Despite the recent rumors, the Jim Henson Company's studio lot in Los Angeles is not being sold to the Church of Scientology. A recent statement read:
"In regards to recent rumors about the sale of the La Brea studio lot, the Henson family is not in any business dealings with the Church of Scientology, and that organization is not in consideration as a potential buyer of the property. It is still the family’s intention to move The Jim Henson Company to a new location it can share with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, but at this time the family is not in escrow with any buyer.”
Source:
Patten, Dominic and Anthony D'Alessandro. "Jim Henson Company Lot On La Brea Not Being Sold To Scientology, Owners Say; “Not In Any Business Dealings With The Church,” Family Declares." Deadline. October 5, 2024. https://deadline.com/2024/10/scientology-jim-henson-lot-purchase-1236108303/.
Took a break from the cartooning to go see the Jim Henson Exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center! After Star Wars, Marvel Comics, and WB/HB cartoons, his work remains a major influence on my art & life. If you’re in the LA area, make sure you catch it before it closes this Sunday Sept 2!
A Witch Watches HGTV: The Curiosu Creations of Christine McConnell on Netflix
I’ve always been a fan of Halloween and enjoyed Christine McConnell’s spooky style, so when I saw trailer for her new Netflix’s show I was beyond excited.
I binged it and I was not disappointed. Martha Stewart meets Muppets meets Adams Family--this was the show I didn’t know I desperately wanted!
The brilliance of this show is actually its story. If you’ve watched regular HGTV, you know that it takes a page from reality TV in that they are trying to tell a story. What problem will Chip and Joanna overcome in their latest fixer upper---you know the part where they have to call the homeowner and the homeowner is almost always completely cool with whatever it is. Or will the Scott twins be able to satisfy these overly demanding homeowners? (hint, they will). It always feels faked and forced, like most reality shows.
Curious Creations rather than trying to fake reality, just lets us plunge into fantasy and its so refreshing! Disturbed the neighbors with our strange noises and murderous overtones? Let’s make them gift baskets to smooth things over!
Also, McConnell really has her aesthetic down. Combined with the story and the fun characters, it really makes you want to jump and live this life. Who wouldn’t want to live in a delightfully spook old Victorian mansion with a group of murderous muppets and have Dita Von Teese haunt your bedroom mirror? I mean look:
Everyone I know wants those kitchen cabinets! I will not be surprised by this time next year if people start posting their Curious Creation inspired kitchen remodels! I almost wrote this post as an aesthetic inspiration instead of a review, but since its new it really hasn’t worked its way into my aesthetic yet.
If I had any criticism, its that many of her projects feel unattainable by the average person. She puts a ton of work and attention to detail to everything she does, which is awesome. But not everyone has the time and resources to do what she does--which is ok. There’s nothing wrong with some high end inspiration to nibble on.
For instance, take the peanut butter bones she makes in her first episode. If I was going to make them, I might skip a lot the steps she takes. My bones might not be as realistic as hers, but they’d probably still taste great and look cute on a Halloween table setting.
I mean take the cake she makes of her fantasy house:
Its awesome and amazing and I will probably never make anything like it. But I will probably use some of the tips and tricks she goes over on a something on a smaller scale.
Overall though, I am in deeply in love with show and incredibly hopeful not only for new episode, but perhaps that this will start a new trend in home and cooking shows!
'The Happytime Murders' is definitely (puppet) gory, and surely childish in its own outrageously adult way, but damn if it isn't good! Never been so surprised by a murder mystery!
