Popcorn Culture
Ruminations on TV Shows, Comics, And Music
I've been a Muppet fan for as long as I can remember. There are very few shows I can remember watching before my family moved to Cape Cod when I was five. It's basically The Muppet Show, some cartoons, and The Dukes Of Hazard (which I will not be doing a condensed guide for watching). Gonzo, Fozzy, Kermit, Animal, Piggy, and Zoot were my favorites growing up, and I'm not sure how much that's changed. I'll be hosting a watchthrough on Discord of a Very Condensed history of the muppets. I have taken episodes of The Muppet Show, Muppets Tonight, Muppets, and Muppets Now, and yanked out the mediocre and worse sketches (and the ones that definitely didn't age well), and made new episodes with multiple human guest stars. I've tried to keep the feel of the shows by keeping a backstage storyline throughout most of the episodes, and put the guests in a balance of sort of chronological order/ones with thematic similarities. Yes, these episodes all exist. I gave them silly names, and they're all roughly a half hour with no commercials. Season One: The Muppet Show101: Repair The Bear Fozzy is convinced he's going to be replaced. This is Very Early Muppet Show time. Piggy's voice is very different. Gonzo looks a little more off than usual. Human Guest Stars are Joel Gray and Juliet Prowse. I didn't know either of them when I was a kid, and I don't have much sense of them outside of the show now. Mah Na Mah Na: Mahna Mahna & The Snowths Repair The Bear: Gonzo, Hilda, Fozzy Swedish Meatballs: Swedish Chef Temptation: Kermit, Piggy, Glee Club Newsflash: Newsman Scarf: Juliet Prowse & Zoot Repair The Bear: Gonzo, Kermit, Fozzy You & I & George: Rowlf At The Dance: ensemble Lydia The Tattoed Lady: Kermit The Frog, Lydia, Miss Piggy Flight Of Bumblebee: Gonzo, Stadler, Waldorf Zoot’s Solo: Zoot, Mahna Mahna, Nigel Cabaret: Joel Grey & ensemble Jokes On Any Subject: Fozzy, Kermit Interview: Kermit & Joel Grey Stormy Weather: Sam The Eagle, Wayne, Wanda Jokes On Any Subject: Fozzy, Kermit, Hilda, Piggy, George Literalisms: Gonzo, Joel Grey Repair The Bear: Fozzy, Gonzo, Kermit, Scooter 1812 Overture: Gonzo Jokes On Any Subject: Fozzy, Stadler, Waldorf 102. The Mechanical Host The series long gag of The Muppet Show was that The Muppets were renting a theater owned by Scooter's uncle, and they were constantly behind in paying the rent. In this episode the as yet unnamed uncle decides to replace Kermit with a robot frog. Human guest stars are Ruth Buzzi, Jim Neighbors, Rita Moreno, and Florence Henderson. Too Good To Be True: Ruth Buzzi, Sweetums Onions Make Me Cry: Rowlf Mechanical Host: Kermit, Scooter At The Dance: Ensemble Disappearing Clues: Rowlf, Piggy, Ensemble Mechanical Host: Kermit Row Row Row: Sam The Eagle, Wayne, Wanda Running Gag: Fozzy & Kermit To Morrow: Whatnots Lady Of Spain: Marvin Suggs & Muppephones Newsflash: Newsman Mechanical Host: Kermit & Piggy Bakery Watchman: Jim Neighbors, Rowlf & Ensemble Fever: Rita Moreno & Electric Mayhem Koosbane Courtship: Kermit & Koosbanians Happy Together: Florence Henderson & lizard muppets 103. The Language Of Love Piggy falls in love with a guest star, Gonzo's act gets cancelled, and the chaos of the show finally breaks Rowlf. Human guest stars include Harvey Korman, Lena Horne, Paul Williams, and Charles Aznovour. RaggMopp: Mops & George