Jim Henson and The Muppets Visit The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - 03/18/1975

[@nateputerbaugh5709]

As admired as Jim Henson is, I still feel like he doesn't get the credit he deserves for being such a comedic genius

[@sandrafucci8693]

Ya the man is funny

[@rhapsodyinglue8758]

Agreed

[@robertzeurunkl8401]

Yeah... He improvised ALL those question responses.

[@Koffieleuter]

Amen to that!

[@MrTonyd1954]

2 comedic geniuses that will never be replaced

[@punch6832]

Henson is RIGHT THERE and you’re still glued to the muppets. Amazing.

[@GuitarSlayer136]

You and the camera lol

[@braydenfletcher8159]

He doesnt even need to pretend to be a ventriloquist with no mouth movements. You can see Jim's mouth moving but I can't convince myself that Kermit isnt talking

[@sp10sn]

Carson said it himself, how captivating it was to be there with Henson and his imagination.

[@ogvamp2]

He’s purposefully not looking at Henson.

[@larrybrennan1463]

Edgar Bergen was a success on radio with Charlie McCarthy. During one rehearsal, the sound man noticed a drop on Charlie's lines. He finally realized the man on the boom mike was new, and was moving it to Charlie when he "spoke"!

[@finkaiser3994]

What a genius Henson was... the world misses him dearly.

[@kmn9181]

He was a pure genious How happy he made so many people all over the world unreal

[@kmn9181]

Jim Henson sense of humor Is so evident here He is the adult humor behind children humor that we all have

[@anitastodolak9882]

@@kmn9181 He was a MASTER OF HIS CRAFT! I LITERALLY SOBBED WHEN HE DIED! Thankfully we have his ENORMOUS BODY OF WORK TO REMEMBER HIM BY! MAY HE REST IN PEACE. MEGA MUPPET/SESAME STREET FAN HERE

[@truejaneysue8269]

So very much!

[@jamesdewey3259]

Jim and Frank brought the Muppets and all the puppets to life. Sill watch the Muppet show to this day.

[@kobwmoose]

The scrunched up face Kermit does never gets old. It always makes me giggle for some reason.

[@jackwatson3944]

He never made me laugh I hate the little frog.

[@Hypercannon77]

I know exactly what you mean man

[@Hypercannon77]

@@jackwatson3944 then why would you waste your time watching this video, then commenting on it?

[@jackwatson3944]

@@Hypercannon77 I like watching old Carson clips that's why this was in my recommended and I've never seen the other bloke before... Don't get annoyed cos I don't like Kermit the frog, chill out.

[@Hypercannon77]

@@jackwatson3944No one disses Kermit the frog and gets away with it, no excuses! Lol

[@Abelhawk]

Jim wasn't even trying to ventriloquize while acting as the muppets, and the muppets still stole all the attention! Truly amazing amount of puppetry talent in that man.

[@petermgruhn]

I watched for that a bit and I think he was some. Not trying to be the perfect contorted face of the ghastly professionals but, at least at times, trying for a good deal of stillness. There was one short frog quip that I noticed he didn't move a bit. But I think the more important part of "ventriloquize" that he didn't do was be a ventriloquist act. Those are such crap. He had a very different take on who... what the participants are what they were there for. Even Bergen did a ventriloquist act. Henson was just out there with his friends/co-workers doing an interview show.

[@FredPlanatia]

he was quick with the wit, and the expressiveness of the muppets takes everyone in. They just start talking to the muppet as if it was alive.

[@kiwibeca]

He wasn't a ventriloquist. He was a puppeteer. 🙂

[@Abelhawk]

Exactly my point. Even without being one, he shifted focus off of his own voice and onto the muppet with incredible skill.

[@emirlsanchos6302]

Jim's always been comfortable with the fact that he doesn't hide his moving lips. Whenever he breaks out one of his Muppet characters and speaks through them, the audience automatically diverts their attention away from Jim and to the character. It's how it always is with puppeteers.

[@JiM-SWEET-art]

I luv how Jim keeps the puppet alive as he talks and the puppet appears to be listening.

[@elonmust7470]

yeah he was a talent not mached.

[@rolandhersan2420]

Ventriloquist skilled...

[@92jwiener]

That's some flawless multitasking.

[@KairuHakubi]

And yet he doesn't find it necessary to talk TO them because cmon.. that's just masturbatory. I mean Shari Lewis does that, and she works it. But Jim knows people aren't that into him compared to his characters.

[@Painted_Owl]

And gets offended at that 🤣🤣🤣 I love how everything was in full character

[@zciliyafilms5508]

"Catastrophe music" needs to be a recognized genre.

[@warriormaiden9829]

YES. 🤣

[@blah7983]

Any song made in 2020

[@crimesforkibble6912]

It is they call it death metal

[@devixszell]

That’s the kind of music I make !

[@brockpifer9929]

It describes the music so far this year 2021 because every song I heard made this year hasn’t been fantastic

[@goober_uno]

“I’ve got a person in my throat” is such an underrated line.

[@bcj842]

It’s real big with all the frogs out there.

[@official_nick_knight]

A frog puppet operated by a human, saying he has "a person in his throat" is clever AF👌

[@gspendlove]

It reminds me of that old joke where two flies are standing around and one of them says to the other "Hey, your man's undone."

