PERFORMER | Jim Henson |
DEBUT | 1972 |
DESIGN | Bonnie Erickson |
Jim is the banjo player for the Country Trio, a Muppet band that performed in variety show appearances in the mid 70s, and occasionally on The Muppet Show. Jim, and his fellow Trio members Frank, and Jerry, are based on their respective performers. Bonnie Erickson, who designed all three and built Jim and Frank, said that "[the puppets] are dressed that way, because that's how [Jim, Frank, and Jerry] dressed then."[1]
They were created for an appearance on The Perry Como Winter Show in 1972, where they sang "You Don't Mess Around with Jim." The group next appeared on The Dick Cavett Show in 1973, singing "Mama Don't Allow." During the latter appearance, the members of the Trio addressed each other as "Jim," "Frank," and "Jerry."
On The Muppet Show, the Trio has performed "Tomorrow," "In the Summertime," and "A Four-Legged Friend." Jim also sat in with The Electric Mayhem during the closing credits of The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence.
Jim has been immortalized in action figure form.
Notes[]
- Another puppet version of Jim Henson, made from a standard Sesame Street Anything Muppet (Orange Gold), was used at the 2018 Puppets for Puppetry event honoring Caroll Spinney. This version was performed by Eric Jacobson during the show, and Brian Henson for the finale performance of "Sing". This version of the puppet, performed again by Jacobson, was used in the live show during Caroll Spinney's retirement party.
- A third puppet of Jim Henson, performed by Brian Henson, was featured in the Jim Henson's Inspired Silliness cruise ship stage show.
Appearances[]
- The Perry Como Winter Show
- The Dick Cavett Show
- PBS promo
- The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence
- The Muppet Show
- The Muppet Movie
Illustrated appearances[]
- The Muppet Show Game (1977)
- The Muppet Show Diary 1979
- The Comic Muppet Book (1979)
- Muppet King Arthur (2010)
Other[]
- See also Jim Henson caricatured appearances
- As an in-joke, Jim was animated in crowd shots of the Muppet Babies episodes "Win a Twin" (as part of the Muppet Theatre Audience) and "Friend-a-versary."
Sources[]
- ↑ Bonnie Erickson quote from the "Muppet Rarities" event at the Museum of Television and Radio, 2003.
- ↑ The New York Times. The Man Behind the Muppets. May 30, 2024