The Muppet Show theme song, famous guest stars, and how the hit TV show started (1976-1981)

The Muppet Show Muppets

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The Muppet Show was unlike anything else on television in the 1970s, mixing slapstick humor, celebrity cameos and a group of puppets that won over millions of hearts. With Kermit the Frog as the host, The Muppet Show was a variety show, as well as a showcase of creative madness that seemed to revel in its own delightful chaos. Viewers tuned in every week to see which famous guest would endure the antics of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the rest of the gang, always with a wink and a smile.

Jim Henson had already found success in the entertainment world, with his puppet creations having been featured on Sesame Street since 1969 — but despite that, he was worried that he was destined to be known only as a children’s entertainer.

In an effort to create a show that could be appreciated by both kids and adults, he produced two different specials that were essentially pilots for what would become The Muppet Showir?t=clickamericana 20&l=ur2&o=1 in 1974 and 1975, but neither ended up in a network series — at least not in the US.

The Muppet Show TV

Jim Henson’s brainchild bridged generations, giving children plenty of laughs with its bright characters while slipping in jokes and references that adults could enjoy too. Premiering in 1976, it became an instant favorite around the globe, in part because it had a different kind of magic compared to typical sitcoms or comedy hours. The show often poked fun at itself, with characters breaking the fourth wall and acknowledging the chaos that was part of each performance.

The show itself was patterned after vaudeville shows of yore and the variety shows that were popular at the time, featuring musical numbers, recurring skits, and A-list guest stars. Some of the many notable guests included Bob Hope, Elton John, Diana Ross, Vincent Price, Harry Belafonte … and even the great Gene Kelly.

Besides being silly, the humor was was cleverly executed. Characters like Miss Piggy and her relentless pursuit of stardom, or Fozzie’s pun-heavy comedy, were grounded in personality and wit. Then there was Gonzo, always ready for a ridiculous stunt that would make anyone question his sanity. These recurring elements gave the show consistency — while the writing and vaudevillian style kept it fresh.

The Muppet Show went on to air for five seasons between 1976 and 1981, spanning 120 episodes and spawning several spin-offs and feature films.

To relive the magic of The Muppet Show, we’ve gathered a selection of vintage articles and photos to help you remember the good times. Check out behind-the-scenes moments, memorable guest stars and classic clips that capture the heart of this legendary show.


Muppet Show with guest star Milton Berle (Uncle Milty)

Muppet Show with guest star Milton Berle (Uncle Milty)


Vintage Muppet Show with guest star Ben Vereen

Muppet Show with guest star Ben Vereen


Muppet Show with guest star Steve Martin

Muppet Show with guest star Steve Martin

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Vincent Price and Kermit on a vintage Muppet Show episode

Vincent Price and Kermit


Harry Belafonte on The Muppet Show

Harry Belafonte on The Muppet Show


Muppet Show with guest star Bernadette Peters

Muppet Show with guest star Bernadette Peters


The Muppet Show cast with singer Debbie Harry of Blondie

The Muppet Show puppets with singer Debbie Harry of Blondie

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From The Muppet Show’s debut: New pals join The Muppets on their own TV show (1976)

By Austin Philips – The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) August 14, 1976

“PLEASE DO NOT FONDLE, MOLEST, HANDLE, TOUCH or TWEAK THE MUPPETS”

The sign hangs on the outside of the door where each day videotaping proceeds on a new all-family comedy-musical-variety series making its debut in September. It’s “The Muppet Show,” the latest offering of the Muppets’ creator, Jim Henson.

The ITC series, sold on a viewing market-by-market basis, will air nationally in prime time.

The reason for the warning sign is obvious once a visitor spots the many characters Henson will offer during the new season on “The Muppet Show.” You instinctively reach out to touch them. They are particularly tweakable.

Henson’s creations have long enlivened television. Most notable, perhaps, are the characters he has provided for “Sesame Street.” Unlike “Sesame Street,” however, “The Muppet Show” is not directed primarily at children, but to the entire family.


Pearl Bailey in The Muppet Show

And look for guest stars, such as the following, to romp with The Muppets: Florence Henderson, Joel Gray, Ruth Buzzi, Lena Horne, Jim Nabors, Harvey Korman, and a host of others.

