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Jim Nabors
Episode 1
The Muppet Show "Jim Nabors"
Two interesting observations about Scooters debut. His entrance is in conflict with the Muppet Movie which shows him being the Electric Mayhems road manager and Muppet Babies where he grows up with the other characters. While some fans lose sleep over this, this is hardly a serious contradiction as were reminded throughout the Muppet Movie that it is just a movie, one with an alternate "history" (indeed if the films were to be taken at face value, they all contradict each other) and the Muppet Babies is also to be thought of as "just a cartoon" BASED ON the characters. The babies Muppetized debut in Muppets Take Manhattan was part of a dream sequence. (But then theres the home movies of the Muppet Babies the Muppets watch in Muppet Family Christmas, Scooter included, but dont lose your head pondering this).This is episode 6, and Scooters already appeared in episodes 1, 2, and 4! The first two episodes were shot before the rest as "pilots" so obviously the writers thought once the character was established that it would be fun to explain Scooters entry. If it helps, think of this as somewhat of a "flashback" episode. A number of early episodes didnt include Scooter in them so they could be aired before this one as to not cause confusion. (Indeed, in some markets the Scooter-less Rita Moreno episode was the debut, but in others the Jim Nabors show was the second to air after the Sandy Duncan one which included Scooter.Since the Muppet Show was in syndication, meaning that episodes might air in different orders in each market, the writers probably didnt worry too much about this. Annie Sues "debut" episode in season 3 also aired after the audience had seen her, and was also done after the character had been used.The original name for Miss Piggy was Miss Piggy Lee. This idea was quickly scrapped though the first Muppet Show Annual refers to her as such as well as a few articles around the time. The Talk Spot in this episode is the only time in the series where Piggy is addressed as "Piggy Lee".
Added on September 21, 2011
Joel Grey
Episode 5
The Muppet Show "Joel Grey"
Fozzie Bear was originally intended as being the shows second banana (the main star next to Kermit), but even though weve seen him tell jokes in the opening theme and figure in the backstage plots, this is the first episode where we actually see him in one of his regular comedy spots. Since the "hook" of this particular act is that he needs audience members to call out joke subjects, this sets up interaction between him and Statler and Waldorf in the balcony. This is a lucky and significant development for each character since it serves as the first time weve seen Statler & Waldorf interacting with people onstage (instead of with just each other).This gives Fozzies comedy spot an extra touch. Instead of just "A Comedian On Stage Telling Jokes", we have "Comedian Tries to Perform while Suffering the Heckling of the Geezers In the Balcony". This would become a regular component of the comedy spots, which in a way was fortuitous. The writing team would soon learn that Fozzies "bad comedian" hook by itself, was hardly strong enough to create a strong character. What will end up being Fozzies saving grace is how he interacts with other characters. His interaction with Statler and Waldorf is the first major relationship thats explored with his character onstage while backstage his relationship with Kermit will continue to develop throughout the series.Gorgon Heap is a modified furry version of a classic Muppet monster originally known as Big V. Also, regarding names of Muppet monsters, for the purpose of this episode guide, "Gloat, the Green Frackle" will be referred to throughout this guide by the name "Gloat" as was revealed in the "Great Santa Claus Switch", even though he was usually referred to on set and in scripts as "Green Frackle". When this guide does mention the "Green Frackle", the reference will be to the puppet that looks like a green version of Boppity (the "Blue Frackle").While "Pachalafaka" was taped as the UK sketch, the actual original airing of this episode in the States included this number and instead took out the Sherlock Holmes sketch.The Newsman is seen here in his original version, without glasses and a slightly different voice.Jerry Nelson does not perform in this episode. Jane Henson, once quoted as having stopped puppeteering when it was time to do voices, does a rare puppeteering stint in this episode, but with no voices.Because this was in some regard the first "official regular" episode of The Muppet Show, the show runs 30 seconds longer than most (partly due to the extra verse in the opening.) This is pretty typical with Henson productions - the first episode of Bear in the Big Blue House is a minute longer as is the first filmed episode of Farscape, "Exodus From Genesis". Some strange edits also appear in the episode as well with one-frame shots popping up in a couple of places as if some revisions were being made to the order shots were appearing in and werent done well. The first time this happens is in the opening theme - a frame of Zoot/Crazy Harry can be seen after Animals shot. Then a frame of Kermit in front of the curtain is seen before the second Newsman spot.
