The Big Bird Fluffer

(upbeat music) Conan O'Brien needs a fan. Wanna talk to Conan? Visit teamcoco.com/callconon. Okay, let's get started. - Hey, Micah, welcome to Conan O'Brien needs a fan. - Hello, thank you. - Hi, Micah. - How are you? - Good, how are you doing? - Where are you right now in the world, Micah? - I am in Atlanta, Georgia, at the center of her puppetry arts. - Oh, you work with puppets. - I'm gonna say, I don't think I've heard of it, but tell me this is a puppet museum. What is it? What are we doing here? Are we storing puppets? Are we displaying them? What's happening in your puppet world? - Yeah, we're a museum, a puppet museum. We're also a performing arts center. So we have performances that involve puppets on stage, but then I work in the museum side of things. So I'm the collections manager, which essentially just means I take care of the puppets in the museum. - Okay, are we talking famous puppets here? - Yeah. - Would these be puppets that I know? - Yes, we have about 500 of the Jim Hanson, original Jim Hanson puppets. - Oh, we call those muppets, don't we? - Yes, so we can call it weak. - Well, I'm sorry, we in the business, puppetry, call that muppetry. So you have muppets, you have 500 muppets? - Yes, we do. We have 500 muppets, Miss Piggy, Caramet, this has any street characters, puppets from the dark crystal and labyrinth among others. So you would recognize. - I had the honor and privilege of getting to meet Jim Hanson a couple of times. In, this is long before I did my late night show or anything, when I was in college, his daughter, Lisa, was on the college humor magazine with me and he would come by and he once said to me, Conan, would you, for the college humor magazine, would you guys like to have one of the thrones from dark crystal to keep in your building? Just for fun, 'cause we have it in our storage facility and I said, oh, God yes, Mr. Hanson. And I rented a van and drove down to New York and picked up with some friends of mine, this really cool, I think it was fiberglass, dark crystal throne and brought it back to the lampoon building in Cambridge. And I believe it's still there. - Really, you think it's still there? - I think it's still there. - Mine have to make our road trip to go get it. - Yeah, yeah, you guys should come take it 'cause I don't trust those idiots who are looking after it. (laughing) You know, probably, it's probably just holding a beer keg. - A lot of the dark crystal stuff and the labyrinth stuff is really difficult to take care of, just due to the materials. So, some of it's not around anymore. - It's incredible, so you have a lot of Jim Hanson stuff. That's amazing. Any other famous puppets that I would know? - Yeah, we have Lamb Chop. We just got a Lamb Chop and Friends Puppets, which so now maybe you remember from our childhood dates. - I sure do. - Did you do a Lamb Chop? - I was. - What was her name, her name was? - Oh God, what was the Lamb Chop? - Sherry Lewis. - Sherry Lewis, very famous, yeah. And Lamb Chop was her puppet, yeah. - I remember Lamb Chop. - Uh-huh. And we have the Mystery Science Theater 3000 puppet. - Oh wow. - Which you can see behind me. - That's, oh look at that. (screaming) - You just moved your head a little bit and Chucky is there. - Oh my God. - Oh my God, look at Chucky. - You just buried the lead. You have Chucky, is that the Chucky? - It is the Chucky A, the Chucky. There are multiples. This one is from the newer TV show that was I think on sci-fi. So it's a newer one. But yes, it is the Chucky. All of our puppets are original. It's usually performed before they're gifted to us though. Yeah. So what about an average Joe puppeteer? Can they donate their puppet to your museum? - Yeah, we have a process, but we do take acquisitions, we do acquire things. And so yeah, we have, you know, in that 5000 puppets, we have puppets from all over the world. You know, different puppetry traditions from all over the world, puppets that day back, you know, 1800s and so, yeah, people can call me, write me an offer me the puppets. - This must happen sometimes. Someone comes to you and says, I'd like to donate my puppet and the puppet is, oh, come on, it's like a paper plate and they cut a mouth in it and they, you know, it's just not good. Are you in the position of saying, I think we're okay, but thank you so much. Do you have to turn down puppets sometimes? - Yeah, I do. I feel kind of bad doing it, but you're right. I mean, not everything is museum worthy. That's not just people want their stuff to last forever. - Okay, Michael, let me ask you this. - You have to be selective. - Michael, would you ever, just to spare their feelings, say thank you, this is such a wonderful piece and then when they leave, feed it into a shredder? - Oh boy, oh, come on. - Oh boy, what do you mean? - We can't be shredding puppets. - Well, yes, you can. - No, you can put them in a box because why are you shredding them? - Because you got it, it's going to run out of space. I'm just, I'm thinking you spare the old puppeteers field. - Yeah, we're