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| The Muppet Show | |
| Guest | Rich Little |
| Production | June 14-16, 1977 |
| Premiere | September 1977 |
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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
- Cold Open: Rich does impressions for Scooter
- Theme Song
- A trio of girls sings "Chanson D'Amour," punctuated by Crazy Harry setting off explosions.
- Rich does an act imitating Fozzie, Statler, Kermit and Miss Piggy.
- At the Dance
- UK Spot: Piggy sings the music-hall standard "The Boy in the Gallery."
- Lenny the Lizard performs the classic "Inchworm" sketch, eating a long worm that ends up being a slightly redsigned Gorgon Heap's nose.
- Rich is interviewed at the stagedoor by the Newsman, Mildred Huxtetter, and Fleet Scribbler.
- Veterinarian's Hospital: Fozzie Returns
- Gonzo and his dancing chicken, Lolita.
- Rich sings a medley of duets from Hollywood musicals, including "Singin' in the Rain" with Fozzie, "Well Did You Evah?" with Kermit, and "I Remember It Well" with 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).
- This episode also marks the first appearance of Fleet Scribbler, who would appear in a few more episodes, notably Episode 210.
- Rich Little was the first Canadian-born star to appear on the Muppet Show.
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:
- Inchworm, 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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