Coddleston Pie: Rowlf Circus Monster: Harvey Korman & Thog I Get A Kick Out Of You: Sam The Eagle, Wayne, Wanda I Feel Pretty: Whatnot No Act For Gonzo: Kermit & Gonzo Newsflash: Newsman & Lena Horne Muppet Labs: Honeydew Silence: Rowlf Anything Cheaper: Paul Williams & Beautiful Day Monster Interview: Charles Aznovour Spaghett: Swedish Chef Pop Goes The Weasel: Gonzo, Animal & Lena Horne Says You: Fozzy, Stadler, Waldorf Finding My Key: Lena Horne, Hilda & Animal Inchworm: Charles Aznovour 104. The Banana Sketch Fozzy has hired a big time Vaudeville writer to write his jokes and acts, including the world famous Banana Sketch, which everyone in the world has heard of, except for Kermit. Sandy Duncan is the star of this episode, which also features Peter Ustinov. Why So Sad?: Sandy Duncan, Sweetums, Behemoth Nobody: Gonzo & Rowlf Never Smile At A Crocodile: Mary Louise, frogs, crocodiles Banana Sketch: Kermit, Fozzy & Gonzo Falling Leaves: Sam The Eagle, Wayne, Wanda Round Table Psychiatry: Kermit, Piggy, Cynthia Birdsley, Peter Ustinov Not Easy Being Green: Kermit, Scooter Interview: Sandy Duncan, Kermit & Fozzy Veterinarians Hospital: Rowlf, Piggy, Janice, Duck, Kermit At The Dance: Ensemble My Own Grandpa: The Gogolala Jubilee Band 105. Gonzo For Piggy We all seem to willingly accept Piggy's toxic obsession with Kermit The Frog but what happens when the shoe is put on the other hoof, and Piggy has to deal with Gonzo's unwanted affection? Pus, a whole bunch of Electric Mayhem, as they debate quitting because of the square musical direction of the show. Featuring Ethyl Merman and Kaye Ballard but it's mostly just muppets. Mr Bassman: Scooter & Electric Mayhem Gonzo For Piggy: Gonzo, Piggy, Fozzie Tit Willow: Rowlf & Sam The Eagle Searchin’: Floyd & Ensemble Floyd Quits: Kermit & Floyd A Little Samba: Kaye Ballard, Piggy, Electric Mayhem Gonzo For Piggy: Piggy & Gonzo Interview: Kermit, Piggy & Ethyl Merman Gonzo For Piggy: Gonzo, Piggy & Kermit Paper Moon: Sam The Eagle, Wayne & Wanda Vendaface: Waldorf Floyd Unquits: Floyd & Kermit At The Dance: Ensemble Floyd’s New Theme: Kermit & Electric Mayhem 106. Vaudevilluminous The Muppets reliance on Vaudeville style acts and humor were both the greatest and worst parts of the show, and that's on full display here when Milton Berle acts as the main guest. We also see the beginnings of Gonzo's obsession with chickens as he moves on from Piggy. Relaxed On The Inside: Whatnot Uncle Milty: Milton Berle, Kermit, Fozzy, Gonzo Milton vs Hecklers: Milton Berle, Statler, Waldorf, Gonzo Pigs In Space: Hogthrob, Strangepork, Piggy Uncle Milty: Fozzy, Kermit Newsflash: Newsman Tear Down Theater: Piggy, JP Gross, Kermit The Entertainer: Milton Berle, Rowlf, Fozzy, Scooter, Piggy, Lydia, Ensemble Tear Down Theater: Gonzo, Kermit Veterinarians At The Dance: Rowlf, Piggy, Janice, Ensemble Muppet Labs: Honeydew & Beaker Chicken Auditions: Gonzo, Kermit Top Banana: Milton, Fozzy, Kermit Chicken Auditions: Gonzo, Rowlf Veterinarians Hospital: Rowlf, Piggy, Jaice, Fozzy Dancing Chicken: Gonzo, Lolita, Kermit 107. Immodest Proposal Gonzo is taking it slow with chickens, and uses this episode to try his luck with Madeline Khan. Meanwhile, Kermit has to deal with a tabloid reporter twisting his words about the Muppets. Also featuring George Burns and Bernadette Peters. Happy Feet: Kermit Yodeling Clam: