Over the past year, we gave ourselves a double-challenge. The first half of the challenge was to review every episode of The Muppet Show‘s fourth season. The other half was figuring out how to watch them.
As we’re all painfully aware, only a select few episodes from season 4 have been commercially released, and we here at ToughPigs have dedicated ourselves to reviewing every episode of the series, 40 years after each one premiered. Thankfully, we were able to get by thanks to a number of sources, but it’s frustrating that we needed to be challenged this way in the first place.
And we’re so grateful that we managed to view all of season 4, because there were some unforgettable gems in this season. The ToughPigs team got together to talk about how much we loved (or hated, or felt somewhere in between) about these episodes. Read on to learn about the most notable guest stars, sketches, and moments from the season, and then be sure to tune in to ToughPigs as we review the fifth and final season of The Muppet Show this fall!
How does season 4 stack up against the previous three seasons?
Joe Hennes: The Muppets are really hitting their stride with this season – they can do no wrong! This season had superheroes and visitors from a galaxy far, far away and mimes and magicians, an award show, a birthday party, and a murder mystery. Jim Henson certainly felt like he could do whatever he wanted and create television magic. And he was right.
Matthew Soberman: Remember when I called season one the seed and season two the flower starting to grow? Well, that flower is in full bloom and it’s only getting bigger. Bigger stars, bigger concepts being used in episodes, and a higher concentration of Bun-Bun Brothers.
Louie Pearlman: More than anything, it’s the funniest and smoothest season yet. I feel like The Muppet Show doesn’t get it’s groove until season 3 and this season only takes what we love about the show and makes it bigger and better.
Julia Gaskill: What a star studded season! With the first season being the shakiest, the second as the one where the show found its legs, and the third where they started walking – season four is this show sprinting towards success.
Ryan Roe: It’s a good one! These people are so good at making a hilarious comedy-variety show at this point. It could definitely go on for at least four more seasons.
The Muppets have come a long way since season 1 – how are you enjoying their evolution into pop culture icons?
Louie Pearlman: These are the Muppets I know and grew up with. Their voices are clear, loveable and hilarious.
Julia Gaskill: The fact that these episodes were airing the same year the Muppets first full length feature film hit theaters shows. The confidence of the Muppets is at its peak perfection – they know who they are and what they’re doing.
Matthew Soberman: With three seasons of a successful television show and a popular feature film under their belts, the Muppets are as popular as their guest stars. And rather than just coast on their fame, the writers and performers are still finding ways to push boundaries and experiment with these characters, which I think has helped to make them so memorable.
Ryan Roe: I wasn’t around yet when these episodes aired, but I love imagining fans all over the world tuning in every week for a dose of Muppets. Would there be a “Pigs in Space” this week? What fate would be befall the Newsman? The creators have established a wonderful world of entertainment and weirdness.
Joe Hennes: I’m blown away by the idea that the Muppets were being seen as big-time movie stars at the same time as they’re running a third-rate variety show. Miss Piggy could’ve been seen in an interview on one channel in her fanciest dress while talking about rubbing elbows with Academy Award winners, while on another channel she’s struggling to hit a high A as she’s literally falling through the broken floorboards. And it works!!!
What is your favorite episode of season 4?
Matthew Soberman: When you combine two of my favorite things together, It’s very likely I’m going to love it. Star Wars and The Muppet Show are to television are what chocolate and peanut butter are to candy. An instant classic.
Louie Pearlman: Oh yeah, Star Wars for SURE! Not only is Mark Hamill very charming, but they all sing “When You Wish Upon a Star” at the end, which is both aesthetically bizarre and strangely prophetic!
Julia Gaskill: To not jump on the Mark Hamill train (even though of course I’m already on it), I’ll go with John Denver. Put that guy on screen with Muppets – whether it’s on stage, out in the wilderness, or around Christmas time – and you’ve got pure magic!
Ryan Roe: There’s so much great music in the Dizzy Gillespe episode. Also, the Lynda Carter episode has a hilarious storyline (Muppets try to become superheroes) and allows its guest star to really show off doing something she wasn’t necessarily known for (singing).
Joe Hennes: Yes yes, we all love the Star Wars episode. But only the Liza Minnelli episode transformed The Muppet Show into a noir detective story in which most of the Muppets get murdered on stage. That’s some good television.
What is your LEAST favorite episode of season 4?
Ryan Roe: As I mentioned in my review of it, the Jonathan Winters episode turned out to be considerably less wonderful than I remembered it. So I’ll call that my “least un-disappointing episode.”
Matthew Soberman: I can’t think of an episode I’ve seen from this season that I wholly dislike. Can I create a horrifying Franken-episode of poor choices? I’ll take the weird presence of Doug Henning, the Arab C-plot of the Kenny Rogers episode, and the unearned abuse of Miss Piggy in the Alan Arkin episode. That would be a pretty unlikable episode.
Joe Hennes: I’m very grateful that this season doesn’t have any episodes at the Rich Little-level, but man did I hate the Doug Henning episode. My apologies to the Doug Henning fan community.
Pick a song, any song, and talk about it!
