MuppetWatch

Live from the Benny Vandergast Memorial Theatre, the Muppets are joined by TV’s Gomer Pyle, Jim Nabors, and Scooter, a new recruit, except for the episodes he already appeared in. Then we watch Cannonball Run II, a movie that we didn’t hate quite as much as it hates us. Jim Nabors, we apologize.

Topics of discussion include new Muppet lore, the career trajectory of Rowlf, the erosion of the all-around performer, why you shouldn’t always let your friendships direct your career choices, the possible Bowfingering of Frank Sinatra, and an accidentally-relevant anecdote about the making of Master of Disguise.

Further resources:

• Carol Burnett & Jim Nabors: Medley of Broadway Tunes (1967)
  

In the first episode of The Muppet Show that we would call great, we're joined by jacqueline-of-all-trades and third-ever EGOT Rita Moreno. Then, we discuss West Side Story, which looms large over Moreno's career - but due to an entirely unplanned mixup, one of us watched the 1961 film and the other watched the 2021 film.

Topics of discussion include whether Miss Piggy's competitiveness is solely gender-based, whether Marvin Suggs is too sadistic, the source of the EGOT acronym, and how a remake can have a point.

Further resources:

• The Electric Company - Director’s Sketch - Good Night

Today’s special guest is Laugh-In favorite Ruth Buzzi, but will she and the Muppets be able to withstand the terror of MechaKermit? Then we watch the 1976 film Freaky Friday, which is much stranger than either of us expected. The title probably should have warned us.

Topics of discussion include a plethora of recurring sketches that feel like filler, frustrated housewives in popular culture, John Astin’s unfortunate resemblance to William F. Buckley, and droopy basset hounds.

Further resources:

• Can’t Take My Eyes Off You - 10 Things I Hate About You

Today on MuppetWatch, the podcast is joined by friend and filmmaker Dallin Agatone to discuss Tony and Oscar winner Joel Grey! Then we discuss the film that won Grey his Oscar, Cabaret, and find our opinions split.

Topics of discussion include waiters at the Hotel for Dogs, the personality shift of Sam Eagle, being an underdog versus just being pitiful, cutting edge 70s video technology, and how literally we are meant to take the Kit Kat Klub as representative of Weimar Germany.

Further resources:

• Broadway Legend Joel Grey Opens Up About His Sexuality by Liz McNeil

Tonight on MuppetWatch, our special guest is singer-actress Connie Stevens, and the show undergoes more growing pains. Then we take a trip back to 1958, with the Frank Tashlin-directed Jerry Lewis-starring semi-remake of The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek, Rock-A-Bye Baby.

Topics of discussion include Muppet skin versus fur, the Electric Mayhem still having yet to perform as a group, unfortunate color schemes for evening gowns, the FTA tour, and how much emotional suffering for Fozzie Bear is too much emotional suffering?

Further resources:

• Baywatching: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”
  

Tonight on MuppetWatch, we’re joined by dancer Juliet Prowse in the first episode of The Muppet Show produced and all of its awkward growing pains. Then, we watch G.I. Blues (1960), where Prowse plays love interest to Elvis Presley in his first film out of the army.

Topics of discussion include Space Mutiny-esque Elvis names, the troubling implications of a Muppet version of yourself, StarKid musicals that haven’t aged well, the career of Arnold Drake, and At the Dance: Yea or Nay?

Further resources:

• Championship Ballroom Dancing (1987)

On this very special pilot episode of MuppetWatch, we cover The Muppets Valentine Show (1974) with special guest Mia Farrow, and The Muppet Show: and Violence (1975), with not much , a decent amount of violence, and no humans. Then, we discuss Rosemary's Baby, the film that made Mia Farrow a star.