It was absolute magic to experience the muppets live in what turned out to truly be a live version of the Muppet Show Variety show.
The whole thing started with Kermit sticking his head out from the curtain to do his usual "It's The Muppets Gala with our special guests..." then they opened the curtains to do the Muppet Show Theme with the arches. On the TV screens, it was filmed like a traditional Muppet Presentation but live you could see the performers and their prompters. It was incredible to watch. Particularly one moment when the stagehands moved the prompters aways too early and Kermit was left with nothing to say and they all just burst out laughing until the prompters came back.
From the opening, Sam The Eagle then led them all into a song about what "Canada Is" which was hilarious. A bunch of inaccurate facts. They brought a podium in for Kermit to introduce the comics. He then went to introduce Cirque Du Soleil, but since neither "Cirque" or "Soleil" were available Sweetums came out and offered "Duh" which was him holding a balloon saying Duh lol. Gonzo came out and offered "Cirque Du Poulet" and set off to prepare an act.
Kermit introduced the first comic and in-between each set piece a comedian (including Caroline Rhea and Tom Papa) would come out and do their shtick.
Floyd and Animal came out because Animal wanted to say how much he loved comedy. Kermit asked what his favourite part of comedy was and Floyd cautioned Kermit to not ask that question, but he asked it again and Animal said "Punchline" and knocked Kermit out. They brought in the Swedish Chefs kitchen and he made Poutine (and had a heart attack). It was amazing to see how many people it takes to make a Swedish Chef sketch work. Then Miss Piggy was carried in by the Mounties and did a love song "Muskrat Love" with Kermit.
For their next act they brought in Muppet Labs (the setup took some time so Rowlf came out and sang a song about how he's never made an onion cry, then did celebrity impressions (well, three different ones: Donald Trump (ear over head) Donald Trump in Mirror (other ear over head) and Donald Trump talking his ex wife (what a b*tch)) For Muppet Labs they put beaker in the "French Immersion" machine which turned him into Montreal's beloved mascot Youppie (but muppetified). Walter came out to to introduce his favourite comedian, Fozzie, who was heckled from the balcony (of course). Fozzie closed by pleading with the audience not to forget him. Then did a knock knock joke. When we all called out who's there? He was upset that we'd already forgotten him.
Finally Gonzo was ready for Cirque Du Poulet, where he blew up his chickens. Kermit thanked everyone for coming and said goodnight, but Pepe came out and said that was a lousy ending and we needed to do something better, okay?
So they brought out the swamp set and did Rainbow Connection. It was such an amazing privilege to sit there and be in the same room as the Muppets as they sang that song and had us all sing along. Really a once in a lifetime experience.
They could have just done a couple of jokes and left, but what Muppet Studios put together was really an entire new episode of The Muppet Show variety act. To be able to look up at Gonzo and down at his puppeteer was amazing. They are so talented and most of the comedians who came out in between their acts were as starstruck as we were.
I got to sit in the front row. They asked us not to take pictures or video in order not to ruin the magic (of course, some people will post them anyway). The show was filmed and will be on television this fall.
Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
Jim Henson Idea Man
Back to the Rock Season 2
Bear arrives on Disney+
Sam and Friends Book
