Tuesday, while I was at work, I was saddened to hear that Joe Kudla (Thomas Snot), the man behind Snot of “Puke and Snot” passed away on Monday. Some you have may have never heard of him, but those of you who have ever had the joy of seeing him and Mark Sieve (Ralph Puke) at Renaissance festivals across the nation know that we have lost part of an absolutely ingenious comedic act. While their routine was full of elements that are not not exactly intended for young children, it was performed in such a way that children would laugh along simply because they didn’t understand the simple innuendo.
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I was first introduced to the Colorado Springs Renaissance Festival in the late 80′s and have attended almost every year since then. I’ve seen them every time I’ve gone, except for when I moved near the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, where they didn’t perform. I’ve actually been quite sad that I’ve not been able to see them in some time because of moving to Texas. Because, even though I had seen their acts enough to almost recite them by memory, I enjoyed seeing them again because they would change it up enough to make it that much funnier.
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I even remember the time’s my late friend Dusty Rhodes would play their CD’s when we’d be playing games at his house, especially when Snot needs to present his magaga to the Princes.
Either way, my heart goes out to Joe’s family, and especially to his partner of over 30 years, Mark Sieve. I’ve recently read that Mark wants to keep a show going, as the Puke and Snot website, magaga.com, states:
Joe always believed that the show was bigger than the actors. That’s why we have, in the past and today, had Puke & Snot performing in other festivals across the country: Boston, Pittsburgh, Maryland, D.C. Even through actors other than ourselves, the spirit of the show carries on. People still laugh. Joe would want them to keep laughing.
So, to honor Joe and his long legacy, we’ve decided to soldier on and go ahead with the show this weekend at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Thomas Snot, the indelible character Joe developed over 35 years, deserves to live on, even if Joe himself decided to “step out of the canoe.”
We hope to see you this weekend, where we can all honor Joe the way he’d like it: little fuss, and a lot of laughter. Long live Thomas Snot!
So here’s to you Thomas Snot, with your magaga, tied in a bow…
Joe Kudla, A.K.A Thomas Snot 1951 - 2008
You can find other tributes to Joe on Mark Seive’s bog.