Questions for Fraggle's Terry Angus

[Gorgon Heap]

As some of you know, former "Fraggle Rock" Muppeteer Terry Angus- who played the Storyteller Fraggle, Brio the Minstrel, and Morris Fraggle- is a member of this forum, and I've been corresponding with him over the past few weeks on the topic of setting up a thread where we Muppet freaks can ask him stuff. He said yes. These are the ground rules:

1) 10 people may ask one question apiece, and then no more questions until Terry's response, at which point the 10 questions-1 per person rule repeats. Terry has been very accessible on this forum but remember he leads a busy life, like I'm sure most of us do.
2) nothing personal- use your best judgment to define that. Really this one goes without saying
3) be patient- it may take a while to get a response, but no nagging or questions going "when are you going to answer?"
4) try to keep questions reasonably short
5) before you ask a question, you might want to check out MC's interview (http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/interviews/angus1.shtml) with Terry in the Articles section on the main site, as well as Terry's official site (http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Stage/5617/)- your question might already be answered there

So right now I'm gonna head this up with

Question #1
Could you tell us a little about some of your friends from FR, like Karen Prell, puppeteer Myra Fried, and SFX man Tim McElcheran, and the FR vets who later worked with you on "Blizzard Island", like puppeteer Tim Gosley, director George Bloomfield, and writers Bob Sandler, the late Carol Bolt, and the late B.P. Nichol? Just whatever comes to mind first, and any points of interest you'd like to share about them.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[wes]

Terry do you have Any cool Behined the scene stuff that no one else know?

[ButchCat]

All all,

Ok Lets see if I can do this. First off I should let everyone know that Gorgon Heap came to me with the idea that I could answer a few questions for you guys and I told him that we could give it a try. So gulp! Here we go, Wes I am going to sort of answer your question first. Boy oh boy it’s been a long time. Ok. This is a very short one but in the episode “Let The Water Run” I was playing one of the pipe bangers and I remember getting all wet as one of the pipe bangers was splashing the water around with his mouth. I can’t remember who was running him but I think it was Dave. I also remember a sort of blooper that I did when I was helping Karen Prell perform Red in “I Want To Be You”. Some of you may not have picked it up but it was during Red’s song “Dreaming Of Someone.” I was doing Red’s left hand and I was trying to slide it back and forth however the Antron fleece on the fingers got caught on the rock and I had to pull it free and in doing so the hand took a bit of a jump. Much to my horror they kept the take and to this day I cringe when I watch it. It’s not much Wes but it’s a beginning.

Gorgon Heap I will try to answer your questions sometime tomorrow (I hope).

Good night for now guys

Terry Angus

[Kimp the Shrimp]

Are You Involved In The New Fraggle Movie?

[Skeeter Muppet]

How did you get into making puppets like the ones you auction off on E-bay?

-Kim

[Vic Romano]

Who was the most fun puppeteer to work with?

[Gorgon Heap]

Forgot to mention this, but it may be helpful to put your questions in bold, particularly if you go into some detail aside from the question, that way it stands out. It may not be necessary, and Terry can veto the idea (I leave it up to him, really), but I know it's worked for other such similar threads, such as the old "Ask Ken at Palisades" threads we used to have running around here (maybe we still do, I don't know).

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[froggiegirl18]

Your mistake in red's song, really isn't that bad. It doesn't take anything away from the performance. In fact I didn't even noticed that it got stuck. Thanks for sharing with us about behind the scene stuff.:)

[OverUnderAround]

2-part question-
Any nice memories of how you were cast for Fraggle Rock?
and...
What are your memories of the first day you walked on the set?

Thanks!

[ButchCat]

Hi gang,

I was originally going to answer Gorgon Heap’s answers last night but I was so tired that I just couldn’t so here I am now. Looking here I see that a few more questions have popped up and I will see how much I can do tonight.

First because I promised I will answer Gorgon Heap. Who asked:

Could you tell us a little about some of your friends from FR, like Karen Prell, puppeteer Myra Fried, and SFX man Tim McElcheran, and the FR vets who later worked with you on "Blizzard Island", like puppeteer Tim Gosley, director George Bloomfield, and writers Bob Sandler, the late Carol Bolt, and the late B.P. Nichol? Just whatever comes to mind first, and any points of interest you'd like to share about them.

Karen Prell is someone you can count on 100% and as I have said before I saw her as a big sister. I was 18 or 19 when I joined Fraggle Rock and she along with Myra Fried helped me along as I was new to a big city environment like Toronto. I had always turned to Karen for her opinion on things. If I went out anywhere it was usually with Karen Myra and Tim McElcheran so we where pretty close.

Whenever I needed help with working The Storyteller Fraggle I had always used Tim Gosley to assist me I was so impressed with him and how well he worked with me that I asked him if he would work on Blizzard Island with me and do the character of Rog. For more on Blizzard Island you can check my web site.

Blizzard Island was done a bit differently than Fraggle Rock in that I did not get to talk to any of the writers of Blizzard Island. I do remember Bob Sandler on Fraggle but I didn’t get to know him that well. He seemed pretty nice as was the late Carol Bolt. I remembered her a bit more and she was very nice. On the other hand I knew the late B.P. Nichol very well and we got along very well. B.P. wrote most of if not all of my Storyteller episodes on Fraggle and we had a lot of laughs and Beep as we sometimes called him was a very, very funny guy. So I told the producer of Blizzard Island that B.P.Nichol should be our head writer on Blizzard Island. Sadly when B.P. died so did Blizzard Island. The scripts I saw for the not to be produced season two where lawful.

Now on to Kimp the Shrimp’s question. Right now I am not involved in the new Fraggle Movie as no one has asked me. On the record I would love to work on the Movie if it happens and if they want me there. If they don’t ask any of the Canadians back then it would either be that they are shooting in the US or for budget reasons. That’s all I know right now about it. Thanks Kimp the Shrimp.

I have to go for the night but I will try to be back tomorrow night if I can to answer some more from Skeeter, Vic Romano and froggiegirl.

Take care all,

Terry Angus

[Kimp the Shrimp]

thank you for answering our questions

[Gorgon Heap]

Thanks much Terry. I think I forgot to mention this earlier, but incidentally Jerry Juhl, Carol Bolt, B.P. Nichol and Bob Sandler were my favorite FR writers. Carol's one episode of Fraggle was such a GREAT script- the humor, the parallels (some of which took me months to catch), the clever writing, the emotion, the flow- as a writer, astounding. Beep's episodes nearly always had high stakes and the threat of either destruction ("The Garden Plot", "The Day the Music Died"), death ("The Beanbarrow, the Burden, and the Bright Bouquet") or a terrible change ("The Secret of Convincing John"). His episodes often centered on puzzles or riddles and he foreshadowed the solutions/conclusions well. There was always something like that to keep your interest. A number of Beep's episodes are my personal faves.

Just thought I'd mention that.

If you don't mind my asking, how did Beep die? Most people on MC (including myself) didn't know he was gone. In my case, I found it on your site, and from what you wrote it seemed to happen very suddenly. If you'd rather not answer, for any reason whatsoever, I fully understand and withdraw the question.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Gorgon Heap]

If you don't mind my asking, how did Beep die? Most people on MC (including myself) didn't know he was gone. In my case, I found it on your site, and from what you wrote it seemed to happen very suddenly. If you'd rather not answer, for any reason whatsoever, I fully understand and withdraw the question.

Addendum: reason I'm asking is b/c I wanted to update Beep's IMDb page, which doesn't list his death at all. Cause and date (or at least year- from the info on your site it looks like either '88 or '89) is what I'm trying to find out.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[ButchCat]

Hi all,

Well I’m back again. First off I want to thank froggiegirl for her telling me that my mistake wasn’t that bad. Thanks for those kind words. This reminds me of another mistake I made on Fraggle Rock that got kept. It was my first speaking part ever on Fraggle and it was only one line in an episode called “Finger Of Light” The Fraggle Horn sounds and they can hear it in Gobo and Wembley’s room. In the window pops a Green pointy nosed Fraggle (Which was me). “Hey, they’re calling for the World’s oldest Fraggle!” ok problem one: I was so nervous that I could not do a very good voice or project it very loud. Problem two: I accidentally dropped the “s” off of “Worlds” so I ended up saying, “Hey, They’re calling for the world oldest Fraggle” Argggggg! And it was kept. It still amazes me how I could have done that.

Vic Romano asked “Who was the most fun puppeteer to work with.” That’s a hard question as almost all of them where fun. I had a lot of fun with a lot of puppeteers. One of my favorite puppeteers to work with was my pal Stoney Ripley who co-created Blizzard Island and also played my Blizzard Island side kicks, ie: my Witch to his Uncle Eggbert, my Sir Python to his Molcaster cat. Stoney and I would have so very many laughs together. Stoney always had me in tears.

Stoney also worked with me on the 4 video production of “Four Fish Fly Free” and the people that I performed with there although where very new to puppeteering they where very hard workers and were great fun.

With Fraggle Rock, Karen Prell was great fun to work with and a person that would give you lots of help and sometimes played background with us Canadians. Dave Goelz is another fun performer who was very funny off camera with Boober. One of the things that Dave did was have Boober act like a spoiled Hollywood Star calling a Director pussycat or baby and wanting to know if the shot needed more light. “Was that good for you George baby?” I got great laugh when our video tech/switcher Harley Walker would put in video effects between takes like a lightening bolt over someone. There was one time that Boober got to play with a ball of light. Ok I’m getting off track here. Hey, they where all great fun and lots of clowning around.

