The Great Muppet Survey - Julia Gaskill

Answers from Julia Gaskill

Check out Julia's Muppet blog on Tumblr: Never Too Old to Love Muppets

1.   Who are your three favorite characters from The Muppet Show, Muppets Tonight, The Jim Henson Hour, the Muppet movies, etc. and why?
This is a difficult question, as I love all the Muppets, but I'd have to say... Gonzo's number one, because he is so funny and silly and I admire his sheer determination to make art out of just about everything. Second is Rizzo, because I love his sarcasm (and him and Gonzo make such a great duo). And lastly is Sam the Eagle because, come on, Sam's awesome.

2.   Who are your three favorite characters from Sesame Street and why?
Telly's always been my favorite. He's so paranoid and worried, but he's also a sweetheart and I just want to give him a hug. Then I'd say Grover, because he is the cutest little blue furry monster ever. Lastly, I'd say Bert, probably for the same reasons I love Sam the Eagle so much. I love grouchy Muppets!

3.   Who are your three favorite characters from Fraggle Rock and why?
Wembley, because he loves his friends so much and he's just the sweetest. Then probably Boober, because I found his dreary outlook on life endearing. Then Uncle Traveling Matt, for his zany postcards.

4.   What is your favorite television program starring any of Jim Henson's creations (e.g. The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Dinosaurs, etc.) and why?
Oh, The Muppet Show. Hands down. You can't beat The Muppet Show. There are just so many wonderful episodes, hilarious gags, memorable songs, and lovely moments on that show. Definitely the best thing Jim ever created.

5.   What is your favorite Muppet movie and why?
It's The Great Muppet Caper for me. It has such a wonderful soundtrack, and there are so many moments in the film that make me crack up (Gonzo throwing himself in front of the taxi, Fozzie and Kermit being identical twins, John Cleese's whole bit with Miss Piggy, etc.). I think it's fair to say The Muppet Movie is probably the best of all the Muppet films, but Great Muppet Caper will always be my favorite.

6.   What is your favorite Muppet/Sesame/Fraggle song and why?
Such a tricky one, there are far too many wonderful Muppet songs. But again, I'll side with you and say "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday". It's such a sweet moment in The Muppet Movie, and I love any moment when we get to see Gonzo's more sensitive side (such as him singing "My Way" and "The Wishing Song" on The Muppet Show).

7.   If you could have dinner with any living Muppet performer who would you choose and why?
Dave Goelz. Dave Goelz, Dave Goelz, Dave Goelz. Why? Because he's Dave Goelz!

8.   If you could tell Jim Henson one thing, what would it be?
No words. I'd just hug him (and probably cry). He's given us so much, I don't think I could ever find the words to express that.

9.   If the President called you and asked to discuss Muppet projects, what would you tell him was the "Greatest Muppet Moment of All Time"?
Honestly, Mr. President, you can't get much better than the "good grief, the comedian's a bear" gag.

10.   What's the name of that song?
La Di Da Di Da, La Di Da Di Da...

11.   If a judge ruled that Grover had to be your personal assistant for a month, what jobs would you have him do?
I don't know if I'd give him any tasks. I'd probably just have him follow me around and, when I'm having a bad, let me give him hugs.

12.   In your opinion, what is the worst Muppet production ever made?
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz. I feel like I don't need to elaborate and that everyone's on the same page.

13.   Who is one celebrity you would love to see cameo in the next Muppet movie?
Amy Poehler, please!

14.   If you could take a picture with any Muppet, who would you choose and how would you pose?
Sweetums! I'd sit on his shoulders.

15.   What is your favorite piece of Muppet merchandise that you own? (Feel free to include a picture!)
A Big Bird feather that a friend nabbed for me when she was interning for Sesame Street.





The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com

Muppet Fan's Muppet Collection Chronicle: Julia Gaskill

Julia Gaskill - I haven't been a part of the Muppet fandom for very long, but it's fair to say I've accumulated quite a lot of Muppet memorabilia thus far. It's enough that if my house was being robbed, the burglar would certainly stop in their tracks upon reaching my room and say, "Wow. Someone must REALLY like the Muppets." And at the same time, I think I still have a bit more collecting to do before I can finally stand tall and proud as a Muppet fan.

Anyway, here's my collection of Muppety goodness.

Items that are not displayed below that I also own: the wonderful Muppet Show poster that Jamie Carroll designed (still needs a frame), the four finger puppets that came with The Muppets DVD/Bluray (no clue where I put them), and my singing Beaker Christmas tree ornament.

