Muppets Tonight

Muppets Tonight
Clifford, host of Muppets Tonight
Genre	Comedy
Format	Live-action/puppet
Created by	Jim Henson Productions
Written by	Greg V. Fera Brian Henson Tom Trbovich Gary Halvorson
Starring	Dave Goelz Brian Henson Jerry Nelson Steve Whitmire Kevin Clash Bill Barretta Frank Oz Leslie Carrara-Rudolph
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	22 (List of episodes)
Production
Location(s)	Hollywood Center Studios Hollywood, California
Running time	22–24 minutes
Production company(s)	Jim Henson Productions
Broadcast
Original channel	ABC
Original run	March 8, 1996 (1996-03-08) – February 8, 1998 (1998-02-08)

Muppets Tonight is a live-action/puppet television series created by Jim Henson Productions and featuring The Muppets. Much like the "MuppeTelevision" segment of The Jim Henson Hour, Muppets Tonight was a continuation of The Muppet Show, set in a television studio, rather than a theater. It ran on ABC from 1996-1998 and ran reruns on Disney Channel from 1997-2002. As of 2013, it is the last television series to star The Muppets characters.

Format

The premise of Muppets Tonight was that Clifford (a humanoid Muppet who first appeared on The Jim Henson Hour and was voiced by Kevin Clash) was the host of a variety/talk show on KMUP. The show stuck closely to the Muppet Show format of various skits (mostly featuring the show's human guest star) interspersed with some sort of crisis occurring backstage.

Characters

Main article: List of Muppets

Returning Muppets

• Clifford (performed by Kevin Clash) - Clifford serves as the host of the show since no one else wanted the job. Though he was featured with Muppet eyes in place of his usual sunglasses, he went back to wearing sunglasses in later Muppet projects.
• Kermit the Frog (performed by Steve Whitmire) - Kermit the Frog serves as the television producer of the show.
• Animal (performed by Frank Oz) -
• Beauregard (performed by Dave Goelz) - He serves as the janitor of KMUP.
• Behemoth (performed by Bill Barretta) - He appeared as Ernst Stavros Grouper's assistant.
• Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (performed by Dave Goelz) - The scientist and inventor from Muppet Labs who shows off his inventions on the show.
  • Beaker (performed by Steve Whitmire) - Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's assistant.
• Dr. Julius Strangepork (performed by Jerry Nelson) - He appeared in a "Bay of Pigswatch" sketch as the lifeguard inspector as seen in the "Pierce Brosnan" episode.
• The Elvises - A group of Muppets resembling Elvis Presley that star in "Great Moments in Elvis History."
• Eugene (performed by Steve Whitmire) - A mink who serves as Nigel's assistant.
• George the Janitor (performed by Steve Whitmire) - He serves as the janitor of KMUP.
• Gonzo the Great (performed by Dave Goelz) - Gonzo does his stunt shows on the show.
• Fozzie Bear (performed by Frank Oz) -
• J.P. Grosse (performed by Kevin Clash) - The owner of the Muppet Theatre who makes cameos as a crew member. In the "Sandra Bullock" episode, he appeared in "The Tubmans of Porksmith" as Howard Tubman's doctor (performed by Allan Trautman).
• Miss Piggy (performed by Frank Oz) -
• Mulch (performed by Kevin Clash) - He appears as Dr. Phil van Neuter's assistant. He had been shown in minor parts in earlier Muppet projects. In one sketch, it is revealed that he has a sister named Composta Heap who Dr. Phil van Neuter is engaged to.
• Rizzo the Rat (performed by Steve Whitmire) - Rizzo serves as the production assistant of the show.
• Rowlf the Dog (performed by Bill Barretta) - He made some appearances playing pianos in some acts.
• Sam the Eagle (performed by Frank Oz) - He hosts "The Eagle's Nest."
• Statler and Waldorf (performed by Jerry Nelson and Dave Goelz) - Statler and Waldorf are usually seen heckling the show from an unnamed retirement home. The second season had them traveling to different areas while watching the show.
• Sweetums (performed by John Henson) -

Muppet cameos

Some familiar Muppets from other Muppet-based projects appeared in this show:

