person.

[@commissaryarrick9670]

The story of Jim Henson is amazing . I really love how everytime they tried to cancel the show the audience would revolt and make them put it back on the air .

[@ForrestFox626]

I'm sad we lost him to do young

[@fantasmike]

Kevin, the opening and intro sequence alone is a testament to the quality this series is going to have. This introduction to Jim's life and career was incredible, I can't wait for the next part. Edit: I love Wilkins Coffee

[@sunscreeen4270]

*After all, it was just right down the street*

[@official_rown]

The ads? Or the coffee itself?

[@lunatheluma3804]

mike walsh-thorpe well I hate Wilkins coffee _Kermit starts holding a gun to my head_ Um I mean... *bang*

[@aspvizn]

You better like Wilkins

[@aiberlane3390]

Okay, that was actually a very clever Squarespace ad. I thought it was real muppet footage at first.

[@AnaDomingo6673]

Me too

[@queenmedesa]

And me

[@killingmewillnotbringbacky9177]

@@queenmedesa i get the reference

[@caridadchang7895]

Keep those puppets for future adds, it worked 60 years ago and it continues to be entertaining now Also I kept smiling and waiting for Frank Oz to show up

[@sambradley9091]

"A cross between Abraham Lincoln and Jesus." Now that's a compliment if I've ever heard one.

[@kellyweingart3692]

lol

[@armandochannel.oficial]

porque mecionate ese presidente estados unidos

[@Lemuel928]

This is way beyond power of a God..

[@megelizabeth9492]

After the Jimmy Dean Show ended, he and Jimmy Dean took their families on a big trip, where Jimmy taught him to waterski, ans he always remembered how much Jim reminded him of Jesus on Waterskis.

[@lyndonwesthaven6623]

Okay, valid, but was I the only one who was shocked by how handsome he was clean shaven?

[@ZachGWatterson]

Happy 500,000 imagineers Kevin! And what a way to celebrate that milestone.

[@BillClinton228]

Is it just me or is SAM and friends creepy AF?

[@thedemomanclassfromtf2402]

CHEEKI BREEEEKIIIII

[@frozarburst6350]

That intro with Kermit's creation nearly put me in tears. I know how it feels making your own character like that and seeing the potential it holds. I just hope to make it happen :)

[@13.7BYITM]

Yea every artist has felt that moment at least once. Its magical.

[@zacharyouten4525]

I love how well the crazy slap stick humor of the muppets holds up even today. Most memes can’t make me laugh as hard as those Wilkens coffee ads

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

The problem with memes is that the CONCEPT of memes has, itself, become a meme. Before, it was an obscure quirk of psychology. Now it's a day-to-day thing for millions of people. And because so many people are aware, there are too many people attempting to create them on purpose. There are more but of lower quality. It's like how some organisms reproduce quickly and prodigiously but don't live long while others reproduce more slowly and live longer.

[@gurutruecrimeguru1405]

Ikr actual laugh out loud when it's a sixties joke.

[@draketurtle4169]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@OtakuUnitedStudio this is hilarious, because what you have said here, it’s a meme. More in particular it’s Monsoon from Metal Gear Rising Revengeance, he talks about memes in a monologue to raiden about philosophy and morals (obviously using the original meaning of a meme) well now it’s a meme because he says “memes the DNA of the soul”.

[@toonbunnii]

"Kermit...was alive." *THUNDERCLAPS*

[@rainehappy7097]

Frankenfrog

[@sarinabina5487]

@@rainehappy7097 ITS ALIVEEEEEEEE

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

"NOW I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE JIM!"

[@elizabethalvarado8698]

But then, the thunderclouds part, and a rainbow appears.

[@NoGoodNik1]

"A cross between Abe Lincoln and Jesus" wasn't the first thing I'd think to call Henson, but I think it's the only way I'll refer to him here on out

[@PixelatedH2O]

As someone who also has a long face and a beard, it was funny hearing him called something I've heard a lot myself.

[@moreartthantime]

I laughed out loud when I heard that, and startled my wife. But it wasn't wrong?

