Episode 202: Zero Mostel
From Muppet Wiki
| The Muppet Show | |
| Guest Starring | Zero Mostel |
| Production Dates | May 31 - June 2, 1977 |
| Home Video | Season Two |
Kermit can't make payroll ($27.14), but Muppet Theater owner J.P. Grosse says he'll give him the money if he puts "good old-fashioned entertainment" back in the show -- meaning lady wrestlers. Only one shows up, an old (but very tough) lady named Granny the Gouger. But when Miss Piggy refuses to wrestle her, Kermit is forced to step into the ring, disguised as "The Mysterious Ms. Mask." When Granny body slams him, however, an enraged Piggy knocks her out.
Contents |
Songs/Sketches
- Chopin's "Polonaise in A Flat" (Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem)
- "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" (Zero, the Queen, Muppy)
- At the Dance: Tennis Jokes
- UK Spot: Kermit and Sam in the prop room.
- Muppet Labs: Magnetic Carrots
- Guest Star's Dressing Room: Sam the Eagle lectures Zero on dignity, while Zero mocks him behind his back.
- "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (Zoot, Rowlf)
- "Fears of Zero" (Zero, Muppet Monsters)
- Drum Solo (Animal)
- Lady Wrestling (Kermit, disguised as Ms. Mask; Granny the Gouger; Miss Piggy).
Notes
- This is the first of three consecutive episodes in which a different female performer auditioned. The performer in this episode was Richenda Carey, who performed the voice of the Queen (a full-bodied, female version of the Featherstone puppet). She did not, however, perform the puppet.
- Although J.P. Grosse plays an important role in the plot, he does not appear in this episode. Grosse makes his physical debut in episode 205.
- This is one of two cold opens that begin with Scooter outside of the Guest Star's Dressing Room. The other is episode 204.
- Zero Mostel died in September 1977, three months after he filmed this episode, and before it aired.
- Beaker makes his debut in the Muppet Labs sketch on this episode.
Cast
Muppets:
- Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Scooter, Rowlf the Dog, Statler and Waldorf, Sam the Eagle, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Zoot, Animal, The Queen, Muppy, Whatnots, Svengali's Assistant, Granny the Gouger, Crazy Harry, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Behemoth, Beautiful Day Monster, Steel Rabbit, Timmy Monster, Mean Mama, Blue Frackle, Tennis Balls
Background Muppets:
Performers
- Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, Dr. Teeth, Waldorf, Girl Dancer, and Tennis Balls
- Frank Oz as Miss Piggy, Sam the Eagle, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Whatnot Dancers
- Jerry Nelson as Granny the Gouger, Floyd Pepper, Crazy Harry, Behemoth, and Beautiful Day Monster
- Richard Hunt as Scooter, Statler, Janice, Beaker, Whatnot Dancers, and Blue Frackle
- Dave Goelz as Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Muppy, Marvin, Whatnot Dancer, and Mean Mama
- Richenda Carey as the Queen (voice, uncredited)
Edits
- On CTS, the UK skit that takes place in the prop room is cut.
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