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Here yall go enjoy!
Ask Jim Questions 11/03/2009
1. From Unclematt: James,
Do you ever find yourself having what you think is a brilliant idea and then when you pitch it nobody agrees? If so do you drop the idea or do you try to retool it so that others will also think it is brilliant?
Yes! Not that all of my ideas or even a majority are brilliant, but sometimes I do have what I think is a perfect solution, an exquisite joke, a scintillating idea – and the reaction is “pfffft!” Usually I try to restate it several times, thinking that the presentation was the problem. But when it again meets with an even more resound ‘pffffffft!” I retreat. But I never throw these ideas out. I keep them in the back of my head; new audience, new moment and maybe they’ll be seen for what they are – Brilliant!
Okay, after saying all this, I must add that I am of the “throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks” school. That is, I try not to get so enthralled by one of my own ideas that I can’t/won’t come up with anything else. You didn’t like this? How about this?....or this! Or that! Or the other thing!
2. From togetheragain: Hiya Jim!
First of all, thank you for saying in the last batch of questions that you don't consider the Muppets to be post-modern. I personally associate post-modernism with a class I took on how to think straight while reading the most non-sensical words ever written, which of course claim to be full of bountiful meaning and were written by people who, I swear, got paid by the word... and I'd rather not associate the Muppets with that. If the Muppets are going to give me a headache, there'd better be some good old slapstick involved.
Paid by the word! I can do that! Glad you agree on the whole post-modern dichotomization of inchoate nomenclature whereby entropy prevails yet intuitive regeneration is disdained for its overbearing causative prohibitions. Where’s that dang slapstick! Hit me!
Second, as we're getting into the ever-ominous "that time of semester" at my school... any tips on stress-busting?
Try a shot of seltzer down your pants. Always works for me. Also, realize that whatever seems overwhelming right this minute will be forgotten soon. Live in the moment. And if you can’t do that, sublet the moment and live in the garage.
Third, what is your favorite shoe color?
Two-tone. I am a saddle-shoe guy; weird, I know. Any two colors work.
Fourth, where do you stand on Shakespeare?
Great writer. Fantastic insights into the human condition. But, in my book, he could use more wocka-wocka and a little less talka-talka.
And fifth, how many questions can I ask before it becomes blatantly obvious that I'm procrastinating?
Don’t stop now! I’m procrastinating too!
3. From Minor Muppetz: I know that the UK broadcasts of Muppets Tonight had extra sketches featuring Polly Lobster and Clueless Morgan from Muppet Treasure island. Was there any reason why Mad Monty wasn't brought back for these sketches?
I love those sketches. I can barely remember them, but I love them. They were written with the great Joe Flaherty, a fellow writer on the show, and were inspired by Jackie Gleason’s “Joe The Bartender” sketches, featuring Frank Fontaine (aka Crazy Guggenheim). Everyone thought the pieces were daft, but that’s exactly why I smile just thinking of them. As for Mad Monty: can’t say I recall why he was left out; probably because Jerry Nelson was not available when we shot them.
4. From Dwayne:We are so much a like Jim It seems we have a lot of the same likes. I am wondering what you think about what I call shock humor. The kind of humor that will go anywhere and say anything. kind of like the humor on shows like Family Guy and South Park. A lot of people love that kind of humor, me I like it to a point, but i feel there is always a fine line of what is funny and what is not. How do you feel about that kind of humor?
I’m Statler & Waldorf. I’m all for being over-the-edge, but I have a different idea of where the edge is. And frequently it feels to me like the shock is there in place of the funny, more gasp than guffaw. Finally, if it’s funny, I laugh, but it’s not something I could do or would want to. (Heck, I’m citing Jackie Gleason as a source, so you know how cutting edge I am.)
5. From Frogboy4: Hey Jim. What Dwayne said, kinda. Do you laugh or cringe with some of the Muppet references on the Family Guy (voice recasting jokes, Cookie Monster's habit etc.), the Simpsons (the Muppets Go Medieval), or the numerous other references on edgier shows?
Nah, I don’t cringe. In comedy, brutal savagery is the highest form of flattery…I think.
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Ernest P. World: "Know What I Mean?"
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