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Name on MT

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Red Adept

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May 23, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/23/96
to

I'm curious if anyone knows the name of the ferret on MT!. He's the one
that hangs around with Nigel at the controls (shown popping out of them,
tangled in wires, in the intro.)

Thanks,
--Red

---
reda...@concentric.net reda...@cris.com
---
Frost fills the sky over Ten Mile Lake
Silken threads anxious of youth
Looking at the moon and feeling lonely
Envious of love, not of immortality
From: A Chinese Ghost Story


CRIT

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May 23, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/23/96
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Now, I know that I haven't seen MT, but here the name "Nigel" has
really unfortunate connotations..you call someone a "nigel" if you
reckon that they're a real loser, so, is nigel a loser?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CRIT

T. Erik Browne

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May 23, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/23/96
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In article <4o1k59$o...@manuel.anu.edu.au>, CRIT <p...@canb.auug.org.au> wrote:
>Now, I know that I haven't seen MT, but here the name "Nigel" has
>really unfortunate connotations..you call someone a "nigel" if you
>reckon that they're a real loser, so, is nigel a loser?

Boy, you Aussies sure are weird. :)

I thought it was interesting that they named the director Nigel, since the
leader of the pit band on the old Muppet Show was also named Nigel.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Erik Browne | All operating systems suck.
tbr...@thuban.ac.hmc.edu | The sooner you learn this, the better.
tbr...@netcom.com | finger @netcom for pgp key
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm not sure I can cope with poetry tonight. Not even bad poetry."

CRIT

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May 24, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/24/96
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tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) wrote:
>CRIT <p...@canb.auug.org.au> wrote:

>>here the name "Nigel" has really unfortunate connotations..

>Boy, you Aussies sure are weird. :)

Well thank you very much! :-@ (raspberry blowing smiley) We can't help
it, really. It's our collective abused childhood at the the hands of the
British empire and US cultural imperialism!

I'm trying to think of some more weird things you'd like. The phrase
"John Howard" springs to mind. The last time this country had a Liberal
(note the 'L') government the left put out little badges that said
"it's a Fraser of a day" (Fraser being the PM of the time)...Yeah, i
know, I'm off topic, so roast me!

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CRIT

mrc...@pipeline.com

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May 24, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/24/96
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>I'm trying to think of some more weird things you'd like. The phrase
>"John Howard" springs to mind. The last time this country had a Liberal
>(note the 'L') government the left put out little badges that said
>"it's a Fraser of a day" (Fraser being the PM of the time)...Yeah, i
>know, I'm off topic, so roast me!
>

Roast you? You mean we have to plan a dinner in your honor?
Just kidding, CRIT! :)

Back to "Nigel".....I guess Nigel works as a good Muppet name, for meek
characters and/or short tempered. Nigel, like Kermit and Grover, make good
Muppet names, but you may notice that no one names their child them after
them anymore.

Thinks: I might if I become a father........

-Dave

William R Sherman

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May 25, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/25/96
to

In article <4o1k59$o...@manuel.anu.edu.au>, CRIT <p...@canb.auug.org.au> writes:
> Now, I know that I haven't seen MT, but here the name "Nigel" has
> really unfortunate connotations..you call someone a "nigel" if you
> reckon that they're a real loser, so, is nigel a loser?
>
> XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
> CRIT

Perhaps your country has a rather low opinion of the Welsh. I believe
Nigel is a common Welsh name, so if you hang around England enough
(as the Muppet people have done), it's just a name.

Actually, I'd guess the English or Americans don't think much of the
Welsh either, based on the phrase: "welshing on a promise/deal/debt."

BTW: according to my dictionary, you can spell it Welch or welch too,
but the "s" version seems to be the default.

Bill (the entomologist - no wait, that's not right).

/************************************************************************/
/* Bill Sherman (wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu) */
/* National Center for Supercomputing Applications */
/* University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign */
/* */
/* "You want to do mankind a real service? Tell funnier jokes." */
/* Og */
/************************************************************************/


Bonnie Lynne

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May 25, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/25/96
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CRIT <p...@canb.auug.org.au> wrote:

>Now, I know that I haven't seen MT, but here the name "Nigel" has
>really unfortunate connotations..you call someone a "nigel" if you
>reckon that they're a real loser, so, is nigel a loser?

