"The Muppet Show" premieres 1977

Jim Henson's multi-award winning variety show The Muppet Show premiered April 23, 1977.  It gained in popularity, but Jim Henson wanted to end the show on a high note.  The last season had the highest Nielsen ratings ever.  

It won four Primetime Emmy awards including one for Rita Moreno for her guest appearance.  

Kermit the Frog and Waldorf appeared in all 120 episodes.

"The Dark Crystal" released 1982

Jim Henson's and Frank Oz's visual masterpiece, The Dark Crystal, was released December 17, 1982.  Although it got mixed reviews at first, it has since gained a cult-like following.  The Dark Crystal had groundbreaking animatronics

It received a Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for Best Fantasy Film.

A prequel has been produced and airing on Netflix.