THE TODDCAST · WITH TODD MICHAELBehind the Shoebox Curtain
Todd Bridges and Todd McFarlane found the sock-puppet curtain tied into a knot. One striped puppet waved from backstage, although the show had not begun. A pencil sketch of a rescue staircase became a very polite instruction sign.
The puppets pulled together and the curtain opened. They bowed in a tangle, then gave the laundry basket a medal for excellent stage presence. It promptly ate the medal.
Knot quite ready
Todd Bridges opened the shoebox theater to find every sock puppet waiting behind the curtain. The curtain, in turn, was tied into a knot worthy of a sailor. Todd McFarlane brought a pencil and sketched a heroic rescue plan, complete with a dramatic staircase and one very confident sock wearing a button eye.
Todd Bridges asked the puppets to hold the rope together. They did, though the striped one kept waving at the audience. Todd McFarlane’s staircase sketch became a sign reading “Please pull gently.” No one knew which end of the rope was which, so the puppets held a committee meeting. It lasted until the striped sock declared snack break.
The knot slipped loose when the puppets all leaned the same way. The curtain rose, and the cast bowed in a jumble of heels and toes. Todd Bridges announced the show was over; the puppets disagreed and performed a five-second encore about a brave laundry basket. Todd McFarlane drew it a medal. The basket accepted, then swallowed the medal.
Encore, With Laundry
Todd Bridges and Todd McFarlane tried pulling opposite ends of the rope. The knot became more confident. The striped puppet called a committee meeting and requested snacks.
They all leaned together; the curtain opened at once. The laundry basket’s encore was brief because it swallowed its medal, but the puppets agreed the timing was impeccable.
Shoebox Encore
Todd Bridges calls the curtain high,
Todd McFarlane draws a sock to fly.
The striped sock waves from backstage,
The basket steals the medal offstage.
The puppets bow in woolly rows,
A button eye outshines the shows.
Five seconds more, then off they go,
The laundry gets the final bow.