I worked on Sesame Street as part of the technical crew doing videotape and video control 1979-85 and remember Richard Hunt very well. Though we never had any direct conversations, he made a big impact on me as I watched him perform on the show. I thought he was one of the most talented, outgoing muppet performers on the show and I was deeply saddened when I heard of his passing. He will always be special to me as the shining star taken from us too soon.

@AvgJane19

2 жыл бұрын

❤

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@AvgJane19 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

@philstrachan

Жыл бұрын

❤

@Spankydoodle

Жыл бұрын

That’s really cool. Did you get to meet Jim?

@SewardWriter

7 ай бұрын

Dude, you helped to build one of the good parts of my childhood. Thank you. 💖

"Gay Muppets? That'll be a fun one to watch while getting ready." *15 minutes later, WEEPING* "I guess I won't be wearing mascara today after all..."

@rotomblack8389

3 жыл бұрын

OMG I started watching this on break at WORK!?!?! I just told everyone I have bad allergies then politely excused myself lol

@rafaelmonroyrojas4240

3 жыл бұрын

Same 🥺😭😭

@JamesChessman

2 жыл бұрын

Really, I was about to watch this video and since I saw your comments about crying, well forget it, I'm not gonna watch it right now!! I don't feel like crying at the moment!!

@zuglymonster

2 жыл бұрын

Same. I'm sitting here bawling now

@NoahSpurrier

2 жыл бұрын

I know,,right? It hurts, but I’m also happy.

Richard Hunt is the unsung hero of the Muppets. It's about time he got the recognition he deserved.

@erikschultz934

3 жыл бұрын

I completely agree. Same should be said about Dave Goelz and the late Jerry Nelson.

@RaymondHng

3 жыл бұрын

@@erikschultz934 Hunt has won four Emmy Awards and two Grammy Awards.

@erikschultz934

3 жыл бұрын

@@RaymondHng I did not know that. Thank you.

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

@@erikschultz934 While I totally agree about Dave's and Jerry's importance, I feel that they at least got a chance to be somewhat better-known due to their survival into the Internet age.

@tyrone42ful

2 жыл бұрын

I thought jim henson was gay as well .. then there was whalan and madam

This video has a special meaning for me. Back in the 70s I shared an apartment for a while with Chuck Gibson, who brought Richard over a few times. I never got to know him all that well, but he was there. Those lines you quoted of "Charles Gibson" meant a lot. Chuck moved to San Francisco about then. I lost track of him. I seriously doubt he's still alive.

@ForrestFox626

3 жыл бұрын

Lucky!

@VeracityLH

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing, George. We never know how we touch the lives of others.

@TyrekeCorrea

2 жыл бұрын

Are you using this identity as a guise?

@gigiduhermoine890

Жыл бұрын

Check out Wikipedia...

@gigiduhermoine890

Жыл бұрын

He died of Aids in 1992. Rip 🙏

I will admit it. I got a little emotional when Frank Oz said "Thanks for helping me understand."

@thebiggestcauldron

Жыл бұрын

I did too!

Literally at this point I can’t see a clip from any Muppet production without wanting to cry. There aren’t a ton of things made with half the love, warmth, and care that Muppet productions have. It warms my heart even in the sad moments.

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@Emma Avery Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

@IlaughedIcried

7 ай бұрын

Same. Exactly.

The Fraggle Rock part about letting go and saying goodbye really hit me, it's not the same thing as Richard was talking about death, but my fiance who I had been with for 10yrs just left me this month and I've been having a very hard time with moving on. This brought me to tears. 💔

@JimmyNails27

3 жыл бұрын

I hope you find your peace.

@Hiiiiiiiiieeee

3 жыл бұрын

Same here. My partner of 7 years and I recently separated. Keeping the good memories and moving on is hard but its for the best. 💕

@blackphillip8486

3 жыл бұрын

@@Hiiiiiiiiieeee I'm sorry to hear that, I've actually been trying meditation and it seems to be helping to ease my mind a bit. I'll take any relief I can get right now.

@blackphillip8486

3 жыл бұрын

@@JimmyNails27 thank you so much. 💜

@euansmith3699

3 жыл бұрын

Jeez, dude, that is heartbreaking. All the very best to you and yours. ❤

Jerry Nelson and Richard lived close to each other, and would hang out on each other's porch having full conversations in "Two headed monster" speech.

@garfreeek

3 жыл бұрын

That's pretty much what my goofy gay heart sees as a perfect couple thing! ♥️😂

@mevb

3 жыл бұрын

They were close friends cuz Nelson was his mentor on Sesame Street and taught him about puppetry. Aside from The Two-Headed Monster they played together as Floyd Pepper and Janice, who were (and still are) in a relationship, Robin and Sweetums in The Frog Prince and in the Muppet Show sketch Two Lost Souls, among others. Nelson took over the role of Statler after Hunt's death until he died himself (though Nelson did Statler in Sex and Violence). Though they were close friends, they weren't together as Nelson was married and had a daughter (who sadly passed away in 1982 due to cystic fibrosis, she cameos with her dad in The Great Muppet Caper).