Henson also is introducing many new Muppet characters and bringing back some long-established friends, all of whom — of which — will be presided over by Kermit the Frog as host.

Kermit’s cronies will include Rowlf, the engaging mongrel; Wayne and Wanda, who fancy themselves as today’s Nelson Eddy-Jeanette MacDonald singing duo; Hilda, a somewhat acerbic and disenchanted wardrobe lady; The Great Gonzo, a vaudeville entertainer, sort of; Dr Teeth, the rock music group leader; Piggy Lee, a voluble songstress who’s crazy about Kermit; Fozzie Bear, a stand-up comedian, and many more.

The Muppet Show muppets opening

The vintage Muppet Show was a show within a show

The format of The Muppet Show will present viewers with a show within a show. Onstage, Kermit the Frog will play host to a famous guest star — a different personality for each program. Backstage hilarity prevails as Kermit and the Muppets prepare for the show.

Making all this happen requires an abundance of gifted talent, and “The Muppet Show” has that. The program itself is a combined venture of Independent Television Corp. and Henson Associates. It was developed in cooperation with the five CBS owned and operated stations.

ALSO SEE
How many of these vintage Saturday morning cartoons & TV shows can you remember?

The people responsible for the creative aspects of “The Muppet Show” are not exactly amateurs. Jack Burns. the front half of the Burns and Schreiber comedy team. is the producer, and writes the show with Jerry Juhl, Marc London and Jim Henson.

The multiple Emmy-winning producing-directing team of Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion are ITC’s creative consultants. David Lazer is executive producer for Henson Associates.

Gene Kelly in The Muppet Show
Gene Kelly with Kermit & Miss Piggy
Jim Henson is the man

The executive producer for the entire series is Jim Henson, and Jim’s quite a man.

Born in Mississippi, Jim started in puppetry while attending high school near Washington DC, where his family moved when he was just a sprig. Before he even had time to enroll at the University of Maryland, he was working a capital TV station — doing puppet shows.

While studying acting, directing and scenic design at the university. Jim — still in his freshman year — was offered a late night series of his own, to be called “Sam and Friends.” He took it, and signed a new partner to replace the one he’d been working with.

“Sam and Friends” ran for eight years, winning Jim his first Emmy in the process. And the new partnership he’d set up flourished, too. In fact, Jim married his partner, Jane. They’re still happily married and have five children.

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, John Lovelady, Jerry Nelson, and Eren Ozker in The Muppet Show

Henson’s invention of The Muppets

Before long, Henson developed his own distinctive style and created a new word — muppet. It is a combination of marionette and puppet. After graduation, the Hensons and their muppets attracted the attention of network television in New York.

Soon there followed bookings on the “Today” and “Tonight” shows as well as many TV variety shows. They became regulars on “The Ed Sullivan Show” for five seasons and Rowlf the Dog became the resident comedian on “The Jimmy Dean Show” for three seasons.

From there it’s been all up to the regular status on Sesame Street and television specials produced and/or directed by Jim. During this time, Henson has been a multiple Emmy winner, a five-time Grammy nominee and an Oscar nominee.

As of the last tally, The Muppet Show had 100 characters — and still counting. Jim creates ’em as he needs ’em.

“I have to,” he explains. “We’re doing a show to entertain the entire family. That means we need a big family.”

Seems likely that the Henson-Muppets family of fans could burgeon, too, in the new show’s prime-time fall spot.


Sylvester Stallone in The Muppet Show


Muppet Show opening credits, closing & theme song

YouTube video

Muppet Show theme song lyrics

One of several versions (this one is as shown in the video above)

Female characters:

It’s time to play the music
It’s time to light the lights
It’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight

Male characters:

It’s time to put on makeup
It’s time to dress up right
It’s time to get things started

Kermit:

It’s time to get things started

Muppets:

On the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational
This – is – what – we – call – the – Muppet Show!


Elton John on the Muppet Show

Elton John in The Muppet Show


Kermit with Dale Evans & Roy Rogers on the vintage Muppet Show

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in The Muppet Show (1976)

muppet-show-cast

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Mister Rogers' Neighborhood theme song & lyrics (1966-2001)

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