“Unmasking the Muppets: The Surprising Secrets of Kermit’s Colorful Legacy!”
ATV gave the American puppeteer a deal to produce each episode in Elstree, England. Once the show garnered a strong fan base, the show was sold to the U.S. and other networks. Fun fact: British broadcasting methods may be a reason why audiences in the UK got more muppets. The truth behind that is just around the corner.
Rowan And Martin’s Laugh Was A Heavy Influence
Henson modeled part of the whip-smart sketch framework on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
The collaborators on The Muppet Show even poached a regular Laugh-In sketch called “The Cocktail Party” for their show called “At A Dance.” In both sketches, different colorful characters met a party and exchanged one-liners.
The Shows Opening Had Too Many Muppets To Count
The over-the-top opening to The Muppet Show featured muppets singing and dancing, culminating in each character standing in five distinctive and lighted arches on stage.
Each row was filmed individually, with puppeteers sporting one Muppet per hand. Footage of each pass was then put together to make it look like a single performance.
British Audiences Got More Muppets Thanks To Shorter Commercial Breaks
British broadcasting methods resulted in shorter commercial breaks. That forced Henson and co. to film an extra two minutes for each UK episode.
Each extra sketch usually aired after a middle break, regularly featuring musical numbers or basic setups, excluding that week’s guest star. Still on the way, where the Muppets supposedly put on each performance has a name.
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