Conan Meets Big Bird's Fluffer | Conan O'Brien Needs A Fan

Hi Mica, how are you? >> Good, how are you doing? >> Uh [clears throat] where are you right. now in the world, Mica? >> I am in Atlanta, Georgia at the Center. for Puppetry Arts. >> Oh, you work with puppets. >> Yes. >> I'm going to say I I don't think I've. heard of it, but uh tell me this is a. puppet museum. What is it? What what are. we doing here? Are we storing puppets or. are we displaying them? >> [laughter]. >> What's happening in your puppet world? >> Yeah, we're um we're a museum, a puppet. museum. Um we're also a performing art. center, so um we have performances that.

involve puppets um 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 um in the museum. >> Okay, are we talking famous puppets. here? Uh. would would these be puppets that I. know? >> Yes, we have about 500 of the Jim Henson. original Jim Henson puppets. >> Oh, oh we call those Muppets, don't we? >> Yes, [laughter] we do call them Muppets. >> Well, I'm sorry, we in the business.

puppetry call that Muppetry. Uh so, you have Muppets. You have 500. Muppets? >> Yes, we do. We have 500 Muppets, uh Miss. Piggy, Kermit, the Sesame Street. characters, um puppets from The Dark Crystal and. Labyrinth. >> Wow. >> Um among others. >> I had the honor and privilege of um. getting to meet Jim Henson a couple of. times uh in This is long before I did my. late night show or anything. I.

when I was in college uh his daughter, Lisa, was on the college humor magazine. with me, and he would come by, and he once said to me, uh Conan, would. you 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 cuz we have it in our. storage facility, and I said, oh God, yes, Mr. Henson, 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. Um. >> Really? You think it's still there? >> I think it's still there. >> Might have to make a road trip to go get. it. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, yeah, you guys should come take it. cuz I don't trust those idiots who are. looking after it. >> [laughter]. >> They. 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. also some of it's not around anymore. >> It's incredible. So you have a lot of. Jim Henson 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 Sona. maybe you remember from our childhood. days. >> I sure do. Do you remember Lamb Chop? >> I was. >> What was her name? Her name was. >> It's Oh god, what was the Lamb Chop.

puppet? >> 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. puppets. >> 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. [laughter]. 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 on that was I think on. Sci-Fi. So it's a newer one. But yes, it is the Chucky. All of our. puppets are originals, usually performed. >> Okay. >> before they're they're gifted to us. 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. Um, and so yeah, we have uh, you know, in.

that 5,000 puppets, we have puppets from. all over the world, you know, different. puppetry traditions from all over the. world, puppets that date back, you know, 1800s and and. um, so yeah, people can can call me, write me, and and offer me their. 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 it's like a paper plate. and they cut a mouth in it. >> [laughter]. >> and they, you know, it's just not good.

Are you in the position of saying, uh, "I think we're okay. We're, 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. As much as people want. their stuff to last forever, we have to. be selective. >> Micah, 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. >> What? What do you mean? >> be shredding puppets. >> Well, yes, you can.

>> No, you can put them in a box, but you. can't Why are you Why are you shredding. them? >> Because you got to It's going to run out. of space if you I just [laughter] I'm. thinking you spare the old puppeteer's. feelings. >> you always shredding them? I thought. that was the go-to. >> Okay, well, all right. Well, Micah, I. mean, I think you're just repeating what. Sonia said, so. >> [laughter]. >> I think you secretly agree with me, but. you know you want to keep the puppet. people on your side. >> We dispose of them in an appropriate. manner, I suppose. >> Uh, sure. Yes, yes. We call that. burning. Um, >> [laughter]. >> Come on.

>> Uh, or just dip them in I you know what. would be a good thing to do if you want. to get rid of puppets is dip them in. like a beef broth and then throw them. into a pack of dogs. >> Oh my god, you could never work in a. puppet museum. >> To see a To see a a puppet torn limb. from limb seconds after it was donated. by a kindly old puppeteer. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, it's awful. >> he comes back cuz he left his wallet. He's like, "OH, NO! >> [laughter]. >> MY LITTLE GUB GUB!". UH MICA.

