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| Premiere | December 3, 1977 |
| Finale | June 5, 1982 |
| Network | ZDF |
| Seasons | 5 |
| Episodes | 120 |
Mary Roos singing "Lean On Me."
Muppets Most Wanted’s reenactment of the show's title in 2014.
Die Muppet Show is the German dub of The Muppet Show. The series aired on German network ZDF from 1977 until 1982.
The dub was recorded in Munich, Germany, at dubbing studio Beta-Technik.
Localization[]
As part of the partnership between ZDF and Henson/ATV, the original syndication package was not only dubbed but also contained a few specific alterations tailored to the German market, in some ways foreshadowing the international versions of Fraggle Rock. A new opening sequence was prepared, identical to the English language version but with a Die Muppet Show sign, and occasional new footage of Kermit was filmed to better match the German dialog. The show also used the full version of the first season closing (from the Juliet Prowse and Connie Stevens episodes) at the end of every episode (including the episodes with the alternate closings), instead of using the updated closings for later seasons.
The series also included one new guest star, singer Mary Roos, who performed a German version of "Lean on Me" with Rowlf the Dog, Animal, and others, in place of the "In My Life" number in episode 121. This was also one of the few episodes to feature a guest star's singing dubbed completely in German, with Twiggy's "Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own" translated. Another guest star's number that was dubbed is Zero Mostel's "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" The Muppets' solo numbers were mostly dubbed (often with different singing voices rather than the usual speaking voices), but as is common with Muppet Show translations, the guest star's musical sequences were mostly in English, as were many additional spoken dialog contributions within the song from the Muppets.
All new footage for Die Muppet Show was taped in London and later redubbed. Eberhard Storeck, who also supplied character voices, was the dialog director and translator. His contributions included changing the nationality of The Swedish Chef, becoming "The Danish Cook," and replacing his sing-song opening with a chant of "Smørrebrød, Smørrebrød røm, pøm, pøm, pøm," in reference to Danish butter bread.
The variety show Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten promoted the show two days prior to its premiere in 1977 by stopping by the original UK-set, and taping special footage.
For 2014's film Muppets Most Wanted, the show's title segment for their world tour stop in Berlin, Germany, was recreated using the German co-production's original title, complete with the German article.
Title inconsistency[]
"Die Muppets Show"... a typo that has made the rounds for decades.
Despite the custom German logo clearly reading "Die Muppet Show," the show's title has regularly been misquoted in articles, in most TV guide listings, and even on tie-in merchandise as either "Die Muppet-Show" (hyphenated) or "Die Muppets Show" (with a plural "s") from the beginning.
Beside obvious neglect on the part of the press to assure the correct citation of a title, the hyphenation is explained by the fact that, while German words can be joined without any kind of punctuation mark, foreign words would indeed need a hyphen.
The most likely source for the latter misquotation, as can be seen used here, is most likely the show's own custom German end credits roll, which was inexplicably never corrected throughout the show's entire five season run.
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Notes[]
- At the end of the credits, the typical Zoot ending shot was replaced with a ZDF network credit.
Video releases[]
- For a complete list of video releases, see Die Muppet Show Videography.
The first official home video release of Die Muppet Show was announced in 2005. After a five year waiting period during which the "unusually complex legal situation"[1] concerning the German dub was decided, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Germany finally released Die Muppet Show: Season One on DVD on December 2, 2010. The second season box set was released on March 24, 2011. The third season box set was released on May 19, 2011.
Voices[]
Broadcast Order[]
The dub aired on ZDF from December 3, 1977 to June 5, 1982, omitting only one episode from the broadcast: Episode 207 featuring guest star Edgar Bergen. It was omitted again by the network when it reran other episodes of the show during the summer of 1981. The episode eventually aired on October 19, 1991, over twelve years after its original slot in the show's lineup, when TV network Pro7 had obtained the rights and reran the show in its entirety.
The episode order of the first two seasons was rearranged considerably for the dub, and even released on home video accordingly. The following list provides original episode numbers in parentheses, whenever differing.
