The RHLC!

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Lol, yeah I mean he could have Beaker sitting there looking all quiet and dignified...but it just wouldn't be in character!

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Too right - Richard will only do quiet and dignified if it leads to a really knockout punchline.

Guys, it looks as if the Muppets might be helping me out on my big senior year project. You see, the English majors at my university have to go through the big senior seminar before they graduate, and the topic of the course is "Food in Literature." But the professor said that for the big (20 page) paper, we can examine the use of food in any media...so, one of the topics I'm looking at is the use/portrayal of food in the Muppet shows and movies. It's not nailed down, but the prof seemed to indicate that it was okay.

What do you think, guys, think I can squeeze 20 pages out of something like that?

 

[Skye]

What an interesting idea! Wow... a 20 page paper. I sure couldn't do that. I usually can barely write a 5 page paper, lol! I'm always too directly honest and straightforward to write any real long papers. I've always been one of those people who can't stop herself from just getting straight to the point, lol. But I've always admired people who can write lengthy papers.

But, since you got the go-ahead from the teacher, and if you think the topic could help you write a 20 pager, I say go for it! It's a very cool idea. And food comes up quite a bit with the Muppets... as long as it's talking, lol. Very unusual compared to food in any other type of literature or media (well duh, I mean we ARE talking about the Muppets here! ), which helps make it extra interesting to write/read about. I certainly think it's worth a shot!

And good luck with whatever you choose!

 

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It seems incredibly daunting, but I've actually managed to write a couple of 20 page papers, lol. It's scary at first, but once you start writing it's not so bad, I actually ended up going over 20! Of course, it really helps if you enjoy the topic you're writing on, lol.

I think that's a very intriguing topic and one that probably hasn't been discussed often. I say go for it! And keep us updated. I would check out youtube for Muppet food clips, lol. And also, I recall the guys on Tough Pigs making a comment about Muppet food once:

http://www.toughpigs.com/myweekxmasmore03.htm

On a 20 page paper, you need all the intriging references you can get. Just be sure to credit your sources! Good luck and keep us updated!

Oh I forgot to mention, I finally made up mind and have taken home a newly adopted Statler doll! I was just waiting for that "Ah ha!" moment and it finally came the other day. I went back to that store after staying away for a few days. Part of me thought it was pointless, but I decided to give it one more try.

I walked over to the section where the two troublesome dolls hung. You might recall I said one of the dolls looked much more puppety, and even possessed a Richie resemblance, lol. We'll call him Statler #1. While the other wasn't quite as puppety, but did make me kinda laugh (Statler #2). This made the decision very difficult for me. I was secretly hoping for #1, but it just didn't grab me the way #2 did initially.

But anyway, I walked over, and Statler #2 was in front. I looked, and it suddenly occured to me that while Statler #2 looked kinda funny, he also looked a bit too angry! Then I glanced at Statler #1, alone in the back. And you know, ::sniff:: it was like he was smiling at me, thrilled that I had returned, lol. I knew then what I had to do. And now Statler #1 is sitting at home with me. Aww

Of course, I really hope someone comes around at some point and adopts their own Statler doll too. It may not be the cutest Muppet toy around, but it does have a great deal of character!

 

[Skye]

It seems incredibly daunting, but I've actually managed to write a couple of 20 page papers, lol. It's scary at first, once you start writing it's not so bad, I actually ended up going over 20! Of course, it really helps if you enjoy the topic you're writing on, lol.

Absolutely! It makes a gigundo difference if you enjoy the topic you're writing about. The longest paper I ever wrote was 12 pages (and I could have made it a little longer even, but the limit was 12 pages)... but it was also on something that I was very, very interested in! So because of that, writing that paper was actually really fun for me, lol. Sounds like a weird thing to say, but it's so true! If I could write it again, I would, lol.

So Erin, hopefully you'll really enjoy writing about the Muppets and their crazy singing food if you do choose that topic!

Yaaaaay! That's so cool that you chose a Statler doll, heralde! Hehe, and you chose the one we here mentioned we might have leaned towards, too. I think that's why that doll seemed to be smiling at ya... he knew he was the one we all just might choose if given the chance!

That's so true... like we've said, while Statler might not be the cuddliest character around, he's sure fun!

 

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Thanks, Skye and thanks for the advice! Lol, I really was surprised at how well it turned out. And I'm glad I finally have a Richard character doll. And I know what you mean, if you really enjoy a topic, you can write on it forever!

I've also recently found a rare Muppet book of cute little short Muppet stories called "Jim Henson's Bedtime Stories." Included are a couple of Statler and Waldorf stories that are, oddly enough, rather sweet, lol. In one story by Craig Shemin ("with a tip of the hat to O. Henry"), Statler and Waldorf secretly buy each other gifts by selling something of their own (a la Gift of the Magi, and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, hehe). They seem slightly out of character at some points. But then again, perhaps we don't know the old geezers as well as we think we do!