That’s it for tonight I’ll be answering OverUnderAround’s questions tomorrow night (I hope) as soon as I check out my interview that I did for Muppet Central to see if I had answered that 2 part question then and I’ll answer Gorgon Heaps questions as well. Oh my goodness I almost forgot about Skeeter's question which I'll answer first tomorrow night, sorry Skeeter.

Take care everyone,

Terry Angus

[BlueAM]

Terry, do you remember which specific Muppets you performed in "The Muppets: A Celebration of Thirty Years"? Thanks for your time!

BlueAM

[Kimp the Shrimp]

Yeah IMDB has you in it and MFC but no character list

[Gorgon Heap]

I'm striking my last question- somebody already updated Beep's IMDb page. So I'll replace it with another, simpler question:

Do you still keep in touch with any of your FR cohorts?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Kimp the Shrimp]

I'm striking my last question- somebody already updated Beep's IMDb page. So I'll replace it with another, simpler question:

Do you still keep in touch with any of your FR cohorts?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole



are you talking about my q's

[Gorgon Heap]

are you talking about my q's

No, I meant my last question. This last question of mine can be answered with a simple 'no', or a 'yes' followed by some names. I struck my previous question about the late B.P. Nichol when I found the answer elsewhere.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Kimp the Shrimp]

ok thanks for setting this Q&A up

[ButchCat]

Hi all,

Here we are back at it again. I’m sorry I didn’t get to answer you guys last night. I was really tired last night and just couldn’t do it. Tonight because I forgot the other night I’m going to answer Skeeter Muppet aka Kim. Skeeter’s question was:
How did you get into making puppets like the ones you auction off on E-bay?

I started building puppets way back in high school at around grade 10 if I remember right. I needed puppets to perform with and lets face it store bought puppets did not have the quality that a professional puppet has. Of course at that time my home made puppets had a long way to go. Once I got in with Fraggle Rock I learned a lot about puppet building and applied it to my puppets. One day in 2001 I had my car in for repairs and the guy who I take my car to said that I should put my puppets up on e-Bay. I was not sure if it would be a good idea at first but I tested out two puppets on ebay and they didn’t do too bad at all. So I continued and as I got the word around the puppets sales did very well and for a few years I was doing pretty good. Sadly not everything can last and suddenly other people started doing the same thing and my ebay sales fell badly. This is one reason that you do not see my puppets up on ebay as much anymore. I just couldn’t compete. Thanks Skeeter.. er I mean Kim.

Hi OverUnderAround, I had nice memories of the whole series of Fraggle but seriously there’s really not a lot that I can add to what I haven’t already said in the Muppet Central article about my audition. You also asked me what it was like the first day that I walked on the set. I remembered that I was very excited to see the sets. I was given a tour of the studio this was a week before we started shooting the Pilot. As I walked through everything I thought to myself, “Wow I’m finally going to be working with the Muppets.” I remembered wanting to get right to the puppets and play around with them. I was riding on a high for a very long time. Thanks for your question OverUnderAround.

BlueAm asked:
Terry, do you remember which specific Muppets you performed in "The Muppets: A Celebration of Thirty Years"?

Well for most of the special I was working Mulch over at the monster table. Mulch was the blue Frankenstein monster like Muppet that was on the Muppet show episode that had Debbie Harry from Blondie as well as a couple of other episodes and he showed up on Muppets Tonight too but he became a she for that. I also remember performing a Frackle at the vegetable table. I was on the left. I had link Hogthrob on for the photo session. The most fun scene I got to do in that special was where I was performing Kermit for Jim in a seen where Miss Piggy is being introduced. I had Kermit clapping and nodding his head approvingly as the camera zooms into Miss Piggy. Sadly Kermit is very small in the shot but hey, it was a trill to get to operate him at the time. Boy I was charged. Oh I almost forgot I was working Floyd in the Band area too. That’s all I can remember working at this point. I’m sure there where a couple of others but I can’t remember. Thanks BlueAM.

Hi again Kimp the Shrimp. I did quite a few puppets for MFC as well. I’ll tell you who I remember performing. I was operating Lew Zeland for the opening truck shot, Gladys the cow for the “Deck the halls” number. I got to even lip sic to her solo line in it. Zoot watching the Muppet Babies film for the “Santa Clause is coming to town” song. I am not sure but I think I was Grover where Piggy slips on the icy patch. I was operating Floyd behind the couch for the big fireplace sing a long that was fun, I even lip sinked to Jerry’s live Floyd lines ie: “It’s the only place Animal ever sleeps man” On the other side of the fireplace sing a long I played a brown grouch. Finally I operated both Bert and Ernie for the “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” song. The MFC was hands down my favorite of any of the Muppet specials that I worked on. Thanks Kimp The Shrimp.

Now finally Gorgon Heap aka Dave Ebersole. Sorry it took me a while to answer you. Although it was just as well as you found your answer and changed your question which was:
Do you still keep in touch with any of your FR cohorts?

I have kept in touch with a few of my Fraggle cohorts. I call or e-mail Karen Prell once or twice a year. I send an update to Jerry Nelson a couple of times a year. I send Mike Petersen an e-mail once a year and I use to send Jerry Juhl yearly updates. Sadly I lost track of Myra Fried. Tim McElcheran and Tim Gosley. Finally Martin Baker has told me to keep in touch.

There we have it for now take care, everybody.

Terry Angus

[Kimp the Shrimp]

wow you got to be ernie and bert

[Frogster]

Terry,
First off- and I'm sure you've heard this before- thanks so much for the wonderful characters you've given us on Fraggle Rock; I'll never forget seeing Born To Wonder for the first time! That being said, I'd like to know, which episode was your favorite? Also, which song was ur favorite? Thanks for your time!

[Gorgon Heap]

I have kept in touch with a few of my Fraggle cohorts. I call or e-mail Karen Prell once or twice a year. I send an update to Jerry Nelson a couple of times a year. I send Mike Petersen an e-mail once a year and I use to send Jerry Juhl yearly updates. Sadly I lost track of Myra Fried. Tim McElcheran and Tim Gosley. Finally Martin Baker has told me to keep in touch.

Small point of clarification: did you lose touch with Tims McElcheran and Gosley, or still keep in touch with them? It's unclear b/c of the punctuation. Thanks.

Btw, you're doing great with this thread.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Fozzie Bear]

Hi, Terry. Thanks for letting everyone ask you questions here in this Q&A thread!

If you're in touch with anyone, invite them back to MC! Karen and Jerry used to be pretty frequent and are missed.

When we were at MuppetFest, Karen mentioned the Fraggle Pond, and how it had a rubber base on it over the floor, across which there were dozens of electrical wires, etc. Had that burst it would have been BAD. What were the dangers of working on the show (besides forgetting the "S" in "World's Oldest Fraggle" [just kidding! :) ]) and did any injuries happen?

[ButchCat]

Hi all,

Here are some more answers and the first one is from Frogster
I'd like to know, which episode was your favorite? Also, which song was ur favorite? Thanks for your time!

Thanks Frogster, There where so many episodes that I liked. A couple of my favorites are “Born To Wonder” as I really enjoyed playing two versions of The Storyteller, “The Bells Of Fraggle Rock” I loved the song we did for the closing credits and “The Day The Music Died”. I liked “I Don’t Care” as I think that’s when the stories really started hitting their stride. Oh Boober Rock was another one I liked as I enjoyed playing one of many Boobers. Loved the washtub scene. I liked “Wembley’s Flight” and I liked “Wembley and The Mean Genie” episode. Heck! There are a lot I liked. Now as for songs you’ve given me a hard choice there too as there where lots of songs that I liked. Junior’s song “How wide, How Far, How Long”, Most of the songs that Karen did as Red. “Free And High” from “Wembley’s Flight”, finally the big song that I can’t remember the name but I think it’s ‘We Are The Children Of Tomorrow” from the episode “A Tune For Two”. The list could go on and on but I think I’ll stop here and move on to the next topic. Thanks again Frogster.

Gorgon Heap asked:
Small point of clarification: did you lose touch with Tims McElcheran and Gosley, or still keep in touch with them? It's unclear b/c of the punctuation. Thanks.

Sorry about that Dave I meant that I lost touch with Myra Fried. Tim McElcheran and Tim Gosley. Thanks for letting me know that I’m doing ok.

Hi Fozzie Bear yes Karen was right about the Fraggle pond problem and I had to get under that myself a few times. The thing that made it doubly dangerous was the fact that our arms where really stuck in the gloves because of the water pressure pushing the rubber gloves against our arms. They had to put baby powder on our hands and arms so that we could get in and out but it did little good if we had to get out we needed help. Only other dangerous thing that I could remember was the Gorgs climbing down a ladder head first. How could this be dangerous? Well the Gorg heads where really, really heavy and if Rob or Gord slipped on the ladder they would have fallen head first and that could break or damage their necks. So we where holding our breaths as they did this stunt. See what we do for your entertainment. ;) I don’t remember if anyone got hurt or not on set. Thanks for your question Fozzie Bear.

There we have it for now take care, everybody.

Terry Angus

[Luke]

I don’t remember if anyone got hurt or not on set.

I can take care of this one for you Terry, i think plenty of Doozers were maimed during filming!!!

