Here Come the Puppets!

Here Come the Puppets! is a special taped for PBS documenting the Union Internationale de la Marionette (UNIMA)-USA Puppeteers of America Festival in 1980, held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The special was co-hosted by Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson, and featured performances by Burr Tillstrom, Shari Lewis, Bil Baird and the Muppets. Other performers included Sergei Obraztsov, Manteo's Sicillian Marionettes (from NYC), Albrecht Roser, Bruce Schwartz, Martin Stevens, and Frank Ballard's (at the time, Puppet Arts head at University of Connecticut) "Ring of the Nibbelung."

The special begins with Fozzie and Kermit talking about being puppets. Soon after, Jim and Kermit (in his reporter outfit) host the special.

Kermit opens the show, standing outside the White House. We then see Jim performing Kermit outside the festival hall as he gives us an introduction to the show.

The Muppet selections include:

"Java"
A skit with Kermit and Miss Piggy
An introduction by Kermit and Fozzie
Oscar the Grouch sings "I Love Trash" as Bruno rollerskates

At the end of the special, Oscar and Bruno are joined by Sweetums, The Bossmen, some Muppet Birds, Doglion Beast, Mean Mama, Fletcher Bird, and many other assorted large Muppets as Sweetums brings out Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Caroll Spinney.