Puppet Museum Manager Reveals Skeksis Puppet Movement in Dark Room
"I think it was one of the Skeksis from The Dark Crystal. Because they're in a back room by themselves. Yeah, 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. And as I was walking back there, but before I was in the room, I definitely heard it."
About this episode
In this episode of Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan, host Conan O'Brien speaks with Micah, a collections manager at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. The museum houses over 5,000 puppets including approximately 500 original Jim Henson creations such as Muppets from Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth, as well as Lamb Chop, Mystery Science Theater 3000 puppets, and the original Chucky doll from the horror franchise. Micah describes her responsibilities managing the collection, including restoration work on deteriorating foam latex puppets from the 1980s and occasional rejections of subpar puppet donations. The conversation explores the eerie experience of working alone at night among the puppets, with Micah recounting a specific incident where she heard suspicious movement from a Skeksis puppet stored in a dark back room. O'Brien shares his own disturbing memory of seeing Snuffleupagus lashed lifeless to a ceiling at Sesame Street's Brooklyn facility 25 years ago. The discussion shifts to Micah's interest in Harry Potter fan fiction, specifically Dramione stories pairing Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, which she consumes via audiobook. O'Brien and producer Sona Movsesian joke about redhead representation in the Harry Potter universe and debate character appeal. The episode maintains a comedic tone throughout while offering glimpses into the unusual world of professional puppet preservation and the emotional attachment people develop to these inanimate characters.
Key takeaways
- Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts houses over 5,000 puppets including 500 original Jim Henson Muppets and the Chucky doll.
- Collections manager Micah reported hearing movement from a Skeksis puppet in a dark storage room and retrieved a coworker to investigate.
- Museum accepts puppet donations but Micah must reject submissions that are not museum-worthy, creating awkward conversations with donors.
- Foam latex puppets from Dark Crystal and Labyrinth require intensive restoration work as the material dries and withers over time.
- Conan O'Brien recalled seeing Snuffleupagus lashed to a ceiling at Sesame Street's facility 25 years ago in what he described as horrifying condition.
- Micah regularly consumes Harry Potter Dramione fan fiction via audiobook, exploring romantic storylines between Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger.
- Museum staff perform restoration tasks including wig repairs and fluffing Big Bird to maintain character appearances for public display.