Ok if i may have the honor of asking your good self a question :-

I expect you own or have seen the Fraggle Rock Season 1 DVD set. What are your opinions of it, and what would you like to see done for the possible upcoming Season Two release in terms of presentation and extras? Let's hear your own personal wishlist!!

Hope you're well and doin mighty fine Terry!!!

[Gorgon Heap]

I have kept in touch with a few of my Fraggle cohorts. I call or e-mail Karen Prell once or twice a year. I send an update to Jerry Nelson a couple of times a year. I send Mike Petersen an e-mail once a year and I use to send Jerry Juhl yearly updates. Sadly I lost track of Myra Fried. Tim McElcheran and Tim Gosley. Finally Martin Baker has told me to keep in touch.

Hmm, all those you mention keeping in touch with have screen names here, with the exception of Mike Petersen and Martin Baker. Unless they do and we just don't know it?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[ButchCat]

Hi all,

I have been pretty busy for the last three days but now I can take some time here and answer the last two questions tonight. First with Luke
I expect you own or have seen the Fraggle Rock Season 1 DVD set. What are your opinions of it, and what would you like to see done for the possible upcoming Season Two release in terms of presentation and extras? Let's hear your own personal wishlist!!

Hope you're well and doin mighty fine Terry!!!
Ok Luke I do indeed have the Fraggle Rock Season 1 DVD set and I love it. It was good to see the gang and I am so glad that they put the making of Fraggle Rock in the set. Lets see what would I like to see put into the season 2 set? More interviews of course. It would be nice to see some of us Canadian performers get interviewed but I know that would be more likely not happen and that would be more than likely due to money problems. It would be nice to see more behind the scenes footage but I don’t believe there was very much done in the way of behind the scenes aside from the Making of episode and that’s in the first DVD set. Maybe there could be stills of us at work. I know Karen took a lot of pictures as did I. I also believe Bob Stutt took a far amount of Pictures too. To be honest I don’t want to see the animated version that ripped off the songs and did not use any of us as the voices. None of us liked it. That’s all I can think of for the second box set. Like I said before more updated interviews would be nice maybe talking about the different episodes of that season. Oh and some more of Michael Frith sketches would be nice too. Oh and Luke…. I’m doing fine, Thanks.

Now for David “Gorgon Heap” Ebersole’s question.
Hmm, all those you mention keeping in touch with have screen names here, with the exception of Mike Petersen and Martin Baker. Unless they do and we just don't know it?
David if Mike Petersen and Martin Baker have screen names I don’t know about it. I never asked them if they did or not. Like you said they maybe oh and we don’t know it. Thanks David.

Well that’s it for now so take care all,

Terry Angus

[Vic Romano]

Fascinating! Thanks so much Terry for your time in answering our questions, it's greatly appreciated and I'd like to thank you as well for your tremendous work with FR!

Also; I have a question; without being too intrusive, did working on FR allow you to have a comfortable living?

[Rugby]

Hi Terry. I'm the guy that adopted Randall the Red-Nosed Monster. He's still doing fine and had a great Christmas last year and sends you his belated Christmas well-wishes. :)

I figured I'd throw in a few questions while I was here: As someone that has always dreamed of meeting and working with Jim Henson and the Muppets, I'm wondering what it must have felt like to actually be there and do it. Does it all seem like a dream? Was the whole experience surreal? Was there a lot of pressure working for the Henson company? (One of my brother's friends said she didn't much enjoy working for Sesame Live stitching muppet parts up.) And finally, are you a little bummed out to not be a part of it all anymore?

Congrats Terry for living the dream we all have wished for. I would have felt like I just won the lottery hearing Jim Henson tell me I'm hired. Awesome stuff!

[Gorgon Heap]

Thanks Frogster, There where so many episodes that I liked. A couple of my favorites are “Born To Wonder” as I really enjoyed playing two versions of The Storyteller, “The Bells Of Fraggle Rock” I loved the song we did for the closing credits and “The Day The Music Died”. I liked “I Don’t Care” as I think that’s when the stories really started hitting their stride. Oh Boober Rock was another one I liked as I enjoyed playing one of many Boobers. Loved the washtub scene. I liked “Wembley’s Flight” and I liked “Wembley and The Mean Genie” episode. Heck! There are a lot I liked. Now as for songs you’ve given me a hard choice there too as there where lots of songs that I liked. Junior’s song “How wide, How Far, How Long”, Most of the songs that Karen did as Red. “Free And High” from “Wembley’s Flight”, finally the big song that I can’t remember the name but I think it’s ‘We Are The Children Of Tomorrow” from the episode “A Tune For Two”. The list could go on and on but I think I’ll stop here and move on to the next topic. Thanks again Frogster.

All those episodes you listed are among my favorites, too. I haven't seen "Boober Rock" yet, but all the others. My list also includes "Marooned", "The Secret of Convincing John", "The Beanbarrow, the Burden, and the Bright Bouquet", and the final trilogy of episodes, and lots more, actually. I think you're right about "I Don't Care", IMO that has to be one of the all-time best FR scripts. Such a shame Carol Bolt only ever wrote one episode. Anybody know why that is?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Fighbird]

It would be nice to see more behind the scenes footage but I don’t believe there was very much done in the way of behind the scenes aside from the Making of episode and that’s in the first DVD set.

I have no idea whether this will reach the right people (i.e. the ones actually working on the boxsets), but I know of some original behind-the-scenes material, that very few fans have ever seen.

In the mid-80s, a german TV-show for kids were fulfilling children's dreams as first prizes (like taking a lucky kid on a real hot-air baloon ride or steering a real train -- stuff like that), and one of the kids wanted to visit Fraggle Rock. I remember being jealous as heck, as they showed footage of Jim guiding the kid around the elevated sets. Although a short segment (AFAIR; it's been 20 years), it could possibly be a fun bonus.

The show was called "1, 2 oder 3", and aired on the TV-station called "ZDF". Can't remember the exact year it was broadcast, but it was definitely during the original host of the show, Michael Schanze, and definitely before production on FR ceased. ;)

Don't know if anyone cares, but I thouhgt I'd mention it just the same. :)

[ButchCat]

Well guys I’ve been very busy lately but I am back again to answer your questions first we’ll start off with Vic Romano who asked:
without being too intrusive, did working on FR allow you to have a comfortable living?
HI Vic,

Thanks for your letter and I am glad that you liked the work we all did on Fraggle. I must admit I was not sure if I should answer this question or even how to answer it. I guess to start of the answer would be a yes and a no. I did ok at the time of doing the production. Keep in mind that most of us Canadians where hired mainly as Background Fraggles and the pay for that was so, so. When you got upgraded to a prince able the pay was much better. So anytime I did the Storyteller or Brio or if Morris had any lines my pay would be much more. Then the next week I would be back as a background Fraggle.

When Blizzard Island came along I was two central characters as well as I did a few one shot characters. For that show I got paid very well. However when you get good money like the government comes along and takes over half of your earnings so the government really loved me that year and I lost a lot of money. It would not have been not so bad if there where more seasons of Blizzard Island but that was not to be and I ended up not getting as much work as I would have liked. From that point on it’s been a lot of ups and downs and I mainly make enough to just get by on.

I hope that helps to answer your question Vic and thanks again.

Now Rugby Tiger’s letter
I'm wondering what it must have felt like to actually be there and do it. Does it all seem like a dream? Was the whole experience surreal? Was there a lot of pressure working for the Henson company? (One of my brother's friends said she didn't much enjoy working for Sesame Live stitching muppet parts up.) And finally, are you a little bummed out to not be a part of it all anymore?
Hey Rugby, I’m very glad that Randall is doing well and I hope that you’re having a lot of fun with him. First off I am sorry that your brother’s friend did not have a good experience working on Sesame live. Stitching/building puppets is not as fun to me as performing them.

My experience with the Henson Company was indeed like winning the lottery. Like everything in life there where bad days and there where good days and the only one that ever gave me pressure working was myself. If I did anything wrong I was always real hard on myself and I always thought to my self “Well they’ll never have me do a speaking role again.” But I did do more speaking parts like the Storyteller and Brio. Thanks for your letter Rugby it was good hearing from you again.
All those episodes you listed are among my favorites, too. I haven't seen "Boober Rock" yet, but all the others. My list also includes "Marooned", "The Secret of Convincing John", "The Beanbarrow, the Burden, and the Bright Bouquet", and the final trilogy of episodes, and lots more, actually. I think you're right about "I Don't Care", IMO that has to be one of the all-time best FR scripts. Such a shame Carol Bolt only ever wrote one episode. Anybody know why that is?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole
Hey David, I forgot about “Marooned” that’s another one of my favorites. By the way check out “I Don’t Care” as I got Morris in two shots in the same scene. One moment he’s behind Boober and then he’s sitting on top of a couple of books being part of the “I swear” song. That show is where I created Morris. Take a step back one episode to “We Love You Wembley” and I have the Morris puppet playing a saxophone before I came up with the idea of putting glasses on him. The “We Love You Wembley” episode was the week that the Canadian puppeteers where asked to create our own background characters. My original idea was to have Morris be a cub reporter for the Fraggle news. So in the “Marooned” episode check his pocket and you’ll see that he has a pad in his pocket. It wasn’t long that I had dropped the reporter idea and he was just my own background character. Ops sorry I got carried away again.

Sadly David I do not know why that was the only episode that she ever wrote as like you said it was a very good episode.

