Michael K. Frith
Encyclopedia
Michael Kingsbury Frith born July 8, 1941 in Bermuda, is the former Executive Vice President and Creative Director for Jim Henson Productions. His contributions to Muppet projects have been extensive and varied.
Frith began his career at Random House in 1963 as a children's book illustrator and editor. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Beginner Books
series, the line of books created by Theodor Seuss Geisel Dr. Seuss. He was also Dr. Seuss's book editor and close personal friend.
In 1971, when Random House began publishing Sesame Street books, Frith was named editor and art director of the Sesame series. He produced a series of five annual large-format Sesame Street Storybooks, and contributed artwork for four of them: The Sesame Street Storybook (1971), The Sesame Street 1, 2, 3 Storybook (1973), The Sesame Street ABC Storybook (1974), and Big Bird's Busy Book (1975).
Appreciating Frith's talents as a designer, Jim Henson brought him on board his creative team. One of Frith's early projects was designing the Land of Gorch characters for Saturday Night Live
.
Frith recalled his beginnings with the Muppets in The Saturday Evening Post (December 1980): "The first drawings I ever worked on were characters for Saturday Night Live. The Muppets did regular segments for a season featuring characters about as far removed from Sesame Street as you could get. Jim asked me to come over one day to talk about creating Muppet personalities—specifically, strange, mossy, warty creatures. Instead of traditional ones with cartoon eyes—round, white and black—he had become fascinated with taxidermist eyes: cow, camel and tiger eyes. Around this simple concept of a different eye evolved a whole new concept which led to the creation of the crazy-eyed loonies we enjoy today."
Frith also described his collaboration with the builders: "All I do is doodle something on an envelope on the subway while coming to work. It's the puppet builders who are true geniuses in coming up with personalities. Working with them is an experience you can't begin to describe. Every artist is fascinated by the Pygmalion dream -- to carve Galateas and get living, breathing creatures."
Frith joined Henson Associates full-time as Art Director in 1975. He was named Vice President in 1978, and Executive Vice President and Director of Creative Services in 1985.
After the success of "The Muppet Show" series Henson wanted Frith, along with two other Muppet Show stalwarts Jerry Juhl, Jocelyn Stevenson (both writers) and newcomer to the Henson productions Duncan Kenworthy (producer), to create a new children's show which would appeal to a much wider international audience."Fraggle Rock" is the new show which emerged and subsequently ran for 4 seasons,96 episodes between January 10, 1983 and March 30, 1987. This new show centered around "Muppet" creatures known as Fraggles, who live underground along with several other species of creature such as Doozers and Gorgs. Frith played a significant part in designing the many creatures and settings which existed in this universe. He explains that he drew on two major parts of his background when creating the "look" of the show, the first his many years in working with Ted Geissels (Dr.Seuss) on several children's books and the second being his growing up in Bermuda.
In October 1995, Frith left Henson Productions to start a new company, Sirius Thinking Ltd.
, with John Sculley
, Christopher Cerf
and Norman Stiles
. Sirius is the multi-media children's education company that created Between the Lions
, an award-winning educational puppet show on PBS
, in 2000. Frith served as the Executive Producer, Creative Director, Conceptual Designer and Co-Creator of the show.
Frith began his career at Random House in 1963 as a children's book illustrator and editor. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Beginner Books
Beginner Books
Beginner Books is the Random House imprint for young children ages 4-8, co-founded by Phyllis Cerf with Ted Geisel, more often known as Dr. Seuss, and his wife Helen Palmer Geisel.Their first book was Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat...
series, the line of books created by Theodor Seuss Geisel Dr. Seuss. He was also Dr. Seuss's book editor and close personal friend.
In 1971, when Random House began publishing Sesame Street books, Frith was named editor and art director of the Sesame series. He produced a series of five annual large-format Sesame Street Storybooks, and contributed artwork for four of them: The Sesame Street Storybook (1971), The Sesame Street 1, 2, 3 Storybook (1973), The Sesame Street ABC Storybook (1974), and Big Bird's Busy Book (1975).
Appreciating Frith's talents as a designer, Jim Henson brought him on board his creative team. One of Frith's early projects was designing the Land of Gorch characters for Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
Frith recalled his beginnings with the Muppets in The Saturday Evening Post (December 1980): "The first drawings I ever worked on were characters for Saturday Night Live. The Muppets did regular segments for a season featuring characters about as far removed from Sesame Street as you could get. Jim asked me to come over one day to talk about creating Muppet personalities—specifically, strange, mossy, warty creatures. Instead of traditional ones with cartoon eyes—round, white and black—he had become fascinated with taxidermist eyes: cow, camel and tiger eyes. Around this simple concept of a different eye evolved a whole new concept which led to the creation of the crazy-eyed loonies we enjoy today."
