5 Disney Legends That Appeared on Vintage ‘The Muppet Show’
We’ve got some delightful news for Muppets fans of all ages, Jim Henson’s beloved original The Muppet Show seasons are NOW available to view on Disney+ as of today!! For the first time ever, fans will have an opportunity to not only check out seasons 1-3 but 4 & 5 will be available as well!
The original series premiered in 1976 and with a little help from Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang, offered a twist on the classic variety show. These episodes where an eclectic array of musical numbers, sketch comedy and more! Each week featured a new special guest including five incredible Disney Legends.
Wondering which five of Disney’s VIPs made an appearance alongside the Muppets? Here’s are handy guide including the episodes where you can find them!
The Muppet Show, Fernsehserie, USA/Großbritannien 1976 – 1981, Comedyshow mit Puppen und Gaststar Steve Martin
Steve Martin (Season 2, Episode 7)
Let’s start all the way back in 1977 with this Season 2 episode. The show starts with Kermit announcing that the show had been cancelled so that he could audition new acts. Steve Martin was on hand who was determined to win over Kermit and the gang. He performed a balloon animal action with one catch, he tried to make balloon animals WITHOUT inflating them. As you can imagine the act didn’t go over well but Martin returned with a banjo to perform a song called ‘Ramblin Guy’ before trying his hand and juggling oranges and finally ended with Martin and a jug-band playing “Duelling Banjos!’ This is a classic episode that I STILL remember from my childhood!
Elton John (Season 2, Episode 16)
Who’s ready for some Crocodile Rock!? This episode from February 1978 features none other than Elton John. John performs his famous song in a crocodile-infested swamp with the Electric Mayhem by his side. By the end of the number the crocodiles famously drag him into the water and gobbled him up! Later in that episode John is once again joined by the Electric Mayhem for an awesome rendition of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” John also sang “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” in a duet with Missy Piggy!
Julie Andrews (Season 2, Episode 18)
Disney Legend Julie Andrews appeared in Episode 18 which originally aired on February 18, 1978. Her appearance started with Andrews performing “The Lonely Goatherd” from The Sound of Music. Toward the end of the episode she also did an awesome rendition of “I Whistle a Happy Tune” from The King and I along with a delightful ensemble of Muppet monsters!
Mark Hamill (Season 4, Episode 16)
Next we journey to a galaxy far, far away with none other than Disney Legend Mark Hamill. As the story goes, Kermit originally booked Angus McGonagle the argyle gargoyle but Luke Skywalker (Hamill), C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 arrive in search of Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew.) The rest of the episode is a delight with Luke and the gang hijacking the Swinetrek ship from Pigs In Space! The land on the planet Koozebane for an encounter with Dearth Nadir before taking part in a musical number “You Are My Lucky Star.” followed by “When You Wish Upon a Star.” This episode from 1980 is pure Muppet mayhem at its best!
Wally Boag (Season 5, Episode 20)
Will end our countdown with this appearance from Boag in 1981. In the series finale, Kermit announced that Boag had opened the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland back in July 17, 1955 and had done over 32,000 performances since then. Boag then performed a silly balloon act followed by the Highland Fling with a Muppet bagpipe named McBag Bird. The also sang “The Girl Next Door Lived a Life of a Dog So I called Her (R)over.” which included some awesome melodies from beloved songs like “Frère Jacques” and “Three Blind Mice.” The Muppet Orchestra joined him in the end for a brief rendition of “Old Folks at Home.” Later, Annie Sue and others sang “Pecos Bill” with Boag, who reprised his role as Pecos Bill from the Disneyland shows.
Don’t forget, all of the awesome episodes outlined above are now available to stream on Disney+? Be sure to tune in and see all of these Disney Legends in action!
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