The Muppet Show ( TV Series 1976 - 1979 )



 

The Muppet Show is a television program produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes, in 1974 and 1975, the show ran for five seasons beginning in 1976. The series shows a vaudeville- or music hall-style song-and-dance variety show, as well as glimpses behind the scenes of such a show. Kermit the Frog stars as a showrunner who tries to keep control of the antics of the other Muppet characters (and his temper), as well as keep the guest stars happy. The show was known for outrageous physical slapstick, sometimes absurdist comedy, and humorous parodies. Each episode also featured a human guest star. As the programme became popular, many celebrities were eager to perform with the Muppets on television and in film: by the end of its run over one hundred guest stars had appeared.

Many of the puppeteers also worked on Sesame Street. Muppet performers over the course of the show include Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Karen Prell, Brian Muehl, Eren Ozker, and John Lovelady. Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns were two of the show writers.



Characters



​Kermit the Frog (performed by Jim Henson) - A frog who is the theatre director and host of the Muppet Show. He served as the main protagonist of the series, specials, and films.

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Miss Piggy (performed by Richard Hunt occasionally in Season One, Frank Oz occasionally in Season 1 and full time in Seasons Two-Five) - An arrogant, self-centered, and glamorous diva pig in dual pursuit of stardom and Kermit. In the first season, her puppeteering duties were shared between Frank Oz and Richard Hunt. Starting with the second season, Oz took over the character full-time.

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Fozzie Bear (performed by Frank Oz) - A dubiously talented but irrepressible stand-up comic bear and Kermit's unofficial second-in-command.

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Scooter (performed by Richard Hunt) - The gofer whose uncle, J.P. Grosse owns the theatre.

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Gonzo (performed by Dave Goelz) - Also known as The Great Gonzo or Gonzo the Great, he is a stunt performer, performance artist and the Muppet Show's resident oddball of unknown species. His puppet was previously used for Snarl in The Great Santa Claus Switch.



​The Swedish Chef (performed by Jim Henson with the hands of Frank Oz) - A chef with peculiar culinary habits who speaks a Scandinavian-sounding gibberish called "mock Swedish".

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Rowlf the Dog (performed by Jim Henson) - The show's resident wisecracking pianist dog. Besides being seen in the Muppet Orchestra, Rowlf also plays Dr. Bob in the recurring 'Veterinarians Hospital' sketch. Seeing as Rowlf is a Live-Hand Muppet, Jim Henson is occasionally assisted in operating Rowlf the Dog by either Louise Gold, Jerry Juhl, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, and/or Steve Whitmire with either one performing Rowlf's right hand.

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Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (performed by Dave Goelz) - The head of Muppet Labs, scientist, and inventor.

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Beaker (performed by Richard Hunt) - Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's utterly luckless lab assistant.

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Camilla the Chicken (performed by Jerry Nelson) - A chicken and Gonzo's true love.

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Sam the Eagle (performed by Frank Oz) - An eagle who is an American super-patriot, resident Grouch, and self-appointed censor of the Muppet Show.

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Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem - A rock band that works at the Muppet theatre.

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Dr. Teeth (performed by Jim Henson) - The ultra-hip band leader and keyboardist for the Electric Mayhem.

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Animal (performed by Frank Oz with the drumming performed by Ronnie Verrell) - The Band's savage and frenzied drummer.

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Sgt. Floyd Pepper (performed by Jerry Nelson) - The bassist and all around hip person of the Electric Mayhem.

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Janice (performed by Eren Ozker in the first season, Richard Hunt for the remainder of the run) - The Band's hippie-chick lead guitarist (and Floyd's main squeeze).

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Zoot (performed by Dave Goelz) - The sleepy saxophone player in the Electric Mayhem and the Muppet Show's orchestra.

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Lips (performed by Steve Whitmire) - The trumpet player for the "Mayhem" added in the fifth season.

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Lew Zealand (performed by Jerry Nelson) - A boomerang fish thrower and generally fish-obsessed performer. He was originally a Whatnot before a permanent puppet was made for him.

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The Muppet Orchestra - The show's orchestra that plays the theme song music and the music during the credits. Rowlf the Dog, Animal, Zoot, Lips, Floyd Pepper, and Crazy Harry have performed in this group.

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Nigel (performed by Jim Henson in 1975-1976, John Lovelady in 1976-1977) - The conductor of the Muppet Orchestra.

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Trumpet Girl - (performed by Eren Ozker) - The female trumpet player of the Muppet Orchestra. Due to the addition of the trumpet player, Lips, she switched to trombone during the show's fifth season.

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Statler and Waldorf (performed by Richard Hunt and Jim Henson) - Two old men who occupy the box seat at every show and heckle the performances.

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The Muppet Newsman (performed by Jim Henson) - An energetic news reporter who always had bad luck.
Rizzo the Rat (performed by Steve Whitmire) - A sarcastic inner-city rat appearing in the fourth and fifth seasons.