[@srldwg]

@@gspendlove 🤣

[@petermgruhn]

It's such a telegraphed line.

[@jdraven0890]

I love how Jim can't stop from animating the character, even when he's answering a question

[@petermgruhn]

And/or is good enough to know not to stop; and to pull it off.

[@GudieveNing]

Indeed! Genius timing and multitasking.

[@kevinnelson66]

I've heard all the Muppeteers are like that with their alter egos.

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

Its important for making the character feel present You have to make it act like a Independent person, or else people will just think of the puppet as a puppet and thus not be as interested

[@proantagonist5042]

He’ had a gift

[@leokimvideo]

Class act, the Muppet is on his hand and there's complete separation.

[@JenXOfficialEDM]

How did he operate both arm rods plus the mouth? I was looking all around for a good hiding space for a righthander. Then I saw Jim holding working both arm rods. That is, when my eyes were off Dr Teeth. :)

[@souhailla10]

yes its acatly how you say it .. you looking the show like you are see two persons sitting there... its also because how they "interact" with eachother .. its ust brilliant

[@frankgolbeck]

The camera does add to the completion of the suspension of disbelief… makes me wonder if this was live shot and edited or not. Does anyone know?

[@hongkongfueynz3071]

It’s like most forms of art, it’s a way of expressing something in ourselves, that we don’t usually feel comfortable doing in ‘real life’

[@Bananaboat.]

Hi leo!

[@A_random_NPC]

Henson has the power to make a grown man feel like a kid again

[@souhailla10]

yes haha ... i bet if you are setting next to him ... you (including myself) like to talk to kermit hahhaa .. true

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

Jim's voice, naturally, is about 95% Kermit, which I always love.

[@fargeeks]

No its 95 percent Ernie

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@fargeeks Well, Jim is about 47 percent Ernie and 49 percent Kermit, leaving 4 percent as the real Jim!

[@dylangatenby9928]

Kermit has alot of personality.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@dylangatenby9928 - and, as he famously said, "It ain't easy being green." I think it would've been cool to have him discuss it with Shrek, though. Fortune passes everywhere.

[@ghostcityshelton9378]

@Nickhead87 Something about a Fireman or something, I didn't pay attention to it.

[@rowane965]

I love the changes in Kermit's facial expression caused only by a subtle change in the positioning of Henson's hand. Such an attention to detail and nuance, so talented

[@FreihEitner]

There's a reason that the original non-CGI Yoda was such a believable on-screen character. Henson's handy-work again.

[@larniieplayz6285]

FreihEitner cgi Yoda is pretty good as well

[@alanr4447a]

@@FreihEitner Frank Oz, actually, Henson's co-Muppeteer, but same principle.

[@cesarfernandes2918]

rowan e I honestly wanna learn how he does that once I get a Kermit puppet!

[@wuffalo]

Its fucking hilarious when he shifts his head like that lmao

[@elijahparker9952]

So impressive that Jim Henson can talk regularly, but also change his voice and animate so smoothly that the people he’s talking to look away from him to the puppet and treat it like it’s real 😂

[@signalenergie]

Jim was fucking genius.

[@GoofRebelMusic]

I still feel like Henson's death was one of the most tragic from a 'the art we never got to see' standpoint. So brilliantly creative. One of my favorite things is just the transition landscape shots in The Dark Crystal, with trees walking around and everything looking so weird, fantastic, cool as hell, and beautiful. I feel so much affection for his work.

[@beckyboo1433]

Yes the dark crystal was ahead of it's time. The musical score was amazing too

[@KH-nt7ej]

I absolutely was scared and mesmerized by the Dark Crystal all at the same time. Never got to see the prequel on Netflix though.

[@codechasr1]

I was driving to work when I heard he'd died. I bawled my eyes out, knowing the brilliance we had lost that day.

[@xh0rsex]

His death was also needless. He was a faith healer and waited to long before getting medical help. Died from pneumonia. What a waste.

[@draconusfrigidus]

Just to further compound what we missed on with his passing: - He was quite keen on joining or at least collaborating with Pixar. Just think on what that could've produced. - Disney was in talks to have him be the new 'Walt Disney', as in the creative face of the company who would be their public icon and spokesperson to the world. Again just think of what that would've been like.

[@Adam-dv2je]

"I got a person in my throat." Oh my gosh i died laughing

[@karllee2593]

Found the frog.

[@avnertishby]

Yep that was the best part!

[@andreasandremyrvold]

And the comeback: "It´s a frog joke" OMG, keeping the illusion.

[@narmale]

man that was visable a mile away xD it was still funny ^.^

[@robinlavois4483]

100% very funny

[@Zerodghjj]

I know Kermit is just a muppet and not a living thing. But by God he's more alive and real than most people.

[@alerey4363]

I think that good puppeteers are kinda squizophrenic people in the way they REALLY act like 2 different persons: themselves and their puppets; just by watching these appearences when some interviewer talks to them BOTH and how naturally each one of them answers wisely, funny and independently from each other even though one is just the hand of the other; see how Kermit STEALS the camera and Carson is talking directly to the frog instead of looking at Henson; amazing!

[@Balthazar2242]

More alive and real than most people?

[@Laceykat66]

The Muppets Guest Hosted the Tonight show once and it was fantastic. Seeing Kermit at the desk talking with Ed was incredible.

