Poster for "Jim Henson: Idea Man" Revealed!

We just learned the release date for Jim Henson: Idea Man and now we have the poster art for the documentary. 

The poster features an image of Henson looking into the eyes of Kermit the Frog with the tagline "Never stop Creating" 

Jim Henson: Idea Man from Academy Award Winning Director Ron Howard streams May 31 on Disney+. 

Disney+ Henson Documentary Get's Title / Release Window!

In 2022,we found out Ron Howard was directing a documentary on Jim Henson for Disney+. We know now the title and it's release window thanks to a re-release of Karen Falk's book. 

Simon & Schuster is releasing a new version of Henson archivist, Falk's 2012 book “Jim Henson’s Imagination Illustrated" on August 27th 2024, with new a foreword by Ron Howar

As you can see, the updated cover features a promotion sticker for the Disney+ Original Documentary, “Jim Henson: Idea Man.”

While Disney hasn’t officially announced the release date for “Jim Henson: Idea Man”, with the new version of the book due out in August it's a safe bet the documentary will be released on Disney+ sometime between now and then.

The upcoming documentary promises to be the definitive portrait of Henson, produced with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family, and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film.

With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.

This new documentary is being produced “with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family,” according to a release, “and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film. With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.”

No official release date has been announced, but it won’t be too long until “Jim Henson: Idea Man.” is released on Disney+

Henson Doc Update and a Sam and Friends Follow-Up!

At the "Jim Henson Tele-visionary" screening at the Museum of the Moving Image this weekend, Henson Legacy President Craig Shemin revealed a few pieces of news.

Ron Howard Henson Doc Coming Soon!

The Ron Howard directed Jim Henson documentary is almost finished. The clips used are being reviewed for licensing approvals.

Disney will be premier the film at festivals once that's done with a plan to have it on Disney+ by the end of the year.

A Sam and Friends: The Story of Jim Henson’s First Television Show Follow-up Book!

Craig is working on a follow up to his Sam and Friends book that will include scripts from the show. 

Since many episodes from the series itself is lost and Disney/Henson have no plans to officially release what's is available from the show on any format, for now ,this is the only way to experience some of this early Henson shorts.

No release date was announced but we may se it released by the end of the year as well. 

More Screening and Events!

Craig also revealed that February's screening as the museum will be Valentine themed, and March's will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Muppets Most Wanted. 

There also discussions about expanding the Henson-related events at the museum as well, but we'll keep you posted as more details are announced. 

Ron Howard & Brian Grazer Making Jim Henson Documentary!

Frequent collaborators and Oscar winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are teaming up with Disney for a documentary that is promised to be the “definitive portrait” of Jim Henson.

The nonfiction project comes from Howard and Grazer’s Imagine Documentaries and is being produced “with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family,” according to a release, “and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film. With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.”

Howard will direct and produce the yet untitled film.

“Jim Henson transcends generations through his iconic characters, and it’s one of the many reasons why I have been a lifelong fan,” Howard said in a statement. “I can’t wait to share a side of him and his career that people have never seen before. Henson’s limitless imagination and restless creativity is like few others and has influenced so much of our world as we know it. I’m humbled to be able to share a deeper look into his life and story.”

In a statement, Henson’s family commented, “The Jim Henson Company’s archive is a treasure reflecting our father’s work, personal life and inspirations, and has been carefully maintained for the last 30 years under the leadership of archivist Karen Falk. It will be thrilling to see the story that emerges from these materials in the hands of a truly great filmmaker like Ron Howard, who has the perfect spirit and personality to tell Jim Henson’s story.”

“Tracing his life and work,” a statement noted, “the documentary will follow how the brilliant innovator came to shape the childhoods of generations to come.”

The Henson documentary is produced by Imagine Documentaries for Disney Branded Television under the Disney Original Documentary banner. “The Disney Original Documentary banner will largely produce and acquire content for Disney+, as well as the suite of Disney Channels, with more announcements coming soon,” the release noted.

“Jim Henson has impacted our culture for generations, and his creative legacy continues to live on,” said Javadi, VP of Disney Original Documentary. “As iconic storytellers in their own right, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes are the best auteurs to share Jim Henson’s story with the world. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the team at Imagine Documentaries and the Henson family on this undoubtedly inspirational film.”

The documentary will be produced by Howard, Grazer, Sara Bernstein, and Justin Wilkes for Imagine Documentaries alongside Margaret Bodde. Executive producers will include Imagine Entertainment’s Michael Rosenberg and Javadi for Disney Original Documentary. Mark Monroe will serve as writer-producer on the film.