Added on September 21, 2011
Paul Williams
Episode 6
The Muppet Show "Paul Williams"
The Paul Williams episode was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series.This marks the beginning of Paul Williams collaborations with the Muppets. He would later write the music for "Emmett Otters Jug-band Christmas," "The Muppet Movie" (and provides a cameo), and "The Muppet Christmas Carol".Twenty-five years later, Paul would be the special guest star at the Muppets first fan convention, MuppetFest, where he participated in a panel discussion and played a special grand finale medley during a live performance of "The Muppet Show". Fran Brill, the main female Muppeteer at the time, makes her Muppet Show debut in this, her first of only two episodes.Dr. Bunsen Honeydews design was reportedly based on Sir Lew Grades appearance. During the first season of The Muppet Show, Bunsen would be working alone in the lab. His assistant Beaker will debut in Season Two.Mary Louise must love frogs! Shell sing with them again in the Sandy Duncan and Steve Martin episodes.Having been mercilessly heckled by Statler and Waldorf in his monologues, the writers start to experiment with Fozzies comedy spot, sensing it may not be working. Last week, Fozzie did impressions and this week he does a duo scene with Scooter. With a few exceptions, the rest of Fozzies monologues this year will follow their standard format but Fozzie will also start to be used more in sketches and backstage plots in order to salvage the character.In later seasons, Floyd and Janice would become a couple, but in the shows first season, Janice would often be paired with Zoot! In this episode, they appear together in "At the Dance" and "Rowlfs Poetry Corner." Especially in these early episodes, Zoot is featured quite a bit, perhaps due to Jerry Nelsons fleeting availability as Floyd. In later seasons, Zoot would become more mellow and quiet since Dave Goelz tended to agonize over the delivery of Zoots lines. He saw Zoot as someone who best expresses himself through the saxophone.The final number incorporates a chorus of Muppets gathering around the guest as he sings, providing backup. This would typically be done throughout the shows run and often allow some of the shows "non-performers" like Hilda the costume lady and George the janitor opportunities to come onstage.
Added on September 21, 2011
Florence Henderson
Episode 9
The Muppet Show "Florence Henderson"
Miss Piggys first use of the word, "Moi". When Kermit notes, "Jealousy doesnt become you.", Piggy replies, "Jealous? Moi?"Much has been made in interviews and articles about how Miss Piggy went from chorus girl to taking the writers by surprise as to how she was becoming a star and her role was elevated in the second season. This episode shows how this story has become slightly exaggerated. The first part is true. About Miss Piggys starting out a chorus girl (though some magazines said the whole bit about Piggys declaring her love for the frog was improvised on the spot when this was obviously scripted). But the writers knew early on in the first season that Miss Piggy was destined for main character status, even if they may not have known HOW MUCH the audience would love her.In this episode, the whole show is built around her pursuit of Kermit and jealousy of Florence. Miss Piggy would also be a major player in other episodes of the first season. A more accurate (but less tailored to sound-bites) version of events is that Fozzie was initially thought to be Frank Ozs main character; the "second banana." After the pilot episodes (Prowse and Stevens) were taped, the writers saw potential in this supporting player, Miss Piggy, and her part was increased to core character status.Between the two seasons, the staff recognized that Piggy was due to replace Fozzie as Franks main character and Kermits "costar" (both due to the strengths of Piggys character including the advantage of being a strong female character, in a male dominated cast and her being in love with the "male lead". The weaknesses in Fozzies character, the "bad comedian" angle wasnt working as an effective hook to make him an endearing character. Piggy was featured heavily on stage and in backstage plots while Fozzie was de-emphasized as the writers tried to explore his possibilities as a rounded character "off-stage" as opposed to the the one dimensional "bad comedian".
