In a memorable 1989 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, the late Jim Henson reflected on the universal appeal of his beloved Muppets. “Well, I think puppets have a kind of appeal to kids, to adults. They’ve been around forever. …There’s sort of an innocence to them, you know? And I think that’s something that appeals to the child in everybody. Because I think everybody—there’s a child in all of us, still,” Henson said, capturing the timeless magic of his creations.
Henson also shared the origins of Kermit the Frog before bringing the iconic amphibian onstage. The moment turned lighthearted when Arsenio Hall asked Kermit the ultimate question: “Now, Kermit, you’re a big star. And you could have any woman you want. Why Miss Piggy?” With his signature charm, Kermit handled the question in the most gracious way, leaving the audience laughing and loving the Muppets even more.
