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Changes: Episode 117: Ben Vereen

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{{episodetms|star=[[Ben Vereen]]|production=October 4-7, [[1976]]|airdate=|video=''[[The Muppet Show: Season One|Season One]]''}}
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{{episodetms|image=117_ben_vereen.jpg|star=[[Ben Vereen]]|production=October 4-7, [[1976]]|airdate=UK: November 21, 1976<br>NYC: January 24, 1977|video=''[[The Muppet Show: Season One|Season One]]''}}
  +
−
[[Image:Benvereen.jpg|thumb|300px|Ben Vereen and Kermit]]
  
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[[Fozzie Bear|Fozzie]] gets stuck in a magician's trick cabinet. The cabinet is dragged onstage so that he can perform his act -- and at the end of the act, two pig stagehands tip the box over so he can take a bow. Crazy Harry blows up the cage before the end of the show so that Fozzie can escape.
 +
[[Fozzie Bear|Fozzie]] gets stuck in a magician's trick cabinet. The cabinet is dragged onstage so that he can perform his act -- and at the end of the act, two pig stagehands tip the box over so he can take a bow. Crazy Harry, who makes frequent appearances (and frequent explosions) during the show, blows up the cage before the end of the show so that Fozzie can escape.
   
 
==Songs/Sketches==
  
==Songs/Sketches==
  +
* "[[Jump Shout Boogie]]"
−
[[Image:Benvereenceiling.jpg|thumb|300px]]
  
  +
* "[[Mr. Cellophane]]."
⚫
[[Image:117 harry.jpg|thumb|300px]]
  
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* [[Ben Vereen|Ben]] sings "[[Jump Shout Boogie]]" and "[[Mr. Cellophane]]."
  
 
* [[Muppet News Flash]]
  
* [[Muppet News Flash]]
 
* [[At the Dance]]
  
* [[At the Dance]]
 
* [[UK Spots (The Muppet Show)|UK Spot]]: [[Rowlf the Dog|Rowlf]] plays "[[Für Elise]]"
  
* [[UK Spots (The Muppet Show)|UK Spot]]: [[Rowlf the Dog|Rowlf]] plays "[[Für Elise]]"
−
* [[Talk Spots|Talk Spot]]: [[Crazy Harry]] blows Ben up to the rafters.
 +
* [[Talk Spots|Talk Spot]]
 
* [[Veterinarian's Hospital]]: [[Veterinarian's Hospital#117|George the Janitor]]
  
* [[Veterinarian's Hospital]]: [[Veterinarian's Hospital#117|George the Janitor]]
 
* [[Talking Houses]]: The Guest House
  
* [[Talking Houses]]: The Guest House
 
* [[Blackouts#Episode 117: Ben Vereen|Blackout]]: Ben, [[Hilda]] and Crazy Harry
  
* [[Blackouts#Episode 117: Ben Vereen|Blackout]]: Ben, [[Hilda]] and Crazy Harry
 
* [[Wayne and Wanda]]: "[[I'll Know]]"
  
* [[Wayne and Wanda]]: "[[I'll Know]]"
−
* [[Fozzie's Comedy Acts|Fozzie's Comedy Act]]: Fozzie performs from inside Marvel the Magician's magic box, with a little help from a couple of [[Pigs|pigs]].
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* [[Fozzie's Comedy Acts|Fozzie's Comedy Act]]
  +
*"[[Pure Imagination]]"
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* Ben sings "[[Pure Imagination]]" to a depressed [[Droop]] and is joined by [[Bossmen]], members of the [[Muppaphone]], [[Gawky Birds]], [[Koozebanians]] and [[Timmy Monster]].
  
   
−
==Notes==
 +
==Episode==
  +
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=8 valign=top
−
* A new [[Janice]] puppet and a new [[Sam the Eagle]] puppet are used in this episode.
  
  +
|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
  +
! Picture !! Description
   
  +
|-
−
* This is the last episode in which [[Richard Hunt]] performs Miss Piggy. As of the next episode, [[Frank Oz]] becomes Piggy's full-time performer.
  
