Episode 519: Chris Langham

The Muppet Show
Guest	Chris Langham
Production	August 5-8, 1980
(TRANSCRIPT)

A messenger brings a message from the scheduled guest star -- Benny Brillstein, the Yiddish yodeler. Benny refuses to be on the show, so Kermit asks Chris, the messenger boy, to be the guest. Chris knows a joke, so Kermit introduces him as a comedian.

Chris' bizarre acts include owl impersonation and odd magic tricks -- "Pick a sausage, any sausage." Finally, doing an escape act in his dressing room, Chris locks himself in a wardrobe and can't get out. He has to do his final number, "Hawaiian Cowboy," from within the wardrobe.

Songs/Sketches

• Kermit and Robin the Frog sing "Friendship" with Molly and Melville.
• Chris performs his impression of Autumn in Scotland and tries to catch a peanut in his mouth.
• A double-decker bus full of dogs sings "Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner."
• Chris introduces his Time Travel Apparatus.
• "The Gnu" -- a British Chap and a Gnu
• Chris attempts to display he can dramatically burst out of a wardrobe, but gets stuck inside. As he must appear in the closing number to sing "Hawaiian Cowboy," the Muppets are forced to put on a cowboy hat on top of the wardrobe and move it on stage so Chris can sing from inside. However, Chris does manage to free himself in spectacular fashion to finish the song properly.

Notes

• Chris was the only British writer on The Muppet Show. He was hastily made the guest for this episode after the original guest, Richard Pryor, was unable to make the taping.

• Sam Eagle is the only Muppet performed by Frank Oz in this episode.

• Chris later wrote for and appeared in The Jim Henson Hour.

• The name of the cancelled guest star is a backstage reference; Bernie Brillstein was Jim Henson's agent.

Cast

Muppets:

Kermit the Frog, Scooter, Gonzo, Pops, Gnu, Whales, Pigs, Floyd Pepper, Melissa, Mickey Moose, Sam the Eagle, Wolfhound, Afghan Hound, Muppy, Beagle, Molly and Melville, Robin the Frog, Whatnots

Background Muppets:

Deer, Shark, Raccoon, Fox, Penguins, Baskerville, Brown Dog, Lyle the Dog, Poodle, Dogs, Goldfish

Performers

Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog and Waldorf

Frank Oz as Sam the Eagle

Jerry Nelson as Pops, Robin, Floyd Pepper and the Wolfhound

Richard Hunt as Scooter, Statler and Muppy

Dave Goelz as Gonzo

Louise Gold as Mother Whale and the Beagle

Steve Whitmire as Tommy the Goldfish and Baby Whale

Kathy Mullen as Melissa and the Afghan Hound

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