>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
>CRIT

No. Nigel has an inner calm that deserts him periodically,
but for the most part he is in charge of all the technical
co-ordination for the show and does a respectable job
(given what he has to work with....).

Bonnie Lynne

CRIT

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May 26, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/26/96
to

wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu (William R Sherman) wrote:

>CRIT <p...@canb.auug.org.au> writes:
>> you call someone a "nigel" if you
>> reckon that they're a real loser, so, is nigel a loser?

>Perhaps your country has a rather low opinion of the Welsh.

Not as such, the English and Irish and Scots all get bad press,
but not the Welsh...

>(as the Muppet people have done), it's just a name.

Well, it _is_ a common name here too, it's just taken on this
strange extra meaning...like Bruce...(kind of)...not that Bruce is
about being a dag (sorry - nerd/loser - for all you US types), just
about being a very Australian name...


>
> Bill (the entomologist - no wait, that's not right).

No. Not at all. Show us your dragonflies!

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CRIT

CRIT

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May 26, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/26/96
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mrc...@pipeline.com wrote:
>I guess Nigel works as a good Muppet name, for meek characters and/or
>short tempered.

There's a clue in "meek" 'cos part of the "nigel" image is to be an
ineffectual SNAG (in the worst sort of way)...

>Nigel, like Kermit and Grover, make good

>Muppet names, but you may notice that no one names their child after


>them anymore.

>Thinks: I might if I become a father........

Nooooooo! Don't do it!

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CRIT

Tuohy

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May 26, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/26/96
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In <4o8f6s$n...@manuel.anu.edu.au> CRIT <p...@canb.auug.org.au> writes:
>
>mrc...@pipeline.com wrote:
>>I guess Nigel works as a good Muppet name, for meek characters and/or

>>short tempered.
>
>There's a clue in "meek" 'cos part of the "nigel" image is to be an
>ineffectual SNAG (in the worst sort of way)...
>
>>Nigel, like Kermit and Grover, make good
>>Muppet names, but you may notice that no one names their child after
>>them anymore.
>
>>Thinks: I might if I become a father........
>
>Nooooooo! Don't do it!

Do it.It may haunt your child for years,but you can always yell that
name in a crowd and only have one person come to you.Besides its a cool
name,from a cool muppet.

Colleen
>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
>CRIT
>
>


William R Sherman

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May 26, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/26/96
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In article <4o137j$g...@tribune.concentric.net>, reda...@cris.com (Red Adept) writes:
> I'm curious if anyone knows the name of the ferret on MT!. He's the one
> that hangs around with Nigel at the controls (shown popping out of them,
> tangled in wires, in the intro.)
>
> Thanks,
> --Red

According to Whitmire, he's a weasel. He didn't mention a name,
but said that it's his character, though often performed by others,
since he hasn't spoken yet, and Steve is generally busy with Kermit
or Rizzo.

Bill

WERMUSIC

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May 27, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/27/96
to

It has been Written:

>>>>> Nigel, like Kermit and Grover, make good
Muppet names, but you may notice that no one names their child after
them anymore. <<<<<<<<<

Well guess it all depends on your deffinition of "ANYMORE" is... as
opposed to, say ... "ANY LESS" ?

I am 43 years old and have a very good freind 29 named GROVER. The
owner of a (book) store here is named KERMIT and I would say he is in
his 50's. A a search of the Phone directory lists many entries of
these names, pretty much NATION WIDE (U.S.)...

and as an asside, I think J.H. would be honored to know he
inspired the name for your child.

Cameron (another one of THOSE names?)

werm...@initco.net

Marvel as each day flows
Swiftly through our lives;
As we travel through time,
Music makes us whole

Franz Douskey


T. Erik Browne

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May 27, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/27/96
to

In article <4o8n95$5...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,

William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:
>In article <4o137j$g...@tribune.concentric.net>, reda...@cris.com (Red Adept) writes:
>> I'm curious if anyone knows the name of the ferret on MT!. He's the one
>> that hangs around with Nigel at the controls (shown popping out of them,
>> tangled in wires, in the intro.)
>>
>> Thanks,
>> --Red
>
>According to Whitmire, he's a weasel. He didn't mention a name,
>but said that it's his character, though often performed by others,
>since he hasn't spoken yet, and Steve is generally busy with Kermit
>or Rizzo.

