My Top Muppet Show Moments
Last week, there was a real celebration in my house when Disney+ announced that The Muppet Show’s five seasons would start streaming on February 19.
You see, my three sons love The Muppets. However, they only know the show in the context of the two recent movies, shorts, Muppet Babies and Muppet Vision 3D.
Sure, I have shown them snippets of the seminal series that I grew up with. However, there’s nothing like Disney Plus to renew a thing.
So, when I saw Anderson Evans over at BuzzFeed compile “The 24 Best Muppet Show Moments,” I decided to pass it along and pick my top three from his excellent list.
The Bishy Top 3
Here goes:
In the bronze spot is former Disneyland Magic Shop cast member Steve Martin and his “Dueling Banjos”:
From Episode 208: “Steve Martin”
Steve Martin’s performance on The Muppet Show is as iconic as his early Saturday Night Live appearances. Steve’s shining moment is a banjo performance with no need for lyrics, as the manic energy of his performance of “Dueling Banjos” creates plenty of laughs just as it is.
This moment was so memorable, Funny or Die brought Steve and Kermit back together for another round in 2013.
Check that out below.
Taking the silver is this gem featuring Elton John:
From Episode 214, “Elton John”
Elton John was a great fit for The Muppet Show. His outfits went perfect with the decor and the company. There are lots of fun moments, including a group singalong of “Benny and the Jets,” but the most fun of all is Elton in an electric pink jumpsuit, bowler hat, and heart shaped sunglasses singing “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart” with Miss Piggy.
Sorry, Kiki Dee, this is the definitive version.
And the gold medalist is, of course, Mark Hamill.
From Episode 417: “Cast of Star Wars”
Giving those Star War Christmas Special vibes, Luke Skywalker shows up at The Muppet Show. The funniest part about this is the show sets the opening scene as if a purple Muppet named Angus Mcgonagall is being prepped to host, and then is immediately replaced when Star Wars characters burst through a wall.
I wrote about this Muppet Show episode a couple years back when I said fans should rather revisit this Star Wars nostalgia (rather than the original Holiday Special).
This skit, of course, speaks for itself:
We love you, Mark. Here’s hoping we can reprise The Muppet Show appearance someday.
Again, don’t miss Mr. Anderson’s full article. And tell us, which you like best.