Ep 1. Guest: Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge

In this episode of The Muppet Show season 3, country music legends Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge are the special guests. The episode starts with Kermit the Frog frantically trying to get the show ready, as usual, but is interrupted by Fozzie Bear who has a new comedy act to try out. However, the audience doesn't seem to appreciate his humor and Fozzie gets worried that his jokes are no longer funny.

Meanwhile, backstage, Kristofferson and Coolidge are rehearsing their songs but are constantly interrupted by the wacky Muppet characters. Miss Piggy, who is a huge fan of Kristofferson, tries to get him to notice her, but he seems to be more interested in Coolidge. This leads to some hilarious misunderstandings and awkward moments between the two.

The first musical number of the episode is Kristofferson and Coolidge performing a duet of their hit song "Loving Arms" with the Muppets providing the backup vocals. The performance is beautifully done and showcases the duo's incredible talent.

Next up is Fozzie's big comedy act, but unfortunately it falls flat once again. The audience just doesn't seem to find him funny anymore. Kermit tries to comfort him and encourages him to keep trying, but Fozzie is starting to lose confidence in his abilities.

Meanwhile, Miss Piggy is still trying to win Kristofferson's affections and is getting more and more jealous of Coolidge. She even goes so far as to sabotage Coolidge's costume, but her plan backfires and only makes herself look bad.

Throughout the episodes, there are also a number of hilarious skits and musical numbers featuring the likes of Gonzo, Animal, and the Swedish Chef. One of the standout performances is a rendition of "One Toke Over the Line" by Kristofferson and Coolidge that has the audience in stitches.

As the episode comes to an end, Kristofferson and Coolidge take to the stage once again for a stunning performance of "Why Me Lord". The song is incredibly powerful and really showcases the depth of their talent. The episode ends on a high note, with Fozzie finally managing to get a laugh from the audience with a joke that is actually funny.

Overall, this is a fantastic episode of The Muppet Show that provides a great showcase for the incredible talent of Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. The skits and musical numbers are hilarious and well-executed, and the episode is sure to be a hit with fans of the show and country music lovers alike.