| The Muppet Show | |
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| Genre | |
| Created by | Jim Henson |
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| Opening theme | "The Muppet Show Theme" |
| Ending theme | "The Muppet Show Theme" (instrumental) |
| Country of origin |
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| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 120 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Production locations | ATV Elstree, Borehamwood, England, UK |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–26 minutes |
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| Release | 5 September 1976[1] – 23 May 1981 |
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The Muppet Show is a variety sketch comedy television series created by Jim Henson and starring the Muppets. It is presented as a variety show, featuring recurring sketches and musical numbers interspersed with ongoing plot-lines with running gags taking place backstage and in other areas of the venue.
The Muppet Show is known for its uniquely designed characters, burlesque nature, slapstick, sometimes absurdist and surreal humour, and parodies.[2] Within its context, Kermit the Frog (performed by Henson) acts as showrunner and host, who tries to maintain control of the overwhelming antics of the other Muppet characters, as well as appease the rotating slate of guest stars.[3] As The Muppet Show became popular, many celebrities were eager to perform with the Muppets on television and in subsequent films.
Henson produced two pilot episodes for ABC in 1974 and 1975, but neither went forward as a series. While other networks in the United States rejected Henson's proposals, British producer Lew Grade expressed enthusiasm for the project and agreed to co-produce The Muppet Show for ATV in the United Kingdom for ITV network. The Muppet Show was produced by ITC Entertainment and Henson Associates with programmes produced and recorded at the ATV Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
The series was premiered in the UK on 5 September 1976 and ended on 23 May 1981. Five seasons, totalling 120 episodes, were broadcast on ATV and other ITV franchises in the UK and in first-run syndication in the United States from 1976 to 1981.
The cast of performers over the course of the series included Henson, Frank Oz (credited as featured performer as well as creative consultant), Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Fran Brill, Eren Özker, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Karen Prell, Brian Muehl, Bob Payne, John Lovelady, Jane Henson, Peter Friedman, Betsy Baytos, and dancer Graham Fletcher. Many of the performers also worked on Sesame Street, whose characters made sporadic appearances on The Muppet Show. Jack Burns served as the head writer for the first season, before Jerry Juhl became the head writer from the second season. The music was performed by ATV's musical director Jack Parnell and his orchestra.
The rights to the series have been owned by The Muppets Studio (a division of The Walt Disney Company) since they were acquired from The Jim Henson Company in 2004.
- ^ The Observer; London (UK), 5 September 1976
– "Get Switched On!". Evening Times. Glasgow. 4 September 1976. pp. 8–9 – via Google News. - ^ Clark, John (14 August 2005). "Speaking of DVDs: Lisa Henson, 'The Muppet Show'". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
- ^ "The Muppet Show". Guide to Comedy. BBC. Archived from the original on 17 December 2004.