henson shuts down the new york muppet workshop

[silverbolt101]

according to very reliable inside sources. the Jim Henson Company, and its evil Step parent company E.M.T.V., have decide to shut down the new york work shop,Apparently they feel that it is not nessary to keep the people who have been building and maintaining all of the muppet charecters both new and classic, since the days of the muppet show.

once again "brilliant" corporate thinking is killing the muppets.

[radionate]

Originally posted by silverbolt101
according to very reliable inside sources. the Jim Henson Company, and its evil Step parent company E.M.T.V., have decide to shut down the new york work shop,Apparently they feel that it is not nessary to keep the people who have been building and maintaining all of the muppet charecters both new and classic, since the days of the muppet show.

once again "brilliant" corporate thinking is killing the muppets. Not to sound skeptical, but what are these "very reliable inside sources"?

[rickly]

It is not entirely accurate to say they are closing the Muppet workshop. They are moving out of the building they have occupied for something like 20 years, and relocating the workshop to the basement of the Henson offices a couple blocks away. It IS accurate to say that they are downsizing the workshop, and are sacking most of the full-time staff, some of whom have been with the company upwards of 30 years.

[Zack the Dog]

More magical info! i love it! i just wish i knew where it came from, anyone know?

Zack)Rowlf the, that's to bad if it's ture,Dog.

[scarecroe]

Everybody has a source these days. Where can I get one?

[Warrick]

I also hear that 'downsizing' includes Ed Christie and Polly Smith.

Now excuse me for sounding rude.

But what the heck is a Muppet without someone like Ed Christie and Polly Smith ?

Who ever is in charge of fireing and hiring is an idiot, And when i say this i honestly mean it.

You dont see me get mad that often, But something like this really bites me !

[Luke]

Yeah this news bites wind, there are so many cool people losing their jobs. Hopefully this isn't going to spread to the Creature Shop in London though cos they seem to get tons of work coming their way.

Sad fact is, Henson have less and less money right now and this is the reason why a sale back to Rivkins management team is the worst idea possible, this would just continue. They need a large company like Disney or Time Warner to buy them and give them the resources they need.

Saying that, good job it's a downsizing and not a complete closure !

[skankin-frackle]

its interesting , i come here a lot to read the different topics and see what the fans are talking about and people are normally pretty vocal about things that upset them, like the lack of a pepe plush toy,, or the edited version of muppet faimily christmas, and here someone post a topic that i know has made me and my co workers upset and we get a couple of lack luster replys , except for warrick who really seems to understand the implications of this latest corporate blunder.

i guess creating and building muppets and keeeping the quality as high as its been for the past 30 years doesnt matter .

i realize some of you would like to have more info, and since i dont know who silverbolt is i cant say were he got his .but i can confirm that things are not as they should be in the henson company.

anyway thats how i feel.:(

[Michael]

The company has made redundant all but 3 of the workshop staff. For those that have been there a while I don't think it has come as a complete surprise there has been a feeling of this for quite a while. Nevertheless it is fairly sudden.

I don't think you really need to look at EMTV directly, though a little foresight in what they sold off could have probably prevented this. Sesame Street is a very big contract.

The 3 staff I belive will be returning too the original area of the workshop the basement of the Townhouse this is currently licensing and I imagine it will be shared or certainly downgraded.

It is a real shame, not just because walking through the four floors of the Muppet Workshop was magical.

Michael.

*who wonders why he can't log in as statnwaldorf?*

www.kermitage.com (http://www.kermitage.com)

[radionate]

I think what everyone is waiting on is some sort of confirmation that all this is true. Personally, I know there are a lot of people that come on sites and make up stuff just to get people roiled up over something. Had the original post come from a member who is more visable on the site, we all would have taken it a lot more seriously.

I've been watching this thread like crazy, waiting for some offical word. The minute I saw you sign up as a member, I knew you would be posting to this thread.

Of course everyone is upset. I don't think a lot of people were able to be on the board over the weekend (they have outside lives), and therefore will only be discovering this thread today, and then the frenzy will begin.

But first things first, what is fact and what is fiction? That's what I need to know before I go flying off the handle. Am I upset if its true. Rivkin and the germans need their heads examined if they have indeed made this decision. But I'd like some clearer facts than just comments from "reliable sources".

[Phillip Chapman]

Originally posted by Michael
*who wonders why he can't log in as statnwaldorf?*
Sorry you are having trouble loging in. Exactly what kind of error message are you getting? You may want to reset your password or have it sent to your e-mail address.

