The Muppet Show 

Kermit the Frog and his fellow Muppets put on a vaudeville show at their theatre, bringing in a famous celebrity to help out for each episode.

Creators:

Jim Henson, Jack Burns

Stars:

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 7 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Frank Oz	...	Fozzie Bear / ... 120 episodes, 1976-1981
Richard Hunt	...	Statler / ... 120 episodes, 1976-1981
Dave Goelz	...	Gonzo / ... 120 episodes, 1976-1981
Jim Henson	...	Kermit the Frog / ... 120 episodes, 1976-1981
Jerry Nelson	...	Floyd Pepper / ... 112 episodes, 1976-1981
Louise Gold	...	Additional Muppets / ... 71 episodes, 1977-1981
Steve Whitmire	...	Additional Muppets / ... 66 episodes, 1978-1981
Kathryn Mullen	...	Additional Muppets / ... 57 episodes, 1978-1981

Storyline

Kermit the Frog is the manager of a cabaret-style theatre house, which invariably has more drama behind the stage than on it. He has to contend with wannabe-comedian bears, the smothering advances of Miss Piggy, crabby regular theatre patrons, homicidal chefs, livestock, not to mention making the weekly guest star feel welcome.

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Plot Keywords:

puppet | cult tv | vaudeville | celebrity guest | monster | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Music

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Swedish Chef has been said to be inspired by the first and only television appearance of Swedish cook Lars Bäckman. 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 Bäckman's likeness (including the thick mustache). However, show writer Jerry Juhl has refuted this statement and believes Bäckman invented the rumor himself. Bäckman, who presently earns his money with a travelling cooking show in Sweden, was allegedly paid eighty dollars for the rights to use his character in The Muppet Show. He is considered to be a good cook with a great sense of humor.

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Quotes

Rita Moreno: Kermit I was wondering if we could just forget the cue cards and just ad lib it.
Kermit the Frog: Ad lib it? Yes I don't mind doing that but there are others who may take offense.
Rita Moreno: Like who?
Kermit the Frog: Like the guy who holds the cue cards.
Sweetums: Nice lady not want Sweetums to hold cue cards?
Rita Moreno: Uh no.
Sweetums: Nice lady want Sweetums to hold something else?
Rita Moreno: Sure you can hold anything you want.
Sweetums: Great! That best offer Sweetums have all week.
[Sweetums picks up Rita like a football and walks off with her while Kermit shrieks]
[...]

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the closing credits, there is a scene with Statler and Waldorf.

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Alternate Versions

In the UK, the ending credits roll on the left corner of the screen and credit the guest star. In all non-UK versions of the show, the credits roll in the center of the screen and do not credit the guest star. The UK editions of half of the first season episodes, as well as the ones with Harry Belafonte and Chris Langham, have recently been shown on television in the US.

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: My Pet Monster (2010)

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Soundtracks

Swedish Chef's Theme
Composed Derek Scott
Performed by Swedish Chef (Jim Henson)

User Reviews

It's about time!

As a true fan of Muppets in all their incarnations, I have been waiting for this DVD set.

The Muppet Show has to be one of the best programs produced. Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and the gang will always make me laugh. Considering I was only 6 when the show originally aired, I'm finally able to see all the episodes in their original broadcast order. And just being able to hear all the songs and comedy bits is awesome. I'm especially looking forward to hearing all of the "Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem" songs.

The DVD set isn't loaded with extras, but it's got a "Fact Track" which has a lot of great info, although the graphic overlay sometimes interferes with the action and comedy on the screen (similar to the Back To The Future fact tracks). But the basic fact you get 24 episodes is well worth the money you spend on it (I got it for my birthday, although it retails at Wal-Mart for about 30 bucks), and I can't wait for the other seasons to come out on DVD (along with the season of "Fraggle Rock") If you are a Muppet Fan, or at least a Kermit fan, you owe it to yourself to pick up this set. The variety show is pretty much a dead art form, but the Muppet Show is a classic example of how it should be done.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Muppet Show

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated Television (ATV), HIT Entertainment, Henson Associates (HA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (120 episodes)

Color:

Color