HOLLYWOOD, CA - March 6, 2002 - Jim Henson Television is partnering with Team Todd to develop a new primetime series for the Fox Broadcasting Company, it was announced today by Juliet Blake, President of Jim Henson Television, US. The series will take a fresh approach to the Muppets and will feature brand new Muppet characters. The parties are currently meeting with writers to script the series, with the goal of having a program on-air in early 2003.
Overseeing the project for Jim Henson Television will be Ruth Caruso, Vice President of Creative Affairs and overseeing the project for Team Todd will be their Vice President of Television, J.J. Klein.
"The Fox Broadcasting Company is delighted to be developing a new Muppet series with the talented creators at Jim Henson Television and Team Todd," said Gail Berman, President, Entertainment for the network. "The Muppets have made us laugh for over 25 years, and FOX is looking forward to bringing this all-new look at the franchise to our viewers next season."
"We are lifelong fans of the The Jim Henson Company and are thrilled to be working with them on the new generation of Muppet entertainment," said Jennifer Todd.
"The Todd's have the perfect sensibility to work with us at Henson to create a fabulous, edgy and audacious new show. Their track record makes them the perfect partners for our much loved Muppet franchise," said Juliet Blake, President of Jim Henson Television, US.
Team Todd is coming off the heels of producing many major motion picture successes including this year's Academy Award-nominated Memento (2001), Boiler Room (2000), box office hits Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and the upcoming Austin Powers 3 as well as If These Walls Could Talk (1996) and If These Walls Could Talk II (2000), both original movies for HBO. The Todd sisters have a stellar reputation within the entertainment industry for producing timely projects that resonate with today's audiences and reflect current pop culture.
The deal with Austin Powers producers Jennifer Todd and Suzanne Todd was brokered by Michael Genler (Genler & Kelly APC), Renee Kurtz and Mark Itkin (William Morris Agency).
For nearly five decades Jim Henson's Muppets have entertained audiences worldwide with the mission of "making the world a better place by inspiring people to celebrate life." The Muppet Show first debuted in syndication on September 26, 1976 and continued for five seasons with 120 shows. The Muppets have won over 40 Emmy Awards and nominations. The Muppets remain international superstars with timeless appeal, best known for their clowning, conjuring, quirkiness and kindness, they do over 50 TV appearances a year.
The Jim Henson Company, an established leader in family entertainment for more than 40 years, is a multimedia production company; one of the top character licensors in the industry; a leading publisher of children's books; and home to Jim Henson Television, Jim Henson Pictures, Jim Henson Interactive and Jim Henson's Creature Shop™. The Company is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices and production facilities in New York and London. The Jim Henson Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of EM.TV & Merchandising AG based in Munich, Germany. The Jim Henson Company website is located at www.henson.com.
