Another Interview with Muppeteer Matt Vogel

We're very proud to present a brand new interview with our friend Matt Vogel. Matt has been a great friend to both The Muppet Mindset and Ryan Dosier since the first correspondence which resulted in our first interview with Matt, which came out in two parts. (See Part 1 and Part 2.) And now... please enjoy even more of the very awesome Matt Vogel, as provided by our friend Lucas Ervin!

Another Interview with Matt Vogel

Conducted by Lucas Ervin

 

This is actually my first time getting a chance to interview a Muppet performer, and I'm very pleased that it's Matt Vogel, who is doing quite a bit of work with both Sesame Street and the Muppets. I thought I might take the opportunity to ask him about the 42nd season the Street, how the OK Go video went down, and possibly see if he can give us some tidbits on this fall's The Muppets...

LUCAS:   First of all, thanks for having this chat with me. It's a special privilege for me to be interviewing a Muppeteer who is also originally from Kansas City, which is where I grew up. At what age did you start working with puppets?

MATT:   I first started making and performing puppets when I was about 7 or 8 years old. That was around the time The Muppet Show was on TV and it was a huge inspiration for me.

LUCAS:   I also understand you had done quite a bit of acting as well in Kansas City, and had put puppeteering on the backburner during this time. What took you from KC to NYC?

MATT:   Just to give you a little background... when I was in ninth grade, I started taking acting classes at a place in Kansas City called Theatre for Young America and I really felt at home there. I met a lot of people who were like me, had similar interests. I was in professional shows there before heading off to college to get a BFA in Acting. My best friend in college, Chad Harris, asked me to help him do puppet shows during the summer for money. I did that a couple of times and when I graduated, I moved back to Kansas City and did both acting in theatres there as well as supplementing my income by doing puppet shows for nursery schools and daycare programs. I saved up money to move to New York to be an actor but soon after I got there, I started working for The Jim Henson Company.

LUCAS:   Once you moved to New York, it wasn't long before the people at Sesame Street became interested in your talents as a puppeteer. How did getting hired on at Sesame come about?

MATT:   John Henson had chosen me to be his alternate for a Coca-Cola Polar Bear puppet be went around performing. When he was unavailable, I did the appearances. I made a video in my apartment of my puppeteering and sent it to Renee Rachelle, the performer coordinator at the time. She took me under her wing and got my foot in the door at Sesame. I did the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at first and then wound up on the Street.

LUCAS:   I also understand that you're the puppet assistant captain on Sesame Street. What exactly does that job entail?

MATT:   Being the Assistant Puppet Captain on Sesame Street means that I support Kevin Clash as the Puppet Captain, I'm at Production Meetings helping troubleshoot any puppet issues in a script, and I'm there most shoot days if any last minute problems arise.

LUCAS:   Did you get to work with some of the celebrities who came on to do sketches for the 42nd season of Sesame Street? If so, who?

MATT:   It was a blast working with Jason Schwartzman and David Hyde-Pierce in street stories as well as working with Seth Rogen, Mark Ruffalo, and many others in the vocabulary pieces. It should be said, though, that everyone that comes to Sesame is so excited to be there and really great to work with.

LUCAS:   In recent years, not only have you been performing Big Bird as Caroll Spinney's understudy, but you have also taken up Jerry Nelson's characters from The Muppet Show as well, (Floyd, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, etc.) and have done a terrific job in doing so. What was it like meeting Mr. Nelson for the first time?

MATT:   You know, I can't remember meeting Jerry for the first time. The truth is, I feel like I've known Jerry forever. I've been really fortunate to get to spend time with him away from Sesame and I just love him.

LUCAS:   I read in Ryan Dosier's first interview with you that there are some characters that are easier to perform than others. What are some techniques you use when matching both the voice and personality of the character?

MATT:   For the voice, I have a trigger word or phrase that will help me find where the voice is and for the character—which is the most important thing to me—is to just be in a place of truth for that character, knowing what they want or need, or knowing what drives them, etc.