If you still have difficultly, let us know and we'll try to get it working for you.

[Warrick]

This isnt very new news.

Ive known for quite a while, Maybe even months.

Skankin-Frackle I feel as sad as you, Its kinda like goodbye to something that was such a big part of the 'Henson Magic'.

See ya

[towels]

I think you'll find a lot more discussion of the figures because of the level of involvement Ken and Mike have allowed. We feel like we we can affect these things, and they even asked for our feedback regarding Pepe.

As far as the DVDs, there have been many such online petition/feedback options used with retailers. Unfortunately I don't think many of us have had much success trying to get people un-fired. Does it suck? Yes. Is it sending the wrong message about the company? Yes. Can we do anything about it? No. That, in addition to the "unofficial" nature of this news, is helping keep down the furor. Now if you are organizing a flight over to Germany to storm the EmTV offices... :)

[radionate]

Has an official word come from Henson though? Why hasn't it been talked about on here before if folks knew?

[Warrick]

Hey Skankin-Frackle,

Can you email me please ? Warrick@BlueYonder.co.uk

I sent an email to Luke by accident, It was ment for you.

Thanks

[Warrick]

Originally posted by radionate
Has an official word come from Henson though? Why hasn't it been talked about on here before if folks knew?

No Official Word has come from Henson, I think only a few people know or knew.

I couldnt say anything untill someone else did...

See ya

[beaker]

>>>They need a large company like Disney or Time Warner to buy them and give them the resources they need<<<

With this, and other instabilities (Brian Henson's sudden leave of post as head JHC guy) are any of even the most stanchest anti Disney/Warner/Viacom/etc buyout people on here thinking twice?
I know back in December a lot of us wanted a Heroic Rivkin buyback, but now...oh man.

Well, you cant credit the new Muppet tv/radio renniasaince
to em.tv, but suffice to say theyve been sinking for awhile, and unfortunately the Muppet boat is still chained to them. (heck, its because of emtv Sesame is now all Sesame workshop)

[Luke]

If it helps anyone who is still doubting this - i think with two heavyweights such as Warrick and Michael confirming this there is certainly no doubt in my mind.

Henson don't really need to put out a statement if they haven't been asked by anyone so i'm sure any webmasters could email them in the press office and get a confirmation. I don't particularly put the whole blame on 'Evil' EMTV though, it is upto the Henson Company to seek out work, and make the company sucessful enough to sustain and pay for a workshop. I know Henson had many financial troubles before the EMTV sale so i guess this could have been a long time coming but i guess EMTV probably had something to do with it though it is more that they are cash strapped than being 'evil' or 'idiots' . What can ya do though - the Henson kids signed the sale contract right ?

I know it's not much help or consolation, but lets just hope these talented people all find jobs elsewhere VERY soon.

[MuppetQuilter]

No one at the Workshop should take the lack of relpy here as an indication that we don't care about them and the amazing work they have done for so many years.

I think many of us needed confirmation that this news was indeed true. Personally, while I can't say I'm surprised that Henson is firing people (or laying people off, or scaling back or whatever you want to call it) I am a bit in shock over this particular move.

It seems pretty clear there needs to be an influx of cash into JHC quickly. It also seems clear that most of us (those without 'inside' sources) don't really know what is going on or how the decisions have been made. Given the financial situation with emtv, I've been expecting JHC to take a major hit and the fastest way to cut costs is to cut employees. Sad but true. Still, I have to question starting with these employees. I hope something positive happens-- soon-- that gets the company back on track financially and creatively.

To the incredible people who have spent so many years creating magic in the workshop-- thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your work has, is, and will continue to be appreciated, respected, and loved. :D Let's hope this is a temporary situation.

[radionate]

Originally posted by MuppetQuilter
No one at the Workshop should take the lack of relpy here as an indication that we don't care about them and the amazing work they have done for so many years.

To the incredible people who have spent so many years creating magic in the workshop-- thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your work has, is, and will continue to be appreciated, respected, and loved. :D Let's hope this is a temporary situation. Well said, I couldn't agree more!!!

[Phillip Chapman]

While some of the Sesame employees left voluntarily or ahem "retired" more than a year-ago (as budgets were tight after the 180 million buyout for the Sesame characters), resignations and layoffs have been slowly occuring within Henson for months. Some left the company voluntarily not wanting to see any more friends forced to leave.

