The rest of the 1950s look to be an exciting time for Sam and Friends fans. There’s no denying that Jim and Jane Henson’s puppets are stars on the rise. Since their humble beginnings as supporting players on Afternoon with Inga and The Junior Good Morning Show, they’ve become stars in their own right as stars of Sam and Friends. And now they’re genuine regional TV stars! (Note to self: I probably used the word “stars” too many times. Definitely change this before publishing it or it’ll be extremely embarrassing.)
Now that we’ve grown to know and love a regular cast of characters on Sam & Friends, we fans can only wonder: Where will Sam and Friends go next?
Of course we hope we get several more seasons of Sam and Friends, especially those of us who ship Moldy Hay and Icky Gunk and hope to see them finally resolve their romantic tension before the series is over. And it was with great interest that I read my friend Evan’s article on how the characters might evolve in the future. But I’m wondering: What will they do after Sam and Friends ends?
Well, the characters have proven that they’re masters of the five-minute late-night variety show format, so I think they could take on something wildly more ambitious. Yes, I mean a fifteen-minute late-night variety show. I really think they’re ready for it! And I think such a show should air outside the Washington, DC area. Let Maryland and Virginia get to know the Muppets! And Pennsylvania, while we’re at it!
As long as I’m daydreaming, I’d also love to see more Sam and Friends products in stores. Can’t you just imagine walking into your local Woolworths’ and buying a Professor Madcliffe PEZ dispenser? Or a Harry the Hipster cigarette lighter? Or a talking Kermit doll? Okay, that last one might not sell so well, but I’d love to own one!
And then who knows how far these characters could go? Dare I say Sam and Friends: The Motion Picture? It would be great to find out how Sam met all his friends — maybe even in color! Perhaps even a TV cartoon show — Sam and Friends When They Were Babies would be a delight.
Yes, the future looks bright for the Sam and his friends — and his fans. Maybe I’m too optimistic, but I think we could be seeing new Jim Henson puppet productions all the way into the mid-1960s! And then they should probably stop. They don’t want to overstay their welcome, after all.
Click here to be a star on the Tough Pigs forum!
by Ryan Roe – Ryan@ToughPigs.com
