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beaker
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Heading into my 9th year as a regular poster, I've been reading Muppet Central and posting for 8 years this week.
I just wanted to tahnk Phil again for creating something that has had such a profound effect on the direction of the Muppets, and for bringing us all together.
I remember for a couple years I was always looking up Muppet related stuff,
then in November 1998 I finally came upon geocities.com/muppetcentral
and was absolutely blown away. I remember being in the chatroom, and Muppeteers and people associated with Muppets From space were showing us
pictures and telling us tidbits from MFS. There was also news that a new Sesame film was coming to theatres, and JHC was going to make a Dark Crystal prequel. So the lead into 1999 was very very exciting, we all genuinely thought that 1999 would be the true glorious return of the Muppets. Also, those in the tape trading circle had just gotten the "Sex and Violence" Muppet Show 1974 test pilot(available on the Muppet Show dvd season 1 boxset) and a lot of other rare stuff.
So yes, 8 long years! I'm curious who is still around from the early days of
98-2001. I still see Kevin(Fozzie), Dave(Gorgan), Luke, Warrick, and a few others. It's funny to think, looking back how much input the fans had in those days, at least in some sort of way. Just the fact a lot of the principal JHC Muppet people stopped by was great.
2001 was another banner year. It lead into the great "last hope" era known as 2002 -2003, which was THE biggest Muppet merchandise year era since the early 80's. The mainstream stores were brimming with all manner of Muppets(even obscure characters) stuff, non preschooler Sesame and a lot of Fraggle Rock(even Bear in the Big Blue House stuff)
2001 was also MuppetFest, which I consider the #1 highlight of Muppet Central, where about 1400 Muppet fans from literally around the world gathered to celebrate the Muppets; with most the main Muppeteers and Muppets themselves there. Also that was the year Ken Lilly came on here, and announced they would create the most insane Muppet figure line ever.
Looking back, it was both amazing how much they listened to fans input...
but also absolutely strange how zealously fanatic in a bad way(I included)
got bent out of shape about the littlest detail or announcement.
I remember all the silly moments, the epic flame wars, the great friendships forged. The average age seemed to be 17-40 which was cool, I sometimes wonder where everyone went. I miss seeing endlessly silly yet classic threads by Jackie, Emmy, Hogchem, Sarah Yzmah, etc.
Weve suffered some very startling personal losses, a lot of new Muppet fans via births between Muppety couples, and some truly wonderful surprises.
(Kermit the frog referenced Muppet Central in the A Very Merry Muppet Christmas movie for instance, and everyone from Bill Baretta to Jerry Nelson and Karen Prell have at one time posted regularly...some, incognito where only a few knew who they were)
So...what are your favorite memories/events on MC,
who ALL from the older days(lets say, 1998-2002) are still on here or poke around, and do you ever invision a new Muppet gathering?
I just wanted to tahnk Phil again for creating something that has had such a profound effect on the direction of the Muppets, and for bringing us all together.
I remember for a couple years I was always looking up Muppet related stuff,
then in November 1998 I finally came upon geocities.com/muppetcentral
and was absolutely blown away. I remember being in the chatroom, and Muppeteers and people associated with Muppets From space were showing us
pictures and telling us tidbits from MFS. There was also news that a new Sesame film was coming to theatres, and JHC was going to make a Dark Crystal prequel. So the lead into 1999 was very very exciting, we all genuinely thought that 1999 would be the true glorious return of the Muppets. Also, those in the tape trading circle had just gotten the "Sex and Violence" Muppet Show 1974 test pilot(available on the Muppet Show dvd season 1 boxset) and a lot of other rare stuff.
So yes, 8 long years! I'm curious who is still around from the early days of
98-2001. I still see Kevin(Fozzie), Dave(Gorgan), Luke, Warrick, and a few others. It's funny to think, looking back how much input the fans had in those days, at least in some sort of way. Just the fact a lot of the principal JHC Muppet people stopped by was great.
2001 was another banner year. It lead into the great "last hope" era known as 2002 -2003, which was THE biggest Muppet merchandise year era since the early 80's. The mainstream stores were brimming with all manner of Muppets(even obscure characters) stuff, non preschooler Sesame and a lot of Fraggle Rock(even Bear in the Big Blue House stuff)
2001 was also MuppetFest, which I consider the #1 highlight of Muppet Central, where about 1400 Muppet fans from literally around the world gathered to celebrate the Muppets; with most the main Muppeteers and Muppets themselves there. Also that was the year Ken Lilly came on here, and announced they would create the most insane Muppet figure line ever.
Looking back, it was both amazing how much they listened to fans input...
but also absolutely strange how zealously fanatic in a bad way(I included)
got bent out of shape about the littlest detail or announcement.
I remember all the silly moments, the epic flame wars, the great friendships forged. The average age seemed to be 17-40 which was cool, I sometimes wonder where everyone went. I miss seeing endlessly silly yet classic threads by Jackie, Emmy, Hogchem, Sarah Yzmah, etc.
Weve suffered some very startling personal losses, a lot of new Muppet fans via births between Muppety couples, and some truly wonderful surprises.
(Kermit the frog referenced Muppet Central in the A Very Merry Muppet Christmas movie for instance, and everyone from Bill Baretta to Jerry Nelson and Karen Prell have at one time posted regularly...some, incognito where only a few knew who they were)
So...what are your favorite memories/events on MC,
who ALL from the older days(lets say, 1998-2002) are still on here or poke around, and do you ever invision a new Muppet gathering?
You were the first person I connected with on MC! 
regard
8 years is a long time! I'm glad you've stuck around, even though maybe the recent years haven't been as exciting as back then. I know that alot of people love hearing from you, as do I! You are truly an important and longstanding member of this community. Huzzah! Here's to 8 more years! **hugs**