Gonzo, Madeline Khan, Scooter Lobster Banditos: Swedish Chef Down At Papa Joe’s: Chickens, Statler, Waldorf Scandal Sheets: Kermit, Fleet Scribbler, Gonzo Veterinarians Hospital: Rowlf, Piggy, Janice Party All The Time: Electric Mayhem Old Stories: George Burns, Gonzo We Have No Bananas: Marvin Suggs, Veggie Choir, Kermit, Floyd, Animal Proposal: Gonzo, Kermit Newsflash: Newsman Up Up & Away: Rowlf Someone Else But Me: Gonzo, Madeline Khan, Kermit I Won’t Dance: Kermit, Piggy, Ensemble Ant & Grashopper: Sam The Eagle Believe In You: Bernadette Peters, Robin, Kermit, Ensemble Newsflash: Newsman Scandal Sheets: Kermit, Scooter, Swedish Chef, Fleet Scribbler You Made Me Love You: George Burns, Rowlf, Piggy, Gonzo, Ensemble 108. Whatnot Stew A fairly random assortment of sketches without much of a theme to hold them all together. Lou Rawls, Julie Andrews, Theresa Brewster, Cloris Leachman, and John Cleese join in the chaos. Sea Shanties: Hogthrob, Fozzy, Robin, Scooter, Gonzo Walking Animal: Lou Rawls, Animal, Floyd Muppet Labs: Honeydew, Beaker Animal Bowling: Kermit, Floyd, Gonzo, Scooter Interview: Julie Andrews, Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo Dance With Me: Gonzo, Ensemble Muppet Labs: Honeydew, Beaker Interview: Lou Rawls, Kermit, Electric Mayhem Frog Legs: Swedish Chef, Kermit, Robin, Scooter Autographs: Theresa Brewster, Kermit, Animal, Crazy Harry Popcorn: Swedish Pig Spinning Wheel: Theresa Brewster, Sweetums, Statler, Waldorf Just In Time: Cloris Leachman, Sweetums, Doglion Drunk On TV: Kermit, Koosbanians Closing Number: John Cleese, Kermit, Sweetums, Ensemble 109. Weirdo Musicians One of my favorite episodes. Rudolf Nuryev is all sorts of goofy, Cleo Lane blows Electric Mayhem out of the water, and Elton John is an absolute delight. Classy Intro: Sam The Eagle, Kermit, Scooter, Robin Swine Lake: Rudolf Nuryev, Giant Pig Fozzy’s Mom: Fozzy, Kermit Ain’t Got That Swing: Cleo Lane, Electric Mayhem Pigs In Space: Hogthrob, Strangepork, Fozzy, Piggy, pigs Veterinarians Hospital: Rowlf, Piggy, Janice, pig Fozzy’s Mom: Fozzy, Kermit Weirdo Musicians: Sam The Eagle, Kermit, Swedish Chef, Camilla, Scooter Crocodile Rock: Elton John, Ensemble, Swedish Chef, Scooter Phrenology: Fozzy, Kermit Benny & The Jets: Elton John, Scooter, Kermit, Ensemble Pigs In Space: Hogthrob, Strangepork, Piggy, Swedish Chef, Camilla 110. Stuck On You Another of my all time favorite episodes. Gilda Radner and Jean Stapleton both go all in on this episode. Plus Pearl Bailey sings with Electric Mayhem. Daffodils: Piggy, Rowlf Carrots Of Penzance: Gilda Radner, Kermit, Carrot, Fozzy Multiplication Tables: Gonzo, Kermit, Gladys, Camilla Muppet Labs: Honeydew, Beaker Good Ol Summertime: Pearl Bailey & Floyd Interview: Sam The Eagle, Jean Stapleton, Swedish Chef Muppet Labs: Honeydew, Gilda Radner, Beaker Melodrama: Deathly, Piggy, Wayne Wild About Harry: Jean Stapleton, Crazy Harry Tap Your Troubles Away: Gilda Radner, Electric Mayhem, Beaker 111. Railroaded The Muppet Theater is closed for repairs, so the cast films the episode at a not actually abandoned railyard. Chaos, naturally, ensues. Loretta Lynn is actually at the railroad, while we do get some recorded studio time with Harry Belafonte and Raquel Welch. Platform 2: Loretta Lynn, Scooter All Alone: Piggy, Ensemble Newsflash: Newsman, pig Fozzy At The Dance: Fozzy, Kermit, Floyd, Ensemble