Well I guess that’s it for now. I’ll answer fighbird’s question next week because I’ve got to get my bags packed for my flight tomorrow. I’m flying to London Ontario for a week and I’ll be back on Friday so till then take care one and all.

Terry Angus

[dbarrie]

Hi Terry,

We met over 20 years ago when you visited Sunny View Public School in Toronto, a school for children with disabilities. You might remember me as the kid who brought his Kermit and Fozzie hand puppets for the occasion! I have remained a Muppets fan throughout the years, and I am wondering what you are doing to promote the Fraggle Rock DVDs?

We had a photo taken during your visit, and I intend to upload it to my computer soon to share with everyone here.

Great to see you in the forum!

DB (Donald Barrie)

[Gorgon Heap]

Hey David, I forgot about “Marooned” that’s another one of my favorites. By the way check out “I Don’t Care” as I got Morris in two shots in the same scene. One moment he’s behind Boober and then he’s sitting on top of a couple of books being part of the “I swear” song.

I do remember that. They were two consecutive shots, too.

That show is where I created Morris.

Thought so, it's the first I remember seeing him.

Take a step back one episode to “We Love You Wembley” and I have the Morris puppet playing a saxophone before I came up with the idea of putting glasses on him. The “We Love You Wembley” episode was the week that the Canadian puppeteers where asked to create our own background characters. My original idea was to have Morris be a cub reporter for the Fraggle news. So in the “Marooned” episode check his pocket and you’ll see that he has a pad in his pocket. It wasn’t long that I had dropped the reporter idea and he was just my own background character. Ops sorry I got carried away again.

Sadly David I do not know why that was the only episode that she ever wrote as like you said it was a very good episode.[/QUOTE]

Yet she did get involved in Blizzard Island. How did so many FR alums come to work on that show? Is it just a small community among folks in Canadian children's entertainment, or was it the same people organizing things?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[MuppetDude]

By the way check out “I Don’t Care” as I got Morris in two shots in the same scene. One moment he’s behind Boober and then he’s sitting on top of a couple of books being part of the “I swear” song. That show is where I created Morris. Take a step back one episode to “We Love You Wembley” and I have the Morris puppet playing a saxophone before I came up with the idea of putting glasses on him. The “We Love You Wembley” episode was the week that the Canadian puppeteers where asked to create our own background characters. My original idea was to have Morris be a cub reporter for the Fraggle news. So in the “Marooned” episode check his pocket and you’ll see that he has a pad in his pocket. It wasn’t long that I had dropped the reporter idea and he was just my own background character. Ops sorry I got carried away again.


Don't worry about getting carried away; we Muppet fans love those "behind the scenes" stories. Here's my question:

In the above quote you mentioned that the Canadian Muppeteers were allowed to create their own characters, giving birth to Morris. Were there any other Fraggle characters like this (Tosh and Henchy come to mind.)? If you remember, who performed which puppet?

[Fighbird]

Feeling a bit guilty that my post didn't really contain any questions to you per se, Terry, I thought I'd make a proper one. Having just seen "Follow that bird" for the first time less than 2 minutes ago as I write this, I noticed your name in the credits (which I didn't know about). My question at hand is:

Can you tell us a bit about working on "Follow that bird" -- which scenes/character you were involved with, what the people/performers were like to work with, and how much it differed (if at all) from the Fraggle production in terms of people involved/settings/characters?

Thank you in advance!

PS: Lila and Humphrey monster sends their love to you, Terry! :)

[Effralyo]

Hi Terry;),
Tell me please, does Murray the Minstrel have a tail? (I'd posted in FR section a thread about it before, simply because didn't know about this thread...sah-ree...) I want to draw him, but have to ask about it to do it properly.
~Eff

[Gorgon Heap]

Don't worry about getting carried away; we Muppet fans love those "behind the scenes" stories. Here's my question:

In the above quote you mentioned that the Canadian Muppeteers were allowed to create their own characters, giving birth to Morris. Were there any other Fraggle characters like this (Tosh and Henchy come to mind.)? If you remember, who performed which puppet?

I recall that Trish Leeper was Tosh and John Pattison was Henchy, but I don't know if that answers your question per se.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Frogster]

Terry, do you have any special memories of Jim Henson?

[MuppetDude]

I recall that Trish Leeper was Tosh and John Pattison was Henchy, but I don't know if that answers your question per se.


Not exactly. Those were just examples. I was wondering if there were other Fraggles like Morris that the performers had altered (like the bald pink Fraggle w/ purple hair, or the tan one with a moustache and sleepy eyes).

[MeepBorkMeep]

Hi. I'm new but I've been reading this post since it started, and I've been wanting to ask, in addition to Frogster's question, What is yer favorite Richard Hunt memory? Thank you /so/ much for taking the time to answer our questions. :excited:

[ButchCat]

Hi all,

OK! Finally I am back to answer some more of your questions. Sorry this took too long but it could not be helped. First we start with Fighbird which is more of a request for something to be put into the next Fraggle Rock DVD box set. Which maybe a good idea.
I know of some original behind-the-scenes material, that very few fans have ever seen.

In the mid-80s, a german TV-show for kids were fulfilling children's dreams as first prizes (like taking a lucky kid on a real hot-air baloon ride or steering a real train -- stuff like that), and one of the kids wanted to visit Fraggle Rock. I remember being jealous as heck, as they showed footage of Jim guiding the kid around the elevated sets. Although a short segment (AFAIR; it's been 20 years), it could possibly be a fun bonus.
Don't know if anyone cares, but I thouhgt I'd mention it just the same.
Ok Fighbird I remember a couple of times that we had contest winners. Anyway I don’t really know who you would send that in to except HIT and they may have an e-mail or web site number on the package for you to ask that. Thanks for sharing that and I’ll answer your other question down a bit further.

Next one comes from DB(Donald Barrie
We met over 20 years ago when you visited Sunny View Public School in Toronto, a school for children with disabilities. You might remember me as the kid who brought his Kermit and Fozzie hand puppets for the occasion! I have remained a Muppets fan throughout the years, and I am wondering what you are doing to promote the Fraggle Rock DVDs?

We had a photo taken during your visit, and I intend to upload it to my computer soon to share with everyone here.

Great to see you in the forum!

DB (Donald Barrie)
Thanks for your letter Donald and I hope that you are doing well these days. I do indeed remember going to that school and talking with you guys and I remember I had a good time there. For any of you guys who didn’t know it I have Cerebral Palsy it’s a mild case but there. It was to inspire them. I asked the Henson Company if I could borrow Morris to taken into the school along with some of my own puppets at the time and they gave me their blessing to take him. I was lucky enough to have some pictures taken of me with the kids. All in all it went well. One of these days I’ll have to scan the pictures and find a place to post them. Again thanks Donald.

Our old friend David Ebersole who asked:
Yet she did get involved in Blizzard Island. How did so many FR alums come to work on that show? Is it just a small community among folks in Canadian children's entertainment, or was it the same people organizing things?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole
Ok David here’s how all of that happened. The first person to get on Blizzard Island was BP Nichole and that was because I asked for him to be the head writer. This was because I got along with BP so well. The same with Tim Gosley, I asked for him to play the character Rog. For the Director I had originally asked for Terry Maskell(Check Spelling) but the producer Andrew Cochran (Not the Andrew Cochran from a show called Switchback) wanted George Bloomfield and that was based on what he saw from a few Fraggle Rock episodes. The other writers for the show where all picked by BP as he knew them better than I did. Thanks again David.
Muppetdude
In the above quote you mentioned that the Canadian Muppeteers were allowed to create their own characters, giving birth to Morris. Were there any other Fraggle characters like this (Tosh and Henchy come to mind.)? If you remember, who performed which puppet?
Hi Muppetdude, I see that David has answered a little bit of your question and he is right although Henchy was created by who ever wrote his first episode with the World’s Oldest Fraggle. Henchy was based on another Fraggle that John did as a Background and he too was green although John called him Chancy Fraggle and the things John did with his Fraggle where very funny. Rob Mills had a Pink Fraggle named Fred but he never caught on. Rumple Fraggle was another pink Fraggle with a vest and an aviator hat on, he was done by Gordon Robertson and I remember that Rumple got lines in four episodes. I remember that Myra Fried had created a Fraggle that was head of the Fraggle Gazette that Morris was a reporter for but she was never used. If you check out “Marooned” you’ll see that she is stand right next to Morris as they pull out Red and Boober from the cave in. I think I turn Morris’s head toward her as I made him afraid to look. I can’t remember what the other Canadian performers came up with. Well it’s not much but it’s better than nothing. Thanks Muppetdude.
Fighbird
Can you tell us a bit about working on "Follow that bird" -- which scenes/character you were involved with, what the people/performers were like to work with, and how much it differed (if at all) from the Fraggle production in terms of people involved/settings/characters?
Thank you in advance!

