The legacy of EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS is somewhat complicated and confusing for me, almost 50 years later. It was first released on CBS on December 4, 1977. I was 3 years old and recall already being a huge fan of THE MUPPET SHOW and SESAME STREET at that age. This unique special is also from the mind of Jim Henson, who produced and directed it. EMMET features hand-puppets (Muppets), marionettes, and even has an introduction from Henson’s most famous character. My childhood memory of EMMET is centered around how I recall a lifelong friend talking about it every Christmas season and how much she loved it. So I must have seen it, too, right? I can’t remember, but after watching it again this week, it seems like something I would have enjoyed, but it still didn’t feel familiar. What further confuses the timeline is that the special was re-aired after the 1977 debut and notably was nominated for 4 Emmy awards in 1981. My memory of being 6 or 7 is much better than when I was 3, so I should remember this special. Thankfully 47 years after its premiere, I had a chance to visit (or revisit) EMMET OTTER via streaming services.
EMMET OTTER is based on a 1971 book of the same name by Russell Hoban, who wrote dozens of children’s books and a handful of novels for adults as well. The story centers around a poor family of otters: Emmet, and his widowed mother, Ma. When it came out, I could see it being a feel-good story about family sacrifice and risking it all for the betterment of the ones they love while dealing with bullies who seem to get ahead despite being terrible. In retrospect, I recognize that even in the fictional world of puppet otters, despite doing their best, there was no safety net for those in society who needed it most.
Now hopefully, I haven’t sucked all the fun out of it yet. The puppetry in EMMET OTTER rivals the best of the best from Jim Henson. Showing the wide breadth of Henson’s creativity, this is as far from the massive fantastical creatures of THE DARK CRYSTAL or LABYRINTH but is still superb nonetheless. It is as if the stuffed animals on your bedroom shelf have come to life. It’s also filled with a dozen or so catchy little ditties that you can sing to yourself in the shower or share with the little ones in your life. Unlike most other holiday specials, Christmas serves primarily as a backdrop here – it takes place at Christmas time, but the music is original and not the classic anthems you’ll find elsewhere. When researching the show for this review, I found out the EMMET OTTER book was inspired by the 1905 short story THE GIFT OF THE MAJI by O. Henry (aka William Sydney Porter), a timeless fable about gift-giving, and this story has been adapted many times.
Take it back to an underrated “should-be” holiday classic this year and watch EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS. It’s a fun, sentimental story that can be enjoyed by kids and parents alike.
As of December 2024, EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS is streaming on Prime Video, Peacock, Tubi, and Plex or you can rent or buy it across most major digital rental platforms like Apple, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