These little guys--and that little book--decorate the top of my desk. Much thanks to my friend, Cory, who gifted me with most of these at the tail end of last year.

This is the part of my room I've entitled The Muppet Corner. I have a Muppet parody poster of Forrest Gump ("Green is as Green does") and a Muppet parody calendar as well. That is also a signed picture from Caroll Spinney (and Big Bird) in the middle. (Below the picture is a doodle of Gonzo I did and my six tickets from seeing The Muppets in theaters).

Here are my four Muppet plushies, which are great for cuddles.

My four Muppet T-shirts. Two were bought last year during the Muppet contest on Threadless, one from Target, and I still have no idea where my brother found me that amazing Gonzo shirt.

My more obscure Muppet apparel. The Kermit beanie's pretty easy to come by, but the Kermit skirt most certainly isn't, seeing as a friend made it for me for my last birthday. The Gonzo onesie pjs were purchased at Spencer's and are so very, very comfortable.

My Muppet DVDs are the only part of my collection that I feel a bit ashamed about. It's hard to motivate yourself to go buy more DVDs when: A) all the shows and movies are available via Netflix/youtube, and B) you are a broke college student.

My Henson related books. I love all of them.

The Muppets poster!

Some cardboard cutouts promoting The Muppets that a friend snagged from his Wal-Mart job. They've sadly been residing in my closet for the time being, as I have absolutely no where to put them (and I'm pretty sure my cat would shred them to pieces if given the opportunity).

Probably the most random thing I've ever owned. I found this computer game at The Dollar Tree last month. I've yet to play it.

Finally, an actual feather from Big Bird's costume. A friend who interned at Sesame Workshop swiped it for me a while back. It may very well be the most wonderful thing I own.

And that's everything Muppet/Henson related that I have in my possession! Hopefully once I stop being a broke college student the collection can grow even larger... but for the time being, I think I'll stick to spending my money on food and rent.

Special thanks to Julia for sending pictures of her delightful collection! Submit YOUR Muppet Fan Collections to Ryan Dosier at muppetmindset@gmail.com or Chris Stulz at MuppetStuff@gmail.com.







The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com 

Muppet Fan Testimonials: Julia Gaskill

To submit your own Muppet Fan Testimonial article, email Ryan Dosier at ryguy102390@gmail.com

Julia Gaskill - "I wish I was watching a Muppet movie right now," I say glumly as class is about to begin. My friend raises an eyebrow. "When is that ever not true?" is his only response. I can't help but laugh.

This was a conversation that took place between a friend and myself about a week ago, and I feel it sums up my general being when it comes to the Muppets.

I, like everyone, grew up with the Muppets. I watched the films frequently as a kid, and I remember The Great Muppet Caper was always my favorite (my best Muppet-related childhood memory involves me tossing myself on the ground at random intervals of my days yelling "TAXIIIIIIII!!!"). There was also Sesame Street before school, Muppet Babies reruns after school, and sometimes my brother and I would even play Muppets together (he'd be Kermit and I'd always be Rowlf). Yes, Muppets were certainly a constant in my life growing up.

But then something happened. Suddenly they weren't quite as prevalent. I guess Harry Potter, the internet, and a crippling crush on John Adams (yes, our nation's second president) took over. I still watched the Muppet movies on occasion, but Lord of the Rings, boys, fanfiction, and, again, the internet swiftly became all I cared about. The Muppets were left in the dark from age ten until age twenty.

It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment Muppets started to creep back into my life. It was a gradual process, that's certain. Around my sophomore year of college "Moving Right Along" suddenly became one of the most listened to songs on my iPod, and I had begun rewatching all my favorite bits from the Muppet movies I had grown up with. Then, one day during the summer before my junior year, I was surfing YouTube for Muppet clips when a particular video caught my eye. It was entitled: "Just One Person." So I clicked on it, and what unfolded before my eyes changed my life. I watched as the Muppets grieved the loss of their creator, read letters from fans sharing their sympathies, and then joined together in song. By the end of the video I was sobbing. I had never truly put any thought into the people behind (erm, underneath?) the Muppets before. I became fascinated.