No release date nor distribution plan for the film has been announced, but based on the info above it sounds like it will be a Disney+ exclusive.

Street Gang Coming to HBOMax!

At long last, the excellent documentary Street Gang How we Got To Sesame Street, is coming to HBOMax. 

To announce the premiere HBO released a new poster (above) and a new trailer (below). 

Street Gang How we Got To Sesame Street will begin streaming December 13th on HBOMax.

Watch The Official Street Gang Trailer!

After making its long awaited debut at Sundance earlier this year, the producers of Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street have now released the official trailer and release date.

Take a stroll down Sesame Street and witness the birth of the most impactful children's series in TV history. From the iconic furry characters to the classic songs you know by heart, learn how a gang of visionary creators changed our world. 

While there is still no word on it's HBO Max premiere. Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street will be in theaters April 23rd and available On Demand May 7th. 

Special Sesame Street: 50 Years and Still Sunny! Documentary Coming to PBS!

In addition to Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary celebration special, PBS will air a new documentary, Sesame Street: 50 Years and Still Sunny!

According to Broadway World, the special will feature interviews with Jodie Foster, Itzhak Perlman, LL Cool J, filmmaker Ken Burns, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger and Jeffrey D. Dunn, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, include interviews with many of the writers and puppeteers, and will be hosted by Grammy Award winner Gloria Estefan.

"PBS is thrilled to present this Sesame Street documentary special," said Lesli Rotenberg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Children's Media & Education, PBS. "For 50 years, Sesame Street  has been imparting invaluable lessons as a shining example of high-quality, educational children's television. Sesame Street: 50 Years and Still Sunny! is a warm and welcome reminder of how the series has touched the lives of viewers of all ages for decades."

Filled with video clips of Sesame Street's most unforgettable moments, the program will explore how the groundbreaking children's series captured lightning in a bottle and examines its significant and lasting impact on families across America. The program also features heartfelt testimonials from viewers, captured by PBS member stations, about the influence of Sesame Street on their lives.

Sesame Street: 50 Years and Still Sunny! premieres on PBS stations beginning Wednesday, December 4, 2019 (check local listings).

Defunctland: Jim Henson Documentary Series!

Youtube channel Defunctland put together a Jim Henson documentary series.

You can watch the full six-part series below:

As a bonus here's DefunctTV's look at The History of Bear in the Big Blue House:

Behind The Scenes of The Muppet Movie Coming to Disney+!

Disney announced a slew on non scripted programs coming to their Disney+ streaming service. 

Among them is Cinema Relics: Iconic Art of the Movies" (working title)

This series focuses on the props and costumes that are iconic in some of our most beloved Disney films. Among the first episodes are artifacts from Mary Poppins, Tron, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Muppet Movie, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? We can’t wait to see what we’ll discover.

We hope even more Muppet films are included as the series continues. 
Disney+ is schedule to launch later this year, 

Focus Features in Talks for "Street Gang" Acquisition!

According to Variety, Focus Features is in advanced negotiations to acquire the worldwide rights to “Street Gang.”

For those unfamiliar, “Street Gang” tells the story of Sesame Street's creation and is partly based on Michael Davis’ best-selling book of the same name. It gained initial funding through crowdfunding site Indiegogo.

Variety also revealed that HBO has acquired the U.S. streaming and broadcast rights to  the documentary.

Big Bird Documentary Wants Your Stories!

A short documentary about Big Bird is in the works and the producers want to hear from you!

The Los Angeles based production company is working with Sesame Workshop and is looking for stories to share.

They’re looking for amazing real-life stories or anecdotes from parents, kids, and fans of all ages who Big Bird has had a positive impact on, from teachable moments to nostalgic ones to getting themselves or their kids through a difficult time. In other words, what are your favorite Big Bird stories? If you have a fun, heart-warming, funny or inspiring story that relates to Big Bird, they want to hear from you!
E-mail Colleen at colleen@matadorcontent.com for more info.

Talking About Muppet Guys Talking!

I just finished watching Muppet Guys Talking, and it simply striking in so many ways.

The first thing you notice right away is just how raw it feels. From the opening titles to Frank Oz's intro you can tell you're in for something different. 

This isn't a glamours documentary with depth of field shots, or a behind the scenes special on how the things are made. 

The man who took the Muppets to Manhattan, had a signing plant destroy skid row, let dirty rotten scoundrels out to play, and tied Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin into a bowfinger, strips it all away to simply let you enjoy the company around him.

In some of the promotional materials Oz called it "Shooting Dirty" and the end result is both jarring and conversely relaxing.