Added on September 21, 2011
Bruce Forsythe
Episode 12
The Muppet Show "Bruce Forsythe"
The Snerfs, though rarely seen on The Muppet Show are actually a classic type of Muppet creature that had often been featured in sketches of the Ed Sullivan type variety, as a type of Frackle in "The Great Santa Claus Switch" and even in some early episodes of "Sesame Street" Their most notable characteristic is the ability to extend their bodies into a long pole or contract into a small roundish creature. The horns-as noses were added for this appearance. When toy puppets of Rowlf and Kermit were manufactured in the 60s, the ads indicated that a Snerf puppet existed also.)Both opening acts demonstrate the black background style of puppetry often used by the Muppets where the characters are manipulated by the puppeteers behind them dressed all in black and rendered practically invisible due to the black sets and effective lighting, making the characters appear to move about on their own. The Gawky Birds are among some of the largest puppets in the Henson arsenal (a related type of creature known as The Bossmen, being the largest).Both the Snerfs and the Gawky Birds were planned to be performed live in a Muppets on Broadway idea Jim Henson had wanted to explore. He finally gets to use both ideas on screen here. Twenty-five years later, his idea finally hits the live stage as the Bossmen, huge characters similar to the Gawky Birds join the grand finale of MuppetFests Muppet Show Live.This is an important step in the evolution of Miss Piggys ascent to superstardom. Even though Miss Piggy has insisted on her being the shows resident female singer, up until now shes mostly just been in the chorus (with the notable exception being her taking the solo from the ranks of the chorus in the first episode).Her duet with Bruce is the first time shes featured prominently in a serious number (aside from last episodes UK sketch) and she holds her own, even managing to upstage Bruce with her big finish. Two episodes from now, shell finally get her first solo number (though its through her forceful insistence).
Added on September 21, 2011
Harvey Korman
Episode 13
The Muppet Show "Harvey Korman"
Finally, success with Fozzies comedy spot! While maybe not "the worlds funniest joke", this routine is by far the funniest of the season. The experimentation that the writers have been taking finally pays off. The key ingredient being the interplay between Fozzie and Kermi. The rest of the season will return to the monologue format, but as a result, more interplay between the bear and the frog will be seen backstage leading to the redemption of a possible failed character. Next season will see more experimentation occur in Fozzies act as he tries roller skating, ventriloquism, and in another classic pairing with Kermit, a phrenology demonstration!A side benefit of Fozzie having more involvement in backstage plots will be more character development as we learn more about his offstage persona. Most of Fozzies stories this season will concern his struggling for success, be it overcoming Statler and Waldorfs heckling, the threat of being canceled or replaced when hes stuck in a magicians box, and bringing in his agent to negotiate his contract. Second season episodes will deal with Fozzies desire for acceptance as he meets his idol, tries to impress his mother in the audience, finds ways to improve his act, and takes on more backstage responsibility. Then in the third season, well follow Fozzie confronting his insecurity by going to group therapy, asking Kermit for a list of his good points and bad points, and trying to become more assertive.Harvey Korman would later have the honor of being the only actor to perform in both of the Flintstones movies (with contributions by The Jim Henson Creature Shop) in different roles (The Dictabird and Colonel Slaghoople).
