Muppeturgy: A "The Muppet Show" Rewatch Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ben Vereen Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

We were hoping Ben Vereen would have more magic to do with the Muppets, but he mostly dances around them in a way that suggests he has too much something on his mind, and it’s not Heaven. (It might be quaaludes but who are we to say?) At least our beloved Droop doesn’t say bye bye love, and Fozzie’s big act is only visually like Pippin’s. Show notes and many many Droop GIFs at https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/ben-vereen

Avery Schreiber Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

ToughPigs’ delightful Anthony Strand joins us this week and we sure hope he’s willing to come back after we mostly crap on his favorite episode of Season 1. Oops! Of all the Muppet Show guests we’ve discussed so far, Avery Schreiber might be the most 1976. Or the most 1926. His face could be in silent movies, or on a Pringles can, or…a Muppet! Plus we’ve got dogs, cats, gorillas, koozebabies and…boobs? Something here isn’t kosher. Check out the even-weirder-than-usual show notes at https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/avery-schreiber

Candice Bergen May 28, 2021

Show notes

The Muppet Show tries to do a feminism and takes an unexpected turn into distinctly yee-haw territory, always expected praise for Dorothy Fields, and off-brand Droop. This may not be our favorite episode but Ms. Candice Bergen is one of our favorite guest stars — and frankly still one of our favorite actors. Never mind that jazz, listen to this episode and let us know if it’s better than a pie in the face! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/candice-bergen-fixed

Sandy Duncan May 21, 2021

Show notes

This was only the fourth episode we recorded, before Disney+ changed the order on us. We’re excited to finally share to with you! But we also think, like Fozzie, our act has gotten better over time, so please be gentle with us. Fortunately this is a pretty great Muppet Show episode in this stretch of season one we’ve been not-so-hot on. Perky is kind of Sandy Duncan’s whole brand, and she absolutely earns that here, and, well, makes us feel good all over. She’s a nice girl who absolutely belongs in a place like The Muppet Show and we’re thrilled to have her, along with our guest David Beukema! Yaaaaaaay! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/sandy-duncan

Bruce Forsyth May 14, 2021

Show notes

It's another very British guest star, but this time all-singing, all-dancing, all…duckling? We are definitely feeling mixed here in the middle of the season, but this episode has some delightful puppetry, Miss Piggy coming into her full star power, and an extremely memorable duck. And snerfs! Snerfs? https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/bruce-forsyth

Peter Ustinov May 07, 2021

Show notes

We found this episode insufficiently arresting, but still had a lot to talk about even with one of our usual panelists missing. Will you want to hang your hat on Peter Ustinov's talents, or will they send you running through the Field of Angst to the Forest of Despair? Is it easier bein’ green or getting through this episode? Listen and find out! https//:muppeturgy.com/episodes/peter-ustinov

Lena Horne Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

Unsurprisingly, miss Lena Horne is a gracious, charming, and classy guest. It's a little bit surprising just how well she gets the Muppets, no not when you consider that this is not her first time working with them. She fits right in, and we loved this episode though we're a bit divided on her 70s-tastic clothes. Listen to our conversation including a much-too-deep dive on "Sing," proto-yays, and general pedantry, and check out the GIFs, videos, and more at https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/lena-horne and let us know what you think!

Harvey Korman Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

A guest star we love in other places, one of our favorite monsters, and a truly great Kermit/Fozzie bit somehow didn’t add up to much, in an episode that mostly had us waiting for Chekhov’s balloon guy to go off. But we made our own fun with our very special guest star, Tough Pigs’ Ryan Roe! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/harvey-korman

Charles Aznavour Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

It's a very French episode of The Muppet Show with a French guest, French lessons, French dancers (a muppnage à trois is implied, anyway), and even some French bread! Plus a musical theater classic, Gonzo in drag, some strong feelings about chewing gum, and our very special guest star Gregory Maupin! https://www.muppeturgy.com/episodes/charles-aznavour

Paul Williams Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

We were a little (not a short joke) punchy this week, and we hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording. This is a cute episode of The Muppet Show, with a guest who basically defined 70s pop music. Though somehow we managed to spend as much time talking about meat tenderizer and pounding chickens as we did about Paul Williams. We don't think Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (who makes his debut this week) would object. https://www.muppeturgy.com/episodes/paul-williams