Henson & Oz

July 21, 2011 12:44 PM

Henson & Oz: A tribute to one of the great comedy teams of the 20th century. [12m13s] They worked together for 27 years, from 1963 until Henson's untimely death in 1990, and their friendship and professional association spanned several TV shows and a series of feature films. This video essay sums up their excellence, and their significance.
posted by hippybear (15 comments total)

When Henson died, my first thought was "Poor Frank". To me, the muppets will always be Henson and Oz's thing.
Two very lucky and very talented friends.
posted by djrock3k at 1:01 PM on July 21, 2011 [1 favorite]

The speech Oz gave at Henson's memorial is so moving, I cry every time I hear it.
posted by FunkyHelix at 1:14 PM on July 21, 2011

This stained-glass window hung in the Henson townhouse in New York City. It was a gift from Muppet writer Jerry Juhl. One year he presented the top panel, and the next year he added the bottom one.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:15 PM on July 21, 2011 [11 favorites]

I remember hearing his natural voice for the first time when he had a bit part in "Trading Places". I remember trying to hear all of his characters (Grover, Bert, Fozzie, Piggy, etc.) in that voice. I could.
posted by Melismata at 1:22 PM on July 21, 2011

This photo is somehow both the most awesome and the most sad.
posted by ssmug at 1:29 PM on July 21, 2011 [10 favorites]

The speech Oz gave at Henson's memorial is so moving, I cry every time I hear it.

Voilà.
posted by ericb at 1:30 PM on July 21, 2011 [2 favorites]

Big Bird at Jim Henson's Memorial.

Jim Henson Memorial - Jim's Favorite Songs.

More video of the memorial service.
posted by ericb at 1:34 PM on July 21, 2011

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Michael Frith talk about each character and their "perception of them."
posted by ericb at 1:39 PM on July 21, 2011 [1 favorite]

I was so lucky to grow in the era of both Mr. Rogers AND Jim Henson.
posted by entropicamericana at 1:44 PM on July 21, 2011 [5 favorites]

This photo is somehow both the most awesome and the most sad.

You didn't have to ... oh, man I ... I gotta ... be right back.
posted by Bookhouse at 3:25 PM on July 21, 2011 [2 favorites]

I've always said these two were a double act that belong up there with the best comedy pairs.
posted by scrowdid at 4:03 PM on July 21, 2011

If there's a Heaven, and Jim Henson and Fred Rogers aren't there, then how in Hell do you get into that place?

There just HAS to be a God. Both of those men and what they brought to us transcend evolution.
posted by Quasimike at 4:34 PM on July 21, 2011 [2 favorites]

I was really really afraid that the [more inside] tag was broken and I'd open this thread to find that Frank Oz or Carroll Spinney had gone. I'm really glad I was wrong. I still miss you, Mr. Henson. You don't know what you gave (and still give) to millions of children and adults around the world.
posted by luminous phenomena at 5:26 PM on July 21, 2011

Just reading this post was enough to bring me to the brink of tears. Clicking on the picture ssmug linked to threw me right over that brink.

I miss you, Kermie.
posted by Alnedra at 10:44 PM on July 21, 2011

Quasimike: "If there's a Heaven, and Jim Henson and Fred Rogers aren't there, then how in Hell do you get into that place?

There just HAS to be a God. Both of those men and what they brought to us transcend evolution."

Jim Henson would have disagreed himself... he was an atheist. He was just a wonderful, wonderful human being.
posted by gilrain at 10:44 AM on July 22, 2011 [1 favorite]