Added on September 21, 2011
Vincent Price
Episode 18
The Muppet Show "Vincent Price"
The Muppet Shows first (and the debut seasons only) theme show. The spookiness and Muppet Monster motif will be reprised in season threes episode starring goth rocker Alice Cooper.This episode largely features some refurbished versions of several puppets...a more polished and deep blue version of Sam Eagle appears along with a more detailed design of Boppity and a more refined Janice.Dismembered body parts are a running gag throughout the episode. In addition to the "let me give you a hand" gag being done twice within five minutes, a lone hand can be seen walking off Kermits desk earlier in the show and a monster also helps another one "get a head".Thudge McGerk scares Statler out of the balcony in one of the earlier balcony scenes only to be replaced by Statler again throughout the rest of the episode up until the closing scene. Perhaps the first Thudge scene had been initially intended to appear later in the show but got bumped up because it had to follow an onstage piece with Vincent.Out of the four Talking Houses, this is the only episode to focus on the two on the right.For the first time, we see the Muppet Newsflash happening on another characters television screen. Even though this in itself is a significant departure from the norm, more noteworthy is the fact that at the end of the sketch, the Newsmans desk starts to attack him. Up until now, the humor in the News Flashes either derived from the oddness of the stories he was reading (which most likely flew completely over the children in the audiences heads) or from a chromo-keyed interview the reporter would perform with the guest star playing a character. Beginning in the second season, the News Flashes would typically feature physical comedy with the Newsman often becoming victim of his own story.The Newsman refers to Sheriff David Goelz (performer of Gonzo and Zoot) in his broadcast.Vincent Price would have a reunion with Uncle Deadley and the rest of the Muppets when he appears as one of Kermits guests during his guest-host stint on "The Tonight Show" in 1979.
Added on September 21, 2011
Twiggy
Episode 19
The Muppet Show "Twiggy"
The Muppet Show was conceived not only as a showcase for Jim Hensons creations but also as a program where guest stars could show off talents theyre not generally known for and Twiggys stint is an excellent early example. One of the worlds first "supermodels" before the term was phrased, Twiggy proves throughout the episode that shes a multitalented performer in her own right. She sings country convincingly and in her opening number, the temptation for the viewer may be to focus on the photo montage but its also worth watching Twiggys captivating performance on the other half of the screen. She also demonstrates a great comedic talent during her sketch with the Newsman.Uncle Deadley is "introduced" in this episode even though he was already quite prominent in Vincent Prices show. While most of the Muppet monsters in the shows first season had evolved from pre-Muppet Show trunk puppets and Frackles from "The Great Santa Claus Switch", Deadley was created for The Muppet Show and his design is more elaborate and frightening. Many Muppet fans have confessed in the various fan forums to being scared of him when they were younger.King Rupert is a classic Muppet that had evolved from a character named King Goshposh. Goshposh had appeared in "Tales of the Tinkerdee" and "Hey, Cinderella", and was given a makeover and name change when The Frog Prince was taped most likely to be able to use the same basic character but still be a "different" king.And speaking of classic characters appearing in "The Kings Breakfast", the sketch also features a cow who bears a notable physical and aural resemblance to Gladys the Cow from Sesame Street. Is it indeed supposed to be Gladys making a cameo? Aside from Kermit who was a well established character before Sesame Street made its debut, the few other characters who have also appeared on Sesame Street had been rebuilt with some design modifications for their Sesame Street appearances perhaps due to Childrens Television Workshops co ownership of the Sesame Street characters. (The exception being Ernie and Bert who were treated as "guest stars" in the Connie Stevens episode.)The other characters who had appeared on both shows were the Snerfs, Beautiful Day Monster, and Mahna Mahna. (Rowlf had also made an appearance on Sesame Street, but this was more of a "star cameo" being that he had already gained fame in the Jimmy Dean Show.) Technically speaking, the version of Mahna Mahna that appears in the Muppet Show is the original design that had done the talk and variety show rounds before Sesames debut and the Mahna Mahna used on the Street was built out of an Anything Muppet. Then later after Mahna was being viewed more of a member of the Muppet Show ensemble, the Sesame version was redesigned further with actual sunglasses and renamed Bip Bipadotta.The difference between all of these characters and "Gladys" is that everyone else had been in existence before their Sesame Street appearances. Still whether it be due to contractual issues or perhaps the ease of rebuilding another character in London instead of searching for storage in New York, all the Muppets (except Kermit) who made the crossover were different puppets. Gladys however was a definite Sesame Street character created for the show. So whether the cow here was another example of a Sesame Street character crossing over with a different puppet design or just an inadvertent mindset from the puppet builders and Richard Hunt as to what a cow should look and sound like remains up for fan debate. The German edition of this episode replaces Twiggys opening number with German singer Mary Roos singing "Lean On Me" with The Electric Mayhem (with Rowlf filling in for Dr Teeth on piano). Floyd plays bongos. Since the German episodes of The Muppet Show also had specially shot openings with Kermit appearing in a "Die Muppet Show" logo, Kermit is able to announce the shows "two guest stars" here.