Backstage: Kermit, Gonzo, Camilla Banana Boat Song: Harry Belaftone, Fozzy, Ensemble Track 2: Kermit, Gonzo, Scooter, Fozzy Chicken In Basket: Swedish Chef, Camilla Sentimental Journey: Gonzo, Kermit W-o-m-a-n: Raquel Welch, Piggy Better Seating: Statler, Waldorf Oncoming Train: Gonzo, Kermit Drum Battle: Harry Belafonte, Animal Rhyming Song: Fozzy, Scooter, Hogthrob, Peggyanne Muppet Sports: Louis Kazagger 112. Smorgasbored Statler and Waldorf are "missing" (they're actually behind the theater, avoiding a guest star) and the main behind the scenes drama is that some of the skits are going poorly and the guest stars are trying to figure out a way to make them better. Featuring Danny Kaye, Leslie Uggams, James Coco, and Cheryl Ladd. Pigs In Space: Piggy, Hogthrob, Strangepork Missing Hecklers: Kermit, Floyd, Danny Kaye, Statler, Waldorf, Scooter Eight Little Notes: Rowlf Crossover: Piggy, Big Bird Here We Go Again: Leslie Uggams, Lew Zealand Pigs In Space: Piggy, Hogthrob, Strangepork Razzle Dazzle: James Coco, Kermit, Swedish Chef Banana Split: Swedish Chef, dancers Catch A Falling Star: Wayne, Scooter, James Coco, dancers Flying Zucchini Bros: Kermit, Beauregard Tea For Two: Rowlf, Lew Zealand Pigs In Space: Piggy, Hogthrob, Strangepork, Swedish Chef, Janice, Kermit Blue Skies: prairie dogs New Sound: Scooter I Enjoy Being A Girl: Cheryl Ladd, Piggy, Kermit Backlot: Danny Kaye, Statler, Waldorf, Scooter 113. Scary Good Halloween Special The first of two Halloween specials, this is mainly The Vincent Price Show with Candice Begern, Ben Vereen, and Phyllis Diller also playing with a mostly monster muppet cast. Put Another Log On The Fire: Candice Bergen, Ensemble Letter For You: Fozzy, Kermit & Scooter Bewitched: Sam The Eagle, Wayne, Wanda Culture & Cuisine: Vincent Price, Kermit, Pierre Lescous, Gorgon Heath At The Dance: Ensemble Tenderly: Electric Mayhem Pepper Sauce: Swedish Chef Mr Cellophane: Ben Vereen Interview: Vincent Price & Kermit Some Enchanted Evening: Sam The Eagle, Wayne, Wanda, Gorgon Heath You Are My Sunshine: Whatnots At The Dance: Ensemble Furniphobia: Newsman Note For You: Kermit, Fozzy Veterinarian’s Hospital: Rowlf, Piggy, Janice, Bohemoth, Kermit Pocket Camera: Phyllis Diller & Gonzo You’ve Got A Friend: Vincent Price & Deadly It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish: Rowlf & Scooter 114. A Very Muppets Nightmare Alice Cooper keeps the scary vibes and monster muppets going, and even allows Marisa Barington and Liberace to participate in the season finale. Welcome To Nightmare: Alice Cooper, monster muppets, Kermit Canteen Scene: Gonzo, Gladys, Animal, Kermit, Floyd Muppet Labs: Honeydew, Beaker Faustian Deal: Kermit, Gonzo, Scooter Muppet Sports: Louis Kazagger Veterinarians Hospital: Swedish Chef, Rowlf, Janice, Piggy Chopsticks: Liberace Once A Year Day: monster muppets Our House: Marisa Barington Jamboree: Gonzo, Ensemble Another Thing: teeth Weirdo Musicians: Sam The Eagle, Alice Cooper School’s Out: Alice Cooper Human Guest Stars Who Didn't Make The Cut: Connie Stevens, Bruce Forsythe, Avery Schriver, Valerie Harper, Twiggy, Mummenschanz, Don Knotts, Zero Mostel, Rich Little, Judy Collins, Nancy Walker, Edgar Bergen, Steve Martin, Dom Deluise.
Don't feel bad for those last three, they all show up in The Muppet Movie.
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