LUCAS:   One character I've really missed, but is popping up a lot more lately, is Floyd Pepper, who has always been a personal favorite of mine and you really nail his voice and personality. While accepting a Webby Award last year, he helped Animal win a hilarious staring contest against OK Go's Danimal. How did the staring contest come about?

MATT:   If I remember, there was talk for a week or so before the Webby’s that we might do something with OK Go, and on the day of the awards, Eric and I talked through it a couple of times with the band, threw around ideas on how it would go, then we shot it right in the middle of the Webby Awards. It was one continuous take that we did twice, I think. It was so much fun to do that guerilla style.

LUCAS:   Speaking of OK Go, they recently did a cover of "The Muppet Show Theme Song" for The Green Album, as well as shooting a music video with the Muppets themselves, which debuted August 23rd, and fans everywhere just loved it. What was that like?

MATT:   I was a part of that and I'm so excited about the video. Kirk Thatcher did an amazing job directing and I really think it's great. I'm a fan of OK Go and their music and videos so was really thrilled to work with them. It was a two day shoot a couple of weeks ago in L.A. and it was a long shoot. We did the last shot (which is the first shot of the video with Sweetums and the band) around 3AM.

LUCAS:   As you can imagine, many fans--including myself--are incredibly excited for The Muppets to hit theaters this Thanksgiving. When did you first hear that you were going to be making the movie? Also, what’s the first thing you guys as puppeteers have to do when you first start shooting a movie?

MATT:   We'd heard on and off about a movie for a while; maybe early 2009? We did some read-throughs in early 2010 and didn't roll cameras until November. The first thing you have to do when you first start shooting a movie is make sure you get your per diem. No. That's up there, but in terms of the actual filming, it's probably different for everybody but because you shoot out of sequence, it's always helpful to know where your characters are at any point in the film (emotionally, etc.).

LUCAS:   What were some of the most challenging aspects of filming The Muppets?

MATT:   Shooting puppets is always a challenge whether you're shooting them in a studio or out in the real world. A lot of this film was shot on location, so we had to make things work in real environments. It's not always easy when characters have to run or move as a group. There are a lot of guys working below those characters and they take up way more space than the puppets do. We worked really hard at trying to not make it seem like there's a lot of effort involved... that's part of the magic.

LUCAS:   We all saw the Electric Mayhem bus in the movie trailer, and Floyd didn't seem too comfortable in the car 80's Robot was driving. Will we see our characters driving the famous bus? Also, will the band be doing their own musical number in the film?

MATT:   I can't tell you too many details about the movie, but I can say the band has a small bit in a great song that Kermit sings.

LUCAS:   Without giving too much away, can you give us any tidbits on the Moopets and what we can possibly expect from these guys?

MATT:   Without giving anything away that you might not already have guessed from the trailer... if the Muppets are GOOD, the Moopets are... (you fill in the blank). Also, I question the gender of Miss Poogy.

LUCAS:   It looks like Uncle Deadly will be working alongside Chris Cooper in the new movie. I'm guessing, since he is a Jerry Nelson character, you'll be performing him as well. How did bringing him back into the fold for the movie come about?

MATT:   Yes, I’m playing him but I’m not sure if it was Jason Segel or our director, James Bobin, who put him in there. I think they were looking back at The Muppet Show and just loved the look of the puppet and his pretentious attitude.

LUCAS:   Finally, this movie is essentially about The Muppet Show and getting back to the characters' roots. After the movie is released, what do you believe is next for the Muppets?

MATT:   Well, I hope the movie's a success and that leads to more movies and maybe a TV show and more fun internet stuff and everything in between. I grew up as a Muppet fan and I still am so I want to see them everywhere!

LUCAS:   Matt, thank you so much. This is definitely a treat for me, and I'm sure it will be for the other fans on The Muppet Mindset. Here's wishing you luck in all your future endeavors, and I can't wait to see you and all the other Muppeteers this November!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Interview with Legendary Muppeteer Jerry Nelson, Part 4

Ryan Dosier - It is always more than an honor to me when I get the chance to correspond with Muppeteers and ask them questions I've been wanting to ask ever since I found out who the talented men and women were that bring to life my favorite characters. Arguably, Jerry Nelson, whose fourth and final interview segment we're thrilled to post today, is the one who I've had the most questions for. Someone who has been a part of Muppet history almost since the beginning and who has brought life to countless wonderful, memorable, and delightful characters... Jerry is the epitome of Muppeteer and I, personally, and all of us here at The Muppet Mindset are beyond thrilled to welcome you to Part 4 of our interview with Mr. Nelson as we discuss his work on Sesame Street and provide some closing thoughts.