PS: Lila and Humphrey monster sends their love to you, Terry!
Hi Fighbird, now if you are wondering Lila and Humphrey where two Monster puppets on ebay that Fighbird bought from me. “Follow That Bird” was very different from Fraggle Rock and that’s because “Follow That Bird” is a film and it takes way longer to shoot a movie then a TV series. It takes forever just to light a scene. I remember that I was puppeteering Biff in the opening scene where Big Bird is roller-skating in but I am very small in the scene. I was Cookie Monster in Hooper’s store when they are trying planning to go out and rescue Big Bird. Here’s a story for you. I was sitting on the floor with Cookie Monster and my back was against a table on that table was a jar of Smarties so in between takes I would reach up and grab some Smarties and eat them. I did that maybe three times before someone came over the PA and asked. “Would somebody stop eating the props!” “Me Sorry but no cookies so me eat smarties.” I played one of the Honkers in the scene where Maria was explaining that Big Bird had all of these friends. That’s all I remember doing. I didn’t get to be on the location shots. I remember that the Human performers where very nice and I had a nice chat with Susan. Thanks for your question Fighbird.
Hi Terry ,
Tell me please, does Murray the Minstrel have a tail? (I'd posted in FR section a thread about it before, simply because didn't know about this thread...sah-ree...) I want to draw him, but have to ask about it to do it properly.
~Eff
Hi Eff, to answer your question No Murray the Minstrel did not have a tail. I like this one quick and to the point thanks Eff. That’s it for now I’ll be back again some time to answer Frogster and MeepBorkMeep’s questions.

Thanks everyone and take care.

Terry Angus

[MuppetDude]

A short but nice answer, Terry. Hit the nail right on the head. I was asking because of this:

http://www.wherearemytoys.com/pandj/legacy/html/fr_things.htm

And forum member "The Count" has been compiling an extended list of Muppet characters and people who exist in the Muppet universe (we fans are nuts):

http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showthread.php?t=18234

As for Murray, this thread features a picture of Murray with what looks like a tail:

http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showthread.php?t=22367&highlight=Murray+tail

But based on your answer, that must be a flower or a plant.

I thought one of the honkers looked a bit funny in "Follow That Bird"; there's a shot of a group of honkers in front of Bob and Maria, and one of them was right-handed (but the glove was built for a left hand, so the hand looked a bit odd.) It was the sea green one with glasses.

Anyway, I've got another question: Who played Balsam the Minstrel (the armadillo-looking one)? None of the Muppet sites have a performer listed for him.

[MGov]

Hey Terry, thanks for answering the questions.

When you were putting the Blizzard Island project together, what were some of the obstacles you faced and what, in hindsight, would you do differently?

Thanks again!

[Gorgon Heap]

Gonna try for a simple one.

What's your favorite episode of The Muppet Show, if you have a favorite?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Convincing John]

Hi,

After reading about Dave Goelz's nose getting itchy while holding up two puppets (from the TMS Season 1 "Muppet Morsels"), I wondered:

Due to ostrich feather tufts detaching from Fraggle heads (or tails), were any re-takes done due to sneezing Muppeteers?

I could just see a FR scene being taped:

Boober: "Good morning Gobo. How are you?"

(From below): ACHOO!

Boober: "Was that you?"

Gobo: "No, it was that Silly Creature down there with the beard that follows me around." (Looks down) "Bless you."

Jerry Nelson: "Thanks!"
:)
Convincing John

[ButchCat]

Ok everyone I am finally back to answer more of your questions. Boy I have been gone for a long while this time. Let’s get started with Frogster’s question.
Terry, do you have any special memories of Jim Henson?
Jim was for the most part a quite guy so it was always a surprise to see him run a character. The first time that any of us Canadians at Fraggle seen Jim Henson perform was when he did the Convincing John number and suddenly Jim became a dynamo. This man was all over the place with that puppet yet when you looked at the monitor it looked great. I remember being in aw of him at that moment.

The first time that we all seen him perform Kermit for the first time was a magical moment too. Jim was doing a promo with Kermit in the Gorgs Garden and I think I remember most of us going in the studio and like a bunch of children sitting on the floor watching Jim Henson performing Kermit. That will always remain in my memory for a long time.

One other memory that I have of Jim was the last time that I ever saw him and that was when I was doing a live show with him in Washington DC called “From The Heart; Very Special Arts” This was a show that showcased people with special challenges that had talent in the arts. For that show I performed a Robin like frog character called Kerm 2 singing “It’s Not Easy being Green” with Jim and Kermit. I can’t remember if we had finished our skit or if we where about go on or if it was during rehearsal. Anyway Jim asked me how Blizzard Island was doing and I told him it was canceled by the CBC. Jim put his arm on my shoulder and said “They canceled me too.” He was talking about “The Jim Henson Hour”. After the show was over Jim had to catch his flight we said our good byes. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would ever see him again.
MeepBorkMeep
Hi. I'm new but I've been reading this post since it started, and I've been wanting to ask, in addition to Frogster's question, What is yer favorite Richard Hunt memory?
Like Jim Henson I had more than one favorite memory of Richard Hunt. I always use to enjoy the Fraggle Rock Christmas and wrap parties especially when Richard was performing as MC. He was very funny and very good. You could tell that Richard loved to perform.

There was one day on the Fraggle set I believe it was after one of the Monday morning read-throughs that I was showing Richard a puppet of Beaker that I had built for him and Richard knew that I could do pretty good impersonations of a few of the Muppets and he asked if I could do Beaker. I gulped and tried but Beaker was one character I could not really do. Richard had informed me that he didn’t just Meep, meeped him. He told me that he performed Beaker inhaling and showed me.

I remembered the time that I introduced my then future wife Cheryl to Richard. Richard would sometimes jokingly call me Skosh because I was from Nova Scotia. So Richard strolled in and greeted me with a big “Hey Skosh!” “Richard I would like you to meet my girlfriend Cheryl.” “Ah! A Skoshette” Richard was on his way to do something but he was kind enough to take a bit of time to chat with her.

The thing that will always stick out in my mind was my first audition for Fraggle. I don’t think I could ever tell it as well as tribute that I did on Richard for Muppet Central.
http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/tributes/hunt/fanarticle1.shtmlThanks MeepBorkMeep

MuppetDude, I apologize. I am very wrong and this is a bad case of having egg in my face. I was going by memory and I didn’t remember seeing Murry with a tail and non of my photos with Murry shows him with a tail that I could see but then again none of my photos views Murry from the back just the front. However I looked around for the my copy of that photo that you have a link to and sure enough that is a tail. So I went to my photo album and rechecked the photos and there is one picture of Dave Goelz performing Murry while Steve did Wembley for that scene. I took a closer look at that picture and there is indeed a tail there. It’s barely visible but there. I will never trust my own memory again! Thanks for setting me strait MuppetDude. Oh and I think you are right about which Honker I did. You see although I write with my right hand I puppeteer with my left hand. Now I remember that hand feeling odd.
What's your favorite episode of The Muppet Show, if you have a favorite?
David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

Hey there David, you would think that it would be an easy question to ask until you stop and realize that there where way more than one that I like of the Muppet Show. So I give you three of my favorites. I loved the Mac Davis episode where Beaker got copied. Good music and lots of good funny moments. I loved the scene where Mac Davis thinks that all the beakers are his new back up singers and he shows them how to a number and they all faint. I liked the Elton John episode again lots of good songs and bits. The Alice Cooper episode was good and I just have to mention one more I can’t forget the Harry Belafonte Episode. The banana boat song with Fozzie just not getting it right was hilarious. So that’s a small sample of my favorite Muppet Show episodes.
After reading about Dave Goelz's nose getting itchy while holding up two puppets (from the TMS Season 1 "Muppet Morsels"), I wondered:

Due to ostrich feather tufts detaching from Fraggle heads (or tails), were any re-takes done due to sneezing Muppeteers?
Convincing John

I loved the little story there Convincing John. I know what Dave Goelz was talking about. When I was performing two Fraggles at once I remember at one time or another having to itch my nose but I would wait till the scene was done then I used the side of the puppet body to itch the problem. I use to hate doing two puppets at once because it was harder to keep your head out of the shot. As for retakes done due to sneezing? I really can’t remember that happening except I blew a lot of takes when I was sick with a cold. One episode my nose was so plugged up it made it very hard to breath. I had to walk from point “A” to point “B” then deliver my line. I had such a hard time breathing that I was out of breath by the time I stopped to do the line and I couldn’t do the line. So what they ended up doing was stopping tape and we did the line on another angle. I was really unhappy with myself on that day. Thanks Convincing John.

Well that’s it for now. I know I didn’t answer MGov’s Blizzard Island question but it’s one that I am really got to put a bit of thought on. So I’ll answer that one next time around. Take care all and thanks.

Terry Angus

[MeepBorkMeep]

Thanks Terry for taking the time to answer our questions. I'll have to try that Beaker thing. Hang on.....Wow! That really does help! I've tried it before while exhaling, and it came out sounding all hollow, now I know why. Thank you so much. :eek:

[MuppetDude]

MuppetDude, I apologize. I am very wrong and this is a bad case of having egg in my face. I was going by memory and I didn’t remember seeing Murry with a tail and non of my photos with Murry shows him with a tail that I could see but then again none of my photos views Murry from the back just the front. However I looked around for the my copy of that photo that you have a link to and sure enough that is a tail. So I went to my photo album and rechecked the photos and there is one picture of Dave Goelz performing Murry while Steve did Wembley for that scene. I took a closer look at that picture and there is indeed a tail there. It’s barely visible but there. I will never trust my own memory again! Thanks for setting me strait MuppetDude.

Now I'll be thinking of myself as "the guy that set Terry Angus straight". Now I've got guilt. :zany:

I'd hate to sound rude, but in case you missed my question: Who played Balsam the Minstrel (the armadillo-looking one)? None of the Muppet sites have a performer listed for him. All I know is that whoever played him had long black hair (in the "Down at FR" special behind the scenes of "The Rock Goes On").