[@UndeadCollector]

@@Balthazar2242 some ppl fake there true expressions to make something up. It's a thing that works for ppl watching. (Like reaction videos if ppl start to scream or laught more then they would normaly do. (if at all) Like they "have to" show a reactions, as just let the true reaction happen. If you play a puppet, you know there expessions, because it's a "made up" characteristic, but because it's a puppet, you don't think about over reacting or something. But the same happen to actuall ppl, and this make them more acting like a puppet as a human. Reacting in a way they would not do, if they private (if that's makes sence. sry, english is not my native language)

[@SocialistDistancing]

@@Balthazar2242 because most people are fake.

[@Bobsheaux]

I love his bewilderment at actually talking TO Kermit. Mr. Henson has stated on other interviews that he isn't a ventriloquist, and it shows that he never NEEDED to be one since everyone just naturally believes that Kermit is real, even when Henson himself is operating him in plain sight. You truly were something else, Mr. Henson. We all still miss you. 😢

[@cloroxbleachtm9638]

Yooo. ITS BOBSHEAX. WHAT'S GOOD, BRO!

[@amazingsupergirl7125]

Bobsheaux Ur SO right. He seems real and to look at him he’s a very basic puppet. Nothing fancy but Henson had such talent even grown adults are mesmerized by Kermit and the others too

[@abelincoln5698]

he didn't need to be a ventriloquist , because he wasn't usually seen at all

[@deletedwaffles]

I think had Kermit just used Jim's regular voice it would be a lot more distracting to differentiate from them.

[@Jonathanest90s]

Henson was such a brilliant man.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Watching this, you almost want to believe that the puppets are real, sentient beings - and it seems like they are!

[@CaelAnim8ter]

In my mind they really are. Always have been

[@d.garcia3664]

They really do apprear sentient, even when Jim is focused on the conversation with Johnny, Dr. Teeth continues to look around listen to the conversation and nods in agreement / acknowledgement. He is for all intents and purposes, part of the conversation.

[@MajinGatomon]

Well, they kinda are. Maybe some kind of hidden personality. Like a role some people play. It is a long forgotten art of using someone elses imagination in sync with yours...

[@thegadflygang5381]

They could master CGI all they want but nothing can come close to what a guys like Jim Henson and Frank Oz could do with a puppet. You know they arent real but you cant help but forget and next thing you know your talking to a frog and a pig lost in a humorous conversation

[@krazycatz]

Muppets are real sentient beings on this planet. Humans are the fake creatures here. 🤣😂🤣😂

[@maggies88]

I've never seen Jim Henson on a talk show before. He is so fantastically talented.

[@kevinnelson66]

There's a clip of Jim on The Arsenio Hall Show with Rowlf the dog and Kermit. I believe that interview was taped shortly before Jim passed away.

[@WalkerRileyMC]

Johnny is talking to the Muppets, not Jim. Look at this line of sight. Hell, did you notice Jim's not even pretending to try and hide that he's the one talking and not Kermit? No, because you weren't paying attention to him unless he was the one talking.

[@elless4004]

exactly, because Jim was THE marionettist!!

[@daveolson6001]

I saw Henson in another interview show along with Kermit; he admitted that he didn’t even try to be a ventriloquist. He also said he didn’t have to, because when the muppet was talking, no one was paying attention to him anyway.

[@shanematheson6720]

This was a also the case with the kids on Sesame Street. Even though the human was often fully visible to them, they never took their attention off the Muppet

[@amikeller9485]

He spent most of the time under a table doing the voices, he was not nor claimed to be a ventriloquist

[@clarkkane6021]

Nigga what

[@elizabethmunn9403]

This post made my day. I'm 82 years old and this clip alone makes me feel young again. Miss old yesterdays and all the joy back then. And the people who provided it.

[@AstrosElectronicsLab]

82 years young!

[@SheriSoltes]

Merry Christmas, Elizabeth!

[@route6295]

Yeah...

[@luisenrique.smertin]

God Bless you, Elizabeth ✨🤍✨

[@elizabethmunn9403]

@@luisenrique.smertin Thank you Mr. Enrique. I believe with God's grace we will see better days. Bless you and yours.

[@billyeveryteen7328]

Even when Jim is just talking and answering questions as himself, his puppeteering hand still makes Kermit and Dr. Teeth react and have normal fidgety body language. That man was a treasure.

[@ricsouza5011]

peak multitasking artistry

[@Rupert14]

This is a rare example of pure unadulterated genius in action. Jim Henson is SO underrated as a seminal 20th century revolutionary, simply because NO ONE did what he did, and was an influence on literally all of us growing up. Did he ever get a Kennedy Honor or a (now meaningless) presidential medal? No? Shame on all of us.

[@taylormanway3251]

Sesame Street did recently.

[@jenniferrogers2492]

I think that before Henson’s untimely death, everyone thought that there would be plenty of time for honors.

