The RHLC!

[Skye]

I got this set a couple days after it was released, but since I like to savor it, hehe, I haven't watched anywhere near all of the episodes yet! But of course I watched the Steve Martin one. Richard's laugh sure is something that's hard to miss! I really love that; it makes me giggle.

I haven't watched either of the ones you mentioned, Erin... not yet, anyway. But those are sure gonna be next on my list!

 

[CensoredAlso]

I got this set a couple days after it was released, but since I like to savor it, hehe, I haven't watched anywhere near all of the episodes yet!

Oh I know what you mean, I usually try and take my time so it won't be over so quickly, lol. Glad you like it so far!

I've seen a few of the 2nd season episodes before, but it'll be great to see them on DVD. And there's still a lot I haven't seen. I like Petula Clark, and she's really cute when she plays along with the Mickey Moose thing, but she didn't really do much in her episode.

I've seen "The Hop" sketch as well; I'm with you Meep, I didn't understand how a puppet could do the Twist, but somehow he managed it!

The "Sea Chantey" is one of my favorites, either seeing or just listening to, because it's got all the main performers (minus Steve of course). Especially Fozzie's little comments and them all laughing in the middle, which sounds like it was started by Richard (of course hehe) and Link going "Help!....Help!...Help! Lol

I definitely want to see that Pigs in Space sketch, the height of Muppet insanity. Next to Vets Hospital of course! Oh yeah, the main things I'm looking forward to are the introductions of Valley Girl Janice and Beaker.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Hehe! I'm so happy today! You know for the longest time when I'd think back on Sesame Street, I rarely remembered hearing any of Richard's characters. I was beginning to think I must have missed him entirely during my viewings, lol. But today I was proven wrong; I'd completely forgotten this sketch existed, but I always adored it! I think at the time, this was what I considered a true love story, lol.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=duQO9b0kIx4

Ironic that Richard plays a prince who loves to throw a party, wink wink Hehe

Though I'm a little perplexed about the random Julius Cesar reference lol

And btw, hope everyone is doing well today.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

I've seen a few of the 2nd season episodes before, but it'll be great to see them on DVD. And there's still a lot I haven't seen. I like Petula Clark, and she's really cute when she plays along with the Mickey Moose thing, but she didn't really do much in her episode.

Oh, man, if they were doing the Muppet Show today, and they did the Mickey Moose sketches, Disney's lawyers would have flown straight over to England and served them all with lawsuits.

Jim: Oh, I'll pass - lawsuits give me indigestion.
Richard: Me too. (shoving lawsuit back at lawyer) Here, you have it - I think you'd like it with sour grapes.

Let's see...on that episode, in addition to the Sea Chantey (or Chanty?), I liked the western sketch, as done by the chickens. Wouldn't be surprised if all the Muppet performers had a bad case of the giggles during that one.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Hehe, yeah that Disney thing would be kinda awkward now, lol. Though a lot of people poke fun at Disney, it being such a huge organisation.

::sniff:: I briefly watched Sesame Street this morning. Gladys was in the episode with Elmo and Zoe (different puppeteer obviously). I initially felt happy to see her, then very sad and kinda quickly turned away. It was like she was back again, but not really. I was surprised, I didn't expect that reaction. I think I can understand better why the Muppets are so hesitant to bring back old characters. It is sort of like watching old home movies and seeing a relative who has passed on.

But I wasn't upset for too long, it was nice to see they were using her again.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Yeah - and every time viewers see that character, they're going to compare the new puppeteer against the original one. And it's always a little poignant if that character's original performer is now dearly departed.

And the subject makes me think of what Amanda told us about Richard's memorial service...with Scooter sitting on a table in front of the altar. That must have been heart-wrenching, and really haunting. (and I'll bet there was hardly a dry eye in the house that day)

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yeah, I do try not to be too hard on the replacement puppeteers. It's a rather thankless job to take over a popular character. Plus, I think many of the problems come from the writing rather than the performing.'

Like, I didn't see much of this Gladys, but the voice was pretty close (though it's now clearly a girl lol). I liked the job she did. The only thing I thought was that it sounded a little too English Mummy and not pompous enough. But then again, I didn't see much. And also again, that would be a big writing issue as well, the dialogue wasn't written for the old Gladys character.

You know, you would think someone would have said, "No, having Scooter on the table would be a little morbid or something." But that's what I like about the Muppet group, they weren't afraid to do the unexpected, take changes and be a little different. They weren't afraid of what people might think. Sort of reminds me of The Christmas Toy. You could argue that it's a rather scary and melancholy special. But I think those elements only made it more meaningful.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

That's true - the newcomers are giving it their best shot, and we're seeing new talent enter the troupe. And let's face it, once a puppeteer has departed for heaven, it's awfully hard for him/her to continue doing voices.

And about putting Scooter on the table with his performer's ashes - it was also a very symbolic tribute to Richard. I mean, Richard and Scooter were each other's alter egos, and so very connected - Richard put Scooter on his right arm and made him talk, and Scooter let Richard express himself.
It might have also been a hint that even though Richard had passed on, he had left behind a creation that could live on in his place.

And true, some people might have questioned putting Scooter on the table, but I imagine that both the Muppet troupe and the Hunt family thought it was appropriate for the memorial.

 

[CensoredAlso]

I mean, Richard and Scooter were each other's alter egos, and so very connected - Richard put Scooter on his right arm and made him talk, and Scooter let Richard express himself.
It might have also been a hint that even though Richard had passed on, he had left behind a creation that could live on in his place.

I think that's a very good way of putting it. And that's true about his creation being left behind. That's the nice thing about TV and film, whatever you've contributed is saved forever. And even if the film is eventually lost (nothing's perfect after all), the memory will always survive in people's minds.

Ugh, I had a dream the other night that I bought a Fraggle Rock book, only to find out there was no mention of Richard. I think that was my slight anxiety about the Fraggle Rock Season 3 DVD. Lol Oh well, we'll know soon enough!

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Right: one of the authors of the tribute articles commented that, since Richard worked primarily in television and film, "I have some of his best work here in my house." So as long as there are Muppet fans, Richard's always going to be around, one way or another.

A Fraggle Rock book with no mention of Richard? Now that's what I call incomplete!