Big Bird at Jim Henson's Memorial

[themocaw]

Word of advice: DO NOT BACK TO BACK THIS WITH TOM SMITH'S A BOY AND HIS FROG UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE LOOKING UP INTO THE RAIN FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN MINUTES.

[FamGuyFreak100]

55 people don't have a soul.

[thespiswolf]

OMG i should have NOT watched this while at work. I can't stop crying.

[novemberfirecrotch]

Tell me, who can watch this without crying their eyes out. You just wanna run up and hug that bird. To grow up watching up Jim Henson and his muppets, although I didn't realize it at the time, I was watching greatness. RIP Jim Henson, you will always be missed.

[GrandmasterTurrican]

RIP Jim Henson

You were a great dude.

Oh man i wanna hug big bird for what he did there!!!

[prisy8]

If u r grate full for the muppets and miss Jim henson then like this video and this comment

[DisneyAshmanDemos]

I was doing my best at holding in the tears until he said "Thank you, Kermit."

[ItsMeTheSteph]

A big teary bawling mess after this one!

[redwomyn83]

TheMichaelDenny: I feel ya, buddy. Gets me. Every. Time.

[TheMichaelDenny]

"Thank you, Kermit". Dammit .....

[CRYSTALLTAY]

I remember when Jim Henson died. I was born the yr after sesame street came on the air. i was 19 when he passed. i was hurt and felt my childhood died that day.

[prisy8]

Awww I didn't think this would make me cry I'm so sad

[BMeister22]

Was this Carol Spinney in the costume here?

[EvaSylvestre]

He *is* crying. This is ... this is crying.

[arcticFox102]

To subgrv27-

Ya i know, he loved his coworkers alot

[miyor123]

wait, jimmy henson is dead? wtf?

[dabblebabble]

If Big Bird were to sing at my funeral my life would be complete.

[handballdemigod]

@dabblebabble Of course your life would be complete....because you'd be dead.

[skatealex1]

amazing performance :(

[phiberoptick]

BIG BIRD NEEDS A HUG D:

[YNot1989]

We miss you Jim.

[jackryan444]

gives me chills

[MooCowMilkshakes]

Shit, my eyes watered when he said, "thank you Kermit." RIP Jim Henson.

[HolyZitoli]

I've never really watched the muppets that much, but it wasn't hard to pick up the powerful emotions in this performance.

[broadwaybeautiful12]

I would cry too, if I was Carroll (man who plays big bird) and I wish Jim was here to experience how much people miss him. At the thought of Jim I tend to start sobbing because the muppets have a special place in my heart. If Jim had never created them, I really don't know what I'd do....I can remember when I was little the muppet show had been on for a while then one day I turned on the tv and it was the beginning of the first episode of the muppet show. I was about 3 and I was about to chang

[melissa3289]

few words out of this i felt like crying i want to hug big bird -*(

[picklesperfect]

When Big Bird whispered, "Thank you, Kermit," I began to cry.

R.I.P. Jim Henson...

[stevenifacation]

i am 13 years old. i was born 8 years after an amazing man, jim henson diad. i cried

[mariosmashfann]

it aitn easy beaing this cheezy

[JerRocks2day]

Here's hoping that Big Bird and Kermit reunite at the 2012 oscars, if the Muppets get to co-host.

[JerRocks2day]

When I was a child, I wrote Jim Henson's name on a photograph of me because I always wanted to be like him; this happened about 6 years after he died (I was born in October of 1990-- 5 months after he died). It really humbles me to know that I was one of the youngest at the time to know who Jim Henson was and what he did-- he created Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Fozzie Bear, Cookie Monster, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, etc.

[melissa3289]

@JerRocks2day I was around ten years longer then this i was around back when Mr. Hooper died I don't know how old i was when that aired but I remember asking my dad what happened to mr hooper and not liking big birds reaction. i didnt see anything of when jim henson past one but i wish i did.

[JerRocks2day]

@melissa3289 i remember hearing about that episode where Mr. Hooper died. I can't seem to find it on youtube for some reason. How was the episode?

