Mark Hamill has revealed what filming his Star Wars-themed episode of The Muppet Show was like. The Muppet Show was a staple of broadcast television back in the late 1970s, with Jim Henson helming the unique comedy variety show that would immortalize beloved characters like Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie Bear as icons of pop culture for decades to come. Complications like rights issues have unfortunately kept much of the classic show largely inaccessible – until recently when Disney+ made all five seasons available to stream for the first time.
This newfound access to The Muppet Show has been received very positively. While long-time fans have been eagerly revisiting the show for a big dose of warm and fuzzy nostalgia, younger generations who know the franchise best from the 2011 movie The Muppets and its sequel Muppets Most Wanted can now appreciate the original show in all its glory. Once again, the Muppets are a huge part of the current cultural conversation, and although attention has been brought to The Muppet Show’s rare moments of controversy, most episodes are still just as enjoyable to watch nearly 45 years after they were originally on the air.
One of the most enjoyable and memorable episodes for both old fans and new viewers is undeniably the Star Wars/Muppet Show crossover starring Luke Skywalker and his “cousin,” Mark Hamill. The episode, titled 'The Stars of Star Wars," first aired in February 1980 as part of the promotion for the then-upcoming Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and also featured Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Anthony Daniels as C-3PO. Responding to a question on Twitter, Hamill reminisced about the experience, saying he felt “instantly at home.” He continued:
All the Muppeteers were so hilarious & welcoming to me. Constant laughter. It also was a 1st look at my #ESB khaki outfit before that film was released, prompting Gonzo's line: "Who's your tailor? I LOVE your outfit!"
As Hamill notes, the Muppet Show episode was the very first appearance of Luke’s Bespin costume, which he wears for the majority of Empire Strikes Back. The episode is also largely notable for the extravagant full-cast singalong of "When You Wish Upon A Star" – not just because of C-3PO’s amazing tap dancing, but because this happened decades before both The Muppets and Lucasfilm were acquired by Disney, making the choice of song coincidentally prophetic.
However, the Star Wars-themed episode of The Muppet Show isn’t just memorable for its strange gift of prophecy. The episode allows fans to see some of pop culture’s most enduring and beloved characters of all time interact with each other and joke around together, whether they’re human, puppet, or droid. It’s easy to see why Hamill felt so home on The Muppet Show, as its warm and welcoming atmosphere has comforted many generations, and will comfort many more generations to come.
Source: Mark Hamill/Twitter