[pepestarr]

Hi Terry. You're a great puppeteer and I admire all of you Puppeteers for doing such a great job on these productions

You were involved with 'Fantastic Miss Piggy Show' and 'A Muppet Family Christmas' according to Muppet Wiki. I was wondering which Muppets you performed on these two occasions?

Many Thanks :)

[wes]

Mr. Angus, Have you heard anything on The New Fraggle Movie, from any one now working on the movie?!!

[MuppetDude]

Hi Terry. You're a great puppeteer and I admire all of you Puppeteers for doing such a great job on these productions

You were involved with 'Fantastic Miss Piggy Show' and 'A Muppet Family Christmas' according to Muppet Wiki. I was wondering which Muppets you performed on these two occasions?

Many Thanks :)

I believe he mentioned who he performed in MFC in a previous question.

[froggiegirl18]

I just finished watching "Beginnings" of Fraggle Rock and I have two questions: What all did you do in the first episode? and Could you explain to us how the Trash Heap operates, like is it two or three puppeteers, where they are positioned etc.? Thanks again, for sparing some of your valuable time to share with us your vast knowledge. I have looked forward to reading your post.:)

[Wozza Fraggle]

Hi Terry,
You mentioned Kermit doing a Promo in the Gorgs garden, And you previously mentioned a child coming onto the set for a tour set up by a TV Show.


The first time that we all seen him perform Kermit for the first time was a magical moment too. Jim was doing a promo with Kermit in the Gorgs Garden and I think I remember most of us going in the studio and like a bunch of children sitting on the floor watching Jim Henson performing Kermit. That will always remain in my memory for a long time.



My question is Do you remember any other promos or things happening like this?

The reason I ask is so we can find out about these things about contact HIT Entertainment abuot getting them put onto the Fraggles DVD Sets!

I know Travelling Matt did a spot for UK channel ITV for the kids hour called 'CITV'. And we know of Matt and Cotterpin on The Today Show in the 90's talking about the "new" VHS releases.

Thanks!

[Beauregard]

Hi Terry. I don't have a question (yet!) but I'd just like to say thanks for taking time to talk to us! it's amazing trivia like Beaker being inhalled that really makes a difference!

[Gorgon Heap]

Two quick yes or no qs:

bp Nichol wrote most of your Storyteller episodes; I take it this is not a coincidence?

Whenever I notice Morris in a crowd scene, he's nearly always on the left side of the screen and next to Red Fraggle; I take it this is also not a coincidence?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[ButchCat]

Hi one and all,

Well it’s taken a lonnng time to get back to you guys this time and there are lots of questions to be answered so sit down for a long read as we start off with a question I didn’t get around to last time from MGov
MGov
When you were putting the Blizzard Island project together, what were some of the obstacles you faced and what, in hindsight, would you do differently?
Hi MGov, There are lots of things that I would do differently. Blizzard Island was a show that was very close to my heart and I had some good times but it had caused a lot of pain too. When I signed the contracts I lost a lot more than I should have and lawyers have a way of wording contracts that seem to say one thing or you take it one way and it really means something else. The producer’s lawyer was better than my lawyer plus producers have a way of making everything sound urgent. So the two biggest things that I can tell you to do is to get a good lawyer and don’t be in a rush to sign. Yes you have to give up some rights but don’t give them all up. I was young and foolish.

Also when it comes to dealing with a third party such as the CBC you have to know that it’s a game of give and take. You have to let them suggest a few changes. Weight the changes and decide what you can let them have for example. With Blizzard Island originally my Witch character was living in a castle but the CBC wanted her to live in a lighthouse to give it a Nova Scotia feel. They also wanted Molcaster the Cat to be a seagull. So you go in like this. “We will have the Witch live in a Lighthouse if you let us keep Molcaster as a cat. There was lots of stuff like that when Andrew Cochran Productions first brought CBC into the mix.

This is why “Four Fish Fly Free” Didn’t make it. Now “Four Fish Fly Free” was not my creation so I had nothing to do with its content. As you may or may not know we had done a four direct to video shows and there where hopes that it would get a series but when the producer/creator got together with PBS they did not get along at all and the sad fact was that PBS had some very good ideas that the Creator/Producer hated but reluctantly went along with because he had a partner who was all for the changes and this was for the TV pilot. Sadly it all went down the tubes because of all the fights. There was no way that PBS was going to deal with that. Folks it was a big fat mess. For more on Four Fish Fly Free go to my web site (http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Stage/5617/4fishpage.html). Four Fish
Thanks for your question MGov.
MeepBorkMeep
Thanks Terry for taking the time to answer our questions. I'll have to try that Beaker thing. Hang on.....Wow! That really does help! I've tried it before while exhaling, and it came out sounding all hollow, now I know why. Thank you so much.
A big thank you for your letter MeepBorkMeep and I’m glad that you found my info on Beaker’s voice helpful. Take care.
I'd hate to sound rude, but in case you missed my question: Who played Balsam the Minstrel (the armadillo-looking one)? None of the Muppet sites have a performer listed for him. All I know is that whoever played him had long black hair (in the "Down at FR" special behind the scenes of "The Rock Goes On").
Hey MuppetDude, no need to feel guilty about setting me strait on Murry Minstrel. I guess I just never took note of it years ago and you are not being rude.

Balsam Minstrel was performed by different puppeteers. One episode Lee Armstrong was working the puppet. In “Mokey and The Minstrels” he was voiced by Jerry Nelson and I can’t remember if he was working the puppet or not. I think I remember Karen working him in one episode although I am not sure. For the last Minstrel episode I can’t remember who worked Balsam. If you look at the Making of video you see that the person is tall and has dark hair at least that’s what I see.

Maybe the mystery can be solved through a process of elimination. Here’s who I knew was working who. Gordon Roberson was taking over on Murry from Steve in both puppet and voice. Tim Gosley was performing Brool as he did from day one. Rob Mills was working the Inkspot and I was performing Brio. In the male Canadians this leaves Mike Petersen, Frank Meschkuleit, Bob Stutt and John Pattison. There is also a question of is Balsam being worked by one of the female Canadians eh? So I am very sorry MuppetDude that I wasn’t more helpful I really feel like I failed on this one. Now you can be the first guy to cause me some sleepless nights. Just kidding.
Pepestarr
You were involved with 'Fantastic Miss Piggy Show' and 'A Muppet Family Christmas' according to Muppet Wiki. I was wondering which Muppets you performed on these two occasions Many Thanks

Hi Pepestarr and thank you for your wonderful letter. MuppetDude is correct I did indeed answer the question of who I worked on The Muppet Family Christmas and you can find that answer Here (http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showpost.php?p=368721&postcount=21).

Now here’s what I did for the “Fantastic Miss Piggy Show” I performed Zoot and Sam Eagle. There wasn’t as many Muppets in that one as there was in “Family Christmas. I enjoyed performing them both. I think I told this story before but it was close to the end of shooting and somehow I broke Sam’s head right off the body and they had to fix it. They ended up gluing the head completely down which made it so that the head could not turn around. Right after that we had to shoot the ending scene where they had to set off explosions in different parts of the set. This was used for the credit roll. Because Sam’s head could no longer move I had to turn and move the whole body of the Sam puppet. Suddenly the wing slipped over my head and you can see the back of my head right in the shot. Because the explosions could only be used once they had to keep it. So I ask forgiveness and thanks again Pepestar.
Wes,
Mr. Angus, Have you heard anything on The New Fraggle Movie, from any one now working on the movie?!!

Hi Wes, It’s good to see you again. Sadly I have not heard a thing about the new Fraggle Movie and I have a bad feeling that I will not be a part of it. Just a feeling I have. The last time I talked to Karen Prell which was a couple of months ago she had not been officially contacted about it either so I don’t know what’s going on but if I hear anything about it I will pass it along. Take care Wes and thanks
Froggiegirl18
I just finished watching "Beginnings" of Fraggle Rock and I have two questions: What all did you do in the first episode? and Could you explain to us how the Trash Heap operates, like is it two or three puppeteers, where they are positioned etc.? Thanks again, for sparing some of your valuable time to share with us your vast knowledge. I have looked forward to reading your post.

Hi Froggiegirl, I hope that you enjoyed “Beginnings” although it was specially made to start the series it was not the first show that we taped. That show was “The Thirty Minute Work Week” Now back to “Beginnings” I can’t remember doing to much in that episode Lets see, I remember operating a Yellow Fraggle with a purple goatee beard that was giving a piggyback ride for another Fraggle and this was during the first “Hip, Hip Hooray” song. I think I was assisting Dave Goelz with Matt’s right hand during the “Follow Me” song and in the reprise of the “Hip, Hip Hooray” song at the end I was a Green Fraggle that was hanging off of a slag mite on the left over Boober. This Fraggle would become John Pattison’s Henchy character the Worlds Oldest Fraggle’s flunky.

I remember watching the scene when Matt first goes to outer space. That was shot at a house that was next door to the back of our studio.

Now for the opening theme I have a very hard time remembering where I was except in two scenes. I was a Purple Fraggle with pink fur for the body and light green hair I used this guy in the two scenes that I remember. One is just as Gobo is leaving the great Hall to go up to the Gorg’s garden in that very quick scene I am operating a Purple Fraggle with a Pink fur body and green hair it’s right on the bottom. The other scene is when Gobo is dropped by Jr. Gorg down to the Great Hall into the Fraggle Pond and I am operating the same purple/pink Fraggle only this time the Fraggle is sitting on a rock holding a flower.

