The Muppet Show Season 3 on DVD
Classic Jim Henson Show Comes to DVD on May 20th
The Muppet Show Season 3 is coming to DVD on May 20th. Guests include Alice Cooper, Sylvester Stallone, and Loretta Lynn.
Buena Vista Home Video has announced that the 4 DVD box set of The Muppet Show Season 3 will be available to own on May 20. It will include all 24 shows from the third season (1978 - 1979), plus some extras.
As with previous collections, there will be a limited edition "fuzzy" (or is that "Fozzy") cover for the collection. That's right: the bear's adorable mug is adorning the front of this one. You can see the cover art in all its glory by clicking here.
Season 3 Guests: Alice Cooper, Harry Belafonte, Gilda Radner
Season 3 was when The Muppet Show really got its groove on. The big one-two punch of ballet star Rudolf Nureyev plus actress Julie Andrews in the previous season, put Jim Henson's variety show over the top, and made it de rigeur for disco-era celebrities to show up and have some fun with Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppet gang.
Hard rocker Alice Cooper, the Marilyn Manson of the 1970's, decided to spoof his ghoul-rock image by appearing on the show (there's a classic meeting between him and Animal). So did actor Sylvester Stallone, who was promoting the sequel to his breathrough hit Rocky. Singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte gave the show one of its classic moments when he performed the song "Turn the World Around."
Hotties Cheryl Ladd and Raquel Welch appeared, as did Saturday Night Live funnywoman Gilda Radner, Lesley Ann Warren and the Coal Miner's Daughter herself, Loretta Lynn. Flamboyant lounge pianist Liberace performed on the show, as did Roger "King of the Road" Miller and country singers Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge.
As with previous seasons, there were plenty of celebrities nearing the twilight of their careers (singing cowboys Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Spike Milligan) who were hoping to get a little jump in popularity by appearing on the show. But the list of up-and-comers, and celebs at their peak, got bigger as word got around about the show.
Full List of The Muppet Show Season 3 Guests
- Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge
- Leo Sayer
- Roy Clark
- Gilda Radner
- Pearl Bailey
- Jean Stapleton
- Alice Cooper
- Loretta Lynn
- Liberace
- Marisa Berenson
- Raquel Welch
- James Coco
- Helen Reddy
- Harry Belafonte
- Lesley Ann Warren
- Danny Kaye
- Spike Milligan
- Leslie Uggams
- Elke Sommer
- Sylvester Stallone
- Roger Miller
- Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
- Lynn Redgrave
- Cheryl Ladd
Extras include the 1968 documentary "The Muppets on Puppets" (hosted Jim Henson and Rowlf the Dog), plus a new documentary entitled "The Making of The Muppets." Buena Vista promises "and much more," but for now they're keeping mum on further details.
Buena Vista's suggested MSRP for The Muppet Show Season 3 is $39.99.
