DefunctTV: The History of Muppet Babies

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ธ.ค. 2024
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    In this episode of DefunctTV, part 5 of 6 in the Jim Henson miniseries, Kevin explores the history of the Muppets Take Manhattan, Muppet Babies, Labyrinth, The Storyteller, and much much more.
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    For more great content, visit defunctland.com

ความคิดเห็น • 2.9K

  • @alyxg2764
    @alyxg2764 ปีที่แล้ว +695

    It hurts so much to know Jim never saw how beloved dark crystal and labyrinth have become

    • @Astrolionking
      @Astrolionking ปีที่แล้ว +30

      Labyrinth is what triggered my love for Jim Henson! My godmother showed me the movie and I was HOOKED.

    • @alyxg2764
      @alyxg2764 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@Astrolionking same! It was a constant when we would drive between states to visit family

    • @els1f
      @els1f ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I had no idea they weren't huge successes at the time! 😱 They were such important parts of all my friend's childhoods lol

    • @giselletorres4156
      @giselletorres4156 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That's like over a decade after the film's release which is why the term "cult-following" was used. Dark Crystal and Labryrinth were box office failures at the time, then the very children who were the target demographic for those movies grew up and appreciated jim's craft.

    • @alyxg2764
      @alyxg2764 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@giselletorres4156 they’re still considered cult classics in the same way something like killer klowns is. Is it bigger? Yes! But not amazingly

  • @EmilyRitcheson
    @EmilyRitcheson 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2663

    I honestly had no idea Labyrinth was such a flop when it first came out. I've heard nothing but positive things about it my entire life.

    • @thejoin4687
      @thejoin4687 5 ปีที่แล้ว +174

      "I've heard nothing but..."
      Nothing? Nothing tralala?

    • @melissacooper4482
      @melissacooper4482 5 ปีที่แล้ว +53

      I never knew that! I love Labyrinth!

    • @stevennorthrup5790
      @stevennorthrup5790 4 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      Melissa Cooper Labyrinth was still enjoyable, despite its failure.

    • @sleeplessstudios7626
      @sleeplessstudios7626 4 ปีที่แล้ว +87

      That's what makes it a cult classic.

    • @harrisd1983
      @harrisd1983 4 ปีที่แล้ว +87

      I found the movie at my local grocery store's video rental section in the 80s and loved it. No one knew even heard of the movie. Then around the year 2000 everyone loved it.
      It was this and Nightmare Before Christmas.

  • @julietdegoede
    @julietdegoede 5 ปีที่แล้ว +953

    I love the MCU (Muppet Cinematic Universe)

    • @johndouglas3114
      @johndouglas3114 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Yes!

    • @lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566
      @lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566 4 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      Kermit should have been in endgame

    • @juicyfruit6311
      @juicyfruit6311 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566 Does Kermit croak in the end?

    • @cccalennn
      @cccalennn 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566 Eh, more like probably Jim Henson himself.

    • @FinancialWell1
      @FinancialWell1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@cccalennn damnnnn

  • @Erinski
    @Erinski 3 ปีที่แล้ว +485

    Went to art school in the early 2000's. I just wish Henson could've lived to see how obsessed we were with his work, and how much it shaped our worlds and our paths, particularly "Labyrinth".

    • @Annie_Annie__
      @Annie_Annie__ ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Same. As a high school graduation gift, a friend of mine got me a book about Henson’s art that I still have on my bookshelf.

  • @sonofawil
    @sonofawil 4 ปีที่แล้ว +690

    I was a kid when “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth” came out and, although I didn’t see either in theatres, I watched them countless times on video. They were go to movies any time you assembled a group of kids.

    • @queenmedesa
      @queenmedesa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Like me

    • @Tsumami__
      @Tsumami__ 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That’s weird because the Dark Crystal isn’t really a children’s movie and scares most kids who watch it.

    • @Xanthopathy
      @Xanthopathy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@Tsumami__ That's exactly why it attracts kids, dummy. Do you not know how psychology works?

    • @sneakjokerwalters2841
      @sneakjokerwalters2841 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Did you get the box set with mirror mask?

  • @otaking3582
    @otaking3582 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2089

    Muppet Babies was actually Marvel Productions' longest running show. No joke.

    • @isidora1299
      @isidora1299 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Otaking Mikohani you have 222 likes I’m going to ruin that

    • @sophiegrace9523
      @sophiegrace9523 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      I’m the 333rd like

    • @isidora1299
      @isidora1299 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Jia life With Sophie I ruined that

    • @デデデ大王1
      @デデデ大王1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yeah I know that

    • @itscrumbelivable
      @itscrumbelivable 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      ironic.

  • @ThatLoudCockatoo
    @ThatLoudCockatoo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2029

    "This might sound FAMILIAR..."
    I can feel the disappointment in his voice my god

    • @tardiswhovian
      @tardiswhovian 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      Same... heh.

    • @merrittanimation7721
      @merrittanimation7721 5 ปีที่แล้ว +151

      What an appropriate time for this to come out though.

    • @DevinGates
      @DevinGates 5 ปีที่แล้ว +96

      This looks familiar... Vaguely familiar...

    • @davincent98
      @davincent98 5 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      It's almost like I recently saw a video on something with that premise and another on a forgotten sequel...

    • @syxepop
      @syxepop 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      davincent98, how about one that's on its' THIRD SEQUEL and it's ON THEATERS RIGHT NOW;: TOY STORY!

  • @DoomFoxofDeath
    @DoomFoxofDeath 5 ปีที่แล้ว +670

    "Ask for forgiveness, not permission"
    I think we found the polar opposite of TH-cam's copyright policy.

    • @MetroXLR
      @MetroXLR 5 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      Just imagine if Jim Henson was still alive, AND on TH-cam.

    • @MasterSorez
      @MasterSorez 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Love your Red avatar! Loved that game

    • @DoomFoxofDeath
      @DoomFoxofDeath 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@MasterSorez Thanks, I took it right from the game! Never got very far into it, what with emulator controls and its physical rarity. Cool concept tho, and I clearly loved the character designs :D

    • @MasterSorez
      @MasterSorez 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@DoomFoxofDeath Glad I got the physical game when it came out for normal price then xD And ma nthe game is so good, the story gets insane later on and the animated opening is still great

    • @DoomFoxofDeath
      @DoomFoxofDeath 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@MasterSorez That's lucky, I hadn't heard of the game until way after it's release and it was quite the collector's item on ebay by then. Some day I'll find a way to play it comfortably!

  • @samcoffeen4762
    @samcoffeen4762 3 ปีที่แล้ว +467

    It’s truly incredible that Henson assembled George Lucas, David Bowie, and Terry Jones to make a movie. What a legend

    • @dutchmansmine9053
      @dutchmansmine9053 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Those were the days

    • @SMA2343
      @SMA2343 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Jim Henson was basically Tony Stark at this point. Calling his avengers

    • @hughjack5066
      @hughjack5066 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      And on other projects had Frank Oz and Howie Mandel like jesus

  • @CZsWorld
    @CZsWorld 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2370

    Today I learned Muppet babies was an anime in the MCU.

  • @KarnRulez
    @KarnRulez 5 ปีที่แล้ว +377

    Jim was such a rare kind of person. It seemed like nothing bothered him and when it did, he didn't lash out or take his anger out on anyone. He just waited to see what happened while keeping a positive attitude that everything was gonna be alright.

    • @KidSnivy69
      @KidSnivy69 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      The world needs more Jim Hensons 🌎💙

    • @gwendolynstata3775
      @gwendolynstata3775 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      "What's this weird spot on my hand? Ah, it's probably nothing, we'll see."

