The Muppets are a staple in popular culture and have been for multiple generations. They have starred in movies, television shows, Internet videos, and even made appearances on talk shows. The series that best presents the familiar, zany antics of Jim Henson's beloved felt characters is The Muppet Show, which originally aired on ABC from 1976 to 1981.
Set in an old vaudeville theater, each episode of The Muppet Show features a different human celebrity guest to star alongside the Muppets in their variety show, as well as whatever wacky backstage misadventure Kermit the Frog tries to keep at bay. Some of the guest stars were happily swept along in the madness while others were as zany as the Muppets themselves.
Gilda Radner (8.4)
Comedians were often great guest stars on The Muppet Show as they could be just as funny as the Muppets. One of the most notable examples is one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live, Gilda Radner.
Gilda was a welcome addition to her episode from season 3 from start to finish. Her most memorable scene was in the Muppet Labs with two of Jim Henson's most iconic creations, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, which involves a disaster with superglue, causing everyone to gradually stick to one another at the end of the show. Chaos is inevitable with those two alone, let alone with a comedienne in the mix.
Bernadette Peters (8.4)
Sometimes, it is down to the storyline backstage rather than the skits that made episodes of The Muppet Show particularly delightful. For instance, the season 2 episode guest starring Bernadette Peters focused on Kermit's nephew Robin.
Robin is a very endearing character and this was the first episode to give him a prominent story. Because of his small size, Robin feels ignored due to the much larger Muppets and eventually decides to run away. But Bernadette comes and cheers him up, and Robin finds that he is in fact loved by his peers after all. Among all the chaos, it's one of the show's calmer and sweeter moments.
Madeline Kahn (8.4)
Another great episode from the show's second season guest-starred Madeline Kahn. A great actress and singer, Madeline was a hit with her Muppet peers, but she was a hit with one Muppet in particular.
After Madeline comments on how terrific his act was, Gonzo the Great falls head over heels in love with her. (This was before Camilla the chicken was on the scene). Alongside this funny and very sweet storyline, this episode includes some excellent skits such as a great performance from The Electric Mayhem and Kermit's upbeat rendition of "Happy Feet."
Peter Sellers (8.4)
Most memorable as playing Inspector Jacques Clouseau, the comedic Peter Sellers always had audiences in stitches in his movie roles, and his time on The Muppet Show was no different.
Using his character acting talents to the extreme, Peter Sellers had a number of comedic moments throughout the episode in assorted costumes, including bringing Clouseau into the madness. He fitted in perfectly with his Muppet stars whilst simultaneously standing out. This episode is also noteworthy of Kermit performing one of his most well-known songs "Bein' Green."
Lynda Carter (8.4)
The Muppet Show boasted some extremely legendary guest stars over its five seasons. One episode in season 4 guest-starred Lynda Carter, one of the most famous actresses to portray Wonder Woman, and as a result, one of the coolest female leads in a classic television show.
Naturally, superheroes become a prominent theme of the episode. Backstage, some of the Muppets take on superhero guises for themselves after Scooter's new book called "How to be a Superhero" arrives, and Miss Piggy stars in her own sketch as "Wonder Pig." The episode is a riot, and Lynda proves herself to be a very memorable guest star.
Alice Cooper (8.4)
Another zany guest star that proved to be a standout was the legendary rock star, Alice Cooper. Most renowned for his iconic horror-inspired make-up, charismatic showmanship, and taste of the macabre, Alice was the perfect guest star for this spooky-themed episode.
As well as performing some of his hits, Alice brilliantly revealed himself to be working for the Devil backstage and tried to get Kermit and Gonzo to sell their souls. Only Gonzo was enthusiastic. One particularly noteworthy moment is when Alice is genuinely flattered when the uptight Sam the Eagle calls him a freak and a weirdo.
The Cast Of Star Wars (8.4)
1980s television perhaps could not have gotten more iconic than when some of the main characters of Star Wars guest-starred in The Muppet Show. The episode starts with a bang (literally) as Luke Skywalker, CP-30, and RD-D2 blast through the Muppet theatre's dressing room wall in search of Chewbacca.
In a further twist of genius, Luke Skywalker introduces his "cousin" as Mark Hamill but is given the boot by Kermit for his terrible performance. The space hijinx eventually leads to an epic takeover of the beloved "Pigs in Space" sketch, with Miss Piggy playing Princess Leia and Gonzo taking on a Darth-Vader-inspired role of "Dearth Nadir".
Vincent Price (8.5)
Alice Cooper wasn't the only horror-themed guest star on The Muppet Show. One of the most memorable guest stars of the show was none other than the horror film legend Vincent Price.
As a result, Kermit promised, ghouls, ghosts, and all things spooky for the episode in honor of their guest star and the Muppets more than delivered. From a haunted summer cottage to spooky songs, this episode from the first season was worthy of a modern-day family Halloween special and an early ringer for Muppets Haunted Mansion. Kermit even got in on the fun by biting Vincent Price with vampire fangs.
Carol Burnett (8.6)
There are hilarious occasions where the guest stars are seemingly "tortured" by their experiences on the madcap show. One such guest star was actress Carol Burnett when Gonzo's insane dance marathon gets in the way of all of her performances.
As a comedienne and performer, Carol Burnett hams up her dismay with Gonzo's antics well and is hilarious to watch. One particularly notable moment is when Kermit cheers her up by asking her to do her "Lonely Asparagus" sketch. Only The Muppet Show could casually and brilliantly get away with something as bonkers as a "Lonely Asparagus" sketch.
Danny Kaye (8.7)
The highest-ranking episode of The Muppet Show on IMDb guest-starred Danny Kaye. This may be not only down to the celebrity status of the polymath guest star but also what happens among the Muppets in the episode.
Danny Kaye has some particularly memorable moments including playing the Swedish Chef's uncle and a gentle rendition of "Inch Worm" with a tiny worm puppet. And for the first time on the show, regular Muppet hecklers Statler and Waldorf actively leave their theatre box in disgust after getting Danny Kaye, one of their favorite performers, mixed up with a tune clam player.