Episode 209: The Best of Muppets Tonight

	Muppets Tonight
Air Date	December 21, 1997
Written by	Jennifer Barrow, Dick Blasucci, Paul Flaherty, Darin Henry, Jim Lewis, Bernie Keating, Kirk Thatcher and Patric Verrone
Director	Tom Trbovich
Prod. no.	209
	(TRANSCRIPT)

Gonzo and Rizzo host a clip show featuring the best moments from past episodes. This was because the pre-recorded episode tape had been eaten by Carl, along with the tape-playing machine during a cheese-eating contest.

As Gonzo and Rizzo walk off the stage, they notice that Statler and Waldorf broadcasted their own show titled "The Worst of Muppets Tonight" featuring the same clips.

The episode, which was the last one produced, includes clips from every episode of the series except episodes 109 and 212. However, since the episodes aired out of production order, it included clips from episodes 210 and 211 which hadn't aired yet.

Celebrity guests featured in clips include Michelle Pfeiffer, Coolio, Cindy Crawford, Jason Alexander, Garth Brooks, Sandra Bullock, Pierce Brosnan, Andie MacDowell, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Billy Crystal, Tony Bennett, and Prince.

Episode[]

Picture	Description
	Cold Open: Clifford has given everyone the week off, but Gonzo and Rizzo discover that the tape for the pre-recorded episode has been eaten by Carl along with the tape-playing machine during a cheese-eating contest. To fill the timeslot, Gonzo and Rizzo decide to host a collection of the best moments from past episodes.
	"Muppets Tonight Theme" There is no introduction of a guest by Kermit the Frog, the theme cuts right to the crowd entering the studio and Clifford singing.
	Introduction: Gonzo and Rizzo welcome viewers and introduce a collection of clips that showcase how the Muppets have had the opportunity to launch the careers of various celebrities.
	Michelle Pfeiffer on Muppet Match-Up (from episode 101)
	Coolio on Muppet Star Search (from episode 205)
	Cindy Crawford on The Kermit the Frog Club (from episode 105)
	Jason Alexander on Muppet Bandstand (from episode 108)
	Clip Introduction: Gonzo says those were some of the stars of today. Rizzo asks "who are the stars of tomorrow?" Gonzo says you won't be seeing them in these next clips.
	Seymour and Pepe "El-if-i-know" routine (from episode 107)
	Sid Knishes and his Mosh Pit-tatoes (from episode 107)
	"The Anvil Chorus" (from episode 107)
	The Refined Young Cannonballs (from episode 206)
	Clip Introduction: Rizzo says those clips were surprisingly good. Gonzo says, "speaking of surprises, watch this!" and then explodes. Rizzo encourages the audience to watch the next clips while he tries to put Gonzo back together.
	Garth Brooks' mambo entrance (from episode 102)
	Sandra Bullock in "The Psychiatrist's Office" sketch (from episode 107)
	Pierce Brosnan uses Muppet Labs high-power laser-death cotton-swab (from episode 204)
	Andie MacDowell and Bunsen on a motorboat (from episode 211)
	Rizzo helps Bobo talk to Cindy Crawford (from episode 105)
	Clip Introduction: Gonzo introduces some clips that critics love.
	Martin Short's agent talks to Kermit (from episode 110)
	UK Spot: Johnny, Sal, and Mama Fiama enter the studio as Bean Bunny tries to sell Johnny chocolates (from episode 110)
	Rick Moranis sings "High Hopes" (from episode 202)
	Bobo fans himself (from episode 107)
	Clip Introduction: Gonzo says no "best of" show would be complete without clips like these.
	Piggy's "When Harry Met Sally" screen test with Billy Crystal (from episode 103)
	UK Spot: Great Moments in Elvis History: The Declaration of Independence (from episode 101)
	Jason Alexander in Murder on the Disoriented Express (from episode 108)
	UK Spot: Co-Depedence Day trailer (from episode 202)
	Clip Introduction: Rizzo plays the guitar and sings the blues to introduce a series of musical clips.
	Tony Bennett sings "Firefly" (from episode 106)
	Garth Brooks sings "We Shall Be Free" (from episode 102)
	Coolio sings "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (from episode 205)
	Prince sings "Starfish and Coffee" (from episode 201)
	Clip Introduction: Gonzo introduces some Muppet television parodies, which might be like biting the hand that feeds them. Rizzo bites Gonzo's hand and Gonzo tells him he feeds him with his other hand (which Rizzo then also bites).
	Bay of Pigswatch (from episode 101)
	Seinfeld Babies (from episode 107)
	Clip Introduction: Gonzo introduces a collection of his favorite moments - the painful ones. Rizzo cues a collection of clips they call "Muppets Tonight's Greatest Hits".
	"Muppets Tonight's Greatest Hits" (a montage set to "Ode to Joy" featuring clips from episodes 105, 204, 101, 103, 104, 202, 208, 206, 102, 205, 106, 210, 203, 207, 107, 110, 108, and 211)
	Closing Tag: As Gonzo and Rizzo walk off the stage, they notice that Statler and Waldorf have just finished broadcasting their own show titled The Worst of Muppets Tonight. Of course, they showed the exact same clips that Gonzo and Rizzo showed. The credits roll over a collection of bloopers and outtakes -- including Pepe and Seymour's "ela-if-i-know" routine and Clifford with Sandra Bullock in episode 107, Pepe and Seymour as Jason Alexander's conscience from episode 108, and Gary Cahuenga talking to Prince from episode 201.

Notes[]

Apart from brief appearances in archive footage, this is the only episode not to have Clifford in it.

Performers[]

Bill Barretta - Big Mean Carl

Kevin Clash

Dave Goelz - The Great Gonzo, Waldorf

Brian Henson

Jerry Nelson - Statler

Frank Oz

Steve Whitmire - Rizzo the Rat

Pat Brymer

Jeff Schnell

with

Liz Gandara

Jennifer Keyes

Lisa Thompson

Cast[]

Muppets:

Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat, Statler and Waldorf, Big Mean Carl

Previous episode:	Next episode:
The Cameo Show	The Gary Cahuenga Episode

Muppets Tonight

Air Date	December 21, 1997
Written by	Jennifer Barrow, Dick Blasucci, Paul Flaherty, Darin Henry, Jim Lewis, Bernie Keating, Kirk Thatcher and Patric Verrone
Director	Tom Trbovich
Prod. no.	209
(TRANSCRIPT)