[@NewCanada]

Lincoln Christ it is then.

[@megelizabeth9492]

After the Jimmy Dean Show ended, he and Jimmy Dean took their families on a big trip, where Jimmy taught him to waterski, ans he always remembered how much Jim reminded him of Jesus on Waterskis.

[@taximaxi1431]

“Coffee?” “No” *death*

[@armandochannel.oficial]

salió buena

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

Y'know, when you released that video saying Defunctland was going to focus on Jim Henson, I figured it was just gonna be one episode. This is an unexpected surprise. It's amazing just how funny Jim's early work with the Muppets is. That 'I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face' skit still makes me laugh, as does Rowlf's appearances on the Jimmy Dean Show or the Wilkins commercials. Some jokes age horribly. Some jokes age wonderfully. The Muppets and their humor are just timeless.

[@notsusan]

when you think about just how wide the variety of work Henson and his company accomplished, there's no way to fit it in one episode. Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show/movies/Muppet Babies, Bean Bunny, Labyrinth, the Dark Crystal, Dinosaurs... fuckin Frank Oz as Yoda. I know I'm missing some things even. It's amazing how much there is to cover.

[@PrydeWater901]

notsusan You genuinely get it. I put Jim Henson and Stan Lee in the same category. Those dudes were creators of worlds and pastors of coexistence .

[@TheExtremeRealityPuppetShow]

I didn't grow up with the muppet show, sadly...my favorite puppet show as a kid was *GREG THE BUNNY*

[@ArtisticlyAlexis]

This series is amazing, but I wish you'd number them in the titles. I watched part 2 first, not realizing it was a series. I wouldn't want others to miss any part this impressive series!

[@-psilo-9071]

same no cap

[@wynonasbigbrowndragon6121]

I also got drawn into this because of the Sesame Street video

[@Neoicecreaman]

same

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Me too

[@monkiram]

Me too! I finished the whole thing then came back to watch this first one

[@kdjets]

This channel is criminally undersubbed

[@slowmoe1686]

500k is actually alot of subs. Many channels would love to be as 'undersubbed' as this one is.

[@CascadianRanger]

It's a quick growing one thankfully. It broke 500k barely 2 months ago and already have almost 40k more

[@supermakermatic2111]

Honestly I'd rather Defunctland be the top channel on KZbin than the edgy quote-unquote "comedy" channels that have dominated it since the dawn of the site.

[@InnawoodsAnon]

Sadly, I just unsubbed. I want theme park stuff, not TV reviews. His early work was great but this is just too samey.

[@supermakermatic2111]

@@InnawoodsAnon Season 3 of the main DefunctLand series is coming soon! www.reddit.com/r/Defunctland/comments/ctzow2/season_3_update/

[@thetwitchywitchy]

I wonder how Jane felt BEFORE Jim’s trip to Europe, before he finally recognized puppetry as an art form? She was a puppeteer that was quite passionate to the craft I assume, that must’ve been interesting to know Jim before and afterwards

[@aworldincolor1331]

I'm glad you brought that up because I also had a 'wait a minute' moment. Also, I wonder how she felt quitting the art form for the sake of their family. It was a big sacrifice on her part for something she truly loved and Jim gets basically all the credit.

[@michaelbianchi22]

That intro had me fooled for a minute! I thought it was legit from the 50s or something

[@Nonamearisto]

Looks way too sharp and clean for that. Old 50s television has a certain blurriness to it.

[@kamek200]

@@Nonamearisto Yeah but tbf if it's late at night and you're looking at it on a tiny phone screen expecting a video about old puppets you don't necessarily look for or notice that kind of detail.

[@Jesse__H]

Was it not original footage? I assume he just overdubbed some vintage footage with a message that cleverly matched the moving mouths of the puppets? I'm not yet convinced that's not what happened... EDIT - I'm back. Having watched the next episode. Y'all were correct of course. It's new footage from Mr. Perjurer - and well-done!