always shredding them. - Okay, well, all right, well, Micah, I mean, I think you're just repeating what Sona said. So, I think you secretly agree with me, but you know you want to keep the puppet people on your side. Listen, yeah, I, I'm just-- - We just both of them in an appropriate manner, I suppose. - Sure, yes, yes, we call that burning. - Come on. - Or just a bear. - You know what would be a good thing to do if you want to get rid of puppets because dip 'em in like a beef broth and then throw them into a pack of dogs. - Oh my God, I knew they'd never work in a puppet museum. - I just, to see a puppet torn limb from limb. Seconds after it was donated by a kindly old puppeteer. (laughing) - Yeah, it's all the same. - And then he comes back 'cause he left his wallet. He's like, "Oh no, my little gum gum." (laughing) Micah-- - You're awful. - You're awful. - I think about it, Micah. It's something you're going to want to do. Now that you've pictured it, you're going to do it. Micah, let's say it's, you're working there late, which I'm sure has happened sometimes. And it's getting dark and you're walking around. There must be times when you think. - Where's this going? - I think I saw that chucky puppet move. - Come on. - I do know. - But I mean, it's, I mean, it's every third twilight zone. These puppets come to life. And they menace you. Have you ever been a little paranoid being around these puppets at night? And be honest. - Be honest. - Yeah. (laughing) - There was one time where I did run and get a coworker. I pretty sure I heard a noise. - Of course you did. - And all those things in here. - I'm usually in here by myself and the lights turn off automatically after a while if you don't move around. - Yeah. - So yeah, I didn't-- - Which puppet, which puppet do you think was moving? Which be honest? Which puppet? - Do you think it was moving? - None of your lives. None of your lives. None of your chicanery or tom fulery. Which puppet are you quite certain was moving? - I, I think it was one of the skexies from the Dark Crystal. Oh God. - Yeah, the skexies? - But they're in a back room by themselves. And the light is always off back there. And I was walking back there, but the light doesn't turn on until I'm in the room. - Yeah. - It catches my movement. And as I was walking back there, but before I was in the room, I definitely heard it. - Was it like here she comes? Here she comes. (laughing) Oh God, she's got beef broth. Oh, look out. (laughing) - I did feel a little silly when my coworker came in and obviously, that's what I didn't go on. - What the thing is, these puppets aren't dumb. They know that when you bring someone else, they gotta clam up. So that's what they do. They freeze and they clam up. And then your friend leaves and they're like, "Eh, we're gonna get you, we're gonna get you." (laughing) - Yeah, that's all I have Chuck E right here behind me. So that, you know, I figure if he's out in the open, I don't have to worry, I always know where he is. - Yeah, why do you have your bag to him the whole time though? That's the thing you're doing, Micah, that I would never do. You have him, Chuck E's right behind you. And I think he's holding a weapon. Is he holding a weapon? - Yes, he is holding a knife. Yes. - What the, Micah? - But Micah is right next to him. Miss Piggy would fuck Chuck E up. She would. - You know, Miss Piggy isn't also wanna be freed from her human overlord. I mean, Miss Piggy might help. He might. - There's no chance. - What are you talking about? Miss Piggy doesn't want to, would Miss Piggy would never do that. Miss Piggy would defend herself and everybody there. 'Cause she is a puppet too. - She is a puppet too. - No, but that doesn't matter. She knows who's right. - I don't think she would want to share the spotlight with Chuck E. - Yes, sure. - Okay, Micah, that's the first sensible thing I've heard today. (laughs) - She's a diva and she wouldn't want Chuck E to get all the press for being the murderer. So if anything, it's gonna be Miss Piggy who gets you and Chuck E who's just watching in horror. - I don't like this blouser view. (laughs) - No, when it comes to Miss Piggy, I wanted to, do you ever brush Miss Piggy's hair? - No, I do occasionally have to fix the wigs that the puppets have, but I do like weird things. like I have to fluff big verticals on. (laughing) When you say fluff Big Bird, what are we talking about here? She gets flat, you know, I mean, oh I know, oh I know, it's a little whip, you know? Yeah, so yeah, I have to fluff them, I don't know, we got a big chute going on here, Big Bird. I'm going to fluff you up, time is money, Big Bird, time is money. I'm going to tell you the most horrifying sight I've ever seen, Micah, which is one time I was asked to do something on Sesame Street, this is, you know, it could have been like 25 years ago and I went over to, I think they were in Brooklyn or I went over to Sesame Street and they have to store the puppets wherever they can because, you know, space is limited and they had lash snuffle up against to the ceiling because it's a giant puppet and you've got to store it somewhere and it was lifeless inanimate, limp snuffle up against and it was lash to the ceiling like parts kind of hanging but other parts secured with ropes and it looked like Hannibal Lecter had just, had gone psycho on snuffle up against and then nailed him to the ceiling in this ghastly, performative behold my proud masterpiece, my murder. That's what it looked like and it was the most horrifying thing I've ever seen and kids were walking around so kids could see it too and I had to tell the kids, oh my god, I mean, I had to make sense of it to them so I told him he wasn't careful and he was murdered. I had to think of something. Well, at least I got off stop of fluffing Big Bird and took us to the mass murder. It's not great to see the puppets not like they're supposed to look. Right. We definitely got the puppets in somewhat poor condition they had been used obviously for years and then in a warehouse so we did have to do a lot of work. So part of my job is to make sure that they still look like the characters they're supposed to look like so we don't destroy children's. So some of these puppets you gotta have been, you know, road hard and put away with it. They're like, these are fucked up puppets, you know what I'm saying, they're like all worn out, they're all screwed up, you know what I mean? They've got holes in them, what? Yeah, mouth holes, stuff like that, dismembered, sometimes, yes, yes, you know. And so I mean, it must be ghastly sometimes the puppets you get, you know? Yeah. Well, you know, they're just puppets, but yeah, I don't want Elmo to look like Elmo. You don't want him to be like, no, it's like when you, I mean God forbid, but sometimes, you know, you have to go to awake and the person, you know, was in a bomb accident and you just hope that the, they, they look like themselves, you know what I mean? So sometimes you are like the mortician for these puppets, you have to make them look presentable. So they're loved ones, see them in the correct state and not like snuff, love, I guess. All. Really, really some damage there. Plastic surgeon, yeah, we do actually take needles to some of the foam latex puppets. Yeah, only taxes a lot of the dark crystal labyrinth puppets and it sort of dries out over time. Oh, trust me. I know. I know. Yeah. So the foam kind of dries up and they wither these puppets wither and then you guys have to pump them up. Yeah. Oh, my God. I'm like puppet Botox. Yeah. Puppet Botox. Well, and I just want to touch on this briefly because I know we don't have tons of time, but you're also very much into fan fiction. You love Harry Potter fan fiction. Is that right? So sometimes when you're with the puppets late at night and you're trying to calm down because you're nervous because you're pretty sure you just saw you just saw Chuckie sharpening his night. Um, when when you're in that situation, sometimes you read Harry Potter fan fiction and you're a fan of what is it? Dryona mini dry. What did I say? Oh, sorry for mispronouncing that. Oh, yeah. You're right. Dramine. That word we all just spit out. Yeah. I'm sorry. If I'm ever pulled over for DUI and they asked me to say dronominee, I'm just going to say, hey, just take me, put me away for 30 years. Let's not even do the test. Um, how do you pronounce it? I listen to a lot of audio podcasts, audio books, and I got into, yeah, through my new fan fiction. And that goes for obviously Hermione and who, what's the first part? Draco. Oh, Draco, mouthful way. And why are, why are you or anyone else? Why do you want to come? What is it about those two characters that is particularly appealing? Like how come Harry Potter is not in this combo platter? Well, I think it's, you know, who doesn't love a bad boy? And Draco's story didn't really get finished in the original. So I'll, you know, it's fun to see people's imaginations of where does that go after, you know, the end of the books where do those characters go as they become adults? Do you think that Draco and Hermione could have a love interest? Is that what some of this fan fiction is exploring? Yeah. Mm-hmm. Is that a couple that could really exist? I mean, who did Hermione end it up with? What was his name? Hubblebee. Double. Ron. Okay. So. Bubblebee. Bubblebee. Bubblebee. It's been a while. I know. I'm just saying. I don't know. But I get what she said. Because I love fanfiction too. And there's so much stuff that comes out of it. And it's just fun to like, you know, imagine two characters together. And it's sexy. So it's dream. So. And so. Oh, is there a fan fiction where Draco and Hermione get it on? Is that what that something that could happen? Guessing. Oh, yeah. Definitely. Yeah. The first one that I read was, um, menacled, which is sort of a handmade tale meets Harry Potter fan fiction. So if you've read Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale or watch the TV show, sort of that situation. Okay. Okay. I'm trying to picture this. Yeah. You know, it's crazy behind