The Vent Event title card.
The Vent Event was the first of several adult-oriented ventriloquist stage show specials produced for HBO. It aired on March 3, 1978, with repeats shown on March 11 and 14. Hosted by Steve Allen, guest performers included Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, as well as Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.
Bergen invited the Muppets to appear at the event, but the shooting schedule for The Muppet Show prevented their studio participation. Instead, Kermit and Fozzie Bear appeared in a pre-taped cameo, greeting the audience. They introduce Dr. Jerry Nelson, the world's foremost authority on the Muppets, who gives a speech on their history (which bores Fozzie greatly), until he is carried away by Sweetums.
Gallery[]
The theater marquee sign
Edgar Bergen
Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop
Kermit and Fozzie
Kermit, Fozzie, and Dr. Jerry Nelson
Enter Sweetums