[@Auntee-Sara]

Perhaps you create an online campaign to give Jim a posthumous Kennedy Award. I can see a super show put on by the cast of SS and a relative of Jim's accepting the award on his behalf. I'm old with worsening health and can't take on projets anymore but I can sign a petition. 🐸🐷

[@MaryjaneLove]

&& this information is not valid at alll . . Jim henson was never unrated at alll NEVERRRRRRRRR . . They gave this man his own show where he can do what he wanted to do . &&& He followed God's orders which was to making learning fun for kids. Make it so exciting and very educational so the kids come back the next day with more friends to be entertained for the one hour every day which was a blessing for some kids especially the ones who grew up in low proverty areas with drugs addicts parents and love ones especially inn the black communities so Jim Henson was a wonderful blessing to black kids especially back inn the 80s because we all know black kids at that time and still to this did not attend nice clean school was good educational resources To help them grow and prosper black kids has never received back then and now it's low-key a shame how seasme street has changed since the 2000s it's so Latin now . .everything is so Spanish on seasme street which nothing is wrong with your kid learning another language which is a career wise blessing it really is but damn can we see some black faces . . It's all Latin and white .. back in the 70s it's mostly black kids uu seen on seasme street when it to the word of the day and the number of the day . . Just different skits uuu seem it was inlvoing black kids we don't see it no more . .&&& It's a shame to say Jim Henson was unrated ..he did what other white folks wouldn't do . .. Jim was goat periodddd . .

[@fishdude2954]

Major props to Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, as they created Sesame Street itself and called in Henson to make special Muppets for the cast since they held children's attention well

[@parrotbeaksunday]

Jim was one of the most creatively brilliant human beings. His contribution to history cannot be understated. To think what else he would have accomplished had he had more time. His was a prolific, and incredible mind.

[@turbles4017]

“I work on Sesame Street, you don’t ask Captain Kangaroo how’s his sex life?” Is probably the funniest thing I ever heard Kermit say

[@ENiceGeo]

And Johnny Carson knew to drop it after that, unlike Arsenio Hall who was fixated on pushing the question during his interview with Mr.Henson and Kermit.

[@tekvax01]

Jim was so very quick on his feet!! He had Carson, eating out of his hand! Wonderful clip!

[@TotalTuxedo]

Like Carson said "I'm talking to a frog". When I was watching this I didn't even realize it myself. Their interaction was just so natural. Jim was simply brilliant.

[@azizdogan1572]

He said "dumb frog" and see how he reacts to that? So fast, so well said. Talking to pyppeteers who might be offended by that.

[@MarshalGrover]

"Head of my fan club is an angora sweater" - brilliant line

[@andrewball1898]

I dig the fuzz...

[@MarshalGrover]

@Mr_Meanie "Angora" is a type of wool, ya know the thing sweater can be made from. "Nangora" is not even a word. Maybe don't condescend when you don't have your facts straight.

[@MarshalGrover]

@Mr_Meanie "Nangora" isn't a word, it isn't a name, that's not the joke.

[@xaenon]

@Mr_Meanie Damn. I'm from Dubuque. Never met Nangora Sweater.

[@xaenon]

@Mr_Meanie I think you misunderstood the joke...

[@stevenA44]

I was cracking up while Kermit was "reacting" to Jim's poking and prodding. Kermit is my all time favorite Muppet. I remember years and years ago, I would watch the Muppet show about 4 times in about 4 hours because it was on different different channels at different times. I was around 19 at the time too. LOL I love the Muppets.

[@rickgehring7507]

The Talent Jim had was amazing, to be able to pull that off , you know it's a puppet but yet he (Henson) could make you suspend belief and forget that Kermit is only fabric and Ping Pong Balls...

[@spartandud3]

What amazes me is how he's able to control the arm rods so casually.

[@EBGBeee]

Completely. He doesn't need to look - he just *knows* what's happening.

[@AlexTheOilersFan]

Kermit’s face when Jim says they still use ping-pong balls is what gets me. He’s like “WHAT!?”

[@larniieplayz6285]

Yeah

[@Eowyn3Pride]

Kermit's like, "How rude! I'm right here!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@mescko]

Kermit's self-awareness breaks Johnny up here (and me). Kermit's looking around like "What's this guy doing to me?" :D

[@htmlman1]

It's really crazy because you can tell Jim already had that bit planned out a couple sentences in advance

[@xMrsmileyfacex]

It not very often when you meet an actual genius. Jim Henson was the embodiment of 1 in a million genius.

[@eagleeye2300]

So true.

[@johnduckworth3866]

I thought what a show it could have been had he lived to meet today's popular ventriloquists. I would love to see a Dr Tooth/Peanut dialogue exchange. Peanut might look at jeff and ask "Is he my father?"

[@anitastodolak9882]

Amen! ABSOLUTELY 100% RIGHT! NOTHING ELSE NEEDS TO BE SAID!

[@BobrLovr]

people really need to stop tossing that word around for anyone they like

[@murraymall5116]

@@BobrLovr . Unless, as is the case with Jim Henson, he happens to be a genius. Dictionary definition: a person who is exceptionally intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect I don't "keep tossing that word around, " but I do use it for those who truly deserve it. I saw The Muppets the first time they were ever on tv. I had never seen anything like that before! It's 2021 & we are still watching The Muppets. I guess, I just have to "toss" the word. The late great Mr Jim Henson was a genius. Period.

[@nightisright1873]

I like that Kermit has bit of attitude he’s much more interesting.

[@dmrogers7713]

That was the great thing about The Muppets while Jim was still alive. He understood that they needed that attitude, they couldn't always be sweet. That is what seems to be missing now.

[@CleverGirlAAH]

​@@dmrogers7713 100% agree. Kermit said sex, right? I wasn't surprised- but it was kinda like "Oh yeah. They were people". That short-lived ABC series they had some of the ole' bite in it.

