The Muppets industry and popular culture in the United States, receiving recognition from various cultural institutions and organizations, including the American Film Institute, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Library of Congress, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Muppets were created by puppeteer Jim Henson in the 1950s, beginning with Kermit the Frog, who would become Henson's most recognizable character. Originally conceived for an adult audience, Henson claimed, and later retracted, that he coined the term "Muppet" as a portmanteau of the words "marionette" and "puppet". In 1955, the Muppets were introduced in "Sam and Friends", a short-form television series
The Muppets Valentine Show "The Muppet Show: Season Two" box set. On the box and on the DVD menus, it is referred to as "The Muppets Valentine Special". The cast of Muppeteers closely matches the lineup of the first season of "The Muppet Show", with the exception of Eren Ozker, who joined the Muppets in 1976. Additional Muppets performed by Jane Henson and Nancy McGeorge. The Muppets Valentine Show The Muppets Valentine Show aired on ABC on January 30, 1974. It was one of two pilots produced during the planning stages for "The Muppet Show". The other pilot was "", which aired in 1975.