The RHLC!

[Ilikemuppets]

Oh yeah and that was a good compliment, I mean that's what sets you apart as a performer, if you can summon up characters fully and completely, even when you haven't really trained for them. It's about understanding motivations and personality and making strong choices for the character.

Hehe sorry, I've been hearing that a lot in acting class lately.

And knowing Jim doesn't hurt either.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Yeah, by that time he'd known Jim and the others for almost ten years, so it was a given that he could imitate the others' voices.

A lot of it has to do with his ear as well: "He could sing in almost any style and had a sure way with accents." Richard was a master mimic, and according to Jane Hunt, had been so since he was a kid; there was that one story about the Hunt kids imitating each other and their parents around the dinner table. Wonder what that would have sounded like?

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Yeah, by that time he'd known Jim and the others for almost ten years, so it was a given that he could imitate the others' voices.

A lot of it has to do with his ear as well: "He could sing in almost any style and had a sure way with accents." Richard was a master mimic, and according to Jane Hunt, had been so since he was a kid; there was that one story about the Hunt kids imitating each other and their parents around the dinner table. Wonder what that would have sounded like?

Yeah, he really has an amazing singing voice and range! And I think that's funny that he was a master of mimicking! I imagine that he would have used to to play tricks on everybody and throw them off.

 

[MartyMuppets]

That sounds very fascinating. To think of Richard mimicking other Muppeteer's characters. Rich Little must have been very proud of him.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Ok, you guys are going to think I'm crazy but, lol, I was noticing something the other day. In the Of Muppets and Men clip and another clip, you can see Richard sort of randomly picking at the Scooter puppet to make sure there are no random threads sticking out. Lol, the only reason I noticed is because it reminded me of something I would do. I sometimes get slightly annoyed or preoccupied if something is slightly out of place, like a sweater thread or shoe lace (though I'm not especially neat).

I guess it's one of those OCD things. I don't suppose anyone else knows what I'm talking about, lol.

 

[Skye]

Lol, no I know exactly what you mean! When certain things are out of place, it drives me nuts, too. I always want it to be juuuuust right.

That's very cute that you noticed Richard doing that. And hey, Scooter's adorable... ya gotta keep him looking spiffy!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Thanks Skye, I don't feel so weird now!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Nice little mention on a person's blog online:

"Add into it discovering what an awesome guy Richard Hunt was, too, and how young he died, and it gets a little sad seeing their work. But then they make you smile or laugh again, so it somehow works out okay. I can't figure it out, either, so don't ask."

I definitely understand how this person feels. Depending on your point of view, it sometimes feels like the Muppets were on top of the world, but ended on a tragic note. It's sort of like the Beatles break up; you wonder why it had to happen this way. It didn't seem to make any sense.

But I think this blogger has it right, as long as your still able to smile at the work, perhaps that is what really matters. I don't think they'd want us to be too sad when watching their work. And I'm reminded of one of those letters from kids, "I guess they needed Muppets in Heaven."

 

[Skye]

And I'm reminded of one of those letters from kids, "I guess they needed Muppets in Heaven."

Awww. That's really is so sweet.

But I think about this exact thing sometimes. What I always believe is that they loved what they were doing. And they did their job because they loved it, but also because they loved entertaining people and they loved making people laugh and making them happy. Which is such an amazing thing! They loved being a part of their audience's lives and bringing people fun and laughter, and things like that never change.

So, I definitely believe that they wouldn't want us to be sad watching their work. I think they would even feel really good and smile with us, knowing they were making us laugh. And that makes it even better.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yup, a couple of posts ago I mentioned how Tough Pigs discussed parts of the original script for The Muppet Movie. Apparently the initial scripts had Kermit's main motive for going to Hollywood be fame and fortune, and if he can make people happy, well that's nice too.

Obviously later on they altered that a bit and made Kermit's desire to make people happy much more front and center. Which I think is awesome; it shows that Kermit feels almost guilty if he stays in the swamp and never tries to use his gifts. I think that's a great lesson for young people. It's great if you have gifts, but if you don't make the effort, no one will ever benefit from them.

From what I've seen, show business can sometimes be a very selfish industry. People want to perform or make movies for the money. Or because they want to prove to the world how incredibly talented and amazing and gorgeous they are. It's nice to hear a performer say they're thinking of their audience and trying to give them a thrill on stage or screen.