Daniel,
I completely, completely agree with everything you said there. Maybe i was underplaying Brian's role a little and if this move will mean that he can focus on ideas that will bring that little special 'something' back into the company then all power to him.
I do though have my doubts that this is whats going on - of late they have decided to bring in independant producers and writing talent into Henson projects - namely the new Fox show, but also the Muppet movie scripts that were bought and have not yet been made.
I am very much pro Henson people being involved in the creative side of the company so i hope that Brian can get more involved rather than fading away. I really do get the feeling that JHC wants to bring in young blood with funky industry reputations so maybe a guiding (but not too overbearing) Henson hand is what they need to make it all work.