The Muppet Show

I used to watch the Muppet Show a lot when they re-ran old episodes on Nickelodeon in the 90s, and saw a large variety of episodes, some that they released on DVD in patches a few years ago. It made me very, very happy though when I got my hands on the season 1 DVD set (albeit with some cuts made due to song rights and whatnot, which is a little disappointing but nevertheless a collector's item) and could get into the predictable- which is part of the fun- and great oddities and regulars on the show. Maybe I might be partly biased, as I've always loved the Muppets, particularly the movies and other little diddies they've done. But the show could be either a superb show for the whole family, or a little hit or miss depending on the audiences of today. For kids- as the original 'pitch' on the DVD says- there are a lot of quirky, odd, and assuredly original creations aside from the common muppets (Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo, Ms. Piggy, Rowlf, Stanter & Waldorf, etc), but there's also some really, really weird moments on the show, such as dancing slinkies and a character like Crazy Harry who's only function is to make things explode with a Peter Lorre-esquire expression.

For adults and older teens, such bizarre things and the assorted lot of memorable guests ranging from musicians (Elton John, Alice Cooper, Paul Williams, etc etc) comedians (John Cleese, Harvey Korman, Peter Sellers), and many other surprise types like Vincent Price and Harry Belafonte, are appealing, but what about the really goofy gags and infinite lot of bad puns? For me though, everything about the show is terrific in its sort of low-budgeted TV 70s way. It's very nutty, but it's alive in a way that makes shows of today pale in comparison. In the first season it establishes itself as a wild lampooning of variety shows of the period in general, with the guests almost as a given being apart of the jokes, and with running gags, a quasi central 'storyline' going on backstage, and like on any variety show giving full-time for jokes, musical numbers sometimes with upside down chins making faces, and just very unexpected bits with the Muppet creatures and puppets that you will never see again. And the wit that goes through the entire series, from episode to episode, sometimes varies, but is always with a great wink and a nod to how silly it is, but at the same time it's also very smart-being-stupid humor too. An example of this would be when CLeese was on, and having to help Gonzo fix his long-arm problem after catching a cannonball. It's at equal turns overall cartoonish, exciting, whimsical, and it usually attempts to work best for young and old alike.

'The Muppet Show', which features a cast of Muppets, is without a doubt one of the most original and creative television programs ever made. A show like this could only have come from the genial mind of the puppeteer Jim Henson. It was produced by Jim Henson and his team of 'Sesame Street'.

What makes it so distinctive is that it is like a theater show (or even a cabaret-like theater house) with a cast of hand-operated puppets (or Muppets). This shows well the concern of making something very imaginative and creative. To make it even more complete, it is quite entertaining. Immense amusement and classic humor are priorities as well.

Together with 'Sesame Street', 'The Muppet Show' is part of childhood's fond and nostalgic memories of many (myself included). Plus, both children and grown-ups can enjoy this juvenile program. I remember I used to watch many episodes of this at primary school, together with kids from other classes in an awesome video room of that school. It was so much fun! We had many laughters in that video room.

The best and funniest characters from 'The Muppet Show' are Kermit the Frog and that crazy Miss Piggy. One word to describe both: hilarious!

I watched this show as a child. This show had a certain magic to it. I like the ones with

John Denver Luke Skywalker and C3PO and especially the one with Christopher Reeve.

I thought that the series was far better then Muppets tonight.

I would love to see more of these shows brought out by a company other then Time Life. I was rather upset that the one with Christopher Reeve was not in the Best of Collection. It shows him doiong vets Hospital as well as a wonderful spin on Hamlet!

The muppet show had a magical feel to the series and Jim Henson was a true Genus in his field. God Bless Jim Henson... He is missed...

If for no other reason than to remind us who our stars were in the mid-late 70s, the Muppet Show must be returned to syndication.

This was a brilliantly-written adult puppet show, with enough obvious laughs to satisfy the larvae and plenty of innuendo and hidden punch lines to absolutely mystify most adults.

Fantastic. We MUST have this series back.

When I was a little girl, I watched this show every week. I was so excited when Time Life announced that they were releasing a video set with the best episodes, of course I bought them, and they have reminded me of my childhood. I have always been a fan of The Muppets, and still am. One of the best puppet shows ever. I love Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Kermit.