This Looks Familiar
Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, I learned that the anniversary of Jim Henson's death was May 16. People of a certain generation often say they remember when they heard about the JFK assassination, but I remember when I heard the news that Jim Henson died. I was a sophomore in college and developing photos at UW-Eau Claire for my photography class. I was twenty years old. Yes, this was so long ago that it was before digital photography and we actually learned how to develop film. It was a cool class that amazingly I survived, despite my fear of technology, by having Chad and our friend Matt help me load my camera (I mean that literally, not euphemistically).
At the time I was sad, and shocked, but I don't think I fully appreciated at the time how much the Muppets meant (and still mean) to me. Sometimes I tell people I'm Walter, the Muppet-obsessed hero from the 2011 Muppet movie, and I'm only partially kidding. (I am embarrassed to admit I haven't even seen "Muppets Most Wanted" that came out this year yet, but hey, I've been busy).
I am of the Sesame Street generation so knew Jim Henson's Muppets from a very early age. I even remember (vaguely) the scary (at least to me at the time) prehistoric muppets that were on Saturday Night Live. (Yeah, I've always had sleep issues, which meant as a 5 or 6 year old I was up way later than I probably should have been). But I truly fell in love with the muppets thanks to "The Muppet Show." I loved how "The Muppet Show" was zany and kooky and I loved the awesome celebrity guests, even when I didn't really know who they were. Getting to watch "The Muppet Show" after school was often the highlight of my day.
As a kid, I both had a crush on Kermit, and wanted to be him. I loved how Kermit kept the whole crazy muppet gang together, even while grumbling and freaking out the whole time. I really admire Chad for his sense of loyalty, and I think loyalty and community are at the heart of the muppets. Every muppet adventure I can think of revolves around the muppets banding together to follow their dreams. One of the most heartbreaking movie scenes I can think of is when the muppets are forced to go their separate ways in "The Muppets Take Manhattan" while "Saying Goodbye" plays. Plus, the muppets almost always live in a commune type setting. Okay, I guess I don't know for sure that they all lived together in that old theater from The Muppet Show, but I think it's a fair guess. I love being married to Chad and living in our pet ranch, but the next best living arrangement to me sounds like a muppet commune. Give me an old theater, or a dilapidated hotel with animals running around (talking or not) and I think I will fit right in. (And the muppets always made room for performers who aren't necessarily very talented, but have a lot of heart.)
I am of the Sesame Street generation so knew Jim Henson's Muppets from a very early age. I even remember (vaguely) the scary (at least to me at the time) prehistoric muppets that were on Saturday Night Live. (Yeah, I've always had sleep issues, which meant as a 5 or 6 year old I was up way later than I probably should have been). But I truly fell in love with the muppets thanks to "The Muppet Show." I loved how "The Muppet Show" was zany and kooky and I loved the awesome celebrity guests, even when I didn't really know who they were. Getting to watch "The Muppet Show" after school was often the highlight of my day.
As a kid, I both had a crush on Kermit, and wanted to be him. I loved how Kermit kept the whole crazy muppet gang together, even while grumbling and freaking out the whole time. I really admire Chad for his sense of loyalty, and I think loyalty and community are at the heart of the muppets. Every muppet adventure I can think of revolves around the muppets banding together to follow their dreams. One of the most heartbreaking movie scenes I can think of is when the muppets are forced to go their separate ways in "The Muppets Take Manhattan" while "Saying Goodbye" plays. Plus, the muppets almost always live in a commune type setting. Okay, I guess I don't know for sure that they all lived together in that old theater from The Muppet Show, but I think it's a fair guess. I love being married to Chad and living in our pet ranch, but the next best living arrangement to me sounds like a muppet commune. Give me an old theater, or a dilapidated hotel with animals running around (talking or not) and I think I will fit right in. (And the muppets always made room for performers who aren't necessarily very talented, but have a lot of heart.)
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