Today marks a day of sadness for me. Twenty-six years ago, the world lost a great entertainer, a creative genius, and a childhood influence on me that still lingers to this day. Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, passed away on this day in 1990 from pneumonia. I remember where I was when this happened. I was home from school and heard it on the 6 o'clock news. I was shocked. He was only 53 years old. He left behind a legacy of wonder, creativity, fantasy, and happiness. For several days, I could not believe that he was gone. The man who had given me Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, the Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Fraggle Rock was gone. Who would voice Kermit, Ernie, Rowlf, Cantus, and the Swedish Chef?
As the years progressed I was happy that the work that Jim had done continued. Other puppeteers took over Jim's characters, other people took over his companies. Sesame Street is still going strong. Kermit and the gang were bought by Disney, giving them a great home. Three of the five seasons of the Muppet Show were released on DVD (come on Disney, where are the other two?!), all of Fraggle Rock is out, and I have introduced my children to the joys of Dinosaurs, Emmett Otter, and the Storyteller. We are waiting on the Dark Crystal because I am sure it is too scary for the girls. Ma Na Ma Na is still popular, the Muppets became big on YouTube, and there have been several new movies.
The Muppets even appeared on a new prime time TV show, although I must admit that it lacked the original magic and joy that was in the original Muppet Show. This, I fear, is a turn that I am not sure I enjoy. In this new show, the Muppets were more adult and edgy. They drank, did drugs, had sexual encounters, swore a bit, and were less like how they were shown in Jim's days. Don't get me wrong, Jim had plenty of adult themes in his work with the Muppets and other projects, but I cannot help but think that this latest incarnation had strayed a little too much from where they were when Jim passed away. I must admit that I was not upset when the newest show had been cancelled after one season, because I had already stopped watching it by then. Maybe I am tired of so many of the things I enjoyed as a child being "updated", "modernized", and made "relevant". Still, I hope they can recapture some of the magic they have lost.
As I grew older, I learned more about the life of Jim. He was truly a dreamer and a visionary man. He had feelings and worked hard. He believed in himself, even when he failed. He truly hoped that his work would help make the world a better place. He loved children and wonder. As it is with all of us, he was not perfect. Sometimes he would not listen to others. He was unfaithful to his wife, yet could not bring himself to fully break off and end their relationship. Learning about his faults might have been too much for me when I was younger, but I have learned that we all have weaknesses. Knowing he was imperfect is OK for me. It makes him more human, more real. Besides, we all have short comings. We can focus on the bad, or we can accept them and focus on the good. I will choose the latter, because I think Jim did the same.
So, in tribute to his work and legacy, I give you my Top Ten Things the Jim Henson Gave Us:
10. A joy of silly songs. I mentioned Ma Na Ma Na already, but that is but one example of a silly song that Jim enjoyed. It didn't matter if he wrote it or if someone else did, he would use it the only way his wacky characters did. Here is an example of one of my favourites:
9. Getting to know other entertainers. As a child, the Muppet Show introduced me to great stars like Rita Moreno, Harry Belafonte, and Peter Ustinov. Here is what I am talking about.
8. Loving nature. Jim had a special connection to nature and the Earth. Many times his silly shows had deeper meanings that stayed with me.
7. Crazy characters. Kermit may have been seen as the sane one on the show, but he is quick to point out that he hired the others.
6. A love of learning in fun ways. Sesame Street is, I think, the greatest educational show ever. It sticks with you.
5. It's OK to take a good thing and add a dash of silliness. So many times, Jim gave us a classic song and added a Muppet twist to it. It might have been a bit irreverent, but it was always in good spirits.
4. Imagination is a wonderful thing. Don't let it go to waste. Everything Jim did was about using his imagination.
3. Sometimes, you just gotta dance. There is magic in it.
2. Christmas is a little more special, especially with family.
1. Be a dreamer. There is a special place for you.
Thank you Jim.
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