It ain’t easy being green, or yellow, or pink… The Muppets have been beloved for decades by children and adults of every age; these innocent creatures, who taught us about acceptance and compassion, and somehow could still easily make us laugh. But The Muppets, in their various incarnations, did not easily make it to our screens all these years. They seem so magical to us that we sometimes forget that they are traded by productions companies before they get to us. So what is The Muppets’ story? How did these characters get to the screen? And what Muppet-drama lies behind the scenes?
Do you really have to be a child to appreciate puppets? These bright characters can sing, tell jokes and stories, and entertain us like any person. They sometimes appear so innocent and genuine that they can move us more than any adult.
Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Rowlf the Dog… These characters are an inseparable part of our childhoods. The Muppets were created in the 50s and quickly became a fixture in shows for kids, most notably on Sesame Street. Their charm, positivity, and color (both figuratively and literally) inspired and moved both children and adults. So much so that they got their very own show, aptly titled “The Muppet Show”. With the shows – as well as the movies, most recently – it seems that The Muppets have been around our whole lives.
The Muppets’ creator Jim Henson refused to allow his creations to be considered strictly for children. Appropriately, The Muppets dealt with very deep and serious issues (albeit in mostly high, squeaky voices). Kermit sang “It ain’t easy being green” to discuss inclusion, he fought for the environment, and gave speeches at universities. The Muppets of Sesame Street also deal with important issues that concern all ages. Artistically, The Muppets’ scenes and performances were complex and surprising for adults to enjoy, as well. Thankfully, though unsurprisingly, The Muppets’ loyal fans have kept them in popular culture, even today. We can still see The Muppets in new films, and on Sesame Street.
We are all big fans of these characters. We can quote them word for word, sing all their songs, and recount sketches from their shows. In spite of that, there are still facts and anecdotes about these characters that even the biggest fans may not know about. Join us and read on to learn more about The Muppets.
[post_page_title]The word “muppet” doesn’t actually mean anything[/post_page_title]
It has been said that Jim Henson coined the term muppet by combining the words “marionette” and “puppet.” For a while, this was even the explanation which Henson himself gave. However, in an interview in 1978, Henson said that he coined the term because he liked it, and kept the rumor that it actually meant something alive because that explanation sounded better than “I like the way the word sounds.”
