The RHLC!

[Fragglemuppet]

I couldn't listen to the show when it first was put up because of technical issues on my end, but I finally figured it out and listened to it last night! It was beautiful, and most of what I wanted to say I said in the thread last night. It was dificult enough for me to articulate it last night! Awww, after my griping for the past hour or so that they're hardly playing any Richard music, they're now playing How Wide How Far How Real! Anyway, since I couldn't listen to the show right away, I didn't dare come in here for fear of spoiling the experience! I knew you'd all be buzzing about it, lol!
One thing that I almost asked last night but didn't was, if you're going to put this on CD may I put in an order for one please? You had mentioned it before, but I figured since I actually was able to listen to it, that I didn't actually need one. I didn't know that someone else had also come up with the idea, and I thought if I said something, everyone would start bugging you for one, and you really didn't need that extra work! My mom wanted to hear it though, and she doesn't really like devoting large chunks of time to the computer as I do, lol! Besides, it would make a nice momento!

 

[CensoredAlso]

the segment Kevin refered to in the RH Muppetcast tribute episode.

Ah yes, the Oklahoma sketch, lol. I completely understand what Kevin's talking about. The cows dancing around over and over again, the musical build up, and finally Forgetful's big moment, it's all so perfect and hilarious, lol.

It was interesting to learn that Richard initially thought Forgetful was too stupid and not funny. I can see where maybe his first couple of sketches were pretty basic "Oh gee, I forgot! Hehe!" and perhaps sort of repetitive. The key to his character seemed to be not just that he forgot things and gave wrong answers, but just how ridiculous and insane his wrong answers could get. And also how he never gave up trying and always relied on his friends.

 

[Fragglemuppet]

Yes, that persistance seems to be it.

A little off-topic, but I realized something thinking about it yesterday. I could be wrong, but based on what I've heard on MCR and in my own small collection growing up, it doesn't seem like Richard, as Forgetful or anyone else, ever did any Sesame Street albums. Oh, never mind, he was in the background of Sesame Street Monsters, wasn't he? Although, I never really thought of any of the characters on SS as recurring or supporting, as I never really thought of any as "main" characters. Maybe "major" and "minor" if you know what I mean, but not "main" and "supporting".

 

[CensoredAlso]

Well, while there was never an official "main" character on the show (until Elmo), there was a certain hierchary. The most attention and advertising generally went to Big Bird, Ernie and Bert, Cookie Monster, Grover and maybe The Count. And I think that's probably because they were among the first characters to get created and develop. By the time Richard starting doing characters of his own, those "main" characters were already established to a certain extent. Sort of like how Steve never got a main character on the Muppet Show because it's hard to break it once everything's established.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Right - and those characters were played by performers (Jim, Frank, Jerry, Carroll) who were in the company before Richard came in. Those first years on SS were Richard's apprenticeship; with TMS, however, Richard was elevated to the ranks of the principal performers.

All things considered, it was very lucky for all parties concerned that Gus Allegretti turned Richard away.

You know, listening to Jane's story, I kind of see it this way: the studios where Gus worked are a ship out in the middle of a stormy sea, and the ship is run by a domineering, hard-hearted captain. Richard is the bright-eyed young sailor who doesn't have his sea legs yet, about to introduce himself to said captain. Gus, the first mate who knows better, drags Richard away from the captain's door, shoves a life jacket into his hands, packs him into a lifeboat and starts lowering it down to the sea.

After a few moments of getting tossed about on the waves, Richard spots another ship on the horizon (under the command of Jim Henson) and starts rowing for it. He's taken aboard, he joins the crew and within a few years he's one of the senior officers.

 

[Skye]

*wanders in while listening to Kevin's part of Richard's Muppetcast* *sigh* So truly beautiful...

Hehe and I love Kevin talking about Forgetful and the "Oklahoma" sketch, too. That is too cute! I'm so glad that sketch changed Richard's mind about Forgetful. He became such a fun character, especially thanks to his insanely talented puppeteer!

And it's so cute, I never knew before how close Richard and David Rudman were. I really adored all of David's stories, lol.