• Baskerville the Hound - He made a cameo in the first episode alongside the other Muppets.
• Bean Bunny (performed by Steve Whitmire) - He made a cameo in the first episode alongside the other Muppets. Bean Bunny appeared in the "Martin Short" episode working with a scout group and offering some cookies to Johnny Fiama only for him to be thrown out the window.
• Bill the Frog from The Muppets Take Manhattan (performed by Bill Barretta, singing voice provided by Kevin Clash) - He made a cameo during "The Coffee Song" in the "Heather Locklear" episode.
• Bobby Benson - He made a cameo in the "Jason Alexander" and "Whoopi Goldberg" episodes of this show.
• Chip - Chip was often seen in cameos as a backstage crew member and has even made some audience cameos.
• Droop - He made a cameo in the first episode alongside the other Muppets.
• Flash from The Jim Henson Hour - He made a cameo during "The Coffee Song" in the "Heather Locklear" episode.
• Floyd Pepper - He made a cameo in the first episode alongside the other Muppets.
• Flower-Eating Monster - He made a cameo in the "Heather Locklear" episode.
• Inkspots from Fraggle Rock - The Inkspots make some cameos in this show with one of them being in the control room.
• Janice - She made a cameo in the first episode alongside the other Muppets.
• Lenny the Lizard - He made a cameo during "The Coffee Song" in the "Heather Locklear" episode.
• Lew Zealand (performed by Jerry Nelson) - He made a cameo in some episodes of this show.
• Link Hogthrob - He made a cameo in the "Billy Crystal" episode.
• Louis Kazzager - He made a cameo in the first episode alongside the other Muppets.
• Murray the Minstrel from Fraggle Rock - Murray the Minstrel made cameos in the "Garth Brooks" and "Heather Locklear" episodes.
• Paul Revere Horse - He appeared in "City Schtickers" sketch of the "Billy Crystal" episode.
• Slim Wilson (performed by Brian Henson) - He made a cameo during "The Coffee Song" in the "Heather Locklear" episode.
• Spotted Dick from Muppet Treasure Island - He made a cameo during "The Coffee Song" in the "Heather Locklear" episode.
• Swedish Chef - He made a cameo in the first episode alongside the other Muppets.
• Whatnots -
• Zelda Rose - She made a cameo in "The Cameo Show" episode as Dr. Phil van Neuter's mother.
• Zoot - He appeared in the episode "The Cameo Show" assisting Animal in performing with Little Richard.

The following Muppet characters were seen in the studio audience:

• Angus McGonagle from The Muppet Show
• Annie Sue from The Muppet Show
• Begooney from Fraggle Rock
• Blustering Bellowpane Monster from Fraggle Rock
• Butch the Tiger from The Muppet Show
• The Frackles
• Gnu from The Muppet Show
• Large Marvin Fraggle from Fraggle Rock
• The Muppet Newsman
• Ohreally Bird from The Muppet Show
• Quongo the Gorilla from The Muppet Show
• Youknow Bird from The Muppet Show

New Muppets

Muppets introduced in Muppets Tonight included:

• A. Ligator (performed by Jerry Nelson) - A pink vulture who serves as the show's announcer.
• Andy and Randy Pig (performed by Steve Whitmire and Dave Goelz) - Two pigs who are Miss Piggy's nephews.
• Barbershop Cactus Quartet - A group of four cacti that make up their own barbershop quartet.
• Big Mean Carl (performed by Bill Barretta) - A shaggy monster who is in the category of Muppets eating other Muppets. He also made some audience appearances.
• Bill the Bubble Guy (performed by Dave Goelz) - Bill the Bubble Guy is a blue-skinned Muppet who can make bubbles come out of his head. He first appeared in the Garth Brooks episode where the Head of the Network threatened to replace Clifford with Bill if Garth Brooks didn't sing one of his country songs.
• Bobo the Bear (performed by Bill Barretta) - A bear who works as a security guard. Bobo the Bear's puppet was previously seen in The Muppets Take Manhattan as a generic bear that was performed by Jerry Nelson.
• Captain Pighead (performed by Steve Whitmire) - A pig who serves as the captain of the new Swinetrek in the "Pigs in Space: Deep Dish Nine" segments.
  • Craniac (performed by Kevin Clash) - An alien with a brain for a head. He is a crew member on the Swinetrek in the "Pigs in Space: Deep Dish Nine" segments.
  • Snorty (performed by Dave Goelz) - A pig who appears in the "Pigs in Space: Deep Dish Nine" segments. He is a parody of Lt. Commander Montgomery "Scotty" Scott.
• Clueless Morgan (performed by Bill Barretta) - A goat who previously appeared in Muppet Treasure Island. He appears in the "At the Bar" sketch co-owning a bar with Polly Lobster.
• Darci (performed by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph) - She was featured in "The Real World Muppets" segments. Her puppet was previously used as Zondra in The Jim Henson Hour.
• David Hoggselhoff (performed by Bill Barretta) - A pig who is the star of "Bay of Pigswatch." He is a parody of David Hasselhoff.
• Dr. Pain (performed by Dave Goelz) - A doctor that appeared on "E-I-E-I-O R."
• Dr. Phil van Neuter (performed by Brian Henson) - A mad scientist who hosts "Tales from the Vet." Seeing as Dr. Phil van Neuter is a Live-Hand Muppet, Brian Henson is assisted in performing him by Bill Barretta who operates Dr. Phil van Neuter's hands. In one sketch, it is revealed that he is married to Mulch's sister Composta Heap.
• Ernst Stavros Grouper (performed by Bill Barretta) - A grouper with an eyepatch. He is the Chairman and CEO of The Grouper Group which bought out Carni-Vore Industries (the company that owns KMUP) in the episode that guest starred Don Rickles and Coolio. He is a parody of Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
• Floor Manager (performed by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph) - The floor manager of K-MUP.
• Gary Cahuenga (performed by Dave Goelz) - A ventriloquist's dummy with a mind of his own.
• Head of the Network (performed by Jerry Nelson) - Clifford's boss at K-MUP who first appeared in the "Garth Brooks" episode wanting Clifford to get Garth Brooks to perform a country song or he'll give Clifford's time slot to Bill the Bubble Guy. The Head of the Network made background appearances in the control room in later episodes.
• Howard Tubman (performed by Bill Barretta) - A rich food-loving pig who was featured in "The Tubmans of Porksmith."
  • Carter (performed by Kevin Clash) - Howard Tubman's elderly doddering butler. He is a recycled and regendered version of the Geri and the Atrics' guitar player from The Muppet Show.
• Johnny Fiama (performed by Bill Barretta) - A Rat Pack-style singer. He was designed by Ed Eyth and built by Jane Gootnick.
  • Sal Minella (performed by Brian Henson) - A chimpanzee who serves as Johnny Fiama's flunky, bodyguard, and assistant. He was designed and built by Jane Gootnick.
• Jowls (performed by Jerry Nelson) - A wrinkly faced man who leads the Muppets Tonight Band.
• Larry - A crew member at K-MUP. He wasn't named until Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony where he appeared as a Hollywood stagehand with a Muppet named Oliver.
• Mr. Poodlepants (performed by Steve Whitmire) - An eccentric character with a strange fashion style.
• Muppets Tonight Writers - A group of three monkeys who did the writing for the show as seen in the "Andie MacDowell" episode. The Writers bear a resemblance to Quongo the Gorilla from The Muppet Show.
• Nigel (performed by Brian Henson) - A green monster with a long pointy nose who serves as the show's stressed-out director. He resembles Droop from The Muppet Show.
• Pepe the King Prawn (performed by Bill Barretta) - A prawn who serves as the elevator operator and commissary cook. He is often paired up with Seymour. He speaks with a heavy Spanish accent.
• Polly Lobster (performed by Kevin Clash) - A lobster who previously appeared in Muppet Treasure Island. He appears in the "At the Bar" sketch co-owning a bar with Clueless Morgan.
• Pokey - A monster who appeared in unnamed appearances in this show. This character got its name when it appeared on the "Muppet Takeover" episode of The Today Show where the puppet was performed by Stephanie D'Abruzzo.
• Seymour (performed by Brian Henson) - An elephant who serves as the elevator operator and commissary cook. He is often paired with Pepe.
• Snookie Blyer (performed by Bill Barretta) - The host of the game show "Swift Wits."
• Spamela Hamderson (performed by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph) - A pig who is a spoof of Pamela Anderson.
• Thor (performed by Brian Henson) - The God of Thunder who is seen doing every day mundane tasks. Whenever someone angered him, Thor would strike the person with lightning.
• Zippity Zap (performed by Bill Barretta) - A frog who is one of the crew members on the show.