[sliat1981]

@JerRocks2day look up big bird learns about death

[ardalsgirl]

I'm crying watching this

[amomo96]

There's something in my heart

[KillinDaWelfareMCs]

@amomo96 not in mine

[sheslostcontrol24]

I think that there is something in my eye.

[arcticFox102]

To holman182-

Ya i know all that. I was about to cry too just by watching this. It must have been even harder on frank oz since he was jim's closest friend.

[DarkProphet94]

the most heartbreaking thing is picturing Carrol Spinney trying to sing the song while inside the Big Bird suit

[holman182]

I watched The Muppets this weekend (the new movie) and just about cried during the scene in "Kermit's Old Office" when the camera panned to the picture of Kermit sitting in Jim's lap. I didn't know Jim (too young), but I did research projects on him, and feel as though I did know him... It was both this scene and when Kermit started singing "Rainbow Connection"...

[25mmick]

touching..

[nikochan076]

Wat! I wish someone hit the delete button complete king of jerkoff!!

[joecana345]

whoever pressed the dislike button your fucked up

[Hafsol65]

ಥ_ಥ

[arcticFox102]

Sounds like he is about to cry

[holman182]

@arcticFox102 You have to remember that the people behind the puppets were all really close to Jim (next to family, just about), so his passing had a very hard hitting and profound effect. Even those who didn't know him. It was much like the recent passing of Steve Jobs.

[bluestingerborg]

@arcticFox102 I cry sometimes just watching this video.

[AmazingLemming]

@arcticFox102 I think he was crying just hid as best as he could.

[subgrv27]

@arcticFox102 Actually, underneath the costume he's trying his hardest not to cry. Afterall Carol and Jim were good friends.

[MollyKoenigStarGleek]

Wow, and Big Bird and Kermit were so close. Both of them were there from almost the beginning.

[Taymix05]

oh god :'( as soon as i realized what song it was, i was gone

[MsEmminator]

Jim Henson may be dead... but his work will be here, for generations to come... I remember being a little kid, lying in my bed listening to the Rainbow Connection and singing along to it... I remember, looking at Kermit, laughing... I can also remember the Muppet Show, and how it always made me laugh... When I asked who was the creator of the muppets and where could I found him, I was told I could find him in heaven... Let our future generations see the Muppets!!!

[shaheennobar]

Green like the like button

[allijo514]

I was able to comment after scraping myself up off the floor....

[basemalt]

Kinda ridiculous, but sad. :'( I'm doing a report on Jim Henson, and also, my Grandma's cat just got put to sleep today. :'(

[ellie1701]

Jim Henson brought light and love to many with his Muppets. Long before Sesame Street i loved sitting through Ed Sullivan waiting to see Topo Gigio performing with Ed Sullivan. Of course Jim Henson is missed. He was an icon, He brought attention back to puppeteering with his craft and his extreme genius with inventing Muppets...

[minidx315]

i dident know he dided (sigh)

[leroy416]

i did not expect to feel that so much. thats the saddest video ive ever seen, you could hear the hurt in his heart

[UCKABAH]

@leroy416 If this is the saddest thing you've ever seen you have lived a sheltered life. Yes, it's a bit sad, but have some perspective.

[leroy416]

@UCKABAH - I said saddest video ive ever seen. not saddest thing ever. I hope Big Bird takes a massive dump over your stupid head next time he's flying by! happy new year :)

[UCKABAH]

@leroy416 I just think you're being a bit hyperbolic. Not trying to start a youtube fight.

[MrJaffa2015]

Thank you so much Jim Henson, for all the love and joy you brought to the world.

[larme113]

What kind of sick fuck hits the dislike button on something like this?

[DestinyBell864]

@larme113 somebody that's sad that Jim Henson died?

[chexmix123able]

@larme113 maybe they don't like that jim henson died?