I know that recently Whitmire has said it's a weasel, but didn't he post
here back when "Muppet Classic Theater" came out that it was a mink?

These people never have the mindless devotion to consistancy that us
drooling fans have. :)

William R Sherman

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May 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/28/96
to

In article <...>, tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) writes:
> William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:
> >According to Whitmire, he's a weasel. He didn't mention a name,
> >but said that it's his character, though often performed by others,
> >since he hasn't spoken yet, and Steve is generally busy with Kermit
> >or Rizzo.
>
> I know that recently Whitmire has said it's a weasel, but didn't he post
> here back when "Muppet Classic Theater" came out that it was a mink?

Specifically, Steve wrote:
> Brian Henson performed the mink in "Gotta Get That Name".

But, since I haven't found MCT on LD yet, I have no idea how similar
these two characters are. So, from my point of view they could
just be two different characters.

> These people never have the mindless devotion to consistancy that us
> drooling fans have. :)

Well, if we couldn't argue over things like this, and the correct
spelling of Fiam(m)a, how would we stay out of trouble?

Kerry Robin

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May 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/28/96
to

tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) wrote:
>
>These people never have the mindless devotion to consistancy that us
>drooling fans have. :)

And it's so scary, isn't it?!


>In article <4o8n95$5...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,


>William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:

>>In article <4o137j$g...@tribune.concentric.net>, reda...@cris.com (Red
Adept) writes:

<snip>


>>
>>According to Whitmire, he's a weasel. He didn't mention a name,
>>but said that it's his character, though often performed by others,
>>since he hasn't spoken yet, and Steve is generally busy with Kermit
>>or Rizzo.
>
>I know that recently Whitmire has said it's a weasel, but didn't he
post
>here back when "Muppet Classic Theater" came out that it was a mink?
>


"Whitmire" ? "WHITMIRE"???

The Board of Trustees of the Church of the Whitmire has asked me to
inform you that the correct term is "The god Whitmire."


T. Erik Browne

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May 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/28/96
to

In article <4odjqh$3...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,

William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:
>
>Well, if we couldn't argue over things like this, and the correct
>spelling of Fiam(m)a, how would we stay out of trouble?

Well, that's an easy one. If the name were Fiamma, then it would be
pronounced Fee-am-ma (with the middle syllable rhyming with "ham"). If it
is Fiama, then it would be pronounced Fee-ah-ma. As it is obviously
pronounced the second way, it must be spelled the second way.

Besides, Bill Barretta seems to think it is spelled Fiama, and he performs
the puppet, so that's good enough for me.

TNesi

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May 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/29/96
to

T. Erik Browne wrote:
> Well, that's an easy one. If the name were Fiamma, then it would be
> pronounced Fee-am-ma (with the middle syllable rhyming with "ham"). If it
> is Fiama, then it would be pronounced Fee-ah-ma. As it is obviously
> pronounced the second way, it must be spelled the second way.

Actually, we KNOW from JHP that it's FiamMa. In the Tony Bennett episode
where the headline in "Variety" is "RATINGS RISE AS FIAMMA FALLS" it has
a double "m".

Ted
--
Visit My Muppet Page!
http://home.aol.com/TeddyN10

Visit My Peanuts Page!
http://home.aol.com/PeanutsTV

"I'm just your average, wholesome girl next door." - Michelle Pfeiffer
"Boy, I'm living in the wrong neighborhood!" - Clifford
--from "Muppets Tonight!" w/ Michelle Pfeiffer (Aired 3/8/96)

William R Sherman

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May 30, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/30/96
to

In article <tbrowneD...@netcom.com>, tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) writes:
> In article <4odjqh$3...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,
> William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:
> >
> >Well, if we couldn't argue over things like this, and the correct
> >spelling of Fiam(m)a, how would we stay out of trouble?
>
> Well, that's an easy one. If the name were Fiamma, then it would be
> pronounced Fee-am-ma (with the middle syllable rhyming with "ham"). If it
> is Fiama, then it would be pronounced Fee-ah-ma. As it is obviously
> pronounced the second way, it must be spelled the second way.
>
> Besides, Bill Barretta seems to think it is spelled Fiama, and he performs
> the puppet, so that's good enough for me.

