"The Muppet Show" (1976) TV series 1976-1981

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Writers:

Joseph A. Bailey (writer) (1977-1981)
Jim Henson (writer) (1976-1981)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

29 January 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Music

Plot:

Kermit the Frog and his friends struggle to put on a weekly variety show.

Plot Keywords:

Frog | Theater | Variety | Heckler | Guest Star

Awards:

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Frank Oz	...	Fozzie Bear / ... (117 episodes, 1976-1981)
Jim Henson	...	Kermit the Frog / ... (117 episodes, 1976-1981)
Richard Hunt	...	Statler / ... (117 episodes, 1976-1980)
Dave Goelz	...	Gonzo / ... (116 episodes, 1976-1981)
Jerry Nelson	...	Floyd Pepper / ... (110 episodes, 1976-1981)
Louise Gold	...	Additional Muppets / ... (81 episodes, 1977-1980)
Steve Whitmire	...	Additional Muppets / ... (64 episodes, 1978-1981)
Kathryn Mullen	...	Additional Muppets / ... (53 episodes, 1978-1981)

(more)

Series Directed by
Peter Harris		(28 episodes, 1976-1980)

Series Writing credits
Don Hinkley		(96 episodes, 1977-1981)
Jim Henson		(29 episodes, 1976-1981)
Jerry Juhl		(29 episodes, 1976-1981)
Jack Burns		(24 episodes, 1976)
Marc London		(22 episodes, 1976-1981)
Chris Langham		(2 episodes, 1976-1981)
David Odell		(2 episodes, 1976-1981)
Joseph A. Bailey		(2 episodes, 1977-1981)
James Thurman		(unknown episodes, 1976-1981)

Series Produced by
David Lazer	....	executive producer: Henson Associates / executive producer (29 episodes, 1976-1980)
Jim Henson	....	executive producer / producer (28 episodes, 1976-1981)
Jack Burns	....	producer (24 episodes, 1976)
Lew Grade	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Lynsey De Paul		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
John Hawkins		(3 episodes, 1976-1980)
Tim Waddell		(2 episodes, 1977)

Series Art Direction by
David Chandler		(4 episodes, 1976-1979)
Bryan Holgate		(unknown episodes)
Richard Lake		(unknown episodes)
Malcolm Stone		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
James Dark		(2 episodes, 1977-1980)
Calista Hendrickson		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Mary Southgate	....	makeup artist (4 episodes, 1977-1980)
Sandy Staples	....	makeup supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Terry Royce	....	stand-by props (5 episodes, 1976)
John Stevenson	....	character designer / storyboard artist (4 episodes, 1978-1980)

Series Sound Department
Ted Scott	....	sound / audio (5 episodes, 1976-1980)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Phil Hawkes	....	lighting director (4 episodes, 1977-1980)
John Crane	....	video engineer / digital video engineer (3 episodes, 1977-1980)
Roy Simper	....	senior camera operator (3 episodes, 1977-1980)
John Willment	....	video engineer (2 episodes, 1976-1979)
John Rook	....	lighting director (2 episodes, 1976-1977)
Steve Jolley	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Tony Swain	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Calista Hendrickson	....	muppet costumes (3 episodes, 1979-1980)

Series Editorial Department
Carole Legg	....	vision mixer (2 episodes, 1976-1977)
Moyra Bird	....	vision mixer (2 episodes, 1977-1980)
Mary Forrest	....	vision mixer (2 episodes, 1979-1980)