Be sure to read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of our interview with Jerry Nelson.

Interview with Jerry Nelson

Part 4

RYAN:   We’re back once again with Jerry Nelson for the fourth and final part of our interview. Today’s subject is Sesame Street. Jerry, what was the first Sesame Street sketch you worked on?

JERRY:   You don’t really expect me to remember this do you? This happened over forty years ago, my friend. Can you remember every little detail of anything that happened that long ago? Call me up when you are forty-one and tell me what you remember. I may have that in the files, but the colored wheel is spinning and spinning. If it ever pulls the file up I’ll let you know but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. I do remember that we had just finished shooting The Great Santa Claus Switch in Toronto, when Jim asked me if I would like to work on Sesame Street in the second season. I had not worked the first season.

RYAN:   What is it about The Count that makes him one of the only characters you continue to perform?

JERRY:   Well Ryan, counting just never seems to go out of style. I mean it’s not as if they said, "What character would you like to keep doing?" Gush gush, gee, I would like to keep doing the Count until I fall off this mortal coil, please. With diminished physical capacity, I am lucky to be doing anything. I thank Sesame Workshop for letting me continue doing what I love.

RYAN:   In the beginning The Count was a rather frightening, foreboding presence. How did you change a vampire with the power to hypnotize Bert into a charming, passionate, truly awesome character?

JERRY:   I stopped relying on cliché darkness, and allowed the Count’s charming, passionate, truly awesome self to shine through.

RYAN:   The Count has had flings with a few different women (including Susan Sarandon). Can you tell us which one he fancies the most?

JERRY:   Flings indeed! A gentlecount never tells, Ryan. They each had their own charm and beauty.

RYAN:   What are your favorite Count songs?

JERRY:   "The Song of The Count," "Batty Bat," "Counting is Wonderful," "Coconut Counting Man," "Count on Me," "Bones," "Eight Beautiful Notes," "The Count's Lullaby," "I Want to Count," "Zig-Zag Dance," "Transylvania Polka," "The Number of the Day Waltz," "The Lambaba," "I Could Have Counted All Night," "Hands" (been werry good to me), "How Deep is Your Bathtub," "Cloud Nine," "Baby You Can Count on Me," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Little Miss Count Along," just to name a few and last but certainly not least... "Count Von Count's Continuous Country Cookin' Downhome Diner."

RYAN:   Which characters do you think The Count works with the best?

JERRY:   He has just two criteria. They must be either foam and fur fabric or flesh and blood. Other than that he’s not too picky.

RYAN:   What does The Count think of the Twilight craze? Does he enjoy counting the insane teenage girls?

JERRY:   You know the answer to this, Ryan, Count Von Count enjoys counting absolutely everything and anything, he can find or you can name.

RYAN:   Does The Count have a favorite number?

JERRY:   Of course! Doesn’t everyone? 34,969.

RYAN:   Where did the idea for thunder and lightning to accompany The Count’s counting come from?

JERRY:   You would have to ask Norman Stiles that question, I think it was he, or possibly Jon Stone?

RYAN:   The Count has also hobnobbed with a good amount of celebrities on the show. Who were some of your (and his) favorite celebrities to work with?

JERRY:   Harry Belafonte, Madeline Kahn, Whoopi Goldberg, Maya Angelou, Alison Krauss, Susan Sarandon, Jon Stewart, Dave Winfield, Mookie Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, to mention a few.

RYAN:   In recent years you’ve dubbed The Count’s voice while someone else performs him. What are the difficulties that come with this?

