Low-rent spies want to take out the guest (not in the nice way). Roger's urbane "Talk to the Animals" delivers humor and heart.
JAMES COBURN ***
Very, very good. James bonds with animal, and tries to teach him meditation.
BROOKE SHIELDS ****
Brooke walks into an episode-long telling of "Alice in Wonderland". The delight is non-stop and finishes, naturally, with "Off to See the Wizard".
TONY RANDALL **
I wanted to believe that anything with tony is good! But the inspiration just doesn't spark. Perhaps i'm cranky because piggy gets turned to stone...with no sign of ELO.
PAUL SIMON ****
The most idiot-proof episode ever. All devoted to paul's songs - even though you might make one or two different selections, it's still...perfect.
JOAN BAEZ **
Floyd does a delightful "Blackbird", and there's also a charming "Man Smart (Critters Smarter)"...which culminates in eco-terrorism (a remarkably brave choice for a show that courts a young audience).
LINDA RONSTADT ***
Perhaps the least clever Muppet episode ever...and that's a good thing. They sagaciously let linda do four songs uninterrupted. "I'm So Happy" is also a highlight.
GLENDA JACKSON ****
Glenda slips into pirate mode, and commandeers the theater-ship. This little nugget feels more like a full-blown movie than any other episode. The only four-star entry without a defining moment of brilliance (though gonzo's "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues" comes close).
LORETTA SWIT ***
Kermit fires piggy, loretta replaces her, and he's more genuinely abusive than you've ever seen him. This cruel body-shaming would never fly today.
HAL LINDEN ***
The affable, elegant hal lends his musical comedy chops as statler and waldorf take over. Hal and robin break hearts with "If We Ruled the World", plus a classic "Ob-la-di, ob-la-da".
JEAN-PIERRE RAMPAL ***
Merry Muppet mirth. Renowned flutist turns the pied piper into "Ease On Down the Road".
CAROL BURNETT ***
Carol's appearance is interrupted by an episode-long dance marathon. Her highlight is "But Not For Me", as the charwomyn.
JOHNNY CASH ***
"Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog", "Goodnight Sardine", "Jackson"...this one will slap a big Muppet grin on your face.
MELISSA MANCHESTER ***
Tumblin' tumbleweeds...on top of an alpine mountain
SENOR WENCES ***
Charming, as the Muppets celebrate...puppets! Veterinarian's Hospital will leave you in stitches.
DEBBIE HARRY ***
Some people, i'm not saying me, might be moved to tears by debbie's "Rainbow Connection" with kermit. Okay, me.
GENE KELLY **
Nice, but...
GLADYS KNIGHT ****
As the theater roof is taken away for repairs, not even the wrong billie holiday song can keep this one from four stars. Gladys is wonderful, and the show rises to the occasion. "Friendship Train" is particularly perfect.
WALLY BOAG ***
A thirty-year performer at Disneyworld, wally centerpieces a salute to vaudeville...and his bagpipe act makes you forgive his resume. Plus the funniest Muppet moment ever, as chef, animal, and beaker presage tonto, tarzan, and frankenstein, with their transcendent rendering of "Danny Boy".
BUDDY RICH ***
Yes folks, the drum battle for the ages! Will animal eat buddy?
MARTY FELDMAN ***
A warped wandering through the Arabian Nights, climaxed by the appearance of the Sesame Street Muppets. Marty goes eye-to-eye with cookie monster!
CHRIS LANGHAM ***
Muppet magic firing on all cylinders. Chris who? Not bad at all...plus kermit and robin palling around with whales hunting from whalers...
MAC DAVIS ***
Anticipating 3D copiers by forty years, scores of beakers are unleashed!
SHIRLEY BASSEY ***
Lovely. Guess who plays goldfinger? A bit anti-climactic for the last Muppet Show ever? Ah well, play on, play on...
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