Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
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Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas was a children's story by Russell Hoban first published in 1969. It was later made into a TV Christmas special by Jim Henson.
The story tells about Emmet Otter and his mother, who both want to buy the other something special for Christmas. Emmet, with the help of his friends, comes up with the idea of putting together a jug band and entering the local talent contest, which has a prize of $50. To do this, though, he has to punch a hole in the bottom of his mother's metal washtub.
Also entering in the talent show is the Riverbottom Gang, who have put together a rock group. There are some run-ins between everyone leading up to the big event.
In the end, Emmet, his friends, and his mother learn that you don't need fancy presents for Christmas, as long as you have each other.
The original special was produced for HBO in 1977. It ran on that station yearly until 1979. In 1980, a heavily edited version began airing on ABC. This new version featured shortening of some songs and scenes, and the addition of a voice-over by Kermit the Frog. This ABC-edited version also began being aired on HBO in 1981. Because the later edit aired on ABC and HBO through the 80s, it is the more-widely known version of the special.
In 1981, Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas was nominated for 4 Emmy awards:
1. Outstanding Children's Program, David Lazer (executive producer) and Jim Henson (producer) 2. Outstanding Individual Achievement - Children's Programming, Calista Hendrickson (costume designer) and Sherry Ammott (costume designer) 3. Outstanding Individual Achievement - Children's Programming, Paul Williams (composer/lyricist) for the song "When The River Meets the Sea". 4. Outstanding Individual Achievement - Children's Programming, Tom Wright (lighting)
