Wow! Fun and informative!

I was 12 when this series began, and couldn't appreciate many of the guests and much of the humor. Similarly, the theatrical references and "nods" made by the show's writers/performers would be lost on me now without the generous helping of "Muppet Morsels" present in Season 1 DVDs and not in Season 2.

The lineup is available from the summaries and other reviewers, and for the first year of a new type of variety show, was broad and impressive. I am grateful that I am able to experience this type of entertainment as an adult; I take a pass on reality TV and drama shows. Too bad the costuming, music and fee for guest performers made this genre of TV entertainment cost-prohibitive to continue. I'm glad that DVD releases make series like "The Muppet Show" and "The Carol Burnett Show" available to us now.

Buy this DVD - and look for the others in the series!

   "I Think That's What is Called a Running Gag."

The 1970's saw a lot of variety shows on TV, but none were as unique as The Muppet Show. Here, you had large puppets doing the dances, singing the songs, telling the jokes, and performing the skits. And they do it well.

It's hard to describe the typical episode because they have some variety. Each episode features a special guest star (more on that later) who is involved in a few of the scenes. There are usually a variety of skits and at least one or two song and dance numbers. And there's the behind the scenes drama. We are always treated to some backstage antics as poor host Kermit the Frog has to put up with the temperamental stars of the show. Whether its stand up comic Fozzie Bear who thinks no one wants him around to a band who has decided the theme song isn't hip enough so they plan to quit, he's got to make sure the show goes on.

There are some regular skits. There's always a segment where we are treated to jokes by people at a dance. There are lots of Special News Bulletins with some wacky news items. Veterinarian's Hospital is an excuse for really bad puns, so naturally, I love it. And everything is commented on by Statler and Waldorf, the two gentlemen in the balcony who heckle everything, especially poor Fozzie as he tries to tell some jokes.

I do know enough about the show to know that some things haven't fully developed yet. Miss Piggy's looks change later. Beaker isn't helping Dr. Bunsen Honeydew in the lap yet. And my favorite recurring segment, "Pigs in Space" isn't anywhere to be seen. But what is here is still very funny.

As I mentioned earlier, each episode has a guest star. While I recognize some of them, like Joel Grey, Florence Henderson, Candice Bergen, or Valerie Harper, I don't know who most of them are. After all, the show is 30 years old. But that doesn't matter because the jokes are still funny and the songs are still great.

As long as we're mentioned the songs, be on the look out for the classic "It's Not Easy Being Green" and the Muppet version of "Mahna-Mahna." Plus this set is a rare chance to hear the words to "Never Smile at a Crocodile."

The set contains 24 half hour episodes on four discs. All the episodes come with "Muppet Morsels" which are trivia tidbits that appear on screen every so often. The final disc feature the original pitch reel and the original pilot, which is much different and not nearly as funny. Finally, there are some fun promos that aired during the first season.

I avoided getting this season for a long time. Why? Because I was afraid I would love it and immediately decide I needed the rest of the seasons. And guess what. I'm looking to buy seasons 2 and 3. This show is hysterically funny and still highly entertaining. It hasn't aged a bit in 30 years.

So if you want a show that will make the entire family laugh, get this set.

   Recollections

Having picked up seasons 2 and 3 of "The Muppet Show", I felt I had to seek out season 1. If you're a muppets fan and care about the fuzzy packaging, buy early -- my season 1 set lacks it.

The packaging is otherwise good.

DVD video and sound quality are exceptional for a videotaped program this age.

But as others have said time and time again, it's been butchered. This means songs, and some lead-ups to them, have been excised (for copyright or contractual reasons). Cutting up episodes like this is rather like selling a prosthetic hand after chopping off two of the fingers. It's there, but it just doesn't feel complete.

On a personal level, as I've always found the skits to be funny and the songs more often that not a nuisance, I'm not that much bothered - except the lack of chapter cuts makes manual fast forwarding annoying.

It's still a reasonable collector's piece, but if you're a fan of the songs, you may be in for a shock.

   AWESOME

I bought this for nostalgic reasons, yes, but not for my own viewing pleasure. It was for the vacation plane ride for kids aged 6 to 12. It's hard to find anything for them to watch that a.) isn't Disney-fied and b.) is witty and smart c.) entertains in terms of the age range...

They absolutely love these DVDs, even if Avery Schreiber as a guest star has zero relevance to their lives.

Littler cousins have also watched these videos and loved 'em just as much.

   You have to love the muppets!

If you want a trip back to your childhood this DVD certainly takes you there. Fantastic to see the old shows again as an adult. Looking forward to introducing the Muppets to my 3 year old!