@garfreeek

3 жыл бұрын

@@alexmollon933 I'll practice our Muppet audition next Saturday! 🤣

@johnshoemakerpbc

2 жыл бұрын

I bet that was amazing to see!!!!

@Fan-zy5me

2 жыл бұрын

I also heard they regularly toked up together. Even before taping segments for sesame street. Does that make them bad guys? Fuck no

It was an honor to have helped with this video. Thank you for giving Richard the love he deserves ❤️

@AvgJane19

2 жыл бұрын

❤

@miralcalugcugan7960

2 жыл бұрын

I long pressed the like button thinking it'll pop the heart react *facepalm*

@misterartist1603

2 жыл бұрын

DUDE YOU'RE BI???

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@misterartist1603 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@miralcalugcugan7960 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

i cried watching this. there’s just something so reassuring about a classic, widely-beloved tv show being so accepting and open minded so ahead of its time, even if just mostly behind the scenes.

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@em Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

Damn... why am I crying over some clips from shows I didn't watch as a kid? RIP Mudwell.

@brandonjustis

3 жыл бұрын

same. the fraggle rock clip teared me up, and it stayed that way from jim henson's memorial to the wink at the end. goddamn this is a good video.

@caloiboi

3 жыл бұрын

Currently sobbing & I don't know if I'm just projecting but it looks like Matt was fighting back tears too.

@stupidass69420

3 жыл бұрын

Fraggle rock’s amazing if you plan on watching it!

@rotomblack8389

3 жыл бұрын

OMG I was NOT prepared for this video! I grew up in the 80's the muppets, Fraggles and sesame st were instrumental and formative to who I am as an adult.. I am currently aggressively weeping

@josephyn89

3 жыл бұрын

same here

I've been saying for years that Statler and Waldorf are just two old queens who just like to throw shade.

@gingerkid1048

3 жыл бұрын

So Bianca Del Rio and Lady Bunny?

@wendymccoy1093

3 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah!

@jdwinks40

3 жыл бұрын

Myself and my husband in any situation where we are people watching in public magically turn into them lol

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

And Waldorf’s wife is Statler in drag!

@creepyspookyicky

3 жыл бұрын

@@gingerkid1048 completely! But Bunny's legs are better lol

I'm not gay myself, but I have plenty of gay and trans people in my life who are important to me. Your channel really helps me to understand the world many of my friends inhabit and the culture that surrounds them (and all of us). You're doing a great job with these. They're really well produced, too!

Re: Bert and Ernie. I can respect when a straight man says he doesn't feel he can authentically play a gay character or he doesn't want to create a token gay character just to pander to a group. That said, the way around that is to educate yourself on gay life/hire a gay person to do it, and create a gay character that isn't a token but an actual important part of the show.

@CPTDoom

3 жыл бұрын

I saw the special where the CTW executive apologized for denying the possibility they could be gay, and it was incredibly meaningful.

@curtismartin2866

3 жыл бұрын

I was on that Twitter thread!

@TheSongwritingCat

2 жыл бұрын

YMMV. Personally, I think queer readings can be valid and interesting but I don't like insisting that characters that are not canonically gay secretly are and pushing for that acknowledgement by the creators. I think it can be messy. However, while the best option is creating a new character, as new actors take on roles in long-running stories, why not let the characters evolve into a "new version" of the character? If you can do it with James Bond and Doctor Who, why not Bert and Ernie?

@nathanfeatherstone9807

2 жыл бұрын

the amount of rules gays have for how everyone should act is unreal

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@curtismartin2866 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

“Here he is in a sauna with a pig trying to get into his armpits” just became this channel’s beating heart

@HellaGood1999

3 жыл бұрын

I mean... who hasn't had that happen once or twice... or more

@mrpoohbearlvr

3 жыл бұрын

Past days at the baths. 😋😋

@LucianCorrvinus

3 жыл бұрын

Huh...sounds like my Thursday nights....

@stupidass69420

3 жыл бұрын

that’s the glue holding this world together

@euansmith3699

3 жыл бұрын

I felt that was meeting a world-famous ballet dancer and being told by them, "I bet you love to suck 🐓."

And then there's “Bein' Green,” that simple little tune sung by a cute frog, that's also one of the most powerful anthems of radical self-acceptance I've ever heard. I know the most obvious interpretation is about skin color, but it's so much more universal than that. For “green,” substitute gay, trans, disabled, lesbian, neurodivergent, intersex, nonbinary, different in some way I don't even understand yet, etc... but that's what I am and it'll do fine. It's beautiful, and I think it's what I want to be. What struggling person doesn't need to hear that until they start believing it?

