Muppeturgy: A "The Muppet Show" Rewatch Podcast

Welcome to Phase 2 of Muppeturgy! We’re following paths and pulling threads that came up during our coverage of The Muppet Show to bring you more 70s and 80s variety show nonsense. It’s going to take us to some places! (What about them?)

We started off close to home and went to the movies with The Muppets and it was…kind of exhausting, honestly. But if you’re a fan of Muppets and Mad Magazine and Swedish art films, this special might be for you!

https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/movies

They said it couldn’t be done but we did it. We finished The Muppet Show! We thought we’d take some time to process our feelings and answer your questions. Thank you all for listening to this very silly thing for all these years!

And: We’re not done! We’ll be back in your feeds very soon with Muppeturgy: Phase 2. So stay subscribed and follow us on social media and all that good stuff. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/finale

For your eyes only, it’s a view to the Roger Moore episode of The Muppet Show! It’s also the last episode of The Muppet Show! Listen to find out if Muppeturgy will live and let or die another day! (Yes we know that last one isn’t Moore, leave us alone. Octopussy.) Anyway join us on a slow boat to China for pies, spies, a village full of viking people and Frank Oz crammed under a couch! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/roger-moore

Don’t let our second to last Muppet Show episode blow by you! Shoop shoop that Play button and you’ll be so happy to hear us talk about the great Linda Ronstadt, rhythmic frogs, a cat who came back (with multiple tunes), fan dancers, old dreams, and of course a trunk full of fungus. All with our very special guest star, Christie’s Mom! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/linda-ronstadt

Send us your questions for our grand Muppet Show finale (but not our Muppeturgy finale): muppeturgy@gmail.com.

We’re transporting ourselves with delight to dance in the dark, which leads to some banging around with Buddy Rich. Beau may get electrocuted but it’s good day sunshine for the rest of us, so drumstick around and listen! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/buddy-rich

The Muppet Show is going country (again) and live on the radio (somehow). We’re going to Jackson but that doesn’t answer any of our questions about where the theatre is…though the prominently displayed Confederate Flag suggests it might be somewhere south of Pittsburgh. But hey you can do worse than a Johnny Cash concert with Muppet chickens in tiny cowboy hats, and you can definitely do worse than listening to us talk about it! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/johnny-cash

It’s an old-fashioned vaudeville show! With less offensive material but also so, so many teeth. Get Pecos Bill to squeeze us and we might be able to hit the high note in Danny Boy. With our very special guest star, Taylor Cole! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/wally-boag

This is a weird one, so we’re just going to lay it out here without getting cutesy about it. Chris Langham was a writer on The Muppet Show, and he filled in at the last minute when the scheduled guest star set himself on fire (really!). Later, he was also a convicted sex offender, which is why (we assume) this episode isn’t on Disney+. (Anything goes! …see, that would’ve been weird.) We’re completists, so we wanted to cover it anyway, and we hope you’ll join us and very special guest star Shane Keating while we talk arou...

It’s gonna be a hot time in the old town tonight ‘cause we’re bugging out about the Marty Feldman episode of The Muppet Show! Open Sesame and welcome our guest J.D. Hansel! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/marty-feldman

Statler and Waldorf are taking over the show! Not our show, we’ve got grumpy criticism covered already. We also put the bomp in the bomp bomp bomp and go deep on sauerkraut, lands that may or may not be your land or my land, and of course Hal Linden and Barney Miller. Oh and BALLS! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/hal-linden

Alley-oop! This episode is a real pip! Join us any time in the night and day to board the Friendship Train (to Georgia?) as we blow the roof off the Gladys Knight episode. We heard it through the grapevine that we even have a very special guest, Becca Petunia! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/gladys-knight

Yowsa, yowsa, yowsa! We were made for dancing about how much we love Carol Burnett and this episode! Watch what happens when we discuss with our very special guest star Jen Tullock.

New merch: You Promised Me A Variety Show!

