Conundrum

Nov 20, 2007 11:42

It may be what they call "The Muppet Show", but is that what the Muppet Show really is?

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zacthompson November 21 2007, 21:37:09 UTC
Ah, you have hit upon a subtle truth, there.

I believe that "The Muppet Show" was what they were showing on the stage of Muppet Theatre: the musical numbers, the comedy routines, the poetry recitations, the dance numbers. ... The *real* Muppet Show, which went un-named, was what we, the audience at home were watching: the behind-the-scenes version, in the wings, rafters, and dressing rooms, with all of the conflict and strife that come with any business, exacerbated by the larger-than-life personalities of performers ... but of course, this meta-show was also staged, complete with laugh track. Celebrities came on to the show to "guest star", but of course were really only playing fictionalized versions of themselves. Moreover, their well-known screen roles were incorporated into the farce: Mark Hamill was not Luke Skywalker, Christopher Reeves was not Superman, but these distinctions were blurred in the show.

It foresaw all the others that have come since; notably Larry Sanders.

The true creators of the show, even the cast, were never seen at all.

Henson was too brilliant not to have planned it this way.

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gaffetheorist November 22 2007, 21:28:18 UTC
This is marvellous, thank you.

And also: Zac!

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trimmje November 23 2007, 03:47:27 UTC
I bow to your brilliant analysis. I am applauding, or would be, were I not typing.

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