>> YOU'RE AWFUL. >> Think about it, Mica. It's something. you're going to want to do. And now that. you've pictured it, you're going to do. it. >> [laughter]. >> Um Mica, 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. There must be times when you think. >> Where's this going? >> I think I saw that Chucky puppet move or. [laughter]. >> I knew it. >> I saw 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. Okay. Well, [laughter] there was. one time where I did run and get a. coworker. I'm pretty sure I heard a. noise. >> Of course you did. >> I'm usually in here by myself and the. lights turn off automatically um after a. while if you don't move around. >> Yeah. >> So uh yeah, I did. >> Which puppet Which puppet do you think. was moving? Which Be honest. Which. puppet [laughter] do you think was.

moving? None of your None of your lies. None of your lies. None of your. chicanery or tomfoolery. Which puppet. are you quite certain was moving? >> I think it was one of the Skeksis from. The Dark Crystal. >> Oh god. >> Yeah, the Skeksis. >> 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. cuz it catches my movement. And. as I was walking back there, but before. I was in the room, I definitely heard. it. So I ran.

>> she comes. Here she comes."? >> [laughter]. >> Oh god, she's got beef broth. Oh, look. out. >> [laughter]. >> I did feel a little silly when my. coworker came in. Obviously, there was. nothing. going [laughter] on. >> What The The thing is these puppets. aren't dumb. They know that when you. bring someone else they got to clam up. So that's what they do. They freeze and. they clam up and then your friend leaves. and they're like, "We're going to get you. We're going to. get you.". >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. That's why I have Chucky 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 back to him. the whole time though? That's the thing. you're doing Mica that I would never do. You have him locate Chucky is right. behind you and I think he's holding a. weapon. Is he holding a weapon? >> Yes, he is holding a a knife. Yes. >> What the Mica? [laughter]. >> Mica, Miss Piggy is right next to him. Miss Piggy would Chucky up. She. would. >> you know Miss Piggy isn't. doesn't also want to be freed from her. human overlord? >> [laughter]. >> I mean Miss Piggy might help. He might.

>> There's no chance. >> What are you talking about? Miss Piggy. doesn't want to. >> Miss Piggy would never do that. Miss. Piggy would defend herself and everybody. there cuz she's Miss Piggy. >> is a puppet too. >> No, but that doesn't matter. She knows. who's right and who's wrong. >> would want to share the spotlight with. Chucky. >> Yes, okay Mica, that's the first. sensible thing I've heard today. >> [laughter]. >> She's a diva and she wouldn't want, you. know, Chucky to get all the press for. being the murderer. So if [laughter].

anything it's going to be Miss Piggy who. gets you and Chucky who's just, you. know, watching in horror. >> I don't like this blasphemy [laughter]. at. Not when it comes to Miss Piggy. I. wanted Do you ever brush Miss Piggy's. hair? >> Um. 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 Bird occasionally. >> [laughter]. >> When you say fluff Big Bird. >> [laughter]. >> What are we talking about here?

>> She gets flat, you know, I mean. >> Yeah, oh I know. >> [laughter]. >> Oh I know. >> It gets a little limp, you know? >> Yeah. So. >> Yeah, I have to fluff them a little bit. >> on. We got a big shoot going on here, Big Bird. >> [laughter]. >> I'm going to fluff you up. >> It's a It's a strange thing. >> money, Big Bird. Time is money. >> [laughter]. >> I'm going to tell you the most. horrifying sight I've ever seen. >> Micah. Uh which is one time I was asked to do.

something on Sesame Street. This is you. know, 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 cuz you know, uh space is uh. limited. And they had lashed Snuffleupagus to the. ceiling. Because it's a giant puppet and you've. got to store it somewhere and it was. lifeless, inanimate, um limp uh.

uh Snuffleupagus and it was lashed to. the ceiling like parts kind of hanging. but other parts secured with ropes and. it looked like Hannibal Lecter had dis-. had gone psycho on Snuffleupagus and. then nailed him to the ceiling in this. ghastly. >> [laughter]. >> 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 them he. wasn't careful and HE WAS MURDERED. >> [laughter]. >> NO. >> I HAD TO THINK OF SOMETHING. >> [laughter]. >> That's not cool. >> Well, at least I got off off of fluffing. uh Big Bird. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> And took us to the mass murder. >> It's not great to see the puppets not. like they're supposed to look. We. definitely got the puppets in somewhat.