[AbeTheMudukon]

@larme113 don't feed the trolls bro

[Ginea25]

@larme113 Word for word what I was thinking

[AmazingLemming]

@larme113 only a person who can not express emotion

[deedelores]

This was posted by me Ellie 1701

[deedelores]

When jim Henson crossed over some of the starlight in our skies definetely dimmed and died with him...the world will NEVER be the same without this icon...a life wasted is tragic, but when a life is big and bright and full of loving energy and it leavs us it is also a tragedy but he light lives on in many other ways...such was one as Jim Henson...

[julienkip]

Wow. This clip broke my heart. :(

[mac19971]

Kermit is not dead, his creator is... But ever since that, he's never felt the same again : (

[reubenco]

@mac19971 Kermit is unfortunately just an imitation now. Whitmire does a good imitation, but the real Kermit is dead.

[mac19971]

@reubenco No, the real Kermit is not dead, he still lives in our hearts. It portrays this through the Muppet films that were made during the years after Jim Henson's passing. Even if it is just another person voicing him, it is still him...

[uknownada]

Even fictional characters can make somebody cry. Even somebody in a giant, silly, funny looking suit can make somebody cry. This muppet was a friend of other muppets and us, and most importantly Jim.

[drseafrog]

I've never heard Big Bird on the verge of tears before... Had me bawling...

[bluestingerborg]

@drseafrog yeah me too.

[wileyk209zback]

@drseafrog Only other time I recall Big Bird being like that was in the Mr. Hooper's Death segment from 1983.

[SoniKZooM]

The way he said, "Thank you, Kermit" made me cry so hard...

[comicman427]

jim henson isnt dead he just went to make a whole universe to birth more muppets :')

[haylibooth71]

Oh wow that made me cry so much:(

[krudmonger]

One of the saddest YouTubes I've ever watched.

[bluestingerborg]

@krudmonger I couldn't agree more.

[andreas7415]

i miss jim henson so much cryid so much

[Tranquilbez22]

If you listen closely you can here Carol Spinny (Big Birds Puppeteer) Crying in the suit while singing. thats how sad that is

[lanceloomis]

"Thank you, Kermit."

Then complete and utter silence.

Not a cough, not a whimper. Just silence.

What more could be said?

[HannahBananah133]

:( I♥U Jim Henson!!!

[Aerosmithjunkie08]

EVERY FRIKEN TIME I END UP BALLING

[freddykrugerkiller]

i didnt know jim henson very well and i am trying to fight the tears

[MollyKoenigStarGleek]

Jim Henson left the Stage of Life three years before I was born. I still miss him. Thank you, Jim.

[wileyk209zback]

Caroll Spinney puts a LOT of emotion into Big Bird. Not just this, but also look at the Mr. Hooper's Death segment

[puppyluvr10100]

this is sad omg

[ruprechtdd]

I was good until "thank you Kermit" . . .

[puppyluvr10100]

@ruprechtdd well jim was the first to do the voice of kermit

[AKusanaga]

@ruprechtdd

Same here.

[rudeondude21]

damn damn damn i feel as if the child in me has woke up and turned on the tv and theres that news show with bad news again bye bye jim u made my childhood clear and happy

[FilmsKayCee]

It must have been really hard for Caroll Spinney to sing this straight. You can hear that he's almost about to cry. I don't blame him a bit. 

[smirshkohooven]

This is the most beautiful video I've ever seen. I cannot make it through a single time without bawling my eyes out. The simplicity of it is what makes this video so touching.

[SSDude100]

50 People Never Had A Childhood

[boobytrapzap]

This is the saddest video that was ever filmed.

[MrBuch169169]

That's just about as good a memorial as anyone could deserve.

[OswaldRabbitFan]

I'm being completely serious when I say this: I didn't think it was as sad as the comments showed, but when he said, "Thank you, Kermit." and looked up, I burst into tears.

R.I.P. Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog, Dr.Teeth, Link Hogthrob, Statler, Waldorf, Swedish Chef, Beautiful Day Monster, Bip Bippadotta, Chrissy, Ernie, Granny Fanny Nestlerode, Guy Smiley, Harvey Monster, The Twiddlebugs, Yip Yips, Cantus, and Convincing John.

[MutimirRX]

I don't think that there is any death in history that hit everyone so hard. No disrespect to Princes Diana JFK and others but Jim was a true servant to the public a man for all ages. Thanks for teaching me so much.