[@TheHeavensFellen]

@@Jesse__H yep

[@1leon000]

@@Nonamearisto yea, but it still tricked people like me!

[@TheSongwritingCat]

Thank you for talking about Jane. There are many stories about women in the 1950's-1960's with promising talent/intelligence or careers giving it up to raise a family or support their husbands but I still felt a little pang when you got to that part.

[@merrittanimation7721]

It's so weird seeing photos of Jim Henson without a beard.

[@emo-kk4mc]

For Me, Its The Other Way Around.

[@queenmedesa]

And he was handsome!

[@dan_hitchman007]

The main reasons for The Muppets success... Jim was not only a great puppeteer, but a savvy and shrewd businessman and superb, quick-witted comedian/actor. Plus, an inventor and engineer. A true Renaissance Man.

[@farmzombie]

For some reason, I really want some hickory smoked sausage right now.

[@TauCetiAurora]

farmzombie I enjoyed the quaintness of Jim's pronunciation of "bacon" in that spot.

[@visualgagging]

You want some _coffee_ to go with that bacon, hmm?

[@jblue1622]

B O N K O N T H E H E A D ::points cannon at farmzombie::

[@Rognik]

@@visualgagging Only if it's Wilkin's coffee.

[@thr335ix7]

Puppet 1:You Like Wilkins coffee? Puppet 2: no *BONK* puppet 1: to bad

[@sethcarlow8363]

RIP Jim Henson. we all miss you. sad. the Muppets are not the same with out him.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

Well, at least his greatest work still lives on

[@sethcarlow8363]

@@marcusblackwell2372 true they are with Disney.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

@@sethcarlow8363 yes but no. I meant Sesame Street but yeah. Kermit & gang

[@sethcarlow8363]

@@marcusblackwell2372 oh they are HBO and on 13 and 21 Sesame street but Disney got Kermit and the gang for the Parks.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

@@sethcarlow8363 Sesame Street is also on PBS KIDS but only the 30 minute new ones. Fraggle Rock is too now that I think about it

[@redactedredacted1860]

Amazing video as always! The intro just BLEW ME AWAY! I actually thought I was watching a Jim Henson sketch from the early days! A+!

[@toshirodragon]

Me too!

[@lrgogo1517]

I thought it was modern from the first second, but the thing Codey was doing was _so_ corny, I changed my mind under the conception no one in 2019 writes a plotline like that anymore.

[@McBasketball4]

@@lrgogo1517 that's what the old ones were

[@JoeStuffz]

It hands down is one of the best ads I have ever seen, KZbin or elsewhere

[@pohatunuva3771]

"Not really a marriage of romantic passion." >Four kids later

[@gurutruecrimeguru1405]

Yeah that was a bit rude. They didn't need to say that.

[@kellyweingart3692]

five kids

[@chey6073]

Lisa G Saying it wasnt a marriage of romantic passion doesn’t mean that they didn’t love and respect each other.

[@ninjanippledog725]

Thats kinda just what you did then lol, they were married, so its 'welp, baby time'. Thats not a weird amount for the unprotected

[@Dovah21]

Yeah, they were clearly having A LOT of sex.

[@DistoryDan]

YESS!! This story is amazing!!!

[@marcusblackwell2372]

Why don't u help Kevin in one of these vids Dan?

[@pavloverboy]

WE LOVE YOU DAN

[@emo-kk4mc]

RIP Disney Dan, Lost In The Comments.

[@FreeSpiritPaulette]

Wow hi you

[@armandochannel.oficial]

no sabía canal Disney Dan via parecido un comentario pena acabó ver me enteré

[@MeowMeow_95_]

Ok Jim Hansen was pretty FINE when he was younger!!!

[@Soufriere84]

He never really got "old" since he was only 53 when he died. If he were still alive today (May 2019), he'd be 82. That's old, but there are people in the business who are older. Hard to believe that, of the original Muppet Show performers, only Frank Oz and Dave Goelz are still alive, and Oz has completely retired from puppeteering (except for that Yoda cameo in Star Wars VIII).

