The Jim Henson Hour - Episode 10 - "Secrets Of The Muppets"

A behind the scenes look at the making of the Jim Henson Hour. Originally aired 1992.

[@jbevan70]

Watching this as a kid demonstrated that learning how something fantastic works doesn't diminish the magic; it gives you a greater appreciation for all the effort put into making something you love.

[@Michaelambrose1522]

JimB 1985 :(

[@sarahdemel5749]

Jim Henson, you were an amazing man. RIP.

[@amaxamon]

It's impossible now to understand how cutting edge all of this was back then.

[@sarahdemel5749]

ikr

[@mesquitegirl2013]

Agreed

[@mikekelley2877]

I would really have loved to have met Jim Henson in person....

[@aydenspuppetproductions2002]

RIP Jim Henson 1936 -1990 Richard hunt 1951 - 1992 and Jerry Nelson 1934 - 2012 you guys were amazing puppeteers of all time you have inspired us so much

[@johnylitalo4163]

I wish to go travel back to August 13, 1989, New York City, 8:13AM, so that I could meet Jim Henson & he could give me the tour of his Muppet Workshop & his Creature Shop & I will tell him everything about the future I'm from. I will tell him to write a letter to my childhood self to send to my grandmother in Syracuse, NY.

[@AuntKiki81]

I'd beg him to go see the doctor when he got sick.

[@jimmysaloka6935]

Yes I would agree.

[@CosplayCore]

@@AuntKiki81 I second that one. I love that the Muppets still exist but I'm not 100% comfortable with Disney appearing to own them...

[@patrickmanway290]

I wish I could go back to 1990 and tell him to go to the hospital ASAP.

[@benvoliothefirst]

I definitely would not tell him ANYTHING about the future. That's how you get paradoxes! Although we ARE living in the darkest timeline... hmmm...

[@Razorgeist]

Thank you for the childhood memories Mr Henson

[@kevinmulderrig8781]

a video from the 90s (even though jim died in 1990) about how the muppets are created. pretty nice.

[@izzybeau8183]

9:04 Jim henson said the P word!! Ahhh!! Blasphemy!! LOL 14:24 "I saw puppeteers, I saw puppeteers! lol Love Beans Bunny

[@mesquitegirl2013]

This part cracked me up

[@piemanpie2424]

I did just have the thought of Jim Henson saying the word “pussy” which is a weird thought to have.

[@maribeltrevino7576]

The two remaining episodes of The Jim Henson Hour like ''Secrets of The Muppets'' and ''Living with Dinosaurs'' later made their US airing on Nickelodeon between 1992 and 1993, the final episode never aired in the US, but did air in the UK in 1990.

[@taurinecat]

Man. Jim and Jerry have both passed away, Fran has retired, Kevin was forced into resigning, and now Steve has been let go. Dave is the only one left from this video and he doesn't show up too often. The passage of time is a bitch.

[@yosefdemby8792]

Clash brought it upon himself!

[@johnrowley3140]

1:00 "Gee," says Kermit, "l was kinda enjoying that!" So was I, Kermit, so was I!😀

[@conortague5410]

Oh my gosh JoJo is so cute!

[@profdavebayani]

RIP Jerry Nelson.

[@CCTH-86]

OMG! I remember this! I caught it on Nickelodeon when it aired in '92. I was going on 6 at the time. Thank you for this!!!!! RIP Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, & Jerry Nelson.

[@DreamDancer82]

I remember seeing this one on Nickelodeon, but I thought it was a one-off special and not an entire TV series. Interesting.

[@amaxamon]

+DreamDancer82 It was confusing because the airtimes were all over the place and Jim was also doing a number of specials and some of the segments were aired alone as specials. Have you read the biography? It explains what his concept was and what was going on.

[@DreamDancer82]

No, I haven't, but thanks for the info.

[@amaxamon]

+DreamDancer82 It's a great read!

[@PurpleSilk]

This was a treat to see again. I haven’t seen it since I was a little girl in the 90s. ✨😮✨ it was a very special time and just a reminder of how important creativity, the arts, and the power of imagination truly are.

[@CosplayCore]

I'm enjoying how this whole episode seems directed at making Gonzo's perception of reality melt. lol

[@Lars-ze2xf]

In many years I thought this episode was a dream.