As the school year began I went back to my ordinary life, but the Muppets were still there at the back of my mind, quietly nagging me to come back to them. Once Christmas break rolled around, I caved in. Going home for the break, the very first thing I did was watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. I reveled in amazement of how the Muppets had not lost their touch. In fact, I was surprised to find that I enjoyed them possibly more than I did as a kid. I watched Christmas Carol many times over that break, and even dug out Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree to rewatch (yeah, you heard me!). Then, near the end of December, I was at a friend's house and a bunch of us were playing a question game. One friend was asked, "What would you do if everyone in the world was turned into Muppets?" My friend responded with, "I don't know, but I bet Amanda and Julia would be Gonzo and Rizzo." Hearing this filled me with such immense joy and I was instantly ecstatic. I then had to take a step back. Was it normal to be this excited over someone comparing me to Rizzo the Rat? I wasn't sure, so I kept it to myself.

Christmas ended and I headed back to college sans Christmas Carol. Then one day at work I was surfing Netflix and there it was. The Muppets Take Manhattan. A Muppet movie I'd never seen before! I watched it, and I found myself obsessed. A couple days after that something amazing happened. Something truly wonderful... I got strep throat. Okay, maybe strep throat shouldn't be described as "amazing" or "wonderful," but it confined me to my bed for five days straight, and what did I do the entire time I was stuck in bed? You guessed it. Muppets. At the start of that week I didn't know the difference between Jerry Juhl and Jerry Nelson, but by the end of the week I could list all the Muppeteers, the characters, and most of the behind-the-scenes crew. The Muppet Wiki became my fountain of knowledge and I joined the Muppet Central forum family. I had watched and rewatched all the movies, not to mention started my journey through Fraggle Rock. It was beyond wonderful.

As I began to watch The Muppet Show, buy memorabilia, and toss around the idea of a Muppet tattoo, friends started to notice. They didn't really get it. Suddenly their Facebook's were bombarded with updates about Gorgs and rainbow connections and someone named Dave Goelz. They all figured it was some strange nostalgic phase that would pass. It wasn't until I delivered a slam poem entitled "Where the Fraggles Roam" that people began to realize this wasn't any old obsession. This was something that was going to stick, and, by Bunsen, it has!

My Muppet love has officially been around for over a year now, and what a year it's been! I've gained so many friends through Tough Pigs and Muppet Central, I've watched all the Henson things I can get my hands on, and I know, for a fact, that at least two Muppeteers have now seen my slam poem (being tweeted by Bill Barretta that he likes your work will only lead to crying, let me tell you that). I got to experience the hype and lead up to The Muppets, and even went to a showing on opening day (with my father who, I'm embarrassed to say, fell asleep in the theater). I also started up a Muppet Tumblr last year entitled "Never Too Old To Love Muppets," which has garnered some great popularity. Most recently I sent out applications for internships with Sesame Workshop and Henson Studios, and I'm eagerly waiting to hear back from them (fingers crossed!).

All that being said, I still have a long ways to go as a Muppet fan. I still haven't seen all of The Muppet Show (being a broke college student really sucks), I've only seen a couple episodes of Muppets Tonight, none of The Storyteller or The Jim Henson Hour, an I've never attended a Muppet event. In truth, I'm still just a newbie. I haven't even touched Sesame Street yet (I figure that'll be my post-college project). There's just so much to see, so much knowledge to gain. I know I'm still a novice, but nothing in this world fills me with as much love and drive as the Muppets, and I so look forward to all the new things they'll be doing in the years to come!

So I guess I'll end with a piece from an essay I wrote last month. I think it does a good job summing up just how much the Muppets, and everyone associated with them, mean to me:

That is the Muppets for me. They are my heart. They make me happy and they give me hope and fill me with a sense that anything is possible. They remind me of the importance of friendship and the necessity of dreams. They bring me peace, joy, laughter, harmony, and love. I view them not only on a personal level, but a philosophical one. They see the world the way I wish everyone could see it. They see rainbows as a sign of hope, not hate. Dynamite is used for humor instead of hurt. Everyone has the right to love and befriend whoever they want. Death, when mentioned in any of the Muppet mediums (and Sesame, Muppets, and Fraggles have all touched on it majorly at this point) is talked of so genuinely and beautifully. They offer a world where balloons can whisk you away, where a bear and a frog can conceivably be identical twins, where appearance doesn’t matter, and where friendship and love will always outrank evil doing and fame. To quote Kermit the Frog: "Yeah, well, I've got a dream too. But it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. That's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with."


Why wouldn't anyone want to live in such a world?

  










The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com