THE MUPPET SHOW: SEASON 3
DVD release date: May 20, 2008

JAYE P. MORGAN TALKS ABOUT JIM HENSON AND
APPEARING ON AN EPISODE OF "THE MUPPET SHOW"

AND MUPPET PERFORMER JOHN KENNEDY
SHARES INSIGHT INTO LIFE AS A MUPPET PERFORMER

Have some fun with frogs, pigs, bears, monsters and whatever Gonzo is on “The Muppet Show Season 3” DVD set, complete with the silliest skits and goofiest gags and even “Pigs in Space” and “Veterinarian Hospital.”

“The Muppet Show” is just plain fun and it’s easy to get so caught up in the fun and zaniness that you forget you’re watching puppets. This season delivers more great episodes with more of entertainment’s biggest names like Liberace, Danny Kaye, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, and even some that might surprise you like Sylvester Stallone.

What about bonus features, you ask? (You did ask, didn’t you?)

The only disappointment is that a frog is not born. The original press release for this season of The Muppet Show touted a bonus feature entitled “A Frog Is Born,” which was to be Kermit’s story. That is nowhere that I found on the set, BUT… there are some amazing bonus features and even the menus are fun and entertaining. So enjoy watching them… no matter how much pressure Miss Piggy gives you to make a selection already!

A Company of Players is a fun and fur-filled ten minute look at the people behind (or, uh, underneath) the Muppets. You’ll see interview footage with people like Steve Whitmire (the current performer of Kermit the Frog and others), Kevin Clash (who is best known for Elmo), David Goelz (best known for Gonzo), and the late Jerry Juhl, Head Writer of “The Muppet Show.”

There are plenty of great photos and amazing footage as you learn about the history of the best known Muppets. This is yet another great juicy bonus feature.

Some of the behind the scenes footage you’ll see comes from “Of Muppets and Men,” a 1981 documentary. I sure hope the full show is released, either on its own or as a bonus feature, as you’ll see behind the scenes footage and even a table reading for an episode of “The Muppet Show.”

Take “paws” to see these Purina Commercials… two and a half minutes of typically entertaining Muppets in commercials for the dog food. These commercials feature Rowlf the Dog in his television debut along with his sidekick Baskerville and they might just make you howl with laughter.

The Muppets on Puppets is an hour long 1968 for National Educational Television, hosted by Jim Henson. Jim covers all facets of puppetry, from early Punch and Judy puppets to marionettes to Muppets. There are some entertaining skits and Jim even gives you a lesson in how to make your own puppets.

Before viewing the program you are warned that the audio cuts out a few times in the program, but regardless, this is a pure treasure. Jim Henson was a sheer genius and it’s remarkable to be able to hear his calm demeanor as he talks about the craft he brought to new heights.

Jim never underestimated the intelligence of children and never hid the fact that they are puppets, operated by people. After an entertaining silly skit featuring Rowlf the dog, the cameras are turned so you can see Jim and company performing the skit from the view below the puppets.

In my opinion, this show alone is worth the money!

When it comes to “The Muppet Show” bonus features, season 3 really delivers with these three nuggets.

The last thing I want to point out occurs in the Spike Milligan episode. Jim Henson was always a big Disney fan, and a fan of "it's a small world." Take a look at the "small world" finale which gently pokes fun at the attraction while also paying tribute to it!

So start the music, light the lights, and get “The Muppet Show” on DVD tonight!