DefunctTV: The History of Muppet Babies

[@alyxg2764]

It hurts so much to know Jim never saw how beloved dark crystal and labyrinth have become

[@Astrolionking]

Labyrinth is what triggered my love for Jim Henson! My godmother showed me the movie and I was HOOKED.

[@alyxg2764]

@@Astrolionking same! It was a constant when we would drive between states to visit family

[@els1f]

I had no idea they weren't huge successes at the time! 😱 They were such important parts of all my friend's childhoods lol

[@giselletorres4156]

That's like over a decade after the film's release which is why the term "cult-following" was used. Dark Crystal and Labryrinth were box office failures at the time, then the very children who were the target demographic for those movies grew up and appreciated jim's craft.

[@alyxg2764]

@@giselletorres4156 they’re still considered cult classics in the same way something like killer klowns is. Is it bigger? Yes! But not amazingly

[@EmilyRitcheson]

I honestly had no idea Labyrinth was such a flop when it first came out. I've heard nothing but positive things about it my entire life.

[@thejoin4687]

"I've heard nothing but..." Nothing? Nothing tralala?

[@melissacooper4482]

I never knew that! I love Labyrinth!

[@stevennorthrup5790]

Melissa Cooper Labyrinth was still enjoyable, despite its failure.

[@sleeplessstudios7626]

That's what makes it a cult classic.

[@harrisd1983]

I found the movie at my local grocery store's video rental section in the 80s and loved it. No one knew even heard of the movie. Then around the year 2000 everyone loved it. It was this and Nightmare Before Christmas.

[@julietdegoede]

I love the MCU (Muppet Cinematic Universe)

[@johndouglas3114]

Yes!

[@lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566]

Kermit should have been in endgame

[@juicyfruit6311]

@@lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566 Does Kermit croak in the end?

[@cccalennn]

@@lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566 Eh, more like probably Jim Henson himself.

[@FinancialWell1]

@@cccalennn damnnnn

[@Erinski]

Went to art school in the early 2000's. I just wish Henson could've lived to see how obsessed we were with his work, and how much it shaped our worlds and our paths, particularly "Labyrinth".

[@Annie_Annie__]

Same. As a high school graduation gift, a friend of mine got me a book about Henson’s art that I still have on my bookshelf.

[@sonofawil]

I was a kid when “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth” came out and, although I didn’t see either in theatres, I watched them countless times on video. They were go to movies any time you assembled a group of kids.

[@queenmedesa]

Like me

[@Tsumami__]

That’s weird because the Dark Crystal isn’t really a children’s movie and scares most kids who watch it.

[@Xanthopathy]

@@Tsumami__ That's exactly why it attracts kids, dummy. Do you not know how psychology works?

[@sneakjokerwalters2841]

Did you get the box set with mirror mask?

[@otaking3582]

Muppet Babies was actually Marvel Productions' longest running show. No joke.

[@isidora1299]

Otaking Mikohani you have 222 likes I’m going to ruin that

[@sophiegrace9523]

I’m the 333rd like

[@isidora1299]

Jia life With Sophie I ruined that

[@デデデ大王1]

Yeah I know that

[@itscrumbelivable]

ironic.

[@ThatLoudCockatoo]

"This might sound FAMILIAR..." I can feel the disappointment in his voice my god

[@tardiswhovian]

Same... heh.

[@merrittanimation7721]

What an appropriate time for this to come out though.

[@DevinGates]

This looks familiar... Vaguely familiar...

[@davincent98]

It's almost like I recently saw a video on something with that premise and another on a forgotten sequel...

[@syxepop]

davincent98, how about one that's on its' THIRD SEQUEL and it's ON THEATERS RIGHT NOW;: TOY STORY!

[@DoomFoxofDeath]

"Ask for forgiveness, not permission" I think we found the polar opposite of KZbin's copyright policy.

[@MetroXLR]

Just imagine if Jim Henson was still alive, AND on KZbin.

[@MasterSorez]

Love your Red avatar! Loved that game

[@DoomFoxofDeath]

@@MasterSorez Thanks, I took it right from the game! Never got very far into it, what with emulator controls and its physical rarity. Cool concept tho, and I clearly loved the character designs :D

[@MasterSorez]

@@DoomFoxofDeath Glad I got the physical game when it came out for normal price then xD And ma nthe game is so good, the story gets insane later on and the animated opening is still great

[@DoomFoxofDeath]

@@MasterSorez That's lucky, I hadn't heard of the game until way after it's release and it was quite the collector's item on ebay by then. Some day I'll find a way to play it comfortably!

[@samcoffeen4762]

It’s truly incredible that Henson assembled George Lucas, David Bowie, and Terry Jones to make a movie. What a legend

[@dutchmansmine9053]

Those were the days

[@SMA2343]

Jim Henson was basically Tony Stark at this point. Calling his avengers

[@hughjack5066]

And on other projects had Frank Oz and Howie Mandel like jesus

[@CZsWorld]

Today I learned Muppet babies was an anime in the MCU.

[@BrianJOlds]

That part

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

Yes. C A N O N I C A L.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

Why are you here?!?!

[@henrym4484]

Is Kermit good? 23:51

[@harmonetheanimationaddict4419]

And the only babyfied show that works.

[@KarnRulez]

Jim was such a rare kind of person. It seemed like nothing bothered him and when it did, he didn't lash out or take his anger out on anyone. He just waited to see what happened while keeping a positive attitude that everything was gonna be alright.

[@KidSnivy69]

The world needs more Jim Hensons 🌎💙

[@gwendolynstata3775]

"What's this weird spot on my hand? Ah, it's probably nothing, we'll see."

[@carsfan1995]

He cheated on his wife while working in foreign countries. If the roles were reversed you would not be saying those kinds of complimentary things about the wife. Yeah it was a civil separation but he still cheated and lied

[@noraunhappy]

McKenzie Eby I think we probably would. Despite some faults in his actions and choices, Jim was still a really great guy. That’s shown clearly by his ex-wife still being friendly and professional with him. Clearly she still thought highly of him, and him of her. They were both fantastic people with fantastic talent. Also, I wouldn’t really say Jim lied. As was mentioned, his wife knew about him cheating. They were just both too awkward and non-confrontational to talk about it.