[@alexanderpytko5394]

Jim Henson says that the rig of making Kermit and Piggy riding bikes in circles but it was so complicated that you'll have figure it out for yourself. Jim mainly said that because it's complicated answer and he probably didn't have time to explain it all. Well obviously, it was done with marionettes and possibly cranes. I gotta say this it must've been complicated to do that shot because it look so amazing. They ride in circles and then ride straight down the road again. It looks so real!

[@NeoTheatre]

I forgot all about this show (and Jojo) till now.

[@BrianRetro]

This has to be the most underrated show to ever air on network television. I can't believe NBC couldn't find a place for it and let it find its audience. Was Brandon Tartikoff still the head of programming in 1989? He was the one responsible for keeping shows on the air despite their low ratings to find their audience. Shows like Cheers and Hill Street Blues would not have survived without Tartikoff. Did he not see the quality of this show and what potential it had? Maybe it could have been that by the late 80s NBC was at the top of their game and the most popular of the three networks (yes, FOX was around in 1989, but it wasn't until they got the NFL that it really became a competitive fourth network), so they didn't need to hang on struggling shows like in the early 80s. So Jim Henson Hour unfortunately got the axe. It's a real shame. You almost never hear about this show unlike his other works like the Muppets, Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and The Storyteller.

[@jwilliams7554]

Brian John (BJ) Retro I remember when this show aired on NBC on Friday nights. Back then it was up against ABCs new but rising comedy lineup which would become TGIF next season and this was the same year NBC already had a fantasy anthology series with the wonderful world of Disney on sundays.This was a great show, there just wasn’t a good place for it on prime time network television. Unfortunately, Henson produced shows haven’t lasted very long on prime time, except Dinosaurs and even that only lasted 3 years

[@CJODell12]

@@jwilliams7554 It also couldn't have been cheap to produce either. TJHH averaged a *dismal* 5.3 household rating over its 9 NBC airings, ranking 100th out of 105 programs airing during the 1988-89 season and THE lowest rated on the big three networks. Two episodes airing in July 1989 couldn't even manage a 10 percent audience share.

[@TheHeavensFellen]

This show was epic and still is

[@kimsmith8326]

The house I grew up in was used in episode 9 of the Jim Henson Hour. A once in a lifetime, priceless opportunity. We met Jim Henson and many of the muppeteers came and were on our front lawn for filming that day in 1989. Unbelievable to this day.

[@Dragonrider1227]

Oh my god! Thank You for this!! I remember seeing this ages ago but couldn't remember where it came from!

[@Michaelambrose1522]

Dragonrider1227 ok

[@CosplayCore]

Sometimes, it seems to me like I'm somehow accidentally following your internet tracks because I wind up running into your comments a lot. lol How are you?

[@puzzleshield6956]

Ah, the old "Jim Henson Hour"... Jim Henson was so amazing with his work back then. RIP, Jim Henson.

[@AshleyG94]

Jim Henson, Fred Rogers, and Bob Ross were some of the greatest men to ever walk this earth. Their creativity and caring nature inspired me to be who I am today. Thank you ❤️

[@rainstarflowerdroplets9624]

That’s wonderful and amazing 9:06 14:26 14:31

[@BrianRetro]

The first time I ever saw a behind the scenes look at the Muppets. I was shocked at what I saw! My childhood fantasy illusion of believing that Kermit, Ernie, Cookie Monster and many others were real was shattered when I saw human beings holding up these characters and doing their voices. Most of the time, you would just see a hand puppet and not see the whole body. So imagine my shock at seeing Kermit, Rowlf or some other character without legs! Now of course when I look at these behind the scenes documentaries, I'm fascinated by what I see! When I watch a Muppet Show or Sesame Street sketch, I'm amazed at how much work went into just bringing that little piece of work to life. I'm also on the lookout to see if I can spot a puppeteer's hand or their head accidentally get into the shot. Of course once I notice it or someone brings it up, I can never look at the sketch the same way again because each time I'd be on the lookout for that sighting!

[@TheHeavensFellen]

i hope you have since recovered. You know that JH would go live on talk shows with a muppet.

[@DaydreamEAR]

3:41 This montage, especially the music, rock so hard!

[@yosefdemby8792]

17:40 Something tells me all of "The Storyteller: Greek Myths" was finished while Jim Henson was still alive...

[@skartbrimpson3297]

Why the fuck would the Muppets air on a "children's" channel?

