Puppet Up!

"Puppet Up! – Uncensored" is a live show produced by The Jim Henson Company combining puppetry and improvisational comedy. The show is advertised for "adults only" and as "uncensored." However one rare and "exclusive" set of shows "for children" were held in Edinburgh in 2006.

The sketches in the live show are not pre-planned, and the shows contain all true improv. The puppeteers in the Henson improv troupe trained with Groundlings performer Patrick Bristow for nine months to perfect their improv skills prior to their first show. Just like the Groundlings, the Henson improv sketches are performed based on audience suggestions.

History

Brian Henson, producer of the show, recalled the genesis of the show in a 2006 interview stating, "we began doing puppet improv workshops to hone our comedy skills and realized that we were having so much fun that audiences might enjoy watching too."Fact|date=July 2007 In the fall of 2005 a show was performed in the sound stage of the Jim Henson Studios for friends and invited industry guests. The two shows were so successful that the group was invited to the 2006 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, where it made its public debut. "Jim Henson's Puppet Improv" was performed at two shows featuring the talent of Brian Henson, Bill Barretta, Julianne Buescher, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Drew Massey, Paul Rugg, Allan Trautman and Victor Yerrid.

In June 2006, "Jim Henson’s Puppet Improv" began performing under a new name, "Puppet Up! - Uncensored" The troupe performed four shows over three nights at the world famous Improv in Hollywood.

In August 2006 "Puppet Up! - Uncensored" traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for 30 shows. Two versions of the show were performed: the regular "adult only" version and, for the first time, a family-friendly "for kids" show.

"Puppet Up! - Uncensored" performed two shows at Caesars Palace in November 2006. These shows were filmed as part of HBO and AEG Live's The Comedy Festival. TBS produced an hour-long television special from these shows that aired five days later on TBS. TBS also ordered 30 web-exclusive episodes of "Puppet Up! - Uncensored" for their "Laugh Lab" video service on TBS.com. The web series debuted on TBS.com on March 7, 2007.

Puppets

Early on the improv show featured many puppets recycled from past Henson Company projects. As the show grew new and original puppets joined the show. In 2006 new Puppet Up! - Uncensored puppets were designed by Julianne Buescher and Drew Massey; the puppets were built by Buescher, Massey, Patrick Johnson, and Sean Johnson with help and guidance from veteran Muppet designer/builder Jane Gootnik.

Television series

The show was adapted for television by TBS Superstation. Despite its name, the show is censored because the seven dirty words are said on the show.

Trivia

* Patrick Bristow, Julianne Buescher, and Kevin Carlson first performed together on the TV series "Riders in the Sky" in 1990 (which featured many Groundlings performers and many of the same cast/production members from "Pee-Wee's Playhouse")

Credits

* Producers: Brian Henson and Lisa Henson
* Host and director: Patrick Bristow
* Musical accompaniment: Willie Etra
* Performers: Grant Baciocco, Bill Barretta, Julianne Buescher, Tyler Bunch, Kevin Carlson, Leslie Carrara, Marcus Clarke, Alice Dinnean-Vernon, Peggy Etra, Brian Henson, Sean Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Donna Kimball, Drew Massey, Ted Michaels, Alison Mork, Michael Oosterom, Carla Rudy, Paul Rugg, Allan Trautman, Victor Yerrid

External links

* [http://www.henson.com/alternative.php?content=puppetup Official Puppet Up! Website]
* [http://www.tbs.com/shows/puppetup/ Puppet Up! on TBS.com]
* [http://muppetnewsflash.blogspot.com/search/label/Puppet%20Up Puppet Up! news blog]
* - 2006 television special
* [http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Puppet_Up%21 Puppet Up! on Muppet Wiki]
* [http://digital.ihenson.com/puppetup/ Henson Company press site]