poor condition. They had been used. obviously um, for years and then in a. warehouse. So, um, 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, you know, destroy. children's, uh, lives. >> So, these some of these puppets you get. have been, you know, rode hard and put. away wet. They're like these are. up puppets. >> [laughter]. >> NO, 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? >> Holes. >> Holes in them? Yeah, moth holes, stuff. like that. >> sometimes, missing arms, you know. >> And so, I mean, it must be ghastly. sometimes the puppets you get. >> Yeah, well, it's, you know, they're just. puppets, but yeah. You don't want Elmo. to look like Elmo, you don't want him to. be like. >> No. It's like when. >> hollow or something. >> I mean, God forbid, but sometimes, you. know, you have to go to a wake and the. person, you know, was in a bomb accident. and [laughter]. you just hope that the.

they're they look like themselves, you. know what I mean? Uh, so and then sometimes you are like. the mortician for these puppets. You. have to make them look presentable so. their loved ones see them in the correct. state and not like Snuffleupagus all. bashed. beaten and stabbed. >> Poor condition plastic surgeon. Yeah, we. do actually take needles to some of the. foam latex puppets. Um, our latex is a lot of the Dark Crystal. Labyrinth puppets and.

it sort of dries out over time so much. like our skin as we. age. 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. >> puppet botox. >> Yeah, puppet botox. [laughter]. And I just want to touch on this briefly. cuz 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 cuz you're nervous cuz.

you're pretty sure you just saw you just. saw Chucky sharpening his knife. >> [laughter]. >> Um. when when you're in that situation, sometimes you read uh Harry Potter fan. fiction and you're a fan of. what is it? Hermione? Her-. What [laughter] did I say wrong? Hermione? Her- Hermione? Oh, sorry for. mispronouncing that. [laughter] Oh, yeah, you're right. Hermione. That word. we all just spit out. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. If I'm ever pulled over.

for a DUI and they ask me to say. [laughter]. Hermione, I'm just going to say, "Hey, just take. me. Put me away for 30 years. Let's not. even do the test.". >> [laughter]. >> Um how do you pronounce it? >> to a lot of audio, podcasts, audiobooks, and I got into yeah, Hermione fan. fiction cuz I'm here all day and. >> Obviously, Hermione and who What's the. first part? >> Draco. >> Oh, Draco Malfoy. And why are why are you or anyone else.

why do you want to. What is it about those two characters. that is particularly appealing? Like, how come Harry Potter's not in this. combo platter? Do you know what I mean? >> I think cuz, you know, who doesn't love. a bad boy? And Draco's story didn't. really get finished in the originals. 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 uh fan fiction's exploring? >> Mhm, most of it's love. Draco's the love. interest. >> Is that a couple that could really. exist? I mean, who did Hermione end up. with? What What was his name? Hubblebee? Hubble gubble? >> Ron. >> What's that? >> Ron. >> Oh, Ron. Okay. So, Hubblebee? I don't. know. It's been a while. >> I'm just saying, I I know. But I I get. what she said I cuz I love fan fiction, 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 Draco so. >> [laughter]. >> And so, oh, there's a fan fiction where. where Draco and Hermione get it on? Is. that what that's something that could. happen? >> I mean, if they're not, what's the. point? >> Oh, yeah, definitely. The first one that. I read was Manacled, which is sort of a. Handmaid's Tale meets. Harry Potter fan fiction. So, if you've. read Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale. or watched the TV show, sort of that. situation. >> Okay. Okay, I'm trying to picture this.

Uh you know what's crazy? Behind you. behi-. Behind you uh. >> [laughter]. >> Chucky just made the goo goo with his. hands. Get a load of this. Oh my god, [laughter] here she goes again. Hey, does Dumble- Does Dumbledore Does. Dumbledore. >> [laughter]. >> Isn't he the wizard or something? Doesn't he Does he ever. >> Oh, yeah, right. But, he's like the. [laughter] head wizard that really. dresses like a wizard. The rest of them. dress like they go to like Oxford.