Some of these went on to appear in later Muppet productions, particularly Pepe the Prawn, who has become a regular in the most recent Muppet productions.

Recurring sketches

Among the regular sketches were:

• Bay of Pigswatch - A parody of Baywatch starring David Hoggselhoff, Spamela Hamderson, and Andy and Randy Pig.
• E-I-E-I-O R - In a parody of ER, it features Fozzie Bear working at a hospital where the doctors and patients pass around humor. Fozzie is assisted by Dr. Pain, Ernst Stavro Grouper, and an Afghan Hound.
• Great Moments in Elvis History - A sketch where the moments in history are reenacted by a bunch of Muppet versions of Elvis Presley.
• Pigs In Space: Deep Dish Nine - In a sequel to "Pigs in Space," Miss Piggy is featured on the new Swinetrek with a different crew.
• Screen Tests - A bunch of screen tests that featured the Muppets auditioning in a movie that featured the guest stars of the episodes it was featured in.
• Tales from the Vet - In a parody of "Tales from the Crypt," Dr. Phil van Neuter tells scary stories revolving around animals.
• The Eagle's Nest - Sam the Eagle talks about politics and other issues with Andy and Randy Pig as his recurring guests.
• The Johnny Fiama Show - A talk show hosted by Johnny Fiama.
• The Real World Muppets - A spoof of The Real World that follows Clifford, Rizzo, Bobo, Bill the Bubble Guy, and Darci living together in one house.
• Thor: God of Thunder - This sketch deals with Thor doing every day mundane tasks.
• UK Spots - There were some UK Spots that were in this show due to the United Kingdom version not having any commercials.
  • Fairyland PD - A UK Spot sketch where Clifford and Bobo the Bear work as detectives at the Fairyland Police Department. Clifford and Bobo are charged with the duties of solving mysteries revolving around nursery rhymes and fairy tales.
  • Mr. Callahan - A UK sketch where the unseen Mr. Callahan who is a regular customer at a bar owned by Polly Lobster and Clueless Morgan with this sketch being at Mr. Callahan's point of view.
  • Swift Wits - This UK sketch is a game show stars Snookie Blyer.
  • The Tubmans of Porksmith - This sketch follows the comical misadventures of a rich food-loving pig named Howard Tubman and his butler Carter. It was reworked into Boarshead Revisited in Season Two.

Series run

The show ran from 1996 to 1998. There were 22 episodes produced in two batches. 13 episodes were ordered by ABC, though only ten of them were run in the 1995-96 TV season. The program was then purchased by the Disney Channel, which ordered a further nine episodes and aired these along with the three episodes ABC did not air, in the 1997-98 season. One of the nine newly-produced episodes was a clip show compilation culled from the earlier episodes.

In the United Kingdom 13 episodes of the show were transmitted at 7pm on Friday evenings on BBC1 from September - December 1996. The remaining 9 episodes have not been shown in the UK.

In Ireland the show was broadcast on TG4, eventually being dubbed into Irish.

Guest stars

Unlike the original Muppet Show, most episodes of Muppets Tonight featured multiple guest stars. Typically, there would be one principal guest, but other celebrities would make small walk-on appearances. For example, the Garth Brooks episode (aired as episode #2) features a cameo from Leonard Nimoy.