Series Music Department
Jack Parnell	....	conductor: orchestra (6 episodes, 1976-1980)
Sam Pottle	....	composer: theme music (6 episodes, 1976-1980)
Derek Scott	....	musical associate (6 episodes, 1976-1980)
Larry Grossman	....	music consultant / musical consultant (3 episodes, 1977-1979)
Ray Charles	....	music consultant (2 episodes, 1980)
Jim Henson	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Michael K. Frith	....	muppet creative consultant / muppet design consultant (6 episodes, 1976-1980)
Richard Holloway	....	senior floor manager (6 episodes, 1976-1980)
Frank Oz	....	creative consultant / muppet creative consultant (6 episodes, 1976-1980)
Don Sahlin	....	muppet designer / special muppets / ... (6 episodes, 1976-1980)
Caryl Cruickshank	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1976-1980)
Faz Fazakas	....	muppet designer / puppets (5 episodes, 1976-1980)
Dave Goelz	....	muppet designer / puppets (5 episodes, 1976-1980)
Larry Jameson	....	muppet designer / puppets (5 episodes, 1976-1980)
Mari Kaestle	....	muppet designer / puppets (5 episodes, 1976-1980)
Caroly Wilcox	....	muppet designer / puppets (5 episodes, 1976-1980)
Martin G. Baker	....	floor manager (4 episodes, 1976-1979)
Amy Van Gilder	....	muppet designer / muppet workshop supervisor (4 episodes, 1977-1980)
Rollin Krewson	....	muppet designer / puppets (3 episodes, 1976-1980)
Tim Miller	....	muppet designer (3 episodes, 1979-1980)
Jan Rosenthal	....	muppet designer (3 episodes, 1979-1980)
Joan Chaplow	....	assistant to producer / assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1976-1979)
Bonnie Erickson	....	muppet designer / puppets (2 episodes, 1976-1977)
John Lovelady	....	muppet designer / puppets (2 episodes, 1976-1977)
Sara Paul	....	muppet workshop supervisor / stage manager (2 episodes, 1977-1980)
Sue Taylor	....	assistant to producer (2 episodes, 1977)
Edward G. Christie	....	muppet designer (2 episodes, 1980)
Barbara S. Davis	....	muppet designer (2 episodes, 1980)
Nomi Frederick	....	muppet designer (2 episodes, 1980)
Jane Gootnick	....	muppet designer (2 episodes, 1980)
Cheryl Henson	....	muppet designer (2 episodes, 1980)
Robert McCormack	....	muppet workshop supervisor (2 episodes, 1980)
Susan Paul	....	assistant to producer (2 episodes, 1980)
Bob Payne	....	muppet designer (2 episodes, 1980)
Leslee Asch	....	muppet designer (unknown episodes)
Marianne Harms	....	muppet designer (unknown episodes)
Nigel Lythgoe	....	choreographer / floor director (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Associated Television (ATV)
• Henson Associates (HA)
• Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
• Jim Henson Company, The

Distributors

• Buena Vista International Finland (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Independent Television (ITV) (1976-1981) (UK) (TV)
• Katholieke Radio Omroep (KRO) (1977-1982) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (1981) (Japan) (TV)
• Time-Life Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Walt Disney Home Entertainment (2005) (worldwide) (DVD)
• Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) (1977-1981) (Germany) (TV)

Runtime:

30 min (120 episodes)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | USA:TV-G | Singapore:G

Filming Locations:

BBC Elstree Centre/ATV Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Associated Television (ATV)

Trivia:

John Cleese was a big fan of the show and wrote much of the episode he appeared in, including the pirate sketch, his scene with Gonzo ("the ugly, disgusting one who catches cannonballs") and the finale.

Quotes:

Fozzie: [Phone rings] I'll get it!
[Picks up]
Fozzie: Muppet Show backstage.
[Coins start pouring out of the mike on the phone, and Fozzie takes off his hat quickly to catch them]
Kermit: Fozzie, who was it this time?
Fozzie: Las Vegas.
[Kermit walks off disgusted]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Mona Leaves-a (#19.19)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

The Muppet Show Theme

This show is not only BRILLIANT, it's GENIUS!

The Muppet Show is, by far, one of the best constructed variety shows out there. Plus, it has all our favorite Muppet characters, and seriously, who can go wrong with the Muppets? This show is a perfect blend of song and dance, Muppet and guest star interaction, and just plain fun for the whole family.

The humor in the show offers the perfect mix of adult jokes and gags that fly right over the heads of children, and laughs that both child and adult can enjoy. Jim Henson truly created a masterpiece with this show, not to mention his popular films and other spin-off shows. The Muppet Show also offers a wonderful glimpse of many of the stars of yesteryear (the mid- to late-1970s), many of whom still survive today.

This show definitely needs to be picked up by one of the networks for syndication because, although it seems somewhat dated at times (not much, though, really) it's genuine entertainment value could boost any network's ratings.

Deservedly so, I've given The Muppet Show a rating of 10 stars out of 10!