The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson

When the Muppets gather to honor Jim Henson after his passing, they put together a televised tribute that pieces together his life and work. The special weaves archival clips, behind the scenes moments, and performances by familiar puppet characters to sketch Henson's rise from local puppetry to international influence. Cast members and collaborators share memories, while the Muppets themselves provide lighthearted interludes that underscore the human side of creative labor, keeping the focus on memory and appreciation rather than sensationalizing grief.

Directed by Don Mischer and created by Jerry Juhl, Sara Lukinson, and Bill Prady, the 1990 television special uses a mix of archive footage and new segments. Jim Henson appears in historical recordings, and veteran performers like Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and Dave Goelz provide voices and reflections.

As a TV movie and network special, it didn’t have a theatrical release and therefore generated no box office revenue. Its impact was measured in broadcast reach and subsequent home video and archival circulation rather than ticket sales.

The program reinforced how central Henson and his characters are to late 20th century pop culture. Scenes of backstage camaraderie and inventive puppetry helped cement familiar images of Miss Piggy, Kermit, and Gonzo in viewers’ minds, and the special has been referenced in later retrospectives about puppetry, children's entertainment, and creative collaboration.

Critical response recognized the documentary’s affectionate tone and its reliance on archival material to tell a story about creativity and loss. On user-driven sites it holds a middling to positive average rating of about 6.83 out of 10 from 26 votes, with viewers noting its heartfelt tributes, the nostalgia of the performances, and its emphasis on legacy, teamwork, and the craft of making characters feel alive.