Muppet Guys Talking explores Jim Henson’s tech, genius, generosity

Enlarge / The room where five major Muppet players meet isn't much to look at. But boy, the conversation it hosted is a treat for Muppet fans. (credit: Muppet Guys Talking)

AUSTIN, Texas-Recent films about Jim Henson's famed Muppets have focused on single stars, incluidng Carol "Big Bird" Spinney and Kevin "we don't talk about him anymore" Clash, but Henson always manages to steal the story spotlight. You might think that Muppet Guys Talking, a documentary starring a whopping five Muppet-eers, might prove an exception to the rule.

Not a chance. If anything, this new film, directed by and co-starring the legendary Frank Oz, puts five times the focus on the man who made the Muppets-and may very well be the most touching and fully fledged tribute to the man since his 1990 memorial service in New York City.

Unlocking the door for Fozzie

Of the assembled actors, Oz will probably be most familiar to Muppet fans, thanks to his range of popular characters (Yoda, Cookie Monster, Miss Piggy, Bert, etc., etc.). The rest of the assembled group represents a ton of Muppets, including Jerry Nelson (The Count, Mr. Snuffleupagus), Dave Goelz (Gonzo, Bunsen Honeydew), Fran Brill (Zoe, Prairie Dawn), and Bill Barretta (Pepe, many of Henson's original creations).

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