[southy98]

That was sad, in a beautiful kind of way. 

[mjrod316]

Seeing this completely broke my heart.

"Thank you Kermit," and thank you Jim. You were an amazing guy.

To Jim Henson, a man that could very well be considered the "Disney" of puppets.

[rainbowmuppet]

Only man in the history of the world that could have puppets at his funeral and everybody would take it completely seriously.

[johnmmn2]

Big Bird walking through the aisle all somber just SLAYED me.

[masonsorioles]

how does a 32 year old man cry

[3bunnies100]

I grew up on his charaters  and he made me laugh and learn and care for others fly on a cloud Jimmy i love you!!!

[ieahXIII]

;_;

[penguinteeth3]

how much later was after he died

[BeerBaron73]

'Thank you Kermit.'

That got me.

[AmandaMacification]

@BeerBaron73 same here :(

[TheEureka41]

Shouldn't Kermit be singing this song?

[tommenno]

@TheEureka41 Considering Jim *was* Kermit, I don't think anyone could bring themselves to work/voice him. As heartwarming as it is to see the team bring out the Muppets, as they were such a huge part of Jim's life, and theirs; it would have been in poor taste for ANYONE to have taken up Kermit at the man's funeral.

Another little heart warming fact: Kermit and Muppet are in spell check. almost forgot to capitalize the frog. *Sniffs*

[acobolew1]

@TheEureka41 Jim Henson was the voice of kermit. That's why BB sang it instead and then thanked Kermit. This is why it's so poignant.

[blinkfan4ever]

This is one of the most beautiful performances I have ever listened to. It must have been so hard to sing :'(

[bluestingerborg]

We'll Miss you Jim. Sesame Street is just not the same without you.

[amtwinkles]

50 dislikes?? Really?? This just makes me cry, you can tell they were all a family :-) RIP Jim Henson, he was a great man, puppeteer, and visionary.

[sn00ke]

From 0:00 to 0:51 you know the person in the suit was thinking "Ohgodohgodohgod dont fall dont fall dont fall"

[SideSmash]

It's so crazy how both fitting and ridiculous this situation is.

Jim Henson - the Miyamoto of his time.

[RincewindsHat66]

Why? Whyy?? Why couldn't it have been George Lucas, instead?!

[majinkearu]

@RincewindsHat66 Best. Comment. Ever.

[mac19971]

@RincewindsHat66 Nah, it SHOULD have been Spielberg. Star Wars is the name of the game, but it's creator is going downhill.

[McJellyToast]

Disappointed Big Bird wasn't in the Muppets Movie...

[hollykmck]

@McJellyToast They're no longer owned by the same company (the Jim Henson Company). The Sesame Street characters belong to Sesame Workshop and the Muppets belong to Disney. You'll notice Kermit has also stopped his appearances on Sesame Street.

[McJellyToast]

@hollykmck Oh. I wasn't aware they were two different companies. How sad! D:

[RossEStern]

@McJellyToast you mean the new one

[penguinteeth3]

i feel bad but this was kind of disturbing

[bluestingerborg]

@penguinteeth3  I would say more sad for me than disturbing

[girgirl99]

i just wanna give him a hug.

[labonath151]

Well, we know that 50 people hated Jim Henson.

[dejEtack]

@labonath151 i prefer to belive that they disliked the fact that he died.

[SchizoSchematic]

Thank you for being green, Mr. Henson. As long as there is imagination and humor in this world, you will always be remembered.

[collinnc2001]

@SchizoSchematic I'm sure behind that mask poor Caroll Spinney was fighting tears with everything it took, this was beautifully done

[TheSneeza]

And thank you Jim Henson for giving me a childhood

[cableanddeadpool99]

just know that you creations are still in our minds and hearts

[denunciator]

this is very heavy

[bluestingerborg]

We'll miss U Jim Henson.

[voidmaster45]

This was incredibly sad and touching. At least he didn't sing Rainbow Connection. I would have lost it..

