Jim Henson's Red Book

In June 1965, 28-year-old Jim Henson started a written log of his activities in what became known as “The Red Book.” He noted what had happened up until that point (deemed “Ancient History”) and then recorded anything that he felt was worth recording as single line journal entries until the end of 1988.

Selected curated entries courtesy of The Jim Henson Company Archives.

5/23/1974 – ‘In LA do the Carson Show.’

Posted on May 19, 2013 by admin

Topics: Appearances | Tagged Johnny Carson, Los Angeles, The Tonight Show

5/20/1973 – ‘Do Emmy Awards show with Kermit and Cookie Monster w/Jane and Frank.’

Posted on May 18, 2013 by admin

It’s not surprising that Kermit and Cookie Monster were invited to appear on the Emmy Award show in 1973. Despite its home on public television, Sesame Street had been knocking ‘em out of the park in awards competitions and won multiple Emmy Awards starting in 1970. The charm of the Muppets was obvious and it was terrific to be able to add interest to what can be a dull affair – a televised award show. At the time, both daytime and evening programming was honored in the same event. There were only two awards related to children’s programming – in the Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming category, there were awards for best program (CTW’s Sesame Street and The Electric Company were both nominated) and for individual achievement (along with writers and directors from both CTW shows, Sesame music director Joe Raposo was nominated.)

For that 25th anniversary award ceremony, talent gathered on both coasts on two evenings. The entertainment programming was celebrated at the Shubert Theater in Los Angeles and televised on ABC. Two nights later, the news and documentary programming people came together at the New York Hilton, and their show aired on CBS. On the first evening, Cookie Monster and Kermit were charged with presenting the children’s programming award (which could go to multiple winners). After some banter, Kermit opened the envelope, which Cookie Monster ate. Using a flash light to look down Cookie’s throat, Kermit announced that the winners were Sesame Street, The Electric Company and Zoom. According to Annette Duffy in The Hollywood Reporter, “The Emmy Awards had class this year because it refused to take itself too seriously.” Duffy continued, “Muppets Kermit the Frog (looking adorable in a tux) and the Cookie Monster presented awards for children’s programming, with [director Martin] Pasetta’s camera jiggling when the Cookie Monster gobbled up an Emmy statue, and continued his eating orgy by chomping on some of the award announcements.”

Learn about Jim’s first Emmy award in 1959.

Jim’s sketch of his staging plan for his 1973 Emmy Award appearance.

Topics: 05-May '73, 1973 | Tagged Cookie Monster, Kermit, Muppets, Sesame Street

5/19-20/1983 – ‘In Wash. D.C. for Bob Hope Birthday Special’

Posted on May 17, 2013 by admin

In May 1983, Jim was back in Washington to help celebrate Bob Hope’s 80th birthday at the Kennedy Center. Once again benefiting the U.S.O. (Hope was a longtime supporter,) Jim was happy to join the festivities. The show started with a pre-taped conversation between Hope and then-President Ronald Reagan (an old buddy from his Hollywood days) and then launched into a big musical number featuring Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter, the Armed Services bands, and eight dancers. In recognition of Hope’s star power, the special clocked in at three hours and included a huge array of popular talent. These ranged from Tom Sellack and Flip Wilson to Howard Cosell and a couple boxers (Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard in a musical number!). Several Muppet Show hosts, beyond Hope and Carter, appeared including Loretta Lynn, George Burns, Phyllis Diller, Dudley Moore, and Brooke Shields. Underlining Hope’s strong connections, superstars Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra joined the party. And to top it off, Kermit did a comic bit and sang a duet with popular Scottish singer Sheena Easton, a customized version of “Just The Way You Are”.

The special aired on NBC on May 23rd. Jim and The Muppets had worked with Bob Hope many times in the preceding years including on a baseball themed special for the 75th anniversary of the World Series. Learn more about Jim’s work with Bob Hope.

Jim and Bob Hope in the 1980s.

Topics: 05-May '83, 1983 | Tagged Bob Hope, Kennedy Center, Lynda Carter

5/19/1978 – ‘University of Maryland (and honorary doctorate) – dinner at Mary’s.’

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

This brief journal entry captures two facets of Jim’s journey – a lifelong commitment to institutions and organizations that helped him in his professional development and his commitment to his extended family. After Jim graduated from the University of Maryland in 1960, he and his wife Jane (class of 1955) maintained contact with various professors and classmates. Over the years, the Hensons supported the University through the UMD Foundation and Kermit helped raise funds for various activities. Valuing the relationship, students at the University created a campaign to honor Jim, and a statue in his likeness was dedicated in 2003.

In the months leading up to Jim’s honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree presentation at the graduation ceremony, he was active in helping raise funds for a scholarship fund and seeking other ways to support the University. The flurry of activity in the weeks before related to more practical matters – flights (Jim was just wrapping the first group of Season 3 Muppet Shows that week before heading to LA to start on The Muppet Movie), how he wanted his name to appear on the diploma (Jim, not James), and his hat size for the mortar board (his UK assistant Sharon telexed her NY counterpart that, “Jim’s head measures 22 ½” which our wardrobe says is about size 6 7/8.”)

The other arrangements related to Jim’s commitment to his family. Jim was devoted to his parents, stopping to see them on the way to and from various professional commitments, and he made a point of visiting aunts, uncles and cousins around the country. No trip to Washington would be complete without a visit with his relations, and this momentous occasion was no different. To cap off the formal ceremony, Jim and his family had dinner at his cousin Mary’s house.

Learn more about Jim’s strong ties to The University of Maryland.

Jim’s Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from The University of Maryland.

Jim standing by his Rolls Royce, ready for his graduation from The University of Maryland, 1960.

Topics: 05-May '78, 1978, Appearances, Honors, Social | Tagged Honorary Doctorate, Jane Henson, The Muppet Movie, University of Maryland

5/16/1973 – ‘Meet with Michael Kidd.’

Posted on May 15, 2013 by admin

In April 1973, Jim got the green light from ABC executive Michael Eisner to start work on a television special featuring the Muppets. This would be The Muppet Valentine Special with Mia Farrow which aired the following January. He immediately started thinking about the team he would need for production. One possibility was Michael Kidd, a multi-award winning choreographer for both the Broadway stage and the silver screen who worked with such dance luminaries as Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Kidd had choreographed a show with Julie Andrews in the late ‘60s. Jim appeared on her special in February 1973 so Andrews may have been the source of his introduction to Kidd. Given that Jim planned to have Thog dance with his star on the Valentine show like he had with Andrews on her show, he probably would have welcomed her insight. In the end, Thog’s dance number with Mia Farrow to “Real Live Girl” was choreographed by dancer Christopher Lyall, partner of puppet builder and costumer Kermit Love who was instrumental in the creation of Thog.