Muppets Tonight!

The Muppets return to television in a variation of their previously successful series The Muppet Show. This series featuring the same type of humor and musical numbers is set in a small television station as opposed to the theater of the earlier series.

As with the previous series there is no lack of big name guest stars. In this guide, the title of the episode denotes who the main guest star was for the episode.

1st Season 1996 ABC

1. "Michelle Pfeiffer"
   

   Miss Piggy and Michelle Pfeiffer vie for the guest star spot on the first ever episode of Muppets Tonight, set at network, KMUP. Sketches include "Bay of Pigswatch," "Muppet Match Up," a parody of "The Sound of Music."

   b: 8 Mar 96 pc: 101 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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2. "Garth Brooks"
   gs: Leonard Nimoy [ Himself ]

   Clifford and company try to convince Garth Brooks to sing a little bit of country music, but he's more interested in performing Broadway show tunes and Shakespeare. Sketches include: Great Moments in Elvis History.

   b: 15 Mar 96 pc: 105 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Greg V. Fera

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3. "Billy Crystal"
   gs: Larry King [ Himself ]

   Billy Crystal joins in parodies of When Harry Met Sally and City Slickers, and boogies through a rendition of "Now You Has Jazz" with a Muppet band. Also: "The Classic Theater of Whales"; and "Eagle's Nest," with political commentator Sam Eagle.

   b: 22 Mar 96 pc: 103 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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4. "John Goodman"
   gs: Jerry Nelson [ Himself ]

   John Goodman just wants his guest turn to be a relaxing one, but the stint becomes taxing when Miss Piggy's nephews pledge to be his personal slaves after he saves their lives.

   b: 29 Mar 96 pc: 106 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Greg V. Fera

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5. "Cindy Crawford"
   gs: Mickey Dolenz [ Himself ]

   Bobo the security guard develops a crush on guest Cindy Crawford, who recalls her days as a 14-year-old "Frog-i-teer" and sings "I Remember it Well" with Kermit. Mickey Dolenz has a cameo and pairs with Bobo for "I'm a Believer."

   b: 5 Apr 96 pc: 107 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Greg V. Fera

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6. "Tony Bennett"
   

   Singer Johnny Fiama falls flat on his face when he meets his idol, Tony Bennett. Songs include "Shakin' the Blues Away," and "Firefly." Also: NYPD Green.

   b: 12 Apr 96 pc: 109 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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7. "Sandra Bullock"
   

   Guest Sandra Bullock and the Muppets try to keep the station's ratings above 50 in order to defuse a mad bomber's abominable plans.

   b: 23 Jun 96 pc: 108 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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8. "Jason Alexander"
   gs: Vendela [ Herself ]

   Creative differences threaten to close down a revival of "Bats," a musical written by Gonzo and guest star Jason Alexander during their college years. Sketches include a parody of Murder on the Orient Express, a disco inferno on "Muppets Bandstand" and "Pigs in Space: Deep Dish Nine."

   b: 30 Jun 96 pc: 112 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Dan McGrath and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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9. "Whoopi Goldberg"
   gs: William Shatner [ Himself ], Judge Joseph A. Wapner [ Himself ]

   Miss Piggy sings with guest star Whoopi Goldberg, testifies before Judge Wapner in People's Court, and flies the not-so-friendly skies with William Shatner.

   b: 7 Jul 96 pc: 110 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Dan McGrath and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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10. "Martin Short"
    

    Martin Short gets the short end of the shtick when Seymour and Pepe take him on an elevator ride that nearly flattens his chances of performing in the big dance number.

    b: 14 Jul 96 pc: 102 pc: _________ w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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    2nd Season 1997 Disney Channel

11. "*O(+> (The Artist Formerly Known As Prince"
    

    The Artist Formerly Known as Prince visits the Muppet Studios, while Sal is taking a correspondence course to become a bone doctor. TAFKAP sings "Starfish and Coffee" and "She Gave Her Angels", and takes part in "Muppet Hoo-Haw", a parody of Hee Haw.

    b: 13 Sep 97 pc: 206 w: Jennifer Barrow and Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Bernie Keating and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Brian Henson

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12. "Rick Moranis"
    

