The RHLC!

[CensoredAlso]

Don't feel bad, I watched Sesame Street all the time and I can't remember ever even seeing Mr. Music! I don't know how that happened!

Yeah it's a great character, so extreme lol. ("But Canaries aren't blue!") And it's a good lesson. It doesn't pay to get all worked up and hopeless, you should ask a friend for help. And Don always (well almost always!) thanked his friend in the end.

The famous story of his being banned is actually a little uncertain because he was in an episode in the early '90s. Some of his later sketches were a bit toned down though (as in no head banging!). My theory is that he had just come back from his stress management therapy class, hehe.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ1uy-gLHHM

The cutest little tribute too. XD

Oh, yes, I remember that one. And I love the photo used to end it - the aforementioned (and much gushed-over) photo of Richard (wearing his gray newsboy cap) and Scooter. Like I said, there really does seem to be a resemblance between Muppet and Muppet performer there; I remember seeing that photo (or at least part of it) for the first time and thinking, "Yes, he's definitely Scooter."

You know, in the liner notes for one of the Muppet Show CDs, the commentator remarks that "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear" seems almost to have been tailor-made for Scooter and Fozzie. And I'm inclined to agree; sure, Randy Newman might have had another boy and bear in mind when he wrote it, but it's a good fit for the joke-telling bear and the eager-to-please gofer.

It must have been fun to watch them record that, and then to see Richard and Frank do an enthusiastic reprise at Jim's memorial. And with extra banter and quips, no less.

"That was really great, Scooter!"
"Thanks, Fozzie, but I'm not done with the song yet."

 

[CensoredAlso]

I definitely would love to see more footage of them recording things. Probably unlikely to happen, but you never know!

Oh I forgot to mention, I did my presentation at Bible Study last night. Overall it went very well. I was nervous all day, but in a strange way I sort of liked it. I imagined that's how Richard was feeling before he originally gave the speech! Anyway, a couple people really liked the speech and what I did with it. Others didn't entirely get the point, but either way, it generated some great discussions.

I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to do at first. Initially I thought I was going to be the one to read the speech out loud. But on the spure of the moment I realized it might be better to have everyone else read different parts. It might make the speech (and Richard) more real and familiar to them. Turned out to be a great idea. To hear all these people reading his speech out loud, listening and understanding the meaning. Wow, it was one of the most moving moments of my life. I think you guys would have really enjoyed it and hopefully been proud.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Excellent, heralde, excellent. And it is interesting that you had everyone read a portion of the speech. Did the discussions touch on any particular aspect of the speech, or did you and the others discuss the speech in general?

I agree; I'll bet Richard was feeling a tad nervous before he stepped up to the mike. There's all the emotions to contend with...and besides, he's got to sum everything up in a halfway-organized speech before an audience of close to a thousand.

And of course, we all agree that the speech would have made Richard feel more real to whoever was listening or reading. I mean, we all did learn a few new things about him in the process.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Thanks, MN! Well we discussed the reasons people often turn to religion/spirituality and thoughts of God and Heaven. Especially during hard times, you need to know someone cares. And you need to know that there's more to existence than just suffering and death is not the end.

And then we also discussed how important it is to avoid worrying and panicing, and instead to just do your best and have faith that things will turn out well. Worrying by itself will not make a problem any better (as both the speech and the Gospel clearly says). And how we throw around the words "love" and "forgiveness" a lot, but we don't realize just how difficult those concepts are. Most people can't truely manage them. You can often tell when someone has, because they definitely stand out in this world.

 

[BeakerSqueedom]

That's really great of yah Heralde--almost brave.
I wouldn't go through with it! I'd shake and shiver in fear.

Wow, you must have had quite a kick out of that! We could say, you were in Richard's shoes for just a moment!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Thanks, B! Hehe, I do like to stretch my limits every now and then.

Oh, believe me, I was shaking...and shivering...with fear. The entire day. I kept saying to myself, "Why did I agree to do this?"

I knew I'd be upset and disapointed if I didn't do the presentation, but I was still scared. Thankfully I tend to have this kinda internal voice in my head during times like this, that says to me, "If you don't go through with it, I'll make your live miserable!" Lol

Also, hehe, I knew some of the members weren't going to be thrilled with reading out loud. I felt like a high school teacher or something. So just before we began I said, "I understand if you are nervous. Just remember what Richard used to tell his students...'Just up and do it!' ". There was this moment of silence and then everyone started laughing. I think they were slightly horrified, lol. But they did end up doing a great job.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Ack, I just noticed a typo in what I wrote this morning. I meant to write "Just remember what Richard used to tell his students...'Just shut up and do it'!'".

Just wanted to correct that.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

That some good but funny advice.

 

[BeakerSqueedom]

WOW!

LOL!

I'mma say that to someone one day...