Wilkins and Wontkins Commercial Compilation (1957–1961) Director: Jim Henson Studio: Wilkins Coffee / Jim Henson Productions Starring: Jim Henson (voices & puppetry), Jerry Juhl (occasional puppetry) Release Years: 1957–1961 (compilation spans multiple years) Runtime: Compilation length varies (individual spots ~10 seconds each) Format: Black & White & Color | Mono | Television Commercials | Puppetry Country: United States Language: English Genres: Comedy | Advertising | Puppetry | Short Form --- Summary: A collection of the iconic Wilkins Coffee commercials featuring Wilkins and Wontkins, two Muppet-style characters created by Jim Henson before his rise to fame with Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. Each ad is only 8–10 seconds long, delivering lightning-fast humor: Wilkins, the cheerful promoter, insists on Wilkins Coffee, while the grumpy Wontkins refuses—and usually suffers comic punishment for it. The compilation showcases dozens of these darkly funny and inventive spots, which helped establish Henson’s reputation for blending charm, comedy, and a mischievous edge in puppetry. --- Background: Commissioned by the Wilkins Coffee company in Washington, D.C., these commercials aired locally and became legendary for their brevity and impact. The ads were shot with minimal budgets but relied on clever puppetry, sharp timing, and absurd gags—qualities that would later define Henson’s career. The popularity of the campaign led to spin-offs for other regional products (like Community Coffee and La Choy), all using the same characters. Although they were created to sell coffee, the commercials became cult classics in advertising history, reflecting Henson’s genius long before the Muppets went mainstream. --- Trivia: Over 180 commercials were made between 1957 and 1961, most running just 10 seconds. These spots marked Jim Henson’s first nationally recognized puppetry work. The violent slapstick style (explosions, cannons, electrocution) was unusual for advertising at the time. Surviving film reels were preserved by collectors and later released online, leading to their cult revival. Wontkins, despite being the "loser" of every ad, became a fan-favorite for his stubborn personality. --- Hashtags: #WilkinsAndWontkins #JimHenson #VintageCommercials #1950sAds #1960sAds #ClassicCommercials #MuppetHistory #WilkinsCoffee #Puppetry #AdvertisingHistory #CultClassicAds #DarkHumorAds #HensonHistory