Bill Prady, an experienced TV writer and one of the co-creators/executive producers of “The Big Bang Theory,” recounts a memory from his early days in the industry when he was employed as a staff writer for the Jim Henson Company during a period of worldwide economic turmoil.
Back in November 6, 1987, following a major stock market collapse, The Muppets graced a special “Town Hall” episode of ABC’s “Nightline”. These segments were specifically created to demystify the financial system. It was me who penned those pieces, and I had long forgotten about them – that is, until John Oliver re-aired one of them on “Last Week Tonight”.
1987 marked my initial foray into professional writing. Prior to this, I was a computer programmer who left college early and relocated to New York City. A string of decisions typical of one’s twenties steered me towards the Muppets. Initially, I worked as a production assistant, then moved on to the licensing department, and eventually became a staff writer with an eclectic collection of work.
As the author behind the amusing Swedish Chef’s cereal taglines, the creator of “Dial-a-Muppet” skits, and the voice behind Miss Piggy’s press releases, I can assure you that my attention was far from the stock market at the age of 27, when I was penning scripts for a frog and a pig.
On October 19, 1987, I witnessed the U.S. stock market plummet drastically – the Dow Jones index plunged a staggering 23%, leaving economic chaos in its wake. As the host of “Nightline,” I felt it was crucial to delve deeper into this crisis, and I pondered if the Muppets could assist us in making complex financial matters more accessible.
In this story, I find myself drawn to two captivating moments. One of these is the conversation between Ted Koppel and Jim Henson, which took place over the phone. If you weren’t present during that time, it’s essential to note that 1987 was a period before smartphones were commonplace. At that time, we didn’t carry the internet in our pockets as we do now. It so happened that Jim Henson received a call from Ted Koppel, but he wasn’t available that day due to our team being on location in Central Park shooting public service announcements for the National Wildlife Federation.
ABC informed Jim’s workplace that there would be no issue. They planned to dispatch a mobile phone to Central Park instead. True to their word, in the heart of the afternoon, a production assistant from ABC tracked us down in the woods near the Great Lawn. He unfolded a large aluminum case, extended an antenna, and before we knew it, the device started to ring.
As we stared on in amazement, much like the apes in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Koppel made it clear to Jim his request: he desired brief, humorous explanations for terms such as “bull market,” “bear market,” “margin call,” and “contrarian” and so on.
Jim turned to me. “You got this?”
“I got this,” I said.
The following day, I headed to the New York Public Library for a crash course on the stock market (back then, Wikipedia was essentially a brick-and-mortar building teeming with books and scholars). Since I was informed that Jim Henson and Frank Oz would be enacting these pieces, I crafted them specifically for their characters. That day, Jim would bring Kermit and Rowlf the Dog to life, while Frank would embody Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and a few others. These skits were brief yet packed with humor, ensuring they conveyed the intended message effectively.
We made our way to ABC News headquarters on West 66th Street for filming. Our set team had constructed a scaled-down replica of Peter Jennings’ desk from his time as an anchor, and the puppet department outfitted Kermit in a stylish news blazer with a blue hue. Upon entering, Jim pointed out that the studio we were in, ABC Studio One, was where “The Jimmy Dean Show” used to air. This program ran from 1963 to 1966 and showcased Jim’s puppet Rowlf. It marked the first regular network appearance of a Muppet character.
The studio wasn’t perfectly suited for puppet filming. While we did have a table of appropriate size, the arrangement was not convenient for the puppeteers. Jim and Frank had to squeeze awkwardly underneath and behind it, making the work process quite cramped. We did our best to work efficiently under the circumstances.
Fozzie Bear clarified the concept of bear markets, which caused Miss Piggy to bristle at Ted Koppel’s query about pork bellies. An old, cranky puppet claimed the title of “contrarian” and went on to oppose everyone else’s views. Rowlf demonstrated market volatility by smashing apples as a representation.
And then a camera broke. And that led to my second favorite part of this story.
Since they were stuck in position, Jim and Frank remained stationary as a technician worked to revive the camera. To keep their movements fluid, similar to what puppeteers do during breaks between scenes, they kept the puppets upright and active. With Rowlf the dog on his arm, Jim was controlling him, while Frank handled Sam Eagle.
Rowlf glanced about, then said in a gruff dog-like voice, “Did you know we once filmed ‘The Jimmy Dean Show’ right here?
Sam Eagle pretended to be tired by touching his head with a wing, saying, “Well, I guess it’s time for the Jimmy Dean anecdotes now.
Once upon a time, I was utterly captivated by an extraordinary moment of improvisation. You might forget that Kermit and Piggy, or Rowlf and Fozzie, are more than just beloved Muppets; they were the creations of two comedy legends: Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Right there in Studio One on ABC, it was Frank who initiated the tale, spinning a yarn he’d supposedly heard from Rowlf for years. Jim then brought Rowlf to life, giving him an air of absent-mindedness, as if he was deep in thought, like a record playing its familiar tune.
“I was just a little pup,” said Sam mockingly.
“I was just a little pup,” began Rowlf.
“Looking for my first break,” moaned Sam.
“Looking for my first break,” said Rowlf brightly.
“So I wandered in off the streets of New York…”
“So I wandered in off the streets of New York…”
“…through an open door,” sighed Sam.
“…through an open door,” continued Rowlf.
Thus, with Frank taking charge while Jim feigned indifference, we listened to the tale of a cunning canine managing to enter a television set. This captivating spectacle halted the ABC news crew’s activities, causing them to gather around to observe. The bird and dog continued their show, undisturbed. The director stealthily approached the camera operator and inquired about when the issue would be rectified.
“Oh, we’ve been ready for a while,” the fellow said. “I just didn’t want to stop the show.”
Nowadays, if a remarkable and enchanting event occurred, such as an American eagle resting while listening to tales shared by its canine companion, numerous iPhone videos filmed from various perspectives would likely flood the internet.
However, with today’s smartphones housed in sleek pockets, that precious moment remains etched solely in the minds of those who experienced it firsthand.
Thanks, John Oliver, for unburying this one and bringing it to mind.
EbMaster’s weekly podcast, titled “Strictly Business“, offers discussions with influential figures in the media and entertainment sector, focusing on the business aspects of their industries. (Don’t forget to sign up for our free newsletter here.) Fresh episodes drop every Wednesday and can be obtained from platforms like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, and several others.
Read More
- How to use a Modifier in Wuthering Waves
- Mistfall Hunter Class Tier List
- 50 Goal Sound ID Codes for Blue Lock Rivals
- Lucky Offense Tier List & Reroll Guide
- Watch Louis Theroux’s The Settlers for Free: Secret Hack Revealed!
- Basketball Zero Boombox & Music ID Codes – Roblox
- 50 Ankle Break & Score Sound ID Codes for Basketball Zero
- Problems with starting Contamination, Yet A Trace in Infinity Nikki? It’s a bug
- How to Snag ARC Raiders Beta Key: Your Guide!
- Unlock All Avinoleum Treasure Spots in Wuthering Waves!
2025-05-03 19:47