Frank is joined in warn leather couches in an almost empty brick room with his
longtime collaborators and friends Jerry Nelson, Fran Brill, Dave Goelz, and Bill Barretta. Immediately you get the sense that your just a fly on the wall listening as these old friends swap stories about working together and with Jim Henson. 

They talk at length about their dearly departed leader and the lengths he would go to bring magic to the screen. They also briefly delve into working with their other friends that have passed on like Richard "Richie" Hunt, Jerry Juhl, and Don Sahlin. Here is where I would have liked to have seen a little more archival footage, especially of Richard and Jim. Their lost stories and interactions are a painful reminder of that they left us all too soon. It should also be said that Jerry Nelson passed away not long after filming. 

You may recall that Jerry died in 2012, while the copyright on the screener I received said 2016. It goes to show just how long it's taken to get this little film out to the world.

The film is very much aimed at Muppet fans who already have a working knowledge of the people and characters each of these "guys" brought to the screen over years.

It'll be interesting to see the reaction by some of the more conservative Henson fans when they learn that not only were the Muppets not made for kids - not even Sesame Street to an extent, but to hear the "shit" litteraly fly a few times in a "Muppet" movie.  

The elephant in room is everyone/ thing they don't mention. While I don't expect them to name drop every single performer, writer, and director, they do not mention Louise Gold one of the few female performers, any of the recasts or how they were handled - not even the characters Bill Baretta took over, any of the second generation performers, any of the human cast of Sesame Street, nor Marty Robinson, Kevin Clash, and this is a big one, Steve Whitmire. The loss of these people being recognized for their contribution to The Muppets gives the otherwise familiar vibe of the film a somewhat hollow sting.

Having seen pretty much every Muppet/ Henson special and movie, and having the privilege of seeing most of these performers tell these and similar stories at live events, it was still refreshing to learn new things about each of them while also getting a sense how excruciatingly complex, and at times dangerous, scenes were to pull off. 

 

I won't spoil it here, but suffice it to say Frank tells the story of the contraption used to create one of the climatic scenes in The Great Muppet Caper. Having watched the film countless times, I thought I for sure knew how they filmed it. If you think you have an idea, I can pretty much guarantee you will be shocked to learn how it was actually done. 

With all the attention Jim paid to filming behind the scenes footage for The Muppet Show (seen in footage from Of Muppet and Men),The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth (shockingly neither of which is mentioned at all), I'm surprised there isn't much behind and under the scenes photos or film from the early Muppet movies themselves - surely if they existed we would have seen something by now.

That brings me to the clever way the filmmakers illustrate these stories - by literally
illustrating them over the frame. This technique lets you see how both complex, and at times simple, some of these techniques and tricks really were.

The low techness of the the whole thing makes it feel like you're just one seat away, hanging out with people who play larger then life characters. It's intimate, sweet, and highly
recommended for fans, but I'm not sure those with just a casual appreciation of the Muppets will be willing to sit and hangout.

Muppet Guys Talking will be available this Friday, March 16th at MuppetGuysTalking.com

Muppet Guys Talking Gets Official Release Date!

Frank Oz and the folks behind Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched have officially announced that their behind the scenes documentary will be available March 16!

The full length feature film starring Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Fran Brill, and Bill Barretta, will be available purchase and download at MuppetGuysTalking.com.

Yes, that means for the time being it will only be available online and not from traditional outlets such as Amazon, Best Buy or Netflix. 

New "Street Gang" Doc Coming Soon!

On Friday, Street Gang author Michael Davis shared his excitement about his book being turned into a documentary. 

With it being April Fools, we weren't sure at if the story was real or not. 

After confirming it with Michael and the production company, we can now also share the good news that his wonderful behind the scenes book will be turned in a film! 


"Come and play....coming 2017"

Marah Strauch, who directed Sunshine Superman has been tapped to helm Street Gang, with Trevor Crafts, Mark Myers, Matt Daley and Heather Kenyon.

We'll keep you posted as more news develops and be sure to follow the production on their new facebook page!

Dark Crystal Documentary Announced!

JM Prater and Philip Mitchell, two fans of The Dark Crystal, loved the movie so much they've decided to make a documentary entitled  "The Great Conjunction: The Legacy of The Dark Crystal."  The film will explore the making, fandom, and lasting impact of the movie. 

The concept trailer for the film can be seen below:

Similar to I Am Big Bird, the filmmakers are using a crowd funding campaign, to acquire the funding needed to make the film. They plan to announce their initiative through indiegogo within the next few weeks.

You can read an interview with the filmmakers here. 

For more information please visit the official Facebook page for the documentary at www.facebook.com/darkcrystaldoc