Added on September 21, 2011
Ethel Merman
Episode 21
The Muppet Show "Ethel Merman"
Who is the audience member that heckles Fozzie? It could be Wally, the host from The Muppets Valentine Show making his only speaking Muppet Show appearance. However he appears here without sunglasses and in other episodes of The Muppet Show, Wally is seen with sunglasses in the audience and dressed differently than the heckler. The personality doesnt quite fit with what had been established either.More likely, its a cameo from Leo from the Muppet Meeting Films making his only Muppet Show cameo! Even though his partner Grump would come later, Leo had already been making his sales pitches in 1975 with his classic "Sell, Sell, Sell" routine and was featured in a pitch tape for CBS to persuade them to pick up The Muppet Show. The hecklers talent for wordplay is much more in keeping with Leos character.This is the only first season episode to not contain an At The Dance segment.Some other interesting observations on that audience scene...Fozzies act concludes when everyone leaves when he demands only Fozzie Bear fans remain in the audience and is dejected to find his cousin has left as well. However his cousin exits his seat even BEFORE Fozzie turns his back and counts to three. (Maybe he slipped out to the concession stand?) Hes gone before Leo starts counter-heckling Statler and Waldorf. Also, Miss Mousey switches seats with Mary Louise between the two exchanges!Finally in regards to that audience, even though everyone leaves except Statler and Waldorf, theyre all back in their seats to cheer on Ethel as she takes the stage and can be seen applauding at the end of her number (though this shot is one of the stock footage audience shots thats used throughout the season, complete with Wally with sunglasses and different outfit and Miss Mousey seated in another spot). They had apparently rushed back into their seats when they heard Ethel start her song from backstage.
Added on September 21, 2011
Connie Stevens
Episode 22
The Muppet Show "Connie Stevens"
Jerry Nelson is not credited for this episode. As mentioned in the Prowse summary, a lot of these two episodes were reshot or reworked. Miss Piggys karate chopping Kermit was probably added later as was the Newsman. This is the Newsmans debut episode, but this particular bit would have been shot toward the latter part of the season since he has his glasses and later voice.The Swedish Chef (previously seen on Sex & Violence) debuts here. The Chef would become such a classic character that he would later get his own short-lived cereal, Croonchy Stars and even a newsgroup devoted to him! Jim Henson would operate the main puppet speaking in mock-Swedish while Frank Oz controlled the hands (using his real hands) often surprising Jim in the process.Singing duo Wayne & Wanda are also introduced this episode as singers that Kermit obviously has been giving the run-around. They wont actually sing until next episode - and it will be the shows self appointed censor, Sam the Eagle who brings them on each episode. Wanda will only be seen this season (due to her puppeteer, Eren Ozker leaving the cast) while Wayne would pop up every now and then in later seasons. We learn in season 4 when the duo makes a surprise appearance that Kermit had fired them!This is only one of two At The Dance segments in the first season where George & Mildred dont dance together; Mildred dances with Dr. Teeth while George is paired with Zelda Rose (first seen dancing with Sam Eagle in Sex & Violence)."Sax & Violence" is a true Muppet classic - the song itself is instrumental, making it an odd choice for inclusion on the original soundtrack album! Especially since the joy in this piece is visual. All the humor comes from Zoot and Mahnas movements and reactions. Its very simple but extraordinarily funny!In the first season scripts, the Newsman is referred to as "Muppet Reporter". Content with never actually naming him, he would come to be known as The Newsman from second season onward.The "tradition" of giving the guest a Muppet likeness ends in this episode, having given Juliet Prowse a likeness the episode before.