Hmmm, I wonder if the double-m is a referance to the performer.
And perhaps Bill is just tired of dealing with the double-consonants,
and prefers the single-m spelling.

And the debate rages on.

William R Sherman

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May 30, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/30/96
to

In article <31ACD0...@aol.com>, TNesi <Tedd...@aol.com> writes:

> T. Erik Browne wrote:
> > Well, that's an easy one. If the name were Fiamma, then it would be
> > pronounced Fee-am-ma (with the middle syllable rhyming with "ham"). If it
> > is Fiama, then it would be pronounced Fee-ah-ma. As it is obviously
> > pronounced the second way, it must be spelled the second way.
>
> Actually, we KNOW from JHP that it's FiamMa. In the Tony Bennett episode
> where the headline in "Variety" is "RATINGS RISE AS FIAMMA FALLS" it has
> a double "m".
>
> Ted

Except that we also "know" from the performer's email address that it
is just "Fiama." Hence the debate. Actually, I've seen another JHP
source that says "Fiamma," so that's two against one - but it may have
been done by the same person that created the Variety prop.

Bill - who wants to see how far we can push this

Tom Stone

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May 30, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/30/96
to

On Tuesday, May 28, 1996, Kerry Robin wrote...


> tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) wrote:
> >
> >These people never have the mindless devotion to consistancy that us
> >drooling fans have. :)
>
> And it's so scary, isn't it?!
>
>

> >In article <4o8n95$5...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,


> >William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:

> >>In article <4o137j$g...@tribune.concentric.net>, reda...@cris.com (Red

> Adept) writes:
>
> <snip>
> >>
> >>According to Whitmire, he's a weasel. He didn't mention a name,
> >>but said that it's his character, though often performed by others,
> >>since he hasn't spoken yet, and Steve is generally busy with Kermit
> >>or Rizzo.
> >
> >I know that recently Whitmire has said it's a weasel, but didn't he
> post
> >here back when "Muppet Classic Theater" came out that it was a mink?
> >
>
>
> "Whitmire" ? "WHITMIRE"???
>
> The Board of Trustees of the Church of the Whitmire has asked me to
> inform you that the correct term is "The god Whitmire."
>
>

> Speaking of which (that whole 'god' bit), just a little tid bit of
info., a sure sign that Muppet mania is not dead in the high schools of
America (Yeah!). Someone gafittied (though small) on the floor of our
Center for the Arts, "Kermit is god". Found that amusing.
Stephanie.
TomS...@indirect.com

>
>
>


T. Erik Browne

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May 30, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/30/96
to

In article <4oiq97$j...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,

William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:
>In article <tbrowneD...@netcom.com>, tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) writes:
>> In article <4odjqh$3...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,

>> William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:
>> >
>> >Well, if we couldn't argue over things like this, and the correct
>> >spelling of Fiam(m)a, how would we stay out of trouble?
>>
>> Well, that's an easy one. If the name were Fiamma, then it would be
>> pronounced Fee-am-ma (with the middle syllable rhyming with "ham"). If it
>> is Fiama, then it would be pronounced Fee-ah-ma. As it is obviously
>> pronounced the second way, it must be spelled the second way.
>>
>> Besides, Bill Barretta seems to think it is spelled Fiama, and he performs
>> the puppet, so that's good enough for me.
>
>Hmmm, I wonder if the double-m is a referance to the performer.
>And perhaps Bill is just tired of dealing with the double-consonants,
>and prefers the single-m spelling.
>
>And the debate rages on.

Fiama/Fiamma. Mink/Weasel. Those garbled lyrics in the Muppets Tonight
theme song (and does Muppets Tonight actually have an exclamation point at
the end). All these controversies. I say we elect a representative, and
have him or her go to New York and camp out at JHP's front door until Brian
Henson answers all of our questions.

Kerry Robin

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May 31, 1996, 3:00:00 AM5/31/96
to

wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu (William R Sherman) wrote:
>
>In article <31ACD0...@aol.com>, TNesi <Tedd...@aol.com> writes:
>> T. Erik Browne wrote:
>> > Well, that's an easy one. If the name were Fiamma, then it would
be
>> > pronounced Fee-am-ma (with the middle syllable rhyming with "ham").
If it
>> > is Fiama, then it would be pronounced Fee-ah-ma. As it is
obviously
>> > pronounced the second way, it must be spelled the second way.
>>
>> Actually, we KNOW from JHP that it's FiamMa. In the Tony Bennett
episode
>> where the headline in "Variety" is "RATINGS RISE AS FIAMMA FALLS" it
has
>> a double "m".
>>
>> Ted
>
>Except that we also "know" from the performer's email address that it
>is just "Fiama." Hence the debate. Actually, I've seen another JHP
>source that says "Fiamma," so that's two against one - but it may have
>been done by the same person that created the Variety prop.


