The RHLC!

[Skye]

The sorbet is fabulous... thanks, Erin!

I also hope everyone has very pleasant and happy dreams. Oh yeah, I'm definitely hoping for a Richard dream, too. Hopefully he'll cooperate!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Happy birthday, Skye!

Muppet Wiki, I believe, posted these interviews with Jerry Nelson and Karen Prell on filmthreat.com (nice website name, heh). These are the pages where they talk about Richard. Very nice mentions


Jerry Nelson interview

http://www.filmthreat.com/index.php?section=features&Id=998


Karen Prell interview

http://www.filmthreat.com/index.php?section=features&Id=984

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Thank you for those interviews heralde! I would love to see Mrs. Prell on Sesame Street nowadays, she'd make a great addition!

 

[Skye]

Thanks, heralde!

And thanks for posting those links. I've never seen the interviews before and they're great. Of course, I've only read the Richard parts so far. I am so loving what Karen said, especially. Gosh, people always need someone like him around... or at least, I know I do! I've been known to have no self-confidence and think I can't do anything that's semi-complex right. He would've been so much fun to know and to work with. It's also great that Jerry found out what kind of a positive impact the shows can have on people, because when you're a puppeteer and you're just going in and doing it every day, I'm sure the impact is something that can be easy to overlook.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Richard seems to me to be one of those kind of people where you kind of have to get to know him a little bit in ordered to know that underneath all of the toughness, he's really a nice guy, and just wants you to do a good job and just let loose and have a fun time. You know, to just stop being such a stick in the mud so to speak, and enjoy what you're doing.

 

[Skye]

Exactly, I agree. You had to break through that exterior of his. And then, once you were in, you were in... at least, that's the feeling I get. A while ago, you also said that underneath all his craziness, he was a very deep guy, and I completely agree with that, too. He had so many layers... I'd imagine it was impossible to get bored while you were around him. It's sure never boring learning/reading about him.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

(comes in with a batch of lime sorbet) Oh, yeah, there's never a dull moment when Richard's around. Cases in point: him, Dave and the sugar incident, all the impromptu shows he put on for kids visiting the studios, the water fight on the set of Fraggle Rock...etc, etc.
And reading about the impromptu puppet shows, I imagine that of the Muppeteers, Richard was one of the most popular with the kids.

You know, back in 1985, when USA for Africa got together to do "We are the World," all of the artists were told to "check your egos at the door." That seems to have been Richard's policy as well, I think.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Richard seems to me to be one of those kind of people where you kind of have to get to know him a little bit in ordered to know that underneath all of the toughness, he's really a nice guy

And interestingly, a lot of his characters seemed to reflect that. Characters who appear tough but are really nice guys underneath (Sweetums, Junior Gorg, Lugsy from Tale of the Bunny Picnic). Or loud, crazy characters who have some kind of "problem" and need help from their friends (Stressed-out Don Music, Forgetful Jones, pessimistic Belmont from The Christmas Toy).

On the subject of Don Music, I liked what they were trying to do with his sketches. He's trying hard to write his song and when he gets mental blocks he panics and doesn't deal with it well. Then someone like Kermit comes along and helps him find a solution and not give up. It would have been easy for the writers to have Don react pompously and take all the credit in the end for Kermit's ideas. But instead he always thanks him and knows he couldn't have completed his song without help.

Glad everyone liked the interviews!!

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Yeah, again, he was really passionate about his work and he wanted to pull out the best in everyone around him, he just wanted every one to do there best job. so that's all he means when he being tough, and I think everyone around him under stood that.

Lime Muppet Newsgirl, Yum!

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Well, I off to bed everyone. You all have a good night.

Thanks for the sorbet Muppet News girl!