Ep 8. Guest: Arlo Guthrie

Guest: Arlo Guthrie – The Muppet Show season 4 episode 8

The Muppet Show is a classic variety show that showcases the talents of Jim Henson's Muppets and their celebrity guests. The show features various musical numbers, comedy skits and backstage shenanigans. In season 4, episode 8 of The Muppet Show, the guest star is singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie.

Arlo Guthrie is an American folk musician and the son of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie. He is most known for his protest songs and powerful storytelling. The episode features various musical performances by Guthrie, accompanied by the Muppets.

In the opening segment, Kermit the Frog welcomes the audience and introduces Arlo Guthrie. Kermit tries to talk about the theme of the show being "time," but is consistently interrupted by various Muppets who want to share their own thoughts on the subject.

The first musical number features Arlo Guthrie singing "City of New Orleans" on the train set of The Muppet Show stage. The song tells the story of a train ride across the United States and features different characters on the train during their journey.

The skits in the episode include a cooking demonstration by The Swedish Chef where he attempts to make a "time pie" and ends up causing chaos in the kitchen. There is also a sketch where Miss Piggy and Arlo Guthrie perform a duet of "I'm My Own Grandpa" but keep getting interrupted by Fozzie Bear who is trying to tell his own story.

One of the standout moments in the episode is when Arlo Guthrie sings "The Motorcycle Song" with The Electric Mayhem. The Electric Mayhem is the rock band on The Muppet Show and consists of Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Janice, Zoot and Animal. The song features a frenzied guitar solo by Janice and ends with Animal destroying his drum kit.

Another highlight of the episode is when Arlo Guthrie performs "Alice's Restaurant" with the entire cast of The Muppet Show. The song is a protest song against the Vietnam War and tells the story of Arlo Guthrie being arrested for littering, which eventually leads to him being drafted into the army. The performance features various Muppets in different roles, including Scooter as the judge and Miss Piggy as the prosecuting attorney.

The episode ends with Kermit the Frog thanking Arlo Guthrie and the Muppets for another great show. Guthrie and the Muppets perform "The Garden Song" as the closing number. The song is a positive message about taking care of the environment and the world around us.

Overall, season 4, episode 8 of The Muppet Show featuring Arlo Guthrie is a fun and entertaining episode that showcases the musical talents of both Guthrie and The Muppets. The audience is treated to a variety of musical genres, including folk, rock and protest songs. The skits and backstage antics add a comedic element to the show, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable viewing experience.