![]() ![]() Even when he managed to make contact, the results were never quite what he expected. From his perch on the topmost layer of the risers, Gonzo finished the theme each week by trying to hit the O like a gong, with a different result each week. Kermit and the chorus of Muppets, which also include Wayne, Wanda, and Snake Frackle, raised their arms as the song finished and the logo was once again lowered into place. The last verse of the theme song was then performed from a set of cake-like risers. Jim Nabors was the first guest star surrounded by casual Muppets in the opening theme, as it will be usual in the next episodes of the season, with some exceptions ( Florence Henderson shown with the Frackles, Harvey Korman flirting with Miss Piggy, Sandy Duncan alone, Avery Schreiber and Ben Vereen with weird creatures, and Vincent Price with his gruesome team). In first season's earliest episodes, after the presentation verse by Kermit, the guest stars used to appear in a position announcing their performance : Juliet Prowse teased by the Green Gazelles, Connie Stevens and the Mutations bumping each others as they do at the end of " A Teenager in Love", Ruth Buzzi in her medieval dress hugging Sweetums, Rita Moreno attacked by Animal. As the curtains closed on Fozzie, Kermit appeared in front of them to introduce the guest star who, to much applause, was usually shown among an assortment of Muppets he or she would appear with later in the episode. ![]() The curtains then parted to reveal Fozzie Bear, who attempted a different joke each week, even though he was often cut off. Two kicklines, one of four chorus girls (a bewigged Janice, Miss Piggy, the Trumpet Girl, and a female Whatnot) and one of four chorus boys (a horned Whatnot monster, Blue Frackle, a pig, and Green Frackle) then took turns crossing the stage, the former group entering from stage right and the latter from stage left. ![]() Trumpet Girl and conductor Nigel could be also be seen in the pit in the long shot. The title card then lifted up to reveal the curtains and the camera pulled back to reveal the Muppet orchestra, including close-ups of Crazy Harry on the triangle, Zoot on sax, an uncharacteristically calm Animal on the drums, and Rowlf at the piano. As the camera zoomed in, a spotlight immediately lit up the O, the center of which swung back to reveal Kermit, who introduced the "very special guest star" from this position before retreating behind the sign. Each episode of The Muppet Show opened on a shot of the title card, which in the first season was less ornate than the one that would replace it the following year. ![]()
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