Henson Co Bringing Variety Show for Kids to Netflix

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Comedy Stars Carol Burnett, Ellie Kemper and More Will Join New Henson Production

Netflix is about to grab itself another classic TV genre- the children’s variety show.

While “The Muppet Show” destroyed the most recent incarnation of its own cult self in its adult-oriented reboot, Netflix is teaming up with the Jim Henson Company for a seemingly incorruptible children’s series. The perfectly coiffed and yet totally welcoming Julie Andrews teams with an even more adorable co-creator, her frickin’ daughter, for a puppet ensemble pre-school series promoting the virtues of the performing arts.

“Julie’s Greenroom” is hosted by the star and co-creator, assisted by Gus (Giullian Yao Gioiello) and populated by an original puppet cast of children learning about theater. More interestingly, the class will be visited by a gamut of guests including Carol Burnett, actors Joshua Bell and Alec Baldwin and musicians Josh Groban, Idina Menzel and Sara Bareilles, the group Stomp and a hybrid of the two categories with Tituss Burgess. Best of all, Andrews will be joined by the chipper Ellie Kemper, presumably to teach a lesson on singing with cartoon critters on your shoulder. The prevalence of musical guests is appropriate considering the series’ promise of an original song with most episodes. Even more so, these original songs will potentially involve the input of their comedically leaning guests, making the series a true variety show for kids, much like the Muppets and Sesame Street.

Netflix’s latest project marks the continued domination of comedy into educational and seemingly unrelated genres. Prodigious cult favorite Dan Harmon and less notable names have overtaken chunks of History Channel’s docket to apply comedy to making educational content fun. If a market emerges for comedians to migrate into intelligent children’s entertainment, this could be yet another demand and market entirely for lesser known, but unique, comedians to find their audience.

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Rachel Crowe

The most notable lies Rachel Crowe has ever told were that she has 10 children (no twins), she’s running a marathon retracing the path her ancestors took to evade the IRS and that she found childcare for 10 on a Saturday night. She’s also a stand-up comedian and dog walker living in Los Angeles. Follow Rachel on Twitter @Racheddar or on Instagram @thelma_and_disease. Or don’t, but at least appreciate those fresh hot puns.
Rachel Crowe

Rachel Crowe

The most notable lies Rachel Crowe has ever told were that she has 10 children (no twins), she’s running a marathon retracing the path her ancestors took to evade the IRS and that she found childcare for 10 on a Saturday night. She’s also a stand-up comedian and dog walker living in Los Angeles. Follow Rachel on Twitter @Racheddar or on Instagram @thelma_and_disease. Or don’t, but at least appreciate those fresh hot puns.