Original air date: November 22, 1979
As you may have guessed, I’ve seen my fair share of episodes of The Muppet Show. The Muppets were one of my first introductions to comedy, and I believe that The Muppet Show is one of the funniest shows in television history. I have spent hours laughing at this show, from childhood to adulthood. That being said, I believe that a little confession can be good for the soul, so I think it’s time I got something off my chest:
My name is Matthew Soberman, I’m a writer for ToughPigs, and the Lola Falana episode of The Muppet Show makes me cry.
So far, it’s the only episode that gets the tears coming. There have been moments of great beauty, of great profoundness, but nothing that brings on the waterworks like this episode. So what causes me to blubber like Sid Sleaze watching The Bluebird of Happiness? I can answer you in two words: “My Way.” But before we get there, let’s set up the moment.
As Kermit gets the show underway, he makes a major announcement: this show will be Gonzo’s last appearance with the Muppets, as he has accepted an offer from 20th Century Chicken to go to Bombay, India and become a movie star. (Given that this episode was taped just weeks after The Muppet Movie was released, the writers were obviously taken with that joke.) And of course, Gonzo spends the first half of the episode acting like a big shot, eliciting giggles as he starts calling his Muppet Show co-stars things like “Kerm” and “M.P.” He openly flirts with Lola after promising to “send for” Camilla once he has his mansion and limousine. And it’s all really funny…
Until the bottom drops out. Instead of going out doing his dream stunt of singing “Top Hat” while tap dancing in a vat of oatmeal, Gonzo sings an earnest rendition of “My Way.” And sure, he starts out all confident,, but halfway through, he starts to realize just what he’s giving up to achieve his dream. You can see it on his face and hear it in his voice. Suddenly, this cocky weirdo is having second thoughts, and it’s a masterpiece of a performance by Dave Goelz. For anyone who thinks there isn’t any real acting in puppetry, that the Muppets are just joke-y, silly characters, I will point out this moment in this episode. When his voice breaks, I start to get misty-eyed. And when this exchange happens, well, it just devastates me every time:
KERMIT: Gonzo? Are you okay, Gonzo? It’s just a song.
GONZO: I know. It’s not the song. I just don’t want to go.
KERMIT: Yeah, but you’re going to go out and make movies.
GONZO: I want to go there. I just don’t want to leave here.
But the real tearjerker is what happens next: Kermit says he hates long goodbyes, so he offers a handshake and a fond farewell, but Gonzo goes in for a hug. Kermit decides to cut the number short as he can tell his friend’s dealing with a lot of emotions, and they walk off, Kermit’s hand around Gonzo, just trying to comfort his pal. And if that doesn’t make you feel something in the core of your being, I just don’t know what to tell you.
But then, the writers remember that this is The Muppet Show after all, and of course, Gonzo the Great’s plans fall through when the studio sends him a telegram saying they thought they were hiring Gonzo the Mediocre. And as Kermit hires a replacement daredevil artiste, Trevor the Gross, Gonzo decides to fight for his job, especially after Trevor attempts to pull off Gonzo’s dream stunt. And thanks to a flock of surprisingly forgiving chickens, Trevor is chased off and our favorite blueish-purpleish weirdo is back among the Muppet ranks. It’s a fairly predictable ending, and it’s fun enough, even after the emotional overload that is “My Way.”
This episode is such a plot-heavy emotional rollercoaster that it almost feels like Falana’s presence isn’t completely necessary. She has some good moments, particularly when her performances in “He’s the Greatest Dancer” and the finale, “United We Stand,” but it all feels sort of lost in the story. This is Gonzo’s episode, plain and simple, and everything else feels like an afterthought. So where was the campaign to get Gonzo an Emmy?
Best Joke: As Gonzo describes his dream act, Kermit, just as bewildered as he usually is with Gonzo’s routines, comments: “…it’s an act worthy of your talent, Gonzo.” Gonzo replies, “And of your show.” Defeated, Kermit simply responds, “Touché.” After years of jokes about his talents, Gonzo finally gets (what he thinks is) the last laugh.
Worst Joke: The final joke of the episode:
STATLER: You know, Gonzo would have been perfect for that movie he was gonna star in.
WALDORF: What movie was that?
STATLER: The Revenge of the Little Blue Geek.
Statler and Waldorf get some good jokes in this one, but I think they went back to the well one time too many.
MVM (Most Valuable Muppet): Gonzo. For the reason why, please go back to the beginning of the review and start reading again.
Most Classic Moment: “My Way.” Honestly, have you not been paying attention?
Musical Highlight: Seriously. You have to ask?
Should-Be-Classic Moment: The promo they shot for this episode. I just love Kermit’s spontaneous reaction to Gonzo leaving. I love these improvised promos!
Most Dated Joke: Just look at Gonzo’s outfit. That’s a dated joke right there!
I’d make a joke about it, but then I’d have to give myself “Adultiest Content.”
One More Thing: According to Of Muppets and Men, this episode was inspired when two important members of the production crew left the show. And if that isn’t a testament to the family atmosphere at The Muppet Show, I don’t know what is.
Okay, One More Thing: Even if he had left the Muppets, it’s likely that Gonzo would have reunited with the gang after 20th Century Chicken was bought out by The Walt Dizzy Company.
Click here to reach for a Kleenex on the ToughPigs forum!
by Matthew Soberman