[@kellyweingart3692]

*Henson

[@potahtwah9591]

You gotta wonder what it would've looked like if Jim Henson shaved at 50.

[@unofficialmajima617]

Diddlers really be like

[@shelbymckinney8888]

@@unofficialmajima617 WTF dude

[@maeam]

The squarespace ad was too good...

[@Persun_McPersonson]

[@MrDjBigZ] It's the best kind of sellout ad.

[@emo-kk4mc]

ikr

[@DeadHandtheSurvivor]

@MrDjBigZ I think you need to go to a website that teaches English. Like one that was made with Squarescape!

[@DeadHandtheSurvivor]

@MrDjBigZ I will not "end for yourself", but thank you for the suggestion.

[@someone-xk5tc]

@MrDjBigZ I have never tried out squarespace, but for what I can tell, It can help you improve your english.

[@thegoatcarnival]

The most outlandish part of this story is a TV network listening to its audience.

[@CWRoederer]

My god...I could tell by the intro alone that this is going to be one of the greatest things you've ever done...

[@KidSnivy69]

The ad or the creation of Kermit?

[@CWRoederer]

@@KidSnivy69 The creation of Kermit mixed with the "theme".

[@KidSnivy69]

@@CWRoederer Cool!

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

What a great love story of Jim and Jane Henson. A happy life together of over 30 years in which their love of puppetry and entertaining brought them together as kids and together they created an empire they couldn’t even have imagined. That’s winning life right there.

[@computerkid1416]

Jim Henson was a genius, and his work with Frank Oz was legendary.

[@merpo2806]

enough said!

[@eks099]

This is so good I forgot I was watching a KZbin video I thought I was watching PBS or something similar keep up the good work

[@AliciaSmith02]

Omg this is amazing! I can’t wait for the next part!

[@tigerkill420]

I hope there's a part 2

[@brittanymcmcmc9730]

Yes, please continue to do the muppet time line!!!

[@nitrosherbert888]

so many Sesame Street episodes they could easily do an episode on that

[@SpencerN.C.]

Re-watching this before the new D+ doc comes out - Disney needed to bring in Ron Howard to have a shot at topping this series. We'll see if he can pull it off, you've set what seems like an impossibly high bar, Kevin.

[@sycoraxrock]

I love this and can’t wait for the next episode. I had a tough night tonight, but this video pulled me out of a “sneaky hate spiral” and reminded me that joy and hope were, ya know, a thing. Thanks.

[@jaysonklein6018]

I miss joy and hope.

[@tomaytotomahto9906]

hehe, hyperbole and a half reference?

[@BigAL68xyz]

Jim's work has always done that for me. It must be the continuing effects of his rampant optimism.

[@Lumibear.]

Jayson Klein it tends to disappear around whatever time it dawns on you that you have to be an adult now

[@jaysonklein6018]

@@Lumibear. hey... guess what? So does depression and suicide. Your POINT?

[@lezfmoon]

Not the Jim Henson doc on Disney taking the same wording, pictures and pacing from this series 😐

[@JackPoppy]

Sesame Street? More like Stress-a-me Street.

[@sickbeet4219]

It was literally "1984"!

[@Ward1706]

Is it just me or is Jim Henson's life prefect for a biopic?

[@Undrave]

Nah, too rich for a simple movie! Needs a full TV series... But all done in puppetery as an hommage!

[@jgallardo7344]

@@Undrave That's some creative thinking

[@BigAL68xyz]

I'm picturing Ryan Reynolds in the lead...

[@jgallardo7344]

@BigAL68xyz I could see that!