  +
| [[Image:117-01.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| "[[The Muppet Show Theme]]": The [[Frackles|Green Frackle]] whacks [[Gonzo]] with his own mallet.
   
  +
|-
⚫
* The [[Janice]] puppet from ''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence|Sex and Violence]]'' is used in [[Veterinarian's Hospital]].
  
  +
| [[Image:117-02.jpg|250px|center]]<br>[[Image:117-03.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| A [[Two-Headed Singer]] croons "[[Jump Shout Boogie]]" while some Whatnots "jump, shout and knock [themselves] out." Mid-way through the song, [[Ben Vereen]] appears and dances.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-04.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[Waldorf]] claims the show is starting to "grab him", when a pair of fuzzy hands grab him and drag him under his seat.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-05.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Backstage, [[Fozzie Bear]] finds Marvel the Magician's magic box and enters inside, despite [[Kermit the Frog|Kermit's]] warnings. The door shuts and since it's a trick box, he's stuck inside. Marvel can't help; he's in Toledo!
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-06.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Kermit tries introducing Ben's next number, but [[Crazy Harry]] sets off two explosions in the balcony and presents him with a "short fuse."
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-07.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Ben sings "[[Mr. Cellophane]]" and plays the titular, unseen character.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-08.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Kermit tries breaking Fozzie out with a hammer, but to no avail. Fozzie feels bad that the show is now ruined, since the show will have to be canceled if he can't do his act. Kermit offers an alternative: replace Fozzie. He doesn't take the news well.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-09.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[Muppet News Flash]]: [[The Newsman]] reports on Mr. Cosgrove, who tried breaking the world record in flagpole-sitting, passing away in the process. His wife announces she will fly him at half-mast for 10 days in memorial.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-10.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[At the Dance]]: [[The Rolling Stones]] visit the ballroom.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[File:Rowlffurelise.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[UK Spots (The Muppet Show)|UK Spot]]: [[Rowlf the Dog|Rowlf]] plays "[[Für Elise]]" (hurting sometimes his hands on the keyboard).
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-11.jpg|250px|center]]<br>[[Image:Benvereenceiling.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[Talk Spot]]: Kermit talks with Ben about dancing. ben explains he needs to dance with great explosive power. Crazy Harry hears his cue word and sets off an explosion that sends Ben up to the rafters.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-12.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Waldorf says it's time for a tea break. Statler complies by knocking the tea cup off the ledge.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-13.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Fozzie tries to convince Kermit the show needs him. He says "A Muppet Show without Fozzie Bear is like [[Gilbert and Sullivan|Gilbert without Sullivan]], ham without cheese, Poca without Hontas." Kermit asks what a "poca" is when [[Miss Piggy]] and [[George the Janitor]] dance to polka music.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-14.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[Veterinarian's Hospital]]: George reluctantly visits the operating room to help with his cold sweat.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[File:Florence04.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[Talking Houses]]: One house tells the other of his uncle's fondness for Edgar Guest; he's a ''Guest'' house!
  +
  +
|-
  ⚫
| [[Image:117 harry.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[Blackouts|Blackout]]: Ben tells [[Hilda]] he's getting a big charge from the show, cuing Crazy Harry again...
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-15.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| [[Wayne and Wanda|Wayne]] sings a line of "[[I'll Know]]", until another lady captures his eye.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-16.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Hilda tries comforting Fozzie, but ends up shutting the door he peeps out from. Kermit then tells Fozzie he can go on after all.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-17.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Fozzie does his act from inside the box, with the help of two [[pigs]] who will him in and out (and help with his bow).
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-18.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Ben cheers up [[Droop]] by singing "[[Pure Imagination]]" and is soon surrounded by some bizarre creatures.
  +
  +
|-
  +
| [[Image:117-19.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| Fozzie is finally freed from the box with Crazy Harry's help, who begins setting more explosions off.
  +
|}
  +
  +
==Notes==
  ⚫
*Revised puppet builds of [[Janice]] and [[Sam the Eagle]] are used in this episode. The previous Janice puppet, first seen in ''[[The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence|Sex and Violence]]'', is used in [[Veterinarian's Hospital]].
  +
*The Veterinarian's Hospital sketch marks the last time [[John Lovelady]] plays [[The Announcer]], and the last time [[Richard Hunt]] performs Miss Piggy, with [[Frank Oz]] fully assuming the role for the remainder of the season.
   