OK, Froggiegirl on to your second question. The Trash Heap was operated by three people and that is because of her size. Jerry Nelson did the head and voice and two other performers on either side of Jerry did the arms. Most of the time I believe that the arms where done by Trish Leeper and Cheryl Wagner. Myra Fried also use to control one of the arms too until she left. The biggest trick in working the Trash Heap’s arms is when she claps during a song. Get a friend and using only one hand each try to clap with that friend and you’ll see what I mean. Thanks Froggiegirl I am glad you like my posts.
Hi Terry,
You mentioned Kermit doing a Promo in the Gorgs garden, And you previously mentioned a child coming onto the set for a tour set up by a TV Show.
My question is Do you remember any other promos or things happening like this?

The reason I ask is so we can find out about these things about contact HIT Entertainment abuot getting them put onto the Fraggles DVD Sets!

I know Travelling Matt did a spot for UK channel ITV for the kids hour called 'CITV'. And we know of Matt and Cotterpin on The Today Show in the 90's talking about the "new" VHS releases.

Thanks!
Warrick

Hey, Warrick. It’s good to see you again. This is a hard one to answer but I’ll try my best. Other than a couple of contests I can’t remember too much in the way of extra footage of things. What I do remember are a few news reports. There was one done of me by the CBC but the tape I use to have it on was lost years in a theft. I lost a lot of videos plus my VCR, a necklace that I gave Cheryl and the very, very first Home video that Stoney Ripley and I did of Blizzard Island. We made another one after that. This was before I was married to Cheryl and I was visiting at her apartment. Anyway back to the answer here. I remember there where a few items done for Entertainment Tonight plus a couple of videos that where made for the cast and crew and they where never meant for the public to see although our final wrap party video somehow got out there and around. The biggest sad news is that none of our Bloopers where ever saved at least as far as I know. That is all I can remember right now of extra stuff for the second Fraggle DVD set. Sorry this is not very helpful Warrick.
Beauregard
Hi Terry. I don't have a question (yet!) but I'd just like to say thanks for taking time to talk to us! it's amazing trivia like Beaker being inhalled that really makes a difference!

Thank you very much Beauregard. I’m very glad that you are enjoying the trivia that is coming out of these questions and answers. Thanks for taking the time to type your comment.
Two quick yes or no qs:

bp Nichol wrote most of your Storyteller episodes; I take it this is not a coincidence?

Whenever I notice Morris in a crowd scene, he's nearly always on the left side of the screen and next to Red Fraggle; I take it this is also not a coincidence?

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

Hey, there David, I don’t think it’s a coincidence as I think BP Nichol really liked the Storyteller character and we both got a long very well. It was because of the Storyteller episodes and the fact that we got on very well that I talked Cochran into having BP as our head writer for Blizzard Island.

Morris almost always on the left? Wow David that is really observant of you. The main reason that Morris tended to be on the left side of the screen was because I’m a left handed puppeteer. It’s easer to keep out of the shot for a left handed puppeteer if he or she is on the left side of the screen. Now seeing as I was good friends with Karen Prell it would only be natural that you would tend to hang out more with a friend and Karen is a very easy person to get along with.

Well I guess that’s all for now I've got to get started on my taxes so thank you very much everyone and take care of yourselves.

Terry Angus

[Gorgon Heap]

our final wrap party video somehow got out there and around.

That would be "The Fraggles Look for Jobs", correct?

Thanks for getting back to us. My that was a long post:eek:

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[ButchCat]

That would be "The Fraggles Look for Jobs", correct?

Thanks for getting back to us. My that was a long post:eek:

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

Yes David that's the one "The Fraggles Look for Jobs". Wow it's even got a title now.

Take care,

Terry Angus

[Gorgon Heap]

Were there ever any puppets you had to perform whose appearance grossed you out? There were a lot of bizarre, very different-looking creatures on FR compared to anything before or since for that matter.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[ButchCat]

Hi all and Hi David Ebersole.

Finally, finally, finally I am getting back to this last message that David has posted and I do apologize for not getting back to it sooner. It’s been a very busy time both business and personal wise for me. My wife’s grandmother had to have a double by-pass operation and so far she is doing well and we don’t know yet if my father has cancer. We will know in a week or two and let’s pray that he doesn’t. Work wise I have finished a couple of puppet building projects, sorry nothing e-bay wise.

Now on to David’s question. which was:Gorgon Heap Were there ever any puppets you had to perform whose appearance grossed you out? There were a lot of bizarre, very different-looking creatures on FR compared to anything before or since for that matter.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole I remember seeing a lot of bizarre and different creatures on Fraggle Rock and then there where the puppets. Ok, bad joke. To my memory I don’t recall any of the Fraggle creatures who grossed me out at all in fact they where pretty neat. I remember doing a Fizzgig (I probably miss-spelled his name) prototype puppet on Fraggle Rock for a song with Boober and the episode was “I Don’t Care” I had a lot of fun with that puppet. In the same episode and the same song I was the rock creature that Boober pushes the mouth closed on. I remember I was sort of an aardvark like puppet for Mokey’s “Kick A Stone” song in “Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk” episode. I remember I was a creature that scared some Fraggle in an early version of the tunnel to Doc’s workshop. Sadly I can’t remember what episode that was. That’s all I can remember right now I would have to watch the whole series to remember anymore.
Well I guess that’s it for now and thanks a lot David and everyone.

Terry Angus

[Gorgon Heap]

I remember I was a creature that scared some Fraggle in an early version of the tunnel to Doc’s workshop. Sadly I can’t remember what episode that was.

I know that it was the 'food' puppet from SNL (kinda looked like a floppy brown pinecone with eyes). I think it was from "You Can't Do That Without a Hat" and the creature scared Boober. Can anyone else confirm?

Finally, finally, finally I am getting back to this last message that David has posted and I do apologize for not getting back to it sooner. It’s been a very busy time both business and personal wise for me. My wife’s grandmother had to have a double by-pass operation and so far she is doing well and we don’t know yet if my father has cancer. We will know in a week or two and let’s pray that he doesn’t.

I understand totally. For the first time in my life, I've been finding myself strapped for time, between work, girlfriend, and barbershop (and just beginning to try and get my first screenplay looked at), and I don't have any pressing health concerns for any of my relatives like you have. Sorry to hear it. I'll keep them in my prayers.

David "Gorgon Heap" Ebersole

[Fozzie Bear]

Best wishes for your family, Terry!

[ButchCat]

Gorgon Heap
I know that it was the 'food' puppet from SNL (kinda looked like a floppy brown pinecone with eyes). I think it was from "You Can't Do That Without a Hat" and the creature scared Boober. Can anyone else confirm?
Hey, David,

I just checked out the “You Can’t Do That Without A Hat” episode and you are right. That’s me playing the Floppy brown pinecone with eyes but it was Red and Wembley that I give a bit of a scare to. I had him sort of snort/growl at them. I am not 100% sure but I think I was also the long nosed thing that was watching Gobo and Boober in the same tunnel going to the entrance to Doc’s workshop. This would make sense considering that all of Doc’s Tunnel stuff was shot all together for that episode and being there they would just hand me another puppet and shoot the next scene. I remember doing the long nosed guy a couple of times with Mokey’s “kick a stone” song for “Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk” being one of them.

Thanks David and thanks for your wishes

Terry Angus

[ButchCat]

Hi Fozzie Bear,

I want to thank you for your thoughts for my Family. My wife Cheryl’s Grandmother is doing great. I wish the news on my Father was better. I found out last week that he does have Cancer. It’s gone to far for surgery so they will be using radiation. Again thanks for your wishes.

Terry Angus

[Muppet Matt]

Hi Fozzie Bear,

I want to thank you for your thoughts for my Family. My wife Cheryl’s Grandmother is doing great. I wish the news on my Father was better. I found out last week that he does have Cancer. It’s gone to far for surgery so they will be using radiation. Again thanks for your wishes.

Terry Angus

I'll be praying for you Terry! :( I'm so sorry this is happining.:cry:

[The Flying Sheep]

Terry,
Here's to hoping the radiation therepy works, and best of luck and condolences to your family.

As for my question:

If you were trying to introduce Fraggle rock to someone who :gasp: had never seen the show, what episodes would you recomend as good beginning episodes (apart from Beginnings, which is the obvious choice)?

[Muppet Matt]

Are you going to be working on the new Fraggle Rock movie?

[Fozzie Bear]

Cancer is an ugly, evil monster--I've seen it's ugly face too many times doing all the charity work down at Ronald McDonald House and St. Jude here in Memphis. I hate it.

Go spend time with your father and keep your chin up, friend! My heart and thoughts are with you all.

[ButchCat]

Thank you guys for your support it means a lot to me. First off my Father had his first appointment with the specialist and this guy is painting a better picture for him than what the other Doctor said. The Doctor had my Father written off. According to the specialist from what I understand it’s treatable but it will be very, very hard on him and it will take a long time to treat. He has to take hormone pills and he’ll go through radiation treatment. There is always a chance that it may not work but the odds are looking a bit better.

Hi Fozzie Bear and thank you. Sadly I know all about the evil Monster known as Cancer. In 2003 it took my older Sister Sandra away from us. It was very heart breaking to watch her die a slow painful end and you can’t do anything to stop it. Ok I don’t want to bring this post down so I will start answering some questions here.