Season 1[]
| German Episode Number | Guest Star(s) | Additional Voices | Notes | German Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folge 101 (orig. 105) |
Rita Moreno | December 3, 1977 | ||
| Folge 102 (orig. 104) |
Ruth Buzzi | December 10, 1977 | ||
| Folge 103 | Joel Grey | Berno von Cramm (Joel Grey) Eberhard Storeck (Pachalafaka Singer)[2] |
As with existing The Muppet Show edits of this episode, two Muppet News Flash segments and the balcony segment after "Razzle Dazzle" never made it into the German version of this episode. | December 17, 1977 |
| Folge 104 (orig. 113) |
Bruce Forsyth | December 31, 1977 | ||
| Folge 105 (orig. 108) |
Paul Williams | Michael Habeck (Paul Williams) Beate Granzow (Mary Louise)[2] |
The complete backstage scene before Paul Williams' first number is cut, and the following "telephone pole joke" backstage scene appears in a later spot. During the talk spot, citing famous short people, Kermit mentions Mickey Mouse. In the English version, it was Mickey Rooney. | January 7, 1978 |
| Folge 106 | Jim Nabors | Fred Maire (Jim Nabors) |
January 14, 1978 | |
| Folge 107 (orig. 109) |
Charles Aznavour | Erich Ebert (Charles Aznavour) |
January 21, 1978 | |
| Folge 108 (orig. 107) |
Florence Henderson | This is one of the few German episodes to retain the audio of original background sound effects (the crash of the Bouncing Borsalino pyramid) during the beginning of the closing theme. | January 28, 1978 | |
| Folge 109 (orig. 110) |
Harvey Korman | Thomas Braut (Harvey Korman) Christina Hoeltel (Whatnot Panelist) |
February 4, 1978 | |
| Folge 110 (orig. 115) |
Candice Bergen | Kerstin de Ahna (Candice Bergen) |
February 11, 1978 | |
| Folge 111 (orig. 114) |
Sandy Duncan | February 18, 1978 | ||
| Folge 112 (orig. 116) |
Avery Schreiber | Wolfgang Hess (Avery Schreiber) Donald Arthur (Gorgon Heap) |
February 25, 1978 | |
| Folge 113 (orig. 117) |
Ben Vereen | Fred Klaus (Ben Vereen) |
March 4, 1978 | |
| Folge 114 (orig. 118) |
Phyllis Diller | Carola Höhn (Phyllis Diller) Gogalala Jubilee Jugband: Harry Friedauer, Manfred Ball, Michael Rüth[2] |
March 11, 1978 | |
| Folge 115 (orig. 119) |
Vincent Price | Christian Marschall (Vincent Price) |
March 18, 1978 | |
| Folge 116 (orig. 116) |
Valerie Harper | Maddalena Kerrh (Valerie Harper) |
March 25, 1978 | |
| Folge 117 (orig. 117) |
Ethel Merman | April 1, 1978 | ||
| Folge 118 (orig. 121) |
Twiggy & Mary Roos |
Substituting for the "In My Life" number: Gonzo introduces Mary Roos, who joins Rowlf for "Lean on Me." As with the German Kermit intros, this footage was taped at ITV studios with Roos. It was performed by the usual puppeteers with mouths approximating the German dialog, and then dubbed. | April 8, 1978 | |
| Folge 119 (orig. 123) |
Kaye Ballard | Since the episode uses the standard closing theme, Statler and Waldorf's closing comment is re-used from episode 103. | April 15, 1978 | |
| Folge 120 (orig. 101) |
Juliet Prowse | April 22, 1978 | ||
| Folge 121 (orig. 102) |
Connie Stevens | Eberhard Storeck (Bert) Leon Rainer (Ernie) |
In his introduction, Kermit mentions Ernie and Bert as coming from Sesamstrasse. | April 29, 1978 |
| Folge 122 (orig. 124) |
Mummenschanz | May 6, 1978 | ||
| Folge 123 (orig. 111) |
Lena Horne | This episode uses a slightly different take of the opening "Die Muppet Show" title card, compared to the one used for the rest of the episodes. | May 13, 1978 | |
