Henson.com Podcast

In this special slideshow episode of the Henson.com Podcast we talk to Karen Falk, Director of Archives for The Jim Henson Company, about the Company's long standing tradition of unique holiday greeting cards. We'll take a look at cards that were created by Jim Henson in the early days all the way up to this year's card that features Pajaminals, the new series on Sprout.

In this special video podcast episode, we take a look at some of the great new items that are arriving in time for the holiday season. Get a peek at new merchandise from Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, Dinosaur Train and A Tale of Sand.

On this special video episode of the Henson.com podcast, we meet two of our newest interns Amanda and Karly. We wanted to get to know a little bit more about them, so we gave them a crash course in the Henson style of puppetry and then interviewed them with puppets! How did Amanda and Karly do with puppets on their hands for the first time? Watch and find out! To find out more about becoming an intern for the Jim Henson Company visit http://www.henson.com/employment.php and click on Internships!

In the second part of a special two part episode, we celebrate Jim Henson's 75th birthday by interviewing people who worked with Jim and still work for The Jim Henson Company today. In this part, we speak with costume designer Polly Smith, Creative Supervisor of Jim Henson's Creature Shop Peter Brooke, Connie Peterson, the Build Supervisor of Jim Henson's Creature Shop in New York and Joe Henderson, the Senior Vice President of Administration of The Jim Henson Company.

In the first part of a special two part episode, we celebrate Jim Henson's 75th birthday by interviewing people who worked with Jim and still work for The Jim Henson Company today. In this part we speak with Alex Rockwell, Jim's former creative assistant and current co-creator and executive producer of the new series Pajanimals, as well as puppet designer Rollie Krewson, The Jim Henson Company's president & COO Peter Schube, Jason Weber, Creative Supervisor of Jim Henson's Creature Shop and the Head of Fabrication for Jim Henson's Creature Shop Julie Zobel. Stay tuned for part two, which features several more interviews, coming soon.

On August 19, 2011, Jim Henson was honored at the Disney Legends ceremony at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA. In this episode, we bring you the complete Jim Henson portion of the program which includes speeches by Lisa Henson, Brian Henson and performance of a rare Jim Henson puppet piece. Plus a special surprise at the end! Also, download a special bonus content episode where we talk to Brian Henson and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph about performing at the Legends Ceremony.

In this episode we run down all of the Jim Henson Company news that came out of Comic-Con with a heavy focus on Archaia Comic's new "Fraggle Rock Anthology Volume 2." We hit the convention floor and speak with writer Katie Strickland, editor and writer Tim Beedle, editor and writer Joe LaFavi, artist and writer Katie Cook and Red Fraggle Puppeteer Karen Prell.

Henson Alternative's Stuffed & Unstrung puppet improv show is hitting the road starting this month in San Francisco and then throughout the coming months. In this episode we talk with Patrick Bristow about what fans can expect from these upcoming touring shows. Also, be sure to download a special bonus episode below where Patrick talks about the time he first puppeteered professionally...at the 2011 GRAMMY Awards!

Every June, puppeteers from around the world attend the O'Neill Puppetry Conference in Waterford, CT. In this episode we speak to the Artistic Director of the conference, Pam Arciero, to find out about what exactly happens at the conference. Also be sure to download a special bonus episode where Pam talks about her puppetry career including her work on Sesame Street as Grundgetta. Find out more about the O'Neill Puppetry Conference at www.oneillpuppetryconference.com. Also, be sure to listen to the bonus podcast!

The Jim Henson Company and Archaia Comics have just released the first stand alone comic featuring The Skrumps. The book, available in comic book stores everywhere, is called "The Mooch Ups His Game." In this episode we speak the creator of The Skrumps, John Chandler, about the latest group of hilarious characters to join the Henson family. Also be sure to download a special bonus episode where John gives advice to other creators and artists out there eager to follow their dreams.

To celebrate National Train Day on May 7, 2011, there was a special Dinosaur Train event and the Henson.com Podcast was there! In this special video podcast we talk to The Jim Henson Company's CEO Lisa Henson, Dinosaur Train creator Craig Bartlett, Story Editor and "Mr. Disclaimer" Joe Purdy as well as train enthusiasts at the LA Live Steamers Railroad Museum.

