"The Muppet Show" (1976) TV series 1976-1981

Writers:

Joseph A. Bailey (writer) (1977-1981)
Jim Henson (writer) (1976-1981)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

29 January 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Music

Plot:

Kermit the Frog and his friends struggle to put on a weekly variety show.

Plot Keywords:

Frog | Variety | Theater | Heckler | Bear

Awards:

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Frank Oz	...	Fozzie Bear / ... (117 episodes, 1976-1981)
Richard Hunt	...	Statler / ... (117 episodes, 1976-1980)
Jim Henson	...	Kermit the Frog / ... (117 episodes, 1976-1981)
Dave Goelz	...	Gonzo / ... (116 episodes, 1976-1981)
Jerry Nelson	...	Floyd Pepper / ... (110 episodes, 1976-1981)
Louise Gold	...	Additional Muppets / ... (81 episodes, 1977-1980)
Steve Whitmire	...	Additional Muppets / ... (64 episodes, 1978-1981)
Kathryn Mullen	...	Additional Muppets / ... (53 episodes, 1978-1981)

Runtime:

30 min (120 episodes)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | USA:TV-G | Singapore:G

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Associated Television (ATV)

Trivia:

The flamboyant costumes and mannerisms of Dr. Teeth were modeled after New Orleans jazz musician, Dr. John.

Quotes:

Beauregard: Kermit! Kermit! I had a dream and it was so real! I... what does it mean when you dream people are walking on your head?
Kermit: It means you're sleeping on the floor!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Blue Harvest (#6.1)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

The Muppet Show Theme

If the powers that be are reading this then please bring it back!

I cannot fault it in any way. It gets a maximum ten out of ten from me. I am laughing at it just as much now (I'm watching the first series on DVD at the moment and I will buy the other series as and when I can) as I did when I were a child! Fabulous! The special guests were plentiful, varied, and always 'A' list for the time (some still are but a lot of them have now very sadly passed away and they and their talents will always be very greatly and very sorely missed) and always willing to send themselves up in a big way. Sure the singers all sang and the actors all acted etc. in the way the pieces were supposed to be done but, you see, it wasn't what they were singing/saying that sent them up but what was going on around them with the puppets, the scenery their clothes etc. they had put on for their sections. Spike Milligan, John Cleese, Steve Martin, Bob Hope, Harry Bellafonte, Shirly Bassy, Andy Williams, Roger Moore, Mark Hammil, Sylvester Stallone, Gene Kelly, Peter Ustinov, Liberace, Elton John, Alice cooper, Ethel Merman, Glenda Jackson, Liza Minelli, Juliette Prowse, Twiggy, are just a few of the many famous people that appeared on The Muppet Show and they were all more than happy to join in the general mayhem and ludicrousness in the show.

The jokes are wonderful and have not lost their impact or become stale over time. Every line and every sketch is as fresh now as it was all those years ago when the programme first aired and could (no, make that would) easily hold up in today's world with today's families if they were to be repeated in all their glory. And if the children of today haven't heard of some of the stars well that wouldn't make any difference at all because you don't have to have heard of a star to enjoy watching them doing what it is that they do best and have the puppets take the mickey out of it! Muppets Tonight was the last time they all got together for at least one series and I loved it as much as I love this and long for it to happen again! OK so the script may not have been as sharp in Muppets Tonight, But I love anything and everything to do with them (and the fact that they are now owned by Disney is just too fantastic for words as I ADORE most things by Disney and Love the rest!)! I have got some of the programmes on video tape and I am now looking to replace them with dvds which (apart from the complete first series) don't appear to be around at the moment. Not the last time I looked anyway which could have been the wrong place(s) if they have been released at all. I have since found out they are yet to be released so I'll be buying them as and when they are! Or at the very least, as and when I can afford them!

Easily above 10/10!