Yikes....sending another performer running to change his e-mail address!

We (me included) debate the SILLIEST things!!!!! Someday I'll get a
life. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday. Hmmm... that
sounds familiar. I wonder which newsgroup Bogie subscribed to?

Kerry

William R Sherman

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Jun 2, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/2/96
to

In article <...>, tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) writes:

> In article <...>, William R Sherman <wshe...@ncsa.uiuc.edu> wrote:
> >And the debate rages on.
>
> Fiama/Fiamma. Mink/Weasel. Those garbled lyrics in the Muppets Tonight
> theme song (and does Muppets Tonight actually have an exclamation point at
> the end). All these controversies. I say we elect a representative, and
> have him or her go to New York and camp out at JHP's front door until Brian
> Henson answers all of our questions.

Sounds like a plan. You might want to pack a lunch though,
considering Brian lives in LA and London, and probably doesn't
spend a lot of time in NY.

The only other problem with that plan - once those questions are
answered, what will we talk about?

Bill

CRIT

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Jun 2, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/2/96
to

tbr...@netcom.com (T. Erik Browne) wrote:
>I say we elect a representative, and
>have him or her go to New York and camp out at JHP's front door until >Brian Henson answers all of our questions.

Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!!!

I've always wanted to see NYC...and JHP

Thinks: Now, where did I put that pocket-sized aeroplane?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CRIT


ryan_roe

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Jun 2, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/2/96
to

This has nothing to do with how Fiama/Fiamma is spelled, but in the first
episode Johnny was in, I thought they were saying "Johnny Pajama." HA HA HA
HA HA....ha. I guess you had to be there.

JFiama

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Jun 3, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/3/96
to

Well, my mother made me write you guys and tell ya that my name
is spelled Fiama.
There's nothin you can do about the press, they're always screwin
sumptin up.
Yours Truly,
Johnny

William R Sherman

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Jun 4, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/4/96
to

Ahhh yes. That's a very good point Johnny. I'm surprised that didn't
occur to me sooner.

So, when's your next video going to be out?

William R Sherman

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Jun 4, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/4/96
to

In article <4oug0e$o...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, jfi...@aol.com (JFiama) writes:
> Well, my mother made me write you guys and tell ya that my name
> is spelled Fiama.
> There's nothin you can do about the press, they're always screwin
> sumptin up.
> Yours Truly,
> Johnny

Ahhh yes. That's a very good point Clarke, ... I mean, Johnny. I'm

Ross Garmil

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Jun 4, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/4/96
to

JFiama (jfi...@aol.com) wrote:
: Well, my mother made me write you guys and tell ya that my name

: is spelled Fiama.
: There's nothin you can do about the press, they're always screwin
: sumptin up.
: Yours Truly,
: Johnny

Cool. But now I'm expecting Sal to post a "me too" type post, and I doubt
that would happen.

Waiting for the proverbial shoe to proverbially drop,

Ross

T. Erik Browne

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Jun 4, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/4/96
to

In article <4oug0e$o...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, JFiama <jfi...@aol.com> wrote:
> Well, my mother made me write you guys and tell ya that my name
>is spelled Fiama.
> There's nothin you can do about the press, they're always screwin
>sumptin up.
> Yours Truly,
> Johnny

See!!! I told you guys. But you wouldn't believe me.

Excuse me while I go thumb my nose at Bill Sherman.

TNesi

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Jun 6, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/6/96
to

> See!!! I told you guys. But you wouldn't believe me.
>
> Excuse me while I go thumb my nose at Bill Sherman.

NO! THE MUPPETS SAY IT'S "FIAMMA!!" It was on "VARIETY"!

Ted
--
Visit My Muppet Page!

http://members.aol.com/teddyn10/index.html

Visit My Peanuts Page!
http://members.aol.com/peanutstv/index.html

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