In a surprise move, the Henson family has announced that it is regaining control of the Jim Henson Co., home of the Muppets and other children's properties, for $78 million in cash and $11 million in company cash, according to Variety.  The family took the deal with German company EM.TV out from under Classic Media (Richie Rich); Disney had been interested early but had dropped out over concerns about German bankruptcy law.  The deal should help U.S. balance of payments -- the company was sold to EM.TV for $680 million three years ago (although the rights to the Sesame Street characters were sold to Sesame Workshop for $160 million two years ago).  Palisades is continuing its lines of Muppets action figures this year; Sideshow is wrapping up its Muppets busts.