JERRY:   Matt Vogel does the puppet work with the Count. Matt worked with me doing right, and often both hands for a long time so he knows the way I work. Of course we rehearse and he can pick up the rhythms of speech from that. Matt is a very talented puppeteer in his own right, so most of the time there are no real difficulties. People often remark about how smoothly it all works.

RYAN:   One of my favorite Sesame Street moments in recent years is the "Outrageous Makeover: Home Addition" sketch with Grover and Mr. Johnson. What was it like to perform this hilariously fun sketch?

JERRY:   It was hilariously fun, Ryan, as they most always are. I can’t think of one that wasn’t and I’m not going to try.

RYAN:   Why does Mr. Johnson keep going back to Charlie’s Restaurant? Is the food really that good?

JERRY:   Would you rather for him to have never gone back? I don’t think so.

RYAN:   Is Grover really a bad waiter/salesman/exercise instructor/airplane steward/etc.? Or is Mr. Johnson just a difficult customer?

JERRY:   It is simply perfect chemistry for teaching and comedy. You’ve got this poor sap who continues to somehow always become saddled with furry, cute, adorable, inept Grover, who through his mistakes repeats the objective lessons, each time frustrating Mr J in (and you know it’s coming) an ever escalating temper, to the point of collapsing. Comedy.

RYAN:   Can you talk to us a little bit about Herry Monster? How was his character developed?

JERRY:   Herry is my tribute to Jimmy ("da nose knows") Durante, who, when I was growing up, was one of my favorite comedians. "Good night Mrs. Calabash, where-ever you are!" Remember to think radio here.

RYAN:   What was it like to work with real kids like John-John? Was John-John still thrilled to see Herry when they were reunited after he had grown up?

JERRY:   Kids can amaze you. John-John certainly did. He was so into it. Many times children are very shy, but they found a few like John-John that were just right there. Hmm, the reunion, I’m not sure "thrilled" is the word I would use here. It was certainly a happy moment for myself, Herry, John-John, his mother and others in the studio.

RYAN:   What are your favorite Herry moments?

JERRY:   The song, "I Can’t Help It," in the course of which, he destroys the Fix-It Shop. By the end of the song the shop is a shambles. The Special Effects Team, get kudos for that one and I had a ball. Scenes like that you rehearse over and over because it’s going to happen for real in only one take.

RYAN:   Whatever happened to Biff and Sully?

JERRY:   Biff is retired and worrying about the economy, social security and medicare. I don’t know for sure, but I heard that Sully is playing piano in a lounge out on City Island.

RYAN:   I know that you really enjoyed Sherlock Hemlock. What were some of your favorite aspects of his character?

JERRY:   He was so totally clueless. It was so much fun to play him unconditionally confident of his complete solution. I liked him best with Watson the dog trying to tell him at each step of the way what the real clues were and Sherlock’s lame restructuring when the truth is revealed.

RYAN:   One of the greatest moments in Season 40 was your cameo alongside Herry, Mr. Johnson, and Sherlock Hemlock. How did that come about?

JERRY:   I was visiting the set with my grandson and it just sort or happened, as I recall. I’m not saying that is what happened, just that is what I recall.

RYAN:   How has Sesame Street changed during your time on the show? How has it remained the same?

JERRY:  Segmentilization. Elmos World, Where’s Ernie. They still do great spoofs, which used to be called "inserts."

RYAN:   What does Sesame Street mean to you?

JERRY:   Do you mean aside from being part of a great career and contributing to children’s education and the uses of what was a new media in my lifetime?

RYAN:   If you had to pick one, what would you say is your favorite Sesame Street moment?

JERRY:   Being on set to hear Ray Charles sing, "It’s Not That Easy Being Green." Being in studio to share 40th Anniversary cake with my family of friends, who are my coworkers. Working with the best in the business. All that and more.

RYAN:   Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

JERRY:   I think you take the N, Q or F train to 36th Street, or is it Avenue? Ask my driver. He knows the way.

RYAN:   What would you like to be remembered for? If you could shape your legacy, what would it be?

JERRY:   Jerry Nelson. He was mostly on time.

