1976

S5.E1 ∙ Gene Kelly

Sat, Jan 03, 1981

When Gene Kelly was first booked for the show he said to the writers that he didn't just want to do 'Singin' in the Rain'. The writers turned Gene's request into a running gag for the show, and much to Kermit's dismay, Gene Kelly insists on just passively watching the Muppets do their "thing" from the wings of the stage. But of course, the Muppets get their way in the end, and Gene performs a few numbers while backstage with Kermit and the gang, including the song 'Singin' in the Rain'.

8.2 /10

S5.E2 ∙ Loretta Swit

Sat, Oct 11, 1980

Miss Piggy finally pushes Kermit too far, leading to the frog firing and replacing her with Loretta Swit.

7.7 /10

S5.E3 ∙ Joan Baez

Fri, Oct 24, 1980

Beauregard misinterprets his orders to get rid of Rizzo and the rats so completely that they plot to take over the show.

7.1 /10

S5.E4 ∙ Shirley Bassey

Fri, Sep 19, 1980

The Muppet Theatre gets ahold of a supply of real gold for props, but it is protected by a violently paranoid security guard.

7.8 /10

S5.E5 ∙ James Coburn

Fri, Sep 26, 1980

James Coburn tries to encourage Animal to embrace serenity through Zen Buddhism, but it proves a hopeless task.

7.7 /10

S5.E6 ∙ Brooke Shields

Fri, Oct 03, 1980

Teen actor Brooke Shields stars in the Muppets' version of Alice in Wonderland.

7.8 /10

S5.E7 ∙ Glenda Jackson

Fri, Nov 07, 1980

Guest star Glenda Jackson becomes a pirate and hijacks the Muppet Theater as her ship.

8 /10

S5.E8 ∙ Señor Wences

Sat, Nov 22, 1980

The Muppets decide to do something "entirely different" on their show and feature puppets.

7.7 /10

S5.E9 ∙ Debbie Harry

Sat, Jan 24, 1981

Robin's Frog Scout troop visits the show, getting in everyone's way backstage. They ask Debbie for help earning their punk merit badges, and she teaches them how to do the pogo.

7.6 /10

S5.E10 ∙ Jean-Pierre Rampal

Sat, Nov 29, 1980

Kermit introduces Miss Piggy to the guest star, Jean-Pierre Rampal, in order to give her the opportunity to speak French with someone. The trouble is that Piggy doesn't actually speak French.

7.4 /10

S5.E11 ∙ Paul Simon

Fri, Oct 17, 1980

With the Muppets performing only Paul Simon's songs for this show, Gonzo is inspired to emulate the musician's musical ways.

8 /10

S5.E12 ∙ Melissa Manchester

Sat, Nov 15, 1980

Kermit is plagued by a night of backstage crises. A group of skiers get hurt during the opening number, and after Kermit says that the theater will cover their medical costs, Scooter forgets to cash the check. The Teeterini Family are angry that their teeter board won't fit on the stage. The Swedish Chef prepares spring chicken, and the bouncing chicken drives Kermit crazy. And let's not even talk about the blindfolded, hang-gliding yodelers.

7.7 /10

S5.E13 ∙ Tony Randall

Fri, Oct 10, 1980

Tony Randall is causing accidental trouble with a book of spells, especially when he turns Miss Piggy to stone.

7.9 /10

S5.E14 ∙ Mac Davis

Fri, Nov 21, 1980

Beaker makes several copies of himself and throws the show into chaos as they continually all chase Dr. Bunsen Honeydew around for revenge.

7.9 /10

S5.E15 ∙ Carol Burnett

Fri, Dec 12, 1980

There's no show today, almost; the theater is turned into a dance marathon hosted by Gonzo.

8.3 /10

S5.E16 ∙ Gladys Knight

Sat, Dec 06, 1980

The entire roof of the Muppet Theater has to be taken to the shop for repairs, exposing the show to all sorts of inclement weather.

7.8 /10

S5.E17 ∙ Hal Linden

Fri, Nov 28, 1980

Statler and Waldorf accept the dare from Kermit to run the Muppet Show themselves and find it a chaotic challenge.

8 /10

S5.E18 ∙ Marty Feldman

Sat, Dec 20, 1980

The Muppets put on an Arabian Nights themed show with Marty Feldman as Scheherazade.

7 /10

S5.E19 ∙ Chris Langham

Fri, Jan 30, 1981

With the intended guest star declining to appear, a messenger boy, Chris Langham, is hastily recruited to substitute.

7.6 /10

S5.E20 ∙ Wally Boag

Sat, Jan 17, 1981

In honor of vaudeville-influenced guest star Wally Boag, the Muppets salute vaudeville, with a balloon animal act, a bagpipe player and a hypnotist. Wally performs acts he made famous at the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland, including the Pecos Bill teeth-spitting sketch.

7.5 /10

S5.E21 ∙ Johnny Cash

Sun, Aug 10, 1980

The Muppet Show is broadcast on radio station WHOG which leads to havoc in the muppet theater.

7.8 /10

S5.E22 ∙ Buddy Rich

Sat, Feb 14, 1981

Thanks to Gonzo, the Muppet Theater's electrical system is damaged, throwing the show into continual power failures.

7.9 /10

S5.E23 ∙ Linda Ronstadt

Sat, Oct 25, 1980

Kermit and special guest Linda Ronstadt have mutual crushes on each other. Miss Piggy discovers this and makes it her goal to keep Kermit away from Linda.

8.1 /10

S5.E24 ∙ Roger Moore

Sat, Oct 04, 1980

Kermit has hired several spies for Roger Moore's closing number, but Moore wants to do a wholesome song instead. The spies disguise themselves as fluffy animals in order to get him.

8.1 /10