Jim Henson and The Muppets | Carson Tonight Show

[@biancatellington85]

Jim Henson dying so young was a national tragedy. He was witty, kind, gentle and funny.

[@Rusty3659]

What made it even more of a tragedy was that Sammy Davis Jr. passed away on the exact same day.

[@jasonnunez6411]

And even more sadder is that modern medicine would have saved his life.

[@nancyking]

@@Rusty3659 May 16, 1990. With Sammy Davis, Jr., though, it was expected because he had throat cancer.

[@dalanmanbros8311]

That "Rag Mop" sequence not only shows the "tricks" of making the show work, but also the sheer joy in the faces of the team bringing the characters alive. What a wonderful career they had, and have.

[@curtismartin2866]

The story goes that one day, a little girl got to meet Kermit. The adult with her, referring to Jim Henson, asked the girl "Do you know who this is?". The girl, not missing a beat said "Sure! He's the man that holds Kermit up while he's working". ❤

[@LadyBloodyGiven]

That's cute and fair and to the point too :D

[@flickcentergaming680]

I mean, she wasn't wrong!

[@martydworkis12345]

What story are you talking about?

[@curtismartin2866]

@@martydworkis12345 the story I told.

[@curtismartin2866]

Thank you. It's a wonderful story.

[@man-bagdammit2297]

Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show was an event every night. You didn’t want to miss it. Jim Henson was also a legend who made a lot of kids and adults very happy.

[@John-Sheena]

I love the behind the scenes clips of The Muppet show because they all look like they love what they're doing, they're having fun and they know what they're doing is bringing such joy, happiness and magic into every person's life

[@haplessasshole9615]

Jim Henson was a five-star genius, and Frank Oz a four-star, only because Henson was the one who created Kermit, and had the idea of doing away with the standard puppet-theater format, and use the TV screen as his proscenium. I've been following the Muppets since the days when Rowlf had a regular spot on *The Jimmy Dean Show* which was broadcast live on the East Coast. Occasionally, Henson would toss in an ad lib that broke Dean up entirely, which was always a hoot, even if I didn't always get the gag (I was six).

[@SusanEllen]

I cried when JH died until my throat and ribs ached. I was an adult but The Muppets had been an important part of my mothering in the early days... I'm glad his son jumped in years later!

[@slodude66]

​@@SusanEllen I can't watch any of the more recent muppets movies. Kermit will always be Jim Henson and Miss Piggy and Fozzie is Frank Oz. The same with Looney Tunes.

[@dominictrujillo3323]

Same here. Everyone can use a little bit of magic in their lives 🪄

[@shaunieinthewrasslin2877]

Man Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Johnny Carson are comedic geniuses, always such a pleasure to see the muppets on Carson, always a home-run

[@karenleemallonee684]

Jim Henson, always makes me teary eyed. Makes me think of being so little & believed in "his" special magic. I still love Sesame Street & the Muppets, I will always hold a special place in my heart for Kermit. Rest in Peace, Jim Henson 🌹

[@tas22222]

omg me too something about Kermit .

[@meijer78]

Jim Henson was a creative genius. It was a sad day when Jim passed away on May 16,1990. Sammy Davis Jr passed away the same day.

[@Ruben-GG]

For a struggling comedian, Fozzie did pretty well considering he got on Carson in one year

[@taurinecat]

Underrated comment.

[@katfishzomby]

Absolutely nailed it to bring out Fozzie Bear. LMAO. that was awesome.

[@jillkjv3816]

1976. The year I graduated high school. Life was far more innocent then than now. A whole family could watch the Muppets together with nothing to worry about.

[@anitadailey1114]

I was babysitting in '74 and 75 and the little girl I babysat would say "Erniebert, Erniebert,"when the show would come on!!!!

[@jillkjv3816]

@@anitadailey1114 Awww how cute. 😊

[@Blondie42]

Seeing how they did it, never ruins it for me. It's fun seeing them work

[@Graphite42]

Frank Oz did a presentation at our college. He brought Grover out and he did discuss what Johnny Carson mentioned about breaking the illusion. But everyone in that tiny theater completely forgot about Frank once Grover started talking. We were all kids again. The illusion of the character coming to life was fascinating to watch in person.

[@martydworkis12345]

When was that?

[@mjoven1975]

Jim Henson was a genius and he created an entire community of unique puppet characters that came into life as the Muppets. Henson had the unique ability to entertain children and adults alike. Johnny Carson clearly admired Jim Henson’s work. Fabulous interview as always from Johnny. R.I.P. Jim Henson, you were taken from this earth too soon when you still had so much more to give. R.I.P. Johnny, you were the best and late night television sorely misses your humor and your uncanny ability to connect with every guest and provide entertaining television no matter who was on the couch next to you.

