When The Muppet Show first debuted in syndication, original promo spots were filmed to promote each show - a 10 second promo and a 30 second promo (which utilize a clip from the particular episode).[1] These promos often featured Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear, though others occasionally appeared to promote the upcoming shows, including Miss Piggy, Statler and Waldorf and Gonzo.
These spots were typically improvised on the spot. Dave Goelz served as Fozzie's right hand during these spots and was dubbed "prop beagle," finding random objects Frank Oz would use during the shoot. For one unaired spot, Goelz found a spare Kermit puppet, which was manipulated by Fozzie.[2]
On some stations, the ending to the 30 second promos was not aired. Others combined two promos into one, if airing the show as an hour block. In some cases the featured episode clip includes unaired footage.
Seven promos from the first season were included in The Muppet Show: Season One as a blooper reel.
Season One[]
| Picture | Description |
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Season One (YouTube)
Kermit and Fozzie show a montage of clips from the show's first season featuring Sandy Duncan, Jim Nabors and Valerie Harper. Kermit asks viewers to watch for the comedy, the music and the internationally famous guest stars. "Actually, he's begging," Fozzie remarks. |
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Episode 101: Juliet Prowse (YouTube)
Promo featuring footage from the pilot version of the episode. |
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Episode 104: Ruth Buzzi (YouTube)
In the 10 second promo, Fozzie pats Kermit while he talks about the show. A clip of Ruth Buzzi from the set of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" is shown. The 30 second promo features both a clip of Ruth being given a bear hug by Sweetums on the "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" set and a clip from "You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd" before ending with Fozzie putting his hat on Kermit's head. (YouTube) |
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Episode 105: Rita Moreno (YouTube)
Kermit introduces this week's guest while Fozzie stands still, wiggling his ears. A clip of Rita and Animal on the Talk Spot set is used, for longer than it appears in the episode intro. |
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Episode 107: Florence Henderson (YouTube)
Kermit and Fozzie appear on the Koozbane set. Fozzie wipes his eyes with a handkerchief explaining that he loves promos. |
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Episode 108: Paul Williams (DVD)
Fozzie pats Kermit's head and rubs his stomach while he talks about this week's show. After a clip of Paul Williams on the Talk Spot set is shown, Fozzie begins patting Kermit to the stage floor. A longer promo features a clip from "An Old Fashioned Love Song". |
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Episode 111: Lena Horne (YouTube)
While Kermit talks about this week's show, Fozzie stands behind him holding onto his shoulders. A clip from "Sing" is used.
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Episode 112: Peter Ustinov (DVD)
Kermit and Fozzie appear in the "At the Dance" ballroom, and after a clip of Peter Ustinov is shown, Fozzie starts tickling Kermit. (Unusually, Fozzie can also be heard in the Ustinov clip, asking Ustinov to massage his neck.) |
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Episode 113: Bruce Forsyth (DVD)
Kermit mentions this week's guest star as Fozzie uses his hat as a puppet. A longer promo features a clip from "Side by Side". |
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Episode 114: Sandy Duncan (DVD)
A clip from the "A Nice Girl Like Me" number is shown, and Kermit says to start the show off with a bang. |
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Episode 115: Candice Bergen (DVD)
In the 10 second promo, Fozzie tickles Kermit while he talks about this week's show. In the 30 second promo, Fozzie feels Kermit's arms while he talks about the show. After a clip from "Put Another Log on the Fire" is used, Fozzie tells Kermit he is measuring his arms. (YouTube) |
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Episode 117: Ben Vereen (YouTube)
Fozzie crouches down in front of Kermit while he talks about the show. After a clip from "Mr. Cellophane" is used, Fozzie jumps up in front of Kermit and begins wiggling his ears. |
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Episode 118: Phyllis Diller (DVD)
Kermit and Miss Piggy talk about this show at the Panel Discussions set. In a longer promo a clip of "The Entertainer" is used. |
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Episode 119: Vincent Price (YouTube)
Thudge McGerk asks Kermit who's the guest star this week. A clip from "You've Got a Friend" is used. |
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Episode 120: Valerie Harper (DVD)
Waldorf announces this week's guest star as Statler scrunches his face. A longer promo features a clip from "Broadway Baby". |
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Episode 124: Mummenschanz
Fozzie collapses in slow motion while Kermit describes what's coming up on the episode. In another spot, after Kermit delivers his spiel, Fozzie covers Kermit's face with his hat. |
Season Two[]
| Picture | Description |
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Made only for ITV, Kermit tells the viewer The Muppet Show will start shortly but also what other television shows will be on. (YouTube) |
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Episode 204: Rich Little (YouTube)
Fozzie pats down Kermit's tuxedo as Kermit announces this week's guest. A clip from the Hollywood musicals medley is shown. |