 
==Edits==
  
==Edits==
Line 33: Line 119:
   
 
'''Background Muppets:'''
  
'''Background Muppets:'''
−
:[[Trumpet Girl]], [[Dancers|Red-Haired Woman]], [[Baby Koozebanian Creatures]], [[Timmy Monster]], [[Gawky Birds|Gawky Bird]], [[The Fazoobs]], [[The Eel]]
 +
:[[Dancers|Red-Haired Woman]], [[Baby Koozebanian Creatures]], [[Timmy Monster]], [[Gawky Birds|Gawky Bird]], [[The Fazoobs]], [[Bossmen]], [[Eel (The Muppet Show)|Eel]]
   
 
==Performers==
  
==Performers==
Line 40: Line 126:
 
:[[Jerry Nelson]] as Droop, Shouting Lady, Herman, one of the Houses, Whatnot Girls, and half of the Two-Headed Singer
  
:[[Jerry Nelson]] as Droop, Shouting Lady, Herman, one of the Houses, Whatnot Girls, and half of the Two-Headed Singer
 
:[[Richard Hunt]] as Scooter, Wayne, Miss Piggy, Statler, Pig Dancers, and half of the Two-Headed Singer
  
:[[Richard Hunt]] as Scooter, Wayne, Miss Piggy, Statler, Pig Dancers, and half of the Two-Headed Singer
⚫
:[[John Lovelady]] as Crazy Harry, one of the Houses, and the Announcer
  
 
:[[Dave Goelz]] as The Great Gonzo and Zoot
  
:[[Dave Goelz]] as The Great Gonzo and Zoot
  ⚫
:[[John Lovelady]] as Crazy Harry, one of the Houses, and the Announcer
 
:[[Eren Ozker]] as Hilda, Janice, and Wanda
  
:[[Eren Ozker]] as Hilda, Janice, and Wanda
   
  +
==Gallery==
⚫
{{Ep-nav|prev=[[Episode 116: Avery Schreiber|Avery Schreiber]]|next=[[Episode 118: Phyllis Diller|Phyllis Diller]]}}
  
  +
<gallery orientation=square widths=200 spacing=small>
  +
Image:Vereen02.jpg
  +
Image:Vereen01.jpg
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
==External links==
  +
*Falk, Karen. "[http://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2012/10/1051976-ben-vereen-muppet-show/ Jim Henson's Red Book]", 10/5/1976 Ben Vereen (Muppet Show)
  +
  ⚫
{{nav|episode|prev=[[Episode 116: Avery Schreiber|Avery Schreiber]]|next=[[Episode 118: Phyllis Diller|Phyllis Diller]]}}
  +
  +
__NOWYSIWYG__
 
[[Category:Muppet Show Episodes|117]]
  
[[Category:Muppet Show Episodes|117]]

Revision as of 18:28, 22 July 2019

The Muppet Show
117 ben vereen
Guest Ben Vereen
Production October 4-7, 1976
Premiere UK: November 21, 1976
NYC: January 24, 1977
Releases Season One

(TRANSCRIPT)

Fozzie gets stuck in a magician's trick cabinet. The cabinet is dragged onstage so that he can perform his act -- and at the end of the act, two pig stagehands tip the box over so he can take a bow. Crazy Harry, who makes frequent appearances (and frequent explosions) during the show, blows up the cage before the end of the show so that Fozzie can escape.

