suggsy said:
I'm a HUGE fan of Johnny cash and even though it's not sudden, it's still very saddening.
Anyone ever see his Muppet Show? I've always wanted to and would love to hear a synopsis.
I'll give it a go. This version has MAJOR SPOILERS. If you want one without, leave another post and I'll try it without.
Johnny Cash arrives to find Pops struggling with his radio. As the show begins, Kermit tells us that radio station WHOG is doing their broadcast from the theater, as freckle-faced technician Billy Boy sets up. After the opening number, "The Martins and the Coys", WHOG's obnoxious and bullying radio host, Big Tiny Tallsaddle (played by Jerry Nelson), arrives and changes the mood a bit. He gets everyone's name wrong and doesn't bother to correct himself, he disrespects everyone, ignores Kermit's authority, and makes threats involving necks and microphone stands. Johnny does "Ghost Riders in the Sky". After that, Rowlf comes onstage to do his number and is told to "Git!" by Big Tiny, who introduces Grandpa McGuire and his Whistling Bricks. Kermit comes out to tell Big Tiny that it's his (Kermit's) show and he's the one who decides what goes onstage. In response, Big Tiny introduces Kermit's prize-winning frog jumping (courtesy of a pail of red hot marbles). Kermit tells Johnny how angry he is at Big Tiny, who acts like he owns the place and won't let Kermit stay on his own stage. Think he can't be that bad? Billy Boy gets a microphone stand wrapped around his neck for dropping Big Tiny's gee-tar pick.
For the UK Spot, Lew Zealand sings "Goodnight Sardine" with the Gills Brothers. Then Rowlf introduces Johnny and offers to accompany him. Johnny says thanks anyway but he doesn't need it. Rowlf is insistent, and Johnny basically says ok but don't say I didn't warn you. The song Johnny sings is "Egg-Sucking Dog" and Rowlf, very uncharacteristically, takes the song very personally. Meanwhile Fozzie Bear is about to go on but Big Tiny says only one comic works the Big Tiny Tallsaddle Show- his nephew Wild Wally Whoopee. Fozzie and Wally both go on and Wally upstages Fozzie something awful. When Big Tiny adds insult to Fozzie's injury, Kermit finally tells him off and orders him out of the theater. Just as Big Tiny is about to wrap Kermit's neck in a microphone stand, Scooter rushes in to tell Big Tiny that some kids are letting the air out of his horse! As Big Tiny runs outside, Scooter calls for Beau to lock the door. Kermit is very grateful and doesn't know how to thank Scooter. Scooter says he doesn't need thanks, but he could use some cash. Kermit agrees, and introduces Mr. Johnny Cash, who sings "Orange Blossom Special", segues into "Jackson" with Miss Piggy, and comes back around to the last verse of "Orange Blossom Special". The goodnights are in the barn set (as is every act in the show) and Kermit says he had a great time once they got rid of Tallsaddle, who at that very moment re-enters. Tallsaddle says he isn't there to make trouble, he just wants to borrow a bicycle pump. He has to "pump up Ol' Paint, before they tow him away!"
That's the episode, in a nutshell.
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