Results tagged “jimhenson”

As the world readies for a new Late Night talk show host, here's a little history lesson on Jimmy Fallon's new set, which also housed Jack Paar's (and Johnny Carson's) Tonight Show. In the video below, circa 1984, Paar gives David Letterman a tour of his old studio, where Letterman's Late Night desk also sat. One door inside of a dressing room that remained locked for 20 years is opened to reveal some masterfully adorned pipes, a tribute from Jim Henson and the Muppets to Paar. Fallon confirms that the pipes are still there, and says "We're preserving it and putting it behind plexi."

If you've ever wondered where your favorite Muppets come from (and who hasn't), CNN has a great piece on the backgrounds of the Jim Henson creations. While all the big names are covered, so are the smaller ones. Take Rizzo the Rat for instance, they note that his name might sound familiar if you've seen Midnight Cowboy, because he's "named for Dustin Hoffman's character, Ratso Rizzo. He was created after puppeteer Steve Whitmire was inspired by rat puppets made from bottles." His first appearance was on the Muppet Show with a pack of rats following Christopher Reeve around. Meanwhile, the hugely popular Elmo (friend of Gothamist), wasn't created until puppeteer Kevin Clash put some life into an extra red puppet in 1984.

MOVIE: Every national election year reminds us of that part in The Dark Crystal where the hideous Skeksis systematically drain the Gelfling’s “essence” and drink it to increase their power. If you don’t know the scene we’re talking about, you need to go see it on the big screen tonight – a regular-sized TV monitor just doesn’t do Jim Henson’s creepy masterpiece justice. The one-night-only screening will be introduced by one of the film’s puppet makers, Cheryl Henson, daughter of Jim. She’ll be joined by Robbie Barnett, who operated some of the main Skeksis; the pair will sign merch after the screening.

FOOD: Drinking With the Professor: a Look at Jerry Thomas and His Liquid Legacy: Join cocktail maestro Dave Wondrich as he shares recipes from his latest book, Imbibe! plus a few that were cut in the editing process. Wondrich has an in-depth knowledge of nineteenth-century classic cocktails, so step up and taste the benefits. - Laren Spirer

Long before Big Bird and Fraggle Rock, Jim Henson was dabbling in avant-garde cinema. Check out a young Henson appearing in his own far-out short, called Time Piece, which owes no small debt to John Cage. "Dislocation in time, time signatures, time as a philosophical concept, and slavery to time are some of the themes touched upon in this nine-minute, experimental film, which was written, directed, and produced by Jim Henson – and starred Jim...

(directed by Jim Henson)

To help you roll(erskate) into the weekend (just one more day!) here's a video that involves music, the Muppets and a Brooklyn disco orchestra called Escort. A mash-up that The Voice says would have Jim Henson doing the Hustle in his grave.

READING: Just this morning she was sipping tea in the woods of Vermont - but tonight Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home, will be at Barnes & Noble on the UWS. Her book is a memoir, a graphic novel and all about growing up in a funeral home, with a closeted father. Tragicomic, indeed.

So when it was unveiled that the designers on Project Runway would be making clothes for a Barbie doll last week the first thing that came to our mind was: "Man, it'd be so much hotter if they were making clothes for Miss Piggy." (Is that wrong?)

This weekend Jim Henson will be paid tribute to in Brooklyn. As producer, puppeteer and visionary. A weekend of screenings that, as all of his works did, appeal to both children and adults alike. The weekend will also allow you to delve into the mind of Henson by creating your own puppets at a workshop and attending evening programs that focus on more rare Henson projects and ideas.