FREE ESSAY ON JIM HENSON: MUPPET MASTER

JIM HENSON: MUPPET MASTER

JIM HENSON
Jim Henson was born on September 24, 1936, in Greenville, Mississippi. He moved to
Maryland in fifth grade and throughout his childhood had a strong interest in both art
and television. His grandmother was very supportive of his interests and constantly
encouraged him to use his imagination. 
In 1954 Jim started in television performing puppets on a local channel's Saturday
morning program. The next year, while studying at the University of Maryland, he was
given a five-minute show called Sam and Friends which aired twice a day. This show
introduced the first Muppets, marionette puppets. The success of this show led him to
many appearances on shows such as The Today Show and The Steve Allen Show. During this
time Jim began making many humorous commercials for sponsors. With weekly appearances on
these shows, Jim asked for the help of a puppet maker name Don Sahlin and a puppeteer
name Frank Oz. 
"From 1964 to 1969 Henson produced several experimental films." In the mid-60's Jim was
asked to create characters to populate a new children's show, Sesame Street. It was here
where he made some of his most famous characters such as Ernie and Bert, Oscar the
Grouch, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird. On this show Jim produced over two dozen shorts to
teach counting and other basics. 
Soon after his fame on Sesame Street Jim, after promoting the idea for The Muppet Show
for years, finally received backing to produce. On this show the most famous Muppet of
all, Kermit the Frog, was introduced along with Miss Piggy, Rizzo the Rat, Rowlf the Dog,
Fozzie Bear, and of course Gonzo the Whatever. The Muppet Show became the most widely
viewed television program in the world. From this show many movies and spin-off
television shows have been produced. Jim Henson died in 1990 from pneumonia right after
his last project for Muppet Vision 3-D, an attraction for Disney World, and right before
he was going to sell his company to Disney Studios. Today his son runs and owns the
Henson Company.
Jim Henson possessed many lovable qualities about him but his most important
characteristic was his creativity. Jim Henson created characters that were out of this
world and quite unexpected. Jim Henson also had an extraordinary sense of humor, which
attracted young and old to his television shows. Jim Henson once said, "Nobody creates a
fad. It just happens. People love going along with the idea of a beautiful pig. It's like
a conspiracy."
These qualities will definitely serve society greatly in the next one thousand years. Jim
Henson's creativity will inspire writers and producers to do the same. This will allow
them to attract many viewers of a broad range of ages. Jim Henson's humor will also
influence the next millennium of people. His humor will teach people stuck in a world of
seriousness to have a light heart and to laugh once in a while. I believe Jim Henson has
taught everyone an important lesson, that no matter how tough life gets, you can always
find a bit of little humor in it.
Bibliography
"Henson, Jim." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1999 ed., 
Wilmeth, Don B. "Henson, Jim." The World Book Encyclopedia. 1996 ed., 191.