The Muppet Show (TV Series 1976–1981)

Season:

5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1  | Full episode list »

Year:

1980 | 1979 | 1978 | 1977 | 1976  | see all »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »

Official Sites:

Henson.com | Muppets.com | Add/edit official sites  »

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 1976 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

El show de los muppets See more »

Filming Locations:

BBC Elstree Centre/ATV Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Production Co:

Associated Television (ATV), HIT Entertainment, Henson Associates (HA) See more »

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Runtime:

30 min (120 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Trivia

The Swedish Chef has been said to be inspired by the first and only television appearance of Lars Baeckmann. His appearance was a total failure, as he mumbled a strange mixture of English and Swedish while hectically preparing some sort of food. It was thought that the show's producers found it very funny and created the Swedish Chef in Baeckmann's likeness (including the thick mustache). However, show writer Jerry Juhl has refuted this statement and believes Baeckmann invented the rumor himself. Baeckmann, who presently earns his money with a traveling cooking show in Sweden, was paid $80 for the rights to the character. He is considered to be a good cook with a great sense of humor. See more »

Quotes

Waldorf: Well, this show certainly doesn't lay any eggs.
Chickens: Bwak bawk bawk!
Statler: Wanna bet?
See more »

Crazy Credits

Occasionally, the end theme would be performed in a different way.
Kaye Ballard show: All the band members, except Rowlf, quit the
show. Rowlf is left to play a piano-only version of the theme tune.
Loretta Lynn: Both the opening and closing credits in this show are
done differently. The show is performed at the local railway station and,
as such, the lyrics to the opening theme are appropriately changed - Cast:
It's time to get things started, on the most sensational, inspirational...
Fozzie: This week's sort of, railroad stational. The band play an off-key
version of the end theme. Rowlf explains the reason to the audience - "No
wonder this sounds bad. We're playing a timetable!"
Harry Belafonte: The cast sing the song "Turn the World Around"
while the end credits roll.
Spike Milligan: The cast sing the song "It's a Small World" while
the end credits sing. Guest Spike Milligan tells them to keep quiet
as he's trying to sleep. At the same time, the end theme is played down and
Kermit, who is still on stage, yells out that the music be stopped.
Roger Miller: The whole cast, except Gonzo, have turned into
chickens. As a result, all the band play the end theme as chickens. Animal
pecks at his drums, while Rowlf and another chicken play the piano.
Dudley Moore: Dudley's Music Machine plays a bizarre rendition of
the end theme. It sounds off-key and is done in various styles including
jazz, stripper music, chase music.
Mac Davis: This is the episode where Beaker gets duplicated by
Bunsen's duplicator machine. During the last song "I Believe in Music", the
band and even the hecklers Statler and Waldorf are changed into Beakers.
The Beakers play the end theme. See more »

Connections

Referenced in "The Office: Appraisals (#2.2)" (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

"Swedish Chef's Theme"
Composed Derek Scott
Performed by Swedish Chef (Jim Henson) See more »