The RHLC!

[CensoredAlso]

Also wanted to add about "Sidebottom Blues": those scenes of Richard performing Junior in the FR Behind the Scenes shows are all from that episode.

I did notice something, in what I've seen of "The Honk of Honks:" During that big scene in which Doc hears that Ned is sick, and he and Gobo meet each other for the first time, the camera angles are such that we're looking up from Gobo's point of view, and then down from Doc's point of view. I've not really seen that in other episodes, as far as I know. It's a really moving touch...was it perhaps Richard's idea?

You know, I hadn't thought of it before, but you're right, I do think that's what they're going for in that scene. It was a very different look than had been seen before on the show. Of course we don't know, but that is often the kind of decision directors have to make!

I've said before, the scene is amazing because you literally feel uncomfortable watching, like you stepped into a private conversation by accident. There's a couple long awkward periods of silence, more typically seen in a play on stage, than a kid's TV show.

Gerry Parkes really performers beautifully here:

"I'm losing...my friend...my best friend."

Gobo: "It's losing its best friend. I know how that feels..."

Doc: "How can this be happening?...He was always such a part of me and in everything I do..."

Gobo: Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be alright!"

Well I won't give too much away, hehe. But something else I considered about Doc's words. I mean, obviously Richard didn't write the script (though it does seem the FR crew collaborated a bit). But when you think of what Richard might have been going through at the time in the '80 with everything that was happening, those words would be very appropriate.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

I know that Jocelyn Stevenson was the head writer for "The Honk of Honks," and it's a safe bet that she and Richard had quite a few conversations over how certain scenes should go. It's a very dramatic episode, not at all like a "typical" scene in a children's show. And it is a real turning point in the show's action, of course.

And Kathy Mullen commented that Jim was fond of the long "movie-style" panning shots. It appears that in "The Honk of Honks," there are also a lot of long lingering shots - not a lot of quick cuts, as in other episodes.

Obviously we weren't there, but it is a safe bet that, in directing the on-camera action, Richard might have been channeling a few of his own thoughts into what was going on. There's Doc, asking, "How can this be happening?" and Richard must have asked himself that same question many, many times.

Besides, there is Kevin Clash's account of what went on when the gang gathered at Richard's flat to watch "Celebration of 30 Years..."

 

[CensoredAlso]

You're right, the cuts are more like a movie, where the camera stays with the person, so we can get a full realization of the emotions. People probably wondered why Jim and the others chose to shoot the show like a movie rather than TV. I think it show Jim was determined to give his projects the dignity they deserved.

Even the Muppets themselves work well in longer shots, which is a great testament to them, particularly Jerry's job with Gobo. Though I have to say one of my favorite moments in the episode is actually when Gobo first walks into the workshop all annoyed, "Hmph! Well if Cantus says we have to touch who am I to argue? ! I'll just climb up there and grab it by the nose!" Lol

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yay! Steve conducted an interview with Fran Brill recently and was courteous enough to ask the Richard question for us (good thing I asked him! )

"He was probably the most extroverted human being I have ever, ever met! And that's a wonderful thing to have on the set. He just was free as can be and didn't censor himself and he didn't have a self critic...he released his inner critic, he would just fly."

You know, that's what I'd love to do in my life, release my inner critic!

She also mentioned Jim's ability to bring out the best in people by making them secure. I think that is an important (and underrated) quality for a leader to have. I think she sort of described how Richard and Jim were a little different, one the class clown and the other with a more subdued but witty humor. But that you need different times of people to make things work.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

I have to hear the interview. But I remember watching the last episode of Fraggle rock so long ago and it was kind of a sad and quite tone. It was just so peaceful towards the end. It was beautiful how they ended it.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

According to Jerry Nelson (I think), when they started those last two episodes of Fraggle Rock, everyone started crying. In a later interview, Gerry Parkes said, "I miss my Sprocket," and Karen Prell said that all the cast members, especially Richard Hunt, were sad that they didn't get to do the voices for the animated FR.

Gotta love the ending of the final episode...they bring out the entire cast for the closing credits: Fraggles, Gorgs, Doozers, Trash Heap and Co. and Silly Creatures. And it's cool to see Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober coming into the workshop to join Gobo, Doc and Sprocket.

And I know what you mean, Will - there's an emotional complexity there that you just don't see in a lot of television shows aimed at children.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

And I know what you mean, Will - there's an emotional complexity there that you just don't see in a lot of television shows aimed at children.

Yeah! And it means so much more when you see the show start to finish. It's no wonder that show that meat the most to the people at Henson and especially the Muppeteers from this show.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Another nice moment in "Honk of Honks" is when Gobo takes a quick trip to the Gorg's garden to see if Junior has anything that honks. It's a brief scene, but in a way its works. It shows how normal it now is for Gobo and Junior to be talking to each other like friends, rather than thumper and thumpy, hehe.

 

[ReneeLouvier]

Hey guys. I can't wait for the next season of Fraggle Rock to come out.

I still need to buy seasons 2 and 3 however. As well as season 2 of the Muppet Show!

Well, my foot's healed up but Greene (my manager) basically shoved me out of Ryan's. He said that he had filled the Display (meatcarving), and the Bakery positions while I was out for nearly 2 weeks. Personally, I call bullcrap on that. But you really can't call that to your (at the time) manager.

He told me the only position he had left was "Bar Runner". Basically you change empty pans out of the bar, changing them out for hot foods out from the oven/warmer/steamer. That equals a lot of hot surfaces; and I particularly have sentsitive skin and I'm incredibly clumsy! (as previously evidenced by my various accidents/luck of getting into bad accidents)

So, I decided to quit, and I'm now currently waiting around for a week or two till I can get into the Vocational Rehablitation's workshop. They teach you speific skills while you work doing certain tasks, and they pay you by the pound/piece or possibly hour for those tasks.

Robert's gone through that for about 6 months, and it really worked out for him. He's been at the airport now (doing the same job as I had been doing) for 6 months! And we're celebrating our 6 month anniversary this 1st of May!

 

[The Count]

Oh Sara. Here's hoping everything works out well for you. *Careful hugs.