The Muppet Show (2015 TV series) (Johnsonverse)

The Muppet Show is an American-British variety show. It ran for five seasons from 1976 to 1980 on ITV (1976 to 1981 in the US in syndication), and since 2015 on WBC. This page will cover the current run, which was developed by Tim Johnson.

Conception
In late 2014, Tim Johnson, looking to release a new Muppets series to keep the franchise relevant, watched a pitch film for a proposed adult-oriented series created by Bill Prady and Bob Kushell, and read several scripts for it. However, he rejected the idea on sight due to him feeling that Jim Henson wouldn't want an adult-oriented Muppets series, and considered the scripts "a bad idea with even worse execution". He immediately greenlit a revival of the classic Muppet Show, demanding that the franchise return to its vaudeville roots.

Development
Among the writers that Tim got for the show outside of himself included Jack Burns (for the first five seasons until his death in January 2020), David Odell, Joseph A. Bailey, and Chris Langham, all of whom had written for the original series, performer David Rudman, his son Adam, and former Sesame Street performer and writer Joey Mazzarino, who is also a performer here.

Puppeteers who worked on the original series included Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen, Karen Prell, and Louise Gold.

Cast

 * Steve Whitmire as Kermit, Statler, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, Bean Bunny, the Newsman, Link Hogthrob, Lips, Andy Pig, and others
 * Eric Jacobson as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam the Eagle
 * Dave Goelz as Gonzo, Zoot, Randy Pig, Waldorf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beauregard,
 * Bill Barretta as Rowlf, Pepé the King Prawn, Dr. Teeth, Bobo the Bear, and Johnny Fiama
 * David Rudman as Scooter, Janice,
 * Matt Vogel as Floyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, Camilla, Pops, Lew Zealand,
 * Peter Linz as Walter, Nigel,
 * Kevin Clash as Clifford
 * Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Dolores (Trumpet Girl)
 * Brian Henson as Sal Minella,

Season 1

 * Episode 101: Elizabeth Banks (aired September 22, 2015) - For the show's comeback, Kermit has booked Elizabeth Banks as the first guest star. Chaos inevitably ensues since everyone is rusty, as there hadn't been a mainline Muppet series since Muppets Tonight ended in 1998. Meanwhile, an unexpected visitor comes in, someone who was thought never to appear again in the Muppets: Clifford.
 * Statler and Waldorf opening - WALDORF: Can't believe we have to sit through more of this. STATLER: At least there's more to heckle at! (laugh)
 * Gonzo's trumpet gag - Gonzo's trumpet makes a steam engine horn sound. GONZO: All those years and it still happens?
 * Statler and Waldorf closing - STATLER: You know, our adult show concept was a better idea. WALDORF: How? STATLER: Anything is better! (Doh-oh-oh-oh-oh!)
 * Episode 102: Josh Grobin (aired September 29, 2015) -
 * Statler and Waldorf opening - STATLER: Let's not get this started! WALDORF: Better yet, this shouldn't have made it to the drawing board!
 * Gonzo's trumpet gag - Gonzo's trumpet pulls out a "HONK!" flag. GONZO: Joke flag.
 * Statler and Waldorf closing - WALDORF: Well, whaddya know? This show has yet another first! STATLER: That's right, the first celebrity who'd rather be elsewhere! (Doh-oh-oh-oh-oh!)
 * Episode 103: Liam Hemsworth
 * Episode 104: Ed Helms
 * Episode 105: Reese Witherspoon
 * Episode 106: Kristin Chenoweth
 * Episode 107: Jason Bateman
 * Episode 108: Chelsea Handler
 * Episode 109: Joseph Gordon-Levitt
 * Episode 110: Mindy Kaling
 * Episode 111: Utkarsh Ambudkar (aired February 2, 2016)
 * Episode 112: Joan Jett and Ian Ziering
 * Episode 113: Ingrid Michaelson
 * Episode 114: Lara Spencer
 * Episode 115: Willie Nelson
 * Episode 116: Jack White

Season 5

 * Episode 501: The Stars of Sesame Street (aired September 24, 2019) - Kermit's friends from Sesame Street (Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Grover, Big Bird, Oscar, Bert, Ernie, Zoe, Prairie Dawn, Rosita, Telly, and Mr. Snuffleupagus) have been invited to the Muppet Theater.
 * Statler and Waldorf opening - STATLER: