JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
The Muppet Show (1976): Footage Included
The Muppet Show: Season 1
Creator: Jim Henson
Starring: Too many to name.
Running Time: 595 Mins
“It’s time to play the music, its time to light the lights. Its time to get things started on the Muppet show tonight” -Opening theme
Long before the Simpson's added an edge of social commentary and clever innuendo’s to family fun, this revolutionary laugh riot from 70’s childhood was clearing the way.
Ahead of its time, The Muppet show was the creation of puppeteer genius Jim Henson. (Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street) and accompanied by crew members like Frank Oz (Voice of Yoda and Director of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), breathed life into some of the most famous ping pong ball eyed entertainers that ever brightened existence.
“It’s the Muppet show with our very special guest star….Yyyyyyaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy” -Kermit
Hosted by straightfrog man Kermit, with a cavalcade of the biggest stars of the era, the show is programmed in the format of an old time, vaudeville variety show.
The karate choppin Miss Piggy chases the frog, crooner Ralph tickles the ivories, Beeker comes near death in a mad lab and Animal and the Band break up the singing and dancing comedy routines. (Plus Fozzie Bear, Statler and Waldorf, Swedish Chef and numerous others)
“And now a man who needs no introduction, so what am I doing out here?” - Kermit
Zingers and one liners fly, simultaneously a gushing appreciation of music, film and the cultural arts underscores the entire affair. The talented musicians behind the scenes are some of the best in the biz and it is easy to tell.
“OK, well, we've done a lot for the music lovers on the show, so it's time we did something for the music haters. So here he is, as threatened, the Great Gonzo singing a song….. Yay. Uh, those of you with hearing aids may wish to remove the batteries.” - Kermit
The jazz, blues and classical tunes effectively weave comedic homage into sacred works and the guests parody their own personas with energetic zeal. It was a badge of honour just to be asked to play second fiddle to a bunch of pint sized, hyperactive creatures, testimony to the shows timeless quality appeal.
“Ah, Beethoven. He's my favourite playwright.” – Sam the American Eagle
John Doe says:
The nostalgia meter shoots right of the scale as soon as you slide in the first disc... you see the pilot episode opens with the now classic “manamana…do…doo.ddo..do,do” skit.
From there it just gets better, remember the The Koosbanian gallio hoop, hoop mating ritual, the sentiment of “Half way up the stairs” or the many escapades of Animal? Well there all here on season 1 and we are introduced to all the main players quirks, foibles and follies accompanied by the likes of Peter Ustinov, Rita Moreno, Harvey Korman, Florence Henderson, Vincent Price, Lena Horne plus many more.
Aimed at the childish adults everywhere it is surprising how fresh and boldly off centre the humour of the show remains all these years later.
The musical numbers are a toe tapping good time and inventively butcher the foundations of our artistic culture, delivering gags that work on many levels.
As a six year old, every episode of The Muppet show had John Doe rolling on the floor and he constantly bugged his elders with relentless mimicking of what he’d seen... at the expense of their peace and tranquillity.
A Monty Pythonesque trip back in time, viewing these 20 plus years on the whole thing satisfies with inspired ideas and variations on cliché that still inspire and delight.
The DVD:
Transfer: original 4:3 format/Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras: Fun here, you get trivia titles with Muppet Morsels. Then there is the original Muppet pitch reel and also a Season 1 promo gag reel.
Presented for your viewing pleasure, here it is........ the Manamana” song…YYYYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYY (Arms waving).
I couldn’t leave you without at least one solid Animal fix, so here it is, Rita Moreno sings Fever while the crazy beast tries to hold the drumming down.
Getting carried away now but here is a teaser for what Season 2 has install, the first 10 minute of the famous Star Wars themed episode
DVD Cover
Starring: Too many to name.
Running Time: 595 Mins
“It’s time to play the music, its time to light the lights. Its time to get things started on the Muppet show tonight” -Opening theme
Long before the Simpson's added an edge of social commentary and clever innuendo’s to family fun, this revolutionary laugh riot from 70’s childhood was clearing the way.
Ahead of its time, The Muppet show was the creation of puppeteer genius Jim Henson. (Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street) and accompanied by crew members like Frank Oz (Voice of Yoda and Director of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), breathed life into some of the most famous ping pong ball eyed entertainers that ever brightened existence.