@creepyspookyicky

3 жыл бұрын

& RAINBOW CONNECTION?!?! It's not even subtle. I love it. ❣️

@amandagardner565

2 жыл бұрын

20 years ago i stumbled across a very interesting personal account of someone describing the religious & social persecution they had endured while growing up at school and socially. the kicker was the last line where the writer explained they were LEFT HANDED. only when EVERYONES rights are protected will EVRERYONES rights be protected. trans lesbian and born in 1967, no 10 of 14 children to an extremely religious catholic mother. i have an older sister who regularly got the cane by the nuns at school if she was seen writing left handed, or homework was slanted the wrong way.

@amandagardner565

2 жыл бұрын

@@creepyspookyicky rainbow connection is very much in the top 100 songs for me.

@doubletrouble5448

2 жыл бұрын

@@2up3rm4n1 yeah you can substitute it with anything you want it’s about self acceptance

@amb600cd0

2 жыл бұрын

@@amandagardner565 i think that guy needed his lefts protected

I watched a recording of Jim Henson's memorial. It was sad. But at the same time, one of the most uplifting and optimistic things I've ever watched.

I would just like to add: There is a moment in Muppets: Wizard of Oz where the Muppets travelling with Dorothy refer to themselves as "Friends of Dorothy." The Muppets straight up told everyone they were gay.

@LazyWaterZ-YT

2 жыл бұрын

how?..... im seeing no connect. but if you aint serious ill do this r/whooooosh

@renhousley1649

2 жыл бұрын

Did you know that people used the passcode "are you a friend of drorthy " to get into stonewall

@LazyWaterZ-YT

2 жыл бұрын

@@renhousley1649 i did not know that

@kiahmadison8541

2 жыл бұрын

@@LazyWaterZ-YT I'm surprised you don't see the connection.. Friend of Dorothy is one of the most common LGBTI code words/phrases for someone being gay or lesbian.

@kittyprydekissme

2 жыл бұрын

I recently read an article about the US Navy and their attempts to hunt down and expell Gay sailors in the 1970s. If the article was correct, the Navy actually spent more than a decade trying to find Dorothy. They'd learned that Gay people were using the phrase to identify each other, and they just assumed that some woman known as Dorothy was arranging meet-ups for Gay guys all over the country. They supposedly spent years trying to track her down and get her list of all the Gay servicemen. They never found her. Should've just followed the Yellow Brick Road.

What a loving tribute to Richard Hunt. I had no idea about so much of this history. Can't fully explain why but I'm crying over here, and there ain't an onion in sight.

Statler having had a fling with Lionel Barrymore is my newest favorite thing.

Lol ngl this is kinda ironic because so many homophobes say they don't want gays to influence their children, and yet they let their kids watch The Muppets which was practically co-founded/heavily influenced by a gay man 💀 It's kind of random, but this thought just came to me right now

@RariettyC

3 жыл бұрын

Just like the homophobic parents who idealize Disney movies despite Howard Ashman being a key reason why modern Disney is modern Disney 💀

@stupidass69420

3 жыл бұрын

Omg ikr!

@andywinslow9638

3 жыл бұрын

@@RariettyC Is he gay?

@rattyeely

3 жыл бұрын

@@andywinslow9638 yes, I believe this channel actually has a video on him

@andywinslow9638

3 жыл бұрын

@@rattyeely cool. I love him even more now

This channel is such a valuable source of queer history and so many episodes make me cry 😭

@donaldewert2332

2 жыл бұрын

I wish the word queer would die!!!

@nathanfeatherstone9807

2 жыл бұрын

you should be less beta

@missm2925

2 жыл бұрын

@@donaldewert2332 it’s a reclaimed word and a word to be proud of.

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@nathanfeatherstone9807 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@missm2925 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

I feel like the Muppets have a special connection for anyone who feels like an outsider. Sometimes people relate to them because they're a bunch of misfits who work together and become like a family.

The characters evolve in our minds, and on some level people always joked kindly that Bert and Ernie were "two guys that lived together"

@LucianCorrvinus

3 жыл бұрын

A relationship is a relationship is a rekatuonship....

@atanvardecunambiel8917

2 жыл бұрын

oh my god they were roommates…

@JamesChessman

2 жыл бұрын

@@atanvardecunambiel8917 And bedmates. ;) Literally, in the older shows they shared a big bed. It changed to two beds in the same room later on!!

@LucianCorrvinus

2 жыл бұрын

@@JamesChessman what's REALLY funny...is that sharing a bed and was a regular thing in the 70s for people of color and in the poorer class. So for a big demographic it is familiar for two guys to have to share a bed...