RYAN:   Jerry, before we finish, I promised myself that if I ever got the chance I would personally thank you for autographing both a photo of The Count and a picture I drew of you surrounded by your characters for me. They are proudly framed and hanging on my wall. So thank you so much for that, sir.

JERRY:   Is that the one with the cowboy boots? No, that one is Smig’s, which I have on my wall.

RYAN:   Well Jerry, unfortunately those are all of the questions I have. I just have to thank you for everything. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person, for putting music in my heart, and bringing laughter to my life. I’m sure I speak for Muppet fans everywhere when I say that once again I wish I could stand up and applaud you.

JERRY:   Thank you, Ryan. If you think I made you a better person, you were a better person to begin with. You have my permission to applaud me any time you see me.  Thank everyone else for bothering to read these rambles.

We can't thank Jerry Nelson enough for taking the time to talk to us. Jerry is a true treasure... one we're so glad he shared with us throughout the course of this four-part interview. Thank you, Jerry, for all you've done and continue to do!






The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Interview with Muppeteer Michael Earl

Interview with Michael Earl
Conducted by Ryan Dosier

RYAN:   Welcome to The Muppet Mindset, Michael. Thanks a bunch for sitting down to talk with us.

MICHAEL:   It’s my pleasure.

RYAN:   We can read all about your entrance into the world of Muppeteering on Muppet Wiki or your interview on ToughPigs, but I’d like to know how it feels to be a part of such big parts of Muppet history with your roles in The Muppet Movie and the golden age of Sesame Street.

MICHAEL:   It feels humbling.  I was very fortunate to have had such an amazing opportunity, and at such an early age (19).  Who knew that as I watched Sesame Street at age 10 that I’d be on it in nine short years.  Yeah, it was pretty exciting!

RYAN:   You originated the Sesame Street character of Forgetful Jones. What do you think was the most important aspect of that character?

MICHAEL:   He was forgetful and kids forget things.  That’s why he was created. 

RYAN:   You also took over the role of Mr. Snuffleupagus from Jerry Nelson in the late 70’s. What was it like to have to make the character your own after Jerry’s characterization? Did you work more on imitating Jerry’s portrayal or making Snuffy yours?

MICHAEL:   It was intimidating.  I worked very hard on keeping the character like Jerry’s.  I felt it important that there was a consistency to the character...especially for the kids watching.  After awhile, I felt very comfortable in the character and added my own touches.

RYAN:   How was it to play off of Caroll Spinney’s Big Bird while within the enormous Snuffleupagus puppet?

MICHAEL:   Caroll is a very giving performer…and person.  He had been Big Bird for so long that it came naturally to him.  I had to work a little harder.  At that point, Jim Henson’s puppets wee still evolving and were not as refined as they are today. The inside of the Snuffy was a little uncomfortable at the time.  But we had lots of fun acting out the scenes.

RYAN:   Who were some of your favorite fellow Muppeteers to play off of when you worked on Sesame Street?

MICHAEL:   Brian Muehl and I were a good team.  We did a lot of work together. In fact, Jim put us in a room with a camera and monitor the summer we were to start working on Sesame Street.  We were to practice and get better since we both were new.  I taught Brian what I knew about puppetry, and he taught me about acting.  We got some old Bob and Ray scripts from the New York Library and adapted them for Muppets.  We taped them and Jim took the tape home to show to his family.  Years later on the set of Dinosaurs, I asked Brian Henson if he remembered watching that tape as a teen.  He said he did.  I also enjoyed working with Jim, Frank, Jerry, Caroll and Richard, each one was very helpful to me.

RYAN:   At one point you took over Slimey the Worm from Jerry Nelson as well, meaning you performed Snuffy, the largest character on the Street, and Slimey, the smallest. Was this a difficult thing to do or did you appreciate the challenge?

MICHAEL:   No it wasn’t difficult.  Being a puppeteer is basically acting.  You’re just doing it through your hands, or in the case of Snuffy, through your whole body.  I got another chance to perform a body puppet for DreamWorks when I was cast as a motion-capture Shrek for a test film for the movie.  My Snuffy experience paid off.

