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Three episodes into this first-season set (1976-77) of The Muppet Show, the program opens with a robust rendition of "Comedy Tonight," featuring guest star Joel Grey. Indeed, this Emmy Award-winning variety series embraced the spirit of Stephen Sondheim's lyrics like no other show since: "Something familiar, something peculiar, something for everyone." For the kids, there are Jim Henson's ingenious Muppet characters cavorting backstage and center stage. For the adults, there is a wonderfully odd and oddly wonderful roster of actors and entertainers. Among those getting into the act in this auspicious inaugural season are: showstoppers Ethel Merman, Rita Moreno, Lena Horne, and Ben Vereen; comedians Harvey Korman, Avery Schreiber, Kaye Ballard, and Phyllis Diller; screen legend Vincent Price; and TV Land faves Jim Nabors, Florence Henderson, and Valerie Harper. All clearly have a ball, whether bantering with plucky frog-cum-MC Kermit or flirting with Miss Piggy -- who emerges in these early shows as a diva-in-waiting. Playing a more prominent role in this season is Rowlf the dog, the first Muppet to achieve breakout success as a regular on The Jimmy Dean Show. Two recurring features here that the producers phased out in later years were the freewheeling panel discussions between the Muppets and their guest star, and the ballroom dancers who step lively to a barrage of simply awful jokes. Produced in London, The Muppet Show often wrings unsuspected comedy from unfamiliar guests, from Kermit putting the bite on Price’s neck to French actor-singer Charles Aznavour putting the moves on Miss Piggy. Although it wasn’t apparent at the time, The Muppet Show was clearly the last great TV variety program, and the joy with which the producers dive into the great songs of Broadway and the American Songbook remains infectious. The brilliant novelty numbers, too, just keep on coming: the collection's second episode, featuring Connie Stevens, resurrects "Lydia the Tattooed Lady"; and in the first, with guest star Juliet Prowse, the Muppets put their sublime stamp on composer Piero Umiliani’s beloved "Mahna Mahna." Optional text pop-ups, dubbed "Muppet Morsels," provide interesting facts about each episode and the featured guest. And not even Waldorf and Statler would heckle the inclusion in this four-disc set of such archival rarities as the original Muppet pitch reel and the Muppet Show pilot. Donald Liebenson

Product Details

• UPC: 786936285833
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Language: English
• Editions: Remastered, Special Edition, Restored
• Time: 10:04:00
• Sales Rank: 1,949

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

• The Muppet Show: Jim Nabors
• The Muppet Show: Rita Moreno
• The Muppet Show: Ruth Buzzi
• The Muppet Show: Joel Grey
• The Muppet Show: Connie Stevens
• The Muppet Show: Juliet Prowse
• The Muppet Show: Paul Williams
• The Muppet Show: Lena Horne
• The Muppet Show: Peter Ustinov
• The Muppet Show: Florence Henderson
• The Muppet Show: Bruce Forsyth
• The Muppet Show: Harvey Korman
• The Muppet Show: Charles Aznavour
• The Muppet Show: Sandy Duncan
• The Muppet Show: Candice Bergen
• The Muppet Show: Ben Vereen
• The Muppet Show: Vincent Price
• The Muppet Show: Phyllis Diller
• The Muppet Show: Avery Schreiber
• The Muppet Show: Valerie Harper
• The Muppet Show: Twiggy
• The Muppet Show: Ethel Merman
• The Muppet Show: Kaye Ballard
• The Muppet Show: Mummenschanz

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