Added on September 21, 2011
Juliet Prowse
Episode 24
The Muppet Show "Juliet Prowse"
While The Muppet Show had two specials that aired on ABC as pilots, The Muppets Valentine Show and The Muppet Show: Sex & Violence, this debut episode and the subsequent Connie Stevens show were shot before the rest as pilots as well. According to Jerry Juhl, a lot of these two episodes were reshot or reworked. Though not as anarchic as the show would eventually become, it nonetheless stands out as a strong pilot episode. Having the show done in a theater (as opposed to a random assortment of sketches) added a sense of unity. Kermit, a well established character, makes a stronger host than Wally or Nigel. Lets see one of them get kissed twice in 25 minutes!Much of the cast either came from one of the two pilots or previous Muppet productions, but the major supporting characters, Fozzie, Scooter, and Miss Piggy were brand new (although it could be argued a prototype Piggy appeared in Sex & Violence or even a 1974 Herb Albert Show appearance). Throughout the year, more new characters would be created as well as expanding the cast with more older characters from various specials.Although most major characters had a continual puppeteer, there was a lot of character switching in the first season. Many background characters and monsters would have a different performer/voice each appearance. Jerry Nelson, who played Statler in Sex & Violence (and Waldorf in the Muppet Meeting Films) reportedly did Statler a few times, Mildred would have at least three performers (who all did a good job trying to use the same voice), and Miss Piggy was initially traded off between Richard Hunt and Frank Oz, often in the same episode.Indeed, in this episode, shes first played by Richard Hunt in "At the Dance" then in "Temptation", the infamous scene where she goes from chorus girl to star, shes voiced by Frank Oz speaking and Richard Hunt singing!! Its possible that Ozs voice could have been dubbed later but more likely, Frank is physically performing Piggy and the song was prerecorded with Richards vocals.Its interesting to note how Piggy may have sounded had Hunt ended up performing her regularly instead of Oz. While Richard is known for his vocal talents, Oz was initially scared of doing voices and not as strong a singer as Hunt, Jerry Nelson, and John Lovelady. Yet, later in the season, Frank would stretch his ability surprising everyone, including himself, as he started doing some Piggy singing. Also note Piggy does not wear long evening gloves.The pig with brown hair in the closing number is a rebuilt Dr. Nauga from "Sex & Violence". This pig would be seen frequently throughout season 1. Next year it will be transformed yet again into the Dr. Nauga-inspired Dr. Julius Strangepork.The "Temptation" number is really the high point of the episode - even aside from its significance as Miss Piggys launching. Before the song even begins, the whole routine of Kermit trying to conduct the clueless Glee Club is hysterically funny and becomes wilder when the song begins - Piggys a joy to watch even when shes still in the chorus. Keep your eye on Piggy when she sings, "Here is my heart" and thrusts her chest into Kermits face...and Kermits priceless reaction!Mildred and George, not having been romantically linked in their previous appearances, would end up as dancing partners in almost each installment of At The Dance this year. Each week, Frank Oz attempts to upstage the other performers with Mildred/Georges dancing which gets wilder each week. Interestingly enough, in England around this time, there was a sitcom called "George & Mildred" which was a spin-off of "Man About the House", the show that the American "Threes Company" was based on. ("George & Mildred" would have been the British equivalent of "The Ropers".)Standup comedian Fozzie Bear was originally planned to be the "second banana". Even though hes on stage in other songs and sketches, he doesnt actually do any monologues (aside from his opening theme jokes) in the aired versions of the first two episodes. (However, Fozzies comedy act is the very first act in the original unaired version of this episode).Jerry Nelson, one of the veteran Muppeteers at this point, was not involved with a lot of the seasons earliest episodes but would become a regular performer in the latter half of the season. Muppet fans may also have been surprised that the cast does not include Fran Brill, who was the main female puppeteer with the Muppets at the time, having performed in "Sesame Street", "Saturday Night Live", Muppet Meeting Films, and the "Sex and Violence pilot". She would eventually do a couple episodes this season only. Eren Ozker would be the main female presence on the show, but did not return for season two in order to return to the States and start her family.For the purposes of this episode guide the purple monster that appears in the Western Sketch will be referred to as "Miss Kitty" since this is the only time where any name was given to the character.
Added on September 21, 2011