[SamuraiGirl02]

@voidmaster45 I'm sure if Big Bird tried to sing Rainbow Connection, he definitely would've lost it. If he was struggling that much to keep himself composed while singing "It's not easy being green", imagine the pain and grief he'd have trying to sing Rainbow Connection.

[dcbandnerd]

The way Carol Spinney's voice cracks and waivers throughout the song. Gets me every time.

[wendym1234]

Wow, what's even sadder is feeling the sorrow of the guy inside Big Bird at this memorial! Jim Hensen died pretty unexpectantly and can tell he was still in shock and grief. He worked for this genius creator and proudly wore the costume with love and sang his heart out as Big Bird doing a tribute to Kermit the Frog! Jim's alter ego- he said in interviews. Feels like Kermit's funeral a bit.

[CanesFan680]

If you can make it through this video without sobbing, you may want to recheck your pulse.  Over 20 years and I still miss you. RIP Jim Henson.

[ButchA61]

I remember The Muppet Show in the 70's and early 80's and Jim Henson and crew were geniuses at what they did! Anyway, this has to be the saddest thing I have ever seen on You Tube! The very end where Big Bird says, "Thank You, Kermit" just tore me up. :-( And I'm a 50 yr old guy!!

[JBarrett41]

"Thank You Kermit" ...get's me every time I watch this

[TheAh78]

@davidAnonsen she must be a baby and never grew up with Jim and Muppets. She'll never understand the kind of impact Henson has made on many generations. Just don't bother.

[333WaystoSurvive]

I'm sobbing right now ;___: Mr. Henson, you're amazing

[sonic10shadow]

he almost cried....... sad

[snake2006]

Jim Henson has left a incredicle legacy that still lives on.

I love the Muppets, I can't imagine a world without them. I don't even want to know a world that doesn't have the Muppets like Kermit,Piggy,Big Bird,Ernie,Bert, yes even Elmo (although I still think he gets way too much air time)

[ckorhonen72]

49 people are dead inside and had really bad childhoods.

[CJenAdams]

I started crying at the end.

[123sashastar]

i was doing well until big bird said "thank you kermit" *cries*

[Awesomeone90]

@123sashastar

Same :'o(

[bobowe]

@Cookiefan1876 and 49 ppl dont have a heart

[davidAnonsen]

My girlfriend just said "this isn't that said" what should I do with her body?

[TheREALforeverone]

@davidAnonsen dog food

[tiemedown]

@davidAnonsen break up with her

[ryanmurphysbrain]

@davidAnonsen She must have no clue about how important Jim Henson was and still is to a lot of people. Must also have no ability to hear sorrow in a person's voice. There isn't a point in this where pain and sorrow don't come through.

[flutterbyx79]

@davidAnonsen Make a muppet out of her?

[ztslovebird]

@davidAnonsen Fertilizer.

[TheCharleyman87]

@davidAnonsen I'll drive the car

[Daisyno2]

@davidAnonsen huh?

[CapeMike]

@davidAnonsen Welll....I could always use some target practice with this large-bore particle cannon.... <_<

[masonsorioles]

@davidAnonsen what di the five fingers ay.... slap

[TheKCProductions101]

49 people got screwed by the muppets

[Thespiella]

Where does Big Bird mess up his lines?

[dylansloan10]

@Thespiella The only moment where the words were different were in the bridge where it is supposed to be "Big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree." But I am amazed that he made it through this in one piece. He covered that so well! I'm 18 and in college, I didn't grow up watching the muppets, but I did go to my local library and rent the movies whenever I could. I loved them. I wasn't born when Jim died, but I still cried as I watched this video tonight.

[bohemianspiritmn]

@dylansloan10 - I was one of what they call the "Sesame Seeds," the kids who were among the first viewers when Sesame Street first came on the air. Jim Henson's death broke our hearts. I really feel for Carroll Spinney in this song. :-(

[Roaddoc650]

@bohemianspiritmn Complete agreement. I was a Sesame Seed, too. And I'm still crying. We lost a true great.

[gettingcreative76]

But Kermit's still alive; I don't understand?