These changes effect some departments more than others, but they are some of the most creative and hard-working individuals in the business. It's always sad to see people who worked with Jim during the Muppets heyday forced to move on or retire.

[Drtooth]

I have a feeling that EMTV is going to blame this on the economy and not their crash. It's big business, and someone always shifts the blaime! It's a real shame, and it may nail the lid on the coffin of the proposed New Muppet Show!

[Warrick]

Who ya calling a Heavy Weight ?

LOL!

See ya

[matleo]

This meshes with some things I've heard/seen/know. It doesn't come as a shock, but it does come as a disappointment. For thise of you who don't know the Jim Henson Foundation is no longer part of Jim Henson Prod and was kicked out of the NY office when EMTV bought the company. I also have a friend who interviewed with the costume shop about 8 months ago and said that the person she had interviewd with said soemthing about not being there much longer but couldn't remember who she had spoken too. My guess is it was Polly Smith.

I sense dark times ahead....very dark times.

--Matt

[Treelo]

The news is indeed true, although I was told that the staff would be cut down to about five or six - not three. I hope I'm correct here.

I was also told the full staff would remain until August.

It is sad news - it makes me wish there was a bit less "business" in show business.

[frogboy4]

I guess I have been waiting for official confirmation, but this seems to be true. I don't know who to be upset at? Could this be some sort of liquidiation in hopes to sell off Henson to a corporation wanting more control? Whatever happens I hope Henson finds security in the company that buys them...soon I hope. A sale would mean more work for puppeteers at least.

All this info is harder to choke down than a Denny's breakfast. These are truly sad times for Henson. "I hope that something better comes along."

[Luke]

Originally posted by matleo
For thise of you who don't know the Jim Henson Foundation is no longer part of Jim Henson Prod and was kicked out of the NY office when EMTV bought the company.

I have to take issue with this one and say that in a way it's false. The Jim Henson Foundation was not 'kicked' out of anywhere. As the foundation is a family thing, and not sold as part of the company - it doesn't entitle them to use office space that belongs to EMTV for free. I would guess they probably had the choice to rent the rooms or leave of their own accord.

You've got to realise it was Henson's children who decided to sell the company, nobody put a gun to their head and said they had to. I know lots of Henson employee's will be mighty upset with current developments and quite rightly so, but the blame doesn't really lie with EMTV, they only have so much money - and they are looking after the main interests first.

[matleo]

You may be right Luke. My information on that was pretty second/third/fourth-hand. So I don't know what happened with the foundation exactly. the version "I heard' was they were asked to leave. Any insdiers around here may know more.

--Matt

[Fozzie Bear]

Originally posted by scarecroe
Everybody has a source these days. Where can I get one?

There's a store here called Shoe Source. Maybe you can get one there. What color do you like? Size? Want heels or no?

FOZ

[FER SURE]

After being semi-absent from this board for awhile I come back to see this horribly disheartening news.

I have to say that I have always looked up to Polly Smith. Polly is like a costuming goddess. Looking back upon all the years and incredible costumes she has created I am shocked that they would make the desicion to "let her go." I truly admire her body of work, creativity, and loayalty.

This is a sad turn of events for the people of the Muppet Workshop. Most of them have given a large part of their lives and creative talents to the Jim Henson Co. I personally know the feeling of giving your all to a corparation and then being spurned. It was not fun and turned out to be a very trying time in my life.

I find this desicion personally wrong on so many levels. It is a sad event to see a corporation built on family and entertainment no longer entertaining the idea of family.

[Fozzie Bear]

Originally posted by FER SURE
It is a sad event to see a corporation built on family and entertainment no longer entertaining the idea of family.

YIKES!! I just realized when you said that...that's one of the reasons I'm not so big about the Disney name!!

:( Henson's starting down that road, too????


AAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

good grief!
F:(Z

[Chad Kermit]

Do they have a puppet building workshop in the Chaplin Studios? Seems strange that they are doing this cutback now when it looks like Muppet productions are increasing. Also, one has to wonder how this will translate into changes in the Muppet look down the line. I know they have a well documented history and paterns.

It's always behind the scenes people who often get the shaft first. Disney had animators striking at one time during the studios early prime. Signs read "We're Men Not Mice". Then I think he started paying them more and rightly so. Perhaps the new increased presence of the Muppets will bring some of these people back eventually.

