Episode 406: Linda Lavin

The Muppet Show
Guest	Linda Lavin
Production	May 29-31, 1979
Premiere	UK: December 7, 1979 NYC: September 24, 1979
(TRANSCRIPT)

Miss Piggy announces that this show is Kermit's birthday, and before he can react, she launches into the tribute she's organized. They've planned a This Is Your Life-style show with birthday greetings. At the end of the show, Kermit admits that it's not his birthday, which is about four months from now.

Songs/Sketches

• "Be a Frog"
• "The More I See You"
• UK Spot: "Frog Kissin'"
• Veterinarian's Hospital
• "It Was a Very Good Year"
• "Beyond the Blue Horizon"

Episode Guide

Picture	Description
	Cold Open: Linda Lavin asks Scooter to "make her a sandwich," and he does so with magic. "Everybody's a comedian," grumbles Linda.
	The Muppet Show Theme: As Gonzo blows his horn, he disappears in small portions (like a blind).
	Miss Piggy interrupts the normal flow of the show with a surprise birthday celebration for Kermit. For the opening number, she leads a cast ensemble with "Be a Frog."
	Backstage, Kermit has to deal with Zuzu Fitzwaller, the Hungarian water juggler, who is sobbing because his act has been canceled. Kermit un-cancels the act, but Piggy re-cancels it.
	As Zuzu sobs onstage, Kermit is reunited with his old acting teacher, Mr. Dawson, who taught him how to say "YAAAYY!"
	Linda and the Electric Mayhem sing "The More I See You."
	The Swedish Chef shows Linda his birthday surprise—a replica of Kermit's head made of chopped liver. Linda points out that it's not green, so the Chef spray-paints it.
	UK Spot: Robin and the frogs sing "Frog Kissin'."
	Veterinarian's Hospital: In honor of Kermit's birthday, Robin makes an appearance on the operating table. Piggy demands that he will call her Aunt Piggy.
	Statler and Waldorf reminisce about their past birthdays, singing "It Was a Very Good Year."
	Wayne and Wanda, the singing duo from the first season, show up and give Kermit such a guilt trip that he rehires them. When they sing, Kermit remembers why he fired them in the first place, and he does it again.
	Piggy is nervous about the closing number. Linda slaps Piggy into her senses.
	For the closing number, Linda and the cast sing "Beyond the Blue Horizon" on a birthday cake set.
	During the closing, Linda and the Muppets sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" to Kermit, prior to his shocking revelation: it's not his birthday.

Notes

• Watch the final production number closely. As Linda's walking down the huge birthday cake and the Muppets are walking up, she elbows her way past Fozzie.
• This episode is about Kermit's birthday, and its New York City premiere was on Jim Henson's birthday.

Cast

Muppets:

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Scooter, Rowlf the Dog, Statler and Waldorf, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Zoot, Janice, Animal, The Swedish Chef, Robin the Frog, Wayne, Wanda, Annie Sue, Mr. Dawson, Zuzu Fitzwaller, Frogs, Mrs. Appleby

Background Muppets:

Cow, Catgut, Horse, Old Lady, Muppy, Lew Zealand, Sam the Eagle, Louis Kazagger, Quongo, Beauregard, Marvin Suggs, Zelda Rose, Wolfhound, Frackles, Chickens, Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Blue Frackle, Lou, Mary Louise, French Poodle

Performers

Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, Dr. Teeth, Waldorf, and the Swedish Chef

Frank Oz as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Animal

Jerry Nelson as Floyd Pepper, Robin, Zuzu Fitzwaller, Horse, and the Announcer

Richard Hunt as Scooter, Wayne, Statler, Janice, and Cow

Dave Goelz as Gonzo, Zoot, and Mr. Dawson

Kathryn Mullen as Wanda and Mrs. Appleby

Louise Gold as Annie Sue

Steve Whitmire as others

Gallery

Sources

Previous episode:	Next episode:
Victor Borge	Dudley Moore