    Rick Moranis desperately wants to fit his musical "Salute to Late Fifties Crooners, Obscure British Bands, and Bill Withers" into the program, Seymour and Pepe get their own cooking show, and Bunsen and Beaker create havoc with their Micro Shrink-o-Matic Machine. Also: the moo-ving bovine intergalactic soap opera- "Lash Holstein - Space Cowdet".

    b: 14 Sep 97 pc: 207 w: Jennifer Barrow and Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Bernie Keating and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Brian Henson

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13. "Heather Locklear"
    

    The Muppets just try to survive the rest of the episode after Heather Locklear eats Bunsen's experimental mood-altering snack foods and alternates between "Good" and "Evil" Heather.

    b: 21 Sep 97 pc: 111 w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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14. "Pierce Brosnan"
    

    Pierce Brosnan is depressed over the fact that he isn't as debonair as his James Bond character, but he finally gets a chance to prove himself when the Crustacean Liberation Army attempts to take the Muppet Studios hostage and only he can save them.

    b: 12 Oct 97 pc: 113 w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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15. "Coolio, Don Rickles"
    gs: Ed McMahon [ Himself ], Bernard Shaw [ Himself ], Fred Willard [ Himself ]

    The Muppet Studios have been bought by a new owner, who believes that the Muppets are just not hip enough, so he tries to change things. Coolio, Don Rickles, and the Muppets themselves have to prove him otherwise.

    b: 19 Oct 97 pc: 202 w: Jennifer Barrow and Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Bernie Keating and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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16. "Paula Abdul"
    

    A crazed robot of President Lincoln runs amok throughout the Muppet Studios while Clifford is continuously trying to grab a kiss from the guest star, Paula Abdul.

    b: 2 Nov 97 pc: 104 w: Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Gary Halvorson

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17. "Dennis Quaid"
    gs: Gilbert Gottfried [ Himself ]

    Clifford notices that the rest of the Muppets find Dennis Quaid doing a better job running the studios than he himself does, and he feels extremely left out. Also, Gilbert Gottfried wins a date with Kermit, and Kermit is just trying to survive it.

    b: 16 Nov 97 pc: 203 w: Jennifer Barrow and Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Bernie Keating and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Tom Trbovich

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18. "The Cameo Show"
    gs: Christopher Darden [ Himself ], Kevin Eubanks [ Himself ], Arsenio Hall [ Himself ], Kathy Ireland [ Herself ], Jay Leno [ Himself ], Little Richard [ Himself ]

    After Bobo accidentally kills Arsenio Hall, the original guest star, the Muppets must search frantically for a new one while Dr. Phil and Mulch attempt to bring Arsenio back to life.

    b: 7 Dec 97 pc: 201 w: Jennifer Barrow and Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Bernie Keating and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Greg V. Fera

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19. "The Best of Muppets Tonight"
    gs: Jason Alexander [ Unknown ], *O(+> (The Artist Formerly Known as Prince) [ Unknown ], Tony Bennett [ Unknown ], Garth Brooks [ Unknown ], Pierce Brosnan [ Unknown ], Sandra Bullock [ Unknown ], Coolio [ Unknown ], Cindy Crawford [ Unknown ], Billy Crystal [ Unknown ], John Goodman [ Unknown ], Andie MacDowell [ Unknown ], Rick Moranis [ Unknown ], Michelle Pfeiffer [ Unknown ], Martin Short [ Unknown ], Ed McMahon [ Unknown ], Kathy Ireland [ Unknown ], Jay Leno [ Unknown ]

    Gonzo and Rizzo host a collage of video clips of the best moments from past episodes from the series.

    b: 21 Dec 97 pc: 209 w: Jennifer Barrow and Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Bernie Keating and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Tom Trbovich

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20. "The Gary Cahuenga Episode"
    gs: Penn and Teller, Lori Fetrick [ Ice ], Raye Hollitt [ Zap ], Evander Holyfield [ Himself ]

    Gary Cahuenga is a dummy without a ventriloquist when he is found in an old trunk in the basement forty years after his time. The Muppets, with the help of Penn and Teller, must help Gary adjust to his new surroundings, as well as to make new friends at KMUP.

    b: 28 Dec 97 pc: 205 w: Jennifer Barrow and Dick Blasucci and Paul Flaherty and Darin Henry and Bernie Keating and Jim Lewis and Kirk R. Thatcher and Patric M. Verrone d: Tom Trbovich

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Thanks to George Fergus for the original ABC network air date information.