Muppeturgy: A "The Muppet Show" Rewatch Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Lola Falana Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl...no, wait, that’s not right. I mean it is technically right but...you know what I mean. It’s Lola Falana! She does some disco! Chickens cluck Meredith Wilson and Rodgers & Hammerstein! Gonzo is sad because he’s leaving the show! In some ways it feels like they tailored this episode directly to our interests. In other ways...not so much. We’ll get into it, as well as what may possibly be the greatest New York Times article of all time. Oh what, oh wow! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/lola-falana

Kenny Rogers Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

The oil crisis invades the Muppet Theater! It’s…not great! But Kenny Rogers is pretty great. (And is not Kenny Loggins, in case you were confused about that, which is crazy why would anyone be confused about that?) He knows when to hold ‘em, knows when to fold ‘em, knows when to walk away, and knows when to run, but we debate whether the puppets in the famous Gambler number are creepy, brilliant, or both. Along the way, we’ll put the lime in the coconut, fling some Muppets on trapezes, lift Mother Brown’s knees up, and of course, talk about chicken and (sigh) racism. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/kenny-rogers

Bonus Episode: John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

It’s a Very Muppeturgy Chrismukah! To celebrate the Winter Solstice, we muddle through this legendary — but definitely not timeless — 1979 network television special. Join us for a journey the uncanny valley of puppets whose faces don’t move and the uncannier valley of John Denver whose face doesn’t move, with stops at Christian hegemony, crimes against lyrics, how religious was too religious for television and elementary school assemblies in the 70s, if it is in fact in every one of us, a songwriter whose name is NOT Hans Gruber, extremely excellent sweaters, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Badum-bum-bum! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/denver-xmas

Beverly Sills Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

Anthony Strand joins us for a highly cultured episode to talk about racism disclaimers, Lobster Newburgh, 70s fashion, Johnny Cash being a giant, Conan O’Brien’s lip-sync “puppet” nightmares…oh yeah, and Beverly Sills is here! Was opera big in the 70s or was the monoculture small? Is this the weirdest episode? One of the best? Both? Do we, like the Muppets, wish we could hang out with Beverly Sills and practice our spoon-hanging? Let’s find out! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/beverly-sills

Arlo Guthrie Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Happy Thanksgiving! We definitely did this on purpose. We’re thankful for getting to spend this time together talking about baffling accents, even more baffling songs, waking death and Muppet mortality (totally normal holiday dinner table stuff), and of course Alice’s Restaurant! Stop by the woods on a snowy evening on your way to Hernando’s Hideaway and give us a listen! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/arlo-guthrie

Dudley Moore Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Mamma mia, this episode is weirdly prescient! We’ve got a show business labor dispute over replacing human artists (well, Muppet artists) with a robot…and also Dudley Moore is here! He’s pretty charming! This television is wonderful. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/dudley-moore

Linda Lavin Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Muppeturgy, this is your podcast! (Poof, you’re a podcast!) There’s a new girl in town and Linda Lavin is feeling, looking, and sounding good, but there are also some old friends coming to visit. Join us beyond the blue horizon for some clowning around and some frog kissin’. https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/linda-lavin

This episode was released during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, shows like The Muppet Show wouldn't exist. You can learn more at sagaftrastrike.org and wgacontract2023.org. If you’d like to support the striking workers, please go to entertainmentcommunity.org.

Victor Borge Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Get ready, classical music lovers! This week, we go gaga for macho man Victor Borge, reconsider Bobby Benson and his attack babies, and have several outbursts of pedantry. Is this episode telling one story to the normies and another to the perverts, or did the Muppet guys not understand the significance of dressing the pigs in leather on a Greenwich Village set or did they really think they were making a sketch about “rival gangs?” What happens when you stick your hand inside a turtle shell…or a turtle? We have…no answers, only more questions. But we do have fun. Cluck our bodies and give a listen! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/victor-borge

This episode was released during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, shows like The Muppet Show wouldn't exist. You can learn more at sagaftrastrike.org and wgacontract2023.org. You can also support the striking workers via the Entertainment Community Fund if you’re so inclined!

Dyan Cannon Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

The minute she walked in the joint we became Dyan Fannons. But is this episode all fun, laughs, good times, or has it gone to the dogs? Or the Congo? Is Foo-Foo secretly a Fosse dancer? Why would a Muppet set have a floor and a ceiling? If a cavegirl outfit isn’t designed by Bob Mackie, is it more problematic than Ally McBeal? And what’s the deal with Pogo?? We’ll answer these questions and more on this episode of Muppeturgy! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/dyan-cannon

This episode was released during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, shows like The Muppet Show wouldn't exist. You can learn more at sagaftrastrike.org and wgacontract2023.org. You can also support the striking workers via the Entertainment Community Fund if you’re so inclined!

Shields & Yarnell Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

We just can’t stay silent about the Shields and Yarnell episode of The Muppet Show. We have a lot to say about 70s clown culture, mime weddings, and the sheer rage of hearing a mime speak in their act. But did they make ‘em laugh? Take a chance on us and listen! https://muppeturgy.com/episodes/shields-yarnell

This episode was released during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, shows like The Muppet Show wouldn't exist. You can learn more at sagaftrastrike.org and wgacontract2023.org. You can also support the striking workers via the Entertainment Community Fund if you’re so inclined!