67 Years Ago, Jim Henson Changed Kids TV For Generations

by

Jim Henson was a remarkably creative artist who built imaginative worlds that still feel fresh and exciting. He revolutionized television and puppetry, creating beloved characters like Kermit the Frog. Henson transformed children’s television by combining learning with clever humor that entertained both kids and adults. This legacy began 67 years ago, on November 20, 1958, when he and his wife, Jane Henson, officially launched their company, originally known as Muppets, Inc., which later became The Jim Henson Company.

The Jim Henson Company began in 1955 when Jim Henson, then a student at the University of Maryland, created the short television show Sam and Friends. This show, which featured an early version of Kermit the Frog, won Henson his first Emmy in 1958 and set the stage for his future career. Initially, the company mainly made puppets for commercials and performed on variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show. A major turning point came in 1969 when Henson was asked to create characters for the new children’s show Sesame Street. The show became incredibly popular, and characters like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and Cookie Monster became beloved icons, establishing the Muppets as a lasting part of popular culture.

The success of Sesame Street allowed Jim Henson to create shows for the whole family. When American networks weren’t interested, he partnered with British producer Lew Grade to make The Muppet Show, which debuted in 1976. It quickly became a global hit, with 235 million viewers tuning in from over 100 countries. The show’s popularity then led to several Muppet movies, including The Muppet Movie (1979) and The Great Muppet Caper (1981). Throughout the 1980s, Henson continued to push creative boundaries with projects like the fantasy films The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986), and the internationally-made series Fraggle Rock. All of this was supported by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, founded in 1979, which became a leading innovator in animatronics and special effects.

Jim Henson’s Legacy Lives on in the Digital Era

Jim Henson’s impact on entertainment continues to be felt even after his death in 1990. His children now lead The Jim Henson Company, keeping his creative spirit alive. While Disney bought the rights to popular Muppets characters in 2004, the company still owns many other favorites like Fraggle Rock and The Dark Crystal, along with its famous Creature Shop. The Jim Henson Company remains a key player in family entertainment, creating new shows and movies for streaming services. Recent successes include the Emmy-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock on Apple TV+, the Oscar-winning Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio on Netflix, and a new movie, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, for Disney+.

Jim Henson’s Creature Shop continues to be a leader in creating characters and special effects for film and television. They’re also working on new animated shows, including Adrenaline Lemmings, and turning popular online comics, like Third Shift Society, into TV series. The Jim Henson Foundation, founded in 1982, carries on Henson’s passion for puppetry by giving grants to support modern puppet theater and encourage a new wave of artists.

Who’s your all-time favorite Jim Henson character? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/list/10-best-fantasy-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century-so-far/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-20 21:42