MUPPETS, THE: A CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS (TV)
Summary
This special celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of Jim Henson's Muppets, who hold a formal banquet to present a retrospective of their television and film appearances. Hosted by Muppet character Fozzie Bear and featuring guest of honor Kermit the Frog, the program provides an overview of the Muppets' history and musical highlights beginning with early appearances in the 1950s. Included are clips from the following: early versions of the Muppets on commercials for Wilkins Coffee and La Choy, and on "Sam and Friends" (1955-1961), a local Washington, D.C. television series; the Muppets' appearances on "The Jimmy Dean Show," "The Jack Paar Program," "The Ed Sullivan Show," "Cher," and "The Tonight Show" with Kermit as guest host; the films "The Muppet Movie," "The Muppets Take Manhattan," and "The Great Muppet Caper"; and the public television series "Sesame Street," "Jim Henson's Muppet Babies," "Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters," "Fraggle Rock," and "The Muppet Show" featuring Muppet characters Bert and Ernie, the Cookie Monster, the Count, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, the Swedish Chef, the Great Gonzo, Rowlf the Dog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Animal, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Statler and Waldorf, Scooter, and Kermit. Among those appearing in clips are Rita Moreno, Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, George Burns, James Coburn, John Denver, Gene Kelly, Steve Martin, Zero Mostel, Brooke Shields, Sylvester Stallone, Lily Tomlin, and Orson Welles. Songs performed in clips include "Turn the World Around" (Harry Belafonte); "It's Not Easy Bein' Green" (Ray Charles); "Bennie and the Jets" (Elton John); "You're the Top" (Ethel Merman); "Fever" (Rita Moreno); "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" (Linda Ronstadt); "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" (Diana Ross); "Pure Imagination" (Ben Vereen); and "The Rainbow Connection" (The Muppets). Henson appears briefly at the conclusion of the program. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: January 21, 1986 Tuesday 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:15
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:23535
- GENRE: Specials; Children's
- SUBJECT HEADING: Children's programs; Puppets
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Diana Birkenfield … Executive Producer
- Andrew Solt … Producer
- Martin G. Baker … Associate Producer
- Peter Harris … Director
- Jerry Juhl … Writer
- Jane Henson … Historian
- Bob Payne … Historian
- John Charles … Conductor, Music (Misc. Credits), Music conducted and arranged by
- Charles, Ray (conductor) … Conductor, Music (Misc. Credits), Music conducted and arranged by
- Val Strazovec … Production Design
- Caroly Wilcox … Production Design, Muppets by
- Faz Fazakas … Production Design, Muppets by
- Michael K. Frith … Production Design, Muppets by
- Kermit Love … Production Design, Muppets by
- Donald Sahlin … Production Design, Muppets by
- Stephen Finnie … Production Design, Set Decoration
- Jim Henson … Muppet Performer
- Frank Oz … Muppet Performer
- Jerry Nelson … Muppet Performer
- Richard Hunt … Muppet Performer
- Dave Goelz … Muppet Performer
- Steve Whitmire … Muppet Performer
- Carroll Spinney … Muppet Performer
- Julie Andrews
- Harry Belafonte
- Carol Burnett
- George Burns
- Ray Charles
- Cher (See also: Mason, Bonnie Jo)
- James Coburn
- Jimmy Dean
- John Denver
- Elton John
- Gene Kelly
- Steve Martin
- Ed McMahon
- Ethel Merman
- Rita Moreno
- Zero Mostel
- Linda Ronstadt
- Diana Ross
- Brooke Shields
- Sylvester Stallone
- Ed Sullivan
- Lily Tomlin
- Ben Vereen
- Orson Welles