History of the Muppets

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Sam and Friends was the first “Muppet” show and it was produced by Jim Henson and his future wife Jane Nebel. It aired locally on WRC-TV in Washington, DC right after the Huntley-Brinkley Report. This weird programming pairing led to witty impressions of the legendary newsmen. There was also western spoof with jokes about shooting people, absurd sketches, and characters like Harry the Hipster, the ever-voracious Yorick, and a snake with arms named Icky Gunk. It’s interesting to note that Harry the Hipster and Kermit’s antics seem more like the precursors to Sifl & Olly than the current iteration of the Muppets. They’re not for kids; they’re counterculture. read on ...