Episode 105: The Ratings Game
From Muppet Wiki
| The Jim Henson Hour | |
| Air Date | May 14, 1989 |
| Written by | |
| Director | Peter Harris |
Contents |
Plot Outline
Jim Henson's Intro
Jim Henson talks about the second half hour, Miss Piggy's Hollywood.
MuppeTelevision
- Guest Stars: Bobby McFerrin, Marc Weiner
Kermit struggles to keep the show's ratings up, while Digit experiences various malfunctions.
Sketches:
- Bobby McFerrin and the Graffiti Muppets.
- A documentary about the tranquility of nature turns into a war film, as caterpillars and butterflies try to destroy each other
- Hurting Something, a yuppie drama from another planet
- Gorilla Television: Ubu, Chip and Zondra interrupt the MuppeTelevision broadcast to feature Marc Weiner and his puppet Rocko
- Bobby McFerrin reads the musical news, with the Muppet Newsman providing interpretation for the totally unhip
- Link Hogthrob is at the mercy of the Response-o-Matic, a machine which changes the genre of the show based on what the audience wants to see
- Bean Bunny and the cast sing "La Bamba."
Features the first Hurting Something sketch, as well as the first appearances of Zondra, Ubu and Chip.
Intro
Jim Henson and the lion put on sunglasses, because they are going to Hollywood, as they introduce the second half.
Miss Piggy's Hollywood
Miss Piggy presents a tour of Hollywood, assisted by Gonzo. She tries to interview "the family of stars," but none of them want to talk to her.
Closing
Jim Henson demonstrates one of the Graffiti Muppets, a dog, and introduces it to the White Lion.
Notes
- Jerry Nelson can be seen in the MuppeTelevision portion as Mr. Harry Stapleton, representing a key demographic of one.
- Although Jerry Nelson appears on-screen, he most likely didn't perform any Muppets in this episode, as he isn't credited as a performer, and none of the Muppets in this episode are voiced by him.
Credits
Muppets
- Kermit the Frog, Bean Bunny, Vicki, Waldo C. Graphic, Gonzo, Leon, Miss Piggy, Graffiti Muppets, Statler and Waldorf, Zondra, Ubu, Chip, Anthony, Fern, Link Hogthrob, Bob, Bruno
Background Muppets
Muppet Performers
- Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Link Hogthrob, Waldorf, and the Newsman.
- Dave Goelz as Digit and Gonzo.
- Kevin Clash as Leon and Bob the game show host.
- Fran Brill as Vicki and Zondra.
- Steve Whitmire as Bean Bunny and Waldo C. Graphic.
- Dan Redican as Anthony.
- Camille Bonora as Fern.
- Gordon Robertson as Lindberg.
- Frank Oz as Miss Piggy.
- Bob Stutt as Ubu.
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