The Muppet Show
Kermit the Frog is the manager of a cabaret-style theatre house, which invariably has more drama behind the stage than on it. He has to contend with wannabe-comedian bears, the smothering advances of Miss Piggy, crabby regular theatre patrons, homicidal chefs, livestock, not to mention making the weekly guest star feel welcome.
- 1976-1981
- 5 seasons
- ABC Studios
- Comedy, Family, Music
- TV-G
Kermit the Frog is the manager of a cabaret-style theatre house, which invariably has more drama behind the stage than on it. He has to contend with wannabe-comedian bears, the smothering advances of Miss Piggy, crabby regular theatre patrons, homicidal chefs, livestock, not to mention making the weekly guest star feel welcome.
Season 5 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 1980 - 1981
Episode 1
Gene Kelly
Sat, Feb 28, 1981 25 mins
When Gene Kelly was first booked for the show he said to the writers that he didn't just want to do 'Singin' in the Rain'. The writers turned Gene's request into a running gag for the show, and much to Kermit's dismay, Gene Kelly insists on just passively watching the Muppets do their "thing" from the wings of the stage. But of course, the Muppets get their way in the end, and Gene performs a few numbers while backstage with Kermit and the gang, including the song 'Singin' in the Rain'.
Episode 2
Loretta Swit
Sat, Nov 15, 1980 25 mins
Miss Piggy finally pushes Kermit too far, leading to the frog firing and replacing her with Loretta Swit.
Episode 3
Joan Baez
Sat, Oct 25, 1980 25 mins
Beauregard misinterprets his orders to get rid of Rizzo and the rats so completely that they plot to take over the show.
Episode 4
Shirley Bassey
Sat, Sep 20, 1980 25 mins
The Muppet Theatre gets ahold of a supply of real gold for props, but it is protected by a violently paranoid security guard.
Episode 5
James Coburn
Sat, Sep 27, 1980 25 mins
James Coburn tries to encourage Animal to embrace serenity through Zen Buddhism, but it proves a hopeless task.
Episode 6
Brooke Shields
Sat, Oct 4, 1980 25 mins
Teen actor Brooke Shields stars in the Muppets' version of Alice in Wonderland.
Episode 7
Glenda Jackson
Sat, Nov 8, 1980 25 mins
Guest star Glenda Jackson becomes a pirate and hijacks the Muppet Theater as her ship.
Episode 8
Señor Wences
Sat, Feb 14, 1981 25 mins
The Muppets decide to do something "entirely different" on their show and feature puppets.
Episode 9
Debbie Harry
Sat, Feb 21, 1981 30 mins
Robin's Frog Scout troop visits the show, getting in everyone's way backstage. They ask Debbie for help earning their punk merit badges, and she teaches them how to do the pogo.
Episode 10
Jean-Pierre Rampal
Sat, Dec 6, 1980 25 mins
Kermit introduces Miss Piggy to the guest star, Jean-Pierre Rampal, in order to give her the opportunity to speak French with someone. The trouble is that Piggy doesn't actually speak French.
Episode 11
Paul Simon
Sat, Oct 18, 1980 25 mins
With the Muppets performing only Paul Simon's songs for this show, Gonzo is inspired to emulate the musician's musical ways.
Episode 12
Melissa Manchester
Sat, Feb 7, 1981 25 mins
Kermit is plagued by a night of backstage crises. A group of skiers get hurt during the opening number, and after Kermit says that the theater will cover their medical costs, Scooter forgets to cash the check. The Teeterini Family are angry that their teeter board won't fit on the stage. The Swedish Chef prepares spring chicken, and the bouncing chicken drives Kermit crazy. And let's not even talk about the blindfolded, hang-gliding yodelers.
Episode 13
Tony Randall
Sat, Oct 11, 1980 25 mins
Tony Randall is causing accidental trouble with a book of spells, especially when he turns Miss Piggy to stone.
Episode 14
Mac Davis
Sat, Nov 22, 1980 25 mins
Beaker makes several copies of himself and throws the show into chaos as they continually all chase Dr. Bunsen Honeydew around for revenge.
Episode 15
Carol Burnett
Sat, Dec 13, 1980 25 mins
Kermit makes the mistake of letting Gonzo run a dance marathon during the show. Carol's songs are interrupted, and she objects to the marathon -- especially when Gonzo fixes her up with Animal as her dance partner. Carol threatens to leave in the middle of the show, but Kermit persuades her to stay by promising that she can perform her famous "Lonely Asparagus" sketch. But Gonzo says the marathon won't be over until all the contestants collapse, so she tires the dancers out by singing "I Was Made for Dancin'". Burnett plays both herself and the dance's janitor (a character from her own namesake show).
Episode 16
Gladys Knight
Sat, May 2, 1981 25 mins
The entire roof of the Muppet Theater has to be taken to the shop for repairs, exposing the show to all sorts of inclement weather.
Episode 17
Hal Linden
Sat, Nov 29, 1980 25 mins
Statler and Waldorf accept the dare from Kermit to run the Muppet Show themselves and find it a chaotic challenge.
Episode 18
Marty Feldman
Sat, May 23, 1981 25 mins
The Muppets put on an Arabian Nights themed show with Marty Feldman as Scheherazade.
Episode 19
Chris Langham
Sat, Jan 31, 1981 25 mins
With the intended guest star declining to appear, a messenger boy, Chris Langham, is hastily recruited to substitute.
Episode 20
Wally Boag
Sat, May 9, 1981 25 mins
In honor of vaudeville-influenced guest star Wally Boag, the Muppets salute vaudeville, with a balloon animal act, a bagpipe player and a hypnotist. Wally performs acts he made famous at the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland, including the Pecos Bill teeth-spitting sketch.
Episode 21
Johnny Cash
Mon, Aug 11, 1980 25 mins
The Muppet Show is broadcast on radio station WHOG which leads to havoc in the muppet theater.
Episode 22
Buddy Rich
Sat, May 16, 1981 25 mins
Thanks to Gonzo, the Muppet Theater's electrical system is damaged, throwing the show into continual power failures.
Episode 23
Linda Ronstadt
Sat, Nov 1, 1980 25 mins
Kermit and special guest Linda Ronstadt have mutual crushes on each other. Miss Piggy discovers this and makes it her goal to keep Kermit away from Linda.
Episode 24
Roger Moore
Sat, Dec 20, 1980 25 mins
Kermit has hired several spies for Roger Moore's closing number, but Moore wants to do a wholesome song instead. The spies disguise themselves as fluffy animals in order to get him.