Ep 20. Guest: Valerie Harper

Guest: Valerie Harper

In this episode of The Muppet Show, actress Valerie Harper makes a guest appearance on the famous variety show. Harper, best known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off Rhoda, takes the stage alongside Kermit the Frog and the rest of the Muppet gang.

The episode begins with a comedic opening number, featuring a group of Muppets performing a vaudeville-style song and dance routine. Kermit welcomes the audience and announces that tonight's guest star is Valerie Harper, to which the crowd responds with cheers and applause.

Harper appears on stage, and immediately strikes up a rapport with Kermit and the other Muppets. The first musical number of the night involves Harper and the Muppet band performing a jazzy rendition of "In a Sentimental Mood," which showcases Harper's singing talents.

The next segment of the show features a sketch in which Harper plays a team captain in a game of "What's My Line?" The game is hosted by Fozzie Bear, with other Muppets playing the panelists trying to guess Harper's occupation. The sketch is filled with comedic moments, as the Muppets struggle to figure out what Harper does for a living.

The show then takes a turn towards the more dramatic, as Harper performs a monologue about a woman trying to come to terms with her brother's death. The monologue is an emotional highlight of the episode, and Harper's performance is praised by both the Muppets and the audience.

But the levity returns quickly, as the Muppets take the stage for a tribute to the world of spooks and monsters. The sketch, entitled "Ghosts and Ghouls," features Muppet versions of classic horror characters like Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein's monster. Harper joins in on the fun, playing a comedic version of the Bride of Frankenstein.

The final musical number of the night features Harper and Kermit performing a duet of the classic song "It's Only a Paper Moon." The song is a fitting end to a night filled with music, comedy, and drama.

Throughout the episode, Valerie Harper proves to be a capable and engaging guest star, fitting right in with the zany world of the Muppets. The show continues to delight audiences with its clever humor, catchy songs, and lovable characters, making it a beloved classic of television history.