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Episode 206: Nancy Walker (YouTube)
Kermit announces this week's guest. A clip from "They Can't Take That Away from Me" is shown. |
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Episode 210: George Burns
Kermit introduces a clip of "It All Depends on You," while Fozzie mills around in the background in silhouette. He steps into the light and tells Kermit not to leave him in the dark. |
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Episode 221: Bob Hope
Kermit announces this week's guest and Fozzie excitedly begins calling out Bob's name. (YouTube) Kermit introduces a clip of "Don't Fence Me In," while Fozzie is on the telephone saying "You don't say." When Kermit asks who it was, Fozzie replies "He didn't say." (YouTube) |
Season Three[]
| Picture | Description |
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Made only for ITV and shown after the Danny Kaye episode on Christmas Day, Santa Frog tells the viewers that the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever and Morecambe and Wise are on next. (YouTube) |
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Episode 304: Gilda Radner (YouTube)
Kermit tries to talk about this week's show while being surrounded by the chickens before being told, "This is chicken feed". A clip from "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" is shown. |
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Episode 309: Liberace (YouTube)
Fozzie is standing in front of Kermit onstage and mimes to Kermit's voice. A clip of Liberace dancing with Fletcher Bird is shown. |
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Episode 314: Harry Belafonte (YouTube)
Kermit introduces this week's guest with Fozzie. After a clip from "Day-O," Fozzie says "Ah!" in surprise, and Kermit says "Ah?!" in confusion. |
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Episode 319: Elke Sommer
Fozzie has a cuppa for "tea time." After a clip from "Row, Row, Row," he gargles it loudly and claims, "It's medicinal."[1] |
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Episode 320: Sylvester Stallone
Fozzie acts like he's preparing to box as Kermit delivers the message. He socks Kermit in the head, but Kermit springs back up like a punching bag and knocks Fozzie over.[1] |
Season Four[]
| Picture | Description |
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Episode 401: John Denver (YouTube)
Kermit talks about the show while Fozzie examines Kermit's arms. |
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Episode 402: Crystal Gayle (YouTube)
Kermit's attempts to talk about the show are hampered by a Prairie Dog who imitates Kermit. A clip from "River Road" is shown. |
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Episode 403: Shields & Yarnell
As Kermit talks, Fozzie mimes pointing a gun around. After a clip from "Make 'Em Laugh," he accidentally fires on Kermit - "Sorry, I didn't know it was loaded."[1] |
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Episode 405: Victor Borge
Animal joins Kermit for the promo. A clip of "Piano Concerto No. 1" is featured.[1] |
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Episode 406: Linda Lavin
Fozzie spins his hat around on a pole, and it falls with a loud crash.[1] |
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Episode 408: Arlo Guthrie (YouTube)
The Swedish Chef is dancing around Kermit in The Swedish Chef's kitchen. A clip of "Grocery Blues" is shown. |
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Episode 409: Beverly Sills
Miss Piggy dances through the "Pigaletto" set, singing an operatic promo for the episode. Kermit ruins it by running in and announcing her name before Piggy can.[1] |
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Episode 411: Lola Falana (YouTube)
Gonzo tries to tell Kermit something while he talks about this week's show. When Kermit finally asks Gonzo what he wants, Gonzo says that he's quitting. A clip from "He's the Greatest Dancer" is shown. |
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Episode 413: Dizzy Gillespie
In the 10 second promo, Fozzie licks his paw and matts his fur. He accidentally licks it again after patting down Kermit, becoming disgusted by the taste. In the 30 second promo, Fozzie reads the cue sheet for the promo, promoting Kermit's lines and the clip from "St. Louis Blues."[1] |
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Episode 414: Liza Minnelli
Kermit promises an evening of intrigue and mystery, as Scooter comes in and fakes his death with a knife in his back.[1] |
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Episode 415: Anne Murray (YouTube)
Scooter skates by in the background as Kermit delivers the promo. Fozzie then puts Kermit on a skateboard and pushes him off-screen, where he crashes.[1] |
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Episode 416: Jonathan Winters
In the 10 second promo, Fozzie attempts to make an origami frog from a piece of paper. In the 30 second promo, Fozzie wears glasses and reads from a sheet of paper. After a clip from Winters' hat routine, Fozzie admits he can't actually see anything.[1] |
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Episode 421: Doug Henning
Fozzie and a rabbit join Kermit as they present a clip of Henning's bottle trick. After the clip, they're joined by several more rabbits.[1] |
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Episode 424: Diana Ross (YouTube)
Fozzie's jaw drops as Kermit announces Diana Ross as this week's guest. A clip from "Last Time I Saw Him" is shown. This includes some unaired footage, as Diana's closeup is not interrupted by an audience shot. |
Season Five[]