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@LucianCorrvinus Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

I've always said Miss Piggy was Fran Oz's drag persona.

@happiestplace3754

3 жыл бұрын

Richard Hunt was actually the first Miss Piggy in season 1 of the Muppet Show.

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

True, but her character only really started to develop after Frank took her over full time.

@happiestplace3754

3 жыл бұрын

@@ttintagel considering what a major star her character became and so important to the Muppets, it's funny to think what a throw-away character she was in season 1, with no real name and not a consistent performer playing her. Most people don't even know that.

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

I LOVE that one time she has both Richard’s and Frank’s voices in the same sketch!!

@markwilliams2620

3 жыл бұрын

I thought it was Yoda.

It's not like I needed more reasons to love the Muppets, but here we are.

@euansmith3699

3 жыл бұрын

They were sensational, inspirational, celebrational, and Muppetational.

@JamesChessman

2 жыл бұрын

@@euansmith3699 Woah I didn't know that was the last word in the song lol!!

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@JamesChessman Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@euansmith3699 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@RAE M Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

The timing of this is so uncanny. Just last night I rewatched one of my favorite Christmas movies, _Trading Places_ I wanted to know who the young trader who worked for the Duke Brothers. Then I see your video and I immediately recognized him as that guy! Thank you for doing a deep dive on this unspoken artist.

@hestiathena4917

3 жыл бұрын

Holy crap! I knew Frank Oz had a cameo in that film, but I never had a clue Hunt was the Dukes' guy on the trade floor. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I see it!

@RosieTheMushrum

2 жыл бұрын

I REALIZED THAT TOO HOW CRAZY

@dreadlegend7365

2 жыл бұрын

I knew he was on some movie i watched!

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@dreadlegend7365 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@RosieTheMushrum Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

I'm absolutely bawling. Scooter was always my favourite as a kid and knowing the actor behind him was such a loving bright soul makes him so much better.

The mudwell clip makes me cry

I didn't watch a whole lot of Muppets growing up, but this video still has me crying hearing them all singing.

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

I watch that video from Jim Henson‘s memorial every time I need a good cry.

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@ttintagel Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

why does this channel always make videos JUST as i'm thinking about the very thing thats the subject of the new video....currently working on an essay about how the muppet show is inherently queer in its form and characters and im gonna reference richard hunt bc he's such an incredible piece of the muppet world...i think there's a very lovely and also extremely heartbreaking anecdote about him in "gay new york" (i THINK that's the title?) about him & his ex partner...also the rudolph nureyev anecdote is in there too....absolutely go off i know so much about queer history just from watching this channel, your work is amazing!!! thank you matt baume!

@jaida4547

3 жыл бұрын

It's on The Agenda, ofc we are all thinking about stuff at the same time /j

@bmas44

3 жыл бұрын

I kinda wana read it 😮

Looking forward to this. Richard Hunt's performances are as important to the success of The Muppets as Jim & Frank.

matt: "charles aznavour, who you've probably never heard of" me, a french speaker: how dare you sir!!!

@phoenixfritzinger9185

3 жыл бұрын

I know him from anime He’s a really big deal in anime

@neivilde.1242

3 жыл бұрын

@@phoenixfritzinger9185 how????

@phoenixfritzinger9185

3 жыл бұрын

@@neivilde.1242 he kinda inspired the name Char Aznabul in Gundam You could actually do a culture cruise episode on Gundam, and I’m talking about the original one from 1979 where Char is from not Wing (which was the first breakthrough of popularity in America and was the one where the pilots looked like a boy band) He’s half of two of the most popular slash ships in early Japanese fandom history, like people still primarily used zines to talk about fandom early

@NichtcrawlerX

3 жыл бұрын

Even as a non-French person I felt insulted.

@ToruKun1

3 жыл бұрын

@@phoenixfritzinger9185 Too true, Char/Amuro was like the Japanese equivalent of Kirk/Spock

I always thought that the original Muppet performers were a motley crew: each of them having incredibly unique story, with a relationship of building off of and working with each other. Every one of them has a special place in my heart, but it was good to know this great stuff about Richard Hunt. Probably the one of the original batch of performers I knew least about. Thanks for this wonderful video on an underrated Muppet performer.

Yes! This video is wonderful. I’m so glad the Muppets are finally being seen as part of queer culture. Many of those gay jokes went over my head but it makes so much sense! The Muppets impacted me more than any for of entertainment.

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

Muppet humor is on SOOO many levels.

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@ttintagel Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

Man, I didn't realize how open all of Henson's creations were. This made me cry so flipping hard, man. I used to be weirded out by homosexuality, but as I grew and matured, it's just a part of life. Forget the sexual orientation of any of these people or characters, and just look at the lessons about loving the people that mean the most to you. Live and love with all you are, because tomorrow isn't guaranteed. God bless and love you for celebrating these creative geniuses. All the best to you and yours, sir.