Episodes

Main article: List of Muppets Tonight episodes

Cast

Muppet Performers

• Kevin Clash - Clifford, Carter, Craniac, Mulch, Polly Lobster, Waldorf (episode 1), Agnes Stonewick (episode 2), Paul Revere Horse (episode 3), Lester Tomwater (episode 10), Moo-Ing the Merciless' Henchman (episode 12), Bill the Frog (singing voice, episode 13), Arthur Modell (episode 14)
• Bill Barretta - Pepe the King Prawn, Rowlf the Dog, Behemoth, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (episode 1, "Muppet Match-Up" segment), Big Mean Carl, Bobo the Bear, Clueless Morgan, David Hoggselhoff, Doglion, Elvises, Ernst Stavros Grouper, Hands of Dr. Phil van Neuter, Howard Tubman, Johnny Fiama, J.P. Grosse, Snookie Blyer, Zippity Zap, Frankie Yakovic (episode 7), Baby George Costanza (episode 7), The AL-1995 Plus Tax (episode 8), Zeus (episode 8), Cow Announcer (episode 12), Steve (episode 13), Bill the Frog (speaking voice, episode 13), Sherlock Holmes Whale (episode 16), Marty Pipkin (episode 17), Carla the Big Mean Mom (episode 22)
• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph - Spamela Hamderson, Darci, Floor Manager, Shirley the Network Censor (episode 6), Baby Elaine Benes (episode 7), Pullover Sweater (episode 12), Theresa (episode 13), Pigeon (episode 17), Belle the Bubble Mom (episode 22)
• Dave Goelz - Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Waldorf, Zoot, Bill the Bubble Guy, Dr. Pain, Gary Cahuenga, Beauregard, Randy Pig, Snorty, Extreme (episode 1), Stu (episode 5), Don the Prop Guy (episode 6), Baby Cosmo Kramer (episode 7), Egghead #1 (episode 8), Two-Headed Comic (Right Head, episode 10), Purple Rain Man (episode 11), Hillbilly (episode 11), Co-Dependence Day Therapist (episode 12), Morty the Devil (episode 12), Flea (episode 13), Ed the Lobster (episode 14), Jean-Dodd van Clamme (episode 15), Artie Pipkin (episode 17), Zippity Zap's Mom (episode 22), Whatnot (episode 22)
• Brian Henson - Dr. Phil van Neuter, Elvises, Nigel, Sal Minella, Seymour the Elephant, Thor, Sid Knishes (episode 7), Slim Wilson (episode 13), KMUP Camera Man (episode 14), IRS Appeal Officer (episode 17), Pizza Delivery Guy (episode 18)
• John Henson - Sweetums (episode 16)
• John Kennedy - Female Rock Lobster (episode 14)
• Jerry Nelson - Camilla the Chicken, A. Ligator, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Elvises, Jowls, Mama Fiama, Floyd Pepper, Statler, Lew Zealand, Head of the Network (episode 2), Taylor the Turkey (episode 2), Rob Reiner Muppet (episode 3), Clarissa (episode 4), Indiana Rat (episode 4), Newt (episode 5), Robbie (episode 5), Toshiro (episode 5), Mad Bomber (episode 7), Baby Jerry Seinfeld (episode 7), Ernest Pleth (episodes 7, and 8), Egghead #2 (episode 8), Vulture (episode 9), Two-Headed Comic (Left Head, episode 10), Moo-Ing the Merciless (episode 12), President (episode 12), Percy the Ham-Eating Pig (episode 13), Zebra (episode 13), Rock Lobster Leader (episode 14), Robot Abraham Lincoln (episode 16), Ms. Whipley (episode 16), Dr. Watson (episode 16), Cow (episode 17)
• Frank Oz - Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, Animal, Stagehand (episode 1), Gray Whatnot (episode 2), Lion (episode 3), Blue Whatnot (episode 16)
• Allan Trautman - Fairyland Police Chief (episodes 8, 9, 13, and 17), Howard Tubman's Doctor (episode 7)
• Steve Whitmire - Rizzo the Rat, Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Foo-Foo, Captain Pighead, Mr. Poodlepants, Andy Pig, George the Janitor, Bug Llewelyn (episode 9), Lash Holstein (episode 12), Farm Person (episode 12), Meepzorp (episode 12), Phil the Devil (episode 12), Rock Lobsters (singing voices, episode 14), Miss Weatherington (episode 16), Pigeon (episode 17), Alfonso D'Bruzzo (episode 21), Nigel's Mom (episode 22)

Additional Muppets performed by Brad Abrell, Aurorah Allain, Greg Ballora, Phil Baron, Tim Blaney, Billy Blanks Jr., Matthew Brooks, Pat Brymer, Julianne Buescher, Clayton Cameron, Kevin Carlson, Agostino Castagnola, John Corella, Brad Elliott, Thomas Fountain, Liz Gandora, Terri Hardin, Jennifer Keyes, Bruce Lanoil, Doug Legacy, Len Levitt, Drew Massey, Nancy O'Meara, Steven Ritz, David Rudman, Jeff Schnell, Joe Self, Jim Sloane, Lisa Thompson, and Leif Tilden.

Reception

The reception from critics was positive.

External links

• Muppets Tonight at the Internet Movie Database
• Muppets Tonight at TV.com
• Muppets Tonight at Muppet Wiki