Part 10/12:
Frank Oz’s comments resonate with a broader critique of Hollywood and corporate America’s approach to beloved cultural icons. Many industry veterans argue that when corporations acquire creative properties they didn't originate—be it Disney with the Muppets, or other studios with franchises like Star Wars—the soul of those properties often gets sacrificed for commercial interests.
His remarks about Jim Henson suggest that the original creator’s disdain for corporate interference was well-founded, and that the current state of the Muppets reflects a departure from the art and authenticity that made the characters timeless.