Yeah. I've heard about that. I know back then Frank's availability was limited and I guess they didn't want to get him involved for just one line. I know he also at least did the puppetry for Frank's characters on the Andie McDowell episode.
I didn't know that Kevin originally performed
on the show though. I wonder if that had to do with Dave Goelz's availability. I think he still performed Gonzo and Bunsen though. Maybe they were just considering passing him around at the time, but that's just a theory.
When was Miss Piggy on the Andie McDowell episode? I love that episode, my favorite part of the episode was Johnny Fiamma singing a parody version of Pretty Woman "Pretty Bunsen" when Dr. Bunsen Honeydew was changing his image and beating up Sal. lol First time they ever did a hand and rod version of him, very cool. lol
Kevin was Clifford on all the episodes so I'm sure he was available for all of them well except for the final episode which was the clip show hosted by Gonzo and Rizzo. And for Dave Golez, I think he was available for most episodes. He did some new characters like Bill the Bubble Guy, Him and Steve were Andy and Randy, Steve performed also Mr. Noodlepants. So the main Muppeteers had lots of new characters to perform. As for Jerry Nelson, he didn't really perform a lot of his Muppet Show characters, the only main one he performed was Statler. He did Dr. Strangepork in one Pigwatch sketch and Lew Zeland made a cameo in one episode getting his bag of popcorn.
I think the complaint I've heard in terms of not a lot of Muppet fans liked about Muppets Tonight was how there was more spotlight for the newer characters then the classic characters. Personally I loved Muppets Tonight. It played a big role in my childhood, I've seen all of them and when I found out there was a bunch of UK spots that didn't air in the US versions, I was so surprised there was still some Muppets Tonight I haven't seen yet. lol
I'm not sure if I mentioned this yet but I was shocked to see Clifford without his glasses and I remember, I think Kevin said in the Tough Pigs interview how he didn't like Clifford without his glasses. I can totally see how Clifford's personality changed from a groovy laid back jazzy musician to a panicy host who finally see's how rough Kermit's job really is. I remember there was a story in which Jim told Kevin shortly after The Jim Henson Hour ended that the next Muppet series, he wanted Clifford to host.
A couple of my favorite Clifford Muppets Tonight moments was when a piano fell on him.
Kermit: Clifford, it was in the script.
Clifford (feeling a bit dizzy): Nobody told me there was a script.
(Clifford falls on the floor)
I think I already mentioned the Sandra Bullock cold opening with him and Andy & Randy.
The oppisite subtract musical number was good
Though probably one of my top favorite moments, esspecially one of my favorite moments on Muppets Tonight was Clifford and Coolio singing "Don't Forget My Number" By Milli Vanilli on Star Search, well lip synching anyways. And the record was jumping
Ed McMahon: Hey, you guys lip synching?
Clifford: Don't make me come over there and smack you Ed.
lol
Though if that was a piece of Clifford's struggling career before The Muppets then Clifford already said his other humble beginnings on Arsenio Hall.
"I was a sponge man, what do you think?" "Either I became a Muppet or join Milli Vanilli". I wonder if this joke inspired the gag 6 or 7 years later for Muppets Tonight.
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