The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence | |
---|---|
Genre | Television special |
Created by | Jim Henson |
Written by |
|
Directed by | Dave Wilson |
Starring |
|
Theme music composer | Joe Raposo |
Country of origin | United States |
Production | |
Producer | Jim Henson |
Editor | Alfred Muller |
Running time | 25 minutes |
Production company | The Jim Henson Company |
Release | |
Original network | ABC |
Original release |
|
The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence was the second of two pilots for The Muppet Show, airing on ABC on March 19, 1975.[1] The other pilot, The Muppets Valentine Show, aired in 1974.
In this half-hour variety special, the Muppets parody the proliferation of sex and violence on television. Nigel, Sam the Eagle, and hippie bassist Floyd Pepper prepare for a Pageant based on the Seven Deadly Sins, with Muppets representing the Sins—Envy, Anger, Gluttony, Vanity, Lust, Greed, and Sloth.
Sketches include these:
This special introduces several new Muppets, including Nigel (who acts as host, but would eventually play a minor role as an orchestra conductor on The Muppet Show), Sam Eagle, Dr. Teeth, Janice, Floyd Pepper, Zoot, Animal, Swedish Chef, Statler and Waldorf, and an early version of Dr. Julius Strangepork (named "Dr. Nauga"). Popular Jim Henson characters, like Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, and Frank Oz's Bert have cameos. As well as, a few holdovers from the previous pilot, The Muppets Valentine Show, such as Crazy Donald (now called "Crazy Harry"), George the Janitor, Mildred Huxtetter, and Brewster. It has early versions of Miss Piggy and Gonzo the Great.[2]
Additional Muppet performers: Caroly Wilcox and Jane Henson
The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence was released on DVD in 2005, as an extra feature on the Muppet Show: Season One box set. On the box and on the DVD menus, it is referred to as The Muppet Show Pilot.