Henson Associates/Jim Henson Productions

Written and Compiled by Nicholas Aczel and Jeffrey Gray

Henson Associates
(late 1960s?-1988)

Nickname: "HA!"

Generic Logo: On a white background, we zoom out to reveal the HUGE letters

ha!
HENSON
ASSOCIATES, INC.

with copyright information below in black.

The Muppet Show: There is a special in-credit logo variant that was used on 80s prints of "The Muppet Show" to replace the outdated ITC in-credit logo (ITC only distributed the show). In the final shot of the end credits when Zoot blew his saxophone, instead of fading out as on ITC prints, a white bubble flies out of the sax with the "HA!" logo displayed on it and takes it’s place in the center of the screen, to the amusement of the audience. Sadly, this variant was edited out of 90s prints in favor of the current Jim Henson Productions logo. What a shame.

FX/Cheesy Factor: The "zoom-out" on the generic logo is very rough, and the in-credit "bubble" seen on "The Muppet Show" is animated with 80s computer FX.

Music: Plays over the ending theme.

Availability: Very rare. Still saved on 1984-1988 episodes of "Muppet Babies," but usually replaced with a Jim Henson Productions logo on other shows.

Scare Factor: Median, the large letters, exclamation point, and rough SFX make this one of the scariest of in-credit logos, especially when combined with the "bad trumpet" that was heard over the end credits of "Muppet Babies" in syndication. Although "The Muppet Show" variation is pretty amusing.

Jim Henson Productions
1st logo (1988-1992)

Generic Logo: As with the logos for MTM and Cartoon Network Studios, the logo described below comes in many animated variations. Basically, we see the words

Jim Henson
PRODUCTIONS

displayed on an object. The words "Jim Henson" are in the now-familiar corporate "Henson" logo font introduced in 1988.

Variations: (There are many more variants than currently listed. Details coming soon.)

FX: The animations in the logo variation.

Cheesy Factor: TBA

Music: None really, apart from a particular variant’s sound effects, but on some shows the end theme finished over it.

Availability: Still preserved on 1988-1992 episodes of "Muppet Babies," anywhere else?

Scare Factor: None, these variations are fun to watch.

2nd logo
(1989-)

Nickname: "Laser Kermit"

Logo: On a black background, a blue laser carves out a line across the screen. The line flips towards the screen, revealing a blue outline of Kermit the Frog, who is then filled with color from left to right. Kermit shines brightly, then he is swallowed by a dot of light that dances across the screen, which from left to right sweeps out the words

JIm Henson
PRODUCTIONS

then flies back to the logo to dot the "I".

I Want My Muppet TV: On TV shows from Jim Henson Productions, only the "dot the I" sequence of this logo plays, silent or over the end theme.

Starting in 1997: The word "PRODUCTIONS" is replaced with "TELEVISION" (aka Jim Henson Television).

FX: The blue laser "carving," the color "filling," the dot of light "swallowing" and "sweeping" out the logo.

Cheesy Factor: The blue laser "flipping" is old hat even by 1989. Also, most of the animations have no significance to the end formation of the logo, and seem presented merely for visual amusement; for example the blue laser line "flipping" into the Kermit logo for a few seconds only to have him swallowed up in favor of the "corporate text" logo instead. A waste of film if you ask me.

Music: A "phaser" sound is heard as the laser carves, followed by a majestic fanfare, over which we hear some "bumbling" sound effects as the dot dances, and a "ding" during the "dot the I" sequence.

Availability: The short TV version is intact on all 90s shows from the company (except for "Sesame Street"). If classic Jim Henson shows like "The Muppet Show" and "Fraggle Rock" are rerun in the future, expect them to have this logo tacked on as well. The long version can be seen on several 90s VHS prints from Jim Henson Video including the movies "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Muppet Treasure Island."

Scare Factor: None, the logo is clean.

The Jim Henson Company
(mid 90s-)

Logo: On a black background, a series of flying lasers write the green words

THE JIM HENSON
COMPANY

FX: The laser "writing" effects.

Music: TBA

Availability: Seen on several miniseries from the company including "Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story."

Scare Factor: None, I don’t see anything.

Jim Henson Pictures
(1999-)

Nickname: "Kermit the Director"

Logo: We zoom out of a motion picture camera lens with lasers flying about. The camera is being operated by Kermit the Frog himself (laughing) seated on a large crane extended way up into a metallic sky. As the crane moves away from us, a laser writes the text "Jim Henson" (in familiar font) as the word "PICTURES" in bright metallic letters zooms and turns to settle below. When the logo is formed, suddenly the crane takes a hard drop, notably startling Kermit. "Sorry!" is heard from an offscreen crane operator, followed by Kermit whispering "Hmmm. Sheesh."

FX: Excellent CGI effects and animatronics, very realistic.

Music: A majestic orchestral movie score.

Availability: To date only seen in FULL on two films, "Muppets from Space" and "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland," but is likely to appear on future movies from the company. Current DVD prints of "The Muppet Movie" and other Jim Henson classics also have this logo, but the "crane drop" gag is cut and the finished logo just remains onscreen until the music fades out.

Scare Factor: Most likely none (unless the "crane drop" gag startles you), but this is a brilliantly produced and entertaining logo, and will probably be a favorite when it is more widely seen.

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