[@jakdekayen]

Communication is a huge deal. If you both know and don't talk about it/fix it, who's fault is it really?? My dad cheated on my mom. She knew. She always knew, it's something you pick up on when you know someone on an intimate level. She didn't hate him. She was hurt. But she knew she was dieing, and refused to hate him for making a mistake and being weak. Despite all his mistakes she still loved him. She never confronted him. As much as I hate what he did, I still love him. Despite his mistakes, I still love him. You can hate what someone does, and still maintain some level of respect and love for them. Just saying.

[@mr.meloetta1939]

Nothing can escape the curse of making famous cartoon characters babies for a spin-off.

[@colinthecartoonist]

I can draw Disney characters as babies Check Disney wikis community for new pictures starting July 3rd

[@jaxoncarter2electricboogal921]

Not even spingbill

[@UglyBarnical58]

Honestly the Muppet Babies were better

[@heyitzbabygurl4025]

Let's not forget Uncle Grampa Babies.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

The Baby Einstein hunter 2345 2.0 jsyk that’s been done by Disney Used to have all kinds of Disney babies stuff as a kid. I miss my baby Micky stuffie lol

[@fantasmike]

"MAMA DADA BOOP BOOP SHA WAH WAH!" Gosh it was bizarre hearing the muppet baby voices coming out of Jim and Frank's mouth in that clip

[@Fragglerocker93]

mike walsh-thorpe 😂

[@jaklumen]

To be honest, even TV executives are astonished at the voices and sounds Frank Welker can produce. I'm thinking of the documentaries on the Real Ghostbusters series, specifically, Season One, if you want a specific reference.

[@danielcolon979]

@@jaklumen Frank Welker is the Man of a Thousand voices.

[@mesquitegirl2013]

I might have geeked out a lottle bit when that clip showed up

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

@@jaklumen Indeed, Frank Welker is one of the most talented people in the voice acting world if you ask me. Next to his roles of Fred Jones and Scooby Doo, Dr. Ray Stantz and Slimer from The Real Ghostbusters are two of my favorites. Also I really enjoyed his work on Muppet Babies, G.I. Joe and The Transformers.

[@SceneComparisons]

I grew up with Muppet Babies without knowing their real life version on the movie It was a delight to watch the little clip on Take Manhattan

[@matthew_natividad]

Kinda had both the great muppet caper and baby muppets ep where they parodied the jetsons

[@Peachy_bloom64]

The theme is playing in my head as we speak 🙂

[@Xenophage100]

Well, Jim got the last laugh on Labyrinth. It's now a cult classic and considered one of the best movies of the 80s.

[@corey2232]

Cult Classic, yes. One of the *best* movies of the 80's? Definitely not.

[@KaneRobot]

Nice hyperbole. it obviously did find an audience, but no one but the most deluded people think it's one of the best movies of the 80s.

[@atteranenforcer5263]

@@KaneRobot Well...I liked it. I mean I'm not sure if it's one of the best 80's movies as I' no expert on the subject, but eh. Still one of Jim's best movies to me (until I see the Dark Crystal, I have yet to find a version online)

[@johndouglas3114]

It is considered one of the best movies of the 80s. It's literally in my 'best movies of the 80's' book - and it still plays occassionally in cinemas. 80's is rife with well loved movies (there are hundreds of em) but Labyrinth is one of those hundreds.

[@AFishNamedBob]

I can only assume you're exaggerating for effect. It wouldn't even make it into the top 50 movies of the '80s.

[@RafaelHabegger]

It's like they had a MCU in 1986. Muppets Cinematic Universe

[@pferreira1983]

Shared universes were a thing long before the MCU.

[@ck-1649]

Thanos: I am inevitable Kermit: HI-HO, KERMIT THE FROG HERE!!!

[@busterthefrog6628]

Thanos:What the actual heck

[@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane]

@@pferreira1983 Even the Marvel Universe existed long before the cancerous MCU.

[@pferreira1983]

@@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane That's true.

[@voltscreamratty]

Such a damn shame about Labyrinth. It's a great movie and it's really just depressing that he never really got to see the eventual recognition it got.

[@luketfer]

Thankfully before he passed he was well aware of the cult following the film had.

[@the-NightStar]

I think calling it a "great film" is a bit much, when the lead actress was horrible and the movie made no coherent sense. It is a classic because of the great songs and the wonderful visuals, but I think that's it. The story is a gigantic fever-dream mess and the lead actress utterly fails to carry the film.

[@nachobroryan8824]

Dark Crystal and Labryinth came out when I was a kid and I enjoyed both of them. Didn't know one didn't do as well as they hoped and the other lost money until watching these videos.

[@justinm6110]

@@nachobroryan8824 LIKEWISE... maybe the issue was adults being critics . The characters of Labyrinth were amazing , and David Bowie as Jareth... he owned that role.

[@AlternateHistoryHub]

I havent said this before. But the Muppets are my absolute favorite things, and Henson is literally an idol for me. I'm glad you've taken the Herculean task of covering so much of his career

[@KB-pl2gj]

What if the Muppets never existed?

[@sayvionwashington1939]

@@KB-pl2gj The world would've ended in 2012

[@BleachDemon707]

SILENCE CHECKMARK

[@joshcraig526]

The production quality of these videos is unparalleled. Defunctland, your team is inspiring and thank you for shedding an awesome light on the legacy of Jim Henson. I look forward to these episodes every two weeks. Thank y’all for creating something magical.

[@danfelska1482]

^^^^^ that

[@TotemoGaijin]

As a millenial, Muppet Babies was a galaxy brain move. Obviously the franchise was already world famous, but Muppet Babies and Fraggle Rock just cemented its position in the hearts and minds of all of us born in the 80s as well.

[@joshyboy1983]

Double take #1 - Marvel Double take #2 - TOEI ANIMATION My brain explodes.

[@donkeykong75m]

You forgot Megatron is baby Kermit

[@wiibrockster]

MAKANKOSAPO!!

[@maxis2k]

You'd be surprised how many shows you think of as American cartoons were done in Japan or Korea. Probably 90% of them.

[@CDRiley]

@@donkeykong75m and K.A.R.R. in Knight rider

[@notsusan]

@@donkeykong75m Frank Welker was pretty much everyone in every 80s cartoon though.

[@moonkitten13]

I've never payed too much attention to the muppets, much less Jim Henson, but this docu series it's so interesting and so well made, that now I can really appreciate all of Jim's creations and work, as well as his huge team. Thank you Defunctland!

[@monstercombo007]

Oh lord.... Next episode is going to crush me emotionally....

[@DoswarePictures]

Or how about “I don’t want to live on the moon”? That one made me cry.

[@mesquitegirl2013]

I know

[@craigluft2373]

it will have a happy ending, however. they then made the Muppet Christmas Carol, the best muppet movie (and best christmas carol)

[@CascadianRanger]

The fact we are starting to talk about... that in this episode means we are here. We are at the end we all knew was coming and still all hope wasnt going to happen.

[@mesquitegirl2013]

😥❤

[@arashimiyazawa8165]

"When your room looks kind of weird and you wish that you weren't there..." I can still sing that whole theme song. Muppet Babies was my favorite show when I was a kid.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

K i'mma try from memory because i started singing along when they played it too, and chopping straight to the end of the song was frustrating :) Muppet Babies, we make our dreams come true (wop, a doody-wop) Muppet babies, we'll do the same for you... When your room looks kind of weird And you wish that you weren't there Just close your eyes and make believe And you can be anywhere... (Then i feel like i'm skipping something to an edited version that says) I like adventure, I like romance I like great jokes, Animal Dance! Bunsen Honeydew says something? Then Beaker sings "mehr mrh mrh mrh Meeeeeehhhh" Is everything alright in here? Yes, Nanny! Nah, that's all i got. I guess i don't remember it all. :P I just remember as a kid loving the mixture of animation with the sort of 'clip art' sampling of old photos and films... probably the same reason we love Monty Python's animated segments. Or maybe Dangermouse. Sorry this was random. I'm recovering from a head injury :) (actually) Your post made me feel like i knew the words and i felt so proud of myself... guess i got overconfident!!

[@fantasyqwest]

"just close your eyes and make-believe; and you can be anywhere"

[@sunnyquinn3888]

I don't remember the song, but I still can relate to this lyric.

[@TheCaliforniaHP]

an absolute jam

[@alicedelgado955]

Muppet Babies, we make our dreams come true Muppet Babies, we'll do the same for you When your room looks kinda weird And you wish that you weren't there Just close your eyes and make believe And you can be anywhere I like adventure I like romance I love great jokes Animal dance! I got my computer I flip through the air! I play the piano And I got blue hair Me, I invent things MEEP, MEEP, MEEP, MEEP! Is everything alright in here? Yes, Nanny! Muppet Babies, we make our dreams come true Muppet Babies, we'll do the same for you Muppet, muppet, muppet, muppet Babe, babe, babies I love you!

[@dieselsmith7360]

This whole series has the quality and detail of something that would air on pbs or as a true documentary and is just plain amazing in every way

[@thunderson660]

I can feel an Eisner appearance looming in the distance. Gods help us all.

[@KidSnivy69]

You did watch the Sesame Street episode, right?

[@finnbalor8021]

Oh you know hes gonna get a hell of a showing in the final part lol

[@SuperWolsey]

So, Eisner is Galactus but Iger is Thanos

[@kaleidoscopekayley]

Eisner was actually an important part in giving Jim his start?

[@SuperWolsey]

Kaleidoscope Kayley Yup. Then Iger proved to be the antithesis.

[@DisneyDude1928]

The silence of the credits is extremely eerie

[@SonicXeno]

DisneyDude1928 Honestly I think it’s even more painful than the ticking clock in the last episode’s credits

[@robbietehrotten]

This shows that next month's episode will be very upsetting...and happy...

[@bullmonty764]

I thought all the clocks at Jim's death scene was creepier

[@notsusan]

It's also so weird to me that Labyrinth did so poorly, since literally everyone my age (mid-late 30s) I know loves it about on par with The Princess Bride and Never-Ending Story, nerds and "normies" alike. I guess we all watched the hell out of it on VHS...

[@MeniscusKing]

I know!! I was legitimately surprised that it didn't do well. I'm 27 but most of my friends are mid-late 30s and we always praise the movie whenever it's brought up

[@SniffHeinkel]

I know, right? I grew up in the 80's and everyone I knew loved that movie. I don't think I met one person who didn't care for it. Its such a classic story told in a unique way. They don't make films like that anymore.

[@akcalo]

I know right!

[@clffliese26]

I had it on VHS, then on DVD, and, now, on Blu-Ray. I haven't gotten around to streaming it, .yet

[@Lumibear.]

Cliff Liese well it’s on Netflix so now you can!

[@laurapeter3857]

The 80s were a hard time for fantasy movies. Krull , Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Neverending Story, Willow, etc. were not popular with adults and critics but us kids who grew up with them consider them classics.

[@jacquizzlemons1980]

The baby muppets might be one of the cutest characters I’ve ever seen

[@talosheeg]

They are aren't they?!! I love baby Miss Piggy!

[@queenmedesa]

They still are ,most of today cartoons are horrible

[@queenmedesa]

@@talosheeg she was my favourite

[@Guineapigsreadingbooks]

They really are! It is my mother’s birthday soon, and since being reminded of their existence, I am scrambling to find a way to include them in her gift

[@colewilliams6623]

To hear that The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth were a critical flop hurts my soul.