@Kenobi624

Жыл бұрын

Skye, my spouse has been an active fan of all of Henson's creations since they were born (ironically the day after Jim Henson's death) and I am realizing more and more how much these characters mean to them, how openly queer they were and helping them find out more about their sexuality and gender.

This is great! We are working on a special episode celebrating Richard Hunt. We have a bunch of interview clips with the performers who worked with him.

@MattBaume

3 жыл бұрын

Oh that's so exciting! Can't wait to watch.

@AnimeGames16

2 жыл бұрын

Love the Puppet Tears podcast and that sounds very exciting! Would have been fitting to put it out on the 17th though as that would have been Richard's 70th birthday.

@PuppetNerd

2 жыл бұрын

@@AnimeGames16 Thanks! Oh it's going to take a while to put it together. These things take time. We have some unseen footage from the podcast and some still yet to be filmed. Stay tuned!

@megelizabeth9492

8 ай бұрын

Have you gotten around to making this yet?

i cannot even describe how happy i am to see a video about richard hunt getting such wide exposure, his contributions to the muppets both on-screen and off-screen are immeasurable but never acknowledged. i think this video did a fantastic job getting that across in under 20 minutes also, shout out to j max stein!! i've been following the progress of the biography on the blog since i was in high school, im in my mid-20s now and it's still the best resource for so many delightful interviews and anecdotes about richard, i highly recommend anyone learning about him for the first time from this video to check it out!!!!

I’ll be honest, I somehow never knew that Vincent Price was gay

@unoriginaluid

3 жыл бұрын

He was married to women three times. He was an ally and accepted his daughter's orientation. But I haven't seen any evidence that he was gay.

@somecathchick

3 жыл бұрын

@@unoriginaluid His daughter claims that he was bisexual, along with his third wife.

@lumberingdinosaur9108

3 жыл бұрын

The inclusion of Vincet Price feels... off. His daughter claimed both Vincent and his wife Coral were bi after their deaths. I don't know how I feel about family members outing their loved ones since those individuals chose not to disclose that information publicly, having someone else out them regardless feels disrespectful. Whether Vincent and his wife was or not, he was definitely an ally.

@creepyspookyicky

3 жыл бұрын

He was bisexual!! ❣️

I’m weeping over Mudwell. That story meant so much to me. I was a sensitive child obsessed with death and anxious and fearful. Mudwell helped teach me a lesson I’m still practicing and learning and relearning today.

Beaker and Dr Bunsen were a couple? I bet they had the freakiest toys. I mean plug-into-the-mains freaky.

@Hojotoho.Yall504

3 жыл бұрын

Not to mention that milking machine

@FatNorthernBigot

3 жыл бұрын

@@Hojotoho.Yall504 that would make steam gush from Beaker's ears 🤣

@visualthinking

3 жыл бұрын

"Plug-into-the-mains freaky" = 🏆

@vi0let831

3 жыл бұрын

Oh god 💀

@joshuayeager3686

3 жыл бұрын

The brainiacs are always the kinkiest

This video had me in tears at points. Luckily, I have an apartment full of Elmos, Cookie Monsters and more to put a smile back on my face.

For some reason teared up at that Frank Oz quote near the end.

I got chills. Hearing my name from one of my favorite KZreadrs 😅😅😅

This video among others you’ve posted have meant so much to me because it shows me how all through my childhood I’ve had queer story tellers helping me be more kind, creative, and aware of my world- all before I even knew about who I was inside. ❤️❤️❤️

Matt, you are a true and absolute gift to this world, this platform, and my life. Thanks you for bringing all of the queer influences I didn’t know were in my life. I weep at every video you make. You have a true gift. I can’t wait to someday have the expendable cash to support you on patreon and see all the extra videos.

I'm not crying, you're crying... Okay, yeah, I'm crying. OG Muppet stuff just gets to me. And ditto on Fraggle Rock. It was such a huge part of my childhood. One of the best things about the way Henson and CTW made kids programs was that they embraced real and difficult things in a way that made sense to kids. If there is a single television moment I remember from my childhood, it was Mr Hooper's death on Sesame Street. I was a little too young to remember the initial broadcast, but episodes with Mr Hooper were still on air regularly in the few years that followed and I vividly remember Big Bird in that particular episode. Sad Wembly is pretty sad, but there is no sad like sad Big Bird. Sad Big Bird is the saddest thing I can imagine. It was a brave choice the studio made in directly addressing the issue, rather than simply replacing the actor or giving an off screen departure to the character. I know it wasn't the done thing at the time. And I still get teary eyed (okay properly crying) when I remember it, but it was definitely the right thing. They treated kids as real and complete people in their own right, and that's why we loved their shows.

