The Muppet Show: Season 1 [1976] (4 discs)

Pick a Random Episode

Random Trivia For This Title:

• Frank Oz is often mistaken as being the inspiration for Fozzie Bear's name, while most muppeteers say Fozzie was actually named in honor of Muppet designer and builder Faz Fazakas.
• The ^[?] Mummenschanz episode is the first episode in which more than one human appears, a rarity for the show. It also marks the debut of one of Gonzo's trademarks. Him rushing rapidly through the camera with a WHOOSH sound effect.
• In February 2003, Disney purchased The Jim Henson Workshop. The deal includes characters such as Fozzie Bear and Gonzo, as well as the [Bear in the Big Blue House] franchise. [Sesame Street] characters such as Big Bird and Elmo are not included in the acquisition, as they are owned separately by the Sesame Workshop.
• Many of the characters were redesigned early in the show's run. Miss Piggy's long hair and nose were replaced with shorter, curly hair and a shorter nose. Gonzo's nose was resized, and Fozzie had his wagging ears and drooping mouth removed because Frank Oz felt they were unnecessary to bring the character to life.
• Miss Piggy was originally alternately played by Richard Hunt and Frank Oz. As the character grew in popularity, a hesitant Oz took on sole performer status. He once remarked that Piggy was such an intense and over-the-top woman, she could only be played by a man.
• Initially, the producers had such difficulty casting guest stars that they had to call upon all their personal friends in the entertainment industry for help. This changed dramatically after Rudolf Nureyev agreed to appear. The publicity of a renowned ballet dancer appearing on such a bizarre show created such positive publicity that the show became popular and soon celebrities were lining up to appear on the show.
• Kermit tells Joel Grey to keep practicing his German accent as it might come in handy. This is a reference to the fact that the accent did come in handy as Grey had already won a Tony, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for playing the German Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret.
• Originally, the producers intended to create Muppet versions of each guest star. These can be seen in the early episodes when the guest star takes his or her bow. The practice was scrapped after the third episode.
• '"Lydia, The Tattooed Lady" (on the Connie Stevens episode) was one of Jim Henson's favorite songs. It was even performed at his memorial service in 1990 by Kevin Clash in the voice of Elmo. The tattoos drawn on Lydia were drawn on by Henson himself. Unlike other Muppet pigs, Lydia has hooves instead of hands. The punch at the end of the number was the first time Miss Piggy hit Kermit. This punch would later evolve into a karate chop.
• The Connie Stevens episode was the debut of the Swedish Chef, who makes bouncing meatballs and the Muppet News Man. The News flash was filmed later in the season as he is wearing glasses and has his later voice. Wayne and Wanda are also introduced in this episode, however they won't sing until the next episode {The Muppet Show: Joel Grey}.
• The Telephone Pole Bit, seen in episode #1.8 (guest star Paul Williams), uses the name Mike Oznowiczsky, the name of Frank Oz's father.
• Ruth Buzzi recently revealed that she was originally supposed to be the first guest on the show, but scheduling conflicts pushed her back to episode #4. The guest star on the first episode was Juliet Prowse.
• Lena Horne was the first African-American to guest star on the show.
• Though the Rita Moreno episode was the fifth show recorded, it was the first shown in most markets when the series premiered.
• For the German version of the Twiggy episode, a special performance featuring singer Mary Roos performing with Rowlf - and accompanied by several other Muppets - was filmed. It replaced Twiggy's {In My Life} number.