| Folge 124 (orig. 112) |
Peter Ustinov | Günter Sauer (Peter Ustinov) |
Oddly, Miss Piggy and Fozzie are dubbed by different voice artists during "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song." | May 20, 1978 |
Season 2[]
| German Episode Number | Guest Star(s) | Additional Voices | Notes | German Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folge 201 (orig. 219) |
Peter Sellers | Christian Marschall (Peter Sellers) |
November 11, 1978 | |
| Folge 202 (orig. 217) |
Julie Andrews | The cow's moo at the end of the episode uses the regular "bum note" saxophone sound instead. | November 18, 1978 | |
| Folge 203 (orig. 213) |
Rudolf Nurejew | Michael Schwarzmeier (Rudolf Nureyev) |
November 25, 1978 | |
| Folge 204 (orig. 221) |
Bob Hope | Holger Hagen (Bob Hope) |
Hagen also dubbed Bob Hope as the ice cream vendor in the German dub of The Muppet Movie. | December 2, 1978 |
| Folge 205 (orig. 214) |
Elton John | Jürgen Clausen (Elton John) |
December 9, 1978 | |
| Folge 206 (orig. 220) |
Petula Clark | December 16, 1978 | ||
| Folge 207 (orig. 211) |
Dom DeLuise | Mogens von Gadow (Dom DeLuise) |
Similar to Folge 204, von Gadow also voiced DeLuise in the German dub of The Muppet Movie. | December 30, 1978 |
| Folge 208 (orig. 216) |
Cleo Laine | January 6, 1979 | ||
| Folge 209 (orig. 215) |
Lou Rawls | Wolfgang Hess (Lou Rawls) |
January 13, 1979 | |
| Folge 210 (orig. 206) |
Nancy Walker | Tilly Lauenstein (Nancy Walker) Erich Ebert (Cannoneer Leader) |
January 20, 1979 | |
| Folge 211 (orig. 210) |
George Burns | Franz Otto Krüger (George Burns) Erich Ebert (Talking Machine) |
January 27, 1979 | |
| Folge 212 (orig. 209) |
Madeline Kahn | February 3, 1979 | ||
| Folge 213 (orig. 203) |
Milton Berle | Horst Sommer (Milton Berle) |
February 17, 1979 | |
| Folge 214 (orig. 208) |
Steve Martin | Manfred Seipold (Steve Martin) |
Steve Martin's banjo solo of the closing theme is retained and heard over the beginning of the ending credits (whereas other foreign editions of the episode use the original closing theme audio). | March 3, 1979 |
| Folge 215 (orig. 207) |
Edgar Bergen | Alf Marholm (Edgar Bergen) |
This is the only episode to not air during the show's original run, but over twelve years later on a different network. | October 19, 1991 (on Pro7) |
| Folge 216 (orig. 222) |
Teresa Brewer | March 10, 1979 | ||
| Folge 217 (orig. 202) |
Zero Mostel | Donald Arthur (Zero Mostel) |
March 17, 1979 | |
| Folge 218 (orig. 205) |
Judy Collins | March 24, 1979 | ||
| Folge 219 (orig. 204) |
Rich Little | In the opening gag, when Little does his impersonation of W. C. Fields, Scooter instead identifies the personage as Bill Ramsey, an American-born singer who had been popular in Germany since the late 1950s. | March 31, 1979 | |
| Folge 220 (orig. 224) |
Cloris Leachman | April 7, 1979 | ||
| Folge 221 (orig. 221) |
Bernadette Peters | In the opening, Bernadette Peters refers to the Swedish Chef's complimentary chicken sandwich as actually coming from the Swedish Chef, not "the Danish Chef," as was common in the German version. | April 14, 1979 | |
| Folge 222 (orig. 201) |
Don Knotts | Erik Schumann (Don Knotts) |
April 21, 1979 | |
| Folge 223 (orig. 218) |
Jaye P. Morgan | April 28, 1979 | ||
| Folge 224 (orig. 223) |
John Cleese | Reiner Schöne (John Cleese) |
October 27, 1979 |
Season 3[]
This is the first German season to use the original American broadcast order.
