“But Margaret Thatcher isn’t dead,” says Statler.

“I know,” says Waldorf, “I said the late Margaret Thatcher.”

Statler blinks. “That’s… what that means.”

“No it doesn’t! It’s like… somebody you speak of with respect. You know, somebody who’s been around for a while, so they’ve earned it, later in life.” He smiles. “The late Jim Henson. The late Coretta Scott King.”

“Both dead,” says Statler gently.

Waldorf grabs the laptop and googles fiercely. “Here!” he says. “The late James Brown!”

“Last December, right before Gerald Ford–”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” hisses Waldorf. “I will make you late as hell.”