Brian in Mesa

Emmy-Winning 'Muppets' Writer Dies

Friday, October 07, 2005
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com)

Jerry Juhl, an Emmy-winning writer for "The Muppet Show" died on Sept. 27 at the age of 67. The Jim Henson employee, collaborator and friend passed away at a hospital in San Francisco after a battle with cancer.

Juhl was the first full-time employee for the Jim Henson Co., helped write the humorous/educational skits for "Sesame Street," was the head writer for "The Muppet Show," co-created "Fraggle Rock" and wrote the screenplays for various Muppet movies. His biggest gift was the way he wrote gags and created personalities that brought pieces of felt and wire to life in the guise of characters like Gonzo or Fozzie Bear.

His first love was puppets, and he met Henson at a puppeteer's convention, when he was hired to work on Jane and Jim Henson's "Sam & Friends" TV show. When Henson decided to create a children's educational show with puppets, Juhl dedicated himself to write the catchy skits for "Sesame Street" for six years. One of his creations was Super Grover, the suped up version of the awkward Grover.

Juhl served as head writer for "The Muppet Show" from 1977-1981 and continued his work with this gang through several movies including "The Muppet Movie," "The Great Muppet Caper," "The Muppet Christmas Carol," "Muppet Treasure Island" and "Muppets from Space."

Capping his career was writing and creative producing "Fraggle Rock," a show about bouncy denizens of an underground civilization that ran for five years.

Juhl is survived by his wife Susan, who requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Caspar Community Center as well as the Save the Redwoods League.

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