Episode 204: Rich Little

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The Muppet Show
Guest Starring	Rich Little
Production Dates	June 14-16, 1977
Home Video	Season Two

Gonzo auditions real chickens for his dancing chicken act. Due to a last-minute cancellation, he finally gets on stage, but his chicken Lolita hardly moves.

Songs/Sketches

"Chanson D'Amour" (Girl Singers, Crazy Harry)
Rich impersonates Fozzie, Statler, Kermit, and Miss Piggy.
At the Dance
UK Spot: "The Boy in the Gallery" (Miss Piggy)
"Inchworm" (Lenny the Lizard, Inchworms, Gorgon Heap)
Rich is interviewed at the stagedoor by the Newsman, Mildred Huxtetter, and Fleet Scribbler.
Veterinarian's Hospital: Fozzie Returns
"Tea for Two" (Gonzo and his dancing chicken, Lolita)
Medley of duets from Hollywood musicals:
- "Singin' in the Rain" (Rich, Fozzie)
- "Well Did You Evah?" (Rich, Kermit)
- "I Remember It Well" (Rich, Piggy)

Notes

In Of Muppets and Men, Dave Goelz talked about the origin of Gonzo's passion for chickens: "There was a moment during the second season when I had Gonzo ad-lib a line that was, I think, important for my understanding of his character. He'd been auditioning chickens for the show -- dancing chickens -- and they were all terrible. At the end of the scene I had him turn to the camera and say, 'Nice legs, though.' Something jelled right there. It told me something about him." Eventually, Gonzo's interest in chickens would lead to a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Camilla.

This was the first episode that Louise Gold performed in, as part of her audition. She won the audition and would become a regular performer starting with episode 207, but she wouldn't receive screen credit until the third season. In this episode, she triple-tracked her voice for the singers in the opening number and performed Mildred (who had previously been performed by Richard Hunt, Frank Oz, and Dave Goelz). ^{[citation needed]}

This episode also marks the first appearance of Fleet Scribbler, who would appear in a few more episodes, notably episode 210.

Cast

Muppets:

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal, Scooter, Girl Singers, Crazy Harry, Statler and Waldorf, Rowlf the Dog, The Newsman, Lenny the Lizard, Mary Louise, Gorgon Heap, Fleet Scribbler, Janice, Mildred Huxtetter, Mean Mama, Whatnots

Background Muppets:

Inchworms, T.R. the Rooster, Chickens, Svengali's Assistant, Sweetums, Timmy Monster, Beautiful Day Monster, Green Frackle

Performers

Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, Waldorf, The Newsman, Whatnot Dancers, and Lenny the Lizard

Frank Oz as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Gorgon Heap, and Big Mary Louise

Dave Goelz as Gonzo

Jerry Nelson as Mean Mama, Crazy Harry, Chickens, the Announcer, Whatnot Dancers, and Fleet Scribbler

Richard Hunt as Scooter, Statler, and Janice

Louise Gold as Mildred Huxtetter and Girl Singers (uncredited)

Edits

CTS: The UK spot "The Boy in the Gallery" is cut.
Nickelodeon: At the Dance was cut.

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