Bermudian Michael K. Frith was inducted into the Golden Circle Honour Society at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.
A BNG spokesperson said, “On Sunday, March 1, Bermudian Michael K. Frith was inducted into the Golden Circle Honour Society at the Children and Family Emmy Awards in recognition of 50 years of “outstanding contribution” to the television industry. Frith and his wife Kathryn Mullen attended the ceremony at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City.
“Launched in 2023, the Gold and Silver Circle Society is part of the national Emmy Awards and honours ‘trailblazers and exceptional talent who have made a lasting impact in broadcasting’. The induction marks Frith’s 20th honour from the Emmy Awards, which includes 4 International Emmy Awards, 5 Certificates of Contribution and 10 further nominations for a variety of projects, including The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock, produced during his time as Director of Creative Services and Vice President at Jim Henson Productions, and later as co-founder of Sirius Thinking which produced Between the Lions.”
“Fifty years in kids and family television? Actually it’s closer to seventy, starting here [in Bermuda] with the very beginning of ZBM TV, appearing on Junior Club, drawing and telling stories,” says Frith. “In the decades since, I’ve been so privileged to work with so many amazing and talented people — this honor is as much theirs as mine. Thanks to them all! I’m somewhat amazed, and truly touched.”
The spokesperson said, “Frith won his first International Emmy Award in 1983 for Fraggle Rock: Conceptual Designer [and Co-creator]. Directly inspired by his childhood growing up in Bermuda, the television series ran from 1983 to 1987. It was broadcast in more than 100 countries and dubbed into 13 languages. Its cast of characters, all designed by Frith, are some of the most memorable in television history. Three original Fraggle puppets, and three original Muppet Show puppets, all designed by Frith are currently on display at the Bermuda National Gallery in The Art of Michael K. Frith: From Pencil to Puppet, a full retrospective of Frith’s career and the first to honour his enormous contributions to the worlds of entertainment, education and popular culture.
“In celebration of the Emmy Awards’ recognition of Frith’s five decades of service, the Bermuda National Gallery is encouraging Bermudians to celebrate one of their own by donating to Keep the Fraggles of the Rock – a fundraising initiative recently launched to cover the cost of extending The Art of Michael K. Frith: From Pencil to Puppet. The exhibition, which was due to close in April and has now been extended through August, is the Gallery’s most popular exhibition to date.”
“Michael’s list of awards is incredibly extensive and runs to three pages,” says Eve Godet Thomas, Director of Exhibitions at the Bermuda National Gallery and curator of the exhibition. “To have another honour, and such a prestigious one, added to this exhaustive list during the run of From Pencil to Puppet is evidence of just how incredible his contributions are. I hope that everyone who has been to the show and enjoyed it donates to our campaign. The cost of mounting such an exhibition is enormous and every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference. We have raised close to half of what we need – please show your support for Michael by donating today and helping us reach our target. And if you haven’t already seen the exhibition – be sure to come in and meet some Muppets!”
The spokesperson said, “Donations can be made online at www.bng.bm/fraggles.
“The Art of Michael K. Frith: From Pencil to Puppet is on display at Bermuda National Gallery to August. Admission is free and made possible by The Christian Humann Foundation. BNG is located in City Hall & Arts Centre, Hamilton, and is open Tuesday-Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm.”