    • @carsfan1995
      @carsfan1995 5 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      He cheated on his wife while working in foreign countries.
      If the roles were reversed you would not be saying those kinds of complimentary things about the wife.
      Yeah it was a civil separation but he still cheated and lied

    • @noraunhappy
      @noraunhappy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      McKenzie Eby I think we probably would. Despite some faults in his actions and choices, Jim was still a really great guy. That’s shown clearly by his ex-wife still being friendly and professional with him. Clearly she still thought highly of him, and him of her. They were both fantastic people with fantastic talent. Also, I wouldn’t really say Jim lied. As was mentioned, his wife knew about him cheating. They were just both too awkward and non-confrontational to talk about it.

    • @jakdekayen
      @jakdekayen 5 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Communication is a huge deal. If you both know and don't talk about it/fix it, who's fault is it really??
      My dad cheated on my mom. She knew. She always knew, it's something you pick up on when you know someone on an intimate level.
      She didn't hate him. She was hurt. But she knew she was dieing, and refused to hate him for making a mistake and being weak. Despite all his mistakes she still loved him.
      She never confronted him. As much as I hate what he did, I still love him. Despite his mistakes, I still love him.
      You can hate what someone does, and still maintain some level of respect and love for them. Just saying.

  • @mr.meloetta1939
    @mr.meloetta1939 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3054

    Nothing can escape the curse of making famous cartoon characters babies for a spin-off.

    • @colinthecartoonist
      @colinthecartoonist 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      I can draw Disney characters as babies
      Check Disney wikis community for new pictures starting July 3rd

    • @jaxoncarter2electricboogal921
      @jaxoncarter2electricboogal921 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Not even spingbill

    • @UglyBarnical58
      @UglyBarnical58 5 ปีที่แล้ว +47

      Honestly the Muppet Babies were better

    • @heyitzbabygurl4025
      @heyitzbabygurl4025 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Let's not forget Uncle Grampa Babies.

    • @sourgreendolly7685
      @sourgreendolly7685 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      The Baby Einstein hunter 2345 2.0 jsyk that’s been done by Disney
      Used to have all kinds of Disney babies stuff as a kid. I miss my baby Micky stuffie lol

  • @fantasmike
    @fantasmike 5 ปีที่แล้ว +774

    "MAMA DADA BOOP BOOP SHA WAH WAH!" Gosh it was bizarre hearing the muppet baby voices coming out of Jim and Frank's mouth in that clip

    • @Fragglerocker93
      @Fragglerocker93 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      mike walsh-thorpe 😂

    • @jaklumen
      @jaklumen 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      To be honest, even TV executives are astonished at the voices and sounds Frank Welker can produce. I'm thinking of the documentaries on the Real Ghostbusters series, specifically, Season One, if you want a specific reference.

    • @danielcolon979
      @danielcolon979 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@jaklumen Frank Welker is the Man of a Thousand voices.

    • @mesquitegirl2013
      @mesquitegirl2013 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I might have geeked out a lottle bit when that clip showed up

    • @user-si9fx4xb6v
      @user-si9fx4xb6v 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@jaklumen Indeed, Frank Welker is one of the most talented people in the voice acting world if you ask me. Next to his roles of Fred Jones and Scooby Doo, Dr. Ray Stantz and Slimer from The Real Ghostbusters are two of my favorites. Also I really enjoyed his work on Muppet Babies, G.I. Joe and The Transformers.

  • @SceneComparisons
    @SceneComparisons 3 ปีที่แล้ว +515

    I grew up with Muppet Babies without knowing their real life version on the movie
    It was a delight to watch the little clip on Take Manhattan

    • @matthew_natividad
      @matthew_natividad 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Kinda had both the great muppet caper and baby muppets ep where they parodied the jetsons

    • @Peachy_bloom64
      @Peachy_bloom64 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The theme is playing in my head as we speak 🙂

  • @Xenophage100
    @Xenophage100 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1093

    Well, Jim got the last laugh on Labyrinth. It's now a cult classic and considered one of the best movies of the 80s.

    • @corey2232
      @corey2232 5 ปีที่แล้ว +80

      Cult Classic, yes. One of the *best* movies of the 80's? Definitely not.

    • @KaneRobot
      @KaneRobot 5 ปีที่แล้ว +43

      Nice hyperbole. it obviously did find an audience, but no one but the most deluded people think it's one of the best movies of the 80s.

    • @atteranenforcer5263
      @atteranenforcer5263 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@KaneRobot Well...I liked it. I mean I'm not sure if it's one of the best 80's movies as I' no expert on the subject, but eh. Still one of Jim's best movies to me (until I see the Dark Crystal, I have yet to find a version online)

    • @johndouglas3114
      @johndouglas3114 4 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      It is considered one of the best movies of the 80s. It's literally in my 'best movies of the 80's' book - and it still plays occassionally in cinemas. 80's is rife with well loved movies (there are hundreds of em) but Labyrinth is one of those hundreds.

    • @AFishNamedBob
      @AFishNamedBob 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I can only assume you're exaggerating for effect. It wouldn't even make it into the top 50 movies of the '80s.

  • @RafaelHabegger
    @RafaelHabegger 5 ปีที่แล้ว +750

    It's like they had a MCU in 1986. Muppets Cinematic Universe

    • @pferreira1983
      @pferreira1983 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Shared universes were a thing long before the MCU.

    • @ck-1649
      @ck-1649 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Thanos: I am inevitable
      Kermit: HI-HO, KERMIT THE FROG HERE!!!

    • @busterthefrog6628
      @busterthefrog6628 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanos:What the actual heck

    • @The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane
      @The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@pferreira1983 Even the Marvel Universe existed long before the cancerous MCU.

    • @pferreira1983
      @pferreira1983 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane That's true.

  • @voltscreamratty
    @voltscreamratty 5 ปีที่แล้ว +226

    Such a damn shame about Labyrinth. It's a great movie and it's really just depressing that he never really got to see the eventual recognition it got.

    • @luketfer
      @luketfer 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Thankfully before he passed he was well aware of the cult following the film had.

    • @the-NightStar
      @the-NightStar 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I think calling it a "great film" is a bit much, when the lead actress was horrible and the movie made no coherent sense.
      It is a classic because of the great songs and the wonderful visuals, but I think that's it. The story is a gigantic fever-dream mess and the lead actress utterly fails to carry the film.

    • @nachobroryan8824
      @nachobroryan8824 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Dark Crystal and Labryinth came out when I was a kid and I enjoyed both of them. Didn't know one didn't do as well as they hoped and the other lost money until watching these videos.

    • @justinm6110
      @justinm6110 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@nachobroryan8824 LIKEWISE... maybe the issue was adults being critics . The characters of Labyrinth were amazing , and David Bowie as Jareth... he owned that role.

  • @AlternateHistoryHub
    @AlternateHistoryHub 5 ปีที่แล้ว +673

    I havent said this before. But the Muppets are my absolute favorite things, and Henson is literally an idol for me. I'm glad you've taken the Herculean task of covering so much of his career

    • @KB-pl2gj
      @KB-pl2gj 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      What if the Muppets never existed?

    • @sayvionwashington1939
      @sayvionwashington1939 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@KB-pl2gj The world would've ended in 2012

    • @BleachDemon707
      @BleachDemon707 ปีที่แล้ว

      SILENCE CHECKMARK

  • @joshcraig526
    @joshcraig526 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1060

    The production quality of these videos is unparalleled. Defunctland, your team is inspiring and thank you for shedding an awesome light on the legacy of Jim Henson. I look forward to these episodes every two weeks. Thank y’all for creating something magical.

