The Muppet Show: Season Two

Some television series are targeted towards children. Usually any adult who happens to watch these shows with their children are bored. Every so often a series comes around that may seem like a nice little kids show but there is another level present; one that will keep the adults watching toughly entertained. While the kids are watching a bunch of puppets their parents come to realize that there is something in there for them as well. One of the best examples of this very exclusive genre was ‘the Muppet Show’. Now over thirty years after it was on the tube the children who loved it can appreciate just why their parents laughed along. Buena Vista is releasing the second season of the series and whether you remember it as a kid or an adult you will come to love this creative series all over again.

The format of the show reflected popular television of the time. It was part variety show and part sketch comedy. The major difference is the cast, and apparently the crew, were Muppets. Those little darlings made of felt had been around for years and were a hit on Sesame Street so it was only natural for them to get their own early prime time series. Every week a different human guest star would appear and perform. They would share the stage with the strangest of creatures and act like everything was normal. Some of the guest stars may be unknown to the younger audiences since they represented who was commonly seen on television back then. Others like Steve Martin, Elton John and John Cleese are still at the top of their game.

There was also a regular cast from the hundreds of Muppets around. The leader of the pack was Kermit the Frog, voiced by Jim Henson. He acted as the host of the show as well as doubling as the director. A constant thorn in his side was the self obsessed Miss Piggy, voiced in this second season by Muppet co-creator Frank Oz. Kermit’s right hand man, or perhaps right hand bear was Fozzie, also voiced by Oz. His main ambition is to be a stand up comedian. At the beck and call to the rest of the cast and crew is Scooter, voiced by Richard Hunt. He is a monumental mess up but his uncle happens to own the theater. Gonzo the Great is also a regular. Voiced by Dave Goelz, Gonzo is an aspiring stunt man and all round daredevil, always up for some dangerous stunt or another. One of the very first Muppets ever, appearing on the ‘Jimmy Dean Show’ of the sixties is Rowlf the Dog. He is the piano player always ready with some humorous remark and was voiced by Jim Henson. Providing a commentary within the show were the two old men, Statler and Waldorf, who would sit in the balcony and pass brutal judgment on the proceedings. The rest of the cast seems endless and were limited only by the fertile imagination of Henson and Oz.

Since the format was that of a television variety show each episode had it all. There would be a song and dance number, someone telling jokes, a few comedy bits and a song or two. In the first episode of season two you get a group of singing gingerbread men extolling how fresh they are since they are ‘right out of the pan’. This episode also featured the late Don Knotts as the guest star. With his bugged out eyes and manic manner he steals the show. Also present on the episode contained on disc one are impressionist extraordinaire, Rich Little and character Actress Nancy Walker. Two of the best comic geniuses ever are on disc one; Zero Mostel and television pioneer Milton Berle. Mostel is in rare form here even when a monster is trying its best to devour his arm. He brings his Broadway honed style to a song where he is dressed up as King Henry the VIII his hysterical results. After all, this is the man who created the role in the ‘Producers’ that Nathan Lane took to Broadway and Hollywood. Younger members of the audience may not realize what a boon getting Milton Berle was for this show. He was one of the very first television stars ever. Although he was well known for his habit of wearing dresses for a laugh here he appears in a full tuxedo appearing next to the oddest creatures possible. Finally, disc one feature a musical guest star, Judy Collins. She lends her voice to a duet with a Muppet squirrel in a fashion only she could pull off effectively.

This disc starts off with Edgar Bergen, popular ventriloquist who was known for appearances on radio, television and films. He was also the father of actress Candice Bergen. Another guest star who is better known now is Steve Martin. This was early in his comedy career when he would still appear with a fake arrow through his head. He is funny as he banters in a robe and bathing cap with Kermit. One of the best comedic actresses ever, Madeline Kahn appears in an episode as does the legendary comic George Burns. Also on this disc is one of the most famous male ballet dancers ever, Rudolf Nureyev. His appearance on this show helped him gain international stardom even for those not well versed in ballet.

This disc starts off with enduring star power by featuring Elton John. As he plays his piano dressed in a ridiculous outfit of glitter, spangles and feathers he actually looks at home with the Muppets. His main number here is ‘Crocodile Rock’. Going for the more sedate end of singers is Lou Rawles. His soulful song styling is complimented by a group of Muppets as his backup singers. Also on this disc are Julie Andrews and Peter Sellers. Both are more than willing to join in the fun, kick back ad enjoy themselves.

The final disc continues with the seventies star power. Petula Clark, a major singer of the time has a number with the Muppets. Comic master of stage, screen and television, Bob Hope joins in the fun with his trademark wit as sharp as ever. The star of Monty Python, John Cleese gets to trade quips with the Muppets in an episode that was one of my personal favorites. This disc also contains the extras which include a special Valentine show, the Muppets talking about themselves and Weezer and The Muppets.

Many of the guest stars may not be well known now but there talent endures. Watching them is like a time machine for me and will be a good history lesson for those of more tender years. Buena Vista deserves a lot of thanks for this DVD release. The series was originally done in England and as such was formatted in PAL instead of our video format, NTSC. For those of you who have seen the video tape transfers going from one video format to the other resulted in a typically dark, muddy appearance. This box set was completely re-mastered with very good results. The clarity is off a little but over all the colors are bright and the contrast excellent. The mono audio is clear and brings out the name musical numbers well. This is one to own and share with the family.

Posted 07/19/07