Ep 4. Guest: Ruth Buzzi
- October 11, 1976
Guest: Ruth Buzzi - The Muppet Show, Season 1 Episode 4
In this episode of The Muppet Show, Kermit the Frog welcomes funnywoman Ruth Buzzi as the special guest. Buzzi is best known for her appearances on rowdy TV programs like Laugh-In and The Dean Martin Show, and the Muppets are sure to make full use of her comedic skills.
The episode begins with a bang as Animal, the wild Muppet drummer, tears through a pounding solo. The Muppets join in for the classic tune "Rockin' Robin," with Miss Piggy taking the lead on vocals and Buzzi getting in on the fun. Buzzi shows off her comedic chops early on, interrupting Kermit mid-introduction to deliver a wacky punchline.
Next up is a vaudeville-style act, with Fozzie Bear and Buzzi performing a comedy routine. Fozzie tries to deliver his signature bad jokes, but Buzzi keeps stealing the spotlight with her hilarious interruptions. The bit ends with a hilarious chase scene that showcases the physical comedy skills of both performers.
In a standout sketch, Buzzi plays a woman running a boarding house for monsters. Muppets like the Swedish Chef and Animal play the eccentric tenants, causing chaos in the already-crazy household. Buzzi shines in this bit, hilariously playing the straight woman to the Muppets' absurd antics.
Another highlight of the episode is a segment in which Buzzi, Miss Piggy, and the Muppet chickens perform a medley of classic songs. The chickens provide backup vocals while Buzzi and Miss Piggy take turns belting out tunes like "Some Enchanted Evening" and "You're Just in Love." The segment is a delightful mix of humor and impressive musical talent.
The episode also features several appearances by Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, the Muppet house band. They perform classic rock tunes like "Wild Thing" and "Crocodile Rock," with Buzzi joining in for some high-energy dancing.
As always, the episode features plenty of wacky Muppet hijinks. Rowlf the Dog performs a piano piece that gets interrupted by a group of horn-playing bats, and Buzzi gets into a slapstick fight with Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew during a science experiment. Throughout it all, Kermit tries to keep the chaos under control, with varying degrees of success.
Ruth Buzzi proves to be a fantastic guest on The Muppet Show, with her quick wit and impeccable timing making her a perfect fit for the world of Muppets. The episode is a hilarious mix of musical performances, sketch comedy, and physical humor, making it a must-watch for fans of the show.