Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten (Peter Alexander presents Specialties) was a popular German variety show that ran from 1969 until 1978 on German, Swiss, and Austrian TV. As the title suggests, the show was hosted by Austrian entertainer Peter Alexander.

The Muppets made several special guest appearances:

• ''Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten #10: This special anniversary show aired as a Christmas special on November 27, 1975 on ZDF. Peter visited the US set of Sesame Street. He danced with Big Bird, and sang with Kermit (who shortly appeared "naked," without his trademark collar just like in Sam and Friends), Ernie dressed in Bavarian lederhosen, Bert dressed as Santa Claus, and Cookie Monster. Alexander also met up with Oscar the Grouch. The characters were performed by Caroll Spinney (Big Bird and Oscar), Jim Henson (Kermit), Jerry Nelson (Ernie), Richard Hunt (Bert) and Frank Oz (Cookie Monster). The voices were later dubbed for German audiences. The show ranked #1 in 1975, with 38 million viewers in Germany alone (not counting Swiss and Austrian audiences). The special was taped on October 27 and 28, 1975 at Channel 5.^[1]

• Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten #11: This show aired December 1st, 1977 on ZDF, the network that first aired Die Muppet Show. Peter visited the set of The Muppet Show, and met Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Swedish Chef and Mahna Mahna. In one skit, he attempts to cook with the Chef, yet fails miserably. The characters were performed by the original Muppeteers, and later dubbed for German audiences.

Gallery

Show #10

Ernie dresses up for his guest in original Austrian lederhosen.

Kermit and Cookie Monster

Peter is amused. Oscar not so much.

Oscar

The finale

Bert and Ernie

"No LPs, please!" Kermit insists on a frog concert.

Two guys dancing in the snow: Peter and Big Bird.

TV Guide clipping

Muppeteers working on the floor during the taping of the anniversary Christmas special.

Peter and Santa Bert

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Show #11

Opening

Opening

Opening

Opening

Fozzie telling a joke

Waldorf & Statler commenting the events

Mahna Mahna

Peter Alexander flirting with Miss Piggy

Romantic duet with Miss Piggy

Cooking Salzburger Nockerln with the Swedish Chef

Peter and the Swedish Chef: too many cooks spoil the broth

Kermit suffers from rheumatism ...

... so Peter sings a song about spring for him

Peter Alexander and the Muppets sing the traditional closing song Dankeschön

Peter with the gang of The Muppet Show

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External links

• Peter Alexander's official site
• First part of the Sesame appearance from show #10 (German)
• Second part of the Sesame appearance from show #10 (German)
• First part of the Muppet appearance from show #11 (German)
• Second part of the Muppet appearance from show #11 (German)

Sources

1. ↑ Jim Henson's Red Book - October 28, 2011