The first question to be answered is from “The Flying Sheep” who asks:
If you were trying to introduce Fraggle rock to someone who :gasp: had never seen the show, what episodes would you recomend as good beginning episodes (apart from Beginnings, which is the obvious choice)?You are right about “Beginnings” being an obvious choice to introduce someone to Fraggle Rock. If you only have the first season DVD set then I would pick a show after Gobo had his face lift as the characters and stories really get much better. I have a couple of ones to recommend and I start off with “The Challenge” which has some good fun stuff. “I Don’t Care” is another Honey. Ok I am bias on I Don’t Care as I had fun getting a Viking clad Morris Fraggle in two shots of the same scene. Does Morris have a twin brother or was it like Star Trek’s “Enemy Within”. We won’t get into that. Honestly it was a good story. Hey, there are a lot of good episodes but those two are what I would show first.

Thanks sheep.

Muppet Matt asked if I would be working on the new Fraggle Movie. Sadly no one has asked me yet but I would very much love to work on it but I somehow don’t think I will be. I hope I’ll be wrong. If the Gorgs are in it I wouldn’t mind trying out for Jr Gorg as I think I do a not bad impression of him but I am sure there are a lot of people who could play him too. Now if they don’t do Fraggle Rock here in Canada that would kill any chances for me to work on it. If I hear anything on the Movie I’ll pass it along to you guys. And thanks for your thoughts Muppet Matt.

Well that’s it for now and thank you guys

Terry Angus

[MGov]

Here's a clip of Jim Henson and Kermit appearing on Regis and Kathie Lee (with Regis' wife Joy filling in for Kathie Lee) in 1990. He tells the story of Terry's audition for "Fraggle Rock".

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6qi7Mj3uxzM&search=Henson

[heralde]

I have a couple of ones to recommend and I start off with “The Challenge” which has some good fun stuff.


I definitely agree with that, "The Challenge" is one episode I always remembered fondly from when I was a kid. Junior's really funny in that episode, worrying about ears falling off and dying after the last cough. And it sets up the dynamic between Gobo and Red. :smirk: :excited:

It's good that the specialist gave you better predictions for your father. It's very important to get multiple opinions on these things. Best wishes!

[minor muppetz]

I know that you said that you didn't perform in the on-location shots of Follow That Bird, but Can you tell us how available Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, and Richard Hunt were on the set for the days and locations that you did perform at? I've noticed that Ernie didn't talk much in the street sceens, and I've read some speculation about Jerry Nelson looping The Count's voice in many scenes.

Also, it's interesting that you performed Biff in the opening scene. I never saw Biff there, and I pay attention to who all is in the background alot. There are only a few cases in Henson productions where I can't tell who all is in a crowd scene (scenes like the finale for The Muppet Movie and the wedding for The Muppets Take Manhattan, for example). And the street wasn't too crowded with Muppets in that scene. I thouhgt that Biff's only scene was when Maria was reading the letter from Big Bird (I know that Sully also appeared right before The Count counted cars that were going after Big Bird).

Then again, there are a few street scenes in Follow That Bird where I have trouble seeing who certain characters are (mainly ones in windows that are very far away), but not many. Of course, you're scene with Biff could have been cut/ shortened from the film, or maybe Biff can only be seen there in the widescreen version of the film.

[minor muppetz]

The reason I ask is so we can find out about these things about contact HIT Entertainment abuot getting them put onto the Fraggles DVD Sets!

I don't think the promo with Kermit the Frog will be released anytime soon, especially not by Hit!, considering the fact that Disney wouldn't allow Kermit's sceens from Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas to be released on DVD by Hit!

[Fozzie Bear]

Here's a clip of Jim Henson and Kermit appearing on Regis and Kathie Lee (with Regis' wife Joy filling in for Kathie Lee) in 1990. He tells the story of Terry's audition for "Fraggle Rock".

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6qi7Mj3uxzM&search=Henson

That's awesome. I miss Jim. Great interview, and I love the way Jim performed Kermit. :)

[Ilikemuppets]

I love that interview, thanks!

[ButchCat]

Hi everyone,

Boy it’s been a long while but let’s face it we all get pretty busy with trying to make a living and all. heralde I am glad you liked “The Challenge” and your right it sets some good stuff up between Red and Gobo, that bit of rivalry between the two. Thanks heralde and thanks for your wishes for my Father it will be a long road ahead and we are hoping that it will work.
minor-muppetz
I know that you said that you didn't perform in the on-location shots of Follow That Bird, but Can you tell us how available Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, and Richard Hunt were on the set for the days and locations that you did perform at?
Hi minor-muppetz,

From what I could remember of the days that I worked on “Follow that Bird” I saw Jim there as well as Frank Oz and Richard Hunt was on set too. Mostly I saw Frank and Richard. From what I can remember Jerry was not there at all and yes his lines where dubbed. I don’t remember why he wasn’t there.
minor-muppetz
Also, it's interesting that you performed Biff in the opening scene. I never saw Biff there, and I pay attention to who all is in the background alot. There are only a few cases in Henson productions where I can't tell who all is in a crowd scene
Believe me Biff was there it’s just he was really hard to see and depending on weather you watch it widescreen or not also would make a difference. Anyway Biff was way in the back shot playing checkers with a human character but it’s very hard to see because of how small he is in the shot more so on TV. I remember I was not happy with where I was with Biff because I could not really see him on my monitor. But that’s how it is in show business. I don’t remember doing Biff for the scene where Maria was ready the letter from Big Bird. The most I remember was working Cookie for the Hooper’s store scenes. Anyway thanks for the question and you are right about the promo scenes that Kermit did in front of the Gorg’s Garden. There is probably no way that Disney is going to allow that. In fact I think it’s safe to say although very sad that you will probably not see “The Muppet Family Christmas” come out in DVD uncut or anyway as the characters have three different owners now. Sesame Street- Sesame Workshop, Muppets – Muppet’s Holding Company (Disney) and Fraggle Rock – The Jim Henson Company. So although it would be a nice treat to see the promo don’t count on it. Thanks minor-muppetz

In closing for the night along with Fozzie Bear and Ilikemuppets thanks MGov for posting the interview with Jim on the then Regis and Kathy Lee. I saw it for the first time ever a day or so ago thanks to Wes. Before that I didn’t even know that it had been done at all.

Take care all,

Terry Angus

[minor muppetz]

Believe me Biff was there it’s just he was really hard to see and depending on weather you watch it widescreen or not also would make a difference. Anyway Biff was way in the back shot playing checkers with a human character but it’s very hard to see because of how small he is in the shot more so on TV.

I remember seeing somebody doing something that looked like he was playing checkers with a human in the scene where Big Bird was leaving the street. The area was in the building near the fix-it shop. It was hard for me to see who that character was, but I thought it was forgetful jones. Of course, both characters are made from the same Anything Muppet pattern, so it might be easy to confuse them if either can barely be seen (though other than the anything muppet pattern I don't think that Biff or Forgetful Jones look anything alike). So not only were you robbed of performing a noticable scene, but Biff was robbed of being noticed in a scene.

[minor muppetz]

In fact I think it’s safe to say although very sad that you will probably not see “The Muppet Family Christmas” come out in DVD uncut or anyway as the characters have three different owners now. Sesame Street- Sesame Workshop, Muppets – Muppet’s Holding Company (Disney) and Fraggle Rock – The Jim Henson Company. So although it would be a nice treat to see the promo don’t count on it. Thanks minor-muppetz


It never has been released uncut. However, I think an uncut release would be possible. I don't know how Henson would feel about the use of it's Fraggle Rock characters, but I'm sure that Sesame Workshop would allow the Sesame Street characters to be included. SW has already allowed Disney to release The Muppet Show: Season One with Ernie and Bert's sceen from the secodn episode of The Muppet Show (also, Bert made a cameo in The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence), and The Muppet Movie and Great Muppet Caper were recently re-released, and as far as I know all Sesame Street cameos from those movies were included. Additionally, Disney has allowed for Kermit's scenes to be included in new episodes of Sesame Street, and also in new DVD releases.

Also, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island were recently released on DVD again, and though I don't have tese releases, I think thye are both uncut. Both movies feature many minor characters from Fraggle Rock, and I think some other productions owned by Henson. Of course, Sprocket is probably the only characters from Fraggle Rock featured in either movie that people would probably know about. I don't know if Disney knew to get permission, or if Henson didn't care that such obscure characters were on a Disney release (though Henson should most definately know about Sprocket).

[minor muppetz]

Well, I just watched the opening sequence for Follo That Bird, and Biff is there, though he can hardly be seen. It's not a shot that would be cut-off by full-frame. He can be seen as the camera is moving up, but for the msot part during that openign shot Biff is blocked by some lights on the building that's across the street from 123 Sesame Street. And it seems like he is also there when Big Bird leaves (I always thought that was Forgetful Jones), and in that scene he switched places with the hman. I can't really tell if Sully is there with him, but I don't think he is.

[Ilikemuppets]

Thanks for the interview ButchCat!

[minor muppetz]

Here's a question that I started wondering: Do you still get paid residuals for your work in any Henson productions that get shown on TV or DVD? I am assuming that you did get residuals in the first place (even though you didn't perform voices in many Henson productions). Of course, there aren't very many old Henson-related productions show on TV these days. Even though Disney owns the Muppets, and several of it's own television channels, these days the Muppets are usually only seen in new projects.

[Ilikemuppets]

Wow! I got to get this off my back, he Mentioned my name, how cool is that!:)

[heralde]

I know how you feel! Hehe