SNAPSHOT
A little bit of fun by the crew recorded at the end of the first series/season of The Muppet Show in 1976…The crew/cast includes Peter Harris, Richard Holloway, Jim O’Donnell, Brian Grant, Steve Springford, Jerry Hoare, Phil Hawkes, Gerry Elms, John Rook, Martin Baker, Sue Boyers, Francis Essex, Dennis Bassinger, David Chandler, Bryan Holgate, Peter Milic, Claude Walters, Tony Swain and the ladies from the Canteen. (synopsis via Laughing Squid)
The Muppet Show, which ran for five seasons from 1976 to 1981, was, and remains joyous fun to watch.
Goofy, silly, anarchic, heartfelt, sweet and very silly, the show embodied the pure unadulterated wit and whimsy of Jim Henson’s Muppets who embody the very nicest and silliest parts of ourselves.
It was clearly also a fun show to work on if this clip is any indication.
At the end of the first season in 1976, the crew of The Muppet Show stepped in where Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and the gang normally are, “sang the opening song, made the introduction and [performed] some of their most iconic recurring slapstick scenarios were done without a single Muppet to be found (except for two in the back at the end).” (Laughing Squid)
Some might say it strips away some of the magic but I would argue it enhances it as we see the people who give our favourite Muppet-y characters life step into the limelight and show us just how rich the talent was that contributed to the making of this unique and still much-loved show.