Julia Gaskill: I gotta stay on brand, y’all – and my brand is forever and always sentimental Gonzo. His rendition of “My Way” has stuck with me throughout the years and I find myself coming back to that scene time and time again. The emotion in this number is all too relatable – how sometimes we get our big chance, but it means leaving what you cherish most behind.
Matthew Soberman: Gee, does “My Way” get me every time. As much as I love the Star Wars episode, this might be the single best number of the season. It’s emotional, and it has some great performance work from Dave Goelz and Jim Henson. I love it because it pushes the boundaries of what the Muppets can do. Now can someone please pass the tissues?
Joe Hennes: I’m still tickled by the fact that famed opera singer Beverly Sills got to sing the country song “When the Bloom is on the Sage” while tap dancing. What a gift The Muppet Show is.
Louie Pearlman: Liza Minelli singing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” is I-con-ic! The number combines The Muppets’ can-do showbiz attitude with Minelli’s natural gusto.
Ryan Roe: The Linda Lavin episode has Statler and Waldorf singing “It Was a Very Good Year.” There are plenty of jokes, but for the most part it’s a rare look at the sentimental side of these two cranky jerks.
What’s your single favorite sketch, storyline, or backstage scene from season 4?
Ryan Roe: I can’t possibly narrow it down, but here’s my favorite UK spot: In the Christopher Reeve episode, when Sam is backstage attempting to write an angry letter (to… “somebody important”) about all his grievances with the show. I love it when he calls Beauregard “a lump playing harmonica.”
Joe Hennes: We celebrate Kermit the Frog every day here on ToughPigs, but it’s satisfying to see The Muppet Show dedicate a whole episode to celebrating Kermit as they celebrate his birthday on the Linda Lavin episode. Even if it’s not actually his birthday.
Matthew Soberman: Season four may be the golden age of the “Muppet Newsflash” bits. There’s attacking sheep, Kermit being used as a projectile, falling lights, falling Renaissance sculptures, and an ancient Egyptian crocodile deity. What more could you ask for?
Julia Gaskill: I mean, Luke Skywalker hijacking a Pigs In Space sketch? What’s not to love?
What is one of your least favorite moments from season 4?
Matthew Soberman: Considering we didn’t excuse the cultural stereotyping of the Spike Milligan episode, I don’t think we should excuse it from the Kenny Rogers episode either. The Arab bits have aged quite poorly.
Ryan Roe: Anne Murray’s “Snowbird” song is kind of dull. But you gotta have those dull moments to make the rest of the show seem lively.
Joe Hennes: Doug Henning’s “magic” tricks are embarrassing. Not only is the magic ruined thanks to the existence of television editing, but they built what might be the ugliest, cheapest-looking Muppet of all time to be his assistant. Cringe!
Which guest stars worked the best (or not-so-best) with the Muppets this time around?
Ryan Roe: Dudley Moore had great chemistry with the Muppets, even when he’s playing a somewhat antagonistic role as he tries to replace the show’s musicians with a robot. It’s not surprising that they would later ask him to come and play again, in The Muppets Go to the Movies and Miss Piggy’s Hollywood.
Joe Hennes: Christopher Reeve could literally do anything. He could sing with a pig, recite Shakespeare, and bend steel with his bare hands.
Julia Gaskill: I’ll always rep John Denver as being the best when working with the Muppets, but I’ll also admit I was pleasantly pleased in my recent rewatch of Andy Williams’ episode. He genuinely seemed to have great chemistry with the Muppets, especially his banter and song with Kermit.
Matthew Soberman: Mark Hamill might be one of the few guest stars that comes off as wacky as the Muppets themselves, playing a slightly deranged Luke Skywalker and a slightly hokey song-and-dance performer as himself. It really helps sell the running gag that the Star Wars characters and the Muppets are both extremely odd to each other.
Louie Pearlman: Carol Channing was lovely with The Muppets. Because (here’s a big secret) she, herself, was a Muppet.
Was there anything that surprised you? Maybe it’s a joke you didn’t see coming, or a sketch you had completely forgotten about…
Ryan Roe: I’m familiar with the Liza Minnelli episode, but it’s always striking to see Muppets getting shot.
Matthew Soberman: I knew that with a Jekyll-and-Hyde potion, the Alan Arkin episode would have some abuse to it, but I didn’t know that it extends well past Arkin being monstrous. Miss Piggy really takes some unearned insults in this one.
Joe Hennes: Kermit gets nekkid in the Crystal Gayle episode!
Okay, one more thing. Final thoughts on the season?
Matthew Soberman: I just can’t believe that after all these years and all these episodes, we’re about to head into the final season. Who said The Muppet Show could end? (Jim Henson, probably.)
Louie Pearlman: This is a season that I can confidently recommend to friends wanting to get into the show. The guest stars are top-notch and the show was in great shape by this point as well.
Ryan Roe: I’m so glad this show exists. Also, so many casual fans know these characters primarily through the movies, so it would be great if more people could discover these hours and hours of Muppet brilliance. Like say, if this season and the others were available on a major streaming service owned by Disney.
Joe Hennes: #ReleaseTheMuppetShow
Click here to witness the merging of Muppets, Star Wars, and Disney on the ToughPigs forum!
by The ToughPigs Staff