[@tysargent9647]

@@Undrave Well, if you're gonna do a full TV series, it has to be authentic and respectful of Jim Henson's legacy, maybe split it into twelve, one-hour episodes. Here's how I'd do it. Ep. 1: Humble Beginnings: The episode opens with Betty Henson giving birth to a baby boy. Thinking about what they should name the boy, Paul Henson decides to name him "James Maury Henson", and predicts a bright future ahead for their newborn child. Basically, the episode covers Jim's early years, up until his years in high school and learning of a casting call for a show featuring puppets, which leads to Jim finding a book about puppetry and studying the art form. Ep. 2: Jim and Friends: Becoming acquainted with a woman named Jane Nebel, Jim begins work on his own TV show for WRC-TV in Washington, "Sam and Friends", and creates, from his mom's green coat, a lizard-esque creature named Kermit, the first incarnation of what would become his most famous character. The episode also covers the Wilkins Coffee commercials and Jim and Jane's appearances on the national talk shows of the day (i.e., Steve Allen and Jack Paar). Ep. 3: Muppets, Inc.: This episode focuses on Henson's growth in popularity during the 1960s', from the hiring of Don Sahlin, agent Bernie Brillstein, and performers Jerry Juhl, Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson; to the growth of Henson's family, to the creation of Rowlf the Dog and Jim's exposure to a national audience via "The Jimmy Dean Show"; to the various Muppet commercials from the time period; to "Time Piece" and "The Cube", to Henson's spots on "The Ed Sullivan Show". Special attention goes to two puppets named "Gleep" and "The Wheel-Stealer", who would evolve into Grover and Cookie Monster on "Sesame Street". Ep. 4: Hitting It Big (Bird): Joan Ganz Cooney, a woman looking to revolutionize the use of television, forms the Children's Television Workshop, and brainstorms the ideas that would become "Sesame Street". In this re-imagining of events, Cooney and associate Jon Stone watch a recording of "Sam and Friends" skits and Wilkins Coffee commercials and becomes convinced she's found who she needs to make her new show a hit. The episode also features "Hey Cinderella" (and Kermit's transformation into a frog), the first weeks of taping for "Sesame Street", in which Jim develops Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch, the show's almost immediate popularity, the hiring of Caroll Spinney, Kermit Love and Caroly Wilcox, and a new performance of "It's Not Easy Being Green". Ep. 5: The Struggling '70s: This episode centers around Henson's struggle to get a potential new variety show off the ground, and being rejected by executive after executive telling him that puppets are for kids (not at all helped by the growing success of "Sesame Street"). The episode also covers "The Great Santa Claus Switch", "Tales from Muppetland"; the hiring of Fran Brill, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, John Lovelady, Faz Fazakas and David Lazer to Henson's team, and the two "Muppet Show" pilots. Ep. 6: Putting on a Show: In this episode, Henson and co. move to the U.K. to film the greenlighted "Muppet Show", introducing Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and other assorted Muppet characters, and bringing in an audience of a couple hundred million people from over 100 countries. The episode also highlights the addition of Eren Ozker, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire and Kathryn Mullen to the Muppet performing team, and the filming of "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas", complete with a new performance of "When the River Meets the Sea". Ep. 7: Making a Movie: With the success of "The Muppet Show" stronger than ever, Jim conceives and starts filming two Muppet movies ("The Muppet Movie" and "The Great Muppet Caper"). This episode also features the death of head builder Don Sahlin, the final weeks of taping for "The Muppet Show", the hiring of new puppeteers for "Sesame Street" and the Muppet troupe, a new performance of "Rainbow Connection", and the opening of Sesame Place in Bucks County. Ep. 8: A Whole New World: Wanting to branch out from the Muppet brand (growing mildly annoyed at being called "the Muppet guy"), Jim establishes an elaborate effects company and begins work on his latest passion project, "The Dark Crystal", set in an entirely fabricated landscape populated by intricate animatronic characters and sophisticated puppets. The episode also covers Henson's goal to buy back his projects from ITC after a change in leadership rubs him the wrong way. Ep. 9: Down at Fraggle Rock: Discovering the new success of "Sesame Street"' across the world, Jim travels to Canada to devise a new series specifically for the international market, and thus plants the seeds of what will eventually become "Fraggle Rock". The episode also highlights the filming of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" and "Follow That Bird", and the creation of "Muppet Babies" and "Little Muppet Monsters". Ep. 10: The Labyrinth of Life: This episode highlights Jim's beginning descent, particularly the filming of "Labyrinth", which stars David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, played by different actors (Connelly herself appears as a moviegoer watching "Labyrinth"). The episode also highlights "The Storyteller" and the Play-Along Videos. Ep. 11: The Jim Henson Hour: This episode explores Henson's growing fascination with computer animation, the flop of "The Jim Henson Hour", and the beginning of talks between Henson and the Walt Disney Company to purchase the Muppets (so Henson can pursue other projects), as well as the filming of "Muppet-Vision 3D" and "The Muppets at Walt Disney World". Ep. 12: Death of a Dream: In the finale episode, Jim and fellow performer Kevin Clash appear on the Arsenio Hall Show, and Jim's health begins to deteriorate, leading to his too-little-too-late journey to the hospital (aided by his agent Bernie Brillstein and manager Arthur Novell) and his death at age 53. The episode also features a recreation of Henson's memorial service and a new performance of "Just One Person". The episode ends with Steve Whitmire coming home to find a birthday present with a tag labeled "From: Jim; To: Steve". Steve opens the box...and it's Kermit! A nervous Steve picks up Kermit and puts him on his hand, trying to encourage him to say something. Kermit replies, "Hi-ho!" Steve smiles, then turns himself (and the frog) toward his bedroom mirror. The final shot is Steve practicing Kermit's voice and puppet movement in front of his mirror...and instead of Steve's reflection, Jim Henson appears in the mirror. Cut to black, cue credits.