| German Episode Number | Guest Star(s) | Additional Voices | Notes | German Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folge 301 | Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge |
Maddalena Kerrh (Rita Coolidge) |
November 3, 1979 | |
| Folge 302 | Leo Sayer | Peter Ehret (Leo Sayer) |
November 10, 1979 | |
| Folge 303 | Roy Clark | November 17, 1979 | ||
| Folge 304 | Gilda Radner | November 24, 1979 | ||
| Folge 305 | Pearl Bailey | Mady Rahl (Pearl Bailey) |
December 1, 1979 | |
| Folge 306 | Jean Stapleton | Edith Schneider (Jean Stapleton) |
December 8, 1979 | |
| Folge 307 | Alice Cooper | Michael Schwarzmaier (Alice Cooper) |
December 15, 1979 | |
| Folge 308 | Loretta Lynn | January 12, 1980 | ||
| Folge 309 | Liberace | Paul Bürks (Liberace) |
This is one of the few German episodes to retain the audio of original background chatter during the beginning of the closing theme. | January 19, 1980 |
| Folge 310 | Marisa Berenson | January 26, 1980 | ||
| Folge 311 | Raquel Welch | February 2, 1980 | ||
| Folge 312 | James Coco | Günter Sauer (James Coco) |
February 9, 1980 | |
| Folge 313 | Helen Reddy | February 16, 1980 | ||
| Folge 314 | Harry Belafonte | Thomas Braut (Harry Belafonte) |
Since this episode uses the standard closing theme, a new Statler and Waldorf closing comment is used. | February 23, 1980 |
| Folge 315 | Lesley Ann Warren | March 1, 1980 | ||
| Folge 316 | Danny Kaye | Gerd Vespermann (Danny Kaye) |
March 8, 1980 | |
| Folge 317 | Spike Milligan | Horst Sommer (Spike Milligan) |
March 15, 1980 | |
| Folge 318 | Leslie Uggams | Unknown female voice artist (Big Bird) |
In his introduction, Kermit mentions "Big Bird" (not "Bibo") as coming from Sesamstrasse. | March 22, 1980 |
| Folge 319 | Elke Sommer | Elke Sommer as herself |
March 29, 1980 | |
| Folge 320 | Sylvester Stallone | Peter Thom (Sylvester Stallone) Erich Ebert (Albert Flan) |
April 5, 1980 | |
| Folge 321 | Roger Miller | Hannes Gromball (Roger Miller) |
April 12, 1980 | |
| Folge 322 | Roy Rogers & Dale Evans |
Kurt E. Ludwig (Roy Rogers) Fee von Reichlin (Dale Evans) |
April 19, 1980 | |
| Folge 323 | Lynn Redgrave | April 26, 1980 | ||
| Folge 324 | Cheryl Ladd | Dagmar Heller (Cheryl Ladd) |
May 3, 1980 |
Season 4[]
| German Episode Number | Guest Star(s) | Additional Voices | Notes | German Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folge 401 | John Denver | Hannes Gromball (John Denver) |
September 27, 1980 | |
| Folge 402 | Crystal Gayle | October 4, 1980 | ||
| Folge 403 | Shields and Yarnell | Ulf-Jürgen Wagner (Shields) Marion Hartmann (Yarnell) |
October 11, 1980 | |
| Folge 404 | Dyan Cannon | Maddalena Kerrh (Dyan Cannon) |
October 18, 1980 | |
| Folge 405 | Victor Borge | Heinz Engelmann (Victor Borge) |
October 25, 1980 | |
| Folge 406 | Linda Lavin | November 8, 1980 | ||
| Folge 407 | Dudley Moore | November 15, 1980 | ||
| Folge 408 | Arlo Guthrie | November 22, 1980 | ||
| Folge 409 | Beverly Sills | November 29, 1980 | ||
| Folge 410 | Kenny Rogers | Michael Cramer (Kenny Rogers) |
December 6, 1980 | |
| Folge 411 | Lola Falana | December 13, 1980 | ||
| Folge 412 | Phyllis George | December 20, 1980 | ||
| Folge 413 | Dizzy Gillespie | Michael Gahr (Dizzy Gillespie) |
December 27, 1980 | |
