The WORST episodes of The Muppet Show
Every episode of The Muppet Show ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of The Muppet Show!
The Muppet Show is a British-American television program produced by puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on September 5, 1976, and five series were produced until March 15, 1981, lasting 120 episodes. The program shows a vaudeville- or music hall-style song-and-dance variety show, as well as glimpses behind the scenes of such a show. Kermit the Frog stars as a showrunner who tries to keep control of the antics of the other Muppet characters (and his temper), as well as keep the guest stars happy. The show was known for outrageous physical slapstick, sometimes absurdist comedy, and humorous parodies. Each episode also featured a human guest star. As the show's popularity rose, many celebrities were eager to perform with the Muppets on television and in film.
#1 - Lynn Redgrave
Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/24/1979
The Muppets perform the classic tale of Robin Hood.
#2 - James Coco
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/1978
Sketches/Songs: "Octopus's Garden", "The Medium", "Eight Little Notes", "Swedish Chef", "Catch a Falling Star", "Veterinarian's Hospital", "Short People"
#3 - Alan Arkin
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/20/1980
Alan accidentally drinks Bunsen Honeydew's Jekyll-and-Hyde potion, and turns into a rampaging monster. He runs amuck, as the ultra-cute Bun-Bun Brothers sing "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." When Kermit catches Alan in a net, he turns back into himself. Soon, Kermit takes a sip of the potion himself.
#4 - Nancy Walker
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/24/1977
Kermit is at home sick so Fozzie has to run the show and proves how bad he could be by having Crazy Harry of all people have an opening skit "Target Practice", then getting "Vets' Hospital" and "At The Dance" on the same stage at the same time, causing a lot of trouble for the bear and his costars.
#5 - Dudley Moore
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/25/1979
Dudley has a surprise for Kermit, a robot that can do the work of the entire band and of course the Electric Mayhem feel threatened by this fact.
#6 - Mummenschanz
Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/21/1977
This episode marks the debut of one of Gonzo's trademarks. Him rapidly rushing on camera with a "WHOOSH" sound effect. This is John Lovelady and Eren Ozker's final episode. Only the core five of Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and Dave Goelz will return for season two joined later in the second year by an uncredited Louise Gold. Behind the scenes, Jack Burns will retire from the show bumping longtime Henson Associate Jerry Juhl up to the position of head writer. We'll see the significant effects these changes have on the show when The Muppet Show Episode Guides returns with its look at Season Two. Eren leaves the show to have a child and John will resurface in the '80's as a puppeteer for a non-Henson puppet show called "The Great Space Coaster" along with some guy named Kevin Clash.
#7 - Tony Randall
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/25/1980
Browsing through an old book of magic spells, Tony accidentally turns Miss Piggy into stone. He considers bringing her to a stonemason for help. Fozzie, Gonzo and Floyd crack stone jokes as Kermit and Tony try to find a spell to change her back. Of course, the show must go on, and the Piggy statue takes the stage for "Pigs in Space".
#8 - Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/17/1979
Sketches/Songs: "Blue Skies", "Skyball Paint", "Muppet Sports", "Deep in the Heart of Texas", "A Four Legged Friend", "Bear on Patrol", Cowboy and Skyball sketch, "Medley"
#9 - Sylvester Stallone
Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/22/1979
Sketches/Songs: "Hawaiian War Chant", "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off", "Lady Be Good", "The William Tell Overture", "Veterinarian's Hospital", Fozzie's Act, "Bird in a Gilded Cage"
#10 - Loretta Swit
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/15/1980
How well can Loretta fit into Miss Piggy's roles? It all comes to a dramatic climax with the "Pigs in Space" installment.
#11 - Joel Grey
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/18/1976
Fozzie takes on a new act – jokes on any subject – which drives everybody crazy. When he takes the stage, he asks for any word. Naturally, Statler & Waldorf call his bluff by yelling out “Amoeba!”
#12 - Lola Falana
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/22/1979
After years of failure Gonzo is actually appriciated for the actor he is and decides to quit the Muppet Show and move on to movies. Piggy, more jealous than sad, asks Gonzo to refer her to the director. This is one of the episodes that teeters on the edge of being very sad.
#13 - Lynda Carter
Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/14/1980
In honor of "Wonder Woman" Lynda Carter, Scooter buys a mail-order course on how to be a superhero. Soon, a crowd of Muppets are wearing silly costumes and reading Invincibility Made Easy. Meanwhile, Miss Piggy appears as "Wonder Pig", and battles a giant chicken.
#14 - Helen Reddy
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/1978
Sketches/Songs: "Staying Alive", "How Can You Be", Fozzie's dance number, "Muppet Newsflash", "Beethoven's Sonata No.8, Opus 13", "You and Me Against the World", "Veterinarian's Hospital", "Tie Me Kangaroo Down", "We'll Sing in the Sunshine"
#15 - Andy Williams
Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/22/1980
Miss Piggy asks Andy to sing "Love Story" for her and Kermit, who have just become engaged. Unfortunately, Kermit hasn't heard about the engagement yet. The rumor slips out, and soon everyone thinks Kermit and Piggy are getting married.
#16 - Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/18/1978
Sketches/Songs: "Help Me Make It Through the Night", Gonzo's Act, "Muppet Labs", "My Wild Irish Rose", "Muppet Newsflash", "We're All Alone", "A Frog He Would a Wooing Go", "New York State of Mind", "An Actor's Life For Me", "A Song I'd Like To Sing"
#17 - Raquel Welch
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/30/1978
Sketches/Songs: "Someone Just Like You", "Jamboree", "At the Dance", Fozzie's Act, "Talk Spot", "Confide in Me", "Swedish Chef", "I'm a Woman"
#18 - Linda Lavin
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/1979
Miss Piggy announces that this show is Kermit's birthday, and before he can react, she launches into the tribute she's organized. They've planned a This Is Your Life-style show with birthday greetings, including one from Mr. Dawson, Kermit's old acting coach from Leland, Mississippi. Wayne and Wanda, the singing duo from the first season, show up and give Kermit such a guilt trip that he rehires them. When they sing, Kermit remembers why he fired them in the first place.
#19 - Rita Moreno
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/20/1976
On stage, guest star Rita Moreno battles several Muppets including Animal who backs on drums in her closing number “Fever”. Backstage, Fozzie answers a string of rather unusual (and very funny) phone calls.
#20 - Anne Murray
Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/6/1980
Scooter bugs everyone by leaving his skateboard lying around. Kermit trips on it and smashes a set. Later, Anne performs while the Muppets all dance on skateboards.
#23 - Connie Stevens
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 2/28/1977
When Fozzie overhears Hilda, Kermit, and Scooter talking about getting rid of “that bear” he thinks they’re talking about him when in actual truth it’s Gonzo’s teddy bear that is being badmouthed. Meanwhile, Sesame Street’s Bert & Ernie make a guest appearance in a musical number with Connie Stevens.
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