You know, listening to Jane's story, I kind of see it this way: the studios where Gus worked are a ship out in the middle of a stormy sea, and the ship is run by a domineering, hard-hearted captain. Richard is the bright-eyed young sailor who doesn't have his sea legs yet, about to introduce himself to said captain. Gus, the first mate who knows better, drags Richard away from the captain's door, shoves a life jacket into his hands, packs him into a lifeboat and starts lowering it down to the sea.

After a few moments of getting tossed about on the waves, Richard spots another ship on the horizon (under the command of Jim Henson) and starts rowing for it. He's taken aboard, he joins the crew and within a few years he's one of the senior officers.

I just want to say, this is such a great way to think of it, Erin. I love that. And it's so true. Richard luckily was protected from a bad situation, found a much, much better situation and was amazing enough to have such a big impact and make his mark. Very special.

 

[The Count]

So... Would that then make Richard a security officer? After all, he'd naturally be wearing an orange uniform. Oh sorry, guess I mixed my starships with sailing ships.
Just so long as they all come home long before the snails... And me as I'm dragging my feet on certain things I should be doing.
Ah well, the life of a college student.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Then again, seeing as this is Jim's ship, it's unlikely that they'd make the crew wear uniforms (unless jeans, sweatshirts and sneakers are considered a uniform).

And meanwhile, the captain would start barking at Gus about why one of the boats is missing...

Yeah, the interviews said that Richard and David had a big brother-little brother relationship...and I guess that rather colorful remark was just Richard's way of welcoming David into the fold. After all, my uncles do that with each other all the time.

About the Andes trek...it sounds as if Richard was still fairly healthy at the time, in order to be able to make the three-day trip on foot. And David said that Richard was making the trip for spiritual reasons; perhaps, for Richard, it was much like walking a labyrinth - a symbol for finding God at the center of all of life's twists and turns. And they were climbing high up into the mountains, so there's a lot of meaning in that as well.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Lol, I like that sailor analogy, MN! It's great when you're job hunting to know people whose opinion you can trust! It also reminded me of The Tale of the Bunny Picnic. The dog in the story is working for a nasty evil farmer who is making him hunt all the bunnies. The farmer's always yelling at the dog and won't let him eat until he's caught a bunny, it's actually really painful to watch. Eventually Bean Bunny helps the dog get free of the farmer (even though the dog was trying to hurt him). The dog is grateful, but then he's all upset again because now he has nowhere to go and nothing to eat. Thankfully Bean offers to let the dog stay with all of them ("We'll be your friends if you'll be ours!") and they live together for many years.

It's lovely and it actually parallels the whole job hunting process. You're going to have setbacks but you just have to keep looking and eventually someone will notice your talent and open doors for you.

That's funny, I also would say my favorite part of the podcast was David Rudman, his stories really helped bring out Richard's insane playful side. The first time I ever saw Richard speak was also on the 60 Minutes show! And then he also brought up Richard's spiritual side. It does sound like one of those trips where you go through a lot of struggle and difficulty in order to gain some insight, which is very true.

I don't know why I didn't notice this the first time! On the podcast, at one point Jane is discussing her granddaughter who communicates with Richard's fans on "some website somewhere" (hehe). Then she says her granddaughter is going to have a baby!

Congrats, Richard, looks like you're going to be a Great Uncle!...What's that? Oh yeah yeah, you already were!

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

"Some website somewhere..." oh, yeah, yeah, she probably means that band of loonies called the RHLC...ever hear of them?

And yes, I did notice that Amanda (if she is the one Jane was referring to) is going to be a mother ere long - so, yes, Richard's going to be a great-uncle. He'd probably make some joke about how his hair just turned a few shades grayer, but I think we can safely say he'd be thrilled. I think it's a safe bet that Richard's keeping a close eye on his niece now...

(up in heaven)

Richard: Okay, listen, go easy on the caffeine, eat your fruits and vegetables, get plenty of rest and exercise, and if some smart-aleck points to you and says "wide load coming through," feel free to punch his lights out...(consults list) And make sure the kid gets plenty of exposure to the Muppets - got all that?

And yes - a three-day hike to Machu Picchu is not something you do on a whim. There's planning involved, and you have to be in relatively good shape, and you've got to be prepared for minor setbacks, like sprained ankles, blisters...and choruses of "The Happy Wanderer."

But it must have been great fun for both of them...I wonder what other places they visited?

"That was so cool - thanks for inviting me along, Richard!"
"No problem - wanna try for the Himalayas next year?"