Farced Perspective

Anna and Ben lie back on the psychiatrist's couch and delve deep into the challenges facing the "classic paranoid" behavior of a man who believes he's Sherlock Holmes and the woman who violates professional ethics for him. They also discuss how cavalier language about sensitive topics can be hurtful, and how they probably aren't equipped to do no harm, but at least they have trivia questions about candy!

Pete corrects Ben's assumptions that James Coco was a sketch comedian and that most sketch comedians are indistinguishable, balding brunets. They weigh whether the episode is constructed of re-used bits or just joyfully chaotic, and are interrupted by what might be sirens announcing The Rapture. But considering this whole episode has been replaced with an extended stream of silence, you won't hear any of that. How rude.

Ben and Pete squabble over this episode, which Ben thinks might be one of the best introductions to the Muppet Show, while Pete finds the vibe — and millennials are all about vibes — lacklustre. But they can find common ground in their problems with Kermit, who Ben thinks is undercutting his own show, while Pete is astonished that he somehow doesn't understand the jokes he's hosting on his stage.

Pete and Ben add two new items to track over the course of Pete's statistical analysis of this new season, and keep a look out for them during Roy Clark's visit to the Muppet Theatre. They also examine if there's a reason why only Frank and Jim seem to be present during the episode's backstage sequences and why the trumpeter in the Muppet pit band seems to be replaced on every possible occasion.

Ben and Pete return, somewhat belatedly, to examining the 45th anniversary of the original TV broadcasts of The Muppet Show, and they examine Helen Reddy's accent, Doctor Bob's lasciviousness, and just how busy the Muppet studios were in 1978. With new characters, newly credited actors, and new Lego minifigs to vie for, why does the show seem weirdly negative, and will it continue? Speculate wildly!

Anna and Ben visit one of Anna's favorite genres — the comedy Western — and arrive at very different responses to James Garner's non-sequel sequel to 1969's "Support Your Local Sheriff". So much so that they instead end up talking about the 1994 film "Maverick", the fairness of quiz shows, and Ben's obsession with "Charade".

Pete and Ben wrap up their coverage of the Muppets' second season with a look at the celebrated career of Cloris Leachman. They also sum up the cumulative statistics from the entire season, and Pete's rankings of the guests generates disbelief on the part of both hosts.

Ben and Pete are both mildly unprepared for this episode, not knowing enough about the cultural weight of the Muppets' guest-star, bunraku puppeteering, or the potential offensitivity of Noel Coward. Pete's excuse is that he fell asleep during the episode, whereas Ben has to hide behind distractions, puns, and other [merdlidop]s. Roll 1d6 to find out how they get out of this one...

Carve out about three hours for Pete to quiz Ben about English songstress Petula Clark, her relationship with other Muppet guests, and his research on her chart-topping status. Ben takes Pete to task about his dislike of apparent cue-card use and presents his own "Pet" theories about Ms Clark's lip-synched performance.  

Ben and Pete practice a percentage of being persnickety this episode, riffing on P words, debating the use of the term "podium" and generally paying peculiar partial attention to the guest-star's middle initial, to no particular purpose. Press play to participate!