Original subtitles

When we come back, the Muppets return to television on the Jim Henson Hour,

including a guest appearance by yours truly in mind.

Good morning, America.

Watch your language, Fozzie.

The Muppet Show ran on television from 1976 to 1981.

In 1989, the Muppets were back on TV in the Jim Henson Hour.

Henson talked to me about the new show that April in one of his last television

interviews.

Well, there's some good news in TV land. The Muppets are coming back to

primetime on NBC.

It's the Jim Henson Hour, and it premieres tonight at 8 o 'clock Eastern

o 'clock Central, and Jim Henson in person is here to tell us about it. And

it's on at 8 o 'clock in primetime, this can't be just a children's show.

No, it's really, it's a family show.

I think of most of the stuff that we've ever done is really for families.

There are parts of it that are a little more adult than we've done. What exactly

are you doing? I mean, if I were to describe it, I would probably use the

anthology. And I'm told that...

We're not supposed to use that word. That's right. We don't call it that. But

it's sort of a mixed bag of things.

Part of the show, the first half hour, is very often a variety show, sort of

like the Muppet Show brought into the 80s. It's kind of a high -tech version

the Muppet Show.

And then the second half hour is often a story.

And we're using, oh, like one of the things we're using is Storyteller.

The Storyteller is a show we've done four of those for NBC.

John Hurt is the storyteller, and we do medieval folktales.

So that's one of the shows. Another kind of thing we're doing is Dog City.

It's a show, it's all dogs and they populate a city and it's a crime story.

dogs and bad dogs. Yes, yes. Bugsy on the left is a bad dog. No question about

that. And then another one we have, we're doing a few dramas.

We do a thing called Monster Maker about a 14 -year -old boy who wants to become

a monster maker for the movies.

And that thing there is called the Ultra Gorg, and it's the largest Muppet we

ever made. It's about 30 feet wide, and it took around 17 people to operate.

You also invite some guest stars, and I know with an idea toward the baby boomer

parents of today, because one of them is Smokey Robinson.

We went up with a crew, and we shot a little behind the scenes of the

for a day when they were taping a segment with Smokey Robinson, and here's

it went.

Tom Hunter stays the same, right? I don't think so. I'll keep my head up.

Can I see the three of you, please?

Visuals up, please.

Can I see Digit to show me position? Where are you, roughly, Dave?

Can you get out of this shot, Dave?

Yeah, coming.

I just swiped the mirrors around.

Okay,

we're just doing the backup singers, everyone.

Jim, I need just you and Vicki doing your timing, if you'd be so kind.

Okay, everybody, follow me into the control room. Nothing like a jog around

parking lot to put mind and body in perfect harmony.

And now we're ready for the opening number.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, if you're ready back there, here's Smokey

Robinson and the House Band.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, if you're ready back there, here's Smokey

Robinson and Solid Foam.

It's so hard to live without the love she gave to me.

And look who's co -tapping along with us this morning.

Kermit the Frog has joined us. Hi, Jane. You know, Kermit, I was going to

introduce you as Kermit the Star, but I couldn't help but notice that Jim's

going to name this show after himself, The Jim Henson Hour.

Yes. Is there any trouble amongst the Muppets that he has...

stolen the thunder, shall we say? Well, you know, we talked about doing the

Kermit the Frog show, you see, and I actually thought that was a better title

for the show, but they're doing some stuff that's not Muppets, so they

not to do that. Yeah. I don't know why. Jim is playing himself in the role of,

well, sort of like Alfred Hitchcock presents, though, once again, he might

embarrassed by that. How would you, Kermit, critique Jim's performance on

as himself?

Well, I think he's sort of stiff and not terribly entertaining.

I mean, you know, some of us Muppets are funny and witty, but, you know, the guy

is kind of stiff.

When he's sitting on camera mouthing the words, are you really the voice?

Am I the voice for the man?

Well, now you're getting very surrealistic.

I don't understand this.

How could that be?

Well,

I don't know.

Perhaps. You two get together and... I've never understood the concept of

ego in the first place. I understand.

Kermit, it's always a pleasure to see you, and I look forward to seeing you in

prime time on NBC.

Hey, you know what? What? I don't know if the audience knows this, but Jane is

actually going to be on this show.

How about that? You did a brief appearance.

It was so much fun. And Lord Scott is going to be on the show, too? Yeah, as

ourselves. Yes, yes.

More or less. Terrific. And you were great. Great?

Yes, wonderful.

You're going to use that in a blurb? Yes, exactly.

Jane Pauley is great. Great. She should have a career on television.

They should rename the show the Jane Pauley. Well, never mind that.

Kermit, it's good to see you, Jim.

Take care. We'll be back after this.

Kermit may or may not be an astute judge of talent, you can judge for yourself.

Here's that clip from the Jim Henson Hour with cameos by me and Willard.

Welcome back to today. It's time for the weather.

With Fozzie Bear... Help! Help! Help! Willard!

Is that camera on?

It certainly is.

Ah!

Good morning, America!

Watch your language, Fozzie. Now, what were you saying?

Oh, uh, nothing. Nothing, except, uh...

I am your new weather bear. See, I got my pointy stick and everything.

That's very professional, but isn't that Willard's job?

No, no.

Funny you should ask.

Willard could not make it. He told me to take over.

Wait a minute.

Where is Willard? Hi, I'm your new weather bear.

And holy cow.

Oh, well, I guess as you can plainly see, there's all this.

white stuff over here.

Oh, cute little pennants up here.

There's a giant owl over here by Nebraska.

Now, all you people in Nebraska, you stay in your homes until we can find a

to get the owl out of there.

Yeah, well, now, over here, we have a man with a

fruitcake.

Oh, Fozzie.

Fonzie, I'm afraid you're just not cut out to be a weather bear. I know.

But now, hold it. Listen, I found some great stuff in my closet that I think

are going to love. What? Take a look at this. A big nose with glasses.

Oh, yeah. Is that correct? Oh, yeah.

And a slightly used whoopee cushion.

Oh, my old friend. But wait a minute. I saved the best for last, baby.

This is it. A hilarious banana peel.

Now, that's funny.

Waka waka. Waka waka.