#Wayland Flowers and Madame

[chaptertwo-thepacnw]

wayland flowers & madame

[oldshowbiz]

1976.

[gallimaufryish]

[peskybedtime]

Puppet on a String - Chapter 4

Puppet on a String - Chapter 4 on AO3

Get ready for a time jump, babies! Our story has moved on to the groovy 70's. This chapter is lighter on smut and heavier on feels (worry not, we are planning plenty of smut for later chapters). There is mild sexism, talk of divorce, a very bad dick joke, and Faye engages in some solo smuppetry. We also want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who's been reading and giving us such lovely feedback! We are so happy you're enjoying our strange little story as much as we are. - your devoted pesky and @shakerattlescroll

Rating: Mature/Explicit, No Minors, NSFW

Relationships: Elvis Presley/Original Female Character; Elvis Presley/Puppet; Original Female Character/Puppet

Warnings: Smutty puppetry (aka smuppetry), alternate universe (historical), minor historical inaccuracies, masturbation (solo smuppetry)

[latibulater]

im not going to spend too much time after this one post

Treister as this character-figure on the same story level as Jonas Venture. Jonas to Rusty to the twins, Treister to Hunter to Brock. this episode implies a rich history where I'm left thinking that Hunter's insecurities around inner turmoil stemmed from Treister ("Hans Brinker's thumb was stuck in a dike" "Son, whatever depravity you get up to on your own time is between you and your living god") which of course bled down to Brock, who must have tried to block out the fact that his mentor and person he respects most is constantly belittled and degraded as being foolish and girlish ("Wayland Flowers called, he wants his Madame back") because Hunter's entire character, of course, is introduced as a transphobic gag. Hunter can't escape from being a man who wants to be a woman no matter how hard Hunter begs the narrative ("I miss my breasts! Inside of me, there is a woman screaming to be heard."), the very next episode Hunter meets with Treister and is immediately shoved into the role of successor, replacement, and son. Over and over, Treister calls Hunter son, makes regular remarks into homophobic comments, and "Took guts to bust out the nest and go off on your own, son. Took balls to cut off your balls. Even without 'em, you got more true grit man-moxie on tap than any of these "yes" men and bureaucrats been runnin' the place."

Similarly to Rusty, in this regard at least, Hunter was created for a singular purpose and trying to make a new way inevitably results in Hunter right back where he started. Honestly, in the same way I imagine Jonas constantly belittling Rusty over any perceived weakness, I can easily picture a young Hunter being put through hell by superior officer Treister, for the good of god and country and the secret president. And additionally, just like how Rusty says no matter how bad a father Jonas was, he still loved him and misses him and wouldn't be who he is today with Jonas and so he can't imagine ever actually going against his father, Hunter clearly is panicking when he thinks Treister is self-euthanizing.

Even after Hunter lets go of the wheel the first time and Treister yells "What the hell are you doing?! Do not let go of that wheel, boy! There are 2,000 souls on board!", Hunter inevitably lets go AGAIN because he can't bear to hold on while someone he must've cared greatly for climbs into a shuttle-capsule. "Do not kill yourself, you crazy bastard!" "Ain't killin' myself, son." And AGAIN with the BOY. the SON.

And like, Hunter was an open joke for believing in the GCI in the 80s, so why was so many resources, a private office with an escape hatch outside, and a personal hulking assistant given? I can only believe b/c at the time Hunter was still Treister's favorite, still Treister's spy kid and most likely prepped to be his successor, despite the weird results. Then Hunter fucks up with Billy and Phantom Limb and gets sent out of country and is separated from Brock. To me, that reads as Treister getting irritated his "son" is playing dress-up on stake-outs and is getting distracted running around on wild goose chases, and it's time to find Hunter a nice, new assignment away from the only person in the entire OSI to provide back-up and believe in Hunter full-heartedly. Sending Hunter to Guam is Treister's version of sending his unruly "son" to military school, never mind the fact they're all in the military anyways.

Parent belittles non-conforming child, child grows into a bitter angry adult, becomes a parent and slowly has to Detangle and work through their past, even getting dragged back in after believing escape was possible, and now trying to do a tiny bit better by their own children. Not TOO much easier of course, cant get rid of that "walked to school uphill through snow both ways" attitude instilled. i think a main difference is that in the end Hunter was verbally loved by Treister and handed the OSI as a sign of trust, whilst Jonas spent zero screen time ever complimenting or being loving towards Rusty. So this leads to an unequal balance between Hunter and Rusty where Hunter can mind-control and take advantage of Rusty whereas Jonas and Treister were on more even-footing IMO.

Moreso, in "Any Which Way But Zeus", when everyone is passing out and checked out, Hunter is the only one still trying to come up with a reasonable plan but Treister completely interrupts and dismisses the plan out of hand. AND

AND Hunter is the only one given a 'female' code name "Kelly Clarkson", opposed to all other code names "Kenan and Kel" "Matthew Perry" "Orville Redenbacher", EXEPT of course "Topanga Lawrence" (she was an actress). Who was the only other person at the table Treister called a girl/disrespected (from a military masculinity complex)? BROCK. Hunter's protege. Previously, Treister had given a lot of respect to Brock even as a commander to an insubordinate...subordinate. "Still breathing, General Treister, sir.

No thanks to you." "Aw, you're lookin' fine, son." and the following: "Son, I believe your mind has gone AWOL. I shoulda seen this comin'.