| Picture | Description |
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Episode 501: Gene Kelly (YouTube)
The Muppets dance on the stage. A clip of Kermit and Gene Kelly dancing is shown. |
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Episode 502: Loretta Swit (YouTube)
Kermit talks about the show while Fozzie holds onto balloons. |
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Episode 504: Shirley Bassey
As Kermit talks, Fozzie futzes around with a piece of wire, then claims to have made it into the shape of a puppy dog.[1] |
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Episode 505: James Coburn
Fozzie, in his Bear on Patrol costume, takes Kermit back to jail immediately after he delivers his message.[1] |
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Episode 506: Brooke Shields (YouTube)
In the 30 second promo, Kermit introduces a clip of "Falling Song" (sans laughter track) while The White Rabbit hops by in the background. He finally stops and Kermit tells him he's late. The 10 second promo features the two, as the Rabbit hops wildly. Kermit joins, falling down the rabbit hole. |
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Episode 507: Glenda Jackson
In the 10 second promo, Fozzie is shocked by the plot of this week's episode. In the 30 second promo, Fozzie holds a studio microphone to Kermit as he talks. A clip from "A Capital Ship" is used.[1] |
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Episode 508: Señor Wences
In both versions of the promo, Fozzie uses Dave Goelz' Gonzo-shaped microphone windscreen as a finger puppet. In the 30 second promo, a clip of Wences' first act is used.[1] |
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Episode 509: Debbie Harry (YouTube)
The Frog Scouts appear on-stage with Kermit. A clip from "Call Me" is shown. |
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Episode 510: Jean-Pierre Rampal
In the 10 second promo, Fozzie and Kermit disagree on the pronunciation of "flautist." In the 30 second promo, Fozzie stares upward. When Kermit looks up too, Fozzie takes the chance to tickle him. A clip from "Ease on Down the Road" appears.[1] |
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Episode 511: Paul Simon
Fozzie flails Kermit's arms around for him.[1] |
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Episode 512: Melissa Manchester (YouTube)
In the 10 second promo, Kermit speaks in a hoarse whisper backstage and says this week's guest star is a big surprise. The rest of the Muppets appear and shout her name. In the 30 second promo, Gonzo leads a cheer, but misspells Melissa's name. A clip of "Whenever I Call You Friend" is used. |
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Episode 514: Mac Davis
Kermit is joined by the Beaker clones, who deliver his closing line with him. A clip of "I Believe in Music" is used.[1] |
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Episode 516: Gladys Knight (YouTube)
In the 10 second promo, Fozzie sticks a crown around Kermit's body and declares, "Long live the frog!" In the 30 second promo, Kermit talks about this week's show while Fozzie licks a plate with honey on it. Fozzie asks Kermit if he wants some honey, to which he replies, "Uh, no thanks, sweetheart." A clip from "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is shown.[1] |
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Episode 520: Wally Boag
Kermit introduces a clip of Boag's "Highland Fling," while Fozzie wiggles his ears and dances around in the background. Fozzie asks Kermit if he's upstaging him, and Kermit shoos Fozzie away. |
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Episode 521: Johnny Cash
Statler and Waldorf deliver this week's promo. A clip of "Orange Blossom Special" is used.[1] |
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Episode 522: Buddy Rich
Animal excitedly repeats "Buddy Rich!" after Kermit mentions his name.[1] |
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Episode 523: Linda Ronstadt
Fozzie plays around with a trombone. After a clip of "It's in His Kiss," he speaks "Hello!" into it and hears a "Goodbye!" in response.[1] |
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Episode 524: Roger Moore
In the 10 second promo, Kermit is joined by Gonzo, who plugs that the episode will be broadcast "in vivid greens and blues!"[1] In the 30 second promo, Gonzo provides some vocal drumrolls and a clip from "Talk to the Animals" is used. (YouTube) |
Reruns[]
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Taped during the recording of The Muppets Go to the Movies, Kermit and Fozzie promote reruns of the show featuring "a whole galaxy of superstar guests" and "all our regular guys" including the Frog, the Bear and the Pig. Fozzie takes Kermit aside and asks if they could talk about that pig. A montage of clips featuring Ethel Merman, Pearl Bailey, Harry Belafonte, Julie Andrews, Dudley Moore, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry and Liberace is shown. (YouTube) |
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In a shorter promo, Fozzie asks Kermit if he wants to get some lunch. They both end up going in opposite directions, before Fozzie realizes his mistake and goes after Kermit. (YouTube) |
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Appearing on-location in Australia (against an arboreal background), Gonzo reads a note from Kermit that implores the audience to watch The Muppet Show on Melbourne's Channel 10. He closes the spot by mimicking Kermit's familiar "yaaay!" gesture. (YouTube) |
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At the Sydney Opera House, Gonzo asks the viewer to watch The Muppet Show on Channel 10. "Lock up your chickens, Gonzo is coming!" (YouTube) |