It's A Good Time Friday! - August 30, 2024
More Muppets fun, yacht rock, and other non-guilty pleasures
Well, we made the not-fun realization that we reallllly need a new mattress while on vacation in Minnesota (you can send me your recs, but I have learned that litch’rally everyone has a different favorite brand, so I am just going to figure it out within our price range).
But we also got to see the Northern Lights for 10-ish awesome minutes, and also this van. Not once, but TWICE! — on our way north to Voyageurs National Park, then on our way back south to Minneapolis.
Oh, did you want to see the Northern Lights too? OK, then!
Now, let’s get to the good times:
➡️ Did you know that one incredible woman is responsible for the iconic design of Miss Piggy, Statler and Waldorf, and the Phillie Phanatic1 (to name a few)? This profile on the prolific Bonnie Erickson is long overdue and we all need to know her name.
Also, If you haven’t yet watched Jim Henson: Idea Man on Disney+, hi-ho yourself over there and do so. Bonnie is one of the interviewees, and the entire documentary is heartwarming and illuminating and silly in the signature Muppets2 manner. I am still incensed by the fact that critics hated Labyrinth when it was first released!
➡️ Yes, yes, we all love the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile, but if you’re a New England-slash-Maine stan like me, you probably love the L.L. Bean Bootmobile more. Obviously I do! It gets its moment in the spotlight in this NYTimes profile, where I learned that the lace grommets are made from upside-down Bundt pans. Frickin genius!! Now Dan wants to get the gig driving it and I want to hand out the free swag. Is this on-brand for us or what?
➡️ I realized recently that there’s not much, if anything, I do ironically these days. I don’t believe in “guilty” pleasures — the things that light you up are valid! — or hate-watches, and thus I can say that I thoroughly enjoy watching the frivolity of Emily in Paris without any parenthetical disclaimer. Heather and Jessica of
are generously recapping both the plot and the fashion of the current season, and as usual, it’s a hoot. Love you bitches.➡️ Finally, I’m always here to hear people re-envisioning songs of my youth/favorite bangers in different musical styles. Here are some recent gems…
Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” as performed by jazz band Generation Y (video starts at the 8:30 mark, but you can watch the whole thing if you want to know how it came together).
Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” performed as yacht rock, by @professor318 on Instagram.
… and for good measure, one of my all-time favorite re-imaginings, Kristin & The Stephs’ version of Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York.”
It is my birthright as a Yinzer to detest anything Philly sports-related, but I make exceptions for both the Phanatic and Gritty. Good mascot design is good mascot design!
And if you haven’t yet contemplated your Muppet Big Three, what are you waiting for?
