Happy Friday WAWA faithful!
This week we pay tribute to Jim Henson and his magical “Workshop”.
Mr. Dante is picking this week to remember the legend as the internets have been a flutter with the almighty return of “the Muppets” to primetime on ABC!
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/12/entertainment/abc-fall-shonda-rhimes-muppets-feat/
I was a huge fan of “the Muppet Show” movies growing up. The characters would show up on live action show and at events, interacting with the real life actors. The zaniness that they could bring to any show really struck home with me and kids around the world. It was really kind of the first reality show type of media, where entertainment looked back at itself.
Star Wars characters visit “the Muppet Show”
The master behind “the Muppet Show” was hero to all, Jim Henson. Here’s a quick history on Jim Henson, and his magical career. He became famous in the 1970s when he joined the children's educational television program Sesame Street, and there helped develop characters for the series. He also appeared in the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. In 1976, after scrapping plans for a Broadway show, he produced The Muppet Show. He won fame for his creations, particularly Kermit the Frog and Ernie, and he was involved with Sesame Street for over 20 years. He also had frequent roles in Muppets films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for projects like Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. During the later years of his life, he also founded the Jim Henson Foundation, and Jim Henson's Creature Shop. He won two Emmy Awards for his work on The Storyteller and The Jim Henson Hour. Tragically, the 53-year-old Henson was at the pinnacle of his career when he died, on May 16, 1990, of a severe strep infection that destroyed his lungs within days. His work carries on via the Jim Henson Company and the Jim Henson Creature Shop:
Here's Jim Henson with his amazing creations:
Growing up in the US means watching A LOT of “Sesame Street”. A little bit creepy, a little bit dreary, but living in the city, it felt like home. Although it is set in New York, “Sesame Street” always felt like Los Angeles to this LA boy, with its sun-drenched streets, almost like living in a dirty Instagram filter. “Sesame Street” aired and continues to air on PBS, meaning it’s free for all to watch. You can also find the “Sesame Street” on Netflix and other digital avenues.
Here’s a shot of the cast, including fan-favorites Big Bird, Snuffleupagus, the Grouch and well the Cookie Monster!
My favorite song when I was a kid is now my favorite song to sing to my daughter is Ernie’s classic "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon":
Like "the Muppets", "Sesame Street" was and has never been afraid to attack current events. With "Avenger : Age of Ultron" currently in theaters, here is a wonderful spoof:
Not to be outdone by superheroes, here is Kermit from "the Muppets" meeting first lady Mrs. Obama:
For the flip-side, here is an article from “the Guardian” on why “Sesame Street” is not suitable for kids (Booooooooooooooooooooo):
http://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2007/nov/26/sesamestreetnotsuitablefor
Here’s an article that Mr. Dante prefers from “Newsweek” on how Sesame Street changed the world:
http://www.newsweek.com/how-sesame-street-changed-world-80067
IMO Sesame Street is a great choice, if you need to plop your kid down in front of the TV sometimes. It mixes learning and fun, and presents a modern world where people of all races and social classes come together as a community.
For LALAMAMAs living in Los Angeles, take some time to visit the Historic Jim Henson Company Lot originally built by Charlie Chaplin in 1917! It’s a slice of Hollywood history, is quaint, cute, charming and is available for parties and events:
