Barack on the Ellen show.

Huh. From Salon:

Latest polls point to Obama landslide

I was at the Henson Memorial. When Big Bird came down the aisle it felt like maybe everything would be alright.

The Henson funeral always struck me as somewhat weird, in that there are all these people he worked with who weren't really at the funeral, because they were being the characters. I wonder if they did a Muppeteer wake afterwards.

A friend of mine was working at Henson. I saw him ushering and when I went over he nearly hugged me in half. He kept telling me how beautiful it was going to be. They'd all been away for days trying to make something wonderful for Jim. There was a private memorial later.

I was at the Henson Memorial. When Big Bird came down the aisle it felt like maybe everything would be alright.

I...ohhhh, Trudy! I hate to say that I'm jealous of anyone's attendance at a memorial, but I still remember exactly where I was when I heard Jim Henson had died (in a car with a fellow poetry student and a Spy magazine summer intern, driving to see Spike & Mike's animation festival at an arthouse theatre in Rhinebeck, listening to NPR--and then, suddenly, all three of us stunned and silent and then shouting, "NO!" at the radio). It's a horrible thing that he had to die at all, but how sad and amazing that you were part of that memorial to such a man.

Did Harry Belafonte really get up and sing this song? I would have so completely lost it at that point.

I can't watch the Big Bird/Henson thing. I cried hearing the announcement in my car followed by the station playing "The Rainbow Connection." I could tear up now just thinking about it.

In related news, my friends have studio space in the Henson studios (old Chaplin studios). It's so cool there! Kermit is on top of the building in the suit from The Little Tramp. Adorable.

Favorite Muppet Show sketch?

I love Rita Moreno singing "Fever" with Animal going nuts on the drums. And Linda Rondstadt singing "When I Grow Too Old to Dream."

"The Rainbow Connection." I could tear up now just thinking about it.

That song, period, makes me tear up. In that sort of context, sobbing disaster.

Favorite Muppet Show sketch?

Ma Nah Ma Nah is still pretty great.

I also like Debby Harry and the punk rock badges.

Speaking of Harry Belafonte and the Muppets, I love "Turn the World Around," from his appearance on The Muppet Show. Also love that "Fever" number--"[Rant in Spanish.] [Pause.] Cool it."

Oh, and "For What It's Worth," sung by the woodland creatures hiding from the hunters. "You'd better stop, hey, what's that sound, everybody look what's goin' down..."

I loved Gonzo and his stormtrooper chickens in a Star Wars sketch.