"The Muppet Show" series
The Muppet Show
| The Muppet Show | |
|---|---|
Title card
| |
| Genre | Sketch comedy Variety |
| Created by | Jim Henson |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer |
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| Opening theme | "The Muppet Show Theme" |
| Ending theme | "The Muppet Show Theme" (instrumental) |
| Country of origin |
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| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 120 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Production location(s) | ATV Elstree, Borehamwood, England, UK |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–26 minutes |
| Production company(s) | |
| Distributor |
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| Release | |
| Original network |
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| Picture format | 576i |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original release | 5 September 1976[1][2] – 15 March 1981 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | The Muppet Movie (1979) |
| Related shows | The Jim Henson Hour (1989) Muppets Tonight (1996-98) The Muppets (2015-16) |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The Muppet Show is a comedy television series created by Jim Henson and featuring The Muppets. The series originated as two pilot episodes produced by Henson for ABC in 1974 and 1975, respectively. While neither episode was moved forward as a series and other networks in the United States rejected Henson’s proposals, British producer Lew Grade expressed interest in the project and agreed to co-produce The Muppet Show for ATV. Five seasons, totalling 120 episodes, were broadcast on ATV and other ITV franchises in the UK and in first-run syndication in the US from 1976 to 1981. The programme was filmed at Elstree Studios, England.
The Muppet Show is presented as a variety show, featuring recurring sketches and musical numbers interspersed with plotlines taking place behind the show. Within its context, Kermit the Frog acts as showrunner and host of the show, who tries to maintain control of the overwhelming antics of the other Muppet characters, as well as appease the rotating slate of guest stars.[3] The Muppet Show is also known for its uniquely designed characters, burlesque nature, physical slapstick, sometimes absurdist humor, and parodies.[4] As The Muppet Show became popular, many celebrities were eager to perform with the Muppets on television and in film.
The cast of performers over the course of the series consisted of Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Fran Brill, Eren Ozker, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Karen Prell, Brian Muehl, Bob Payne, and John Lovelady. Many of the performers also worked on Sesame Street, whose characters made sporadic appearances on The Muppet Show. Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns were two of the head writers. The music was performed by Jack Parnell and his orchestra.
Contents
History[edit]
Since its debut in 1969, Sesame Street had given Jim Henson's Muppet characters exposure; however, Henson began to perceive that he was becoming typecast as a children's entertainer. Subsequently, he began conceiving a programme for a more adult demographic. Two television specials, The Muppets Valentine Show (1974) and The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence (1975), were produced for ABC and are considered pilots for The Muppet Show. Neither of the two specials was ordered to series. However, the prime-time access rule was recently enacted, shifting the 7:30 to 8 pm ET slot from the networks to their affiliates. CBS became interested in Henson's series proposals and expressed intent to broadcast it weekly on its owned and operated stations.[citation needed] According to the original pitch reel, the programme was originally to have the involvement of George Schlatter.
Lew Grade, proprietor of the British commercial station ATV, was familiar with puppet television programmes, having underwritten the various works of Gerry Anderson, while also producing two specials with Henson: Julie on Sesame Street and Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Grade offered a deal to Henson that would result in the latter’s programme being produced at the ATV studios in Elstree, England. ATV, as part of the ITV network, would broadcast the programme to other ITV stations in the United Kingdom, and its distribution arm, ITC Entertainment, would handle international broadcasts. Henson set aside his misgivings about syndication and accepted.[5]
By Christmas 1976, the series in the UK saw around 14 million viewers tuning in on Sunday evenings. In January 1977, over 100 countries had either acquired the series or were making offers, which had resulted in over £6 million in overseas sales.[6]
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