New York! Science Capital of the World!

This story about the World Science Festival coming to New York isn't that interesting, really, but it features a motley crew of characters. In addition to college presidents, it's got Joel Klein (Chancellor of NYC public schools), Alan Alda, Dr. Brian Greene (a prominent physicist), and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (the Muppet).

During the press conference, Dr. Greene made a point of saying that it's not fun science, but the real thing. A few minutes later, this happened:

Popping up from behind the lectern, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, who described himself as being from Muppet Labs, extolled the family-oriented programs. The most important thing they could show, he said, was “that science can be as explosive and violent as any TV program.”

Then he sprayed Dr. Greene with a can of silly string.

Serious science, indeed.

I admit that I rather like the Muppets, and Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew were always a couple of my favorites. I can do a pretty decent Beaker impression, actually, even though nowadays I look a hell of a lot more like Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.