Monday, August 4, 2008

Best. Day. Ever.

So in working part-time at an awesome TV studio and loving it, I had what will go down as one of the best days of my life.

Guess who I got to meet?



















Um, is that sheer, rabid joy on my face or what? I mean... Ohmigod.

Kermie and Piggy were in the studio to promote their new Disney Channel special and were hysterical. I had to bite my hand to keep from laughing into the microphones. All of us in the studio, even the TV Guide interviewer, freaked out over these guys, I mean, come on, they're superstars. Genius.

I have such an appreciation for Steve and Eric, (the voice of Kermit and Piggy, respectively). They are master puppetteers, vocal talents and improvisational virtuosos. Jane and Melissa, the puppet wranglers, were delightful and also damn good at their job. Everyone was so much fun. Everything you'd hope working with Muppets would be. It was like I tasted Utopia. And no, seeing Kermit and Piggy in puppet form in no way diminished the magic. They lived.

One of my favorite moments was when the voice of Kermit walked in and he introduced himself as Steve and I go, in my best star-struck, "You mean Steve Whitmire?" And he just grinned and said "You know my name? That never happens." To which I reply that the Muppet Christmas Carol (the first movie he did Kermit's voice for) is my favorite movie of all time. (I realize that this statement may incur heated debate with others who would lift up perhaps The Muppet Movie as the best, but I'm sorry, while The Muppet Movie is indeed genius, I adore Charles Dickens. Put Dickens with Muppets and it's an inch away from Heaven itself. It's a brilliant adaptation.)

So wow, what a great year, first I get to tell Ronan Harris he's an inspiration... Then I meet the Muppets... Next is Alan Rickman. Then how about a New York book contract? Then I might spontaneously combust.

My Souvenirs:




Of course I asked for autographs.

Best. Day. Ever.

16 comments:

Cindy Holby said...

OMG I love the muppets! And I love the look on your face. I think I would be star struck too! That is totally awesome. Now for Alan Rickman, I loved him in Robin Hood. Especially when he canceled Christmas. He rocks, Kermie rocks, Piggy rocks and you rock!

Leanna Renee Hieber said...

Cindy,

Yeah, I don't think anything but Muppets (or Alan Rickman) could produce such a look. Thank you for the rockin' good wishes, right back at you!

Morgan said...

Man am I pissed that I missed that tour! Nick said it was hands down the best time he has had in the studio. (And, remember, Nick actually got to meet Bill Nye the Science Guy - so the bar was set pretty high.)

Leanna Renee Hieber said...

lol, Morgan, I sincerely appreciate the chance to be there... EVERYONE geeked out and couldn't stop smiling, it was so great. Bill Nye? AWESOME.
Tell me 'bout RWA, woman!

Kwana said...

Holy Crap Batman!! That is the Best Day Ever! I love the pic and the look on your face. You have been in contact with greatness. I'm so happy for you. Quick go and play the lotto NOW!

Marcia Colette said...

Waaaaaaah! I wish I were you. That's so cool! I LOVE the muppets. Heck, I've seen all of their movies and each of them is a classic in my mind.

But if you get a chance to meet Alan Rickman, please call me up. I'll spare no expense to be your assistant for a day. Assuming I don't slip in a puddle of drool and crack my head open first. ;-)

Unknown said...

i'm so excited for you....
to this day i do our swedish chef skit for my kids...they think i'm crazy...i think we were pretty damn funny!! Love you, Brandi

joysann said...

Yep, it does have to a "best day". It really doesn't get better than that. Except for Alan Rickman. Or Hugh Jackman. Continued Best to You.
j

TinaGerow said...

OMG! I am soooo jealous :) I LOVE the muppets! I still remember watching the muppet show when I was little, and I loved every single movie, too!

Lise said...

Truly a most auspicious event Leanna. And so wonderful to see some celebrities who can rely on their own charisma to charm their fans. Miss P. certainly knows how tacky it would be to flash one's naked hoo-ha! Such a lady, I must say! And Kermi - sigh. What a man! Er, frog! Er, Dude!!!!

Mari Mancusi said...

Actually I don't believe this was your BEST day ever.

Maybe second best. ;-)

Seaworthy Me said...

Sweet, sweet Pretty! I am so proud of you! Miss you bunches! Court

Leanna Renee Hieber said...

Wow. Nothing like Muppets to bring traffic to your blog. *grin* Thanks everyone! I'm so glad you all can share in the sheer, unstoppable joy of muppetry with me. :)

Elizabeth Kerri Mahon said...

You look so happy with your new friends! I so wish I could have been there to give Kermit some love. And how awesome that you now have a picture with them. I envy you. I sincerely hope that you get your Alan Rickman moment, and that I'm there to document it.

Leanna Renee Hieber said...

I sure hope I get my Alan Rickman moment too. I need to tell him that he inspired my Victorian fantasy novel. Do you think Oprah would be down for introducing us on her show? :)

KT Grant said...

THAT IS SO AWESOME!!
I was an intern at Sesame Street about 10 years ago and met Big Bird. I almost fainted!