Le Muppet Show is the French version of The Muppet Show. A dub of the complete original series, the program debuted in 1977 over France 2. The show also aired in Canada on TQS. A small troupe of veteran French voice actors performed nearly all of the roles, with the prolific Roger Carel (the French equivalent of Mel Blanc) as Kermit. Unlike the German or Italian dubs, the Swedish Chef remained untranslated, speaking his native mock-Swedish.

During the show's original airings, the opening sequence used a Le Muppet Show sign, and occasional new footage of Kermit, filmed to better match the French dialog. In subsequent airings and on DVD, the episodes used the original opening sequences with the English title cards.

The success of the dub inspired the 1983 French puppet series Le Bébête Show, which combined the Muppet characters with the political satire of Spitting Image, resulting in "Kermitterand," a combination of Kermit and French President Francois Mitterand, and equally political versions of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle and Statler and Waldorf.

In 2005, a pilot, also titled Le Muppet Show, aired, for a series combining new live Muppet footage with French guest stars. The series was later retitled Muppet TV.

Voices

• Roger Carel as Kermit the Frog, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (Dr. Walbec Bunsen), and others
• Micheline Dax as Miss Piggy, Janice, Wanda, Hilda, Annie Sue Pig, Zelda Rose, and others
• Francis Lax as Scooter, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, Dr. Teeth, and the Newsman
• Gérard Hernandez as Gonzo, Waldorf, Rowlf, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Floyd Pepper, Marvin Suggs (Etobrésil Joseph), Wayne, Zoot (Jean Roger), Animal
• Pierre Tornade as Link Hogthrob (Jean Bondyork), Statler, various monsters
• Pierre Tisserand as Robin the Frog and Floyd Pepper (singing, sometimes)

Credits

• Dub Director: André Clergeat
• Writers: Pierre Tisserand (songs), Michel Salva (dialogues)

External links

• TV News article on 2005 pilot