September of 1976 saw the debut of Jim Henson’s The Muppet Show. It was a sketch comedy show with dozens of Muppet characters. Each episode began with the logo “The Muppet Show” logo on a title card. The center of the “O” then opened to reveal Kermit the Frog, the host and MC of the night who announced, “It’s The Muppet Show, with our very special guest star of the night.

 How The Show Started

It premiered September 5th, 1976, and ended on 23 May 1981, with a total of 120 episodes throughout 5 seasons. The first guest on the show was Juliet Prowse. A wonderful dancer who also was engaged to Frank Sinatra for a short time. Also, the claim to fame was a relationship with Elvis Presley.

How Many Guests Appeared on the Show?

Slowly became the who’s who that appeared on the show each week. Every part of the entertainment world had a spot on the show. One fact is not one person appeared twice on the show. The only exception was John Denver who was on one season and then came back for the famous Muppets Christmas episode.

The show was known for family fun entertainment. Even my father was commenting and gazed with amazement at how the Muppets did some of the things they did on the show. Like Kermit, the Frog riding a bike. Later on, the company that owns the rights,” Disney,” to the show and episodes, adds content warning over ‘negative stereotypes’ Disney Plus has added a content warning to the beginning of 18 episodes of The Muppet Show.

Look at a complete list of guests on the Muppet Show by clicking this link here.

Let’s look now at a fragment of some of the great music acts that appeared on the Muppet Show from 1976-81.  Musical guests came from all genres of the music business. From rock and roll, country, blues, avant-garde artists.

• Alice Cooper

  Alice Cooper talks about what it was like to be on the Muppet Show. Watch Alice Cooper look back at his appearance on the show by watching this clip. Loved watching him on the show as Alice was one of my music heroes growing up in the ’70s and ’80s

• Buddy Rich

  The great thing I take away from watching all these “Buddy Rich,” performances is just how humble and gracious he was to the other performers. He was truly one of the greatest band leaders in any genre of all time. He always takes the opportunity to deflect praise into the other performances he shared stages with. 

• John Denver

  To say this next clip is, “Far Out.” you would immediately know the reference to this artist. John Denver appeared on the show more than once only because of the Christmas special he did with the Muppets. The song he did on the show, Grandma’s Feather Bed.” was written by a member of the band The Kingston Trio. Jim Connor went on to tour with John Denver for many years.

• Elton John

  Elton John was hitting his peak musically with the hit, Crocodile Rock. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, recorded in summer 1972, and became his first U.S. number-one single. Elton John performed four of his biggest hit songs, “Crocodile Rock“, “Bennie and the Jets“, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road“, and, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart“, with Miss Piggy filling in for Kiki Dee.

• Johnny Cash

  From Muppet Wiki: “Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog” is a Johnny Cash song that he first recorded for his 1967 album, Everybody Loves a Nut, and later in a live concert version for his 1968 album At Folsom Prison. Rowlf the Dog insists on accompanying him on piano, and ends up offended by the content despite Cash’s warning, with Cash continually having to reassure him that it’s all in fun.

• Steve Martin

  The Wild & Crazy Guy was Steve Martin.  Steve was still doing stand-up and lots of tv on anyones who would have them. I saw Steve Martin in concert at Pine Knob in 1978.  And in 1979 the Movie,” The Jerk,” made Steve Martin a huge star. This appearance on The Muppet Show was from 1977

• Dudley Moore

  Dudley  Moore CBE was an English actor, comedian, musician and composer. Moore first came to prominence in the UK as a leading figure in the British satire boom of the 1960s. Famous for his role in the movie, “Arthur” and the movie, “10,” with model Bo Derek . Dudley Moore unfortunately passed away in 2002. 

• Debbie Harry

  Debbie was so incredibly talented and always had a big crush on back in the day. Just to hear her go outside the box and do this song was amazing. During the show she performed Blondie’s song “One Way or Another” and their #1 hit “Call Me.“

• Linda Ronstadt

  “Linda Ronstadt,” was on the Muppet Show in 1980. In the same year, she broke away from rock music and tried other musical fields. But who could forget Linda and Kermit’s mutual affection for each other in this clip. Singing, “I have a crush on you.”

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