Chad

[matleo]

Originally posted by skankin-frackle
someone post a topic that i know has made me and my co workers upset and we get a couple of lack luster replys (

Hmmm.....apathy is not the same as turning away in disgust.

(It's a line from HAIR or at least a version of HAIR that I saw once.)

Truthfully, I haven't my thoughts on this news little in this thread (and I think most of us have posted little in this thread) cause we don't know what to say. Even now, I'm finding it difficult. I think what someone said about the Henson organization being a 'family' and to be losing a part of that family is one of the worst parts. For the fans, we are losing distant relatives who have helped to shape characters that are a part of our childhoods and part of our lives. I wish there were something that we as fans could do, but I think we all know there is little likelihood. I hope that whatever the future holds for the Henson builders, our distant friends, it is both wamr and bright and that the days are full of sunshine. I hit a rough time myself recently and a puppeteer friend offered me this as comfort. I pas it on to any Henson employees who may read it....

"When the great control rod in the sky closes a door on you, look forthe window that it surely left open."

--Matt

[Fozzie Bear]

Matt...

I agree with you. They ARE important to the fabric of culture around the world. The main creators of all the things we have held dear and important for so many years. It's a sad thing, I know there is absolutely nothing we can do at all.

I have to wonder if it didn't happen because of the sale of the company and they had to do it to make the price cheaper?

Who knows. Hopefully, it'll bring the price down enough that Rivkin can get control back FOR the JHC.

or at least maybe I can afford it...

FOZ

[Chad Kermit]

Does anyone know, if the Henson's plan on investing any of their own millions back into the company if a management buyout happens. Are they considered one of the outside investors with the buy-back plan? Not that I want to sound harsh, but the Henson children got their pockets well padded with the EM deal despite the stock bombing. Half of the $600 million plus was in cash. I know it's hard for an indie to compete in the corporate world but looks like they ended up treating their employees not much different. Ones that had worked their long before they cut their teeth in the business/film world have lost their jobs and being part of the Henson culture.

I remember right after the deal with EM Brian flew to the various henson offices to reassure staff or their benifits and employment. Of course, a company going bust changes all that. I can only imagine that all the layoffs were part of the reason Brian departed his post besides wanting a more active career in directing.

Do we think any of these people will be brought back once cash flow is better? Or will they want to come back? Or is this a way of cutting the bottom-line for good.

I know overall the Henson kids may be great people but a little bit of me thinks that greed overshadowed their judgement. They knew they were being way over paid for when sold. Even without Rizzo around a rat could be detected in the guize of EM. TV.

Agree or disagree, those are my feelings on the topic. Hopefully the new era on the horizon is a brighter one.

Chad

[skankin-frackle]

Well it has begun as of last friday the first of the workshop lay offs left the workshop for the last time.in the coming weeks more will follow.To bad no one in L.A. knews what they were doing.And to top it all off, the company didnt even have the courtesy to send out an internal memo to all the henson employees letting them know what was happening and thanking the workshop veterans for there 20 some odd years of hard work ,loyalty,and dedication to the JIM HENSON COMPANY, and all of the productions they were involved with.shame on you Charlie Rivkin and the rest of the corporate hoard. :mad:

[radionate]

This is just breaking my heart. It just seems like the end of an era, and I don't think any of the magic is ever going to be re-captured. As a kid, I dreamed of one day being able to walk around the workshop and see where all the magic started. To pull out a drawer and see monster parts, or see someone sewing a new gown for Piggy. Alas, that dream will now never happen.

Will Henson be shutting down the NYC offices next? If they do, what will happen to the stained glass window of Bert, Ernie, Frank, and Jim? What will become of the mural. I'm sure there are some incredible things hidden away in the workshop, I only hope they find way to perserve them for generations to come. If David Letterman, CBS, and the crew of the Ed Sullivan Theater can keep the pipes that Jim decorated (it was in the Ed Sullivan Theater wasn't it?), then I only hope that the new tenants of the workshop have the same respect, and honor the tradition of an era now long gone.

To everyone in the workshop, my thoughts are with you. May you continue to find employement as fullfilling as rewarding as the so many years you gave to the JHC, and may you forever know the impact you had on so many throughout the years.

Thank you.

[Luke]

From what i've heard, the Henson's couldn't believe their luck when the EMTV deal worked out - i think they were laughing to be honest. Especially as EMTV actually bought a lot less than they thought they were getting when it came down to rights, and also the power to make dramatic changes. Apparently EMTV have found it hard to control JHC anyway intially because of the German/American divide so it doesn't suprise me to see all this stuff happening now they've founf their feet.

