I finally got around to watching “Jim Henson Idea Man” on Disney+. It’s a documentary about the life of the creator of “The Muppets.” I can’t remember a time where his creations weren’t a presence in my life as a child: Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, the various Muppet Movies, and more. They were kind, silly, subversive, authentic, strange – amazing! They interacted with the real world and with real people like they co-existed. It filled me with awe and wonder; I’d hoped to run into a Muppet on the street sometime. One of the oldest toys I still own (now a collectible), is a puppet of Animal made around 1978.
As an adult, I began to learn the history of Henson and admire the persistence, work, originality, and ability to pull together the amazing talent which created these such fantastic characters and worlds. I still aspire to reach similar levels of empathy, collaboration, and creativity and find my experiences with the works and the man himself inspiring and influencing me today.
I’ve also accumulated a number of Muppet figures over the years; it’s probably the largest collection of an entertainment brand I have. It includes a custom Muppet figure that people used to be able to get made at FAO Schwarz and some of the best posable figures made of any intellectual property. (That's a whole other series of posts.)
However, Mr. Henson’s life was also a cautionary tale: His relentless work ethic and focus on projects caused issues in his family life. It also cost him his own life at the age of 53 over an illness that could have likely been treated with prompt medical attention. Another important lesson that stuck with me: That creative and professional success isn’t everything. Greatness demands sacrifice, but it should have limits. I know I’ve missed opportunities because of not adopting an “at all costs” mindset, but I’ve also rarely missed being with my family for moments big like a bird or small like a Doozer. With age, I think I’ve gotten better at navigating a balance.
I do wonder what Henson would think of the current state of his life’s work. Disney continues to horribly under-utilize and under-appreciate The Muppets. It should have been a natural fit at the mouse house, which was Henson’s apparent belief – he was in merger talks with Disney, but died before the deal closed. (Disney did finally acquire the Muppets in 2004.) Most of the remaining properties and the creature shop remain a Henson family business, which has had a few successes, but is far from the marquee entertainment brand it should or could be. Only the characters of Sesame Street seem to have maintained their ongoing impact and relevance over the years.
Even if you’ve never followed the work of Jim Henson, “Idea Man” is still a fascinating story of an American creative whose work is proving to be timeless and powerful across generations. If you are a fan, this Ron Howard directed film does a great job reminding you of the magic he helped bring to the world. While clearly made through a filter of nostalgia, the documentary shows the reverence and impression Henson had on the people fortunate to know and work with him. That’s a rare thing to find any more in show business.
Thanks for reading!
Recently
Screen: “Transformers One” (Theaters). The near universal praise for this Transformer film is well deserved. It escapes a lot of the franchise traps, is funny, filled with action, and has heart.
Music: “Sweet Caroline” (Neil Diamond). A piano bar favorite, it’s back on my radar after watching over 300 middle and high school students perform it on a football field at half-time.
Purchase: “Calaca Grackle Shirt” (Austin Anthem) - For Día de los Muertos, Austin’s original Supporters Group made a calaca grackle t-shirt.