Muppets 30th Celebration CBS Special 1986

The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years.  The CBS Special Presentation featured Jim Henson’s Muppets, recounting the

History of… The Muppets.  Originally Aired January 21, 1986, the special is a celebration of all things Muppets featuring Muppets from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Sam and Friends, and Fraggle Rock.  The Muppets are hosting a banquet to celebrate the 30^th anniversary and present a retrospective of Muppet film and television appearances.  The show starts with a montage of Muppet clips celebrating the first 30 years of Muppets (1955-1985).  From Sam and Friends in 1957, the Jimmy Dean Show in 1963, Ed Sullivan Show in 1968, Cher Show 1975, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson 1979, the early years are all covered.  Fozzie reminds us that it was Kermit that began their careers, complete with a clip of Kermit getting the Muppets their first big break in The Muppet Movie.

What follows is the greatest hits of Muppet Show segments, musical acts, and memories.  Including the sesame street gang, Muppet babies, Little Muppet Monsters, and Fraggle Rock.

It’s an amazing time capsule showcasing the first 30 years of the Muppets, all made possible by Jim Henson and the team.  Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goetz, Steve Whitmire, and Carrol Spinney.  Appearances by Steve Martin, Ethel Merman, Zero Mostel, Diana Ross, Lily Tomlin, Elton John, George Burns, Ray Charles, Ben Vereen, and others.).

Looking for more Muppets content?  Check out:  The Muppets at Walt Disney World 1990, D23 Expo Haunted Mansion Breakout, The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990), Lady Gaga and the Muppets, and Great Moments in American history with The Muppets