Here's my thing, and of course I will not understand what I'm about to say. I love the Muppets and have a lot of admiration for Jim Henson and the work he did when he was alive. But I do care a lot about the "business" side of things, 'cause that in the end plays a big part in the way creative things are done. Let's say the EM.TV deal in 2000, there was a lot of hope that with the outstanding $680 million being poured into the Henson Co., the sky was the limit with what the Muppets could do, especially with the announcement of the new Muppet Show or new episodes of "The Muppet Show," whatever that meant. Then, of course, a year later, it all went to heck and Henson's up for sale. With all the rumored suitors since March 2001--Viacom, AOL, HIT, Saban, Valentine, Classic Media, Entertainment Rights (whatever the freak they do), and of course Disney and Charles Rivkin himself--there has been a fair mix of optimism and worry for Henson/Muppet fans (at least for the hard-core ones who have access to Muppet Central) concerning what these parties will do to or for Henson.
Well I'd like to say screw all the corporate hooha and just cherish what Henson has done for us, I personally can't do just that. I've been a major Muppet fan only since '95, and while I have seen enough pre-90s Henson material to say they were better and just had this "thing" and certain mood in those days which makes me love the company, I've had to deal with a time of bad deals (ABC, Sony), failed investments (Odyssey, Kermit Channel) and just a time of corporate play that has hindered certain creative efforts.
While to honor the creative side is the primary basis of being a Muppet fan, the corporate side and all this talk of the EM.TV sale is very important too, 'cause where they go affects how future projects will be handled and how existing brands will be managed. Example: EM.TV. While Luke said they were doing all these good things with Henson in early-mid 2000 in the UK or wherever, but by mid-2001 Kermit's daddy had sold the 21-year-old Sesame characters (albeit to the company that actually makes the show) and the Crown Media stake was gone too, greatly diminishing the presence of classic Henson material that was shown on Odyssey. And, apparently, these articles SEEM to say that Henson's own home-grown Creature Shop is separately for sale, don't even want to talk about that.
Now Henson's caught up in this drama which could be the best thing ever or the worst thing ever (though that's a little exaggerated). If our beloved JHC indeed goes to Disney, the company could exploit the Muppets (which they need to be) through many of its divisions. More opportunity for merchandise, reruns of the classics from the 70s and 80s, new movies, attractions, and other things for us to watch and buy (and believe me I need more Henson stuff). Though who knows what the actual creative work (at least the Classic Muppets) would look like under the Mouse's ownership. What things would be like now if Jim didn't die and Disney owned his company, that's a question honestly no one could answer. But it's fun to try.
If Classic Media buys (or buys a half stake in) Henson, well, who knows? From what I've read, they own the Harvey characters, Lassie, Lamb Chop, Mr. Magoo, and others. From this company, it looks like they'll just own the Muppets for the sake of owning them and just name recognition, 'cause I don't know what major projects I've seen from these other characters in a while. But of course the Muppets are a more visible brand than the others, so again, who knows?
Entertainment Rights PLC? Moving on.
And, realistically, who knows what EM.TV will continue (along with Dean Valentine and his posse of investors) to do with Henson. How a 50.1/49.9% deal is different than a 50/50% deal, ask someone else? Do they, if the deal goes through, have the strengths to put Muppets and other Henson brands back in the public eye? Guess we'll find out.
What am I desperately attempting to say since this has been on my screen for the past three hours? While we can still look back and think of the simple days of just watching Muppet/Creature shows just waiting for those "geniuses" at Henson to make more uplifting stuff, I'd think we better watch EM.TV and its dealings very closely, because notice it or not, Henson (at least the Muppet part) has only STARTED to make a comeback with bigger projects. While the UK and other countries have been lucky with "Mopatop," "Hoobs," and some older stuff being played on several channels, the US only has "Bear," the soon-defunct "Farscape," and a gaggle of Sesame Streets. We're all lucky there's the Time Life videos, two of which I bought at Target somehow.
So, while it doesn't need to be the fan's primary concern, all the behind the scenes dealings do matter 'cause it will affect (especially when the company itself is getting bought and sold) what your favorite characters and TV shows are doing and how they will be treated. Unless, despite all its past achievements and recognition, Henson could end up another Harvey Entertainment Co...which by the way is now called Sunland Entertainment minus Casper and the other cartoons.
And that's my two cents, and now my wallet's empty.
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