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| The Muppet Show | |
| Guest | James Coburn |
| Production | April 1-3, 1980 |
| Releases | Best of the Muppet Show |
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Animal hits it off with tough guy James Coburn -- but James decides that Animal isn't centered enough, and introduces him to meditation and Zen. Animal doesn't take well to Zen.
Meanwhile, Statler and Waldorf have to contend with an octopus in their theater box.
Songs/Sketches
- An octopus drum-and-kazoo band plays "Temptation" in the opening number. An enraged Animal rushes on stage, screaming "BAD DRUMS!" He throws the octopuses around and one of them lands in Statler and Waldorf's Box.
- "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
- In a "Roaring 20s" sketch, James plays a gangster who busts into Gonzo's speakeasy, Club Mildew. He joins the cast for a rendition of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and even plays the piccolo. The sketch is preceded by Betsy Bird dancing to "The Varsity Drag".
- UK Spot: "Bird Walk" (performed by Betsy Bird)
- Bear on Patrol: Banananose Moldenado
- James and Animal make Kermit change the closing number from a Western Sketch to a serene "Salute to Japan", but the quiet number dissolves into a rootin' tootin' "Japanese Square Dance" when the Cowboys invade the set and Animal tires of the quiet music.
Notes
- The clash of East and West in the closing number is the second time this occurs: Fozzie similarly ruins a Japanese tribute with "Oklahoma!" in Episode 317.
Cast
Muppets:
- Kermit the Frog, Animal, Floyd Pepper, Scooter, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Camilla, Betsy Bird, Fozzie Bear, Statler and Waldorf, Link Hogthrob, Pops, Rizzo the Rat, Ohboy Bird, Forcryingoutloud Bird, Youknow Bird, Whaddayasay Bird, Righton Bird, Octopuses, Chickens, Whatnots, Banananose Moldenaldo, Lefty, The Japanese Tai-Chi, Karate, and Chowder Society.
Background Muppets:
Performers
- Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Waldorf, Link Hogthrob, Lefty and Dr. Teeth
- Frank Oz as Animal and Fozzie Bear
- Jerry Nelson as Floyd Pepper, Pops and the Announcer
- Richard Hunt as Scooter, Statler and Janice
- Dave Goelz as Gonzo, Zoot and Banananose Moledenaldo
- Steve Whitmire as Rizzo the Rat and Lips
- Kathy Mullen as others
- Louise Gold as others
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