Ep 5. Guest: Rita Moreno

Guest: Rita Moreno. The fifth episode of The Muppet Show season 1 features the talented actress and singer, Rita Moreno. From the very beginning of the show, the audience can expect a high-energy performance from the host, Kermit the Frog. As usual, the backstage of the theater is in total chaos, with Muppets running around worrying about details, including the fact that they haven't yet found an opening act.

After a few humorous exchanges, Rita Moreno makes her entrance on stage, causing a lot of excitement among the audience. She starts the show with a musical number, singing "Fever" with the Electric Mayhem Band. The song is a perfect fit for Moreno's strong voice, and it also showcases the musical abilities of the Muppet band members.

Next up, regular Muppet cast members Fozzie Bear and Kermit the Frog take the stage. Fozzie attempts to tell a few jokes, but his humor falls flat, and the audience reaction is anything but positive. It's a classic moment of comedy gold as Fozzie struggles through his set, with Kermit jumping in to try and save the act.

After the comedy relief, Rita Moreno returns to the stage for a hilarious skit with a very misbehaving chicken. The scene is a parody of the famous children's story "The Little Red Hen." Moreno plays the farmer, and the chicken proves to be a real handful, much to her consternation. The interaction between the human actor and the puppet chicken is fantastic, and audiences are bound to be entertained.

After the skit, a new Muppet makes his debut on the show. Gonzo the Great is a wild-eyed, blue Muppet who proudly proclaims himself to be a "whatever." He performs a stunt act, attempting to jump over a row of cars on a unicycle. Of course, things go hilariously awry, as Gonzo crashes through the cars and prompts lots of laughter and audience applause.

The next segment is a wonderful showcase of Rita Moreno's singing talent, as she performs "Fever" once again, but in a slow and sultry ballad arrangement. The Electric Mayhem Band provides the perfect accompaniment, and Moreno's vocal performance is simply stunning.

The final act of the show features an impressive performance from the Muppets' resident daredevil, The Great Gonzo. With a "scientific demonstration" that involves rocket packs and a volunteer driver, Gonzo attempts to launch himself over a row of trucks. The stunt doesn't go quite as planned, and the scene culminates in yet another hilarious crash.

Overall, The Muppet Show season 1 episode 5 featuring Rita Moreno is a fantastic example of the show's unique mix of clever humor and zany puppetry. Moreno's talent shines throughout the episode, and her chemistry with the Muppet characters is outstanding. Fans of the show are bound to be delighted by this episode, which captures the sheer joy and exuberance of The Muppet Show at its finest.