  • @TotemoGaijin
    @TotemoGaijin 2 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    As a millenial, Muppet Babies was a galaxy brain move. Obviously the franchise was already world famous, but Muppet Babies and Fraggle Rock just cemented its position in the hearts and minds of all of us born in the 80s as well.

  • @joshyboy1983
    @joshyboy1983 5 ปีที่แล้ว +657

    Double take #1 - Marvel
    Double take #2 - TOEI ANIMATION
    My brain explodes.

    • @donkeykong75m
      @donkeykong75m 5 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      You forgot Megatron is baby Kermit

    • @wiibrockster
      @wiibrockster 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      MAKANKOSAPO!!

    • @maxis2k
      @maxis2k 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      You'd be surprised how many shows you think of as American cartoons were done in Japan or Korea. Probably 90% of them.

    • @CDRiley
      @CDRiley 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@donkeykong75m and K.A.R.R. in Knight rider

    • @notsusan
      @notsusan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@donkeykong75m Frank Welker was pretty much everyone in every 80s cartoon though.

  • @moonkitten13
    @moonkitten13 5 ปีที่แล้ว +370

    I've never payed too much attention to the muppets, much less Jim Henson, but this docu series it's so interesting and so well made, that now I can really appreciate all of Jim's creations and work, as well as his huge team. Thank you Defunctland!

  • @monstercombo007
    @monstercombo007 5 ปีที่แล้ว +559

    Oh lord....
    Next episode is going to crush me emotionally....

    • @DoswarePictures
      @DoswarePictures 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      Or how about “I don’t want to live on the moon”?
      That one made me cry.

    • @mesquitegirl2013
      @mesquitegirl2013 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I know

    • @craigluft2373
      @craigluft2373 5 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      it will have a happy ending, however. they then made the Muppet Christmas Carol, the best muppet movie (and best christmas carol)

    • @CascadianRanger
      @CascadianRanger 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      The fact we are starting to talk about... that in this episode means we are here. We are at the end we all knew was coming and still all hope wasnt going to happen.

    • @mesquitegirl2013
      @mesquitegirl2013 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      😥❤

  • @arashimiyazawa8165
    @arashimiyazawa8165 5 ปีที่แล้ว +182

    "When your room looks kind of weird and you wish that you weren't there..."
    I can still sing that whole theme song. Muppet Babies was my favorite show when I was a kid.

    • @ingridfong-daley5899
      @ingridfong-daley5899 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      K i'mma try from memory because i started singing along when they played it too, and chopping straight to the end of the song was frustrating :)
      Muppet Babies, we make our dreams come true (wop, a doody-wop)
      Muppet babies, we'll do the same for you...
      When your room looks kind of weird
      And you wish that you weren't there
      Just close your eyes and make believe
      And you can be anywhere...
      (Then i feel like i'm skipping something to an edited version that says)
      I like adventure, I like romance
      I like great jokes, Animal Dance!
      Bunsen Honeydew says something?
      Then Beaker sings "mehr mrh mrh mrh Meeeeeehhhh"
      Is everything alright in here?
      Yes, Nanny!
      Nah, that's all i got. I guess i don't remember it all. :P
      I just remember as a kid loving the mixture of animation with the sort of 'clip art' sampling of old photos and films... probably the same reason we love Monty Python's animated segments. Or maybe Dangermouse.
      Sorry this was random. I'm recovering from a head injury :) (actually)
      Your post made me feel like i knew the words and i felt so proud of myself... guess i got overconfident!!

    • @fantasyqwest
      @fantasyqwest 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      "just close your eyes and make-believe; and you can be anywhere"

    • @sunnyquinn3888
      @sunnyquinn3888 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I don't remember the song, but I still can relate to this lyric.

    • @TheCaliforniaHP
      @TheCaliforniaHP 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      an absolute jam

    • @alicedelgado955
      @alicedelgado955 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Muppet Babies, we make our dreams come true
      Muppet Babies, we'll do the same for you
      When your room looks kinda weird
      And you wish that you weren't there
      Just close your eyes and make believe
      And you can be anywhere
      I like adventure
      I like romance
      I love great jokes
      Animal dance!
      I got my computer
      I flip through the air!
      I play the piano
      And I got blue hair
      Me, I invent things
      MEEP, MEEP, MEEP, MEEP!
      Is everything alright in here?
      Yes, Nanny!
      Muppet Babies, we make our dreams come true
      Muppet Babies, we'll do the same for you
      Muppet, muppet, muppet, muppet
      Babe, babe, babies
      I love you!

  • @dieselsmith7360
    @dieselsmith7360 5 ปีที่แล้ว +224

    This whole series has the quality and detail of something that would air on pbs or as a true documentary and is just plain amazing in every way

  • @thunderson660
    @thunderson660 5 ปีที่แล้ว +453

    I can feel an Eisner appearance looming in the distance. Gods help us all.

    • @KidSnivy69
      @KidSnivy69 5 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      You did watch the Sesame Street episode, right?

    • @finnbalor8021
      @finnbalor8021 5 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      Oh you know hes gonna get a hell of a showing in the final part lol

    • @SuperWolsey
      @SuperWolsey 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      So, Eisner is Galactus but Iger is Thanos

    • @kaleidoscopekayley
      @kaleidoscopekayley 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Eisner was actually an important part in giving Jim his start?

    • @SuperWolsey
      @SuperWolsey 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Kaleidoscope Kayley Yup. Then Iger proved to be the antithesis.

  • @DisneyDude1928
    @DisneyDude1928 5 ปีที่แล้ว +237

    The silence of the credits is extremely eerie

    • @SonicXeno
      @SonicXeno 5 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      DisneyDude1928 Honestly I think it’s even more painful than the ticking clock in the last episode’s credits

    • @robbietehrotten
      @robbietehrotten 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      This shows that next month's episode will be very upsetting...and happy...

    • @bullmonty764
      @bullmonty764 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I thought all the clocks at Jim's death scene was creepier

  • @notsusan
    @notsusan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +719

    It's also so weird to me that Labyrinth did so poorly, since literally everyone my age (mid-late 30s) I know loves it about on par with The Princess Bride and Never-Ending Story, nerds and "normies" alike. I guess we all watched the hell out of it on VHS...

    • @MeniscusKing
      @MeniscusKing 5 ปีที่แล้ว +54

      I know!! I was legitimately surprised that it didn't do well. I'm 27 but most of my friends are mid-late 30s and we always praise the movie whenever it's brought up

    • @SniffHeinkel
      @SniffHeinkel 5 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      I know, right? I grew up in the 80's and everyone I knew loved that movie.
      I don't think I met one person who didn't care for it. Its such a classic story told in a unique way. They don't make films like that anymore.

    • @akcalo
      @akcalo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I know right!

    • @clffliese26
      @clffliese26 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I had it on VHS, then on DVD, and, now, on Blu-Ray. I haven't gotten around to streaming it, .yet

    • @Lumibear.
      @Lumibear. 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Cliff Liese well it’s on Netflix so now you can!

  • @laurapeter3857
    @laurapeter3857 2 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    The 80s were a hard time for fantasy movies. Krull , Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Neverending Story, Willow, etc. were not popular with adults and critics but us kids who grew up with them consider them classics.

  • @jacquizzlemons1980
    @jacquizzlemons1980 5 ปีที่แล้ว +197

    The baby muppets might be one of the cutest characters I’ve ever seen

    • @talosheeg
      @talosheeg 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      They are aren't they?!! I love baby Miss Piggy!