[@greenjacob18]

Last good muppet before it got ruined

[@CosplayCore]

About 16 minutes and thirty seconds in, when Gonzo realizes he has been and can be replaced... You can see reality melting in his reaction. X,D

[@YujiUedaFan]

What? No Frank Oz? Also, it's weird to see Jim do a Whitmire character! O_o

[@MrTimshellscherber]

me Nope That Was Dave Goelz

[@andrewcolinwilson1]

And he made that Whitmire character sound like Rowlf when he did him.

[@yosefdemby8792]

Frank Oz was busy directing movies.

[@jasonrjohnston]

No joke, I was tearing up at the sequence starting at 32:45. At 38:02 is, as Jim said, "the greatest secret we got."

[@topherholland4646]

0:33-0:46- I love those parts, as well as the "Why don't you get things started?" part.

[@gordonbobby1]

Look at this on eBay www.ebay.com/itm/262734728981

[@karsondegoey2671]

Is this the last episode I'll bet

[@aydenspuppetproductions2002]

Toys R Us recently went out of business

[@OzClawhammer]

Thanks for posting.. came here to find out how they did the bicycles.

[@devildogwhite]

Anyone know where I can watch Monster Maker? Can't seem to find it on youtube.

[@eringracecazad]

I always thought that Dave looked better with a beard.

[@sam4metroid]

Jim Henson was such a genius

[@MJMYouTuber]

42:14 best scene

[@exactspace]

Very vaporwave

[@eringracecazad]

I used to watch Bear in the Big Blue House and when I was doing my "re-live childhood day (don't ask)" I thought that Kevin Clash performed Doc Hogg, but I looked it up and Tyler Bunch performed him.

[@joedavis7200]

For those still able to see this video, I've moved my channel here: www.dailymotion.com/thelostreasures

[@alexanderpytko5394]

If Jim Henson hadn't had a beard, he would've looked a lot like Chevy Chase did at this time.

[@hamursh]

Maybe they could a Jim Henson biopic with Chevy Chase as Jim!

[@alexanderpytko5394]

@@hamursh Maybe back then but not today. Chevy Chase has gained a lot of weight and he's now bald.

[@yosefdemby8792]

@@alexanderpytko5394 Who could possible play Jim Henson today?

[@queenmedesa]

Jim was more handsome

[@OAleathaO]

OMG, thank you for uploading this. I remember watching this when it first aired when I was in high school.

[@CECSB254]

I remember this episode on Nickelodeon for my childhood :D

[@CosplayCore]

It's too bad not many people ride bikes like that anymore... I regret the fact that I probably can't someday watch someone doing that, look at my friend beside me and say "Look, ma! No brains!". lol X,D

[@KassidiBennett]

gonzo. and it got better and better ( gonzo and kermit bursts out laughing) kermit. ( cracking up) that was funny gonzo. yeah hilarious! (gonzo and kermit started laughing on the floor)

[@Nickrj3]

Was this the only episode JoJo was in?

[@joedavis7200]

It was. And I don't think JoJo appeared in anything else, even after this series was cancelled.

[@sarahdemel5749]

I wish Jojo was still around.

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

If Camille still did Muppeteering & was asked, I'm sure she'd love to perform JoJo again.

[@skartbrimpson3297]

LOL 😑

[@clydeandfriends]

19:35 I've heard of giving someone a big hand, but this is ridiculous!

[@CosplayCore]

Jim: "None of this is real... The Muppets are... PUPPETS." The Muppets: REALITY IS MELTING-

[@hamursh]

Well it's no surprise seeing how they are a portmanteaux of marionette and puppet!

[@KassidiBennett]

kermit. ( saw snow white and the seven dwarfs on tv as snow white begins to sing) snow white. just whistle while you work ( the birds were whistling) snow white. and cheerfully together we can tidy up the place kermit. ( joins in as bing crosby) so hum a merry tune ( hums)

[@JoelandtheBots]

16:58 Dave on Dave, with Dave watching. Would this count as selfcest?

[@ilanyakir4035]

NBC cancelled The Jim Henson Hour after 9 episodes, this episode, filmed in 1989, first aired in the U.S. on Nickelodeon in 1992.

[@Channel9001]

It aired as a stand-alone special, it took me years to find out it was part of a larger show. I taped this episode back when it aired in 1992. It was great for a curious kid!

