The Cap'n's Log

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This week, a new list: Things To Do in the Last Moments of Your Life After You've Noticed Your Parachute Didn't Open.

And speaking of last moments of life, let me break the veil of anonymity for a moment to talk about someone. This is Brodie writing the Cap'n's Log this week. I was a huge fan of The Muppet Show as a boy, and the comedy featured on it was likely an enormous influence on my developing sense of humor. I recently bought the first season on DVD and am relieved and delighted to find that the show is even better than I remember it.

Though I didn't know his name as a kid, Jerry Juhl (as head-writer for most of the show's run) had a lot to do with that. Juhl also wrote for Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street, the various Muppet movies - pretty much if there's a Muppet in something you're watching and it's funny, he had some hand in it. Jim Henson and Frank Oz are household names today in large part because Jerry Juhl wrote material for them that was worthy of their talents.

Jerry Juhl died on Monday from complications due to cancer. May he rest in peace, if that's what he wants. Most likely, though, he'd like an afterlife with a little more action and occasional chaos.

Jerry Juhl and Kermit the Frog

Thanks, Jerry.

Posted by capnslog at September 30, 2005 12:33 AM