[@cbass2755]

Adorable!! So darn cute….children love it, and adults too!!

[@jasonschlierman412]

I wasn’t alive just yet when this aired, but it brought a smile to my face. I did grow up a decade later and fondly remember the later years for both Mr. Carson and Mr. Henson. The 70’s and 80’s really were the golden years for the Muppets. I miss those days.

[@muffinman4353]

Long live the Muppet magic of Jim Henson!!!

[@shaider1982]

Johnny Carson seemed to be a kind man that puts the interviewees in a relaxed state.

[@maicey_t.]

Funny how much I can miss a man who died before I was born. Jim Henson was one of a kind. I miss him terribly.

[@logancasey1635]

R.I.P. Johnny Carson Jim Henson

[@davidcoxon4710]

The magic, genius and legend that is and always will be ....Jim Henson. As a kid in the 70's, The Muppet Show with Nan and Dad are some of my fondest memories of being a kid. A total genius who changed puppetry forever

[@newmusicmark]

12:39 showing how they do a Muppet Show sketch. It looks like they are having so much fun!

[@gerry_atric]

The epitome of 2 great segments- classic Carson and Henson 👍

[@ruthwoodin550]

I was so glad when I become a Mom because it gave me a reason to watch Sesame Street & The Muppets Show with my children. The finest quality TV ever!!!

[@Cat-no8ts]

Johnny Carson was a comedic genius. I loved Jim Henson as well. I can't believe this is 1976. It seems so long ago now, but we lost some great entertainers, and these two are definitely amongst the top! The Muppets are fabulous. My son grew up with Sesame Street, and he's 40 years old now. But nonetheless, we still laugh at it! Gosh, I miss those days! TV has never been the same.

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

Freaking love the Swedish Chef, lol

[@tas22222]

Genius !! Jim Henson !! We are so lucky he came along

[@indracaponious]

6 days before I was born, and all these years later I still love this stuff.

[@haplessasshole9615]

I first fell in love with Rowlf when he was on *The Jimmy Dean Show* weekly in the early 60s. As a 5- or 6-year-old, I wasn't keen on *Kukla, Fran, and Ollie* but I liked Shari Lewis's puppets (especially Lamb Chop, of course), but Rowlf knocked me right out. His hands worked! He was alive in a way other puppets weren't. Henson & Co. built on their ideas, and now Henson is properly lauded as the genius he was. Here I am, 60 years later, and I'm still a huge fan, and Rowlf is still my favorite Muppet.

[@OldSoulJer]

@@haplessasshole9615 It’s refreshing to hear that someone remembers watching Rowlf on Jimmy Dean, those segments are among my favorites

[@drumbum3.142]

Jim Henson was, and Is a Genius. .. So Was and Is Johnny Carson.

[@OldSoulJer]

Huge Muppets fan… thanks for uploading all these wonderful clips

[@mikehughes4969]

I remember this from when it first aired. I wasn't quite nine years old and was a huge fan of the muppets. I still watched Sesame Street because I loved them so much. My parents, knowing this, got me out of bed to watch. I guess I'm the opposite of Johnny, because I was completely fascinated with the behind the scenes. I begged my parents to let me watch the rest of the show and they let me. Of course I fell asleep. Now that I think about it, this is probably the first time I fell asleep watching Johnny Carson, I fell asleep watching Johnny Carson more times than I can possibly count.

[@terrytrammell7388]

I always lovedJohnny Carson he always had such great guests.

[@Operation_Lukey]

Crossover we weren’t expecting but enjoyed seeing

[@YakkoWarnerTower]

That's gotta be one of the nicest and welcoming Johnny Carson shows Jim Henson was a good and witty man. 👏

[@alraune7361]

Just great. I am missing such entertainment today!

[@namafarm]

Epic comb over Johnny!!!

[@nancyking]

I loved it when The Muppets hosted The Tonight Show on April 2, 1979 to promote The Muppet Movie. I had heard about that episode for a long time, but didn't find it on KZbin until a few years back. I was 4 years and 4 months old when it originally aired. I also loved the Jim Henson Hour episode where he exposes the secrets of the Muppets; they all went nuts! "Jojo" the terrier was cute, too!

[@kt9166]

Jim and Frank Oz are brilliant together!

[@kadiummusic]

Jim Henson was a genius who brought as much enjoyment and learning to children as Walt Disney. 😎

[@vilstef6988]

Love Fozzie fanboying Johnny!