RYAN:   Eventually you made your exit from Sesame Street as a featured performer. Did this come about from the return of performers from London after The Muppet Show ended? Or was there more to it than that?

MICHAEL:   Yes, they were returning, but there’s more to it than that which I talked about in my ToughPigs interview.  It was time to move on.  I had other goals at that time and my leaving after three seasons was for the best.

RYAN:   Was it, or is it still, difficult to see characters you performed such as Snuffy, Forgetful Jones, and others be performed by other Muppeteers such as Martin Robinson and Richard Hunt?

MICHAEL:   When you put so much of yourself into a character, it becomes hard to see them taking a different direction.   But I understand that each puppeteer has their own way of doing things.

RYAN:   Did you or do you have a personal relationship with either Robinson or Hunt?

MICHAEL:   I didn’t meet Marty till we both were hired onto The Muppets Take Manhattan.  A few years later we both booked an M&M commercial (voice-over) and had a blast working together on that.  He also invited me to the Sesame Street set one day after we worked on the Wildlife PSA’s.  And Richard and I had a nice friendship over the years.  He was the Muppeteer who came to Sesame Street most often, so I have many fond memories of Richard.  We met on the set of The Muppet Movie.  He was older and always wore nice sports shirts.  Because of him, I began wearing sports shirts with jeans. 

RYAN:   After Sesame Street did you still do some freelancing work for the Muppets?

MICHAEL:   Yes, I did Little Muppet Monsters, some wildlife PSA’s, a Target commercial and Dinosaurs.

RYAN:   What was your main career focus after Sesame Street?

MICHAEL:   My main focus right after Sesame Street was acting.  The year after leaving Sesame Street I was a principal in 4 national commercials.  Then I moved to LA and began giving concerts for families, traveling around the country.  It was sort of like Barry Manilow meets Shari Lewis, my concert act, which combined original songs, singing, storytelling and puppetry.  Later I worked for Bob Baker Marionettes and worked on filling out my puppetry resume, working for Sid and Marty Krofft, and on Team America: World Police.  Along the way I was also a puppetry consultant for Universal and Disney.

RYAN:   And now you have an exciting new project involving puppetry in New York and Los Angeles. Can you tell us about this?

MICHAEL:   It’s called Puppet School – Where imagination and creativity meet!  It’s a fun place that I started with my friend and business partner, Roberto Ferreira, one year ago.  We began by renting a casting studio for me to teach in.  Then we moved to our own space across the street in Sherman Oaks, CA, and expended our offices 4 months ago.  We added two more teachers: Christian Anderson who was on Broadway and on tour for four years with Avenue Q; and Derek Lux, who teaches a Professional Puppet Making class at Puppet School.  And we are training our first teacher in New York, Scott Biski.

RYAN:   What are your main goals with Puppet School? Do you see it expanding across the country?

MICHAEL:   Every day after class, the students go home with a big smile.  That’s my goal.  And of course to perpetuate the spread of puppetry.  We have so far taught classes in New York City, Seattle and LA.  And yes, we see it expanding to other cities across the US as the word gets out.

RYAN:   How can those of us interested get involved with Puppet School?

MICHAEL:   As it happens, we have new classes starting in New York August 13th and 14th.  So if you’re on the east coast, come join us!  Also we have Seattle classes happening on September 10th and 11th.  And if you want to join our mailing list to keep informed on classes and events, go to www.puppetschool.com and fill in the form. 

RYAN:   Are you still a Muppet fan? Excited for The Muppets movie this fall?

MICHAEL:   Oh, yes, still a Muppet fan.  I will see everything they produce.  Puppet School is planning on taking a NY and LA field trip to the new Muppet Movie in November, where students and friends can come to the movie with puppets!

RYAN:   Michael, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Are there any final words or thoughts you’d like to leave us with?

MICHAEL:   Jim Henson used to say: “My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.”  And that’s what Puppet School is doing; spreading the love of puppetry!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Interview with Muppeteer Gabriel Velez, Part 3

Interview with Muppeteer Gabriel Velez

Part 3

Conducted by Kevin Williams

KEVIN:   What was it like to meet Jim Henson?

