Muppet
I wanted to be a Muppet. A Muppeteer, to be precise. And I think I would have been rather good at it. I always had an old, modified sock on my hand, talking to people, or more often not talking, just looking and reacting. Very expressive, socks could be, on my hand.
Not puppets, but The Muppets. Jim Henson and his gang. Learn how to make the mouth move so it looked more like my hand movements actually talking. Moving felt arms with wires. And normal-feeling interactions with other beasts of extension. I was in love with the Muppet Show. As a fan, certainly, but more, for the technical and creative elements. I say without a trace of humility, I could have excelled with a Muppet on my hand.
Jim Henson's death was, from what I read, a blow to all who knew him. It sent ripples out as far as me, and my ancient dream. Like knowing I would have made the worlds best buggy-whips, it was wistful and hopeless.
Henson's Muppets were aimed at adults, and children could enjoy then. He didn't talk down to children, nor did his furry, feathered mouthpieces. They were decidedly eccentric, and proudly askew. They made sly adult references, like Rocky and Bullwinkle did. After Jim was gone, the respect and affection faded. The twinkle was gone.
I don't like that his son took over Kermit, who is a zombie frog to me now. I don't like how slickly commercial Muppets have become, nor their close association with Disney. The soul of Muppets died with Jim.
I have more friends with young children these days. I wonder where they will get their subtle view into the adult world, without having it shoved in their faces too soon, so blatantly. Or get truth from those who lie by ignoring the brutal realities, covering it all with a thick coating of sugar. They Might Be Giants can't do only children's records. DVDs of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the old Muppet Show only go so far.
I have hope, though. There is always at least one crazy uncle or dotty aunt, syncopated drummer or off center wobbler to reach the kids with no interest in mediocre conformity and saccharine bubbles.
I just don't want to miss whoever does it right.
Not puppets, but The Muppets. Jim Henson and his gang. Learn how to make the mouth move so it looked more like my hand movements actually talking. Moving felt arms with wires. And normal-feeling interactions with other beasts of extension. I was in love with the Muppet Show. As a fan, certainly, but more, for the technical and creative elements. I say without a trace of humility, I could have excelled with a Muppet on my hand.
Jim Henson's death was, from what I read, a blow to all who knew him. It sent ripples out as far as me, and my ancient dream. Like knowing I would have made the worlds best buggy-whips, it was wistful and hopeless.
Henson's Muppets were aimed at adults, and children could enjoy then. He didn't talk down to children, nor did his furry, feathered mouthpieces. They were decidedly eccentric, and proudly askew. They made sly adult references, like Rocky and Bullwinkle did. After Jim was gone, the respect and affection faded. The twinkle was gone.
I don't like that his son took over Kermit, who is a zombie frog to me now. I don't like how slickly commercial Muppets have become, nor their close association with Disney. The soul of Muppets died with Jim.
I have more friends with young children these days. I wonder where they will get their subtle view into the adult world, without having it shoved in their faces too soon, so blatantly. Or get truth from those who lie by ignoring the brutal realities, covering it all with a thick coating of sugar. They Might Be Giants can't do only children's records. DVDs of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the old Muppet Show only go so far.
I have hope, though. There is always at least one crazy uncle or dotty aunt, syncopated drummer or off center wobbler to reach the kids with no interest in mediocre conformity and saccharine bubbles.
I just don't want to miss whoever does it right.
Posted by Zhoen on Sunday, February 12, 2006
8 comments:
(o)
I agree with you on the artistic "death" of the Muppets. But someday, we'll find it, the Rainbow--I mean, their artistic successors.
Maybe Dr Bunsen Honeydew will come up with something... {grin}
I always had a soft spot for Beaker.
"Sadly temporary..."
I used to know a guy who substituted for the muppets occasionally, back in the good days. His vocal talents were amazing. I liked Beaker, too. And the Swedish chef.
(o)
My idea of a good time is to settle down with a bowl of popcorn & a video of the Muppets' Treasure Island or Christmas Carol... fortunately I get to new stuff so slowly that I haven't ever seen the disneyfied muppets. There are advantages to being a stick in the mud :-)
But as Mad Peter says, there's always someone new coming down the pike. They'll show up when you least expect it.
(o)
MB,
Can I touch your hand? You knew a Muppet Understudy! So amazingly cool.
Animal and Rita Moreno's duet, Fever.
sigh.
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