The RHLC!

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Yeah, I remember how we were reporting on some really controversial issues going on in the SGA not too long ago, and rumor has it that the president had the papers taken off of our more public newsstands on a day when a lot of would-be students and their parents would be visiting the campus.

Oh, well, it's all been sorted out, both the papers and the issue in question. Now, then, what were we talking about before we got onto the subject of PR people vs. reporters...oh, right, right, Richard and his shooting left-handed hoops.

He's got a better aim than I do; I need both hands to shoot baskets properly. But he's also capable of conveying lots of emotion with special objects made out of fleece and foam, so there ya go.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yeah, clearly very skillful in various hand-related objectives, hehe.

I'm not very athletic, but surprisingly good at shooting baskets. But yeah, I use both hands.

 

[Skye]

Wow, that's really crazy, Erin. I'm sorry to hear you had to deal with such controversy like that. I guess it can be normal, though!

Oh yeah, I use both hands to shoot baskets, too. I used to get to play basketball all the time, and I love it!

 

[CensoredAlso]

I really wish I had really learned to play, because I love watching it in person. Unfortunately, when I tried joining a team, I was given a hard time because no one bothered to train me, lol.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Same for me. Organized sports take all the fun out of shooting hoops and kicking soccer balls.

I think in one of the other TMS popups, Richard is quoted as saying that it takes a lot of skill to be able to show emotions with one hand wrapped in several layers of foam rubber.

 

[Skye]

I really wish I had really learned to play, because I love watching it in person. Unfortunately, when I tried joining a team, I was given a hard time because no one bothered to train me, lol.

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that, heralde. Yeah, I always had fun doing it, though. I love watching it in person, too! I'm not always the most athletic person in the world either, hehe, but I did love playing it (as well as softball and volleyball). I always had fun just shooting baskets for the fun of it, too! Now that's definitely something I don't get to do nearly as much as I'd like to anymore, but I'd love to start again!

Lol, I think I remember reading something like that too, Erin... and I imagine it's darn true! Our muppeteers definitely are so talented! And it's amazing what great actors they all are. They put so much into their work (that they love) and it definitely shows.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yes it is so strange how we have trouble thinking of puppeteers as actors, when actually, that's what they're doing.

When Jim was inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame, everyone was applauding and laughing like wild when the Muppets appeared on the stage. Then two seconds later when their puppeteers were announced, the audience just gave polite applause! Lol, I mean HELLO! They're the ones doing it!

Though I suppose it's partially a good thing. People see the Muppets as real. The fact that the audience doesn't think of the puppeteer at all means they're doing their job.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Reminds me of Chapter 8 of Of Muppets and Men, page 146: "It is Richard's special gift that he can work with other people's puppets, can summon them to life. His Kermit voice is a close approximation of Jim's, and the kids' belief in Kermit is total. They seem to forget that Richard is there."

But I don't think the Muppeteers minded being upstaged by their Muppets - in fact, I think they preferred it that way. I mean, Richard was clearly in his element when he was performing a character for a group of children - either a group of visitors on the set, or his niece and her classmates in the school auditorium.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Well actually the proper way to shoot a basket puch the ball up and out with you right hand in less your left handed. That is what he's reffering to.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Oh yeah I see what you mean, Ilikemuppets. lol