[@Richard-t2b]

Losing Jim Henson was a national tragedy, Groucho Marx “ I wouldn’t belong to any club that would have me as a member”. 😢 😢 😢 ❤

[@justme-kt7zt]

"...and we'll be back after this, with Neil Sedaka" The world we grew up in is gone forever

[@markbirchette8740]

Jim and Brian both master class puppeteers.

[@tomlichnofsky.7048]

The Muppets Were Awesome!! 😎👍👌🍁♈🍁 RIP Jim Henson 😔

[@goldiekhan7117]

The best! Both highly talented and humble 💥

[@jimreaper666]

Swedish Chef live, dream come true x

[@milosterwheeler2520]

When Henson died, the Muppets lost their heart and sense of innocence. My favorite character is Frank Oz's Fozzy Bear.

[@Grover1234]

I wasn't around during the 70's but i was at least around for the early 80's and biy was it fun watching Johnny Carson but when either a Muppet, child actor or voice artists from cartoons or movies you were in fir some fun! I too grew up with re-runs of The Muppet Show and have adored the characters for as long as ive known. Now my favorite Muppets are the Sesame Street bunch. That right now is my all time favorite show from Jim. But im always gonna enjoy seeing TV appearances from the Muppet Show characters and Sesame too. That's before my time. I see it as getting to see something new (to me that is) that when Jim was still with us.

[@marionwise973]

The way that Johnny showed true affection for Kermit. He was not afraid to step into the illusion!

[@claire-christmas-august73]

swedish chef is my favourite.! statler and wardolf are priceless too.! 😆😉 ✌🏻🌏🇦🇺🤘🏻

[@heatherh.197]

So much this was to watch😊

[@davidmagen415]

Ooohhh. How we loved the Muppets every Monday night…. Pigggs in Spaaace 🏖️

[@TheZort]

Disney may own the Muppets, but they cannot replicate the SPIRIT and the WIT of the original performers. The Muppets' magic is neither the cloth puppet nor the voices; it's the humans... that's where they got it wrong. 😢😢😢

[@suffrage4dogs]

bört bört bört!

[@davewestner]

Well shucks, Jim was a good listener, wasn't he? Makes me happy seeing that.

[@steveconn]

What a loss Jim was. Created the most diverse stable since the Looney Tunes gang.

[@CailenCambeul]

I spend lots of time with Johnny Carson. At least that's what he says on the OUIJA BOARD.

[@kathydixon3716]

Jim left us far too soon.

[@debbieellett9093]

He was the best!

[@humanindica962]

Man, the French Chef is so underrated.

[@jamesbevan9939]

The grand debut of Fozzie Bear

[@dinero1169]

When Kermit sounded like Kermit.

[@snowyherge1549]

One of the greatest names in entertainment - Henson is up there with Disney- he probably was a nicer person...kermit continues to make me laugh and with a tinge of sadness!

[@digitalloom9349]

a real comedian!

[@big8dog887]

At the beginning of the Muppet Show, Miss Piggy was a minor bit character, which is why she was referenced here but not seen.

[@crazycappy01]

Jim Henson and Frank Oz were the "Odd Couple" of The Muppets." And when you throw in a third Muppet Puppeteer Jerry Nelson, who was "The Amazing Mumford" or "Count von Count" on Sesame Street. Henson, Oz and Nelson = The Three Stooges of The Muppets.

[@zachsmith3]

Fozzie steals the show

[@shilorees658]

that is john henson's voice who played ernie guy smiley and kermit the frog . very nice

[@logancasey1635]

6:57 Fozzie Bear First TV Guest Apperance

[@RobertHiguera-zi6tu]

I remember the Muppet show The. Whit Henderson jam

[@logancasey1635]

0:19 The Swedish Chef first TV Guest Apperance

[@HG-pi3qp]

Just look at Oz's face during rag mop wow

[@flappycelery]

Adorable. Of course.

[@terrytrammell7388]

What fun!!!

[@al2275]

Johnny's hair. Lol

[@johammond9359]

Doesn't SOUND like the Swedish's voice. Thanks for responding. I do have a good ear for voices. Thanks for letting me know and love the 'later ' voice. 😁

[@Mediaright]

It was EARLY Swedish Chef. ;)

[@sujatadey4698]

I remember S. S.👍

[@hsas8771]

Would love to see the episode of the Tonight Show posted that Kermit hosted with all his friends!

[@timboslice1979]

Nice!

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

James Maury Henson (Greenville, Misisipi, 24 de septiembre de 1936-Nueva York, 16 de mayo de 1990), más conocido como Jim Henson, fue un titiritero director, escritor y productor televisivo estadounidense, conocido por ser el creador de The Muppets.