Text only version

https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/carol-burnett

We’re almost done so if you’re still listening you must be hooked on us. Sorry, it’s hard to be humble about the Mac Davis episode of Muppeturgy, we think it’s pretty eefing good. Maybe that’s just the multitude of Beakers talking, or the mimeograph fumes. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/mac-davis

When Tony Randall accidentally turns Miss Piggy to stone, is it horrific or delightful? Why not both? She and Tony Randall definitely make an odd couple! https://muppeturgy.con/episodes/tony-randall

Raindrops on roses and girls on high wires, tumbling skiers and teeterboard fliers, bizarre flamenco AND CREEPY-ASS CLOWNS, these are a few of our favorite things! You’ll be crying out loud if you don’t listen to our Melissa Manchester episode (but don’t run off with the circus about it, that never ends well). https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/melissa-manchester

There are fifty ways to love your lever and we will get into…some of them. We’ll also head to the renaissance fair for herbs and pie, drive some babies, and call some people Al whether they like it or not. Most importantly, we’ll talk about the Paul Simon episode of The Muppet Show with our very special guest star, Ryan Roe! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/paul-simon

We’re flouting convention this week to talk about Jean-Pierre Rampal with very special guest star Tara Ariano! Brush up your French and your flute and join us! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/jean-pierre-rampal

One way or another we’re gonna scout out the Debbie Harry episode of The Muppet Show with our very special guest star, Louie Pearlman! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/debbie-harry

If you wanna hear us do our thing, pull our string! If ‘s-all right with you, we’re here to talk about the old-school ventriloquism of Señor Wences (and the even older school bunraku of Bruce Schwartz). The Muppets are all in on the action, putting on a puppet show of their own (nobody tell them) that may or may not involve demonic possession and a horny Pinocchio (stories matter). https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/senor-wences

Ahoy there! Yo ho ho! Shiver me timbers! Uh…pieces of eight! It’s a pirate-themed episode, 15 years before Muppet Treasure Island, starring another British legend, Glenda Jackson! And our own very special guest star, Movin’ Right Along’s Anthony Strand! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/glenda-jackson

We go down several rabbit holes as we discuss the Brooke Shields and the Muppets’ production of Alice in Wonderland. But then, we do that every episode! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/brooke-shields

Stories matter…which is why we’re a little confused that The Muppet Show is telling this one. But we’re here to talk about the good (Animal trying to meditate, percussive octopodes), the bad (overly sexualized birds), and the ugly (welcome back, overt racism!). (James Coburn wasn’t in The Good, The Bad and the Ugly but you try making an In Like Flint reference about this episode.) https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/james-coburn

We’ve got our goldfingers (WAH WAH WAH WAH WAAAAAHHH) all over the Shirley Bassey episode this week, with very special guest star David Beukema! Does the Barnyard Boogie turn into gold, or cottage cheese? What are the physics of these Koozebanians? Does it really rain pennies from heaven? How DO they make gold bars? And where do you buy your cheese? All this and more awaits you in the vault! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/shirley-bassey

Will the circle be unbroken on the Joan Baez episode, or will we sing an honest lullaby about accents and other questionable choices? You’ll be smarter than the critters if you listen and find out! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/joan-baez

Support Christie's album! https://muppeturgy.com/kickstarter

If you watched MASH alda time like we did as kids, you’ll love the Loretta Swit episode! It made the earth move under our feet even though we were side by side (by side) and there ain’t nobody here but us chickens when Kermit tried to fire Piggy. And what would we do without our guest star and fantastic Miss Piggy expert, Peter Savieri? https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/loreta-swit

Leave it to us to drop an episode about the end of the world 2 days after Election Day. But don't worry! When the seven of lumps is in the ascendency with the beginning of the drowning refrigerator, it means Muppeturgy is back for season 5! We're not here to talk about politics (well, Ronald Reagan may catch some strays but it wouldn't be the first time), we're here to talk about Gene Kelly's butt! And the rest of him! Don't let us vamp for too long, let's get to singing in that cool clear rain water. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes...

When Diana Ross smiles at us, we go to Rio! We’re holding up little cards to rate this episode — and the whole season — this week. Did season 4 give us a love hangover, or leave us deep in our (whoa whoa whoa) feelings? We’re taking a post-season break so this will be the last time we saw him for a while. Reach out and touch that subscribe button to make sure you don’t miss our triumphant return. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/diana-ross

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We learned a lot about Alan Arkin — and ourselves — this week, as very special guest star Chris Feil joined us to talk Jekyll & Hyde, potentially racist bunnies, devils going down to Georgia and letting people go, and Fozzie’s relationship to rhythm. Plus rearranging fat jokes on the Titanic. You’re no good if you don’t listen. (CW: Discussion of racist tropes such as minstrelsy.) https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/alan-arkin

Where do we begin? Ideally not here but it’s what we’ve got. This is a weird one, where Andy Williams’ face is waxier than the Muppet cheese and his joke delivery is cheesier than…also the Muppet cheese. It’s also our second week in a row with a Cronenbergian nightmare. But there’s also a puppy, and Frank Oz and Jim Henson remain very good at their jobs. Join us for this love story, won’t you? https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/andy-williams

