The World of Jim Henson [VHS]
An excellent biography of the Muppet master, this 85-minute film from the PBS showGreat Performancesmixes the history of Henson's projects with plenty of sketches that any fan age 6 and older should enjoy. The film shows the incredible range of Henson's creations, starting in 1955 with "Sam and Friends" then moving on toSesame Street,The Muppet Show,Fraggle Rock, and beyond. It illustrates the breadth of his genius, from creating entirely new worlds in film (The Dark Crystal) to pithy '60s TV commercials that achieved branding and a laugh in less than six seconds. There's footage that most fans haven't seen in years, or at all: a regular bit fromThe Jimmy Dean Show; tantalizing bits of his 1965 Oscar-nominated short,Time Piece; appearances onThe Ed Sullivan ShowandThe Tonight Show; his explanation of Wall Street onNightline; and Miss Piggy's hilarious deconstruction of Morley Safer on60 Minutes. Produced after Henson's death at age 53 in 1990, the special includes astute observations for those who know him best--his wife Jane, son Brian, partner Frank Oz, and head writer Jerry Juhl. A joyous salute to one of the 20th century's best entertainers.--Doug Thomas