    • @queenmedesa
      @queenmedesa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      They still are ,most of today cartoons are horrible

    • @queenmedesa
      @queenmedesa ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@talosheeg she was my favourite

    • @Guineapigsreadingbooks
      @Guineapigsreadingbooks ปีที่แล้ว

      They really are! It is my mother’s birthday soon, and since being reminded of their existence, I am scrambling to find a way to include them in her gift

  • @colewilliams6623
    @colewilliams6623 5 ปีที่แล้ว +568

    To hear that The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth were a critical flop hurts my soul.

    • @j0anbug
      @j0anbug 5 ปีที่แล้ว +81

      at least with Labyrinth we got Bowie's almighty bulge

    • @mattfahringer148
      @mattfahringer148 5 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      @@j0anbug all bask in the glory of the Bowie Bulge

    • @jaysonklein6018
      @jaysonklein6018 5 ปีที่แล้ว +87

      Flops, they may have been...
      ... but they're cult classics now.

    • @notsusan
      @notsusan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +43

      Basically everyone old enough to have grown up with those movies in their VCRs love them though.
      And between young Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in those tights I think it turned a lot of my generation into perverts. So thanks for that Jim

    • @kellyweingart3692
      @kellyweingart3692 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Bowie bulge😂😂😂😂

  • @welovemrp00
    @welovemrp00 5 ปีที่แล้ว +179

    I loved how the video went...they made a 6th season of Muppet Babies, then a 7th, then an 8th, oh and btw, Jim died a year ago

  • @ErectedGasCan
    @ErectedGasCan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +129

    I seriously found myself thinking; "Wow, that amusement-park channel should see this, they coul...."
    I cannot believe that this is the same channel, as not only am i entertained throughout the episodes, it is one of the few instances that i feel like i am watching television.
    With the difference that television is not this enjoyable.
    Thank you.

  • @ragantate3995
    @ragantate3995 2 ปีที่แล้ว +161

    For those who weren’t around at the time, Jim did not know he was dying. To confirm, just watch interviews of those who knew him. They all describe his death as a shock. There were a few celebrities who passed away from the same thing due to tainted blood transfusions or during surgery. Made the medical world double down on making sure everything is good before donation. Off the top of my head, I remember Jim being one and another being tennis player Author Ash.

    • @ChrisSDParker
      @ChrisSDParker ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Except Henson died from bacterial pneumonia?

    • @ultimatewitcherfan6677
      @ultimatewitcherfan6677 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @ChrisSDParker actually, Henson died from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by streptococcus pyogenes. Despite aggressive treatments, the infection had already weakened many of his organs resulting in his death at 1:21AM May 16, 1990.

  • @cyraconforth9989
    @cyraconforth9989 5 ปีที่แล้ว +898

    “This might sound
    FAMILIAR”

    • @peterdoan2236
      @peterdoan2236 4 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      Pull my string, it’s just like Toy Story!

    • @lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566
      @lucineidecarvalhodeoliveir5566 4 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      YoU gOt A fRiEnD iN mE.

    • @TahtahmesDiary
      @TahtahmesDiary 4 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      What yall don't even realize is this is also the overall plot of Raggedy Ann and Andy's Musical Adventure so I have now just learned of a "missing link" between the two movies! I am slowly piecing together the parts of this puzzle of HOW this SAME STORY has been remade 3x and NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT BUT ME and I want to know WHO first got up with this EXACT plot line originally! 🤔🤔🤔

    • @marcusblackwell2372
      @marcusblackwell2372 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      What part? I want a free replay button, please

    • @henrym4484
      @henrym4484 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@marcusblackwell2372 20:20

  • @tonyjackson1636
    @tonyjackson1636 5 ปีที่แล้ว +238

    Literally the most engrossing TH-cam series this year. This deserves wide acclaim.

  • @trystan7533
    @trystan7533 5 ปีที่แล้ว +194

    Nice to see Sam and Friends given a spotlight in that 30th Anniversary special.

    • @rollinnollin546
      @rollinnollin546 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Seeing Sam and the Hipster in those seats melted my heart a bit honestly. I didn’t even now they existed until I started watching this series, but just knowing the muppets that started it all weren’t forgotten by Jim is just beautiful.

    • @elizabethsullivan1894
      @elizabethsullivan1894 5 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      I loved the line where they asked why Kermit looked so much better than he used to. That was a great meta joke.

    • @KidSnivy69
      @KidSnivy69 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I like that Jim kept them in pretty good condition despite not getting the same advantages Kermit did.

    • @coneskid2
      @coneskid2 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Trystan Wilson where?

    • @KidSnivy69
      @KidSnivy69 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@coneskid2 17:12

  • @djdeadbeat4380
    @djdeadbeat4380 5 ปีที่แล้ว +469

    When I see a TH-cam video on normal, boring stuff:
    When I see a TH-cam video on the history of the Muppet Babies: YEEAAAHHH

    • @robertsalgado5995
      @robertsalgado5995 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same! XD

    • @Q-TiP-rc9ux
      @Q-TiP-rc9ux 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Do one about the dark crystal

    • @gonzos-twin
      @gonzos-twin 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for watching about my twin

    • @The1Critic2
      @The1Critic2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AlexaPerezx no

  • @Niffoni
    @Niffoni 2 ปีที่แล้ว +86

    I am of a very specific age which makes "Labyrinth was a critical and commercial failure in its day" the most shocking twist in this series of videos to me.
    Thank you for including Muppet Family Christmas. It's not only the special with perhaps the most comprehensive collection of Muppet properties ever assembled, but also may just be the most perfect Muppet TV special ever produced. Everyone fully understands the characters, and it's both warm, and laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish.

    • @macaronii220
      @macaronii220 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Honestly as someone who’s only known about labyrinth and the dark crystal for only about 5+ years, I’m surprised that it’s not the other way around. Like I swear that I remember hearing that the dark crystal preformed really poorly compared to labyrinth. But I must be wrong haha

  • @COMPFUNK2
    @COMPFUNK2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +140

    8:36-8:39 - To be fair, Frank Welker didn’t start voicing Scooby-Doo until 2002; however, he has voiced Fred Jones since that series’ inception (1969).

    • @EntertainmentFan11
      @EntertainmentFan11 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @meanybean PROBABLY the ONLY survivor among EVERYONE involved in the original show, as we just lost its creators.

    • @MrWolfSnack
      @MrWolfSnack 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@EntertainmentFan11 Scoobert will live forever, cant let him die.

    • @drinkinglotsofsoda
      @drinkinglotsofsoda 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Guy's everywhere!

    • @iHeartsNostalgiaPit
      @iHeartsNostalgiaPit 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@meanybean1025 uh Nicole Jaffe is still alive

    • @acholl980
      @acholl980 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      but during the time Fred and Velma were absent from the recent shows and only Daphne returned. Welker was however at Marvel doing Megatron on the Transformers as well as work on the G I Joe mini series. Don Messick was still Scooby.

  • @drewlovelyhell4892
    @drewlovelyhell4892 5 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    I saw Labyrinth in the cinema.
    I was very surprised when I first heard it was a commercial flop.
    I loved it and thought everybody else did too.
    Maybe it's one of those films that most people watched on TV or on video.