[@ArtixellAnimations]

I was literally hugging my Kermit stuffed Animal as I watched this.

[@vfspectrum4652]

why are you huggin a corpse

[@デゲス]

I love this comment.

[@Lemuel928]

He didn’t took Wilkins Coffee..

[@monkerlotus8046]

Legit wasn't ready for the episode to end, this channel has become so amazing.

[@gurutruecrimeguru1405]

Yeah I wanted it to go on to Seaseme St and cover Jim's whole career.

[@EChacon]

Awesome video looking forward to the next video of the Jim Henson video series. 0:26-1:16 - Also love the origin story of how Jim Henson created Kermit the Frog by using his mother’s green tattered coat. #JimHenson

[@thisisabadchannel.stopsubs2952]

Thanks for helping me skip the ad

[@notsusan]

weird fact - years later Kevin Clash (future Elmo/Baby Dinosaur/etc) made HIS first puppet by swiping one of his mom's old coats, too.

[@nihilvox]

One of my favorite stories is from Henson's funeral. They propped Kermit up against the casket with a sign that said, "I have lost my voice".

[@scarffoxandfriends9401]

I always thought Muppets meant Monster Puppets. Especially since most of them weren't even marionettes 🤔

[@13.7BYITM]

I mean.. It really checks out

[@sandrapiazza9429]

Makes Sense.

[@ToomanyFrancis]

He explains it in the video? Before muppets you would either see a marionette that can move it's arms and legs but not it's mouth, or you would see a puppet that can move either its arms or it's mouth. Muppets can move their mouths and arms, and most have legs that are in the shot frequently. The idea of a muppet was to combine a stick puppet with a hand puppet to create a more versatile performance device.

[@scarffoxandfriends9401]

@@ToomanyFrancis But a stick puppet isn't the same as a Marionette. With that logic they should be called Ruppets, as they are a mixture of hand puppet and rod puppet. Which already existed at the time and where known as Human-Arm puppets or "Two-man Puppets".

[@ToomanyFrancis]

@@scarffoxandfriends9401 I was just explaining the reasoning behind the rumor. Something that was already done in the video.

[@jon888ish]

Nothing makes me click faster than Muppets

[@evanredacted7977]

I'm excited for this series. This was a great episode, not just because of the content but the overall narrative structure, teasing Sesame Street and more importantly setting up long term ideas like having deeper meaning in the Muppets and Jim's sense of mortality which I'm going to guess becomes a lot more important down the line.

[@non_da]

I'm glad Kermit was his favorite. Kermit holds a special place in my heart. I love that frog.

