SST 40th Anniversary Event

[Oscarfan]

I had no clue where I was sitting (I even forgot where). I thought it was a great way to spend the night. The tribute to Richard was nice (though, I wish they had shown more clips from other things).Tony's story idea about the four bears hibernating was hilarious! I hope that makes it onto the actual show. I loved when they brought the puppets (especially Oscar and when Telly was stuck in his bag). And my mom was howling at the line - "How did you get up here?" And Elmo's expression when everyone "awwwwed" at his cutesy answers. And just so ya know, I was the boy who asks the performers about the wight of the puppets! And you should've heard what a guy behind me said when Marty mentioned the "Dead Muppet Wall" to the 9-year old girl! It was also interesting to see the various things people brought to have signed, like some lady in front of me brought SS records, a guy behind me was wearing an Ernie and Bert shirt and I saw someone twoard the front with a Richard fan art picture.

And, was it me, or the roads BACK from the place have more holes in it than Swiss cheese?

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Oh, wow. This was one of the most amazing events I've been to in a long time.

Met Kate (Fragglemuppet) and her mom at Brother Bruno's, and we all shared an order of zeppoles, and at the event itself I saw BobThePizzaBoy, heralde, MelissaY1 and StreetScenes, and I finally met Steve at last. Guys, it was amazing to finally meet some of you in person.

It was a real thrill to meet Jane Hunt - I spoke to her a little bit as she was being escorted into the theater, and then after we had found our seats, I chatted with her and some friends for several minutes. She's a really nice woman, very witty. And it turns out that I indirectly know one of the Hunts' friends, a woman named Geni Sackson; she teaches in one of the schools that I cover for the paper.

The panel itself was - wow. Everyone got a nice round of applause as they came out on stage ("They love you, Frank."), and they were in a good comedic mood that night. It's like Davis said, no doom-and-gloom remarks about the economy that night.

I got a kick out of Bob's remarks on dealing with Ralph Nader. "The consumer advocate is a person in your neighborhood..."

Oscar was such a lecher! I mean, the way he kept looking at Sonia: "So why'd ya marry Luis?"

I nearly died laughing over Telly freaking out over being trapped in a plastic bag, and going on about how he and Marty had a Jekyll and Hyde relationship, and lamenting that Zoe was so small. "Now she's too young!"

I loved all that they had to say about Richard, how he was generous, and kind, and just this side of insane - and the audience cheered when Michael called Richard "a son of New Jersey." Loved the clips; I hadn't seen Forgetful Jones' turn in "Oklahoma" in years. And it was really touching when Michael announced that the panelists had all waived their speakers' fees, and donated a portion of it to Sesame Workshop "in the name of their colleague and friend, Richard Hunt."

Got on line to have my copy of "Street Gang" signed. We'd have stuck around for a bit afterwards, but the WPU staff were shooing everyone out of the auditorium so they could start cleaning up.

Again - wow.

 

[zhelder]

Wow. Sounds like it was a good night!

A couple more questions...

Did the entire panel do signings or just Michael Davis?

What was the day event for teachers? How did you sign up for this? How much did it cost to get in to that event?

I'll have to keep my eyes open to make sure I get to the next big Sesame Street/Muppets event in this area!

 

[Neil565]

Anyone know what time the event was finished? Despite the blood getting cut off in my veins with the small seats, the event really did go by fast..

It had to of been at least 2 hours...

 

[CoOKiE]

Probably about 2 hours... i was at the top of the stairs, in line for signed autographs (btw zhelder, Micheal Davis and Sonia "Maria" who signed books.) So... i wasn't first... but i wasn't even in the middle of the line. But i didn't get out till 10.. and seeing it didn't start at exactly 7... it could have been a little over 2 hours. Which was great n worth the trip.

Tho i was 3rd to have the chance to ask a question... i can't complain about people getting personal. You have to understand that these people are saying thanks with reasons, when they're talking personal. So, tho they took my chance to ask something... i can't blame them.

I can blame those who asked more then one question... because Micheal had asked everyone to make it brief. One kid there almost argued with Micheal about not getting to ask his second question lol and Micheal just kind of pushed him out of the way.

 

[Neil565]

Yeah, I'm really glad that kid didn't push the issue and make a blank out of himself trying to ask the second question. I remember thinking, come on kid, don't make an idiot out of yourself through nerves ....

I hadn't seen SS in years, as mentioned previously, but as soon as I saw Maria, it brought back instant memories of Follow That Bird, and I didn't get the guts to ask if Bob was also on Super Password with Burt Convey. At least I think that was him. Would have love to of chatted with him about that..

 

[CoOKiE]

zhelder... i forgot to tell you... Someone had asked the crew if they would come down to... i believe Ohio? And Marty had said... something like this has NEVER happened before and that "this is it."

Thats why, despite the fact i live so far away... but not so far as alot of other fans... but i had to come down and see the show. Something like this MAY happen again sometime... Anything CAN happen... but i don't think you can get the same group together like that.

 

[Neil565]

So, I take it no one tried to get into the manor party other than me and one other couple around 50 or 60?

 

[KerMatttheFrog]

Telly in the plastic bag! How could I have forgotten to mention that? Anyone else think in retrospect how great Marty would be on Puppet Up! ?

Once again, Oscar.... Boy did Spinney have me howling with laughter.

Anyone have issues with that **** snow squall on the way home? One minute you can see, the next it was like a total white out for 20 minutes.

 

[CensoredAlso]

There's a lot I want to say, I'll have to think about it for awhile, lol. Most of all, it was great getting to meet some people from the forum, it really made the night special!

Another big highlight was the young girl who asked why so many of the other characters weren't on the show anymore. From the mouths of babes! Now there's no way we can say "Oh kids just don't want to see the old school anymore."