If you’re coming to this website and haven’t noticed this by now I’ll make it very plain: this is a Muppet and Henson fan website. Shocking for some of you, I’m sure. This is the place on the Internet where we appreciate the humor, the characters and the antics of Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Muppets and more. And whether you come to this website for those three named properties or the other, less meme-able (Prove me wrong, please!) productions within the Henson oeuvre, we are writing articles that help strengthen people’s connections to this media. And what that connection is exactly, can be different for everyone.
My own interest in the Henson-verse was always rooted not in the images on the screen nor the stories, characters or effects, as phenomenal as they all are. Instead, what I latched onto at an early age was what was going on behind and underneath all that visual wonder. For as long as I’ve been a fan of the Muppets and the works of Jim Henson, as well as the man himself, I’ve always found the most magic in the media that features behind the scenes looks and explanations of how all of these individuals worked together to create such wild and playful productions. I devoured the Jim Henson biography when it came out. It solidified my admiration for the man and informed my choices in how I engaged in my own work.
But I didn’t step out of my solitary appreciation of Muppet craft and into the wider world of Muppet fandom until 2017’s Muppet Guys Talking. This film changed my appreciation into infatuation for the Henson way of doing things. Seeing the genuine camaraderie Frank Oz, Fran Brill, Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz and Jerry Nelson shared while creating work that brings joy and humor to so many people made me finally reach out to other fans so that I could be a small part of that joyful community.
“One of my memories about The Muppet Show is laughing. Laughing and laughing and laughing.” – Louise Gold
That journey has landed me here at ToughPigs, where I get to work with other amazing, funny, passionate, creative, collaborative and joyful people who love the same things I do. And it means I get to pursue my interest and share it with even more people, hopefully continuing that cycle of joy. And I get to achieve that by doing things I would want to do anyway, like reading more books with more behind the scenes stories from even more individuals involved in Henson projects which, finally (you’ve been so very patient), brings me to this book review.
Rainbow Connections: Volume 1: Meeting the People Who Brought Jim Henson’s Vision to Life edited by Jonathan Melville is a collection of firsthand accounts from people who worked in some capacity on Henson productions. From puppeteers and performers to directors and illustrators, the interviews that Melville conducted elicit stories and memories from people involved in every aspect of making media and who worked directly with Jim Henson on some of his most beloved creations. If you crave stories from the sets of The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The StoryTeller, and even Muppet*Vision 3D, you won’t be disappointed.
The purpose of the book is to gather these stories from people who came together to bring Jim Henson’s ideas to life, how they were affected by these experiences and how they’re carrying on the legacy of that experience through the rest of their work. Some of them had no idea what they were getting into when they walked into this workplace and others eagerly approached the work hoping to touch the magic they already knew existed. But in all cases, it’s clear that people’s experiences were ones of positivity and singularity. Some came and went after a single project, others continued working with the company for decades. Some never planned any of it at all. And every single one of their recollections brought a smile to my face. (Not true, reader. I also cried, usually when they reached Jim’s death in their recollections. But shhh, don’t tell anyone.)
“There was never anything cynical about Muppets or Jim, and that’s part of the appeal, even to adults.” – Mike Quinn
If you’re worried that some of the recollecting might be repetitious, (After all, how many different ways can you describe working inside of a gorg?) have no fear! Because even when experiences overlap, no two people have the same story to tell. Instead, they all interlock like pieces to the ever-widening colorful puzzle of the Henson world.
For instance, there are back to back chapters from Gord Robertson and Rob Mills, the performers inside Pa and Junior Gorg. One might think they would have the same journey to relay on their way to Fraggle Rock, had the same stories to tell about working on set, then similar opportunities afterward. But just as no two people will view the same piece of art and have the same understanding, these two performers have different takeaways from their time on the show. Then when you add the perspectives from writer Jocelyn Stevenson, art director Bruce McNally, and producer Larry Mirkin, we start to see the greater picture of just how this remarkable show came together and changed lives.
“…Sprocket, one of the great heroes of television.” – Victor Pemberton
But this book isn’t just for Fraggle fans. So many individuals interviewed worked on multiple Henson productions. Or if they only contributed to one, then they bring a unique perspective on that situation. And despite the short time spent with the Henson crew, have nothing but fond and funny memories to share.
While every individual interviewed gets their space to shine and tell their story, the parts of these recollections that do repeat are worth repeating. You’ll read about the joy of working as part of this creative group, working to build something fun and memorable. You’ll read about people who are pursuing what they love and are passionate about, whether that’s performing, illustrating, or working with people. And that passion just happens to lead them to this wonderful opportunity. You’ll read about just how generous, gentle and kind Jim Henson was. About how he cherished people and others cherished him in return.
The final interview in the book is with Bill Barretta, which is a perfect choice, as Bill, on many levels, represents the future of the Muppets after Jim’s death. While Bill only met Jim briefly, he is nevertheless continuing the legacy of character creation and carrying on many of Jim’s own characters. And to use the words of Jocelyn Stevenson, he is releasing further “Jim seeds” to land in fertile soil and grow into further creativity, innovation and joy.
“It’s like a family coming together again.” – Bill Barretta
This book is full of Jim seeds. I hope you’ll read it and grow joy and creativity in your own life. I know they’ve been growing in me for a long time.
Click here to laugh and laugh and laugh on the ToughPigs discord!
By K. T. Lyn – [email protected]