| Folge 414 | Liza Minnelli | January 3, 1981 | ||
| Folge 415 | Anne Murray | January 10, 1981 | ||
| Folge 416 | Jonathan Winters | Herbert Weicker (Jonathan Winters) |
January 17, 1981 | |
| Folge 417 | The stars of Star Wars |
Pierre Franckh (Mark Hamill/ Luke Skywalker) Ulf-Jürgen Wagner (C-3PO) |
January 24, 1981 | |
| Folge 418 | Christopher Reeve | January 31, 1981 | ||
| Folge 419 | Lynda Carter | February 7, 1981 | ||
| Folge 420 | Alan Arkin | Berno von Cramm (Alan Arkin) |
February 14, 1981 | |
| Folge 421 | Doug Henning | Peter Ehret (Doug Henning) |
February 21, 1981 | |
| Folge 422 | Andy Williams | February 28, 1981 | ||
| Folge 423 | Carol Channing | March 7, 1981 | ||
| Folge 424 | Diana Ross | March 14, 1981 |
Season 5[]
| German Episode Number | Guest Star(s) | Additional Voices | Notes | German Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folge 501 | Gene Kelly | Horst Sachtleben (Gene Kelly) |
December 5, 1981 | |
| Folge 502 | Loretta Swit | Ingrid Capelle (Loretta Swit) |
December 12, 1981 | |
| Folge 503 | Joan Baez | January 2, 1982 | ||
| Folge 504 | Shirley Bassey | January 9, 1982 | ||
| Folge 505 | James Coburn | Michael Cramer (James Coburn) |
January 16, 1982 | |
| Folge 506 | Brooke Shields | Irina Wanka (Brooke Shields) |
Wanka also dubbed Brooke Shields in Die Muppets erobern Manhattan (The Muppets Take Manhattan) | January 23, 1982 |
| Folge 507 | Glenda Jackson | January 30, 1982 | ||
| Folge 508 | Señor Wences | Leo Bardischewski (Señor Wences) |
February 6, 1982 | |
| Folge 509 | Debbie Harry | February 13, 1982 | ||
| Folge 510 | Jean-Pierre Rampal | Imo Heite (Jean-Pierre Rampal) |
February 20, 1982 | |
| Folge 511 | Paul Simon | Peter Ehret (Paul Simon) |
Like the Florence Henderson and Liberace episodes, this is one of the few German episodes to retain the audio of original background chatter during the beginning of the closing theme. | February 27, 1982 |
| Folge 512 | Melissa Manchester | March 6, 1982 | ||
| Folge 513 | Tony Randall | Fred Maire (Tony Randall) |
March 13, 1982 | |
| Folge 514 | Mac Davis | Ivar Combrinck (Mac Davis) |
March 20, 1982 | |
| Folge 515 | Carol Burnett | March 27, 1982 | ||
| Folge 516 | Gladys Knight | April 3, 1982 | ||
| Folge 517 | Hal Linden | Reiner Schöne (Hal Linden) |
April 10, 1982 | |
| Folge 518 | Marty Feldman | Christian Marschall (Marty Feldman, others) |
April 17, 1982 | |
| Folge 519 | Chris Langham | April 24, 1982 | ||
| Folge 520 | Wally Boag | Fred Klaus (Wally Boag) |
May 8, 1982 | |
| Folge 521 | Johnny Cash | Gert Günther Hoffmann (Johnny Cash) |
May 15, 1982 | |
| Folge 522 | Buddy Rich | Holger Hagen (Buddy Rich) |
May 22, 1982 | |
| Folge 523 | Linda Ronstadt | May 29, 1982 | ||
| Folge 524 | Roger Moore | Karl-Walter Diess (Roger Moore) |
June 5, 1982 |
See also[]
- Die Muppet Show Videography
- Die Grosse Muppet Show (German translation of the 1978 book)
- Die Muppet Show (Band 1-5) (comic book series translations from 2011)
- Muppets (comic strip pocket book series translations from 1986-1987)
- Kermit (German magazine from 1989-1990)
Sources[]
- ↑ Official Disney statement on the release struggles concerning the show
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 German album credits. Jim Henson's Redbook, December 2012.