    • @inspectorjavert8443
      @inspectorjavert8443 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You remind me of the babe,

    • @scrantonrogueofthesilvertr9031
      @scrantonrogueofthesilvertr9031 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Labyrinth was my favorite movie as a kid and remains one of my all time faves

    • @breezer723
      @breezer723 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Agreed. I saw the dark crystal and labyrinth in the theater with my mom. Watched over and over once they aired on the movie channels and bought the VHS tapes. It's hard to imagine that it was a box office fail. Our family loved those movies

  • @CrazyPangolinLady
    @CrazyPangolinLady 5 ปีที่แล้ว +108

    Tbh, being a goblin in Labyrinth doesn’t seem so bad. You don’t have to work, you hang out with David Bowie all day. It seems great!

    • @nightingale4460
      @nightingale4460 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      CrazyPangolinLady well then, sign me up

  • @Merrsharr
    @Merrsharr 5 ปีที่แล้ว +165

    Well, Jim succeeded. Kermit & Co, as well as the core Sesame Street cast will stay in the public consciousness for a long long time

  • @ItsMeMattCarter
    @ItsMeMattCarter 4 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    I'll never understand how Labyrinth and Dark Crystal weren't received well. Those movies are incredible and some of my favorites of my childhood.

    • @SMA2343
      @SMA2343 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I can gurentee it was: Jim Henson? The muppet man?
      Then seeing the movie and thinking “where’s Kermit and fozzy? Why David Bowie? What? I didn’t get it. Didn’t like it”

  • @zorantaylor3190
    @zorantaylor3190 5 ปีที่แล้ว +180

    The use of the climax of "Time Piece" near the end of this is incredibly artful and clever, well done!

    • @danfelska1482
      @danfelska1482 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      That one hit me right in the feels, hard.

    • @ForrestFox626
      @ForrestFox626 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Looks like Kevin was doing his own experimental editing for this video

  • @kmart1396
    @kmart1396 5 ปีที่แล้ว +307

    you ever just cry about David Bowie, John Hurt and Jim Henson's passings all at once

    • @WaterShowsProd
      @WaterShowsProd 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      Wow... Three of the finest examples in their fields.

    • @Robert08010
      @Robert08010 5 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      There are only a couple of actors for whom I cried at the news of their death. Lucille Ball was one. Jim Henson was another.

    • @blazr1976
      @blazr1976 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Well now I will. Legends one and all.

    • @clffliese26
      @clffliese26 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I think the two true entertainment geniuses of the 20th century were Walt Disney and Jim Henson. Those two men created the two most recognizable characters, maybe ever: Mickey Mouse and Kermit the Frog.

    • @averagebritishguy7082
      @averagebritishguy7082 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ow.

  • @zacharyouten4525
    @zacharyouten4525 5 ปีที่แล้ว +382

    Perfect timing, I was needing something to watch

  • @MrAlmindore58
    @MrAlmindore58 5 ปีที่แล้ว +84

    R.I.P., Jim. Thankfully, Disney and TH-cam channels like Defunctland keep your memory alive in all of us

    • @j0anbug
      @j0anbug 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      how long til the big D desecrate the Muppets and Jims' grave?

    • @MrAlmindore58
      @MrAlmindore58 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@j0anbug idk, maybe when they have another Eisner in the chair. Lol

    • @carsfan1995
      @carsfan1995 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Rylan Gray Why would you think they’d do that?

    • @j0anbug
      @j0anbug 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@carsfan1995 live action remakes, Star Wars sequel trilogy, the fact that they're a power hungry ultra-capitalist mega conglomeration hellbent on controlling all forms of media

    • @ScenetheUndead
      @ScenetheUndead 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@j0anbug None of the things you mentioned are bad and make lots of money. The majority loves Disney.

  • @harmonetheanimationaddict4419
    @harmonetheanimationaddict4419 4 ปีที่แล้ว +147

    I bet Jim would be really happy that The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth are classics now.

    • @reneastle8447
      @reneastle8447 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Had they been instant successes since day 1 with critics, audiences, fans, and at the box office, that would've made Jim proud of what he made. He would've also won Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Animation as well.

  • @agentjp106
    @agentjp106 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Jim Henson's cameo in the Christmas special feels almost meta, saying "I like it when they have a good time" only to immediately move on from the successful festivities to go do something else he considers necessary and productive. It feels like how he moves on from project to project, constantly with a new creative idea. Thinking about his cameo this way makes it way deeper, but I could be looking way too deep into it

  • @maybepolly_
    @maybepolly_ 5 ปีที่แล้ว +356

    YES
    MORE JIM HENSON
    this is just what i needed thank you guys so much for the hard work!!❤️

  • @caridadchang7895
    @caridadchang7895 5 ปีที่แล้ว +196

    Me: happily watches the video
    Narrator: Jim Henson, had died
    Me: ...

    • @lamontyaboy718
      @lamontyaboy718 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      The next episode will be a real tearjerker

    • @seatspud
      @seatspud 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@lamontyaboy718 Especially if it's centered around Dinosaurs, and we all know how that show ended!

    • @thepolacek
      @thepolacek 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You didn't know this?

    • @caridadchang7895
      @caridadchang7895 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@thepolacek of course I knew, his funeral tribute is on TH-cam and it is beautiful to watch
      The transition is still sad though

  • @ChicWerewolf
    @ChicWerewolf 5 ปีที่แล้ว +213

    You lulled me into a false sense of security that this was just gonna be about Muppet Babies, then had to punch me in the gut with “Jim Henson, had died.” And there’s still another episode! You’re enjoying playing with my emotions, aren’t you?
    (Jk Kevin you’re doing wonderful 💜)

    • @mesquitegirl2013
      @mesquitegirl2013 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      😥❤

    • @unstoppableExodia
      @unstoppableExodia 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I expected this to be a straight forward run down on the history of the muppet babies and yet it's so much more than just that. And the ending that alludes to Jim Henson selling his company to Disney just makes me want to subscribe so that I get a notification for the next installment

    • @davidfeltheim2501
      @davidfeltheim2501 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@unstoppableExodia I felt a huge lump in my throat come up when he said that, It came out of nowhere and my heart just sank immediately. I guess all we can do is wait for the next episode...

    • @nyokoSalome
      @nyokoSalome 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      ;( it's a sorrowful thing to outlive one's children, or heroes... i -am- hoping that perhaps the 'last' epi (if it is the last) will revisit 'dark crystal' and all of its intricacies... 'cuz it's easily one of my favorites out of his whole output.

    • @tysargent9647
      @tysargent9647 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@davidfeltheim2501 Oh, David... The wait will be worth it.

  • @kentslocum
    @kentslocum 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    The Muppets Take Manhattan is my favorite Muppets film. I actually felt that the semi-serious take was a breath of fresh air.

  • @jenniferschillig3768
    @jenniferschillig3768 5 ปีที่แล้ว +160

    Interesting fact: after that second season, the melody for "Little Muppet Monsters" still shows up in the "Muppet Babies" closing credits.

    • @Kattywampus
      @Kattywampus 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      That's right! I was trying to remember why I had that mashup stuck in my head.

    • @mariebelladonna437
      @mariebelladonna437 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Omg you're right!!

  • @tommclaughlin5360
    @tommclaughlin5360 5 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    I'm a massive Jim Henson fan (I got married at Jim Henson Studios even) and while I was a fan of yours since you were still making a VR theme park, this series has made me one of your biggest cheerleaders. I truly hope you get a TV series someday as a Showrunner. You've earned it.

  • @SonofMrPeanut
    @SonofMrPeanut 5 ปีที่แล้ว +154

    RE: Marvel Productions making Muppet Babies, Stan Lee had a cameo on the show!
    You'll find it in Season 6, Episode 6: Comic Capers.