@rotomblack8389

3 жыл бұрын

If you haven't yet, please check out the 6 part series DefunctTv did on Jim Henson's body of work here on youtube.. I think you would really enjoy them; They are so amazing and entertaining oh and *Bring Kleenex* I went through a full box! xo

The story behind “Just a Dream Away” has me screambawling at work, thanks. I love it.

Soooooo excited for this video, I think it’s time we fully cement the muppets as a part of gay culture lol.

@simonkisielewski3327

3 жыл бұрын

Jotaro will be surely confused after seeing his daughter here Xd

@JamesChessman

2 жыл бұрын

I agree but unfortunately your comment makes gay culture sound like an alien blob who is consuming everything and it's becoming cemented as part of itself!!

@eduardochavacano

2 жыл бұрын

are you serious? Involuntary Celibacy can be hard, but please dont become a terrorist. Why must gay culture sound like its something that came from Uranus? Why the desperation. Madonna is 63 and still rules the Pop Universe, at least outside America where her gaydiance is celebrated in places like Fiji, Malawi, Uruguay, Krygystan, and Iran. So calm those tits, gay marriage will soon be legalized in more places including China. If you dont piss off the Chinese by calling everything a gay iconography. Oops, You were just being sarcastic.

Thanks again Matt, you’ve made yet another video that absolutely broke me. The legacy of Richard and his characters is one that shouldn’t ever be forgotten. Fraggle Rock still holds a very special place in my heart and Mudwell’s story is easily one of the most profound moments in the series. It’s so nice to have a closer look into the life of the man behind such an important part of my childhood. Again, thank you so much 💗

That was so fun, though I did shed some tears, lots of good memories watching those shows!! Makes me want to curl up and watch them for an afternoon, with a bowl of sugar cereal, or grilled cheese and ketchup! Nostalgia ;)

Some people get excited when a new Marvel movie comes out.. I get excited when a new Matt Baume video comes out. Keep doing what you do so well.. and if you ever find yourself in Philadelphia, let me buy you a beer.. thank you for making my whole day!

Omg. The Mudwell Fraggle episode. It makes me cry even now. Holy shit.

I have met Mr. Hunt when he was doing a production for MTV and he stayed at my hotel in New York. Including others like Steve and Mrs. Butterworth to name a few but I was amazed to meet a lot of the people that shaped my childhood and I thanked them over and over again.

Thankyou for making this film about the wonderful Richard Hunt. Something that you didn’t mention was that Richard used to hang out and chat with the crew who were working on The Muppet Show. If he found out that someone on the crew had kids, he would encourage them to bring their kids in to watch the show being filmed, and then after the show he would meet with them, show off the Muppets and do a little private performance for them. My Dad was a scenic carpenter who worked on the show at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England, back in the 70s. He worked on The Muppet Show (he built Rowlf’s piano amongst other things), and so I was one of the kids invited to see the show and meet The Muppets and Richard Hunt. I actually got to go twice, and saw the Petula Clarke and Roger Moore episodes being filmed. Richard did Scooter and Beaker and Rizzo Rat for me, but the thing that stands out most for me now was when he did Miss Piggy. He used to share Miss Piggy with Frank Oz on sketches like Veterinarians Hospital. I remember my meeting with Miss Piggy going something like this… “Oh hey, hiya handsome!” Then as an aside to my Dad “Is he rich?” Must have made quite an impression on me. I can remember everything so clearly despite this being over forty years ago and I was probably only eight or nine at the time. I was extremely saddened to hear of Richards passing. Thankyou for giving me an idea of how this beautiful man lived.

I just wanted to say how constantly insightful and well laid out your essays are. You're one of my favourite creators on this site and I always love to see a new video in my notifications!

What a beautiful, loving tribute. It brought tears to my eyes. I didn't know who Richard Hunt was until recently but I've learned quite a bit about him since I started rewatching "Fraggle Rock." His was a light and a talent extinguished far too soon, but as long as his work keeps bringing joy to new generations, he's never really gone. By the way, I'd be remiss not to mention another of my favorite characters of his... Don Music! "I'LL NEVER GET IT! NEVER!!!!" The Trash Heap Has Spoken! NYAAAH! (That line was his idea, by the way.)

This video sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions I wasn't ready for. The quality of your content is always great, but I can tell how thoughtfully crafted this one is in particular.

I did not expect to be crying happy tears at the end of this. I'd like to think that he died without regrets though so few knew his name. His legacy was perhaps greater that of many performers who are more widely celebrated, for he helped create enduring, iconic characters and left a behind a legacy of love, acceptance, and laughter that touched the hearts of people who truly needed it.

omg I seriously LOVED that cow and Janice! Plus one half of Statler and Waldorf? Some of the most iconic characters in my eyes!