GABRIEL:   Very cool! Jim was a real person in the sense of what he projected on TV as himself was really how he was. A super nice shy man.

There was a time we were doing a Muppet Meeting Film and I had just finished having milk and Oreos with Frank Oz and behind Frank, Jim was sitting down watching a replay of what we just taped, but he couldn't hear it so well because everyone in the room was talking. So Jim got closer to the monitor to listen to the replay, probably about 12 inches from the monitor.

He still couldn't hear the replay, so he got even closer to the monitor and still couldn't hear it because of people talking. He called over his assistant, Rita Marie Peruggi, and Jim in a shy polite whisper voice told her; "Can you tell every one to be quiet?" Rita Marie stood straight up and yelled full blast "SHUT-UP!!!!" Everyone quieted down. Jim wasn't expecting that from her. He sunk into himself in the chair and shied away from that situation to watch his replay. Considering he was the boss, it wasn't in him to tell people to quiet down.

When I was having the milk and Oreos with Frank Oz, I told him how I joined the company, that I wrote him a fan letter and he saw to it that it was put in a future audition file. I was very humble and gracious in my thanks to him. Frank's response: "You're lucky I didn't write back to you and tell you to go f**k yourself." I wasn't expecting that kind of response at all. Frank went on to explain that he was sick and tired of people writing to him asking if they could join the Muppets.

KEVIN:   Other than Jim, what other original Muppeteer would you have liked to spend time with to know better and why?

GABRIEL:   I guess all them. But Richard Hunt was insanely fun. One time Richard told me how much he admired Brian Muehl for being brave enough to leave the Muppets and pursue his own career. He wished he could have done likewise. I was surprised at that because I thought Richard had the ideal job! Thank God he stayed!

One of the things I admire about Richard Hunt was how he delivered dialog, primarily on Sesame Street. The Sesame Street dialog usually isn't funny, but Richard made it funny! Everything out of his mouth became funny. After his death, I could see that of the sketches just didn't seem funny anymore.

One time Richard worked a character on Sesame called Ari, a blind Muppet. He portrayed it very sensitively on the show. He was asked once; "Whatever happened to Ari?" Richard replied; "I don't know, but last time he was seen he was crossing Sesame Street into heavy traffic!"

KEVIN:   Who is your favorite Muppet and why?

GABRIEL:   That would be Rowlf. Just loved him as a kid on the old Jimmy Dean show. As much as I love Rowlf it's one of the few Muppet voices I can't do.

KEVIN:   Which Muppet do you relate to the most, and why?

GABRIEL:   That would be Kermit. He's a down-to-earth dude.

KEVIN:   What was it like the first time you walked onto the Sesame Street set?
GABRIEL:   They've changed studios, but the first time I was on the set, I was told to go through a back door and it was those big green garage type doors next to Hooper's. Just like that, I was "On the Block!"

KEVIN:   Did you share a birdseed sundae with Big Bird at Hooper’s Store?

GABRIEL:   Nope, but the first time I saw the Big Bird costume (stored on a poll) next to his nest, I gave it a hug. It's kind of silly also seeing Spinney walking around only with the Big Bird legs on. Really sweet man the times I met him.

KEVIN:   You also performed Osvaldo the Grouch on the show. Was it easier to assign a voice to Osvaldo then it would be to perform an already established Muppet?

GABRIEL:   Osvaldo was not a well known character so giving him a completely new voice wasn't a concern for the show's producers. I tried to base it on what Spinney had originated, based on the Grouch attitude. It would be nice if they brought Osvaldo back.

KEVIN:   Any fun or funny stories to share from working on the Street?

GABRIEL:   There was a story Richard Hunt told about someone who worked on Sesame who had really bad body odor. Seems Richard didn't know how to approach this person to tell them. And others knew this person stank as well. Someone got the idea if all the cast and crew filled up this person's locker with roll-on deodorant. Richard said that they all watched the next day from far away as this person opened their locker and all these deodorants tumbled out. He said there where so many it would fill a table. No one knew how this person would react, but the person understood and had a good attitude about it and started using deodorant after that.