  • @mysteryman3078
    @mysteryman3078 5 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    I will never fully understand TH-cam's algorithms, notifications and/or recommendations. All I know is I've been on TH-cam for 13 years and that this channel is the best thing to come out of any of that stuff. I actually feel like I'm watching a TV show when I'm watching a video of yours Defunctland. You and your team make great stuff Kevin. Also unlike "Disney Dan," I'm still pulling for you to find a platform that you can use to talk about the " Evolution of Walk Around Tigger" on. I want to hear about that court case! Damn killjoy.

    • @DoswarePictures
      @DoswarePictures 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Actually, they did do a video about that over a year ago.

    • @mysteryman3078
      @mysteryman3078 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Dosware Pictures - On who's channel ? Do you know the video's title ?

    • @DoswarePictures
      @DoswarePictures 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mystery Man Disney Dan.

  • @matthewmiller3322
    @matthewmiller3322 4 ปีที่แล้ว +209

    I wish the original Muppet babies were on Disney+

    • @TherealRNOwwfpooh
      @TherealRNOwwfpooh 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Problem is, there's copyrighted film stock footage used in it (Columbia/Tri-Star's _Ghostbusters_ created by Dan Ackroyd & Harold Ramis despite using a brand title that required signed approval from Filmation Studios & Gene Roddenberry's _Star Trek_ just to name two) which Disney does NOT own...yet.

    • @daelen.cclark
      @daelen.cclark 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Eh, given how the muppet show on Disney plus was censored quite a lot, it might be better if it isn’t there.

    • @jonpotter9510
      @jonpotter9510 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      @@daelen.cclark It was not censored at all. Some episodes include very brief text disclaimers, specifically saying that they wish to acknowledge problematic footage rather than remove it. Any edits were due to music rights issues. And even then, the Disney+ versions are far more complete than any DVD release in the past.

    • @TherealRNOwwfpooh
      @TherealRNOwwfpooh 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@jonpotter9510 Disney's battles with Sesame Workshop sadly removed the Sesame Street cameos by & large, however.

    • @haleyhersh3850
      @haleyhersh3850 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ugh! Same! They were my childhood when I first had a iPod (I looked up the show to watch the episodes cuz why not?)!

  • @kirstenc4279
    @kirstenc4279 5 ปีที่แล้ว +137

    I just want to say congrats for being on the TH-cam trending page. This channel is amazing.

  • @Daviticus042
    @Daviticus042 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1925

    I thought hearing about Jim dying would be the hardest part of this video, but no...it was learning that he was UNFAITHFUL TO HIS WIFE. 😲

    • @Ashannon888
      @Ashannon888 5 ปีที่แล้ว +478

      And even then, him and Jane managed to keep it together personally and professionally... I'm not even sure who to be impressed with there.

    • @jerryyoung6494
      @jerryyoung6494 5 ปีที่แล้ว +62

      Ashannon888 funny how the involvement of millions of dollars does that. Maybe it was different for them

    • @Krystalmyth
      @Krystalmyth 5 ปีที่แล้ว +42

      What he did with his penis hurt you more than his death? Your priorities are on super straight arent they.

    • @oakgreenoak
      @oakgreenoak 5 ปีที่แล้ว +401

      @@Krystalmyth Death happens to everyone, albeit way before it should've in Henson's case. It's easier to reconcile with someone you looked up to dying than them being unfaithful, especially since dying isn't a choice and cheating/breaking your partner's trust is.

    • @vurvo574
      @vurvo574 5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      David MacNeil Well with all Jim had to go through it was hard to keep their relationship together. But they still managed to love each other regardless...

  • @darthstarkiller1912
    @darthstarkiller1912 5 ปีที่แล้ว +142

    If only "Muppet Babies" could get a series DVD release. With all the copyrighted footage, I bet it'll never happen.

    • @SuperWolsey
      @SuperWolsey 5 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Maybe by the 49th anniversary* of the show and Muppets Take Manhattan.
      *Worked out well for Batman '66

    • @arturhours
      @arturhours 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Disney owns Marvel and Lucasfilm so it could happen

    • @marscaleb
      @marscaleb 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      @@arturhours That show used footage from a LOT more than just stuff Disney owned.
      No, what they used actually qualified as Fair Use, but the REAL danger is that if people were reminded of Muppet Babies and had a clear digital copy of what it did without any repercussions, then Disney and TH-cam would have clear examples of what qualifies as Fair Use that would stop all their lawsuits in their tracks.

    • @1978garfield
      @1978garfield 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I want a full DVD release of Muppet Christmas.
      The DVD was missing a few songs
      Now I doubt they can get the rights to the Sesame Street Muppets :(

    • @spectre9792
      @spectre9792 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Heck, if nothing else, I'd settle for Disney+ at the very least.

  • @joew1237
    @joew1237 3 ปีที่แล้ว +58

    "I'm called a puppeteer because I work with puppets."
    Can't argue with that logic.

  • @gingerspice1788
    @gingerspice1788 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Omg the fact that Labrynth and dark crystal were not received well just shows how even the art made that the majority dislike there will be few that LOVE IT, like I do! I’m so happy with the dark crystal series and my gosh I wish I was a pupeteer

  • @disneywitch5802
    @disneywitch5802 5 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    I want to personally thank Kevin perjurer
    I want to personally thank Daniel Becker
    I want to personally thank Kristin beal.
    thank you for doing this series about Jim Henson. thank you for showing us Jim Henson. more about this amazing person. love this series

  • @itsreelydalin
    @itsreelydalin 5 ปีที่แล้ว +62

    I love that you focus on other aspects of Jim's career, and things like "The Christmas Toy" and "The Storytellers" - which are among my favorite things the Henson company ever made

    • @tidepodpadthai2633
      @tidepodpadthai2633 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The Christmas Toy was my favorite movie growing up

    • @johndouglas3114
      @johndouglas3114 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      To be fair, that's virtually ALL he focuses on. If you extract the muppet baby segments from this 28 minute video - they last about 3 minutes.

    • @saltybutter9874
      @saltybutter9874 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      The storyteller SLAPPED and I would love to see a vid on it

  • @MathiasDemo
    @MathiasDemo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    Tragic that Labyrinth was a bomb. I met the Frouds personally when they came to my college. They're personal friends of one of the professors. Lovely people.

    • @NodDisciple1
      @NodDisciple1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Frouds?

    • @MathiasDemo
      @MathiasDemo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@NodDisciple1 Brian and Wendy Froud. The couple Henson worked with on the creature designs for Labyrinth and whose son played Toby in the movie. They also created the Yoda puppet, as touched upon in the video.

    • @NodDisciple1
      @NodDisciple1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@MathiasDemo Oh, ok.

  • @jessiebaine3480
    @jessiebaine3480 4 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    I can still remember watching this on nick jr when I was a kid, it was my FAVORITE show. I have a few vhs tapes filled to the brim with Muppet Babies, my grandmother would tape all the episodes for us

    • @richiebee1984
      @richiebee1984 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I WAS A ORIGINAL FAN WATCHING THIS ON CBS 2(BROOKLYN,NY) BACK IN THE MID-LATE 1980'S WHEN I WAS A KID!!

    • @IsaaMation
      @IsaaMation 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      oooh. nice.

  • @KatRobinsonArkansas
    @KatRobinsonArkansas 5 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    This has been an extraordinary series, worthy of distribution. Thank you for the excellent research and development work to bring this story to TH-cam.

  • @SuperWolsey
    @SuperWolsey 5 ปีที่แล้ว +119

    Re: Howie Mandell and Skeeter- suddenly, the existence of Bobby's World (and the voice) make a universe of sense to me now....

