Henson International Television
Background
Henson International Television was the original international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions, established in 1982. It was founded by Jim Henson, Peter Orton and Sophie Turner Laing.
Jim Henson Productions started negotiations with The Walt Disney Company regarding a possible purchase of the company in the late 1980s. Because of these negotiations, Orton and other employees at Henson International Television convinced Henson to allow them to spin off the distribution arm as an independent distribution company. Henson agreed, and Orton led a management buyout of the Henson International Television division from Henson in 1989, forming a new company named HIT Communications PLC (later HIT Entertainment PLC).
Logo (1983-1989)
Visuals: In the final shot of the end credits of The Muppet Show when Zoot (performed by Dave Goelz) blows his saxophone, a white bubble flies out of the sax with the Henson Associates logo of the time (with "ha!" and "HENSON ASSOCIATES" replaced by "hit!" and "HENSON INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION" respectively) displayed on it and takes its place in the centre of the screen, to the amusement of the audience. Zoot is also rather bewildered by the bubble, looking around and inside of his saxophone before he looks at the camera, confused.
Variant: At least two takes of the footage of Zoot were used for this logo, one with his hat and one without.
Technique: Live-action overlaid with early computer animation.
Audio: The ending theme, followed by Zoot blowing his saxophone, and then followed by laughter and applause.
Availability:
- It only appears on international prints of The Muppet Show, including UK broadcasts on BBC1 from 1986 until 1987. Later prints of the series replace this logo with others (eg, Jim Henson Home Entertainment, or a Muppets Holding Company copyright notice).
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Henson International Television |
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