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Creator Jim Henson with the colourful cast of characters of "The Muppet Show". Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/9isz2z/jim_henson_and_the_muppets_1980/ (May be subject to copyright) |
It is a show that I quote more often than I thought. Actually, I refer to just one pair of characters, and people of a certain age instantly know what I am talking about.
Awhile ago I saw two crusty old men in town and they were laughing and complaining and solving the problems of the world.
“Look at Statler and Waldorf,” I said to the person I was with. He didn’t know who I was referring to.
“The two old guys from ‘The Muppets,” I responded. “Who sit up in the balcony and make fun of everyone.”
He instantly knew who I was referring to.
When I was growing up, I looked forward to tuning into Channel 9 CBC on the peasant vision dial every week to watch “The Muppets”.
It was crafted like a variety show with acts going on stage and performing, while the cameras took us back stage to see the show behind the show.
Like any variety show “The Muppets” had an interesting cast of characters.
Street smart
The host was Kermit the Frog, who I came to know from “Sesame Street”. He was such a kind, endearing soul, with a calm, soothing voice. He acted as not only host but show runner, trying to keep the show flowing and juggling the needs and wants of the zany characters and special guests.
The host was Kermit the Frog, who I came to know from “Sesame Street”. He was such a kind, endearing soul, with a calm, soothing voice. He acted as not only host but show runner, trying to keep the show flowing and juggling the needs and wants of the zany characters and special guests.
To start every episode of “The Muppet Show”, it would fade in to Kermit, who would pronounce, “It’s the Muppet Show with our very special guest star…” and fill in the guest of that week.
The theme song was epic too. The female cast would dance across the screen singing, “It’s time to play the music, It’s time to light the lights, It’s to meet the Muppets, On the Muppet Show tonight.”
The male cast would answer, dancing across the screen singing, “It’s time to put on makeup, It’s time to dress up right, It’s time to raise the curtain, On the Muppet Show tonight.”
It also included the Muppets saying “But now let’s get things started.”
The audience responds with, “Why don’t you get things started?”
Then Kermit says, “It’s time to get things started.”
That eventually led to the climax of the opening. The Muppets sing, “It’s the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational, This is what we call The Muppet Show!”
Going Gonzo
The opening would end with Gonzo coming out to play his trumpet. Every week something strange would happen. Either something would come out of the end of it, or something would happen as a result of him playing it. That set the mood for the show.
The opening would end with Gonzo coming out to play his trumpet. Every week something strange would happen. Either something would come out of the end of it, or something would happen as a result of him playing it. That set the mood for the show.
Hog wild
One of the biggest personalities was Miss Piggy. She was vain, needy, and high maintenance as the prima donna of the show. She dated Kermit the Frog and affectionately called him “Kermie”. However, she bordered on abusive the way she bossed him around and made him feel small. She also kept him, and others in line, with her infamous karate chop. She would signal it was coming with a patented, “Hiii ya!”
One of the biggest personalities was Miss Piggy. She was vain, needy, and high maintenance as the prima donna of the show. She dated Kermit the Frog and affectionately called him “Kermie”. However, she bordered on abusive the way she bossed him around and made him feel small. She also kept him, and others in line, with her infamous karate chop. She would signal it was coming with a patented, “Hiii ya!”
I have to say, she was my least favourite character.
Bear necessities
Besides Kermit the Frog, my favourite Muppet was Fozzie Bear. He was an up and coming comedian who struggled to be funny, often dealing with boos from the audience when he was on stage. Yet, he was a kind soul too. He really meant no harm and always had the best of intentions.
Besides Kermit the Frog, my favourite Muppet was Fozzie Bear. He was an up and coming comedian who struggled to be funny, often dealing with boos from the audience when he was on stage. Yet, he was a kind soul too. He really meant no harm and always had the best of intentions.
Stockholm syndrome
One of the quirkiest characters was the Swedish Chef. After all no variety show is complete without a cooking segment. Yet, the Swedish Chef was incomprehensible to understand, by design, because he was supposed to be speaking Swedish. It always came out, “Um bork bork, Um bork bork…”
One of the quirkiest characters was the Swedish Chef. After all no variety show is complete without a cooking segment. Yet, the Swedish Chef was incomprehensible to understand, by design, because he was supposed to be speaking Swedish. It always came out, “Um bork bork, Um bork bork…”
The ingredients always seemed to fly around too. He seemed to attack the food with his cleaver with a fervent zeal.
House band
No variety show would be complete without a band either. "The Muppet Show" had Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. They were always worth watching, especially the lead man’s eye-catching golden teeth and Animal, the band’s hyperkinetic drummer.
No variety show would be complete without a band either. "The Muppet Show" had Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. They were always worth watching, especially the lead man’s eye-catching golden teeth and Animal, the band’s hyperkinetic drummer.
Outer space
Another feature, a play on shows such as “Star Trek”and “Star Wars” was “Pigs in Space”. Three pigs would fly around encountering alien life forms. I always remember the introduction, a long drawn out “Piiiiiigs – iiin Spaaaaaaaace”.
