Ep 1. Guest: Juliet Prowse

Guest: Juliet Prowse - The Muppet Show season 1 episode 1

The Muppet Show burst onto our screens in 1976, introducing us to a cast of lovable, mouthy characters that have since become household names. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and many more brought their unique brand of humour to audiences year after year, and the first episode of the first season is perhaps one of the most memorable.

The show begins with a high-energy performance from the Muppet band, featuring Dr Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. The camera then pans to our host, the ever-sensible and level-headed Kermit the Frog, who introduces himself and welcomes us to the show.

Kermit's opening monologue sets the tone for the whole series, hinting at the behind-the-scenes shenanigans that will come to characterise the show. The first episode's guest is Juliet Prowse, a stunning dancer and actress who graced stages and screens across the world throughout the 60s and 70s.

Prowse's performance on The Muppet Show is one of the episode's highlights, as she joins Kermit on stage to sing and dance to the classic tune "Java". This duet is the perfect example of what makes The Muppet Show so unique - a mix of incredible human talent, animatronics, and puppetry that comes together to create something truly magical.

Throughout the episode, we are treated to a range of hilarious sketches and musical numbers, all showcasing the Muppets' wit and comic timing. Miss Piggy steals the show in a sketch with Kermit, in which she professes her love for him in a typically dramatic fashion. Fozzie Bear, the hapless stand-up comic, also gets in on the action, delivering his signature one-liners to a rather unimpressed audience.

One of the most memorable scenes of the episode comes in the form of a sketch called "At the Dance". This recurring segment would go on to feature heavily in future episodes and sees a group of Muppets taking to the dancefloor to talk, gossip, and generally make nonsense of the world around them. It's an anarchic, chaotic scene, but one that perfectly encapsulates The Muppet Show's unique brand of humour.

Of course, the true star of the show is always going to be Kermit the Frog. His interactions with the various characters and guests throughout the episode are always charming and hilarious, with his dry wit and calm demeanour providing the perfect counterpoint to the zaniness around him.

The Muppet Show season 1 episode 1 is a classic of its kind, offering up a hilarious, sometimes surreal, but always entertaining hour of television. At its core, the show is a celebration of talent - both human and puppet - and the joy that can be found in bringing them together. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, this first episode is the perfect introduction to the world of The Muppets.