There was a story Lisa Henson once told me about a lady who auditioned for the Muppets and didn't know what to improvise. Lisa encouraged her to try anything and this lady improvised how much she hated her mother and worked her way into a freaked out mental state and was escorted out. Whew!

Oh! Here's some good Muppet trivia. Jim Henson once told me that Sigourney Weaver, when she was an unknown, auditioned for the Muppets. And I got to meet and share a few emails with Jerry Juhl as well. Positive humor the man had.

KEVIN:   What does it feel like to see a character you originate perform in a show on TV?

GABRIEL:   I always have the same thought... "I could do it better."

KEVIN:   As a Jim Henson Company performer, what values did they instill in you while you worked with them?

GABRIEL:   In a nutshell, before I joined the Henson company I saw the world as black and white... they filled my world with color.

KEVIN:   How do you feel inside when you perform on Sesame Street?

GABRIEL:   Just get in there and do it and all the butterflies are gone

KEVIN:   What were your inspirations and references for creating the personality for Dani in “’A’ is for Asthma?”

GABRIEL:   Developing a voice for a 5-year old wasn't easy and perhaps I didn't succeed with attaining it in the beginning. It got much better when we went on tour. Since I had to sing in this video, I worked on a singing voice first and worked a character voice around it.

KEVIN:   What do you think Dani could add to the show as a regular character today?

GABRIEL:   The obligation/need for caring for another who might need help.  Teaching a child how to get help while maintaining their safety would be a good lesson.

KEVIN:   You have a website where you share your Muppet voices. What other characters/projects other than Muppets would you like to perform (what characters do you like outside of the Henson realm)?

GABRIEL:   I'd like to do cartoon voices someday. I had Dreamworks checking me out sometime back.

KEVIN:   Henson's Place is now on DVD. You have a listing for your part in it on IMDB. Some of it was cut from the DVD. Can you please describe the part of the DVD which was cut?

GABRIEL:   One scene that didn't make the final DVD was a singing improv scene with Jim looking on.  That would have been nice to have seen again.

KEVIN:   You were the Henson's company first Hispanic puppeteer.

GABRIEL:   Yes, Jane Henson did her best to convince the producers of Sesame Street back then the need for a Hispanic Muppet character. I truly believe the producers at the time accepted me on Sesame as a favor to Jane, but it was obvious during that era of Sesame that wasn't a direction the producers were willing to accept with a Muppet. Years down the road, they saw the light and Rosita was created.

But one shouldn't be labeled as a Hispanic puppeteer.  Just as a puppeteer that can get the job done. Hollywood has a history of stereotyping Hispanics, and I have to always continue to open the eyes of Muppet management (and other firms) to give me an equal opportunity. I would love to see Disney's Muppets develop a Spanish character for myself, more humanoid like Scooter. And not just the tasty king prawn Pepe.

KEVIN:   How do you see the future of The Muppets as a whole?

GABRIEL:   The characters will live on I’m sure. Outside of that I have no clue. I’d like to see job stability for all Muppeteers not just the stars of the company. As an occasional Muppeteer I do firmly believe in training. When Jim was alive there was a home base for occasional training. Now it seems you have to know your stuff when you are called in. Clash and Robinson did the right thing having a week long Sesame puppet training session two years ago for about 40 people. It’s great when everyone learns from the pros and from each other. It will make better puppeteers long term. I hope Disney with their large home base starts having Muppet training sessions for Muppeteers by Muppeteers on a semi-regular basis too. I would like to see Steve Whitmire head up a Muppet training workshop. After all when you buy a car you have to keep it tuned.

KEVIN:   Anything else you'd like to add in conclusion?

GABRIEL:   Yes, with every Muppet performance there is a wonderful support staff of people. Also the cameramen on Sesame are true artists on how they work those cameras. They add to the Muppet performance. All those folks do a lot to make the Muppets look good.

The Muppet Mindset would like to thank Gabriel Velez so very much for spending some time being interviewed for us! We appreciate his contribution and friendship! Thanks also to our good friend Kevin Williams for conducting the interview and being extremely supportive and awesome!







The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier