New Collectibles •11/01 - The Muppet Christmas Carol Pop! Figures: Bob Cratchit with Tiny Tim, Mrs. Cratchit, Charles Dickens with Rizzo, Fozziwig, The Marley Brothers, Scrooge
•10/24 - The Muppets Take Manhattan 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with Frank Oz Commentary •10/1 - Supersize Count von Count •10/01 - Sesame Street Action Figures Wave 1: Ernie with Rubber Duckie, Bert with Bernice, Count von Count, Yip Yip Martians •9/1 - Fraggle Rock Action Figures Wave 1: Gobo, Red, Traveling Matt, Architect and Cotterpin, Flange |
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EPISODE NOTES This episode earned Bernadette Peters an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Single Actress - Continuing or Single Performer - Variety or Music Series. Bernadette Peters would be one of The Muppets' guests when they host "The Tonight Show" in 1979. Bernadette would again sing "Just One Person" to Robin. This song, which originated from the musical "Snoopy", has also come to be associated with Jim Henson as it was performed at his memorial service and as the closing number of the 1990 special "The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson" (where Steve Whitmire's Kermit makes his debut at the end of the song). Bernadette would also appear as the mystical Circe in the 1997 miniseries "The Odyssey", which showcased the work of Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Miss Mousey was first paired with Kermit in the first Muppet Show pilot, The Muppets Valentine Show. This is the first time since the 1973 special where the two are put together in a coupling which adds some comedic tension for Miss Piggy. Although it's a running gag in this episode, the triangle doesn't last - Kermit & Miss Mousey would only appear again together in At the Dance segments. So what happened to her? We get an idea as to the poor rodent's fate when Piggy makes a startling confession to Kermit in the screen test for The Muppet Movie. This is Robin the Frog's first appearance in the second season. Having debuted in 1971 on "The Frog Prince" special, he's previously only been seen in The Muppet Show as either one in a group of frogs or more memorably in his poignant "Halfway Down the Stairs" number (which would become a hit song in the UK). This episode is the first time he's referenced in the show as being Kermit's nephew. |
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PRODUCED BY Jim Henson WRITTEN BY Jerry Juhl, Joseph A. Bailey, Jim Henson and Don Hinkley DIRECTED BY Peter Harris THE MUPPET PERFORMERS FEATURING Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Sam Eagle, Fozzie Bear, jug-band member) with Jerry Nelson (chickens, Miss Mousey, Robin, announcer, female whatnot, Uncle Deadley, ant) Richard Hunt (Scooter, Statler, chicken, Janice, grasshopper, Beaker, Bubba) Dave Goelz (Gonzo, Bunsen) Jim Henson (Kermit, Waldorf, Rowlf, Swedish Chef, Newsman, jug-band member) PUPPETS AND THEIR COSTUMES BY Caroly Wilcox, Mari Kaestle, Dave Goelz, John Lovelady, Rollin Krewson, Amy Van Gilder, Calista Hendrickson, Faz Fazakas, Larry Jameson and Bonnie Erickson SPECIAL PUPPETS BY Don Sahlin MUPPET CREATIVE CONSULTANTS: Frank Oz, Michael Frith MUSIC CONSULTANT: Larry Grossman ART DIRECTOR: Bryan Holgate ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY Jack Parnell MUSICAL ASSOCIATE: Derek Scott LIGHTING DIRECTOR: Phil Hawkes AUDIO: Ted Scott VIDEO TAPE EDITOR: John Hawkins ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCER: Sue Taylor SENIOR FLOOR MANAGER: Richard Holloway FLOOR MANAGER: Martin Baker STAGE MANAGER: Sara Paul SENIOR VIDEO ENGINEER: Gerry Taylor SENIOR CAMERAMAN: Geoff Joyce VISION MIXER: Moyra Bird COSTUMES BY James Dark MAKE-UP BY Dianne Joyce THEME MUSIC: Sam Pottle EXECUTIVE PRODUCER FOR HENSON ASSOCIATES, INC.: David Lazer |
Bernadette Peters - Episode 36
Taping Dates: Week of August 16, 1977Original Airdates: November 7, 1977 (New York) and November 4, 1977 (LA)
DVD Release: Buena Vista Home Video, 2007
BERNADETTE PETERS INTRO
Brian Henson: "Hi I'm Brian Henson. This episode of The Muppet Show features film and Broadway star Bernadette Peters. In this show, Kermit's nephew Robin feels too small to be noticed. And Bernadette comes and cheers him up with all the other Muppets in the first performance of the now, all-time classic Muppet song, "Just One Person". Since then we have used the song on so many occasions that many fans think it was written for us. It was actually co-written by Muppet Show musical director Larry Grossman, but for the musical "Snoopy". Here it is The Muppet Show with Bernadette Peters."
DRESSING ROOM
Bernadette
is given a chicken sandwich a la Swedish Chef.
OPENING
The balcony: Statler, being pulled by Waldorf, says, "No PLEASE don't make me watch it!"
Gonzo's horn: A balloon pops out of his trumpet. [It's possible this may have been a "blooper" from the balloon gag in the Rudolf Nureyev opening.]CURTAIN
Miss Piggy expresses concern over Kermit's opening number duet as she only just found out and hasn't had time to learn it...but Kermit replies he's doing his number with Miss Mousey.