Frith also described his collaboration with the builders: "All I do is doodle something on an envelope on the subway while coming to work. It's the puppet builders who are true geniuses in coming up with personalities. Working with them is an experience you can't begin to describe. Every artist is fascinated by the Pygmalion dream -- to carve Galateas and get living, breathing creatures."
Frith joined Henson Associates full-time as Art Director in 1975. He was named Vice President in 1978, and Executive Vice President and Director of Creative Services in 1985.
After the success of "The Muppet Show" series Henson wanted Frith, along with two other Muppet Show stalwarts Jerry Juhl, Jocelyn Stevenson (both writers) and newcomer to the Henson productions Duncan Kenworthy (producer), to create a new children's show which would appeal to a much wider international audience."Fraggle Rock" is the new show which emerged and subsequently ran for 4 seasons,96 episodes between January 10, 1983 and March 30, 1987. This new show centered around "Muppet" creatures known as Fraggles, who live underground along with several other species of creature such as Doozers and Gorgs. Frith played a significant part in designing the many creatures and settings which existed in this universe. He explains that he drew on two major parts of his background when creating the "look" of the show, the first his many years in working with Ted Geissels (Dr.Seuss) on several children's books and the second being his growing up in Bermuda.
In October 1995, Frith left Henson Productions to start a new company, Sirius Thinking Ltd.
Sirius Thinking Ltd.
Sirius Thinking Ltd. is a New York City-based production company founded in October 1995. The production company specializes in the creation of character-based, mission-driven children's educational entertainment media properties. The co-founders are John Sculley, Christopher Cerf, Norman Stiles,...
, with John Sculley
John Sculley
John Sculley is an American businessman. Sculley was vice-president and president of PepsiCo , until he became CEO of Apple on April 8, 1983, a position he held until leaving in 1993...
, Christopher Cerf
Christopher Cerf
Christopher Cerf is a U.S. author, composer-lyricist, voice actor, and record and television producer. He is known for his musical contributions to Sesame Street, for co-creating and co-producing the award-winning PBS literacy education television program Between the Lions, and for his humorous...
and Norman Stiles
Norman Stiles
Norman Stiles is a television writer, best known for his work on the show Sesame Street from 1971 until approximately 1995. As part of the Sesame Street writing team, he received eight Daytime Emmy Awards.-External links:*...
. Sirius is the multi-media children's education company that created Between the Lions
Between the Lions
Between the Lions is a PBS Kids' puppet show designed to promote reading. The show is a co-production between WGBH in Boston and Sirius Thinking, Ltd., in New York City, in association with Mississippi Public Broadcasting, in Mississippi. The show has won seven Daytime Emmy awards between 2001 and...
, an award-winning educational puppet show on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
, in 2000. Frith served as the Executive Producer, Creative Director, Conceptual Designer and Co-Creator of the show.
Film and Television
- The Muppet ShowThe Muppet ShowThe Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
, Creative and Design Consultant; Designed Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, JaniceJaniceJanice may refer to:* Janice , a feminine given name* Janice & Abbey, a reality TV series* Janice, Łódź Voivodeship * Janice, Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
, The Swedish Chef, Uncle DeadlyUncle DeadlyUncle Deadly is a Norwegian band from Stavanger. They were formed in 2009 as the second solo project of Kaizers Orchestra guitarist Geir Zahl. Morten Abel , Christer Knutsen and Børge Fjordheim later joined the band, and they became a full group...
, Angus McGonagle, and more (1976–1981) - Emmet Otter's Jug-Band ChristmasEmmet Otter's Jug-Band ChristmasEmmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas is a children's storybook by Russell Hoban which was first published in 1971. In 1977 it was adapted into a television special by Jim Henson with songs by Paul Williams...
, Creative Consultant, designed Doc Bullfrog and others (1977) - The Muppet MovieThe Muppet MovieThe Muppet Movie is the first of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets. Released in 1979, the film was produced by Henson Associates, Children's Television Workshop and ITC Entertainment....
, Design Consultant (1979) - Miss Piggy Calendars, Art Director (1980–1984)
- The Great Muppet CaperThe Great Muppet CaperThe Great Muppet Caper is a 1981 mystery comedy film directed by Jim Henson. It is the second of a series of live-action musical feature films, starring Jim Henson's Muppets. This film was produced by Henson Associates, ITC Entertainment and Universal Pictures, and premiered on 26 July 1981. The...