[@anone.mousse674]

It’s the DefunctTV Show, with our very special guest star, Kevin Perjurer!

[@haydenaudette8333]

Anon E. Mousse YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[@rafaelcastillo670]

*cue iconic kermit arm flailing and shit flipping*

[@panam4redd]

It's crazy when I realize I live literally a few miles away from where Jim Henson lived. DRINK WILKINS COFFEE

[@iamthewalrus8677]

Henson was an absolute legend and a creative genius. His talent was limitless

[@krullachief669]

"A cross between Abe Lincoln and Jesus" is just a beautiful descriptor.

[@wheeledjustice7381]

You are the only person who can blow me away at the first second of a video with an AD READ. I'm only three minutes in and I promise you that between the animation, the intro and what's guaranteed to be incredibly exhaustive amounts of research, this is one of the best things I've ever seen on KZbin. Edit: You did the animation too? Dude! Stop being so talented!

[@lunarcarousel]

I live in Maryland/DC area, about half hour from College Park (where the University of Maryland is) and the statue of Jim Henson outside the student union at UMD is lovely. Glad to learn the whole story.

[@girlfriendfnf3974]

YOUR NAME IS KILLING ME

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Every time I’ve been to the University of Maryland, I get lunch at House of Kabob & take a picture with the statue of Jim :)

[@wynonasbigbrowndragon6121]

Now THAT is a statue that deserves a mob if someone proposes removing it

[@Lo444fae]

@@wynonasbigbrowndragon6121 i don't think it ever will be, its one of the biggest landmarks in pg country

[@jdude9314]

Fantastic job, Kevin! I have been a fan of Jim Henson’s work for as long as I can remember. Thank you for telling the story of one of the greatest artists who ever lived! Looking forward to the rest of this series, especially when you get to the Muppet Show.

[@jackjoyce8070]

Jim Henson is basically the "Walt Disney" of puppetry.

[@dinosaurstwice4959]

This show has begun to become genuinely incredible

[@thegoatcarnival]

I thank you for this series. It’s because of these six episodes that when I visited the Jim Henson exhibit at the Durham Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, I was able to recognize all of the oldest puppets they had on display and I felt a strong sense of nostalgia that I wouldn’t have been able to feel otherwise. It’s so full of heart and respect for this amazing property (and let’s all rejoice for all original five seasons of The Muppet Show making their way to Disney+!) and again I can’t thank you enough for giving us this new perspective on the Muppet property.

[@frostbytefreemanfilms9971]

I spent this entire video subconscious screaming "frank oz frank oz frank oz" and then when you said his name I went nuts. his camaraderie with Jim was beautiful.

[@MrEnKaye]

I've rewatched the entire series twice so far, and I can't stop crying. Such unbridled creativity, a rose garden of a mind, thorns and all, blossoming quietly but constantly under such an unassuming personality. Thank you for doing this.

[@daveotuwa5596]

"This episode of SAM AND FRIENDS is brought to you by Esskay! It's a sausage brand that most households eat for breakfast every single day! If you don't have the elite sausage, you're hearing this message! Get it in no time because it's not a crime!"

[@risxra]

As a current student, all the UMD talk filled me with so much pride ^^ I feel like I should let y'all know that last month we had an alumni March Madness competition and Jim won!

[@TheREALwymario]

4 years since this masterpiece of a documentary began. Still ranks up there with the likes of the more recent Fastpass and Disney Channel videos, IMO.

[@thetravelingsteampunkkitty534]

Lisa: dad, what is a muppet? Homer: well it’s not quite a mop and not quite a puppet but man (lol) to answer to your question idk

[@PJA264]

Maybe we should ask Troy McClure

[@chelseys5192]

Why is that Muppet made of leather?

[@warlock1186]

Are we just going to ignore the fact that kermit was originally blue ?

[@thetravelingsteampunkkitty534]

warlock 118 Oscar was originally orange and homeless

[@Lumibear.]

warlock 118 ...and not specifically a frog

[@JamieSwitzer]

Here from DaThings recent video!