    • @josephclegg3562
      @josephclegg3562 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Howie Mandell also voiced Gizmo in Gremlins.

    • @SuperWolsey
      @SuperWolsey 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Joseph Clegg 😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

    • @bdog840
      @bdog840 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Little Monsters, hmmmmm.

    • @haleyhersh3850
      @haleyhersh3850 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@josephclegg3562 I love Gizmo!!!

  • @jennw6809
    @jennw6809 5 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    I'm so surprised that Labyrinth was unsuccessful at the time! I totally saw it because of David Bowie. I had never heard of the Dark Crystal, despite being the perfect age for it.

  • @Whateverforeverr_
    @Whateverforeverr_ 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I don’t think my heart is ready for this series to end. Thank you Kevin and to the rest of the team who put together this amazing mini series.

  • @c.w.r.794
    @c.w.r.794 5 ปีที่แล้ว +641

    I hate this “Lets make them babies” trend. Rugrats and Muppet Babies are the only things in this category I will accept!

    • @pacmanfan-sz9ry
      @pacmanfan-sz9ry 5 ปีที่แล้ว +85

      all grown up is the reverse treatment of Rugrats as it is the same characters from Rugrats except older

    • @KairuHakubi
      @KairuHakubi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      hell rugrats did the opposite. and their 'now they're 10 years older' spinoff is pretty crummy aside from its pilot.

    • @martymcfly1312
      @martymcfly1312 5 ปีที่แล้ว +70

      Yeah but Pup Named Scooby Doo was awsome

    • @IdeaBox-dk5vj
      @IdeaBox-dk5vj 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I think Disney made a Jungle Book spinoff with that trend in mind. The reason why I brought it up? Because, from what I know of it, they actually tried to have complex development to make them more like their film counterparts in the long run of the second season.

    • @caridadchang7895
      @caridadchang7895 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@IdeaBox-dk5vj I remember that one because they were portrayed as friends but in the movie Sherkan is a villain so as a kid I just never trusted him
      There was a Tarzan spin off like that too but that one had no redeeming qualities

  • @soleil3847
    @soleil3847 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    I thought I’d never seen this show before but when the theme song played, this jolt of nostalgia ripped through me.

  • @Nurdse_326
    @Nurdse_326 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    A muppet Family Christmas is hands down my favorite Christmas special of all time. As a grown adult it still makes me laugh.

  • @mattperiolat
    @mattperiolat 5 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    Wow, forgotten how much I loved Muppet Babies. Keep hoping some day, we may yet see classic episodes again.
    But ow... the silence at the end... and knowing the clock is about to strike midnight.

    • @EssexAggiegrad2011
      @EssexAggiegrad2011 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      www.thewatchcartoononline.tv/anime/muppet-babies

    • @BloomInTune
      @BloomInTune 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That was probably the most heartbreaking cliffhanger I've seen. We know what happens in the end, but with all this well-written story and buildup, I know the next Jim Henson episode will probably make a lot of people sad by the end.

    • @mattperiolat
      @mattperiolat 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Robert Ruth I know. I lived through the loss of Jim first hand and it still pains me to the core. Having to go through that pain again is... beyond words. But also helpful because we know we had something so precious that we cry decades after he is gone.

    • @BloomInTune
      @BloomInTune 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@mattperiolat I may not have been alive at that point, but the presentation of this miniseries gives me a sense of how much he meant to entertainment and - hopefully by the end of it - how big the loss was to everyone.

    • @pokepress
      @pokepress 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Henson is the first celebrity death I remember growing up.

  • @guyvanarsdall7686
    @guyvanarsdall7686 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I knew it was coming, but dang if I didn't get a lump in my throat when Kevin said Henson had passed away. This retrospective really makes you appreciate his work and makes you wonder what else could have been. We lost Jim too soon.

  • @natapy
    @natapy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +95

    Muuuuppet Baaaabies, they'll make our dreams come truuuuuue.
    Nanny! The closet clips! It was great!

  • @CantonGirl1981
    @CantonGirl1981 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    So much nostalgia. Still the most adorable cartoon ever.

  • @j1ncx
    @j1ncx 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    labyrinth is a movie that i’ve watched over and over again. It was the movie that got stuck on whilst I was sick. Both it and the dark crystals dark fantasy look of the puppets has had an everlasting impact on my style. Its rlly heartbreaking how Jim Henson will never see what a classic it is considered today

  • @nromk
    @nromk 5 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    how could the labyrinth not be a smash hit at first, I loved it when our neighbor/babysitter rented the movie from the library, like I was mind blown when I saw it and I loved it!

    • @Hammerhead547
      @Hammerhead547 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I think that it boils down to them picking a bad time to release it, christmas movie season of 1986 was filled with some huge potential oscar candidate releases which dominated the box office along with the huge family hit An American Tale (which came out the same day).
      If they'd waited until the spring/summer of 1987 to release it chances are it would have done way better.

    • @Nightman221k
      @Nightman221k 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      nromk I first watched it when I was around 6 when it aired on Disney Channel. I never would have ever thought a movie that beautiful and creative would be anything but a success. The only thing that I could see as a point against it is that Sarah is a bit irritating in the first act so it MIGHT be hard for everyone to get into her as the protagonist, but she gets better throughout the film.

    • @mollykat1660
      @mollykat1660 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Atleast now our generation accepts it as a cult classic. I love the labrynth. Rip goblin king

    • @the-NightStar
      @the-NightStar 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Honestly, I feel like the movie has huge structural problems.
      It is indeed a feast for the visual senses, and the songs are classic. But the lead actress is petulant, whiny, annoying and extremely hatable, and the movie makes absolutely no coherent sense in any way. It's a pretty looking and pretty sounding fever dream, but it is a massive fever dream with a completely broken story.

    • @martineyles
      @martineyles 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@the-NightStar The whole point is that she starts petulant and spoilt, and gradually learns what's important.

  • @dastumpyone6110
    @dastumpyone6110 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    *Has a lot of stuff to do at work*
    *Sees new Jim Henson Defunctland*
    Clear my schedule

    • @KidSnivy69
      @KidSnivy69 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Smart move 👍

    • @molotera8789
      @molotera8789 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      callout comment

  • @abbyfrie7558
    @abbyfrie7558 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    This Jim Henson series is unbelievably great and I can't wait for every episode

  • @wateroflife33
    @wateroflife33 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I personally think the muppets family Christmas is hands down one of the best muppet productions. When I first discovered In Christmas 2022 and I watched it nearly every day and I honestly love it so much

  • @dylanlewis5113
    @dylanlewis5113 4 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    My parents used the Wedding song from "Muppets Take Manhattan" in their wedding video in 1994.

  • @hawkeyesniper45
    @hawkeyesniper45 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Can we talk a minute to appreciate the intro music for the Jim Henson videos? It's awesome.

  • @JMXico
    @JMXico 5 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    "This might sound....familiar"
    I lost it at that part, i never knew!

  • @the.jenn.abides
    @the.jenn.abides 5 ปีที่แล้ว +63

    Freakin' love Labyrinth. I can literally quote that movie from beginning to end. And Muppet Babies was the best when I was growing up!

    • @ElvenRaptor
      @ElvenRaptor 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I don't understand why people took a pass on "Labyrinth" back in the day. I mean, they EVENTUALLY grew to love it.

    • @georgej2374
      @georgej2374 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The line that sticks out most from that movie for me is "WHOAH NELLY!"

