This is something you don’t hear every day.

“The acquisition committee of the Smithsonian Institution has voted unanimously to collect (the original) Bob for its permanent collection - per Jay Johnson’s specifications.”

I just heard this news tonight. The original Bob will now sit along side Charlie McCarthy, Howdy Doody and Kermit the Frog as a permanent member of American History in the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, DC.

This is a process that has been going on for several months. A committee evaluates a donation for its value and significance to American History. Not every donation is accepted; in fact they decline more donations than they accept. I am thrilled they consider the work Bob and I did and the contribution we made to the arts worthy to be so honored. There will be a ceremony that will likely take place here in New York during the run of my show and those details have to be worked out. But wow!

Just to clarify, we are talking about the original Bob I used on “Soap”. The Bob I use now in “The Two and Only” is the next generation. After a couple of years of use Bob needed to be up graded to keep pace with the schedule. Unlike a Hollywood star getting a face-lift, it is easier to start all over with a puppet. That is how I come to have two Bobs. For a while this Bob resided in the Magic and Movie Hall of Fame Museum in Las Vegas with several other famous puppets. That Museum was disbanded a few years ago and Bob has been looking for a new home since. I never dreamed the little guy would end up in such grand company.

I guess Bob has the best of all worlds now. He gets to hang out with his pals Charlie McCarthy and Howdy Doody all day and still perform every night on Broadway. It is a unique advantage to living exclusively in the world of imagination. I’m glad the imaginary people of “The Two and Only” allow me hang out with them.
It’s a wonderful life.
As you were,
Jay