The Vent Event

The Vent Event was the first of several adult-oriented ventriloquist stage show specials produced for HBO. It aired on March 3, 1978, with repeats shown on March 11 and 14. Hosted by Steve Allen, its guests included Edgar Bergen, as well as Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.

Bergen invited the Muppets to appear at the event, but the shooting schedule for The Muppet Show meant they couldn't make it. Instead, Kermit and Fozzie Bear appeared in a pre-taped cameo greeting the audience. In the cameo, they introduce Dr. Jerry Nelson, the world's foremost authority of Muppets, who gives a speech on their history (which bores Fozzie greatly), until he is carried away by Sweetums.