Your work's been gettin' sloppy across the board, boy.........Why don't you come back with us so we can find you a nice, new assignment? Maybe somethin' a little easier on the ol' noggin'?"

Then the next interaction they have is Treister realizing Brock not only left the OSI but joined SPHINX with Hunter. That is all to explain why I feel like Treister is directly disrespecting them best he can while avoiding making things personal in front of power players in the villainous community. It's this whole power play exchange that reminds me of a family feud happening in front of company where the father is holding on by the skin of his teeth to not slap his kids.

Moving beyond that, Brock's own issues with masculinity are never brought up by Hunter. He gets the length of his hair mocked by others, is told constantly he's over-compensating, and is emasculated over his role within the Venture family. Never by Hunter, far as I can recall. And personally, I think Hunter nicknaming "boychick" is much softer and more affectionate than "boy" and "son" even because it's a very possessive word.

UMMMM to wrap up this post b/c idrk where I'm going anymore, I feel like Treister was a lot more influential to the background of the show than is obvious upon first viewing because he actually has been around so long and most likely has a very deep complicated relationship with Hunter that appears as Hunter unable to escape expectations of being a good soldier/son which reflects Jonas' relationship with Rusty as Rusty is unable to escape his father's infantilization of Rusty's capability and society's pre-determined expectation of him failing.

GIVE HUNTER A RX FOR ESTRADIOL SEASON 8!!!!!!!!

[royal-confessions]

“At the Hayes Muslim Center, Kate was giving major Madame from 'Wayland Flowers and Madame Blossoms' vibes.  The paps must unhappy with her so they've stopped photoshopping her pics.” - Submitted by Anonymous

[mariacallous]

Wayland Flowers and Madame Discuss Men, 1980

"Girls, we have to talk - all this about the perfect 10, I mean who are they kidding?! You know and I know you're never going to find one! I've been looking for years - in places you'd never dream of going - and the best I ever found was a 3 and a half. And that was in centimeters! But we never stop looking, do we?"

[antonjesus]

Madame (of Wayland Flowers) interview with writer Jacques Lamarre by Dev...

[hjtheroofer]

#Flowers was just 48 when he died in 1988 from AIDS-related cancer after collapsing on stage.

[tomthefanboy]

Madame, the puppet who was a gay icon of the 70s and 80s.

I had no idea what was happening when I watched this character on TV as a kid but I knew the comedy was GOLD.

[chaptertwo-thepacnw]

pee-wee herman and madame |1982|

[oldshowbiz]

Wayland Flowers & Madame 

[100gayicons]

Wayland Flowers was and actor and puppeteer who rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s with his puppet Madame.

Madame’s appearance with thick mascara, heavy makeup, jewels, and lots of feathers was based on actress Gloria Swanson and Washington DC waitress Margo MacGregor (popular in the DC gay community).

After Madame’s first appearance on the The Andy Williams Show, Flower’s popularity quickly grew. In addition to his stage show, he made appearance on Laugh-in and other popular shows of the era. After the death of comedian Paul Lynde, Madame and Wayland assumes the center position on “Hollywood Squares”.

Madame had her own syndicated TV series - “Madame’s Place” which ran daily for 150 episodes. The duo also appeared on “Sold Gold” for four seasons.

Wayland Flowers was openly gay throughout his career. In the mid-1980s, Flowers was diagnosed as having HIV. He decided to keep the news a secret so he could continue to work. He eventually suffered from Kaposi's sarcoma. Then in September 1988, he collapsed while performing on stage. He died six weeks later.

In the final episode of the original run of “Hollywood Squares” Madame was asked: "Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Strauss lived in the same place. Where did they all live?"

Madame replies, “At the YMCA!”

Never seen Madame? Check out these one-liners. I thought the “OMG, I must have left the baby on the bus” was the best!

https://youtu.be/SbD8IeTSFhg

[jimhenson-themuppetmaster]

The creation of puppeteer Wayland Flowers, the "outrageous old broad" character of Madame had gained a following in the 1970s for humorous double entendres, wisecrack comebacks, and celebrity name-dropping. Madame was often costumed in fabulous gowns and summer diamonds ("some are diamonds; some are not"), a style spoofing the glamour of Hollywood's Golden era.

Madame lives in a plush Hollywood mansion surrounded by devoted butler Pinkerton, attentive secretary Bernadette, and beautiful niece Sara Joy. The domestic comedy antics of Madame's household are supplemented by Madame's eponymous talk show within-the-show, a revolving door for stand-up comedy, variety show performers, and celebrity guests.

As the series opens, the popular Madame's Place talk show has long been broadcasting reruns, prompting her fans to demand new episodes. Madame successfully negotiates a revival of the show from her home studio.

[peskybedtime]

Puppet on a String - Chapter 6

Puppet on a String - Chapter 6 on AO3

In this chapter Faye learns about Elvis' wide-ranging interests. They have lots of uninterrupted playtime, Elvis debuts his own form of smuppetry, there is some talk of the future, and a bittersweet parting. Co-authored with the lovely @shakerattlescroll.

Rating: Mature/Explicit, No Minors, NSFW

Relationships: Elvis Presley/Original Female Character

Warnings: Smutty puppetry (smuppetry), alternate universe (historical), minor historical inaccuracies, guns, cop roleplay, a big flashlight, inappropriate behavior with said flashlight, fingering, PIV (penis in vagina), very very VERY mild BDSM, medication/drug use