I never knew Richard Hunt was gay…that’s awesome! Also, didn’t know Vincent Price was gay either haha

@creepyspookyicky

3 жыл бұрын

Vincent Price was bisexual!!! ❣️

@haileyshannon7548

3 жыл бұрын

@@creepyspookyicky He had a wife and a daughter!

@creepyspookyicky

3 жыл бұрын

@@haileyshannon7548 so does my bisexual husband LOL. I'm also bisexual as well. Love & attraction are incredibly versatile!! :)

@oliverbrownlow5615

2 жыл бұрын

@@haileyshannon7548 And Oscar Wilde was married to a woman and had two children.

@silyknow

2 жыл бұрын

@@haileyshannon7548 … you’re aware that bisexual people can be in straight relationships and it doesn’t make them any less bisexual right???

I don't know why but this one really hit me hard. Such a good piece.

@Osammar100

3 жыл бұрын

Me too.

@creepyspookyicky

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe I'm hormonal today but I started tearing up & sniffling at the thumbnail. The Muppets mean so much to me even now that I'm 52. I literally grew up on them. 😻

You released this video with miraculous timing, I just recently started watching The Muppet Show! All of the performers are so talented and deserve to be recognized for their work as well as their lives. Thank you for highlighting Richard Hunt as both an often overlooked piece of Muppet history and as a gay icon!

Richard Hunt (Scooter) and John Denver presented one of the finest duets in television history when they performed "The Peace Carol" on the "Christmas Together" special.

Fraggle Rock was just about the only piece of Henson media I did not watch when I was a kid- this clip you shared is absolutely heart rending. It was brought to my attention this year that Jim Henson himself may have been in the closet, which is something I'd never considered before.

Who's peeling onions in here? Is that you Beaker???? Thanks, Matt, that was truly a great vid.

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

Und nuo ve-a peel zee-a ouniuns. Bork Bork Bork!

Thank you so much for posting this! And thanks to Stein for supporting Hunt, a giant of a performer and a gift to the world 🥰

I never watched any of these shows as a kid but you brought me to tears over this story I'd never known.

Awww man. Here I am sitting in my car sobbing and I start a new job in 20 minutes. LOL Great work, Matt.

I love Matt's videos, and perhaps it's bc the Muppets had a huge impact on me more than other shows talked about here... But this episode felt uniquely personal, compassionate, and touching. Keep up the great work, Matt!

I LOVE this & CANNOT wait for Stein's Biography!

This episode was so cathartic and loving and wonderful. Thank you so much!

Damn, that Fraggle Rock storyline synopsis made me cry. Idk how I would handle actually watching it. 🥺 PS. Thanks for correcting the subtitles!

This is the Video that made me subscribe with a smile. Matt, I really believe you should expand this work to a full documentary. The writing structure of your narration as well as your visual storytelling are incredible. If you ever need help with a project I'd be proud to be a part of it. From one artist to another 👏

Hi Matt! I've only seen a few of your videos, But the Hope and optimism that radiates from you is almost intoxicating. I haven't left one of videos without smiling or being inspirited to create. You are doing good work. Please don't ever let someone dampen the light within you, because the world needs more people like you.

What a great way to honor Jim Henson’s and Richard’s memories. Thank you for this wonderful story!

What a beautiful piece of work. There were time that I teared up. Thank you.

I came here for cute happy muppets, not to have my heart broken by a tragic love story!! (For real though, the muppets were magnificent and I love that it's so inclusive)

@wickedsistah4703

3 жыл бұрын

Shakespeare: *Writes one of the most tragic love stories in all of literature history* God when he made Richard Hunt: Hold my beer… Who knew the life of a guy who helped to make millions of people happy would end so tragically? At least he (hopefully) died peacefully surrounded by people who loved and accepted him

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@wickedsistah4703 Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

Currently sobbing. Thanks for the incredible content Matt!

Most recently, Disney Channel’s Muppet Babies had Gonzo attend the group’s fairy tale ball in a Princess dress. He was told he had to dress as a knight because that’s how the boys dress for it, but Rizzo gave him a Cinderella style dress. By the end his friends apologize for telling him how to dress when he just wanted to be himself. It’s beautiful and very touching.

This story of Richard was so touching. I’m glad he had such a huge effect on my childhood without most people’s knowledge. ❤️

As a man who grew up in the 80’s and loves all of Jim Henson’s creations; Oh this looks charming,.... 12 minutes later *frantically scrambling for the Kleenex box as I am ugly crying*

Such a touching video. Thanks Matt. So many moments made me cry and i could tell you were tearing up as well.

Another remarkable narrative... so well researched, constructed, and edited.

Such a great history lesson. I've loved the Muppets since I was a kid but more recently have gotten into the behind the scenes stuff and this was great to learn. Thanks for the well informed research and for making me tear up.