I don't think the Rivkin buyout is considered a serious option unless EMTV goes bust or something - it would totally suprise me. I actually think the company would be far more likely split up into pieces and sold off before that happened, because they'd likely get a bit more money. Apparently Rivkin's mystery backer is a German bank anyway and the German business world isn't that strong right now. Whoever mentioned the Henson kids pockets being lined - they are not really longer much to do with JHC so unlikely they would use that cash to fund a management buyout. I've always thought it likely they might just buy the Muppet characters but then they're smart and just because the brand is doing well in the 25th anniversary year doesn't really mean there won't be more quiet periods in the future.

As i think Foz (Kevin) asked, i don't think closing the workshop means they'd drastically accept any lesser sale price - it's more to do with the fact they don't have that great need to keep the NY workshop going. They have the Creature Shop in London, and also could easily begin to have outside sources create the puppets, and there isn't that much work for the guys right now. The Henson Company hasn't had much money for a long time now - they have been allowed to keep the licensing end up, but all programme distribution is now done directly by EMTV in Germany and Henson don't (as far as i'm aware) see much of the money. The profits from all the 25th anniversary stuff won't come in until the middle of next year so that doesn't help much - especially with new projects to fund right now. To top it all off - EMTV is more or less on the rocks, and trying to get more out of the Henson Company rather than actually giving them any money so times are pretty desperate. I think JHC has quite a lot of debts on top of this too.

So yeah it must have had a lot to do with laying off as many staff as they could, saving on office space, and saving on resources. I suspect a split of the Creature Shop, like the Sesame Muppets, is also soon to come. I wouldn't think that EMTV is the big bad wolf in all of this though - i think a lot of the staff are very disatisfied with Rivkins performance, and i certainly don't think his hands are the best the company could be in once there is some kind of sale. People have begun to see him as the head of the 'family' and thats very far from the truth - the whole family aspect of Henson was pretty much lost once the kids took the money and left ----- but then i'm sure there are a few things they know right now that WE don't, so they will have their reasons and i can totally understand that.

[Buck-Beaver]

I agree completely Luke, I think it is not fair to judge the Henson kids or EMTV without knowing all the circumstances we're not privy to as fans. It does cetainly seem that the EMTV deal was a very bad one for the company, but from what I have heard from various sources the company has not been completely stable financially over the past ten years.

In fact, I think it is a testament to the Henson family that the company wasn't gobbled up by a bigger studio years ago when so many others have.

Hopefully someone with deep pockets and a real interest in perserving the characters will by the company whole and it won't be sold off piecemeal.

[Rowlfdude]

radionate:
"If David Letterman, CBS, and the crew of the Ed Sullivan Theater can keep the pipes that Jim decorated (it was in the Ed Sullivan Theater wasn't it?)"

Actually, Jim painted the pipes before an appearence on the Jack Paar show on NBC and now the studio space is occupied by Conan O'Brian.

Peace,
Eric

[Treelo]

It is my understanding that moving the workshop and cutting jobs was an attempt to streamline the company to make is more attractive for potential buyers.

In most cases, additional builders are hired on a project by project basis. I highly doubt Henson would go outside the company to build the Muppets. With the exception of most of the tour characters, it isn't done.

[Luke]

Originally posted by Treelo
It is my understanding that moving the workshop and cutting jobs was an attempt to streamline the company to make is more attractive for potential buyers.

Yup, as stated, a money saving excercise, less people for any new buyer to pay off when they took over JHC and less resources to pay for - but it helps them right now too in their present condition.

Originally posted by Treelo
In most cases, additional builders are hired on a project by project basis. I highly doubt Henson would go outside the company to build the Muppets. With the exception of most of the tour characters, it isn't done.

Yeah it would be a very drastic thing to happen, but if it came to it, that could be an option. I doubt it though because even if they sold off the Creature Shop, they'd still keep on the small amount of people they have in New York to make puppets. I think you have to look at all possibilities now that Henson don't control themselves or their funding.

[radionate]

Originally posted by Rowlfdude
Actually, Jim painted the pipes before an appearence on the Jack Paar show on NBC and now the studio space is occupied by Conan O'Brian.Thanks Eric, I thought I was getting things confused, but I wasn't sure.:D

[starr]

I read about this and was ready to cry! The Muppets are classics they can't do this! I bet Jim is rolling in his grave right now.