From: sherman@oak.math.ucla.edu (The Ahkond of Swat)
Subject: LA Times article on the Muppets
Organization: The Island of Misfit Toys
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 92 22:02:36 GMT


The July 26, 1992 edition of the Los Angeles Times has a feature 
article about the Muppets and Jim Henson Productions, Inc.  It's
on page D1, in the Business section.  "(Jim Henson's Children Put
Together a String of New Deals to Keep Alive) The Muppet Legacy,"
by Times staff writer David Willman.

There is a large color photograph of Brian Henson directing Gonzo
in a scene from the upcoming film "The Muppet Christmas Carol," 
with Gonzo seemingly dressed as Bob Cratchit.

Here are some details from the article, which readers of this 
newsgroup might be interested in.

Five of Jim Henson's children have inherited the firm, and are
aggressively expanding the operation.  "It's not one man's vision,"
"we are a company with a creative *team* at the top.  My father 
built a company around him; I'm spreading that."  -Brian Henson, 28,
president

Jim Henson Productions, Inc. is now making two 1/2-hour network TV
shows and a feature film ("The Muppet Christmas Carol") which will
be in theaters in December, distributed by Disney.  JHP has also made 
a Muppet clothing deal with Wal-Mart.

The company was worth more than $100 Million when Jim died, and 
carries no debt.  A public stock offering is possible.  

Just before Jim died in May '90, he had made a handshake deal with 
Disney, in which Disney would acquire all of the Henson assets except 
for the Sesame Street work, in return for between $100 and $150 Million 
in stock and cash.  But in December, the Henson children sued Disney
over it, and they countersued; both suits were dropped.  What with
no production in the works, the company was in danger, but the five
Henson children chose Brian as president and got things going again.

Cheryl Henson is on the board, and is the CTW liaison.
Lisa Henson is on the board.
The names of the other two brothers are not given.
Puppet designer Michael Frith is Executive VP.
Frank Oz is also on the board.

JHP has 135 employees: 25 in Hollywood, 85 in NYC and 25 in London.

The company is working closely with Disney; things seem to be cordial
and the companies are growing closer again.

Here's what Disney has in the way of Muppet stuff:

-) exclusive theme park rights east of the Mississippi, to May '94.  
 There are two Muppet attractions in Orlando.

-) home video rights to all 300 hours of Muppet stuff (TV and film).

-) Disney Channel has rights to some TV and film, to '97, including
 "The Muppet Movie," "The Great Muppet Caper" and "The Dark Crystal."

-) they'll distribute "The Muppet Christmas Carol."

Other deals for JHP:

-) a show called "Dog City" is in the works, scheduled to appear on
 Fox this fall [probably based on the Jim Henson Hour episode of the
 same name  -me]

-) a new Muppet music label

-) two more movies: 
1. a live-action version of "Pinocchio," co-produced with Coppola
 for Warner Bros.
2. "Into the Woods" with Columbia

 There's also a chat with Chief Operating Officer Charlie Rivkin.  
He says that the business is being run more professionally now, 
and that by the end of the year the Muppets will be all over the
media.  He predicts a resurgence of the Muppets.  

 Brian Henson: "Every decision you make, you have to be careful.
I have to hope and assume that he [Jim] would be very happy with
what we're doing -- because that's something I have to consider 
when I do anything."

--
  Bill Sherman      S^1 `--> S^(2n+1) -->> CP^n     sherman@math.ucla.edu
 Bum Bill Bee, who wendlessly wends his way from nowhere to hither nor yon,
bearing a burden of happy woe secretly exposed to the view of a blind world...
  G. Herriman, "Krazy Kat"; June 24, 1923