Original subtitles

Hi there.

I'm Jim Henson, and I'm here to tell you a little bit about a new television

program we call the Jim Henson Hour.

Now, this is pretty much the way every episode of the series will start, with

here in the Creature Workshop.

Because after all, this is where it all begins.

You know, a lot of people think of this place as sort of a magical fantasy land

where everything comes to life.

But it's really not that way at all. No, not at all.

You see, what we make here are things that seem to be alive.

But you have to use your imagination.

And imagination is what this show's all about.

On the show, you'll be seeing a huge variety of characters and creatures,

of them very strange and new, some of them very familiar.

Oh, thank you.

Kermit will undoubtedly be a part of all of this. And I see that you, as usual,

have your hand in almost everything here.

So here's what the show's going to look like. On the first week of every month,

I'll be introducing a one -hour version of the storyteller.

Now, you may have already seen some episodes of this Emmy Award -winning

They star John Hurt in the title role, telling strange and wonderful stories

based on traditional European folktales. Traditional, but European, too.

The Storyteller is our version of classic folktales done in an innovative

style.

Now, the second week of each month will revolve around a very modern setting,

the inside of a TV set.

This second show brings us into the world of state -of -the -art special

effects.

How was that for special effects, boss?

Uh, Gonzo, I was talking more about computers.

Oh, no problem. The boys in the lab are very close to interfacing a computer

with a chicken.

Uh, you don't know what I'm talking about, do you?

I don't even know what I'm talking about.

Okay, walk this way.

If I could walk that way, I'd have legs.

In the many years we've been on television, the capabilities of TV

changed dramatically.

Using state -of -the -art technology, we can create settings that exist only as

electronic information.

Now that room doesn't exist except on the screen.

And now we can animate the room like this.

Wow.

And we can put characters into an environment like so. Oh, beam me up,

Okay. Whoa!

Wow! I've ceased to exist except as electronic information.

Whoa! You've got to see this. They've got everything in here.

There's my mother, the car.

We're going to use this sort of technology for the second week's show.

about a band of nutty guys who live in the back of an electronic shop and run

their own fly -by -night cable TV station.

It's the Muppet Show of the future with lots of rock music, fast -paced comedy,

human guest stars, and special effects.

It's called Lead Free TV.

Everybody watching everywhere.

Everybody, you're on the air.

See, see what you can do on the TV.

Everybody watching you and me.

Everybody watching in a tube.

Ah!

Crasher!

Cut it out, Crasher. Come on, come on. Get back in there.

Watch out! Somebody punch the blitz!

Blitz! Cut!

because we wanted to do shows that reflect the rich, bright look of

picture books. Picture books!

Picture books! Thank you, animal. Thank you, animal.

The way we've brought these books to life gives us warm, colorful shows that

accessible to younger viewers and at the same time fun for the whole family. All

fun! Fun, fun, fun!

This is one of the things we do best at the Muppets, programs with something for

everyone. Funny rabbit!

Funny rabbit! This is one of our picture books, and here are some bits of the

picture book special.

Finger back.

Gee, wasn't that terrific?

Yes, they were lovely.

Remember the devil from the storyteller clip we saw earlier?

Well, this is what goes on inside of that character.

I guess I didn't recognize him with his skin off.

One of the things we'll be doing here is showing you a bit about how things

work. Now, you see this devil here is controlled by cables. And this

one has about 35 cables going into him.

We have some of our characters with as many as 75 or 80.

Cables control small mechanisms like the ones connected to these wires which

articulate the lips.

Sophisticated technology like this lets us create highly realistic movement that

will blend seamlessly with our human performers.

We think showing how things work adds an extra layer of entertainment.

So this is one of the things we'll be doing in our fourth week shows.

This is a group of shows I'm particularly excited about because

can happen. A cup of coffee, Mr. Henson?

Sure. Thanks a lot.

at all.

Many of these shows will be set in the real world with a mix of humans and

puppets. We might do a mystery with Kermit and the gang, or a comedy about

enchanted bowling ball.

We might also do a musical that takes place in a spaceship with creatures

anything you've ever seen before.

Why, Jimmy, and more on this show?

Uh, uh, Piggy, actually, he was just talking about this part of the show. I

not speaking to you.

Oh.

To give you an idea of the fourth week's show, here's a look at the kind of

things we have in mind.

Check it in, check it out.

on the fourth week, almost anything can happen.

Anything happening is what is usually happening around here.

So there you have it. The Jim Henson Hour, bringing you the classic folk

of the storyteller, our variety show of the future, Lead Free TV, the color and

warmth of picture book specials, and the unlimited possibilities of the fourth

week's show.

We think it's an hour that families will want to spend together watching quality

television. What more can I say? See you soon.

Good night, guys.

Well, guys, what did you think?

Terrific show.

Great.

Terrific.