The Muppet show book / [layout and ill. by Tudor Banus]

by Jim Henson

Color illustrations recreate popular features and episodes from the first two years of The Muppet show.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Coffee Table Books, Tv, Humor, Art

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Jim Henson was an American puppeteer, filmmaker, and creative visionary whose influence on television, film, and puppetry reshaped the world of entertainment. Best known as the creator of the Muppets, Henson blended humor, whimsy, and heart in ways that captivated both children and adults. His work spanned television, feature films, and innovative storytelling formats, and he is remembered as a pioneer whose imagination opened new artistic frontiers.
Born James Maury Henson in 1936 in Mississippi and raised in Maryland, Henson showed an early interest in art, puppetry, and television. While attending the University of Maryland, he created “Sam and Friends,” a five-minute TV show that introduced audiences to a lizard-like puppet named Kermit, a character that would later evolve into the world-famous Kermit the Frog. The show was the beginning of a lifelong partnership between Henson and his future wife, Jane Nebel, who co-performed and co-developed early puppet characters.
In 1958, the couple founded Muppets, Inc., which would grow into The Jim Henson Company. Henson's innovative approach to puppetry transformed the field. He used flexible foam, fabric, and expressive hand movements to create puppets that could convey real emotion—characters that connected with audiences in a way few had seen before. He also redefined the way puppets were filmed, using monitors and unique camera angles to make them more lifelike and engaging.
Henson’s career reached a new height in 1969 when he joined the creative team behind “Sesame Street.” There, he created and performed many of the show’s iconic characters, including Ernie, Cookie Monster, Bert, Grover, and Oscar the Grouch. His work on “Sesame Street” helped the show become a global educational phenomenon, blending entertainment with learning for millions of children worldwide. Henson’s belief that television could be both entertaining and educational guided much of his creative output.
Despite his success with “Sesame Street,” Henson was eager to prove that puppetry could be more than just a children’s medium. After years of rejection, he finally launched “The Muppet Show” in 1976, a comedy-variety series starring a troupe of eccentric puppet performers led by Kermit the Frog. The show became an international hit, attracting celebrity guest stars and earning critical acclaim. It ran for five seasons and led to several successful theatrical films, including “The Muppet Movie” (1979), “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), and “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984).
Henson’s ambition and imagination were not limited to the Muppets. In the 1980s, he began developing darker, more complex fantasy worlds. He co-directed and co-wrote “The Dark Crystal” (1982), a visually groundbreaking film that created an entirely original mythology. In 1986, he directed “Labyrinth,” starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, a film that combined puppetry, music, and elaborate set design. Though not initially successful at the box office, “Labyrinth” became a cult classic and remains beloved today.
Henson also created “Fraggle Rock,” a musical fantasy series that addressed themes like cooperation, identity, and environmental stewardship. With “The StoryTeller,” he brought European folk tales to life using an artful blend of live action and puppetry. Both shows showcased his continued desire to experiment with format and content, always pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic territory.
Jim Henson died unexpectedly in 1990 from a sudden bacterial infection, just as he was in talks to sell his company to The Walt Disney Company. His death shocked the entertainment world, but his legacy endured. Through The Jim Henson Company and The Jim Henson Foundation, his commitment to puppetry, innovation, and creative storytelling continues to thrive.
More than three decades after his passing, Jim Henson’s characters still inspire wonder and joy. He believed in the power of imagination to chang

Reviews

[Vivone Os · Rating 4 out of 5]

DRUGO ČITANJE (tj. tko zna koliko sam je puta u djetinjstvu uzela u ruke jer je totalno raskupusana i polijepljena)
Bookoplathon - TBR Veteran
Sbooktober -Hang out with the pets: Animal on the cover

Iako ju nisam uspjela pročitati u listopadu, i zbog tog mi propadoše oba listopadska čitateljska izazova, došla mi je kao melem na ranu, nakon što 15 dana zbog bolesti nisam podigla knjigu.
Toliko me je pucala nostalgija cijelo vrijeme da sam na YouTubeu išla tražiti videe Muppeta. Baš sam uživala i knjiga me totalno vratila u djetinjstvo. <3

PRVO PRADAVNO ČITANJE:
Obožavala sam ih.
Sad sam ju iskopala negdje s police kod mame i čim prije ju čitam opet. <3

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this book is just one hundred of the sobbing emoji, arranged in the shape of Kermit's face

[Letitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

With actual snippets of script and beautifully detailed illustrations, Muppet Show Book recreates some classic episodes. Pretty to look at, a little confusing given the fonts and character name abbreviations.

[Melissa Jacobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.75

This was really fun and a good way to relive the joy I feel when I think about the muppets. This wasn't amazing but it was a good time for sure!

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book. The book contains all kinds of skits by your favourite Muppets. If you were a fan of the show you will be a fan of the book.

[Cale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a magnificent vintage store treasure find, even without the cover sheet. This book is as old as I am, and is a beautiful paper interpretation of a Muppet Show episode. Featuring skits, sketches, celebrities, and even songs from actual episodes, presented with water-color art that perfectly captures the characters and environments - they're practically frameable works of art. And the fonts... every character has their own unique font for their name, meaning there are dozens of distinctive choices that manage to capture the character's personality in immediate visual form. Thinking that this book was put together before computer desktop publishing was available just makes it all the more impressive. This is a must for any Muppet Show fans, reinterpreting the experience to a new medium practically perfectly.

[Celestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tämä on kyllä äärimmäisen omituinen konsepti kirjalle: Muppet show'n kahden ensimmäisen kauden sketsejä kuvitettuna ja kirjoitettuna draamamuotoon. Lisähupia tuo se, että koko kirja on suomeksi, mikä Muppetien sanaleikkihuumorin kanssa on hieman kiusallinen ja kömpelö ratkaisu. Viisi tähteä kuitenkin, koska koko idea on pähkähullu, kuvitukset hienoja ja sketsit hauskoja, olivat ne missä muodossa hyvänsä.

En kyllä oikein tiedä, voiko tämän laskea uudelleen luetuksi vai ei. Minulle on joskus pienenä luettu englanninkielistä versiota tästä kirjasta samanaikaisesti kirjaa kääntäen, kun oma kielitaitoni ei riittänyt :D

[Dan Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this vintage Muppet book by accident in my hometown library in probably 2002, right when the TimeLife Muppet Show DVDs were coming out for the first time. This book helped sell me on the more adult humor of Jim Henson's creations. The illustrations are beautiful. A real gem, if you can find a used copy anymore.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of my childhood, bought with my saved allowance money from the local small-town bookstore. It illustrated many of the popular sketches from the then-airing Muppet Show (which I watched faithfully every week). Fondly remembered yet sadly has long since left my collection - lost to the ravages of time.

[Matt Daneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had this as a youth and recently got a new copy and literally laughed out loud again and again at the corny-yet-charming gags taken from the first two seasons of the original show. Great book for any age.

[Jifu · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is basically just an episode of the Muppet show translated into book format using skits from the first and second seasons of the show - and even though I was personally already familiar with every joke, gag, and pun, it was still a total joy.

[Andrew]

0

[Jojo Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how I could see what a real muppet show would look like 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Aaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

hurjan nätit kuvitukset mutta 1) käännetty todella kökösti ja 2) aivan uskomattoman vaikeaselkoinen esitystapa lastenkirjalle

[Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read! It was like reading an episode of the show! I could Imagine all the voices and the theme music! If you can get your hands on this definitely pick it up for a quick and enjoyable read!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Muppet Show for readers. This is basically an entire show in book form. What fun! This library book is showing some pretty heavy wear and tear but it brings back such great 70s TV memories, it would be a shame for them to let it go. Search for it at your library!

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I ever read this cover to cover, but I'm sure I read all of it more than once over the course of my childhood.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old school. They don't make shows like this anymore.

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Cws]

JE-Hen

[Heather chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have this book it rocks its a show in a book !

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book cover to cover one afternoon. As a kid I didn't really care for the muppets and now, I still just feel like they are ok. Sometimes I think they are really stupid even.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it as a kid, now my mother gave me our old copy and my two year old son loves it. He asks for it each night before bedtime!

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

An illustrated script to the Muppet Show, with some of my favorite sketches!

[Jen]

my parents got this book for my sister and I were children - I was 8
just finished reading it to my own 8 year old :)

[Troy D. McElroy]

Yep.

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned my jokes on my mother's knee- and other joints.
Wokka wokka.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another childhood favorite I would Love to get my hands on!! :)