The Muppet Show at 50: How Jim Henson Overcame Failed Pilots to Launch a Global Phenomenon
Last month marked the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show, which first aired in the U.K. on September 5, 1976. Jim Henson encountered significant obstacles in getting the series off the ground, including two unsuccessful pilots for ABC and halted progress at CBS. The turning point occurred when British producer Lew Grade agreed to pay $125,000 for a 30-minute episode, contingent on it being produced in the U.K. Henson then moved to London, where the show was sold to 60 markets prior to its U.K. debut, with each U.S. station selecting its own launch date. Although Henson passed away in 1990, his daughter, Lisa Henson, attributes the Muppets' enduring appeal to their complex characters. Recently, the franchise earned four Emmys for a Disney+ special featuring Sabrina Carpenter.
Key facts
- The Muppet Show celebrated its 50th anniversary last month.
- It premiered in the U.K. on September 5, 1976.
- Jim Henson created puppets for Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live in the early 1970s.
- Two Muppet Show pilots for ABC failed, and CBS development went nowhere.
- Lew Grade, founder of ITC, offered $125,000 for a 30-minute episode on the condition it be made in the U.K.
- Before its U.K. launch, the show sold to 60 markets ahead of the NATPE conference in San Francisco.
- Louise Gold joined in Season 2 and often operated Henson's right hand.
- Jim Henson died in 1990.
- The Muppets won four Emmys last month for a Disney+ special featuring Sabrina Carpenter.
Entities
Artists
- Jim Henson
- Lisa Henson
- Brian Jay Jones
- Louise Gold
- Kermit the Frog
- Miss Piggy
- Sabrina Carpenter
Institutions
- The Jim Henson Company
- ABC
- CBS
- ITC
- Disney+
- Variety
- NATPE
- Sesame Street
- Saturday Night Live
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- San Francisco
- United States
- Mississippi