“It’s the Muppet show with our very special guest star….Yyyyyyaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy” -Kermit
Hosted by straight
The karate choppin Miss Piggy chases the frog, crooner Ralph tickles the ivories, Beeker comes near death in a mad lab and Animal and the Band break up the singing and dancing comedy routines. (Plus Fozzie Bear, Statler and Waldorf, Swedish Chef and numerous others)
Zingers and one liners fly, simultaneously a gushing appreciation of music, film and the cultural arts underscores the entire affair. The talented musicians behind the scenes are some of the best in the biz and it is easy to tell.
“OK, well, we've done a lot for the music lovers on the show, so it's time we did something for the music haters. So here he is, as threatened, the Great Gonzo singing a song….. Yay. Uh, those of you with hearing aids may wish to remove the batteries.” - Kermit
The jazz, blues and classical tunes effectively weave comedic homage into sacred works and the guests parody their own personas with energetic zeal. It was a badge of honour just to be asked to play second fiddle to a bunch of pint sized, hyperactive creatures, testimony to the shows timeless quality appeal.
“Ah, Beethoven. He's my favourite playwright.” – Sam the American Eagle
Does somebody have their hand up my ass?
The nostalgia meter shoots right of the scale as soon as you slide in the first disc... you see the pilot episode opens with the now classic “manamana…do…doo.ddo..do,do” skit.
From there it just gets better, remember the The Koosbanian gallio hoop, hoop mating ritual, the sentiment of “Half way up the stairs” or the many escapades of Animal? Well there all here on season 1 and we are introduced to all the main players quirks, foibles and follies accompanied by the likes of Peter Ustinov, Rita Moreno, Harvey Korman, Florence Henderson, Vincent Price, Lena Horne plus many more.
Aimed at the childish adults everywhere it is surprising how fresh and boldly off centre the humour of the show remains all these years later.
The musical numbers are a toe tapping good time and inventively butcher the foundations of our artistic culture, delivering gags that work on many levels.
As a six year old, every episode of The Muppet show had John Doe rolling on the floor and he constantly bugged his elders with relentless mimicking of what he’d seen... at the expense of their peace and tranquillity.
A Monty Pythonesque trip back in time, viewing these 20 plus years on the whole thing satisfies with inspired ideas and variations on cliché that still inspire and delight.
The DVD:
Transfer: original 4:3 format/Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras: Fun here, you get trivia titles with Muppet Morsels. Then there is the original Muppet pitch reel and also a Season 1 promo gag reel.
Presented for your viewing pleasure, here it is........ the Manamana” song…YYYYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYY (Arms waving).
I couldn’t leave you without at least one solid Animal fix, so here it is, Rita Moreno sings Fever while the crazy beast tries to hold the drumming down.
Getting carried away now but here is a teaser for what Season 2 has install, the first 10 minute of the famous Star Wars themed episode
NerdBlog
Celebrity Obsession
Film & TV on DVD
Totally with you on the descent of The Muppets and that Wizard of Oz disaster.
The first Muppet Movie is still the best for me, got in on DVD its lost none of its tickles..
I hated the Great Muppet Caper but funnily enough could handle Muppets in Space and Muppet Treasure Island...
Do you have a favourite Muppet moment or character?
Come back soon...
Hi KylieW,
Was that special the one they showed on the Biography channel? If it is, it was dynamite.
Have you revisited the Muppets again recently, I think I enjoy them more as an adult, certainly appreciate the precise timing in a different way.
NerdBlog
My favourite Muppet? Gah, there are too many! Of the major guys it's probably Gonzo or Animal, but I love a lot of the secondary characters, like the guy who throws fish at people.
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Film & TV on DVD
Animal is my fave for the record and aIso agree that the smaller characters are no less memorable.
Cibbuano, you must rent it...you will find o much more to laugh at now your older and wiser.
Flick Wit
I adored The Muppets. Animal cracked me up and I had a Kermit toy which I loved.
Jim Henson was a master. It makes me sad that he died so young. I believe The Storyteller was his ultimate piece of brilliance. I have it on DVD and never get sick of watching it. Between Henson, Anthony Minghella and John Hurt... magic is made.
Michaelie
Horrorphile
Damn the Animal clip is no longer uploaded ... I missed out!
I loved Pigs in Space, kinda "intellectual" ... lol
And I loved Beeker. That mouth. That hair. No eyes. Brilliant.
And, of course, "Mah-nah-mah-nah" .... GOLD. Didn't that make it's first appearance on Sesame Street ...?