When I was a kid, the majority of kids' programming was locally originated. There were nation-wide shows like Captain Kangaroo, Shari Lewis, Kukla, Fran and Ollie that featured puppets (that's how Beanie and Cecil got started as well). Local shows certainly had lots of puppets.

Now that I have a toddler in the home, I see a little more children's tv than I have for the last 50 years, and I was surprised and pleased to see as much puppetry as there is. On Sprout Channel (PBS for pre-schoolers) there are ten shows that include puppets: Jim Henson’s Pajanimals, Sunny Side Up Show, Good Night Show, Noodle and Doodle, Sprout Sharing Show, The Let’s Go Show, Play With Me Sesame, Sesame Street, The Mighty Jungle, Zoboomafoo. In addition, the Baby Genius videos all feature puppets. There is probably even more out there, but I was surprised to see this much.

It's nice to see that this really is not a lost art with no future, and that it still has a fairly broad appeal. All the cg animation still amazes me, but I don't think I will ever lose my love for a simple hand puppet and a silly voice.

I loved Beanie and Cecil.  I made an interactive puppet video for my 2 year old nephew.  The puppets were all looking for the Kitty and they would invite him to help with the search.  He loved it.  When I posted it on youtube I took out his name but I get more hits on that video than the other puppet vids that I've made specifically for youtube.  Today it's hard to find puppets in retail stores.