120 over 80 Andrew Elrick

Back from our annual summer hiatus we dive into the life and times of the effervescent Sandy Duncan, best known for her appearance in the award winning miniseries Roots, her Broadway portrayal of Peter Pan and her lead role in the series The Hogan Family. Doug relives a traumatic audition for The Fantasticks and we dissect Gags Beasley's famous Banana Sketch.

Next Week: Candice Bergen

Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.   

What we knew about British comedian, presenter and game show host Bruce Forsyth prior to this episode was next to nothing, but one of UK television's most ubiquitous characters had a long and fascinating career. Despite our ignorance Doug actually has a personal connection to Sir Bruce who hosted a short lived game show in America in the mid-1980's on which his cousin-in-law appeared. We also present the QPR NYC British Game Show Host XI, and discuss who we would want to emcee our memorial services. 

Next Episode: Sandy Duncan

Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test. 

This week's guest star is the living embodiment of the Renaissance Man, the Muppets biggest "get" of season one and lived a life that was almost unimaginably interesting. Raised by a spy and a ballet dancer, Ustinov began acting at the age of 18 and never looked back, winning two Best Supporting Actor Oscars as well as a Grammy. In this Episode Doug and I discuss his talent for mimicry and long time work for UNICEF on behalf of the United Nations, an institution that held an entirely different place in the American imagination in the 1960's than it does now.
Next Week: Bruce Forsyth
Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company
FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

This week the guest star is Lena Horne so of course we're talking nullification! But only briefly before moving on to Horne's long, successful career as a musician and actor. Horne, not unlike previous guest star Rita Moreno, was a colossal talent who struggled to make a career for herself in Hollywood where black and hispanic performers were treated like second class citizens. In this episode Horne, again not unlike Moreno, appears totally at home working with the Muppets and gives an endearing performance, especially in her interactions with two of its more forlorn cast members in Gonzo and Fozzie.  
Next Week: Peter Ustinov
Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company
FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

One of the great sketch comedians of all time joins the Muppets this week and doesn't quite live up to his reputation. We discuss Korman's role on the Carol Burnett Show, the history of comics not hogging the laugh lines, cracking up on live TV and what it means to be "halfway down the stairs". Also, the return of cocktail parties hosted by 95-year-olds.

Next Week: Lena Horn

Credit: The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company

FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

Oh, but he's so much more than that. This week's guest star is French crooner Charles Aznavour. Known to many as "the French Sinatra", Aznavour lived a long and fascinating life. We talk about the impact of French culture in America, Aznavour's progressive politics, and deep connection to his Armenian roots and we tell some French army jokes right off the top. Plus, Scooter works with Gonzo on his act, and Piggy is driven mad by Aznavour telling her she needs to have her transmission and tire pressure checked in French.

Next Week: Harvey Korman

The Muppet Show - The Walt Disney Company

FAIR USE ACT DISCLAIMER Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching and scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.