It's time to get things started...

[pat]

As an escape, last night I went to Blockbuster to see if they had Muppet Show season 1. In keeping with there "we never have anything interesting that wasn't a popular movie" trend (they don't carry any of the Broadway specials from PBS over the past few years, even though all of them are on DVD, or The Rutles), they didn't. They did, however, have "The Best of the Muppet Show." I got the volume with Mark Hamill (and C-3PO and R2D2), Racquel Welch, and Paul Simon.

Racquel Welch was merely okay. Mark Hamill was painful, although the rest of the show was okay (and I do admit that Gonzo was great as "Dearth Nader"). It did include my all time favorite Muppet Newsflash: "Here are the results from the National Sheep Dog Trials: All of the sheep dogs were found 'Not Guilty'."

Paul Simon was wonderful. He interacted with the Muppets like they were real people, and was completely natural. I have often thought maybe Simon had potential as a comic actor -- who can forget his appearance on SNL singing "Still Crazy After All These Years" dressed in a turkey suit?

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Paul Simon sat in on a lot of the early SNL writing, too. Dan Ackroyd said that the Bass-O-Matic skit happened because when he brought up the idea in a meeting, Paul snorfled, and if he could make Paul crack up, it had to be funny.

Also, remember when Paul Simon the senator ran for President? SNL's announcer said, "Tonight's host: Paul Simon!" and from opposite sides of the stage, the singer and the senator walked onto the stage -- then just stopped and stared at each other. I so wanted to vote for the senator after that.

I've been watching The Muppet Show as much as I can. They're all on my greencine.com queue. It's not as funny as I remember, too short but at the same time, too painful, lots of duds. I like the characters, I just want to give them a little more time to make things funnier. There are good one-liners here and there.

The Mark/Paul/Raquel one is still on the list. I hope it shows up soon. John Cleese's is pretty good. :)

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

For the most part, I think the Muppets are pretty good when they're by themselves. It's the interactions with the humans that are the problem -- most humans either overact or look faintly uncomfortable. My favorite humans co-hosts, as I remember, were John Denver and John Cleese (and now, Paul Simon). John Cleese reminds me of Sam the Eagle.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I think the John Denver episode is my all time favorite. Their Christmas album is also one of my favorite Christmas albums.

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

Especially when John Denver starts going on about how to catch frogs in the swamp -- the interaction between him and Kermit is great.

[bdot.livejournal.com]

costco has season 1.. i bought it there....

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

I loved Beverly Sills on the Muppet Show. When I met her, I reminded her of it, and she said it had been a lot of fun to do.

[cheshyre]

Nonsequitor, but that's a very cute cat in your userpic. :)

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That's Regina, about 14 years old.

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

She always struck me as a pretty cool person.

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

who can forget his appearance on SNL singing "Still Crazy After All These Years" dressed in a turkey suit?

Well, I had forgotten it, but you had to go and remind me again!

(and I'm kidding, I *loved* that bit :))

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

Every time since then, I giggle inside when I hear that song. : )

[daltong.livejournal.com]

You're close enough to get to Movie Groove in Redwood City once in a while, aren't you? They have an amazing selection. (They also have a resident cat, in case you have allergies.)