The Affect Show

The Affect Show was a proposed television series being developed by Children's Television Workshop in 1972. The weekly program was being developed with the New Age goal of "increasing a child's psychological awareness of his own thoughts and feelings as well as his understanding of the thoughts and feelings of others."Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones (pages 189-191) CTW's panel of child development specialists, psychologists, and educators suggested that the show should reflect "a family mood with characters, probably puppets, who encounter situations that call for different types of personalities or emotions." Building on the relationship Jim Henson had formed with CTW by working on Sesame Street, Jim and Henson Associates (including Jerry Juhl, Frank Oz, and Jane HensonJim's Red Book - 7/19-21/1972 – ‘Meeting at Tarrytown re: Affect Show w/Jerry J., Frank, Diana, Jane and Joe, etc.’) were brought into the planning and development of the series.
Henson was intrigued by the premise and outlined several skits that he thought might illustrate higher psychological concepts, such as a "character that always sees things in abstract symbols" or a "character that summarizes." In July 1972, Henson taped two short pieces which he had written to demonstrate the potential of the show to the developers. The first, called "Sulfuric Cake" was about miscommunication and ended with a cake in the face. The second, called "Dilemma" related to honesty and taking responsibility for one's actions.Jim's Red Book - 6/14-6/16, 1972 - Meeting at Arden House re: Affect Show
Henson told producer Diana Birkenfield that he thought the show was "meaningful" and "ought to be done." However, Birkenfield felt that it would be better for Jim and Henson Associates to focus on independent projects outside of CTW—especially in the realm of adult-oriented television— to avoid Henson being pigeonholed as solely a "children's performer." However, eventually CTW abandoned the project and no series was ever produced. 
Some of the themes Henson had explored with The Affect Show would later resurface in his pitch for Starboppers and in segments of the Henson Company's CityKids. 
According to a curated entry from the Jim Henson's Red Book blog:
==Sources==
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Category:Unfinished TV
Category:Pilots and Pitches
Category:Psychology