baba said:
As we all know Jim Henson Rest In Peace passed away May 17th 1990. And their still is a lot of Hensons here are some of them:
Jane Henson,
Brian Henson,
John Henson,
Heather Henson,
Ect
And another thing to is i like Muppets From Space and i like Muppets Treasure Island. The Muppet Show Season One came out and so did Fraggle Rock Season One also along with the Muppet Show watch and hundreds of other things. I do still wish it all was owned by Henson but its not my choice what happin's and what does not.
Baba,
Baba,
Yes, there are other Hensons, but so far they ALL have been conspicuously absent when anyone says, "Okay, who's gonna take the helm of the Classic Muppets?"
Jane is functioning as the head of the Henson Legacy. She really didn't have much to do with the classic Muppets after she and Jim seperated. if she was willing to take on the role of leader, she would have done so long ago.
Brian is heading the Jim Henson Company. He pretty much outright said that he didn't want to be the steward of his father's work. He wants to be in control of the company and push it in his own direction. Nothing wrong with that, it has to happen, but it's not leading the Muppets.
John Henson? Is this the same John Henson so conspicuous by his complete lack of notoriety? How many even know who he is? and be sure you don't confuse the relatively unknown John Henson (son of Jim and Jane) with the relatively unknown John Henson (comedian).
Heather Henson? The puppetry performance artist? Her attitude is the same as Brian's. She doesn't want to be in command of the Muppets... she's got a successful career of her own brewing. No stewardship for her.
Quite literally, the Henson line has severed itself from the Muppets.
The rest of the stuff you mention,
Muppets from Space is the reason why Jerry Juhl (RIP) quit. The only guy who really had a handle on what Muppet comedy was about left the project.
Muppet Treasure Island is possibly the best of the recent offerings since it held true to Muppet comedy tradition. But you can chalk that up to Jerry's involvement.
The release of Muppets and Fraggles really just gives us what we've been asking for for MANY years. No brainer.
In order for the Muppets to get back in the swing, they NEED a leader. Can you imagine the disaster backstage at The Muppet Show if you suddenly just plucked Kermit out of the mix? Now imagine if you supplanted Kermit with J.P. Gross, Scooter's uncle.
That's what we have right now with MHC.
I'm not poo-pooing your likes. You have every right to like what you like. I'm overjoyed that TMS and FR are on DVD. Absolutely! Heck, I like Muppet Treasure Island too. But that was years ago. Yes... almost TEN years now.
And I still maintain that there is absolutley NOTHING wrong with asking for MORE and BETTER from the Muppets. But IMHO it's going to take a benevolent dictator (in the form of someone who can exibit the proper heart and lead with conviction and charisma) to put the Muppets back in their best Bristol fashion.
-G