    • @KizulEmeraldfire
      @KizulEmeraldfire 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You remind me of the babe…

  • @LON009
    @LON009 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Now that you mention The Storyteller, to this day, many people from my country (Peru) most remember John Hurt from it. I recall, while watching the first Harry Potter, someone saying out loud in the movie theater: Hey! That's the Storyteller!

  • @mikegleeson8733
    @mikegleeson8733 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I know I’m a couple years late, but I have to thank Defunctland for going into such detail on Jim Henson’s career throughout these videos. I grew up with all of these shows and movies and these videos have had a profound emotional effect on me, much more than your typical nostalgia. Amazing work!

  • @sdshadrick
    @sdshadrick 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    I love the muppets so much, and it's great to learn their history. I had no idea the labyrinth was considered a flop, poor Jim. That is such a beloved classic now.

  • @AverytheCubanAmerican
    @AverytheCubanAmerican 5 ปีที่แล้ว +238

    If Jim Henson didn't use NordVPN, Muppet Babies wouldn't be a thing

    • @KairuHakubi
      @KairuHakubi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Not sure what that joke means.
      in any case, protection is usually what you use to AVOID babies being a thing

    • @wdwfanatic1394
      @wdwfanatic1394 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Greg Cubans in the US aren’t communists. In 2016, they voted for Trump in Miami. Just saying

    • @AverytheCubanAmerican
      @AverytheCubanAmerican 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Greg No I’m not, I used to be liberal. Not anymore. My views have changed. Steven Crowder and Ben Shapiro enlightened me. I’m Republican now and plan on voting Trump next year. Greg, lets board the Trump train together. Four more years! Together, we’ll keep America great

    • @AverytheCubanAmerican
      @AverytheCubanAmerican 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Jayfive276 Is that language really necessary? Dude a meme is a meme and I like memes. No need for calling me that because I’m not one. I know we have our differences, and there are things we have disagreed on in the past. But now, let’s just make peace, let it go, and look towards the future

    • @wdwfanatic1394
      @wdwfanatic1394 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Jayfive276 Triggered over memes? Bruh you need to calm down. Ever heard of letting go of the past?

  • @fionasfirereiki
    @fionasfirereiki 5 ปีที่แล้ว +70

    'this might sound... FAMILIAR' wow I had no idea toy story ripped of Jim Henson that's so upsetting

    • @apigeon4192
      @apigeon4192 5 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Well, Jim was likely inspired by the Velveteen Rabbit, so swings and roundabouts...

  • @F0nzi
    @F0nzi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    This video is trending and I'm so happy. You create some of the most interesting and informative content I've seen in regards to amusement parks and TV shows. I hope you keep doing amazing content and that this boosts your subscribers.

  • @finalflash1359
    @finalflash1359 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    There’s something beautiful and wholesome about Jim wanting to immortalize his work

  • @notsusan
    @notsusan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +84

    I don't think I can describe just how old I feel hearing you have to explain Saturday Morning Cartoons.
    Muppet Babies was one of the best, though. There were basically Hanna Barbera rehashes of older cartoons, Muppet Babies, and bizarre celebrity joints like John Candy running a summer camp, Rick Moranis teaching at a monster school, Bo Jackson/Michael Jordan/Wayne Gretzky fighting crime together, MC Hammer fighting crime (I think? I just remember the song), Kid n' Play... doing... I have no idea anymore so I'm gonna guess they probably fought crime. There was also the Super Mario Bros. cartoon that I thought was good at the time. I still remember Princess Toadstool's Milli Vanilli fangirl adventure episode.
    Now that so many of those old shows pop up online, I've come to the conclusion Muppet Babies was one of the only watchable series. I guess that and the live-action science shows like Beakman's World and Bill Nye the Science Guy.

    • @VorpalDerringer
      @VorpalDerringer 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Have you ever seen Gargoyles? Or maybe Exo-Squad or Seven Cities of Gold?

    • @blazerocker1734
      @blazerocker1734 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      There will never be another 1980s. The anticipation for new episodes of your favorite shows is a feeling that I don't think kids these days will really understand. We didn't have entertainment at our fingertips back then. We had to wait for what we loved and when we got those new episodes the feeling was awesome. We were incredibly limited in what we could get but what we got was usually so good that it would survive the test of time, or at least its legacy would.

    • @ThexDynastxQueen
      @ThexDynastxQueen 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I remember when the last Saturday Morning Cartoon block aired on network TV. It had no tribute, no look back, NOTHING.
      In fact you wouldn't have known this was the end until the next Saturday where I woke up ready to watch reruns of kids shows and edited animu to relive being 8 again only to find a staple of my childhood was gone T_T

    • @iHeartsNostalgiaPit
      @iHeartsNostalgiaPit 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      what are you seriously saying that a Bo Jackson/Michael Jordan/Wayne Gretzky animated series existed?!
      I believe the Hammer vehicle was called....well... Hammerman

    • @LL-bl8hd
      @LL-bl8hd 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It's true, although I have good memories of hanging out watching Saturday morning cartoons, most of them were crap. The Garfield show was decent. The Sonic the Hedgehog series was pretty good too. And like you said, some of the live action stuff (Pee-Wee's Playhouse was always classic). The after-school hours ended up having better shows than Saturday morning, with the Disney Afternoon stuff.
      Despite the nostalgia, I have to admit that kids today have it so much better with stuff like Gravity Falls and Legend of Korra, which are better than most adult shows were in the 80s!

  • @daviddeltoro1808
    @daviddeltoro1808 5 ปีที่แล้ว +138

    You ever consider chronicling George Lucas and the original trilogy starting from a near disasterous mega hit to the gargantuan mega Disney owned franchise it is today?

    • @baconfootball3995
      @baconfootball3995 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Awesome idea

    • @CMWaters
      @CMWaters 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      While getting Kevin's view on it would be great, if you want to hear that story from another point of view look up SFDebris. He did a few videos chronicling the journey through the three originals as well as what led to the prequels being made.

    • @psychokinrazalon
      @psychokinrazalon 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      David del Toro Not so gargantuan anymore considering it’s failing.

    • @soupsnakes5250
      @soupsnakes5250 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The thing is, there are already literally hundreds of star wars documentaries

    • @soupsnakes5250
      @soupsnakes5250 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@psychokinrazalon 4 movies pulling in four and a half billion dollars collectively? Yeah things look real bad lol

  • @stephenholloway6893
    @stephenholloway6893 5 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    Frank didn't originally voice Scooby. That was Don Messick. Though he did voice Fred since 1969.

    • @user-si9fx4xb6v
      @user-si9fx4xb6v 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Yes, I caught that too. Frank Welker only started voicing Scooby Doo in 2002 with the series What's New Scooby Doo. The casting people on Muppet Babies did a great job by casting Frank Welker as Baby Kermit. I swear Frank Welker was a cast member of almost every cartoon I watched growing and even now. Also the rest of the cast was really amazing as well. I did not even know until this year that Baby Gonzo, was voiced by a woman.

    • @MuppetCore
      @MuppetCore 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yep. And Jim and Jane legally separated in 1986, not ‘83. But slight errors aside, this was still boss.

    • @stephenholloway6893
      @stephenholloway6893 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      True the video was still great. However the corrections should still be brought up to avoid confusion.

  • @kennysdirtyhoodie3459
    @kennysdirtyhoodie3459 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I find it hilarious that back then labyrinth was considered a flop because I LOVED that movie as a kid. My grandma had the DVD I’d watch it all the time. It’s a beautiful movie

  • @troodon1096
    @troodon1096 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    Considering how well it's thought of now, it was honestly a surprise to me that Labyrinth wasn't well liked at the time it came out.