Do you believe in magic? How about poofy 70s hair and giant mustaches? Sparkly pink overalls? Cronenbergian nightmares? Rabbis? You will after the Doug Henning episode! The master of illusion (and a question mark) joins the Muppets for some tricks and some schtick, and Fozzie tries to get in on the act with Tribble-esque results. We get in on Norma Rae, All That Jazz, Bugs Bunny, tissue puppetry, and so much more! Listen now…unless it’s all an illuuuuuuuuuuusiooooooooonnnnnnnn… https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/doug-henning

Ay ay ay it’s the Carol Channing episode! It will have you asking why it’s so cold in here, can a pig really have big feet (or wear high heels), if diamonds really are a girl’s best friend, and when did I have dead fish? Say hello, Dolly, and don’t forget to check out the website to lay those peepers and them there eyes on this week’s GIFs. Jeepers! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/carol-channing

Hey y’all, prepare yourselves for the Lynda Carter episode of The Muppet Show! It has everything! Wonder Women, Wonder Pigs, Rubberband Men, giant chickens, cannibal tiki idols, backwards alligators, Whiffenpoofs in sheep’s clothing, failed skiffle outfits, and orange colored skies. Plus digressions into The Apple, postcard ads, very early HBO, and John Denver shooting puppies with a BB gun. Grab your tights and fight for your rights to listen! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/lynda-carter

It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s the Christopher Reeve episode of The Muppet Show! WATCH his effortless charm! HEAR our hosts talk about Reeve-inspired sexual awakenings…some of them just this week! BRUSH up your Shakespeare! FLY east of the sun and west of the moon! TURN BACK TIME…but not with Somewhere in Time! Anyway…Christopher Reeve: Good at his job. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/christopher-reeve

It is a dark time for Muppeturgy. Mid episodes like Anne Murray, Phyllis George, and the sinister Jonathan Winters have taken a toll on the brave hosts.

During the battle, Disney+ managed to serve up a not-so-secret episode starring Mark Hamill and the stars of Star Wars, a cast with enough charm to destroy an entire planet.

Joined by the often mentioned, never before heard Todd Brian Backus, our heroes race home aboard their starship to record a podcast and restore freedom to the galaxy...

Show notes at https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/star-wars<...

Very special guest star Danny Lavery joins us to discuss a truly cursed episode of The Muppet Show, plus Mork & Mindy, racist tropes, surprise heterosexuality in the monoculture, and lions, tigers and aliens (oh my!) https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/jonathan-winters

We could blame Canada for this episode, but that would suggest they did something wrong, rather than give us the delightful Anne Murray (a Canadian working in the American idiom). Though a “middle of the middle” episode may suit the beigeness of Ms. Murray’s catalog a little too well, she’s a game guest star and everyone seems happy as a dodo to have her there. We also have a game guest star, the not-at-all Canadian Amy Spalding! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/anne-murray

And the winner is…Phyllis George! For the rest of us it’s a tie at best. We’re joined by Joe Reid to talk award shows, sportscasting, Miss America, and when a clip show isn’t a clip show. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/phyllis-george

We’ve made no secret about being Liza Minnelli fans and now the episode is finally here! Were we right to look forward to it all these weeks, or will we drink ourselves half blind over losing our love? It’s a quiet thing, but don’t worry, everything’s coming up roses and it’s gonna be a great day. With our very special guest star, Matt Baume! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/liza-minnelli

It’s a jazzy good time of an episode, despite a guest star who appeared to only show up for half of it. But he has fun and so did we! We’ll talk about extremely glamorous fish, baffling Arabian numbers, bullfrog’s cheeks (that’s a myth! a myth!), the canonically important appearance of Waldorf’s wife Astoria, and the sadly less canonically important appearance of the Mayhem’s bongo player. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/dizzy-gillespie

Programming note: There’s a discrepancy between the Muppet Wiki episode order and the Disney+ episode order starting at this point. If you’...

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl...no, wait, that’s not right. I mean it is technically right but...you know what I mean. It’s Lola Falana! She does some disco! Chickens cluck Meredith Wilson and Rodgers & Hammerstein! Gonzo is sad because he’s leaving the show! In some ways it feels like they tailored this episode directly to our interests. In other ways...not so much. We’ll get into it, as well as what may possibly be the greatest New York Times article of all time. Oh what, oh wow! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/lola-fal