So, when are we going to get a Richard Hunt biopic starring Sacha Baron Cohen?

@PhoenixRising87

3 жыл бұрын

Someone needs to kickstart the hell out of that.

@stupidass69420

3 жыл бұрын

WAIT YES.

@500TurtlesFilm

3 жыл бұрын

Ah, SBC would be great. But Richard Hunt in a biopic should be played by a gay actor. Would be inauthentic otherwise.

Wow, I didn’t think I would cry when I clicked on this video but here I am, sobbing. Excellent job on this video, thoroughly enjoyed it. ❤

The entire video brought a smile to my face and made me appreciate Jim Henson and his group's work even more, I've only been a Muppets/Fraggle rock fan for a year but I do want to say that all this amazing representation is great to see and know of. These shows and movies have brought so many happy memories to others over decades and such and it for sure made me smile. Thank you. :)

When all the muppets come together to sung Just one person at the memorial if gets me in the feels everytime. Really was a beautiful moment..🥲

Every single one of your videos makes me cry. It is so beautiful how you do your part to recognize such amazing queer people, especially ones I hadn't known about and were such major parts of things so close to my heart. Thank you for sharing Richard's story.

Your pieces are always sweet and funny and informative. This was probably my favorite. My heart is happy but my eyes are sad. Thank you!

Great video, Matt. So lovely to see more of Richard and his characters.

Thank you so much for this video. I was the odd child that knew the Muppeteers' names at eight years old. They were my idols. Now, as a gay adult, I not only appreciate the profound effect each of them had in pop culture, but I also recognize what a profound loss it must have been to lose the core member that was openly gay in a difficult time to be one - there was so much homophobia during the earliest days of AIDS. Richard Hunt's voice has seemingly been the one most difficult to replicate in the characters he brought to life; none of them work quite as well since his passing. Sadly, the man underneath them will never be as widely known as those pieces of foam and fabric, but this tribute is a good start.

What an absolutely wonderful tribute. Very nicely done and so touching. Thank you Thank you Thank you. The Muppets were a big part of my tv life growing up and certainly shaped my sense of humour. To know now that there was a powerful gay man behind the masks is just icing on the cake.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful biography. You brought tears to my eyes. There was so much magic behind the scenes and it was cool to peek in that window and find people like me.

This has to be one of the best videos I've seen in a long time. Richard Hunt was and still is a global treasure. Definitely one of the core people that make up the heart and soul of the Muppets. So nice to see this amazing tribute to him. :) I knew some of the history around Richard already but I'd never heard the story behind that Fraggle Rock episode with Mudwell. Knowing the true motivations behind that just elevates it to a whole new level of excellence. Thank you so much for giving us a great look back at the life of a true artist! :)

I found a t.v. pilot of a show called "Puppetman" that Richard Hunt was in. It was about two guys who were local children's show puppeteers. It seemed pretty interesting. Sorry that it never got made. It's so rare that we actually got to see his face as a performer. Could have been cool. I miss hearing his voice. He voiced some of my favorite characters growing up like Scooter, Forgetful Jones, Bert's nephew Brad, and Gladys the Cow. I miss all of the original muppeteer voices in general. You can blatantly hear the vocal differences of the new muppeteers, and it's just not the same.

@ttintagel

3 жыл бұрын

Forgetful Jones is possibly my favorite of the Sesame Street Muppets. Whenever I forget something (which happens more and more these days), I hear Richard's voice in my head saying, "Oh! Ah fergot!"

12:00 talk about professionalism, performing that without breaking up. I got choked up from all these decades away, and in the luxury of the love of my life sleeping nearby. No way could I perform that song in such grief. Mad respect to both of them.

@suzbone

2 жыл бұрын

14:10 whelp that's it, i'm down for the count 😭

@UnicornFairy42

Жыл бұрын

@@suzbone Have you ever seen Jim Henson’s Animal Jam?

had to pause around 14:45 because i literally burst into tears when you said that frank oz and the other muppets performers stayed at richard's side during his final days. i already can't think about jim henson or the muppets too long without crying, but richard hunt-and that episode from fraggle rock, one of my favorite shows now even as a 20-year-old-holds such a special place in my heart. thank you so much for this; i'm happy to see him finally getting the recognition and the full-length biography that he deserves.

Thank you for this. This is my most favorite episode of your show. I struggle with clinical depression and PTSD due to severe abuse I've survived.... The Muppets were some of my few happy memories during that time.... and they helped me stay a caring person instead of going dead inside like a lot of people do who struggle with depression.... They kept me alive ... and showed it was ok for me to be who I am .... I didn't need to be the person my dad expected me to be. (He would turn over in his grave if he knew I was a bisexual.... And an artist) He was as conservative as they get. Anyway.... Thank you so much ❤️