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The Very Best of the Muppet Show Vol. 2 UK DVD

Daniel Rosenthal (1-8-2003) - It's 2003 and to start the new year we get the second volume of "The Very Best of the Muppet Show" on DVD. This disc is being released in Europe and will only play in region-2, PAL compatible DVD players.

The DVD cover sleeve is very much the same as the first DVD volume, but instead of blue edging and "TMS" logo in blue, this time it is red and a different picture. The picture features Gonzo, Animal, Piggy and Kermit sitting on Fozzie's shoulder. (The same picture was used for last year's Music & Mayhem CD).

The main feature is another fifty-minute compilation from various episodes of "The Muppet Show" taken from its original video release from 1999. Again the compilation doesn't feature celebrity guest stars. It includes "Boogie in the Barnyard" by Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (from the Shirley Bassey episode), Muppet Lab's Banana Sharpener and Fozzie Bear saws a lady in half trick (from the Sylvester Stallone episode).

The 50 minute DVD includes:

1. Opening Titles
2. "Boogie in the Barnyard" - Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
3. "The Snerfs" (from the Shields & Yarnell episode)
4. A Mime Monologue By Fozzie Bear
5. "Koozebanian Phoob"
6. Sketch: "Swedish Chef-Turtle Soup"
7. (UK SKIT) Balcony: Statler, Waldorf & Sam
8. "Veterinarian's Hospital" - The World is Coming to an End
9. Song: "Sea Chantey", Link, Scooter, Fozzie, Gonzo & Robin
10. Hypnosis with The Great Gonzo
11. Muppet Newsflash - Hats
12. Backstage: Kermit, Rowlf, Bobby Benson, A Cop, Scooter, Miss Piggy, The Babies & Victor
13. Muppet Labs : Elevator Shoes
14. Backstage/Dressing Room: Kermit, Scooter, Miss Piggy & The Babies
15. Pigs in Space: Toaster wires used to fix the control panel
16. Russian "Pig" Dance
17. Song: "Do-Re-Mi", Kermit, Annie Sue, Scooter, A Salamander, Robin, Beauregard & Fozzie
18. Backstage: Beau & the Rats
19. Sketch: "Swedish Chef - veggie stew"
20. Song: "The William Tell Overture", with Beauregard
21. Gonzo's Motorized Pogo stick
22. Sketch: At the Dance
23. A Monologue By Fozzie Bear, in the woods
24. Sketch: "Pigs In Space-Rat Attack"
25. Sketch: "Veterinarian's Hospital"- railroad station
26. Muppet Newsflash - Cloths into chickens
27. (UK SKIT) Song: "Act Naturally", Gonzo
28. Muppet Lab's Banana Sharpener
29. Song: "Tico Tico", Annie Sue & The Pigs
30. Fozzie Bear saws a Lady in half trick with Otto The Robot Comedian
31. Closing Titles

Extra Features

Like the first DVD this disc has an extra two shows that are uncut, this time with Roger Moore and Sylvester Stallone, with no introduction by Brian Henson (even though the DVD says it does have an introduction).

Making its DVD debut is "Muppet Fairy Tales" (also known as "Muppet Classic Theatre"). The included sketches are: "The Three Pigs", "King Midas" and "The Boy Who Cried Wolf!"

There is also a new set of questions for the Muppet quiz on the DVD. Again the questions are overall very good. The questions cover everything from "The Muppet Show" to the feature film "Muppets From Space". For every two questions answered correctly you will receive all new Muppetisms with Pepe, Rizzo, Bobo, Statler, Waldorf and Bunsen & Beaker.

The Muppetisms and the Muppet character conceptual drawings are sadly the same from the first disc: Kermit (The Frog), Fozzie (Da Bear), Miss Piggy (The Diva), Gonzo (The… ???), and Animal (The Percussionist). The drawings feature: the Swedish Chef, Animal, Statler and Waldorf, Angus McGonagle and Beaker.

Also on the DVD are two trailers for "Kermit Swamp Years" and "Bear In The Big Blue House" along with Web links to Muppetworld.com and character profiles. Again unfortunately these are the same as the first disk, but it has a few nice additions to profiles of Scooter, Rowlf and Bunsen & Beaker.

The quality of the disk is sharp and the sound is clear, but some of the scenes from the compilation film are either too dark or too light, which can bother your vision, as your eyes adjust from one scene to another. Columbia Tri-Star video has cut a few corners with this DVD with some of the same material from the first DVD, which is disappointing. However, they have made an effort with the Muppet theatre menus and rarely seen Scooter and Rowlf making appearances on both the DVD menus and the cover.

With two great episodes, brand new Muppetisms, "Muppet Fairy Tales" and well-designed menus I give it three and half Kermits.

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