College. >> [laughter]. >> They're like, "Oh, look at me. Oh, I'm a. wizard." Oh, really? Yeah, cuz I'm. dressed like I go to Princeton. [laughter]. So, he's like the guy that's committing to. I'm a wizard, you know? [laughter]. Uh. Yeah, [clears throat] of course I'm. right. I've not said one thing today. that's wrong. >> You're not wrong. >> So, does Dumbledore ever walk in on. Hermione and [laughter]. and uh and and Draco and be like, "What. the hell's going on here?" Does that. ever happen in these scenarios? >> [laughter].

>> So far, I've not read one where. Dumbledore's in it at all. >> [laughter]. >> You could You could write a new one. This could be a new one. >> Yeah. He's not the sexiest character. >> Dumbledore? It depends. Some people are. into that. I don't know. >> Okay. Well, clearly you are. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah, I like them old and. bearded. And wearing a a moo moo. So. >> People prefer to see Hermione end up. with like, you know, a potentially. attractive character like Draco's. potentially attractive. She ended up.

with Ron before. >> 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. >> I mean no offense to Ron, but he's a wet. noodle, you know? >> Yeah, exactly. >> Draco's a bad boy. >> Yeah, yeah, you can keep saying that. >> I'm just saying you want you want there. to be like a like love it can't they.

they got to they got to do it and it has. to be like. >> Enemies to lovers is the thing. >> What's that? What did you say? >> You want the redemption arc. You want. the enemies to lovers. Yeah. >> Yes, that's the redemption arc and and. you don't get the redemption arc with. Ron. >> [laughter]. >> You know what I mean? >> Are you upset cuz he's like the redhead. and you kind of see yourself. >> the way redheads are portrayed in those. tales. >> [laughter]. >> In those tales. >> No, it's a bunch of brothers with red. hair. What do they do? I don't know. One.

of them gets killed and two of them kind. of are go [laughter] nowhere. You know? You know, they're bumbling, stumbling, they they come from this goofy house. Yes, that's why I'm mad at these books. Redheads are completely ineffectual. lovers. >> [laughter]. >> You know? Talk about needing a fluffer. >> I think you know more about Harry Potter. than you're letting on. Have you been. reading some Harry Potter fan fiction on. the. >> I read those books. and I burned them. >> [laughter].

>> because of the redhead depiction. Well, it's the Weasleys. >> [laughter]. >> HEY, WHAT NAME SHOULD WE GIVE THE. REDHEADS? OH, I have it. The Weasleys. >> [laughter]. >> Oh my god. >> It's a show. All right. Micah, I'm really happy that your. your world involves both puppets and a. reality where Hermione makes the correct. choice. [laughter]. Which is the blonde-haired evil guy over. the red do-gooder.

Um Micah, I salute you. And I think of. myself as a human puppet. Um and I really am. I mean, most people. look at my work and they think you're. just a a giant I'm kind of like a. Snuffleupagus, 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. marionette, you know. >> Yeah, marionette. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, I. Coming from you, that's a big. compliment. >> Yeah. And you had Triumph, who was a. puppet. >> Puppet, yeah. Oh, there's a lot of.

puppets on the old show. Triumph the. Ostrich. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Um. >> Well, if they need a home, the Center. for Puppetry Arts is here. We'll take. them. >> Yeah, well, can you imagine Triumph in. your museum? Well, that would be a disaster. All. night long, YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK, CHUCKY! YOU SUCK! HEY, THERE'S ANOTHER REDHEAD, CHUCKY. There's another redhead rounding out the. stereotypes. >> [laughter]. >> Our one murder puppet's the redhead. Well, Micah, it's a delight to talk to. you, it really is.

Uh 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 the museum. We'd love to have you. >> to come by at night. I'll get them. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Night tour. >> a little beef broth with me and some. Rottweilers. >> [laughter]. >> All right, Micah, I just threatened your. puppets. I better get out of here. Thank you. >> we should end on that note. Thank you. >> [laughter]. >> Bye, Micah. Thank you. That was really. good. >> Bye. Thanks, y'all. Nice to meet you.