, Design Consultant (1981) - Miss Piggy's Guide to Life, Art Directeur (1981)
- Fraggle RockFraggle RockFraggle Rock is a children's live action puppet television program series created by Jim Henson. The central characters were a set of "Muppet" creatures called Fraggles. The show ran from January 10, 1983, to March 30, 1987, on CBC Television in Canada, ITV in the UK, HBO in the United States,...
, Conceptual Designer (1983–1987) - The Muppets Take ManhattanThe Muppets Take ManhattanThe Muppets Take Manhattan is the third of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets, and also the final film before Henson's death. This film was produced by Henson Associates and TriStar Pictures, and was filmed on location in New York City during the summer of...
, Design Consultant; Designed the Muppet Babies (1984) - Muppet BabiesMuppet BabiesJim Henson's Muppet Babies is an American animated television series that aired from September 15, 1984 to November 2, 1991 on CBS. The show portrayed childhood versions of the Muppets living together in a large nursery in the care of a human woman called Nanny...
, Creative Consultant and Executive Producer (1984–1991) - Follow That Bird, New Character Designer (1985)
- Little Muppet MonstersLittle Muppet MonstersLittle Muppet Monsters is a short-lived saturday morning animated television series, airing only three episodes on CBS in 1985. The first season of Muppet Babies did so well in the ratings, that CBS decided to expand the series from a half-hour to an hour, pairing Muppet Babies with Little Muppet...
, Creative Producer (1985) - The Jim Henson HourThe Jim Henson HourThe Jim Henson Hour was a short-lived television series that aired on NBC in 1989. It was developed as a showcase for The Jim Henson Company's various puppet creations, including the popular Muppet characters. Only nine of the twelve episodes produced managed to air on NBC before the low-rated...
, Design Consultant (1989) - Muppet*Vision 3D, Creative Consultant (1991)
- The Muppet Christmas CarolThe Muppet Christmas CarolThe Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 musical comedy film adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, starring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, directed by Brian Henson, produced by The Jim Henson Company, and released by Walt Disney Pictures...
, Design Consultant (1992) - Jim Henson's Dog City, Executive Producer (1992–1995)
- Mr. Willowby's Christmas TreeMr. Willowby's Christmas TreeMr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree is a television Christmas special that first aired in 1995. The special stars Robert Downey, Jr., Leslie Nielsen, and Stockard Channing. It also features Kermit the Frog as a narrator and various other Muppets created exclusively for the special.The special was based...
, Executive Producer (1995) - Muppet Treasure IslandMuppet Treasure IslandMuppet Treasure Island is a 1996 American musical film based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. It is the fifth feature film to star The Muppets and was directed by Jim Henson's son Brian Henson....
, Design Consultant (1996) - The Wubbulous World of Dr. SeussThe Wubbulous World of Dr. SeussThe Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss is an American live-action/puppet television series based on characters created by Dr. Seuss, produced by Jim Henson Productions. It aired for two seasons on the Nick Jr. Block on Nickelodeon...
, Executive Producer (1996–1998) - Between the LionsBetween the LionsBetween the Lions is a PBS Kids' puppet show designed to promote reading. The show is a co-production between WGBH in Boston and Sirius Thinking, Ltd., in New York City, in association with Mississippi Public Broadcasting, in Mississippi. The show has won seven Daytime Emmy awards between 2001 and...
, Executive Producer, Creative Director, Conceptional Designer, and Co-Creator (2000–present) - Gus and Inky, Executive Producer, Creative Director, Conceptional Designer, and Co-Creator
- Lomax, The Hound of MusicLomax, the Hound of MusicLomax, the Hound of Music is a PBS Kids TV series that brings together puppets, humans, live music and animation to promote musical education for children ages 3–7...
, Executive Producer, Creative Director, Conceptional Designer, and Co-Creator (2007–present)
Books written and/or illustrated
- The Sesame Street Storybook (1971)
- Some of Us Walk... Some Fly... Some Swim (1971)
- The Sesame Street 1, 2, 3 Storybook (1973)
- I'll Teach My Dog 100 Words (1973)
- The Sesame Street ABC Storybook (1974)
- Big Bird's Busy Book (1975)
- Because a Little Bug Went Ka-choo (1975)
- Autographs! I Collect Them! (1990)