Its appeal was simple yet profound — puppetry brimming with personality, comedy rooted in character, and a format that invited audiences of all ages into a world of joyfully unpredictable entertainment.
The show grew out of creator Jim Henson’s long journey in television. By the mid‑1970s, Henson had already introduced his characters on network variety specials, and redefined educational television with his work on Sesame Street.
Still, he aimed for a series that would play in prime time, reach adults as easily as children, and capture the spontaneity of vaudeville amid the rhythms of weekly television. With writing that balanced absurdity and wit, and with a supporting ensemble that included Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and many others, the Muppet cast became icons in their own right.
One of the show’s most enduring legacies is its theme song — those opening lines about playing the music and lighting the lights. That opening became a ritual for viewers, a kind of joyful invitation into the delightful chaos that followed. (You can watch the opening below.)
Each episode featured a different guest star who stepped into the Muppet universe, often in musical numbers or sketches that played off the Muppets’ humor and energy. Legends such as Bob Hope, Elton John, Diana Ross, Vincent Price, Harry Belafonte, Steve Martin and even the great Gene Kelly joined the cast, offering moments that ranged from heartfelt to uproarious.
Across five seasons and 120 episodes from 1976 to 1981, The Muppet Show never lost sight of its vaudevillian roots or its affection for playful irreverence. That combination of character‑driven comedy and genuine heart helped the show become a cultural touchstone, spawning films, specials and new generations of fans.
Best of all: their legacy continues today! To commemorate the show’s 50th anniversary, The Muppet Show returned as a special event on ABC and Disney+ in February 2026, featuring pop star Sabrina Carpenter (who was born in 1999) as both a guest and executive producer.
The revival brings the Muppets back to the familiar stage of the Muppet Theatre — music, comedy and mishaps included — and has been met with enthusiasm for preserving the show’s original spirit while introducing it to a new generation. Carpenter’s chemistry with classic characters like Miss Piggy and her musical performance help bridge the decades between the original series and today’s audiences.
Even as the format revisits the classic variety show structure, the impulse remains the same as it was in 1976: to surprise, delight and make room for both slapstick and sincerity. Whether you grew up with the original broadcasts or are discovering them through anniversary specials like this, the Muppets’ blend of creativity and chaos still resonates. Below you’ll find theme song lyrics, vintage guest star moments, and glimpses of classic episodes that remind us just how influential The Muppet Show has been.
Day-O! Harry Belafonte on The Muppet Show
Muppet Show with guest star Bernadette Peters
The Muppet Show cast with singer Debbie Harry of Blondie
- Join Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, the Swedish Chef, and more in the first season of this groundbreaking twist on the classic Variety Show.
- Contains all 24 episodes, which have been completely restored and remastered.
- The bonus features also include something you were never meant to see: the original "pitch reel" that propelled the Muppets' blend of original songs, sketch comedy, and guest stars into a primetime...
From The Muppet Show’s debut: New pals join The Muppets on their own TV show (1976)
By Austin Philips – The Town Talk (Alexandria, LA) 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Muppet Show opening credits, closing & theme song
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!
Muppet Show with guest star Milton Berle (Uncle Milty)
Kermit with Dale Evans & Roy Rogers on the vintage Muppet Show
Vintage Muppet Show with guest star Ben Vereen
Muppet Show with guest star Steve Martin
Vincent Price and Kermit on a vintage Muppet Show episode
Elton John on the Muppet Show
