The RHLC!

[CensoredAlso]

And I know how it is - when my dog died earlier this year, I didn't want to believe it, and I kept having dreams where she was alive and well. I didn't want to go home that weekend because I'd have to see her empty dog bed and her collar, and know that she wasn't coming back...but when I came home for a visit later on, I went out and sat by her grave for a little while, and it was rather comforting - as if she was just lying on her favorite pillow and looking up at me as if to ask "What are you looking at?" (She was a sweet dog, but like most German shorthaired pointers, she kind of had an ego.)

I had the same sort of dreams; after awhile I took them as signs that she wasn't really too far away. But you know, even with the new puppy (who's wonderful! hehe), it still hurts to think too much about her. I think it is important to find a way to, as Wembley says, "Keep part of them alive in my memory."

And even though the ending was a tad anti climatic, I liked the message that life goes on, just in a different form ("One day it's an ocean, one day ice in motion, one day it's a tear drop in your eye"). As much as I love the Mr. Hooper episode of Sesame Street, I was disapointed that they made death seem so final. I mean I know kids all have different beliefs and that should be respected, but to end up saying nothing felt wrong to me too. ::shrugs::

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Yeah, that's true - and in either show, they didn't sugar-coat the issue of death very much. In another interview, Jocelyn Stevenson recalled how people said that Fraggle Rock was too intelligent to be a children's show. She countered that by saying that FR was intelligent enough for them. And it's true; kids are a lot wiser than we give them credit for. It's the adults who need to be taught a few things, the way I see it.

You are right, lol. They are assuming kids might watch this after all. Kinda sad but, when I was a kid, the majority of documentaries you saw were on network TV and there was generally no cursing. And even with ones of tape, there was a sense of removing the language. I guess things are more loose now. (No offence to these guys, they were great. )

If Jerry said what I think he said, then he just bumped Richard down to third or fourth place on the "needs a bar of soap" awards. For me, Frank Oz wins the award for all those four (and occasionally five and six)-letter words he dropped in that one interview recently.

Richard may have been right when he said that it was important to be in touch with the inner child - but that certainly hasn't stopped him or the others from cursing like adults.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

I know we're still a few hours out by our time (U.S. EST), but I'll go ahead and wish everyone in the RHLC a happy new year. And if I can log on again around midnight, I'll wish it again.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yeah, that's true - and in either show, they didn't sugar-coat the issue of death very much.

Overall, I think Sesame Street introduced the raw basics of death; while Fraggle Rock explorered some of the emotions associated with death we feel as we get older.

In another interview, Jocelyn Stevenson recalled how people said that Fraggle Rock was too intelligent to be a children's show. She countered that by saying that FR was intelligent enough for them. And it's true; kids are a lot wiser than we give them credit for. It's the adults who need to be taught a few things, the way I see it.

Absolutely, I'm tired of this myth people keep buying into (especially parents) that kid's shows must be simple, dumb downed and overly cute. There's no sense of how this way of thinking actually puts down children more than anything else.

I know we're still a few hours out by our time (U.S. EST), but I'll go ahead and wish everyone in the RHLC a happy new year. And if I can log on again around midnight, I'll wish it again.

Happy New Year to you too, MN! Here's hoping we can make 2009 better!

I read some of Street Gang in the store...well actually only the Richard parts so far, lol. It was nice to read how he had a good rapport with Jason, one of the Sesame Street kids. I saw this 1981 NYTimes article about his mother, who was actually a Sesame Street writer. How difficult it is finding out your child is disabled, and how the doctors advised against taking him home. But how she was told by a fellow mother, "I wish I could tell you how wasted those tears are. That child will be the joy of your life."

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Same here - I grabbed the book off the shelf, immediately flipped to the index and looked for "Hunt, Richard."

And then there was that one story about how whenever the crew was going somewhere by plane, Richard would immediately get to know the kids who were on the plane with him.

