Check out my new Bilerico Project post on the hundredth anniversary of the Triangle Fire, as well as my review of Against Equality: Queer Critiques of Gay Marriage in the new Spring/Summer 2011 issue of make/shift magazine!
Jessica Max Stein
Two Easy Pieces
March 26th, 2011Who Was Richard Hunt?
March 18th, 2011
Many of Richard Hunt’s Muppet characters are household names: Beaker, Scooter, Janice. Statler and Waldorf. Hunt even played Miss Piggy for a season of The Muppet Show, Elmo for a year on Sesame Street. So why is his name not more well-known?
Though many people may not know Richard Hunt’s name, they already know his spirit – for so much of his spirit is present in the work.
I recently wrote a thumbnail biography of Hunt for LGBT website The Bilerico Project. Take a look at it here!
The Great Queer Migration Myth
March 10th, 2011
This weekend, I am going to the house where I grew up for the last time before our family sells it. I have been surprised at the depth of my feelings of loss. I wonder how much my experience of growing up queer there intensifies the transition.
The house is a brick colonial in Rust Belt suburbia, on a street canopied by maple trees. A great place to be a kid, wearing whirligig maple keys on the end of your nose. Not such a great place to be, shall we say, a righteous babe.
Read the rest of this post on the bilerico project!
Now Blogging at The Bilerico Project!
February 17th, 2011
I’m so excited to be a new regular contributor to excellent LGBTQ blog The Bilerico Project! See my first post here!
A Day to Remember
January 7th, 2011
19 years ago today, we lost one of the funniest, most present and memorable people ever to show up on this earth… Long live Richard Hunt! Now go watch some Muppets.
Zinester’s Guide to NYC
December 4th, 2010
I’m so pleased to be a contributor to The Zinester’s Guide to NYC, new from Microcosm Publishing! Jenna Freedman of Lower East Side Librarian wrote an espeially fun review. Good times in NYC!
One, Two, Three Thank Yous!
November 13th, 2010
I can’t “Count” how pleased I am with Jerry Nelson’s recent shoutout in an interview with Ryan Dosier’s Muppet Mindset blog. Nelson finishes a Richard Hunt story by saying, “You’ll have to read about anything more in Max Stein’s book about Richard when it comes out.” As my grandmother would say, “From your lips to God’s ears!”
New Online Interview!
August 2nd, 2010
I was a recent guest on Sarah Mangle’s wonderful Toronto radio show, These Things That People Make. Here’s an archived podcast. Choose “Thursday: 2010-07-22″ and then “These Things That People Make” to hear about my adventures as Richard Hunt’s biographer, my thoughts on how times have changed for queers, and the dangers of gay marriage, among other hot topics. Enjoy!
Toronto Fraggle Geography
July 19th, 2010
Recently Fraggle Rock producer Lawrence Mirkin gave me a walking tour of Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood, where the show was filmed. Here’s a google map I made from the tour, a snapshot of the area between roughly 1982 and 1986. It includes the former studio site, performer accommodations and hangouts.
Mirkin says Toronto and Fraggle Rock were a perfect fit. “Given the show’s committment to interdependence and a global consciousness, I can’t imagine it being filmed anywhere else.”
Jerry Nelson interview, Part 2
July 10th, 2010
Today is legendary puppeteer Jerry Nelson’s 76th birthday! To celebrate, here’s Part Two of our interview, in which he talks about performing on Fraggle Rock, losing his daughter Christine, working with Richard Hunt and Jim Henson, and more! Read the rest of this entry »