[@tavvyprods1275]

Kermit’s Inspiration for being a star in 1979: When a talent scout played by Dom Deluise told him about auditions being held in Hollywood for his kind and that he has the means to entertain the masses. Kermit’s Inspiration in 1976: “Hey dummy, you can talk!”

[@rohailhashmi8050]

Ernie and Bert was on the muppet show season 1,5

[@maryrainerson8672]

I remember a few years ago Kermit was talking about nominating some of the Muppet characters to government positions. He was going to nominate Fozzie Bear to be not Secretary of the Interior, but Secretary of the Inferior! Lol!!!! I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes!!

[@jamesbevan9939]

That was Statler and Waldorf making the nominations.

[@maryrainerson8672]

James Bevan, it was on the TODAY SHOW that I saw the 'nominating' of Muppet characters from Kermit.

[@Ben_Hattie]

release more full episodes

[@Parkyacar]

Barry Humphries (Dame Edna) just passed. Please put a clip with Johnny interviewing her. I know he was a guest in May of 1992

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

Swedish chef way ahead of that Ramsay yoke. Better personality.

[@josephlawson9950]

If Jim Henson looks at Kermit meme today would be proud

[@ZulcanPrime]

Jim Henson said to Johnny that kids talk to the Muppets and ignore the handlers. I am an adult and that is why I prefer not to watch any special features on physical media because it destroys the illusion or magic of the final and completed scenes. I suppose it is my inner child that enjoys the illusions. The Dark Crystal is my favourite magical movie created and produced by Jim Henson and his puppeteers.

[@BroadwayBabyyy744]

What year was this? How many appearences did the muppets make in the carson days?

[@OldSoulJer]

September 14, 1976

[@timm1139]

Yeah, that’s me too. I don’t want to know. I realize that Jim’s creations are material and stuffing, or the people on a screen are in a movie, or that the card trick is simply slight of hand and misdirection. But life is more than facts. I want to be amazed & believe in the impossible, even for a moment that it’s possible for a card to vanish in front of me, that the hero can win & that Kermit can ride a bicycle. Because life is pain and loss. some days I need a little hope that the world isn’t so terrible and that joy and happiness are possible.

[@DaTimmeh]

I think that's a bit of a matter of where you see the joy and happiness. For you, it's believing the impossible exists, for me it's seeing the impossible achieved. For example, I'll never believe a magic trick is "magical" or "impossible", nor do I care to. For me, it's the skill and practice going into performing it. Trying to find the solution, and not being able to work it out. In the case of muppets, knowing that the people behind the scenes put so much effort and care into making the shots seem just right. To each their own though, this is certainly not a matter of right and wrong.

[@logancasey1635]

I wish Gonzo and Scooter made they’re first guest appearance on the Johnny Carson Show Because Kermit the Frog would also introduce to people and Johnny Carson to Gonzo and Scooter

[@logancasey1635]

Kermit the Frog introduced Johnny Carson and the people to the New Character named Fozzie Bear Fozzie Bear first guest appearance back in 1976

[@yvonnerogers6429]

👍🏻

[@KARYTTAH_PopMetal_Rock_BAND]

-> Maybe We're The 1st Spiritist* Pop-Metal Or Rock Band In This World 🤔 -> ❤ But Don't Pay Much Attention To Our Neanderthal English, Ha Ha Ha *NOTE: -> Spiritist is who professes Spiritism, the Gospel continuation It has began with the books by Allan Kardec and continued in the books by Francisco C. Xavier, the greatest and more important medium/prophet of spirits of the last centuries...

[@logancasey1635]

1976

[@maryrainerson8672]

When Ted Cruz was trying to escape to Cancun during the covid stuff, Elmo sang a song about him. Bird Bird & Snuffleupagus also joined in in Elmo's fun. So damn funny!

[@marksolarz3756]

Alice Cooper was on a couple of times. A primetime Series. Back when there was only 4 channels of TV. The Alice Cooper Rock Show. Had several............ Muppets. Not quite as cute. Big Fan! Lots of guests on the . Muppets. A Jim Henson Variety Show. Kermit ran the Show...from the wings. Directing acts to go on. They even had big screen movie.

[@marksolarz3756]

Vincent Fernea

[@shilorees658]

and i think frank oz too

[@jeshkam]

Is it just me or Johnny seems a bit unwell here?

[@cameronheidelauf9623]

I absolutely loved the Swedish chef himself

[@jasonjones9018]

MOP.!.!.……