Another feature, a play on shows such as “Star Trek”and “Star Wars” was “Pigs in Space”. Three pigs would fly around encountering alien life forms. I always remember the introduction, a long drawn out “Piiiiiigs – iiin Spaaaaaaaace”.
Peanut gallery
And of course, there were the two old guys heckling the show at every turn. Statler and Waldorf were good comic relief within the show, making some pretty cutting and pointed – albeit funny – remarks.
And of course, there were the two old guys heckling the show at every turn. Statler and Waldorf were good comic relief within the show, making some pretty cutting and pointed – albeit funny – remarks.
Ya, science
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew was an absent-minded scientist who performed these hapless science experiments. He had the help of his assistant Beaker, who didn’t speak words, but expressed his emotions through a series of “Mee, mee, mees”. Often, the experiments went seriously wrong and they suffered injuries, to comedic effect.
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew was an absent-minded scientist who performed these hapless science experiments. He had the help of his assistant Beaker, who didn’t speak words, but expressed his emotions through a series of “Mee, mee, mees”. Often, the experiments went seriously wrong and they suffered injuries, to comedic effect.
Scooter
What I will always remember about Scooter was his eyes and his glasses were one and the same. He was the stage manager and gofer whose uncle owned the Muppet Theatre and rented it to the Muppets.
What I will always remember about Scooter was his eyes and his glasses were one and the same. He was the stage manager and gofer whose uncle owned the Muppet Theatre and rented it to the Muppets.
The guests
The show had every manner of special guests from Elton John to Sylvestor Stallone, and everyone in between. That may have been one of the best parts of the show.
The show had every manner of special guests from Elton John to Sylvestor Stallone, and everyone in between. That may have been one of the best parts of the show.
The twist
“The Muppet Show” did some interesting things. One episode I remember well was when pigs were taking over the whole show. Kermit the Pig was the host now, and the resident comedian was Fozzie Pig. He still wasn’t funny.
“The Muppet Show” did some interesting things. One episode I remember well was when pigs were taking over the whole show. Kermit the Pig was the host now, and the resident comedian was Fozzie Pig. He still wasn’t funny.
Behind the scenes
“The Muppet Show” was created by Jim Henson, who was a genius. Yet, he could not get much traction on primetime American television.
“The Muppet Show” was created by Jim Henson, who was a genius. Yet, he could not get much traction on primetime American television.
I recall at the outset of every episode on Channel 9 of the peasant vision dial, the ITC Entertainment logo coming on before the show started. The show, which ran from 1976 to 1981, lasted five seasons and 120 episodes, and was produced and recorded in England.
The movies
The Muppets hit the big screen with several movies, starting with “The Muppet Movie” in 1979; “The Great Muppet Caper” in 1981; “The Muppets Take Manhattan” in 1984; “The Muppet Christmas Carol” in 1992; “Muppet Treasure Island” in 1996; “Muppets from Space” in 1999; “The Muppets” in 2011; and “Muppets Most Wanted” in 2014.
The Muppets hit the big screen with several movies, starting with “The Muppet Movie” in 1979; “The Great Muppet Caper” in 1981; “The Muppets Take Manhattan” in 1984; “The Muppet Christmas Carol” in 1992; “Muppet Treasure Island” in 1996; “Muppets from Space” in 1999; “The Muppets” in 2011; and “Muppets Most Wanted” in 2014.
“Muppet Movie” memories
I have a couple odd memories of “The Muppet Movie”. I first heard about it in elementary school, and the song “Rainbow Connection” sung by Kermit the Frog. Our school, St. Joseph’s in Coaldale, used to participate in the Kiwanis Festival. The grade ahead of us performed “Rainbow Connection” for the festival, and sang it at one of our school assemblies. The song actually hit number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. That song touched me, and made me want to see the movie.
I have a couple odd memories of “The Muppet Movie”. I first heard about it in elementary school, and the song “Rainbow Connection” sung by Kermit the Frog. Our school, St. Joseph’s in Coaldale, used to participate in the Kiwanis Festival. The grade ahead of us performed “Rainbow Connection” for the festival, and sang it at one of our school assemblies. The song actually hit number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. That song touched me, and made me want to see the movie.
Coaldale used to have a fair every summer called Settler’s Days. One year, I am thinking 1980 or 1981, they advertised “The Muppet Movie” would be shown. I was so excited to go, and I thought my parents were in to go to Coaldale.
Then my Uncle Ed and Aunt Joanne and cousin Carl came to visit with his cousin Todd. That de-railed my chance to see the movie.
I eventually did see it, a couple years after that on network television, all cut up by commercial breaks.
Parting thoughts
When I was little, “The Muppet Show” was must-see viewing every week. I just loved the variety, the puppets, the different guests and the production values.
When I was little, “The Muppet Show” was must-see viewing every week. I just loved the variety, the puppets, the different guests and the production values.
I liked the music too. My brother had left behind a tape recorder when he left home for college. I used it to tape stuff of TV. When of the things I recall sticking that big microphone in front of the TV speaker to record was the theme from “The Muppet Show”.
One of our streaming services has the old episodes of “The Muppet Show”. Maybe some day soon, I will re-introduce myself to that great cast of characters.
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