"'You know, Waldorf and I have been friends for a long time...I would like to give the old coot a gift to show my friendship.'"

"Waldorf said to himself, "'I think I'll get old Statler a present...just to let the old fool know I care about him.'"

"The next day, the two men met at Statler's house for a game of checkers, as they did most every Tuesday. 'You're late!', said Statler. 'You're ugly!', said Waldorf. They both laughed."

"....They exchanged gifts...Waldorf opened his gift first...'It's beautiful, my friend.'...Statler then opened his gift...'I love it...but I must admit I traded my hat to get that watchband.'"

"'Statler', said Waldorf as he began to laugh. 'I sold my watch to buy you that hat rack.'"

"'Then,' said Statler, 'these presents aren't worth anything to us.'"

"'That's not true,' said Waldorf. 'They're worth a lot. They show us how we feel about each other."....

"'Thank you,' said Statler. 'I think this is the best gift I ever got...from you at least! Ho, ho, ho.'"

"'Me, too,' said Waldorf. 'Me too, old friend.'"

....Wow, lol. Like I said, definitely "awww-inspiring!" I'll share some brief quotes from the other story in the next post!

 

[Skye]

Awww, that is so sweet! Talk about adorable. It has just the right amount of sweetness and their humor, hehe. Case in point:

"'You're late!', said Statler. 'You're ugly!', said Waldorf. They both laughed."

That made me totally crack up. But what a wonderful ending.

Thank you for sharing that, heralde! I'm so glad you found that book!

 

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Yeah you're right, the little bit of their insulting humor made it all fit together, lol.

Ok, here's the next one. And the situation Statler is in is rather interesting considering what we know of his puppeteer!

In this story from "Jim Henson's Bedtime Stories," by Randi Hacker, Statler keeps going out at night and keeping his location a secret. Waldorf is determined to find out:

"Waldorf followed Statler down the street. Perhaps Statler was heading for the Muppet Theater. But no, he walked right past the entrance, crossed the street, and headed straight for the Grover Cleveland Elementary School."

"The Grover Cleveland Elementary School? What could Statler be doing there? He didn't even like children! Waldorf followed Statler into the school and saw Statler go into a classroom. Waldorf crept to the doorway and and peeked in."

"There was Statler, standing in the middle of a room full of children wearing Junior Ranger uniforms. Statler took off his coat....under his coat, Statler was wearing a Junior Ranger leader uniform! And now Statler was showing the kids how to die knots in pieces of rope!"

"Waldorf couldn't believe it. The only thing he'd ever heard Statler say to a child was, 'Get off the lawn!' And here he was, hanging around with children. On purpose! Waldorf burst into the classroom....For a second, Statler looked like he was going to crawl under the desk."

"'Waldorf....what are you doing here?'"
"'The question is....what are you doing here?'"
"Well....it wasn't my idea. You see, I used to be a Junior Ranger myself--'"
"'I didn't know they had Junior Rangers three hundred years ago...."
"'Never mind that....Anyway, when you're a Junior Ranger, you promise to always help young Junior Rangers if they need you. And these kids need me. They can't tie knots to save their lives.'"
"'So why are you sneaking around?'"
"'I didn't want to ruin my reputation as a mean old coot, of course!'"

"One of the Junior Rangers looked at Waldorf. 'Do you know anything about knots?'"....

"'We-l-ll,' said Waldorf, looking at Statler, 'I'm better than you are at it--that's for sure!'"
"'You are not!'"....
"'Oh, yes I am!....And I'll prove it!'"

"And so, every Wednesday night from then on, Statler and Waldorf sneaked out of the house together and helped the Junior Rangers tie their knots. Of course, they never told anyone else about it...particularly not Kermit and the gang at the Muppet Theater. They didn't want anybody to think they actually might be doing something nice!"

 

[Skye]

"'I didn't know they had Junior Rangers three hundred years ago...."

Hehe! Gotta love that, lol.

Another totally adorable story. That is such a good point, too... I think Statler was taking after his sweet Muppeteer with this situation!

And I loved Waldorf trying to be all tough towards the kid before agreeing to sneak out with Statler to do something so very sweet. Deep down, they know they can't help having such soft, warm hearts.

I love reading these. Thank you for sharing this story, too, heralde!

 

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No prob! I know, they're awesome. It's like a fan fiction fan's dream come true! There is one other story there I adored but I don't think I can type that much more at the moment, lol. The basic summary, The Electric Mayhem are taking a long road trip on their bus and to everyone's surprise, Janice drags in this huge trunk. They all tell her she was being a little selfish by bringing along this huge thing that will just take up all their space. Janice feels bad, saying she just wanted to make sure they had everything they needed.

Anyway, they start their long trip and find that they're bored, hungry and then sleepy. They also find that each time, Janice had thoughtfully brought along games, snacks and pillows, lol. In the end, they apologize and tell her the trunk was a groovy idea.

Oh dear ::shivers:: I just saw something really scary on TV. I hate that, I'll never be able to go to bed now, heh.