Charlie Garner

Opinion Editor

avg6206@psu.edu 

The Jim Henson TV Christmas special based on the children’s book by Russell Hoban, “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas,” seems to be one of the most overlooked and forgotten pieces of media by the puppeteering legend. It aired in 1977, and it is either very much remembered or very much forgotten about entirely (or people have just never heard of it at all). Even though “The Muppets” is Jim Henson’s most popular, “Emmet Otter” should certainly get more appreciation. 

The beginning of the special features Kermit the Frog introducing the story and is seen as being the narrator role. Kermit is the only character from “The Muppets” seen in this, and he gets very little screen time, so it is best to separate “Emmet Otter” from “The Muppets.” The story follows the main character, Emmet Otter, and his Ma during the Christmas season after they have fallen on hard times. Emmet and Ma try to make ends meet by working in their neighborhood, and they try to save up money for Christmas presents for each other. When they are the most down on their luck, they find hope when they both decide to enter separately into a talent contest with a grand prize of 50 dollars (remember, this was the 70s) to afford to give each other what they want for Christmas. Emmet starts a jug band, and Ma performs solo. Unfortunately, neither of their acts wins the prize, and they are beaten by the evil Riverbottom Gang’s band called “The Nightmare.” When Emmet’s band and Ma are feeling upset about the outcome of the contest, they put their songs together and sing and perform with one another to show that their love of music is still alive. During this, one of the judges, Doc Bullfrog, overhears them and is so impressed by them that he hires them to play together at a restaurant in the neighborhood. It is a happy ending for Emmet and Ma, and it makes you, as a viewer, feel so warm and wholesome inside at the resolution of the story. 

Even though I only watched this recently and did not grow up watching this TV special, I still found it to be such an adorable story, and it gave me a great feeling of nostalgia. It is such a pure and wholesome story about overcoming adversity and how you can still focus on the positives of life when you have fallen through tough times and are going through tragedies. The music is very reminiscent of the musical theatre styles of the time, and the songs follow the same format as other popular “Muppets” songs. The pure and touching messages and themes of this story are really enhanced by the music. 

“Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” is a sweet underdog story that deals with self-sacrifice and the joys of the holidays. Despite the fact that this special came out almost 50 years ago, it should be regarded on the same level as other popular Christmas specials and movies similar to this, and it should be considered an ultimate Christmas classic. It is still amazing to see the heart and spirit of Jim Henson still so alive and present in the world today.