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This is incredible.

Do you like felt and opinions? Lucky you!

Okay, guys. It's time to address the Sweetums in the room. Yes, I saw it. I saw The Muppets. I've put off posting my feelings on it for a few days, but I think if I talk any more about it with Tom, he's going to divorce me. Homeboy is patient, but love has its limits.

Here are the pros:

1) I'm really glad it got made. I say the more Muppets the merrier. I hope more movies get made.

2) I liked the premise of Walter and Gary as brothers and their motivation for going with Mary to Hollywood.

3) I liked some of the songs. They were very clearly Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) songs, which was cool.

4) I liked the "lives" they gave some of them. Sam the Eagle essentially working for FOX News? Miss Piggy working as the plus-size editor at Vogue? Brilliant.

5) The marketing was amazing for the movie.

6) I love that they did Rainbow Connection and Mahna Mahna and had some shout-outs to former movies and the show.

7) Walter is very lovable. He's basically a reincarnation of Robin the Frog, Kermit's nephew.

Here are the cons: Okay. Here was my big issue that made me unable to enjoy the movie as much as maybe other people did...

1) For decades, the Muppets have been telling their audience to pursue their dreams and stick with their friends through thick and thin. Therefore, it was very disheartening and disorienting to me to finally see what they've been up to for all these years and find that they are estranged and largely unfulfilled in their lives. Kermit was a sad sack in this movie. He was passive, mopey, dismissive and occasionally kind of rude to his friends. Until the final speech, I didn't feel he acted like himself at all. When he finally did get motivated (by Walter) to go gather up the gang for the telethon, they all seemed a little underwhelmed to be together again. Fozzie, Gonzo, and Piggy all resisted. Basically, the movie had a lot of cute gimmicks that I was too distracted to be enchanted by because my brain was just thinking it was kind of sad that they were all acting like that. I thought the movie needed this undercurrent: they had all wanted to keep working, but they thought the world had passed them by and nobody was interested in The Muppets anymore. But now that there was promise of an audience, they all jumped at the chance of being together again. Instead, I felt like there was resistance when they were re-forming and all sorts of hurt feelings and drama. I don't want to see sad, unfulfilled, lonely lives that turn into inter-personal Muppet drama once they're reunited. Talk about a downer. There was enough external conflict (broken-down theater, raising money, not having a host, no closing number, no audience, cut electricity, The Moopets, Tex Richman, etc.) that I didn't need so much drama and infighting (between Kermit and Piggy, Piggy and all the others, Mary and Gary, Walter and Gary, etc.). It bogged down the movie and kind of bummed me out.

2) I thought there were really not a lot of jokes or real opportunities to laugh. Walter screaming at the beginning was really funny, but after that I don't really remember laughing that much. We were in a theater with maybe 20 kids in it, and I don't remember hearing them laugh at all. That's a shame, but I can't say I blame them. Sometimes, even I was bored and you can't imagine how much I wanted to be there.

3) Why was the audience in the telethon all adults? That makes no sense to me. Muppets are inherently "for" kids, but have crossover appeal to adults. Why weren't children represented in the movie or in the telethon audience or crowd outside the theater? Wouldn't you assume that some of the adults in the audience would have jumped at a chance to introduce their children to The Muppets by bringing them to a telethon?

4) The cameos throughout the movie were bizarre. Let's just pretend I'm a 10 year old kid. I don't know who Mickey Rooney, Feist, Jim Parsons, Jon Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifinakis, Dave Grohl, Judd Hirsch, Neil Patrick Harris, James Carville, etc. are. James Carville?! Aren't there any cross-over people that kids and adults would all know? For example, Steve Martin and Julie Andrews. They were mentioned in the movie, have a history with the Muppets, and they've done kids movies and adult movies. Where were they or people like them? Basically, the kids got Jack Black, Manny from Modern Family (if they happen to watch that show) and Selena Gomez. It felt like maybe Jason Segel just gathered his friends and acquaintances without thinking of who would have widespread appeal.

5) I thought their voices were not very reminiscent of their original puppeteers (especially Fozzie).

6) Pepe the King Prawn (okay) was barely in the movie at all.

That's it! I'm sorry for being such a Statler/Waldorf. What did you think of it? And most importantly, are you a Muppet or a man?

Wocka Wocka,

A.J.R.

Flirt Repellent

I appreciate the truth in advertising because it is not a particularly attractive shirt, but Anti-Flirt?! Is it like a protective shield? Some dude rolls up on you like, "Hey girl, were you checking me out...? Oh! Wait- no. I see. I hadn't read your shirt. My apologies."

Happy Thanksgiving

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,

but the parent of all the others."

-Cicero

QWOP

This game is so hard, yet so funny. It brought me to tears.

Christmastime at Rickemanor: Part II

We decorated early this year so that we could enjoy it before we leave for our Christmas plans out of town. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Steps

Family Love Netflix

FOX:

NETFLIX:

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT FANS:

Images: The Bluth Company

Amazing New York

A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.

Radiolab!

On Wednesday night, Courtney, Mikey and I went to Pyramid Brewery in Berkeley to meet the masterminds behind Radiolab, Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. All three of us were on cloud nine after meeting them. Jad sat at our table the whole evening and after almost everybody else had left, Robert came over and joined us for a drink. It was so exciting meeting people that I admire and enjoy so much. If you don't already listen to Radiolab, do so. It'll change the way you look at the world!

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

Uh oh.

Missing Maui

At the beginning of August, we went on a family vacation to Maui. It was such a fantastic trip filled with snorkeling, zip-lining, hiking, swimming in tide-pools, great food, perfect weather and tons of good family time. We spent the first three nights in Kaanapali, and the following seven in Kahana. I'm already looking forward to the next time I can go back. It was amazing.

The trip could have never happened were it not for the extreme generosity of my mom and dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

4 of these photos were stolen from my brother's camera. Thanks, Ryan.

"Nailed it."

I haven't laughed this hard in years.

Extra Lemon

After years of asking for "iced tea with extra lemon" at restaurants, I finally found a waiter who gets me.

Ah, sweet nectar of life.

Robot Sandwich Faceslam

This commercial makes me cry laughing every time. Carl's Jr., you're welcome for the free publicity garnered for your chicken sandwich from me, a vegetarian. Sorry PETA.

(Coincidentally, Robot Sandwich Faceslam is an amazing band name.)

"Man, that jury is gonna fall in love with you..."

Via The Bluth Company.

3 Years and Counting

I love you so much, Tom.

Thanks for three of the happiest years of my life.

Prickly Pete