[@kevin9c1]

I've always assumed most people were miserable in the 70s. Kind of like today.

[@majorevening1695]

It’s just insane to me that Jim Henson MADE these creations with his BARE HANDS. Most people would dream them, or doodle them, he literally created them and gave them a 3D physical presence. Just insane

[@aloysiusdevanderabercrombi470]

It's talent and applied motivation.

[@fishdude2954]

Credit also to people like Faz Fazakas, Bonnie Erickson, and Dave Goelz, as they designed and engineered a lot of the Muppets and are responsible for the way they emote.

[@markwaldron8954]

It's as if Jim created beings rather than mere puppets.

[@kevinnelson66]

By 1975, Jim Henson had set up the Muppet Creature Workshop and hired people to build the Muppets.

[@markschildberg1667]

As good an ad libber as Jim was, when Johnny asked about Kermit’s health, I wished the frog had replied, “Well, I haven’t croaked yet.”

[@enigmagenesis7341]

Now THAT is Henson level humour!😂

[@benkleschinsky]

The Muppets were never the same after Henson passed away.

[@marthadouglas8362]

Ben Kleschinsky

[@jimhanold9026]

Exactly!

[@RayChiTown]

Now we've got wrong sounding muppets!

[@SocialistDistancing]

When Jim passed, the vision passed with him. The Muppets used to be funny and always entertaining. They made learning fun. Now it's lame. I can't even acknowledge it. I watched this and laughed out loud. I see the new sesame street and can't understand what the hell is going on and just change the channel. Yep. A sad day when Jim passed.

[@mevb]

It hasn't been all bad, since Jim's passing. Just look at A Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island and The Muppets movie and those Muppet clips from their KZbin channel. And Muppets from Space wasn't so bad while not the best. Muppets Tonight wasn't as good as The Muppet Show but it was miles better than the new The Muppets. Let's hope they'll recover with help of the upcoming streaming series on Disney +. It's like Statler and Waldorf say "The only way they can go from here is up".

[@mikechicago6200]

Henson was a gift giving to Humanity and his hilarious legacy will never be forgotten!

[@deadeyebyby]

(Agree)[d] Complete(l[y])

[@arianaklassen-glanzer3091]

In the Muppet Movie, Dom DeLoise suggests that if Kermit went into show business he could be making millions of people happy. The way that sentiment affects Kermit is astounding. I feel Jim must have personally been dumbstruck by the idea at some point.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

When Johnny asks Kermit about his love life Henson distorts the puppet's face in just such a way to show consternation and dismay. On literally a puppet with few and immobile features and yet you can see a very precise and delineated emotional response. Henson was a master.

[@arthurkohn7957]

Kermit the frog ,when puppeteered by Jim, exhibited micro-expressions

[@draconusfrigidus]

Fun fact: one thing Henson does not mention about Kermit here is his head and mouth are made with thinner fabric than the rest of his body precisely so he can express subtle emotions. Henson found that doing so allowed his unusually large hands to convey much more varied expressions via minor shifts of his fingers while operating Kermit.

[@MaryjaneLove]

Kermit or Jim unfortunately did not have a love life . . .💔💔💔💔

[@joerider3769]

Obviously before Kermit met Miss Piggy...

[@MaryjaneLove]

@@joerider3769 piggy and Kermit was not in a relationship during this time when he went on the johnny Carson show . .&&&& I personally feel jim henson was living though theses puppets especially Kermit . .

[@tsarbomba1]

Back in the early 90s I worked for an entertainment show. Our movie reviewer went out to interview Jim and Kermit for the latest movie they had coming out. He said 20 seconds into the interview he totally forgot he was interviewing a puppet. That's how good Jim Henson was.

[@kevinnelson66]

Jim Henson passed away in early 1990.

[@tsarbomba1]

@@kevinnelson66 Well to be more precise it was 1987 - 1995 that I worked for the show.

[@TJ_Beam]

To make Johnny laugh like that takes true talent. We miss you Jim Henson…

[@matthewbankey5547]

It’s so rare that the Muppets ate outright acknowledged as puppets, this is a real gem, especially with Jim Henson being there and apparently being good at improvising!

[@RobMacKendrick]

Actually, improvising was/is a big part of being a Muppeteer. They're famous for riffing non-stop between shots.

[@nateputerbaugh5709]

Jason Seigel had to rewrite the entire Muppet's reboot specifically because he referred to them as puppets in the original script

[@themysteriouscatperson9483]

I think after a lot of the original puppeteers were replaced, they didn’t want to steal the spotlight from the original puppeteers, it wouldn’t make too much sense having an interview with kermits new puppeteer, considering how close Kermit was to Jim Henson

[@BlueXenon7]

i wasn't even alive when Jim Henson was and i still miss him

[@Krystalmyth]

That's good to know, I always wondered if later generations could appreciate him the same way... thanks for sharing that.

[@Fidgetthebatpony]

Same I'm glad that even though he's gone we still see his legacy and the amazing things he created such as the Muppets

[@HomicidalRubberducky]

Me too, thank you for sharing, and not making me feel alone!

[@BlueScarabGuy]

I feel that every time I watch an interview with Henson. The fact that he doesn't even attempt to hide his manipulation of the puppet or his lips moving, and yet everyone makes eye contact with the puppet as if it's a real person, because of how much life Henson is infusing into it.

