"Jim Henson Idea Man" Wins Outstanding Documentary Emmy!

Ron Howard's Jim Henson Idea Man won 4 Emmys over the weekend.

The Disney+ produced documentary won Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special (original dramatic score), Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program, and the top price Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.

In a statement, Howard commented, “Jim Henson was a creative genius and artistic pioneer, and we set out to make an ambitious, comprehensive documentary worthy of this incredibly imaginative storyteller. It has been a thrill to revisit his work, and to see new audiences discover him and just how much his innovations in television still have an impact today. It’s been an amazing journey for this film. A heartfelt congratulations to the entire team!”

In addition to the Emmys won on Saturday, Jim Henson Idea Man won a juried award for Outstanding Motion Capture, last month.

Congratulations to Ron Howard and the entire team behind Jim Henson Idea Man.

“Jim Henson Idea Man” To Make Broadcast Premiere!

According to Deadline, Ron Howard's Emmy nominated documentary Jim Henson Idea Man is set to make its broadcast debut Sunday, August 11 as part of ABC's "The Wonderful World of Disney."

 

The film is the most Emmy nominated documentary this year with eight nominations, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program, and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program.

Emmys in the documentary categories will be presented at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 7 and 8 while the Primetime Emmys will air on ABC on September 15.

The Emmy nominated Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

"Jim Henson Idea Man" Nominated for 8 Emmy Awards!

Nominees for the 2024 Emmy Awards were announced today and Ron Howard's superb Jim Henson Idea Man documentary is up for 8 awards. 

 Jim Henson Idea Man is up for awards in the following categories: 

Outstanding Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program - 2024:
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
Igor Martinovic, Director of Photography
Vanja Cernjul, Director of Photography


Outstanding Directing For A Documentary/Nonfiction Program - 2024
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
Ron Howard, Directed by


Outstanding Picture Editing For A Nonfiction Program - 2024
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
Sierra Neal, Editor
Paul Crowder, ACE, Editor


Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Special - 2024
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
Brian Grazer, Produced by
Ron Howard, Produced by
Sara Bernstein, Produced by
Margaret Bodde, Produced by
Justin Wilkes, Produced by
Mark Monroe, Produced by
Christopher St. John, Produced by


Outstanding Sound Editing For A Nonfiction Or Reality Program - 2024:
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
Daniel Timmons, Supervising Sound Editor
Jeremy S. Bloom, Sound Designer
Ian Cymore, Dialogue Editor
Ryan Rubin, Music Editor


Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Program - 2024
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
Tony Volante, Re-Recording Mixer
Michael Jones, Production Mixer


Outstanding Writing For A Nonfiction Program - 2024
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
Mark Monroe, Written by


Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score) - 2024
Jim Henson Idea Man
Disney+
Imagine Documentaries Productions, Disney Branded Television
David Fleming, Composer

Winners will be announced Sept 15 at the creative arts ceremonies Sept 7 & 8th. 

The Emmy nominated Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

Muppet Stuff Video: "Jim Henson Idea Man" Review!

Join me as I talk about Ron Howard's documentary Jim Henson Idea Man as well as Disney+'s promotion for the documentary and their Muppet Collection.

 

Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

Be sure to check out more videos on our Youtube Channel.

Ron Howard Promotes Jim Henson Idea Man!

 Ron Howard recently made the rounds promoting Jim Henson Idea Man. 

There were print interviews with Nerdist and the LA Times as well as video interviews with a variety of media outlets. 

Good Morning America:
 

The View:
 

Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend:  

SoundWorks Collection:  

Concerts & Conversations:
Ron Howard, Margaret Bodde, Paul Crowder, and David Fleming:

  

Gold Derby:

 

Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

"Jim Henson: Idea Man" Trailer!

The first trailer for Jim Henson: Idea Man, was released this morning and it gives us an "idea" of what to expect from the upcoming documentary.

Watch the trailer below then stick around for our observations. 

 

Now that's you've watched it (over and over again like us) here's a few things we we looking forward to in the film.

ANIMATION!

Not only was Jim Henson a puppeteer, but he was also interested in animation. From a sketch of Big Bird that spouts feathers, to sketches of Kermit and the Sam and Friends gang being drawn before our eyes, to an invisible force sewing / painting the original Kermit from Jim's grandmothers old coat, it looks like we're going to see his "Ideas" literally come to life.

Rare early Footage!

We're going to see rare clips of early Henson work such as the Wilkins and Wonkin's commercials and Sam and Friends.

Behind The Scenes Footage!

We're going to see rare glimpses behind the scenes at how our favorite characters are brought to life. 
 

Merch and More!

We're going to get a peak of the world of Jim Henson's creations outside of their productions, and see how they grew into a worldwide phenomenon with toys, and being features in the  Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade..  

The Henson Family

Not only will there be interviews with Henson's children, we'll learn how Henson's success impacted his family. 

A Wide Variety of Henson Productions!

Sure it's a Disney+ documentary and Disney owns The Muppet characters, but we'll also see plenty of footage and learn about the creation of Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Time Piece, The Storyteller, and I'm sure even more.

JIM!

Of course being a documentary about Jim Henson, we'll also get insights into the man himself; what his influences were, and what drove his to not give up on his dreams.

Are you ready?

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

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+. 

"Jim Henson: Idea Man" - Vanity Fair First Look & Release DATE!

Vanity Fair has a "First Look" at Ron Howard's upcoming documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man.

The article not only reveals the documentary will feature new interviews with Rita Moreno, Frank Oz, Lisa Henson, and Jennifer Connelly

But also reveals the documentary will stream on Disney+ May 31.

So get ready to watch Jim Henson: Idea Man 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.