Songs/Sketches

Episode

Picture Description
117-01
 "The Muppet Show Theme": The Green Frackle whacks Gonzo with his own mallet.
117-02

117-03
 A Two-Headed Singer croons "Jump Shout Boogie" while some Whatnots "jump, shout and knock [themselves] out." Mid-way through the song, Ben Vereen appears and dances.
117-04
 Waldorf claims the show is starting to "grab him", when a pair of fuzzy hands grab him and drag him under his seat.
117-05
 Backstage, Fozzie Bear finds Marvel the Magician's magic box and enters inside, despite Kermit's warnings. The door shuts and since it's a trick box, he's stuck inside. Marvel can't help; he's in Toledo!
117-06
 Kermit tries introducing Ben's next number, but Crazy Harry sets off two explosions in the balcony and presents him with a "short fuse."
117-07
 Ben sings "Mr. Cellophane" and plays the titular, unseen character.
117-08
 Kermit tries breaking Fozzie out with a hammer, but to no avail. Fozzie feels bad that the show is now ruined, since the show will have to be canceled if he can't do his act. Kermit offers an alternative: replace Fozzie. He doesn't take the news well.
117-09
 Muppet News Flash: The Newsman reports on Mr. Cosgrove, who tried breaking the world record in flagpole-sitting, passing away in the process. His wife announces she will fly him at half-mast for 10 days in memorial.
117-10
 At the Dance: The Rolling Stones visit the ballroom.
Rowlffurelise
 UK Spot: Rowlf plays "Für Elise" (hurting sometimes his hands on the keyboard).
117-11

Benvereenceiling
 Talk Spot: Kermit talks with Ben about dancing. ben explains he needs to dance with great explosive power. Crazy Harry hears his cue word and sets off an explosion that sends Ben up to the rafters.
117-12
 Waldorf says it's time for a tea break. Statler complies by knocking the tea cup off the ledge.
117-13
 Fozzie tries to convince Kermit the show needs him. He says "A Muppet Show without Fozzie Bear is like Gilbert without Sullivan, ham without cheese, Poca without Hontas." Kermit asks what a "poca" is when Miss Piggy and George the Janitor dance to polka music.
117-14
 Veterinarian's Hospital: George reluctantly visits the operating room to help with his cold sweat.
Florence04
 Talking Houses: One house tells the other of his uncle's fondness for Edgar Guest; he's a Guest house!
117 harry
 Blackout: Ben tells Hilda he's getting a big charge from the show, cuing Crazy Harry again...
117-15
 Wayne sings a line of "I'll Know", until another lady captures his eye.
117-16
 Hilda tries comforting Fozzie, but ends up shutting the door he peeps out from. Kermit then tells Fozzie he can go on after all.
117-17
 Fozzie does his act from inside the box, with the help of two pigs who will him in and out (and help with his bow).
117-18
 Ben cheers up Droop by singing "Pure Imagination" and is soon surrounded by some bizarre creatures.
117-19
 Fozzie is finally freed from the box with Crazy Harry's help, who begins setting more explosions off.

Notes

Edits

Cast

Muppets:

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Scooter, Rowlf the Dog, Statler and Waldorf, Crazy Harry, Two-Headed Singer, The Newsman, George the Janitor, Mildred Huxtetter, Zoot, Janice, Trumpet Girl, The Shouting Lady, Herman, The Houses, Hilda, Sam the Eagle, Wayne, Wanda, Droop, The Muppaphone, Pigs, Whatnots

Background Muppets:

Red-Haired Woman, Baby Koozebanian Creatures, Timmy Monster, Gawky Bird, The Fazoobs, Bossmen, Eel

Performers

Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, Whatnot Dancers, Newsman and Waldorf
Frank Oz as Fozzie Bear, George the Janitor, Sam the Eagle, and Mildred
Jerry Nelson as Droop, Shouting Lady, Herman, one of the Houses, Whatnot Girls, and half of the Two-Headed Singer
Richard Hunt as Scooter, Wayne, Miss Piggy, Statler, Pig Dancers, and half of the Two-Headed Singer
Dave Goelz as The Great Gonzo and Zoot
John Lovelady as Crazy Harry, one of the Houses, and the Announcer
Eren Ozker as Hilda, Janice, and Wanda

Gallery

External links


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Avery Schreiber Phyllis Diller
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