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.

Last Updated: 3/4/2024Network: CBSStatus: Ended
Share:
Lynn Redgrave
star
0.00
0 votes

#1 - Lynn Redgrave

Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/24/1979

The Muppets perform the classic tale of Robin Hood.

James Coco
star
6.17
81 votes

#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"

Alan Arkin
star
6.89
47 votes

#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.

Nancy Walker
star
6.96
73 votes

#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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Dudley Moore
star
6.99
82 votes

#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.

Mummenschanz
star
7.04
105 votes

#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.

Tony Randall
star
7.07
76 votes

#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".

Loretta Swit
star
7.09
75 votes

#8 - 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.

Joel Grey
star
7.09
197 votes

#9 - 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!”

Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
star
7.10
29 votes

#10 - 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"

Sylvester Stallone
star
7.10
29 votes

#11 - 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"

Lynda Carter
star
7.12
49 votes

#12 - 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.

Lola Falana
star
7.13
79 votes

#13 - 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.

Helen Reddy
star
7.16
114 votes

#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"

Andy Williams
star
7.16
79 votes

#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.

Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge
star
7.17
52 votes

#16 - Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/23/1978

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"

Raquel Welch
star
7.19
53 votes

#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"

Linda Lavin
star
7.20
83 votes

#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.

Rita Moreno
star
7.22
327 votes

#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.

Mac Davis
star
7.23
73 votes

#20 - Mac Davis

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/22/1980

Beaker tests Muppet Labs' new copier machine, ultimately falling into it and making seven copies of himself. The multiple Beakers gang up on Bunsen, and the doctor is forced to wear a disguise and hide from his assistants.

Anne Murray
star
7.24
80 votes

#21 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon
James Coburn
star
7.25
73 votes

#22 - James Coburn

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/1980

Animal hits it off with tough guy James Coburn -- but James decides that Animal isn't centered enough, and introduces him to meditation and Zen. Animal doesn't take well to Zen.

Watch Now:Amazon
Connie Stevens
star
7.25
125 votes

#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.

Watch Now:Amazon
Dyan Cannon
star
7.32
81 votes

#24 - Dyan Cannon

Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/31/1980

As Miss Piggy prepares for her act, she leaves her dog Foo-Foo in the care of Floyd. Piggy tells Floyd he has to spoon-feed and floss the pampered Foo-Foo, so Floyd locks the dog in a drawer. Frantic, Piggy searches everywhere for Foo-Foo.

Jim Nabors
star
7.33
293 votes

#25 - Jim Nabors

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/1976

A young kid named Scooter applies for a job as a gofer. When, Kermit tells him he looks nothing like a gopher, Scooter explains that he’ll go-fer coffee and sandwiches among other things he’ll go-fer. Kermit says he doesn’t have the money pay him, but then Scooter lets in that his uncle owns the theater.

Watch Now:Amazon