[@sickbeet4219]

Same!

[@SemperErato]

Jim Henson was so influential, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't know his work. I never really watched the Muppet Show, but his characters were still well-known and endeared to me as a child. I'm overjoyed to see his early endeavors get the Defunctland treatment and to learn more about the creator of so many beloved characters.

[@PixelsLtd]

Incredible work! Very much looking forward to further episodes! Jim was an absolute genius. Sadly missed but left the world a vastly better place for having been in it. Jim's name deserves to be right up there with Walt Disney, so this is a fitting channel for this series.

[@Kartoonkid95]

Congrats on your mention in a Slate article! They said you topped Ron Howard with this.

[@vickylynn2817]

Between the mention of Frank Oz and that preview of the "sunny days" to come in the next installment...Ya got me crying over here, Kevin..💜

[@pikminfan6778]

(Music) DefunctTV! (Music) Is brought to you by... (Music) Squarespace and Esskay! (Music)

[@lilyaddonisio8897]

I’ve never commented on this channel, but I have to say- this series is what inspired me to make a puppet, out of love and admiration of Jim Henson and all his work- I now rewatch this while making one of many commissioned puppets since that first puppet! Just wanted to say what a great series this is❤

[@tessawidenhofer]

I think it says something about Jim Henson’s work that all it took to get me emotional was saying “Cottleston Pie.”

[@marcusblackwell2372]

Why exactly? Have you not heard any of HIS versions of "Halfway Down The Stairs"? You REALLY gonna need some tissues for that It's so beautiful

[@tessawidenhofer]

Marcus Blackwell oh I have. Cottleston Pie was just mentioned first, so I was already there by the time it got mentioned.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

@@tessawidenhofer do u know any vids that show him preforming Cottleston Pie because I'm somewhat fascinated by certain music from before the 50s. U got a link?

[@jubbine]

@@marcusblackwell2372 Rowlf sang it on the muppet show, in the first season.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

@@jubbine i saw part of that clip

[@hayhay509]

im rewatching the whole series just so i can hear the intro, i love it. also jim hensen.

[@stereomonovici5796]

Loved the Squarespace ad though

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

That was both appropriate and very clever.

[@willcarroll3712]

Stereo Monovici I get the feeling we’re gonna see more of those puppets

[@commentmanwhoeatsgahbage3022]

Terrible Writing Advice has an entire plotline dedicated to his advertisements

[@ozharms]

This is a STUNNING documentary, worthy of Netflix or HBO! Kudos to you, and of course to Jim Henson’s legacy.

[@bearcatben4762]

If I could clone someone who died too soon it would 100% be Jim Henson

[@bearcatben4762]

@Ryder Barrios Stan lee is nice but he lived a long life

[@matti.8465]

@@bearcatben4762 I'm sure he was content and satisfied with the life he had, he even died in a moment of great popularity for his character.

[@bearcatben4762]

@@matti.8465 he died of pneumonia. Needless to say a bad way to go still a waste for him to die so young

[@kellyweingart3692]

Epic Rap Battles of History in real life

[@airaero5473]

lol at first I thought the squarespace sponsor was actual 1950s footage

[@vantablack1071]

I grew up thinking puppets were kind of cringey, like playing with dolls or something. But after some consideration and realizing the impact of watching stuff like the Muppets Movie had on me as a little kid, and after seeing Dark Crystal and Labyrinth and realizing the sheer amount of work that goes into puppeteering, I really fucking love this stuff now.

[@13.7BYITM]

In the entertainment industry WE RESPECT PUPPETEERS!

[@PetProjects2011]

Who's rewatching these videos in anticipation for Disney Plus' upcoming Jim Henson documentary?

[@memesunite6251]

Just watched this whole entire series. As a child, I was afraid of Kermit The Frog and to this day I still can't understand why. When I grew up I started to like The Muppet Show and all of his other series. I wanted to learn more about Jim. And then I found this series..... And was amazed at his downfalls and upbringings. Thank you Defunctland, for making this series.