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Brian Jay Jones on Jim Henson: The Biography
Biographers have the unique responsibility—and privilege—of living with their subjects for the years they’re doing their research and writing. Frankly, I couldn’t have asked for better company over the last five years. Jim Henson has been part of my life—and probably part of yours—for nearly as long as I can remember. I was two when Sesame Street premiered in 1969, and nine when The Muppet Show debuted in 1976. That practically makes me Muppets Generation 1.0. Why would I choose to write about Jim Henson, then? Heck, why wouldn’t I?
For the most part, the bulk of the research for this biography was conducted the old-fashioned way: sitting in an archive—in this case, The Jim Henson Company archives in Long Island City, New York—and turning over documents one at a time. I read through Jim’s private diaries, examined handwritten notes—sometimes just scraps of paper with ideas for a character name or a slapdash drawing of a new Muppet—pored through business papers and receipts, and poked through innumerable TV scripts and film proposals, many of which never made it any further than Jim’s carefully typed notes. For the first time, you’ll read about many of these projects, and learn how hard Jim worked to bring programs like The Muppet Show to television.
I also had the pleasure of interviewing all five Henson children and his widow, Jane—who passed away earlier this year—as well as countless colleagues, friends, and collaborators. We spoke in living rooms in London, workshops in New York, and film studios in Burbank. We talked over breakfast in hotels and brunches in diners. And when we couldn’t meet in person, we talked on telephones and Skype, or wrote each other e-mails. Almost to a person, everyone was open, honest, and thoughtful about Jim and his work—and, as you can probably imagine, many were also very, very funny.
Finally, of course, there was the pure enjoyment of going back through Jim’s work, watching Muppets and Fraggles and Skeksis and Storytellers with a keener appreciation of how Jim wove his life into his art, and his art through his life. Any time you can watch episodes of The Muppet Show, or old footage of Jim blowing up his Muppets on The Ed Sullivan Show and call it work, you know you’ve officially got one of the best jobs anywhere.
It took five years to get here—and now, at last, it’s your turn to live with Jim Henson. I think you’ll find he’s pretty much exactly as you want him to be: genuinely kind, dazzlingly inspirational, immensely talented and—as Frank Oz said—“delightfully imperfect.” Not bad for a kid from the swamps of Mississippi.
“It’s a good life,” Jim once wrote. “Enjoy it.” And I hope you’ll enjoy Jim Henson.
A Look Inside Jim Henson: The Biography
Jim at the editing table in 1972 as performer John Lovelady,Click here for a larger image
Jim and the cast of Fraggle Rock. Airing on HBO from 1983Click here for a larger image
Jim loved performing the sage Cantus on the setClick here for a larger image
Jim HensonClick here for a larger image
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1712643092. 4/9/2024 6:11:32 AM. Seller Inventory # U9780753555088
Book Description Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,950grams, ISBN:9780753555088. Seller Inventory # 9885712
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Fine. Innovator. Genius. Legend. Jim Henson was a talent like no other. The iconic characters he created Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie, Miss Piggy, Big Bird made Jim Henson a household name. But they were just a part of his remarkable story. Now, in this extraordinary biography, written with the generous cooperation of the Henson family, Jims life is given full rein: his vibrant imagination, winning sense of humour, and infectious enthusiasm. For the very first time, the Henson archive has been opened to an independent biographer, giving Brian Jay Jones unprecedented access to private papers. Drawing on this treasure trove of material, as well as exclusive interviews with Hensons family, friends and closest collaborators, this is quite simply the most comprehensive book ever written about a man who is a hero to millions. Read all about the evolution of the Muppets, Hensons contributions to Sesame Street and his lengthy campaign to bring The Muppet Show to television, as well as Hensons non-Muppets projects the richly imagined worlds of The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, and fascinating misfires like Hensons dream of opening an inflatable psychedelic nightclub. Jim may be gone, but he and his legacy are not forgotten. In Jim Henson, we have the ultimate celebration and examination of an unforgettable, irreplaceable, incomparable man. Seller Inventory # GOR008818185
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Innovator. Genius. Legend. Jim Henson was a talent like no other. The iconic characters he created Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie, Miss Piggy, Big Bird made Jim Henson a household name. But they were just a part of his remarkable story. Now, in this extraordinary biography, written with the generous cooperation of the Henson family, Jims life is given full rein: his vibrant imagination, winning sense of humour, and infectious enthusiasm. For the very first time, the Henson archive has been opened to an independent biographer, giving Brian Jay Jones unprecedented access to private papers. Drawing on this treasure trove of material, as well as exclusive interviews with Hensons family, friends and closest collaborators, this is quite simply the most comprehensive book ever written about a man who is a hero to millions. Read all about the evolution of the Muppets, Hensons contributions to Sesame Street and his lengthy campaign to bring The Muppet Show to television, as well as Hensons non-Muppets projects the richly imagined worlds of The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, and fascinating misfires like Hensons dream of opening an inflatable psychedelic nightclub. Jim may be gone, but he and his legacy are not forgotten. In Jim Henson, we have the ultimate celebration and examination of an unforgettable, irreplaceable, incomparable man. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR006177417
Book Description Condition: good. 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed ! The book shows some signs of wear from use but is a good readable copy. Cover in excellent condition. Binding tight. Pages in great shape, no tears. Not contain access codes, cd, DVD. Seller Inventory # PSG0753555085
Book Description Condition: Good. Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. Seller Inventory # 353-0753555085-gdd