"Jim Henson Idea Man" with Ron Howard

Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

It’s been 34 years since the stunning, untimely death of Jim Henson at the age of just 53. But, in the years since, Henson’s creations (aka The Muppets) have continued their reign on “Sesame Street”, at theme parks and in the movies. Jim Henson’s coterie of lovable characters is as present as ever. Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard (“A Beautiful Mind”, “Frost/Nixon”) takes on the legacy of the brilliant puppeteer and filmmaker in his deeply researched, playful and heartfelt documentary, “Jim Henson Idea Man”.

Ron joins Ken on the pod to discuss how, years ago, a conversation with the late director Jonathan Demme spurred him on to start making documentaries, and why he finds it so challenging and rewarding. With his latest documentary, Ron has found a subject that both piques his curiosity and dovetails with some of the themes of his own life (early success on television followed by a successful career directing movies; the challenges of balancing one’s passion for work with commitment to family; and the excitement of the next project that always beckons). The result is one of Ron Howard’s most personal and fascinating documentaries to date.

“Jim Henson Idea Man” is nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program.

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