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Back from our annual summer hiatus we dive into the life and times of the effervescent Sandy Duncan, best known for her appearance in the award winning miniseries Roots, her Broadway portrayal of Peter Pan and her lead role in the series The Hogan Family. Doug relives a traumatic audition for The Fantasticks and we dissect Gags Beasley's famous Banana Sketch. Next Week: Candice Bergen Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.   

What we knew about British comedian, presenter and game show host Bruce Forsyth prior to this episode was next to nothing, but one of UK television's most ubiquitous characters had a long and fascinating career. Despite our ignorance Doug actually has a personal connection to Sir Bruce who hosted a short lived game show in America in the mid-1980's on which his cousin-in-law appeared. We also present the QPR NYC British Game Show Host XI, and discuss who we would want to emcee our memorial services.  Next Episode: Sandy Duncan Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test. 

This week's guest star is the living embodiment of the Renaissance Man, the Muppets biggest "get" of season one and lived a life that was almost unimaginably interesting. Raised by a spy and a ballet dancer, Ustinov began acting at the age of 18 and never looked back, winning two Best Supporting Actor Oscars as well as a Grammy. In this Episode Doug and I discuss his talent for mimicry and long time work for UNICEF on behalf of the United Nations, an institution that held an entirely different place in the American imagination in the 1960's than it does now. Next Week: Bruce Forsyth Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

This week the guest star is Lena Horne so of course we're talking nullification! But only briefly before moving on to Horne's long, successful career as a musician and actor. Horne, not unlike previous guest star Rita Moreno, was a colossal talent who struggled to make a career for herself in Hollywood where black and hispanic performers were treated like second class citizens. In this episode Horne, again not unlike Moreno, appears totally at home working with the Muppets and gives an endearing performance, especially in her interactions with two of its more forlorn cast members in Gonzo and Fozzie.   Next Week: Peter Ustinov Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

One of the great sketch comedians of all time joins the Muppets this week and doesn't quite live up to his reputation. We discuss Korman's role on the Carol Burnett Show, the history of comics not hogging the laugh lines, cracking up on live TV and what it means to be "halfway down the stairs". Also, the return of cocktail parties hosted by 95-year-olds. Next Week: Lena Horn Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

Oh, but he's so much more than that. This week's guest star is French crooner Charles Aznavour. Known to many as "the French Sinatra", Aznavour lived a long and fascinating life. We talk about the impact of French culture in America, Aznavour's progressive politics, and deep connection to his Armenian roots and we tell some French army jokes right off the top. Plus, Scooter works with Gonzo on his act, and Piggy is driven mad by Aznavour telling her she needs to have her transmission and tire pressure checked in French. Next Week: Harvey Korman The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test. 

This week's guest star is the diminutive songwriter and actor Paul Williams who made a name for himself writing songs for the likes of David Bowie, Helen Reddy, the Carpenters and Three Dog Night. Doug discusses the change in who could be a frontman that was brought about by the rock n' roll revolution, and how the same trend could be seen in Hollywood. Plus, I relive the nightmare of music cue sheets and we talk about technological utopianism and the debut of a new character…Dr. Bunson Honeydew. Next Week: French crooner Charles Aznavour The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

This week's guest star is Florence Henderson, who will forever be remembered as the matriarch of the Brady family but also enjoyed a career on Broadway before hitting it big in TV. After the hit show went off the air in 1974 she followed what had become a well-worn path for celebrities of the time, making countless appearances on TV game shows, most notably Hollywood Squares and the $25,000 Pyramid. Plus, Doug recalls some of the perks of having a father who worked in the advertising industry, including the time his family got a tour of the Paramount lot given by a member of the Mod Squad and the early peeks he would sometimes get of Mission Impossible scripts.   The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company   FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

This week's guest star is Jim Nabors, better know to most people as Gomer Pyle. We discuss CBS' focus on rural comedies in the 1960's, led by their intractable programming executive James T. Aubrey. Doug also talks about how uncomfortable he is with Nabors operatic singing style, reminiscent of musical performers from the 1930's and 40's like Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy. Plus, another vignette from Doug's childhood as he recounts hearing a rumor that Jim Nabors and Los Angeles Ram's quarterback Roman Gabriel were married.   Credits: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company  FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

Comedian Ryan Beck joins us to talk about season one, episode four of the Muppet Show with guest star, and fellow comedian, Ruth Buzzi. Ryan talks about being a comedian in a pandemic, his abiding respect for the Muppet Show (he thinks Henson should get a Nobel Prize) and why he thinks it might be time for Fozzi to look for other work. Meanwhile Doug fills us in on the incredibly important show that launched Buzzi's career, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Credits: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.