[@tdunph4250]

If you could get Mr Carson to laugh that hysterically then you know you are good. He was definitely no push over and he knew BS when he saw or heard it. Jim Henson was a genius.

[@Qwazier3]

Very hard to upstage a puppet.

[@Qwazier3]

@@tdunph4250 Think about it for a bit. You'll get it.

[@tdunph4250]

@@Qwazier3 thanks Professor. Let me work on it....

[@tdunph4250]

Only a puppet could upstage a puppet LOL

[@Qwazier3]

@@tdunph4250 You so silly. God to see you have a sense of ha ha...( =

[@lopey5035]

One of the greatest souls in history. Unbelievable talent and passion for his craft.

[@debaser38]

Kudos to the director for attempting to keep the illusion alive. Though even when you see them in the medium shot you're still totally transfixed by Jim's talent.

[@cizia69]

What a star!

[@seamusburke639]

Henson himself was so incredible it's taken five or six people to play his characters since his passing.

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

4:50 how jim was just nonchalantly having Kermit react when describing to Carson what he’s made of lol and everyone ate it up

[@umachan9286]

Jim Henson was the definition of a genius. He took a puppet and made it seem like it was alive.

[@kato64]

Brilliant how as Jim Henson was describing to Johnny what Kermit is made of, he still has the presence of mind to keep Kermit ‘alive’, by having him react to what Henson is saying.

[@orochikaiba]

It's incredible when voice actors such as Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog), Sterling Holloway (Winnie The Pooh), Ed Wynne (Mad Hatter), Frank Welker (Fred Jones) will speak in their normal voice and immediately all you hear is the character. Absolutely amazing

[@TheRowlandstone73]

I know he did tons of voices, but when I see the name Frank Welker, the character I first think of is 'Uni' from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon.

[@promontorium]

1:15 "Dig that fuzz." Audience member: gets it. Johnny: loses it.

[@gustercc]

I lost it when he said that. LoL

[@laslo0728]

I honestly don’t get it

[@promontorium]

@@laslo0728 Pubic hair

[@KennyG_420]

I don’t get that joke?

[@Krystalmyth]

@@KennyG_420 You serious? *"You get a lot of chicks now? Lot of groupies?"* *"Well, you know, being a puppet, it's kind of different.... Head of my fan club is an angora sweater...* *Comes out of Debuke, Iowa... she's really fuzzy though -- oh yeah.... oh yeah....* *_--- dig that fuzz. ;)"_* (If you don't get the joke now, I'm sorry, but try to think of associations between fuzz and chicks and why would someone 'dig it' even though it's an angora sweater... this is what makes it hilarious. He snuck in a sex joke into something completely harmless, and only adults really would grasp it. A muppet basically said he likes girls that got some bush, without having to say anything of the sort. Man is a genius. )

[@dang1861]

I never missed the Muppets when they were on. A Saturday night staple like Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday

[@Rob_Kates]

We would watch The Muppets and Hee Haw on Saturday nights.

[@dang1861]

@@Rob_Kates yeah Hee Haw for sure but I also remember watching Love Boat and Fantasy Island on Saturday nights as well

[@wendyflatt39]

Must be a Gen Xer...because that was my childhood too!

[@wendyflatt39]

Don't forget Wild Kingdom with Marlin Perkins

[@dang1861]

@@wendyflatt39 Sure enough! It was on the half hour before Wonderful World of Disney

[@Goinmach8]

The fact that he was able to make a puppet seem so real

[@drinaldi2000]

I don't know how my inner child feels about Kermit uttering the word "sex-life."

[@avinotion]

Then don't search "Kermit reacts to 2 girls 1 cup"

[@lemmythebulldog8812]

avinotion *Kermit watching 2 girls 1 cup* Kermit: I think I’m gonna-I-I’m gonna croak

[@samanthamaynard4447]

One of the two Muppet Show pilots was called Sex and Violence.

[@rvpstudioscanada3991]

LOL! Me too.

[@rvpstudioscanada3991]

@@avinotion Okay.. now I'm just going to do that.

[@JoeyJoJoJoestarJuniorShabadoo]

Kermit really was a troubled soul off stage.

[@thegameshowguy1]

Miss all of them. Ed, Diann, Jim, and Johnny. Can't believe they're all gone. Doc is the only one left.

[@caitlinjane92]

Don't forget Caroll Spinney who played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

[@JazTrance]

Dan Rowan is gone too; he passed away in 1987. He was one half of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, a ground breaking show back then. They didn't show it but Johnny said Dan was coming out after the commercial.

[@davegreenlaw5654]

Back in a time when they knew their job was to entertain and relax you at the end of a stressful day, *not* force their political beliefs on you like they were gospel...like today's crop (or should that be 'crap'?) of 'hosts'.

[@henntendo]

The fact that this clip is close to 50 Years old, and still looks so modern is amazing… RIP Jim Henson.

[@mikeduvall9374]

Jim Henson makes me smile AND cry.

[@iambencoleman]

The genius of this is that even though you can see Jim talking as he's working the puppet, you still believe Dr. Teeth and Kermit are real, because there's so much character in them. Kermit's reactions when Jim is describing how he's made are brilliant!

[@Oshawatt]

It’s amazing how he’d been doing it for so long that he could tell Johnny what Kermit was made of and still have Kermit react accordingly without even looking

[@samgod]

Jim Henson, Frank Oz and Fred Rogers touched our hearts and made millions of inner children immortal.

[@Flamingotree74]

Jim had Kermit for so long then. You could just see his confidence in being Kermit compared to Dr. Teeth. Absolutely love him. It always makes me smile being able to see anything muppet related

[@Odawg96]

Well, the belief was always that Kermit was Henson’s alter-ego. Not sure if that was the case, although I’m inclined to believe it.

[@randomhero2480]

Jim was amazing. Truly. His art was so deep, so many layers. Love all of his work.

[@RossStern]

This is so weird hearing Kermit talk about the muppet show before he was made the host

[@mevb]

Yeah, he wasn't planned to be the host but Nigel the conducter. Kermit only had a cameo in the pilot dancing with a woman in At the Dance, saying to her "I could get you a job for an educational show for kids", referring to Sesame Street.

[@freddyrichards878]

@@mevb Yeah what a lousy line that was for him

[@larniieplayz6285]

Freddy Richards ..

[@danacoleman4007]

I had no idea that was the case

[@RossStern]

@@danacoleman4007 yeah watch the pilot episode titled "Sex and Violence"

[@crazycappy01]

I applaud Jim Henson's kids for continuing their father's legacy with The Muppets, but it's just not the same. Most of the Muppeteers that we've grown up with have either retired or passed on. The most recent Muppeteer that passed away very recently was Carroll Spinney who played both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame street.

[@Anth230]

It is what it is. Current Muppet stuff is still creative and enjoyable. ..

[@crazycappy01]

@@Anth230 True. But the way I see it, the Muppets are like the Peanuts characters by Charles Schultz. The Peanuts characters i.e. Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, Peppermint Pattie, etc. were a part of Charles Schultz. The Muppets were a part of Jim Henson. Yes other Muppeteers performed the characters, but it was Jim Henson's brilliance who created these Muppet characters.

[@dolphingurls8204]

😭 there goes my childhood

[@Anth230]

@@dolphingurls8204 No it was gone a long time ago i think ....😂

[@dolphingurls8204]

@@Anth230 your right! Definitely💔

[@robertpamler5372]

Jim Henson a true genius also made people smile. R I P Jim Henson!

[@banjomechanic]

This interview totally made my day! What a brilliant man Jim Henson was!

[@buddha5619]

Jim Henson is a Genius. He really makes his Characters feel like they are alive and charming beings. Rest In Peace Jim. Thank you for the wonderful memories.

[@ludo3375]

It's crazy how Henson makes the puppet just come alive like that. Like Carson even catches himself talking to it lmfao. The talent that some people develop is almost magical

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Love this. Takes me back to my childhood

[@YodaBannon]

Jim Henson was a master entertainer. He made the world a happier place. 😊

[@goldenera4ever]

Thank you, Jim Henson, for being a part of my childhood. As for Johnny, he's the greatest. Such an infectious laugh. RIP to two great entertainers.

[@dianapengitore8002]

Jim Henson's Muppets are so real, compared to other puppets. Their expressions and movements are priceless! 🤣👍

[@andrewkful]

Kermit had two rows of collar spikes back then.

[@icemancometh8679]

It's funny, I have a Kermit the Frog topiary in my front flower bed - just for fun - further out in the yard there's a full size giraffe. So, my Kermit is complete except for his collar, I don't know what to use as material. Any ideas? At first I thought of an aluminum can cut up. My giraffe has a macrame plant hanger rope tail. LOL. ( after typing all this my mind went right to what Johnny said at the end)

[@icemancometh8679]

@@enelmench3098 Now now, don't rush things got plenty of time to think about it LOL! Actually I found it quite interesting when he said he cut a ping pong ball in half for Kermit's eyes - Mine? White rocks with their signature pupil shape. I killed several phal orchids before I finally got it right so now I have all these clips left over. Kermit is now holding a clip the shape of a dragonfly. I know, I know... the people with white coats and big Nets chase me all the time.

[@icemancometh8679]

I could also mention I have Dino the dinosaur topiary, but I won't, I won't!

[@icemancometh8679]

That's a nice way of saying I'm a space cadet!

[@icemancometh8679]

@@enelmench3098 True, that's what I get for talking to one of those cool people everybody wants to be that lives in California and sports a man bun! I'm lucky he even talks to a commoner. Sire, what a wonderful coach and beautiful white Arabian horses you have, good day my Lord.

[@scottm8579]

Dude was so insanely talented.

[@caitlinjane92]

I was cracking up laughing at 4:51-5:12. I love how even when not speaking as Kermit, Jim would still have Kermit's awareness activated.

[@MrMarcodarko]

the animation is so smooth. Man was a legend

[@CHDean]

This IS one of my all time favorite JC interviews.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

Amazing how Jim isn’t even looking at the Muppets, he is looking at Johnny, but Dr tooth pointed at his tooth while discussing it, etc... completely aware of everything, perfect gesticulation while looking elsewhere.... Prayers for them all, Jim, Johnny, Ed, etc. have brought so many of us so much happiness.....

[@abstractgrant]

Jim is probably watching a monitor, as they typically do.

[@JanetStarChild]

@Rick Sanchez C137 What exactly are your prayers going to do for the deceased? Bring them back to life?

[@elonmust7470]

@@JanetStarChild lol

[@GudrezBilly]

FunkYeah technically there are groups in the Catholic/Christian category that believe in purgatory...

[@JanetStarChild]

@@GudrezBilly I still find it ironic that someone with their icon pic of Rick Sanchez would say something so asinine, considering that religious beliefs are completely dismantled in the Rick & Morty series.

[@KevyNova]

I still cry when I think about Jim Henson but I’ll forever be grateful that I grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Sesame Street, Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock brought so much joy to the world.

[@virtualrealitychannel2276]

The coolest people on the face of the planet are geeks. Most people who think they are cool are merely conformists following trends. If you are truly cool you make a dream real and bring love to the world like Jim Henson did.

[@ruthresetar5940]

Nicely said, and I agree.

[@joshuakirschenbaum417]

Love the comment

[@SoapAcademy]

🎊🥳🎉👍🏻

[@filosofenvacker1226]

Or Adolf.😉

[@queerchoreography54]

David Lynch & Henson are such geeks & you are so right!

[@Princess-Yoda]

Rest in Power Jim Henson and Johnny. I remember shedding some tears when Jim passed away. It's as if I knew that part of the magic from my childhood had just left. What an imaginative genius he was.

[@scaredylamb]

A talented man gone too soon. His "Labyrinth" is one of my favorite fantasy movies that i have watched over and over again.

[@douglasmcfarland9040]

Love how feisty Kermit is here. Something that Steve Whitmire never brought to the character.

[@drrush3421]

Kermit was always a mood 🤦‍♀️

[@brandoncantoran6190]

Whitmire Kermit was more timid and pushover which I don't mind too much tbh. The current actor sounds not great imo

[@KKAkuoku]

Grew up with both variants, so even with the personality differences, I can have either/or. The new guy is still a little hard for me to get used to.

[@Mcrclerk]

I think Steve had some kermit sass he brought emotion,the new guy just sucks

[@FreeSpiritPaulette]

He did towards the beginning and the end, not in the middle. Also In the beginning he sounded far closer to Jim then he did in the mid 2010s. Matt sounds miles away from both though so yea I prefer Steve.

[@glowworm2]

I died when Johnny asked Kermit "How's your love life?"

[@AstrosElectronicsLab]

O_O what?!

[@SoraKirin]

the Captain Kangaroo bit killed me

[@dmelvinable]

Miss Piggy wasn’t a thing yet?

[@Eternaldarkness3166]

Miss Piggy has *Left Chat*

[@LSD-33166]

tadpoles on pink felt

[@AndreCrema97]

I love how he still puppeteers while talking like himself Henson was a gift to this word

[@aevangel1]

R.I.P. Jim Henson. If I had a time machine that could only travel back one time and return, I would head back and get Jim to a hospital.

[@ShelieB]

I wish Jim Henson was still around, what a genius and hilarious! You can make Johnny laugh, you have arrived! RIP Jim and Johnny ❤❤❤❤

[@Shockwave99999]

I love how much Johnny Carson enjoys the puppets. He’s having a blast.

[@mrchopsticks3]

Jim Henson's death was the first time I ever got emotional over a famous person dying.

[@DominantDesires]

Same, mate. Same.

[@mirfir]

Mr. Chopsticks most definitely

[@Springforest2622]

Me too...I was 5

[@rschmidt9495]

Yes same for me, and also Michael Landon which was around the same time.

[@joethomas1775]

I know that I cried that day.

[@stephanieevjen]

Yay! Dr. Teeth's first appearance! Thank you so much for uploading this!

[@doralevitt2879]

A wonderful blast from the past!! It's so amazing how easy it is to get so caught up in the characters, and Jim Henson was such a brilliant mind!! 😄🤗💖🌹🐸

[@mistertwister2000]

It’s absolutely phenomenal, he’s such a good puppeteer that I can see him sitting right there and yet when Kermit speaks I’m paying attention to only Kermit. He truly brought the characters to life in a way almost unmatched

[@nevermind-he8ni]

"I really dig that FUZZ!"........I almost fell out of my chair. 45 years later.....Henson is unmatched. I grew up watching the muppet show. It was the vanguard of tv and rightly so.

[@MarshallWolfMiller]

G: This vid further convinces me that The Muppets are actually real livin’ things compared to most of the world’s puppets. The Muppets are like the performer’s split personalities come to life

[@DMEseter]

This is so creative for back then. He was so gifted

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

For back then? WTF!

[@tdunph4250]

@@Bigbadwhitecracker what's so hard to comprehend??

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

@@tdunph4250 the fact that this was the 80's. Puppets weren't groundbreaking by then. Jim Henson was great, don't get me wrong, but the Muppets were already well known by then

[@tdunph4250]

@@doctorfeinstone6524 well it's quite OBVIOUS that Puppets had been around wayyyyy before Jim Henson but Henson didn't create his Puppets in the 80's. I believe it was late 60's early 70's when he was involved with Sesame street and other things.

[@Gruuvin1]

It's creative for today! Even more so!

[@HermanSays]

One of the greatest pleasures in life is having the opportunity to witness a genius at work.

[@robertphillips6296]

Masterfully Done!

[@dougfarrell7355]

I love the Muppets, man.