[@alexanderpytko5394]

At the end the main puppeteers, they forgot FRANK OZ, the operator of Fozzie Bear! Jim Henson and Frank Oz did the voices of Ernie and Bert on Sesame Street. Actually Bert and Ernie were based off Frank and Jim, themselves and they way they lived when they had to share a studio apartment when they were starting the muppet business. Three of the puppeteers at the end were also characters on Fraggle Rock; Jerry Nelson(Gobo Fraggle/Marjorie the Trash Heap), Dave Goelz(Boober Fraggle/Uncle Traveling Matt) and Steve Whitmire(Wembley Fraggle/ Sprocket the Dog). Jim Henson did a few reoccurring characters on Fraggle Rock 2 of which were Convincing John and Cantus the Minstrel. Also on Fraggle Rock, Doc and Sprocket's constant problems with their plumbing(actually caused by the fraggles), was also based on Jim and Frank living together as their studio apartment had constant plumbing problems.

[@AuntKiki81]

Alexander Edward Pytko I didn't know Jim and Frank were roommates. Thank you for sharing.

[@jasobres]

Frank had very little to do with this program, which explains his absence. He was growing more and more focused on his directorial career.

[@darthkurland]

I’m not sure where Frank Oz was during this episode.

[@jasobres]

@@darthkurland Most likely directing the film version of the musical _Little Shop of Horrors._

[@darthkurland]

jasobres actually, “Little Shop” was released in 1986. This episode was filmed in 1989.

[@jwilliams7554]

Isn’t this the first appearance of Clifford ?

[@CosplayCore]

Jojo: It's really humiliating to watch... the making of YOURSELF. The guys at Disney's EPCOT in the 80's: LET'S MAKE AN ATTRACTION ABOUT THE CONCEPTION OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND TITLE IT "THE MAKING OF ME"-

[@CosplayCore]

18:05 My 90's child brain: oh look it's the Predator- Them: This guy is from The Monster Maker. Me: WTF PREDATOR HAS BEEN IN TWO SHOWS?

[@CosplayCore]

I wonder how Jojo would react knowing I have a CAT named Jojo. X,D

[@CosplayCore]

And she also makes a perfect cat model for a Muppet cat with all her long hair.

[@mistahkrabs5544]

I miss Digit...

[@Nonamearisto]

PDI produced (among other things) Madagascar. They're a defunct company now, having shut down in 2015.

[@michael--a--sometimes]

A bizarre adventure ;)

[@bethauer9270]

That special is so AWESOME! Come to think, I believe the white lion was probably from The Stroyteller series. I also know that there are white lions in real life.

[@leocorbett8906]

Does anyone know the name of the song at 37:00?

[@conortague5410]

Leo Corbett The end credits to The StoryTeller. Music By Rachel Portman.

[@binnieb20]

Is the London Workshop the one where Mopatop and The Hoobs are built?

[@22espec]

They would never do something like this now.

[@queenmedesa]

Now we got fake CGI everywhere

[@yosefdemby8792]

But Henson used CGI too.

[@lk2601]

Can someone find the jim henson hour pitch reel

[@ProfCoolio]

Jojo is adorable. I want to adopt her.

[@Asukenick]

I miss Steve being with the Muppets.

[@TheHeavensFellen]

... as they say JH called it himself. "that god damn Disney deal", and as they say JH rarely cursed.:

[@TheHeavensFellen]

enjoy what was already created, as today the Disney Muppets are fake

[@mesquitegirl2013]

He said the p word ! lol

[@Nonamearisto]

Jim was already dead when this aired, wasn't he? :(

[@michellesmith7323]

I believe he had just passed

[@DrZaius75]

Digit is the only Muppet to approach the uncanny valley. I'm kinda glad they retired him.

[@CJODell12]

42:14.

[@dr.strangebat9397]

Ultimate 4th wall break.

[@billvolk4236]

Wait, didn't he die in 1990?

[@joedavis7200]

NBC cancelled the show in 1989, before airing the last three episodes (this was one of them). Nickelodeon finally aired it in '92, two years after Henson's passing.

[@Stulz]

Yes, Jim Henson died on May 16, 1990. This episode was produce in 1989 with the rest of The Jim Henson Hour. NBC aired only 9 of the 12 episodes produced. Nickelodeon aired two of the remaining episodes in 1992, while the 13th aired only in the UK.

[@hamursh]

+Bill Volk Well DUH!

[@CJODell12]

Technically, NBC cancelled it after only FIVE episodes aired. Four were burned off in July of 1989.

[@aydenspuppetproductions2002]

Now some Toys R Us stores are reopening