The Muppet Show

Jim Henson’s dream was to make the art of puppeteering desirable to all people, no matter what their age. But he soon realized that he was only being recognized as a children’s entertainer; so he developed a project that would have made his Muppets stars in their own primetime series. This idea, however, was spurned by the television networks in the United States who thought that the Muppets would only appeal to children’s audiences like that of Sesame Street.

So Jim Henson struck a deal with British Producer Lew Grade and the first episode of the Muppet Show was filmed in England; where it ran from 1976 to 1981. Over the years that it was in production it introduced and featured at least forty-six different Muppets, many of whom I’m sure you can name from memory. Some of them became so endeared to their viewing public that they achieved iconic status. Who doesn’t know of the sweltering love a little pink pig can have for a green frog, or doesn’t have the echo of Mahna Mahna floating around somewhere in their heads.

The show featured Kermit the Frog as a host who often found himself at wits end trying to keep control of the show despite the shenanigans of the other Muppets. His often frantic, frustrated, almost angry presence was a direct opposite of the happy go lucky presence that was portrayed for the character on Sesame Street. This can certainly be viewed as a move towards appealing to an older audience because we can see in it the frustration felt by many adults, especially parents, in dealing with the numerous intangibles that adults face daily.

The show also legitimized itself as being for mature as well as children’s audiences by aligning itself with a diverse array of notable guest stars. The guest stars were used, or abused, in skits that were farcical, slapstick, and often parodies. Names like: Sir Elton John, Johnny Cash, Julie Andrews, Steve Martin, John Denver, John Cleese, Gene Kelly and well over a hundred other people of renown. The show was still wildly popular when the last episode aired in 1981 but Jim Henson wanted to pursue other projects.

If you remember the muppets as a child in the 80's then check out these Muppet Vintage Tee Shirts, with everybody's favourite 'Kermit the frog', also includes other memorabilia like mugs, pens and key rings.