OPENING NUMBER - "HOW COULD YOU BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAID I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN A LIAR ALL MY LIFE"
Kermit plays the cad as he breaks out his tux and happy feet for his song-and-dance number with Miss Mousey.
(Miss Piggy is booing the act along with Statler.)
STATLER: Boo - I hated it!
WALDORF: Really? I kind of liked it.
STATLER: Well, the pig doesn't have you in a hammerlock!
BACKSTAGE
Robin the Frog is practicing a pitch to Kermit for a featured spot in the show despite his small size - but is unable to get Kermit's attention as he's nearly trampled by the large monsters preparing for the next number.
CURTAIN
Miss Piggy makes sure Kermit's not bringing out Miss Mousey again or doing another unpigged duet.
KERMIT: [Bernadette]'s working with some of our big, ugly, shaggy beasts.
MISS PIGGY: Sounds like Miss Mousey to me!
MUSICAL NUMBER - "TAKE A LITTLE ONE-STEP"
Bernadette attempts to lead the less graceful Sweetums, Thog, and Timmy Monster through a dance.
BALCONY
WALDORF: Wow wonderful! That Bernadette Peters is terrific.
STATLER: I reserve judgment.
WALDORF: Til when?
STATLER: Til the pig tells me what to say.
MISS PIGGY (appearing in balcony): Bernadette Peters you can like.
STATLER: I LOVED HER! LOVED HER!
PIGGY: It's the MOUSE you gotta hate!
STATLER: I HATED HER!
WALDORF: TERRIBLE MOUSE!
PROP ROOM
Robin packs a suitcase planning to run away since no one notices him and can't seem to do anything right...including choosing the right size suitcase.
MUSICAL CHICKENS
A quartet of chickens take to the piano to henpeck "Chopsticks."
VETERIANARIAN'S HOSPITAL
Apparently the scheduled patient got nervous, the staff just finds a lone shoe remaining in the hospital bed. Dr. Bob nonetheless examines the shoe (it is after all able to stick out its tongue) and deducts arsenic poisoning.
NURSE PIGGY: Arsenic and Old Lace? Dr. Bob, that's an old show!
DR. BOB: Well that's an old shoe.
NURSE JANICE: Well that's an old joke.
UK SKIT: MUSICAL NUMBER - "SHEIK OF ARABY"
A beautiful harem girl does an outstanding song-and-dance. To her surprise, she discovers that the Sheik is being played by Uncle Deadley.
SAM'S
FABLE
Sam gives up his podium for a storybook as he tries to inflict morality via the tale of the ant and the grasshopper.
Despite a good start and nice scene change, the ending in his book isn't quite what the Eagle was expecting.
BALCONY
STATLER: The grasshopper drove to Florida - heh heh!
WALDORF: Heh heh - the ant got stepped on!
SAM (appearing in balcony): WILL YOU STOP THAT?!
WALDORF: Why are they picking on us tonight?
DRESSING
ROOM
Robin stops to say goodbye to Bernadette before he runs away.
ROBIN: Nobody notices me around here.
BERNADETTE: Oh really? I hadn't noticed.
Bernadette provides Robin with a much-needed ego boost by singing "Just One Person" to him - joined by Kermit, then Fozzie, and a whole group of friends.
[This number - Bernadette included - appeared on The Muppet Show 2 album.]
SWEDISH CHEF
The Chef has with him a chicken (perhaps recycled from Bernadette's untouched sandwich?) which he asks for an egg. The chicken refuses to lay one until the Chef gets a little more threatening so the chicken compromises by laying a lit bomb.
BACKSTAGE
Feeling better, Robin approaches Kermit about doing a song on the show and finds Kermit was already thinking of just that. Their song selection varies widely though...
KERMIT: 'They Call the Wind Maria'? Uh Robin, that's ridiculous. Nonono, listen, I have a cute little song here that's much more fitting to a frog your age; it's called 'I'm Five.'
ROBIN: It's called cute and yucky.
MUPPET
LABS
After Beaker initially forgets the beaker, Bunsen unveils the first sample isolated of their new element Bunsenium. Dr. Honeydew hasn't yet found any practical applications for the element so has Beaker demonstrate what would happen were the element to be taken internally.
CURTAIN
Kermit introduces his nephew.
MUSICAL NUMBER - "I'M FIVE"
Perched atop a big chair, Robin sings the cute song despite his artistic convictions and the fact that he won't actually turn five for another month.
[This song appeared on The Muppet Show 2 and Muppet Hits.]
NEWS FLASH
NEWSMAN: Dateline: The Muppet Show. It has been reported just moments ago that a large heavy object has been dropped from the ceiling. Further developments will...
(Enormous weight falls on The Newsman)
CURTAIN
Kermit brings on some singin' and banjo-playin'.
CLOSING
NUMBER - "APPLEJACK"
Bernadette dons Southern apparel and accent for a Country song with Lubbock Lou and His Jug Huggers.
CURTAIN
Kermit brings on Bernadette and Bernadette brings on "Mr. Big", Robin the Frog.
CLOSING
STATLER: Seriously, what'd you think of Miss Mousey?
WALDORF: I loved her.
STATLER: Me too.
MISS PIGGY (pops up): WHAT?
STATLER & WALDORF: NO WE DIDN'T!
PIGGY: Thank you.
Guide
Written by
D. W. McKim and Phillip Chapman
Video Captures by
Alex Taylor
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