The book also cleared up the mystery of the Checker cab - it looks like it was decommissioned, and then painted black before it was put up for sale. The book terms it "Hunt's idea of a dream vehicle." It shows that if he was first seen driving it in the early 1970s, and was still driving it by 1987 or 1988, he certainly took good care of it.

That story of him driving down the Palisades Parkway in the rainstorm that night with his sister...that's really poignant. And a little bit haunting, too.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Same here - I grabbed the book off the shelf, immediately flipped to the index and looked for "Hunt, Richard."

Wow, to think at least two people in the world did that at roughly the same time!

I guess the part that stood out to me was about being teased in school because I could identify. I remember in school, kids who were very open with themselves were often threatening to other kids who prefered to follow the group. And even as an adult, sometimes people still don't understand.

Obviously it wasn't the best idea to take money from his mom for candy, lol. Or to try and buy friends with said candy, hehe. But he had the right idea; the best way to make friends is to be a friend yourself first.

 

[Rax]

Hi guys, another RHL here. Probably one of the few that can't really connect to Scooter. I love Don Music, Gladys, Junior Gorg, Sweetums, Statler, Beaker, and especially Janice. But Scooter... Nyeh.

I guess the part that stood out to me was about being teased in school because I could identify. I remember in school, kids who were very open with themselves were often threatening to other kids who prefered to follow the group. And even as an adult, sometimes people still don't understand.

Does it say why he was being teased in school? And can you please explain what you mean by your last sentence?

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Hi, Rax - my name's Erin, and welcome to the RHLC.

Having been on the receiving end of schoolyard teasing myself, I'd say it's just the kids being a pain in the neck. Kids will use any excuse to tease, whether it's your clothes, or a speech quirk or whatever. And let's face it, people grow up, but some of them still keep the schoolyard mentality.

There was one story that Jane recounted in her interview on the MuppetCast last year: while in middle school, Richard was a paper boy for the Bergen Record (now it's just The Record). He'd ride his bicycle to school in the mornings with the papers in baskets strapped to either side of the bike, so he'd be ready to start on his route as soon as school let out. And on some days, a group of boys would descend on Richard's bike, steal the papers and toss them into a puddle. Jane heard about it because the vice principal witnessed one of those incidents, so I guess the boys were eventually punished.

And good point, heralde: taking money from your mom's purse is not a good idea. On the other hand, it's safe to say that he paid her back, with interest - there's that story that Amanda told, when Richard gave Jane a nice set of diamond earrings while the family was at a party in New York.

 

[Fragglemuppet]

Hi Rax, welcome to the group!
You know when I went to get the book on CD, I believe they told me it was on back order! Either the CD was just produced in less quantity, or it's very popular! Probably a bit of both!
Erin, when you said Frank was first in line for the "needs a bar of soap" award, it's funny how we were thinking of the same interview!
Glad to hear you had a good holiday! Hope everyone else had the same! Mine was pretty good. Christmas Eve we had a big fish dinner at my aunt's house. We're not Italian, but borrowed traditions, you know? Anyway, Christmas Day we opened some presents at our howse with my aunt and uncle who live with us, then my mom and I went to my other aunt's house, (the two aunt and uncle pairs don't get along) and exchanged presents there. I got some sweaters, PJs, and a few muppet t-shirts, and a couple of DVDs. My cousin and I decorated gingerbread cookies in the afternoon, which made for some fun bonding. We had prime rib there, and as usual, ate too much. Newyears Eve was spent in our downstairs apartment with the aunt and uncle who live with us, and Newyears Day with the other aunt. All in all, a fun holiday season!

 

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We're not Italian, but borrowed traditions, you know?

Completely understandable! Glad your holiday went well!

And I guess what I meant is it sounds like Richard always said what he felt and that can sometimes make people uncomfortable, even and perhaps especially, adults, heh. I remember one of the workshop people in that Quilting with the Muppets book saying he and Richard were both into good natured teasing. But some people take that kind of humor the wrong way.

Nice to hear from you, Rax!