Jim Henson originally appeared in a short introduction to the special. After the opening theme, he introduces the viewer to Nigel, who he then raises into the control room set. The scene was cut for time.[1][2]
Through the years, as the special moved from network to network, changes were made to Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas in order to accommodate time constraints. Cuts were made, but in some cases, previously deleted material was added. The "Collector's Edition" DVD (which presents the original HBO version of the special, sans the Kermit the Frog scenes) also includes among its bonus features the footage that was cut from the original HBO version of the show (but had often been seen in extended/alternate edits in subsequent television airings and home video releases). For more information on the changes made to the special throughout the years, see the complete list of edits.
The following exchange between Statler and Waldorf after The Wizard of Oz medley was cut from the original airing of the special and subsequent re-airings, but was re-inserted in the international version:
After the special's initial airing, a brief scene with Fozzie and Ma hanging stockings was cut from the master used for all subsequent TV airings and video releases.
Another deleted scene in "The Muppets Stocking Stuffer Smorgasbord" features two snails running for their lives after Crazy Harry sets off an explosion. A second scene shows the snails continuing to try to outrun the shrapnel from the explosion long after the explosion is over.
A shot of the Muppet gang outside their apartment building at night is seen in the "Glad All Over" music video, but no such scene appears in the special.
Edward Asner had a single spoken line during "Rest In Peace," which was cut by executives who felt it was inappropriate. Originally when his glass shattered by the opera singer's note, Asner's ghost remarked "well, I've been meaning to cut down." Disney executives felt that making light of drinking was in poor taste.[3]
Early in production, a scene was planned involving Dr. Phil van Neuter, Mulch, Bunsen, and Beaker in a lab examining the inside of Gonzo's head. Due to time and budget constraints, the scene was ultimately scrapped and the characters were placed elsewhere in the special.[4]