you, behind you, uh, Chuckie just made the, goo, goo, in his hands. Get a load of this. Oh, my God. Here she goes again. Hey, does Dumbledore, does Dumbledore, does Dumbledore, isn't he the wizard or something? Doesn't he? Does he ever? Oh, yeah. Right. But he's like the head wizard that really dresses like a wizard. The rest of them dress like they go to like Oxford college. They're like, oh, look at me. Oh, I'm a wizard. Oh, really? Yeah. Cause I'm dressed like I go to Princeton. So, um, he's like the guy that's committing to I'm a wizard, you know, uh, yeah, of course I'm right. I've not said one thing today. It's wrong. Yeah. You're not wrong. So, does Dumbledore ever walk in on Hermione and Draco and be like, what the hell's going on here? Does that ever happen in these scenarios? So far, I've not read one where Dumbledore is in it at all. You could write a new one. This could be a new one. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He's not the sexiest character. Dumbledore? Dumbledore? You want to pen some people are into that. I don't know. Okay. Clearly you are. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I like I'm old and bearded. And wearing a moon move. So. People prefer to see Hermione end up with like, you know, a potentially attractive character. Like Draco. So is there a consensus that Ron is just sort of a dud like people are actively going out of the way to rewrite Harry Potter so that it's not Hermione and Ron, Ron, it's Hermione and Draco. Like, that's much more exciting. Don't you think? Yeah. I think so, Ron. I mean, no offense to Ron, but he's a wet noodle, you know? Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Actually. He's no fun. Draco is a bad guy. Yeah, you can keep saying that because I'm just saying you want, you want there to be like, like love. You can't, they, they got to, they got to do it. And it has to be in any kind of versus thing, you know, would you say you want the redemption arc? You want the enemies to love verse. Yeah. Yes. That's the redemption arc. And you don't get the redemption arc with Ron. Oh, man, Ron. You're the man. Are you upset because he's like the red head and you kind of see why don't like the way the red heads are portrayed in those tales. Oh, it's a bunch of brothers with red hair. Where do they do? I don't know. One of them gets killed and two of them kind of are go nowhere, you know? You know, they're bumbling, stumbling. They come from this goofy house. Yes. That's why I'm mad at these books. So red heads are completely ineffectual lovers. You know, talk about needing a fluffer. I think you know more about Harry Potter than you're loving on of you. I've been reading some Harry Potter fan fiction. I read those books and I've burned them because of the red hair depiction. No, it's the weaselies. Hey, what name should we give the redheads? Oh, I have it. The weaselies Shit show all right Micah I'm really happy that you're That you've you've got your world involves both puppets and a reality where Hermione makes the correct choice Which is the blonde-haired evil guy over the red do-gooder Micah I salute you and I think of myself as a human puppet And I really am. I mean most people look at my work and they think you're just a giant I'm kind of like a snuffle up against a big goofy puppet. Wouldn't you say I would say more? I mean you're famous for the string dance, so I'm thinking Mary Annette. Yeah, Mary Annette. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Well, I Coming from you. That's a big compliment. Yeah, and you have triumph who is a puppet puppet? Yeah, there's a lot of puppets on the old show Tomorrow the ostrich. Yeah, well if they need a home the center for puppetry arts is here. Well, thank you Yeah, well, can you imagine triumph in your museum? Well, that would be a disaster all night long You suck chucky you suck Hey, there's another redhead chucky. There's another redhead rounding out the stereotypes Our one murder puppets the redhead Well, Micah it's a delight to talk to you. It really is You seem like a really nice person and I love what you're doing and I hope to meet you in person someday. That'd be fun Yeah, you should come by the museum. We'd love to have a night. I want to come by at night I'll get them. Yes Bring a little beef broth with me and some rockwilers All right, Micah. I just threatened your puppets. I better get out of here. Yeah, we should end on that note. Yeah Hi, Micah. Thank you. That's really good. Bye. Thank you. Nice to meet you Conan O'Brien needs a fan with Conan O'Brien sonum of Sessian and Matt Gourley Produced by me Matt Gourley Executive produced by Adam Sachs Jeff Ross and Nick Leah incidental music by Jimmy Vivina. Take it away, Jimmy Supervising producer Aaron Blair associate talent producer Jennifer samples associate producers Sean Doherty and Lisa Berm Engineering by Eduardo Perez get three free months of serious XM when you sign up at seriousxm.com slash Conan Please rate review and subscribe to Conan O'Brien needs a fan wherever fine podcasts are down