[@j0anbug]

at least with Labyrinth we got Bowie's almighty bulge

[@mattfahringer148]

@@j0anbug all bask in the glory of the Bowie Bulge

[@jaysonklein6018]

Flops, they may have been... ... but they're cult classics now.

[@notsusan]

Basically everyone old enough to have grown up with those movies in their VCRs love them though. And between young Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in those tights I think it turned a lot of my generation into perverts. So thanks for that Jim

[@kellyweingart3692]

Bowie bulge😂😂😂😂

[@welovemrp00]

I loved how the video went...they made a 6th season of Muppet Babies, then a 7th, then an 8th, oh and btw, Jim died a year ago

[@ErectedGasCan]

I seriously found myself thinking; "Wow, that amusement-park channel should see this, they coul...." I cannot believe that this is the same channel, as not only am i entertained throughout the episodes, it is one of the few instances that i feel like i am watching television. With the difference that television is not this enjoyable. Thank you.

[@ragantate3995]

For those who weren’t around at the time, Jim did not know he was dying. To confirm, just watch interviews of those who knew him. They all describe his death as a shock. There were a few celebrities who passed away from the same thing due to tainted blood transfusions or during surgery. Made the medical world double down on making sure everything is good before donation. Off the top of my head, I remember Jim being one and another being tennis player Author Ash.

[@ChrisSDParker]

Except Henson died from bacterial pneumonia?

[@ultimatewitcherfan6677]

@ChrisSDParker actually, Henson died from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by streptococcus pyogenes. Despite aggressive treatments, the infection had already weakened many of his organs resulting in his death at 1:21AM May 16, 1990.

[@cyraconforth9989]

“This might sound FAMILIAR”

[@peterdoan2236]

Pull my string, it’s just like Toy Story!

[@lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566]

YoU gOt A fRiEnD iN mE.

[@TahtahmesDiary]

What yall don't even realize is this is also the overall plot of Raggedy Ann and Andy's Musical Adventure so I have now just learned of a "missing link" between the two movies! I am slowly piecing together the parts of this puzzle of HOW this SAME STORY has been remade 3x and NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT BUT ME and I want to know WHO first got up with this EXACT plot line originally! 🤔🤔🤔

[@marcusblackwell2372]

What part? I want a free replay button, please

[@henrym4484]

@@marcusblackwell2372 20:20

[@tonyjackson1636]

Literally the most engrossing KZbin series this year. This deserves wide acclaim.

[@trystan7533]

Nice to see Sam and Friends given a spotlight in that 30th Anniversary special.

[@rollinnollin546]

Seeing Sam and the Hipster in those seats melted my heart a bit honestly. I didn’t even now they existed until I started watching this series, but just knowing the muppets that started it all weren’t forgotten by Jim is just beautiful.

[@elizabethsullivan1894]

I loved the line where they asked why Kermit looked so much better than he used to. That was a great meta joke.

[@KidSnivy69]

I like that Jim kept them in pretty good condition despite not getting the same advantages Kermit did.

[@coneskid2]

Trystan Wilson where?

[@KidSnivy69]

@@coneskid2 17:12

[@djdeadbeat4380]

When I see a KZbin video on normal, boring stuff: When I see a KZbin video on the history of the Muppet Babies: YEEAAAHHH

[@robertsalgado5995]

Same! XD

[@Q-TiP-rc9ux]

Do one about the dark crystal

[@gonzos-twin]

Thank you for watching about my twin

[@The1Critic2]

@@AlexaPerezx no

[@Niffoni]

I am of a very specific age which makes "Labyrinth was a critical and commercial failure in its day" the most shocking twist in this series of videos to me. Thank you for including Muppet Family Christmas. It's not only the special with perhaps the most comprehensive collection of Muppet properties ever assembled, but also may just be the most perfect Muppet TV special ever produced. Everyone fully understands the characters, and it's both warm, and laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish.

[@macaronii220]

Honestly as someone who’s only known about labyrinth and the dark crystal for only about 5+ years, I’m surprised that it’s not the other way around. Like I swear that I remember hearing that the dark crystal preformed really poorly compared to labyrinth. But I must be wrong haha

[@COMPFUNK2]

8:36-8:39 - To be fair, Frank Welker didn’t start voicing Scooby-Doo until 2002; however, he has voiced Fred Jones since that series’ inception (1969).

[@EntertainmentFan11]

@meanybean PROBABLY the ONLY survivor among EVERYONE involved in the original show, as we just lost its creators.

[@MrWolfSnack]

@@EntertainmentFan11 Scoobert will live forever, cant let him die.

[@drinkinglotsofsoda]

Guy's everywhere!

[@iHeartsNostalgiaPit]

@@meanybean1025 uh Nicole Jaffe is still alive

[@acholl980]

but during the time Fred and Velma were absent from the recent shows and only Daphne returned. Welker was however at Marvel doing Megatron on the Transformers as well as work on the G I Joe mini series. Don Messick was still Scooby.

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

I saw Labyrinth in the cinema. I was very surprised when I first heard it was a commercial flop. I loved it and thought everybody else did too. Maybe it's one of those films that most people watched on TV or on video.

[@inspectorjavert8443]

You remind me of the babe,

[@scrantonrogueofthesilvertr9031]

Labyrinth was my favorite movie as a kid and remains one of my all time faves

[@breezer723]

Agreed. I saw the dark crystal and labyrinth in the theater with my mom. Watched over and over once they aired on the movie channels and bought the VHS tapes. It's hard to imagine that it was a box office fail. Our family loved those movies

[@CrazyPangolinLady]

Tbh, being a goblin in Labyrinth doesn’t seem so bad. You don’t have to work, you hang out with David Bowie all day. It seems great!

[@nightingale4460]

CrazyPangolinLady well then, sign me up

[@Merrsharr]

Well, Jim succeeded. Kermit & Co, as well as the core Sesame Street cast will stay in the public consciousness for a long long time

[@ItsMeMattCarter]

I'll never understand how Labyrinth and Dark Crystal weren't received well. Those movies are incredible and some of my favorites of my childhood.

[@SMA2343]

I can gurentee it was: Jim Henson? The muppet man? Then seeing the movie and thinking “where’s Kermit and fozzy? Why David Bowie? What? I didn’t get it. Didn’t like it”

[@zorantaylor3190]

The use of the climax of "Time Piece" near the end of this is incredibly artful and clever, well done!

[@danfelska1482]

That one hit me right in the feels, hard.

[@ForrestFox626]

Looks like Kevin was doing his own experimental editing for this video

[@kmart1396]

you ever just cry about David Bowie, John Hurt and Jim Henson's passings all at once

[@WaterShowsProd]

Wow... Three of the finest examples in their fields.

[@Robert08010]

There are only a couple of actors for whom I cried at the news of their death. Lucille Ball was one. Jim Henson was another.

[@blazr1976]

Well now I will. Legends one and all.

[@clffliese26]

I think the two true entertainment geniuses of the 20th century were Walt Disney and Jim Henson. Those two men created the two most recognizable characters, maybe ever: Mickey Mouse and Kermit the Frog.

[@averagebritishguy7082]

Ow.

[@zacharyouten4525]

Perfect timing, I was needing something to watch

[@madhatter4588]

ZTO lol same

[@brettvv7475]

Same.

[@Fadeintodust]

It's like they know

[@MrAlmindore58]

R.I.P., Jim. Thankfully, Disney and KZbin channels like Defunctland keep your memory alive in all of us

[@j0anbug]

how long til the big D desecrate the Muppets and Jims' grave?

[@MrAlmindore58]

@@j0anbug idk, maybe when they have another Eisner in the chair. Lol

[@carsfan1995]

Rylan Gray Why would you think they’d do that?

[@j0anbug]

@@carsfan1995 live action remakes, Star Wars sequel trilogy, the fact that they're a power hungry ultra-capitalist mega conglomeration hellbent on controlling all forms of media

[@ScenetheUndead]

@@j0anbug None of the things you mentioned are bad and make lots of money. The majority loves Disney.

[@harmonetheanimationaddict4419]

I bet Jim would be really happy that The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth are classics now.

[@reneastle8447]

Had they been instant successes since day 1 with critics, audiences, fans, and at the box office, that would've made Jim proud of what he made. He would've also won Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Animation as well.

[@agentjp106]

Jim Henson's cameo in the Christmas special feels almost meta, saying "I like it when they have a good time" only to immediately move on from the successful festivities to go do something else he considers necessary and productive. It feels like how he moves on from project to project, constantly with a new creative idea. Thinking about his cameo this way makes it way deeper, but I could be looking way too deep into it

[@maybepolly_]

YES MORE JIM HENSON this is just what i needed thank you guys so much for the hard work!!❤️

[@caridadchang7895]

Me: happily watches the video Narrator: Jim Henson, had died Me: ...

[@lamontyaboy718]

The next episode will be a real tearjerker

[@seatspud]

@@lamontyaboy718 Especially if it's centered around Dinosaurs, and we all know how that show ended!

[@thepolacek]

You didn't know this?

[@caridadchang7895]

@@thepolacek of course I knew, his funeral tribute is on KZbin and it is beautiful to watch The transition is still sad though

[@ChicWerewolf]

You lulled me into a false sense of security that this was just gonna be about Muppet Babies, then had to punch me in the gut with “Jim Henson, had died.” And there’s still another episode! You’re enjoying playing with my emotions, aren’t you? (Jk Kevin you’re doing wonderful 💜)

[@mesquitegirl2013]

😥❤

[@unstoppableExodia]

I expected this to be a straight forward run down on the history of the muppet babies and yet it's so much more than just that. And the ending that alludes to Jim Henson selling his company to Disney just makes me want to subscribe so that I get a notification for the next installment

[@davidfeltheim2501]

@@unstoppableExodia I felt a huge lump in my throat come up when he said that, It came out of nowhere and my heart just sank immediately. I guess all we can do is wait for the next episode...

[@nyokoSalome]

;( it's a sorrowful thing to outlive one's children, or heroes... i -am- hoping that perhaps the 'last' epi (if it is the last) will revisit 'dark crystal' and all of its intricacies... 'cuz it's easily one of my favorites out of his whole output.

[@tysargent9647]

@@davidfeltheim2501 Oh, David... The wait will be worth it.

[@kentslocum]

The Muppets Take Manhattan is my favorite Muppets film. I actually felt that the semi-serious take was a breath of fresh air.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

Interesting fact: after that second season, the melody for "Little Muppet Monsters" still shows up in the "Muppet Babies" closing credits.

[@Kattywampus]

That's right! I was trying to remember why I had that mashup stuck in my head.

[@mariebelladonna437]

Omg you're right!!

[@tommclaughlin5360]

I'm a massive Jim Henson fan (I got married at Jim Henson Studios even) and while I was a fan of yours since you were still making a VR theme park, this series has made me one of your biggest cheerleaders. I truly hope you get a TV series someday as a Showrunner. You've earned it.

[@SonofMrPeanut]

RE: Marvel Productions making Muppet Babies, Stan Lee had a cameo on the show! You'll find it in Season 6, Episode 6: Comic Capers.

[@s.b.8258]

😳

[@ForrestFox626]

All hail Stan Lee!

[@mysteryman3078]

I will never fully understand KZbin's algorithms, notifications and/or recommendations. All I know is I've been on KZbin for 13 years and that this channel is the best thing to come out of any of that stuff. I actually feel like I'm watching a TV show when I'm watching a video of yours Defunctland. You and your team make great stuff Kevin. Also unlike "Disney Dan," I'm still pulling for you to find a platform that you can use to talk about the " Evolution of Walk Around Tigger" on. I want to hear about that court case! Damn killjoy.

[@DoswarePictures]

Actually, they did do a video about that over a year ago.

[@mysteryman3078]

Dosware Pictures - On who's channel ? Do you know the video's title ?

[@DoswarePictures]

Mystery Man Disney Dan.

[@matthewmiller3322]

I wish the original Muppet babies were on Disney+

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

Problem is, there's copyrighted film stock footage used in it (Columbia/Tri-Star's _Ghostbusters_ created by Dan Ackroyd & Harold Ramis despite using a brand title that required signed approval from Filmation Studios & Gene Roddenberry's _Star Trek_ just to name two) which Disney does NOT own...yet.

[@daelen.cclark]

Eh, given how the muppet show on Disney plus was censored quite a lot, it might be better if it isn’t there.

[@jonpotter9510]

@@daelen.cclark It was not censored at all. Some episodes include very brief text disclaimers, specifically saying that they wish to acknowledge problematic footage rather than remove it. Any edits were due to music rights issues. And even then, the Disney+ versions are far more complete than any DVD release in the past.

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

@@jonpotter9510 Disney's battles with Sesame Workshop sadly removed the Sesame Street cameos by & large, however.

[@haleyhersh3850]

Ugh! Same! They were my childhood when I first had a iPod (I looked up the show to watch the episodes cuz why not?)!

[@kirstenc4279]

I just want to say congrats for being on the KZbin trending page. This channel is amazing.

[@Daviticus042]

I thought hearing about Jim dying would be the hardest part of this video, but no...it was learning that he was UNFAITHFUL TO HIS WIFE. 😲

[@Ashannon888]

And even then, him and Jane managed to keep it together personally and professionally... I'm not even sure who to be impressed with there.

[@jerryyoung6494]

Ashannon888 funny how the involvement of millions of dollars does that. Maybe it was different for them

[@Krystalmyth]

What he did with his penis hurt you more than his death? Your priorities are on super straight arent they.

[@oakgreenoak]

@@Krystalmyth Death happens to everyone, albeit way before it should've in Henson's case. It's easier to reconcile with someone you looked up to dying than them being unfaithful, especially since dying isn't a choice and cheating/breaking your partner's trust is.

[@vurvo574]

David MacNeil Well with all Jim had to go through it was hard to keep their relationship together. But they still managed to love each other regardless...

[@darthstarkiller1912]

If only "Muppet Babies" could get a series DVD release. With all the copyrighted footage, I bet it'll never happen.

[@SuperWolsey]

Maybe by the 49th anniversary* of the show and Muppets Take Manhattan. *Worked out well for Batman '66

[@arturhours]

Disney owns Marvel and Lucasfilm so it could happen

[@marscaleb]

@@arturhours That show used footage from a LOT more than just stuff Disney owned. No, what they used actually qualified as Fair Use, but the REAL danger is that if people were reminded of Muppet Babies and had a clear digital copy of what it did without any repercussions, then Disney and KZbin would have clear examples of what qualifies as Fair Use that would stop all their lawsuits in their tracks.

[@1978garfield]

I want a full DVD release of Muppet Christmas. The DVD was missing a few songs Now I doubt they can get the rights to the Sesame Street Muppets :(

[@spectre9792]

Heck, if nothing else, I'd settle for Disney+ at the very least.

[@joew1237]

"I'm called a puppeteer because I work with puppets." Can't argue with that logic.

[@gingerspice1788]

Omg the fact that Labrynth and dark crystal were not received well just shows how even the art made that the majority dislike there will be few that LOVE IT, like I do! I’m so happy with the dark crystal series and my gosh I wish I was a pupeteer

[@disneywitch5802]

I want to personally thank Kevin perjurer I want to personally thank Daniel Becker I want to personally thank Kristin beal. thank you for doing this series about Jim Henson. thank you for showing us Jim Henson. more about this amazing person. love this series

[@itsreelydalin]

I love that you focus on other aspects of Jim's career, and things like "The Christmas Toy" and "The Storytellers" - which are among my favorite things the Henson company ever made

[@tidepodpadthai2633]

The Christmas Toy was my favorite movie growing up

[@johndouglas3114]

To be fair, that's virtually ALL he focuses on. If you extract the muppet baby segments from this 28 minute video - they last about 3 minutes.

[@saltybutter9874]

The storyteller SLAPPED and I would love to see a vid on it

[@MathiasDemo]

Tragic that Labyrinth was a bomb. I met the Frouds personally when they came to my college. They're personal friends of one of the professors. Lovely people.

[@NodDisciple1]

Frouds?

[@MathiasDemo]

@@NodDisciple1 Brian and Wendy Froud. The couple Henson worked with on the creature designs for Labyrinth and whose son played Toby in the movie. They also created the Yoda puppet, as touched upon in the video.

[@NodDisciple1]

@@MathiasDemo Oh, ok.

[@jessiebaine3480]

I can still remember watching this on nick jr when I was a kid, it was my FAVORITE show. I have a few vhs tapes filled to the brim with Muppet Babies, my grandmother would tape all the episodes for us

[@richiebee1984]

I WAS A ORIGINAL FAN WATCHING THIS ON CBS 2(BROOKLYN,NY) BACK IN THE MID-LATE 1980'S WHEN I WAS A KID!!

[@IsaaMation]

oooh. nice.

[@KatRobinsonArkansas]

This has been an extraordinary series, worthy of distribution. Thank you for the excellent research and development work to bring this story to KZbin.

[@SuperWolsey]

Re: Howie Mandell and Skeeter- suddenly, the existence of Bobby's World (and the voice) make a universe of sense to me now....

[@josephclegg3562]

Howie Mandell also voiced Gizmo in Gremlins.

[@SuperWolsey]

Joseph Clegg 😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

[@bdog840]

Little Monsters, hmmmmm.

[@haleyhersh3850]

@@josephclegg3562 I love Gizmo!!!

[@jennw6809]

I'm so surprised that Labyrinth was unsuccessful at the time! I totally saw it because of David Bowie. I had never heard of the Dark Crystal, despite being the perfect age for it.

[@Whateverforeverr_]

I don’t think my heart is ready for this series to end. Thank you Kevin and to the rest of the team who put together this amazing mini series.

[@c.w.r.794]

I hate this “Lets make them babies” trend. Rugrats and Muppet Babies are the only things in this category I will accept!

[@pacmanfan-sz9ry]

all grown up is the reverse treatment of Rugrats as it is the same characters from Rugrats except older

[@KairuHakubi]

hell rugrats did the opposite. and their 'now they're 10 years older' spinoff is pretty crummy aside from its pilot.

[@martymcfly1312]

Yeah but Pup Named Scooby Doo was awsome

[@IdeaBox-dk5vj]

I think Disney made a Jungle Book spinoff with that trend in mind. The reason why I brought it up? Because, from what I know of it, they actually tried to have complex development to make them more like their film counterparts in the long run of the second season.

[@caridadchang7895]

@@IdeaBox-dk5vj I remember that one because they were portrayed as friends but in the movie Sherkan is a villain so as a kid I just never trusted him There was a Tarzan spin off like that too but that one had no redeeming qualities

[@soleil3847]

I thought I’d never seen this show before but when the theme song played, this jolt of nostalgia ripped through me.

[@Nurdse_326]

A muppet Family Christmas is hands down my favorite Christmas special of all time. As a grown adult it still makes me laugh.

[@mattperiolat]

Wow, forgotten how much I loved Muppet Babies. Keep hoping some day, we may yet see classic episodes again. But ow... the silence at the end... and knowing the clock is about to strike midnight.

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

www.thewatchcartoononline.tv/anime/muppet-babies

[@BloomInTune]

That was probably the most heartbreaking cliffhanger I've seen. We know what happens in the end, but with all this well-written story and buildup, I know the next Jim Henson episode will probably make a lot of people sad by the end.

[@mattperiolat]

Robert Ruth I know. I lived through the loss of Jim first hand and it still pains me to the core. Having to go through that pain again is... beyond words. But also helpful because we know we had something so precious that we cry decades after he is gone.

[@BloomInTune]

@@mattperiolat I may not have been alive at that point, but the presentation of this miniseries gives me a sense of how much he meant to entertainment and - hopefully by the end of it - how big the loss was to everyone.

[@pokepress]

Henson is the first celebrity death I remember growing up.

[@guyvanarsdall7686]

I knew it was coming, but dang if I didn't get a lump in my throat when Kevin said Henson had passed away. This retrospective really makes you appreciate his work and makes you wonder what else could have been. We lost Jim too soon.

[@natapy]

Muuuuppet Baaaabies, they'll make our dreams come truuuuuue. Nanny! The closet clips! It was great!

[@CantonGirl1981]

So much nostalgia. Still the most adorable cartoon ever.

[@j1ncx]

labyrinth is a movie that i’ve watched over and over again. It was the movie that got stuck on whilst I was sick. Both it and the dark crystals dark fantasy look of the puppets has had an everlasting impact on my style. Its rlly heartbreaking how Jim Henson will never see what a classic it is considered today

[@nromk]

how could the labyrinth not be a smash hit at first, I loved it when our neighbor/babysitter rented the movie from the library, like I was mind blown when I saw it and I loved it!

[@Hammerhead547]

I think that it boils down to them picking a bad time to release it, christmas movie season of 1986 was filled with some huge potential oscar candidate releases which dominated the box office along with the huge family hit An American Tale (which came out the same day). If they'd waited until the spring/summer of 1987 to release it chances are it would have done way better.

[@Nightman221k]

nromk I first watched it when I was around 6 when it aired on Disney Channel. I never would have ever thought a movie that beautiful and creative would be anything but a success. The only thing that I could see as a point against it is that Sarah is a bit irritating in the first act so it MIGHT be hard for everyone to get into her as the protagonist, but she gets better throughout the film.

[@mollykat1660]

Atleast now our generation accepts it as a cult classic. I love the labrynth. Rip goblin king

[@the-NightStar]

Honestly, I feel like the movie has huge structural problems. It is indeed a feast for the visual senses, and the songs are classic. But the lead actress is petulant, whiny, annoying and extremely hatable, and the movie makes absolutely no coherent sense in any way. It's a pretty looking and pretty sounding fever dream, but it is a massive fever dream with a completely broken story.

[@martineyles]

@@the-NightStar The whole point is that she starts petulant and spoilt, and gradually learns what's important.

[@dastumpyone6110]

*Has a lot of stuff to do at work* *Sees new Jim Henson Defunctland* Clear my schedule

[@KidSnivy69]

Smart move 👍

[@molotera8789]

callout comment

[@abbyfrie7558]

This Jim Henson series is unbelievably great and I can't wait for every episode

[@wateroflife33]

I personally think the muppets family Christmas is hands down one of the best muppet productions. When I first discovered In Christmas 2022 and I watched it nearly every day and I honestly love it so much

[@dylanlewis5113]

My parents used the Wedding song from "Muppets Take Manhattan" in their wedding video in 1994.

[@hawkeyesniper45]

Can we talk a minute to appreciate the intro music for the Jim Henson videos? It's awesome.

[@JMXico]

"This might sound....familiar" I lost it at that part, i never knew!

[@the.jenn.abides]

Freakin' love Labyrinth. I can literally quote that movie from beginning to end. And Muppet Babies was the best when I was growing up!

[@ElvenRaptor]

I don't understand why people took a pass on "Labyrinth" back in the day. I mean, they EVENTUALLY grew to love it.

[@georgej2374]

The line that sticks out most from that movie for me is "WHOAH NELLY!"

[@KizulEmeraldfire]

You remind me of the babe…

[@LON009]

Now that you mention The Storyteller, to this day, many people from my country (Peru) most remember John Hurt from it. I recall, while watching the first Harry Potter, someone saying out loud in the movie theater: Hey! That's the Storyteller!

[@mikegleeson8733]

I know I’m a couple years late, but I have to thank Defunctland for going into such detail on Jim Henson’s career throughout these videos. I grew up with all of these shows and movies and these videos have had a profound emotional effect on me, much more than your typical nostalgia. Amazing work!

[@sdshadrick]

I love the muppets so much, and it's great to learn their history. I had no idea the labyrinth was considered a flop, poor Jim. That is such a beloved classic now.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

If Jim Henson didn't use NordVPN, Muppet Babies wouldn't be a thing

[@KairuHakubi]

Not sure what that joke means. in any case, protection is usually what you use to AVOID babies being a thing

[@wdwfanatic1394]

Greg Cubans in the US aren’t communists. In 2016, they voted for Trump in Miami. Just saying

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Greg No I’m not, I used to be liberal. Not anymore. My views have changed. Steven Crowder and Ben Shapiro enlightened me. I’m Republican now and plan on voting Trump next year. Greg, lets board the Trump train together. Four more years! Together, we’ll keep America great

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Jayfive276 Is that language really necessary? Dude a meme is a meme and I like memes. No need for calling me that because I’m not one. I know we have our differences, and there are things we have disagreed on in the past. But now, let’s just make peace, let it go, and look towards the future

[@wdwfanatic1394]

Jayfive276 Triggered over memes? Bruh you need to calm down. Ever heard of letting go of the past?

[@fionasfirereiki]

'this might sound... FAMILIAR' wow I had no idea toy story ripped of Jim Henson that's so upsetting

[@apigeon4192]

Well, Jim was likely inspired by the Velveteen Rabbit, so swings and roundabouts...

[@F0nzi]

This video is trending and I'm so happy. You create some of the most interesting and informative content I've seen in regards to amusement parks and TV shows. I hope you keep doing amazing content and that this boosts your subscribers.

[@finalflash1359]

There’s something beautiful and wholesome about Jim wanting to immortalize his work

[@notsusan]

I don't think I can describe just how old I feel hearing you have to explain Saturday Morning Cartoons. Muppet Babies was one of the best, though. There were basically Hanna Barbera rehashes of older cartoons, Muppet Babies, and bizarre celebrity joints like John Candy running a summer camp, Rick Moranis teaching at a monster school, Bo Jackson/Michael Jordan/Wayne Gretzky fighting crime together, MC Hammer fighting crime (I think? I just remember the song), Kid n' Play... doing... I have no idea anymore so I'm gonna guess they probably fought crime. There was also the Super Mario Bros. cartoon that I thought was good at the time. I still remember Princess Toadstool's Milli Vanilli fangirl adventure episode. Now that so many of those old shows pop up online, I've come to the conclusion Muppet Babies was one of the only watchable series. I guess that and the live-action science shows like Beakman's World and Bill Nye the Science Guy.

[@VorpalDerringer]

Have you ever seen Gargoyles? Or maybe Exo-Squad or Seven Cities of Gold?

[@blazerocker1734]

There will never be another 1980s. The anticipation for new episodes of your favorite shows is a feeling that I don't think kids these days will really understand. We didn't have entertainment at our fingertips back then. We had to wait for what we loved and when we got those new episodes the feeling was awesome. We were incredibly limited in what we could get but what we got was usually so good that it would survive the test of time, or at least its legacy would.

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

I remember when the last Saturday Morning Cartoon block aired on network TV. It had no tribute, no look back, NOTHING. In fact you wouldn't have known this was the end until the next Saturday where I woke up ready to watch reruns of kids shows and edited animu to relive being 8 again only to find a staple of my childhood was gone T_T

[@iHeartsNostalgiaPit]

what are you seriously saying that a Bo Jackson/Michael Jordan/Wayne Gretzky animated series existed?! I believe the Hammer vehicle was called....well... Hammerman

[@LL-bl8hd]

It's true, although I have good memories of hanging out watching Saturday morning cartoons, most of them were crap. The Garfield show was decent. The Sonic the Hedgehog series was pretty good too. And like you said, some of the live action stuff (Pee-Wee's Playhouse was always classic). The after-school hours ended up having better shows than Saturday morning, with the Disney Afternoon stuff. Despite the nostalgia, I have to admit that kids today have it so much better with stuff like Gravity Falls and Legend of Korra, which are better than most adult shows were in the 80s!

[@daviddeltoro1808]

You ever consider chronicling George Lucas and the original trilogy starting from a near disasterous mega hit to the gargantuan mega Disney owned franchise it is today?

[@baconfootball3995]

Awesome idea

[@CMWaters]

While getting Kevin's view on it would be great, if you want to hear that story from another point of view look up SFDebris. He did a few videos chronicling the journey through the three originals as well as what led to the prequels being made.

[@psychokinrazalon]

David del Toro Not so gargantuan anymore considering it’s failing.

[@soupsnakes5250]

The thing is, there are already literally hundreds of star wars documentaries

[@soupsnakes5250]

@@psychokinrazalon 4 movies pulling in four and a half billion dollars collectively? Yeah things look real bad lol

[@stephenholloway6893]

Frank didn't originally voice Scooby. That was Don Messick. Though he did voice Fred since 1969.

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

Yes, I caught that too. Frank Welker only started voicing Scooby Doo in 2002 with the series What's New Scooby Doo. The casting people on Muppet Babies did a great job by casting Frank Welker as Baby Kermit. I swear Frank Welker was a cast member of almost every cartoon I watched growing and even now. Also the rest of the cast was really amazing as well. I did not even know until this year that Baby Gonzo, was voiced by a woman.

[@MuppetCore]

Yep. And Jim and Jane legally separated in 1986, not ‘83. But slight errors aside, this was still boss.

[@stephenholloway6893]

True the video was still great. However the corrections should still be brought up to avoid confusion.

[@kennysdirtyhoodie3459]

I find it hilarious that back then labyrinth was considered a flop because I LOVED that movie as a kid. My grandma had the DVD I’d watch it all the time. It’s a beautiful movie

[@troodon1096]

Considering how well it's thought of now, it was honestly a surprise to me that Labyrinth wasn't well liked at the time it came out.