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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
TMSPromo-S1
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.

Juliet Prowse promo
Episode 101: Juliet Prowse (YouTube)

Promo featuring footage from the pilot version of the episode.

Promo-104
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)

TMS promo Moreno Fozzie hat
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.

Promo-107
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.

Promo-108
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".

Promo-111
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.


Promo-112
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.)

Promo-113
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".

Promo-114
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.

Promo-115
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)

Promo-117
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.

Promo-118
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.

Tmsvppromo
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.

Promo-120
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".

Promo-124
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
Tms lwt 77 promo
Made only for ITV, Kermit tells the viewer The Muppet Show will start shortly but also what other television shows will be on. (YouTube)
Promo-204
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.

Tmspromo-nw
Episode 206: Nancy Walker (YouTube)

Kermit announces this week's guest. A clip from "They Can't Take That Away from Me" is shown.

Noimage
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.

Tms promo 221
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
Tms78xmaspromo
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)
Image9
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.

Promo-309
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.

MuppetShow314Promo
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.

Noimage
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]

Noimage
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
Promo-401
Episode 401: John Denver (YouTube)

Kermit talks about the show while Fozzie examines Kermit's arms.

Promo-402
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.

Noimage
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]

Noimage
Episode 405: Victor Borge

Animal joins Kermit for the promo. A clip of "Piano Concerto No. 1" is featured.[1]

Noimage
Episode 406: Linda Lavin

Fozzie spins his hat around on a pole, and it falls with a loud crash.[1]

Tms-Arlo Guthrie-promo
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.

Noimage
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]

Promo-411
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.

Noimage
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]

Noimage
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]

TMSpromo415
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]

Noimage
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]

Noimage
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]

Tmsdrpromo
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
Tmspromos5e1gk
Episode 501: Gene Kelly (YouTube)

The Muppets dance on the stage. A clip of Kermit and Gene Kelly dancing is shown.

Promo-502
Episode 502: Loretta Swit (YouTube)

Kermit talks about the show while Fozzie holds onto balloons.

Noimage
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]

Noimage
Episode 505: James Coburn

Fozzie, in his Bear on Patrol costume, takes Kermit back to jail immediately after he delivers his message.[1]

Promo-506
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.

Noimage
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]

Noimage
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]

Tms-dh-promo
Episode 509: Debbie Harry (YouTube)

The Frog Scouts appear on-stage with Kermit. A clip from "Call Me" is shown.

Noimage
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]

Noimage
Episode 511: Paul Simon

Fozzie flails Kermit's arms around for him.[1]

Promo-512
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.

Noimage
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]

Muppet Show Episode 516 promo
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]

Promo-520
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.

Noimage
Episode 521: Johnny Cash

Statler and Waldorf deliver this week's promo. A clip of "Orange Blossom Special" is used.[1]

Noimage
Episode 522: Buddy Rich

Animal excitedly repeats "Buddy Rich!" after Kermit mentions his name.[1]

Noimage
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]

TMSPromo-524
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[]

Picture Description
Tms1980spromo
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)
Tms1980spromo2
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)
TMS promo Australia Gonzo
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)
TMS promo Australia Gonzo Sydney Opera House
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)

Sources[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 April 2022 MOMI screening
  2. Museum of the Moving Image "The Muppet Show 40th Anniversary Muppetational Celebrational" screening, November 20, 2016
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