For this episode we sit down for an exclusive interview with Lisa Henson, talking about her time studying at Harvard as well as her journey after graduation, at major motion picture studios, and becoming CEO of The Jim Henson Company. For even more information visit Jim's Red Book. Also, be sure to download a special bonus episode where Lisa talks about the past and possible future of an never produced Jim Henson project from 1968 called "The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow."

In this episode we sit down with Colleen Smith, an actress and improviser who is a performing member of Henson Alternative's Stuffed & Unstrung. She also performed the role of Cashmere Ramada on the show Late Night Liars and was one of the The Jim Henson Company puppeteers who performed at the Grammy Awards. We talk to Colleen about what is was like to work on these projects and more in this episode of the Henson.com Podcast! Also, be sure to download the special bonus episode to hear Colleen talk about her other acting work including her part on the show The Office!

Ian James Corlett is a voiceover artist whose resume is incredibly impressive and one of the roles he currently plays is that of Mr. Conductor on The Jim Henson Company's PBSKIDS show Dinosaur Train. This may be his favorite role to play as it allows him the unique opportunity to go to work with his family! His son Phillip plays the T-Rex Buddy and his daughter Claire plays Tiny Pteranodon on the show. In this special episode, we sit down with the Corlett family to get the inside scoop on what it's like to ride the rails with the dinosaurs on Dinosaur Train! Be sure to tune in when a new episode of Dinosaur Train airs on May 6, 2011 and also be sure to download a special bonus episode of this podcast where you can hear Ian speak about the animated series he developed based on his family!

In Jim's Red Book entry for April 18, 2011, Jim wrote about working on the computer generated character Waldo. This is the digital puppet that paved the way for characters like Wilson & Ditch and Sid the Science Kid. Instrumental in the development of Waldo was designer/writer/producer Kirk Thatcher. In today's episode, we talk to Kirk about what it was like working with Jim Henson on the groundbreaking Waldo digital puppet. Also, be sure to download the exclusive bonus episode where Kirk talks about meeting Jim Henson for the first time.

This fall, Archaia Comics will release A Tale of Sand, a graphic novel from a previously unproduced screenplay by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl. In today's episode we speak with Archaia Comic's Editor In Chief, Stephen Christy, to find out more about what fans can expect from this exciting release. After listening, visit http://www.Archaia.com for more information on A Tale Of Sand. Also be sure to can download the exclusive bonus episode below that has more news about Archaia's other Henson-related projects: Fraggle Rock, Dark Crystal and The Storyteller.

Puppetman was a pilot Jim Henson produced for CBS back in 1987 that only aired once and did not make it to series. In this episode we talk to the show's star, legendary funny man, Fred Newman and get his thoughts on Jim Henson, working with Richard Hunt and Puppetman! Also, you can download an exclusive bonus content episode with more of our interview with Fred Newman here.

This episode marks our 100th episode of the Henson.com Podcast! To celebrate we take a listen back at some of the highlights from our first 100 shows! A big thank you to all those folks who've tuned in over the years! We couldn't have done it without you!

Happy Valentine's Day! In this special video episode, everyone's favorite facilities engineer, Steve, answers questions sent in from fans about love and relationships! If you have a question you'd like to see Steve answer in a future episode, send it along using the instructions at the end of this episode!

In this episode we sit down with frequent Jim Henson Company puppeteer Victor Yerrid. Victor has had many roles in Henson Company productions over the years such as Gerald and Mort on Sid the Science Kid, The Weasel on Late Night Liars and he is also a founding member of Henson Alternative's Stuffed & Unstrung. We talk to Victor about how he got into puppetry, his career and his advice for aspiring puppeteers! Also, you can download an exclusive bonus content episode featuring stories from Victor that were trimmed from the main interview here.

Here it is! Part 3 of The Jim Henson Company Intern Challenge! Facilities engineer Steve returns as our host as we watch four of our interns pitch, write and build a short video podcast project. In this episode, we get to see the final project PAN! A take on the Pandora's Box myth written, produced and performed by our interns!

This is Part 2 of The Jim Henson Company Intern Challenge! Facilities engineer Steve returns as our host as we watch four of our interns pitch, write and build a short video podcast project. In this episode, our interns take a few of the puppets they have built for the project to Jim Henson's Creature Shop to get some tips and pointers from Creature Shop fabricator, Julie Zobel.

The Jim Henson Company is proud to announce the new Jim's Red Book feature at henson.com. In June 1965, 28-year-old Jim Henson started a written log of his activities in what became known as "The Red Book." He noted down what had happened up until that point (deemed "Ancient History") and then recorded anything that he felt was worth recording as single line journal entries until the end of 1988. The new online version of Jim's Red Book brings these entries directly to the fans. In this episode we find out more about this great new part of henson.com by speaking with Vice President of New Media Allyson Smith and Director of Archives for The Jim Henson Company and curator of Jim's Red Book, Karen Falk. Visit the site yourself at http://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/

Join everyone's favorite facilities engineer puppet host, Steve, as he introduces us to The Jim Henson Company Intern Challenge! We've challenged four of our interns to pitch, write and build a short video podcast project. In this episode we meet our four interns and watch them dazzle The Jim Henson Company Executives with their pitches! Who's pitch will get picked to be produced?! Tune in and see!

Fraggle Rock fans rejoice! The Fraggles are back on TV on the brand new network called The Hub! In this episode we play an interview we recorded this past summer at Comic-Con with The Hub's Senior Vice President of Marketing Amber Tarshis about the Fraggle's return to television. We also speak to some Fraggle fans at Comic-Con about seeing Red Fraggle live at The Hub's event! Finally, we sit down, one on one, with Red Fraggle herself and she tackles a few questions sent in by listeners! Find out when Fraggle Rock is airing on The Hub over at http://www.hubworld.com/

In this special video podcast, we're once again joined by executive producer and creator of Dinosaur Train, Craig Bartlett, who shows us how he draws Tiny Pteranodon! Stay tuned at the end of the video for information on a special contest where you can win one of Craig Bartlett's drawings! Be sure to watch Dinosaur Train only on PBS KIDS!

Who knew that HDTV stood for Hot Dog TV?! The Jim Henson Company has a new television series currently airing on The Cartoon Network with short sketches featuring the company's lovable Hot Dogs. To find out more about this production, we sat down with the show's director, Patrick Bristow, who gave us the inside scoop. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for your chance to win your own collectible Hot Dog puppet!

In this special video podcast episode we're joined by executive producer and creator of Dinosaur Train, Craig Bartlett, who shows us how he draws everyone's favorite T-Rex: Buddy! Stay tuned at the end of the video for information on a special contest where you can win one of Craig Bartlett's drawings! Be sure to watch Dinosaur Train only on PBS KIDS!

In today's episode we journey to Atlanta, GA to visit the Center For Puppetry Arts. When we get there we sit down for an exclusive interview with the Center's Marketing Director, Daniel Summers, Jr., who talks about the mission of the Center and the many exhibits on display including Jim Henson: Wonders From His Workshop and Jim Henson: Puppeteer. To find out more about the Center For Puppetry Arts visit http://www.Puppet.org

In this episode we take a look at Preschool Pathways to Science, or PrePS, the curriculum used in the Emmy nominated PBS KIDS series Sid the Science Kid. We talk to Dr. Kimberly Brenneman, educational advisor on Sid and Moisés Román, curriculum advisor on the show, who are also both co-authors of Preschool Pathways to Science. We find out what their jobs entail as well as get come great back to school tips for the upcoming school year!

Get out your puppets and set up your cameras! It's time for another basic puppetry lesson from The Jim Henson Company Podcast! In this lesson we take a look at Lip Sync or making sure your puppet's mouth movement is matching what he or she is saying. Be sure to check out our other podcast episodes for more fun puppetry lessons you can do at home!

In this episode we talk to some of the current batch of hard working Jim Henson Company interns! Interns Trevor Faber, Josh Golden, Jake Goldberg, Eric Delarosa, Purvi Panwala and Dave Wohlreich sit down with us to give us some insight on what it means to be an intern for a company as unique as Henson. For more information on a Henson internship, head over to http://henson.com/employment.php

In today's special video episode we speak to The Jim Henson Company's Director of Product Development, Jim Formanek, who gives us a peek at some of the exciting new Dinosaur Train toys that will soon be in stores! See the toys now!

For this episode we have an exclusive live recording of Red Fraggle performing at Free Comic Book Day at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood, CA. Red was there to promote the new Fraggle Rock Comic Book which is in stores now! Tune in and rock out with Red!

Today we have another brief, basic puppetry lesson for you all about Eye Focus. Make sure your puppet is seeing what he or she is supposed to be seeing using the techniques given here. Be sure to check out our earlier Puppetry episode to find out how to set up your camera and monitor and stay tuned for more lessons in the future!

On Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 11PM ET/PT on GSN, Henson Alternative's brand new comedy game show Late Night Liars will make its debut. To find out more about this new hilarious and outrageous show for grown ups, we sat down with Supervising Producer Allyson Smith and puppeteer Donna Kimball. We also briefly spoke to Shelly Oceans, one of Late Night Liars' celebrity panelists!

The Henson Family Day at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood Has Been Postponed

Dr. Scott Sampson, host of Dinosaur Train, is here to tell you about a brand new adventure you can go on called geocaching! It's free and fun for the whole family! Learn how easy it is to get outside, get into nature and, quite possibly, find some Dinosaur Train geocaches near you!

In this very special episode we take a listen to some of the great songs that have come from various Jim Henson Company productions. Included in this extra long episode are songs from DINOSAUR TRAIN, SID THE SCIENCE KID, FRAGGLE ROCK and more! Tune in and tap you toes as we take a musical trip through The Jim Henson Company!

At The Jim Henson Company and Jim Henson's Creature Shop there are a total of three Skeksis on display from the original feature film "The Dark Crystal." In this special video episode of the podcast, we speak with the Creature Shop's Head of Puppet Fabrication, Julie Zobel, who explains the process of restoring the Skeksis, and shows what happens to these iconic characters over time.

There's a new online destination for all your Jim Henson Company merchandise and it's the new store at www.Henson.com! To find out more about this new section of the JHC website, we spoke with the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Publicity, Nicole Goldman as well as the Senior Vice President of Global Consumer Products Melissa Segal.

The Jim Henson Company has recently noticed some weird happenings around the photocopy machine. Security cameras were put in place to find out exactly what was going on. This is footage those cameras captured.

In this episode we talk about the recipients of the annual Jim Henson Honors with Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Publicity Nicole Goldman. We also speak with Ninive Calegari who is the co-founder of 826 National, the foundation that won this year's Jim Henson Community Honor.

The Jim Henson Company is known for making fantastic creatures on the Lot in Hollywood, California, but did you know there are some fantastic creatures who come TO the Lot on a daily basis? In this special video episode we take a look at some of the dogs who accompany their owners to the Lot everyday.

In this episode we talk to Brian Henson about Henson Alternative and Westbeth Entertainment's new stage show STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG that will debut in New York in March! Tickets and information are available at www.StuffedandUnstrung.com

In today's special video podcast we take a very basic look at how Jim Henson Company puppeteers use monitors to help them perform. We also give you instructions on how you can do the same thing at home with a television and video camera. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this video podcast! Send e-mail to [email protected] or message us at www.twitter.com/HensonPodcast

The Jim Henson Company has just launched a brand new web series called Wilson & Ditch: Digging America for PBSKIDSGO.org Brian Henson and Paul Rugg play two travel happy gophers who crisscross the United States learning about all the wonders this country has to offer! In this episode we speak with Executive Vice President of Children's Television Halle Stanford and co-creator and writer Joe Purdy about this brand new online experience.

In our final episode for 2009 we run down the great Jim Henson Company merchandise that's available for your gift giving pleasure. We also have some special holiday greetings from the employees of the Jim Henson Company including Brian Henson and Red Fraggle!

The Jim Henson Company is proud to announce the opening of The Possibility Shop. A brand new online destination with activities and laughs for families everywhere! In this episode we get an exclusive interview with the proprietor of The Possibility Shop, Courtney Watkins. Visit The Possibility Shop at Disney.com/possibilityshop

From November 6th through the 8th, Farscape fans from across the globe descended on Los Angeles for Creation Entertainment's annual Farscape Convention. In this episode, we talk to some of the many fans in attendance and get interviews with Farscape star Gigi Edgley as well as Brian Henson.