Pete and Ben do an impression of a pair of knowledgeable podcast hosts and discuss the career and contributions of Rich Little. They also examine the essential heart of the act of an impressionist, realize that their patented Wild Speculation™ is the equivalent of Wikipedia's [citation needed], and make a LOT of references to other … Continue reading Guest-starring Rich Little!
The Henson Perspective
Guest-starring George Burns!
It's the Muppet Show! With our very special return to season two on the 45th anniversary of the original NYC broadcast. Ben and Pete continue their journey documenting what jokes land, debating which conceits confuse, and wondering from where some of these musical choices came. This week they discuss the show's secret Britishness, the worst … Continue reading Guest-starring George Burns!
Guest-starring Juliet Prowse!
And so we come to the close of the first season of the Muppet Show, with the 45th anniversary of the broadcast of the first production episode. Pete and Ben discuss which scenes they think were re-filmed, the creepiness of an amphibian casting couch, and which Muppets have had plastic surgery, before Pete summarizes statistics … Continue reading Guest-starring Juliet Prowse!
Guest-starring Avery Schreiber!
Ben and Pete examine the career and appearance of Avery Schreiber, and the ties between his comedy partner — the key writer on The Muppet Show — and his manager — whom he shared with Jim Henson. And yet, they find that this show featured some of the best writing of the season and some … Continue reading Guest-starring Avery Schreiber!
Guest-starring The Mummenschanz!
Pete and Ben get socked all the way to the Geek Farm, where they discuss this week's appearance of The Mummenschanz, are surprised by the behind-the-scenes origin of The Vendaface, and try to remember that Pete is forgetting everything. https://audioboom.com/posts/8142894-henson-perspective-guest-starring-the-mummenschanz Sources and References: Ben compared some of the animal mummery of Mummenschanz to Isabella Rossellini's … Continue reading Guest-starring The Mummenschanz!
Guest-starring Connie Stevens!
Back from a long hiatus, and no longer quite on "anniversary schedule", Pete and Ben turn their sights on the nomenclature of pairs, the legacy of earning the rank of Eagle Scout, and how the Ship of Theseus paradox works with editing and production numbers. And somehow that's all supposed to tie in with Connie … Continue reading Guest-starring Connie Stevens!
Guest-starring Ethel Merman!
Ben and Pete sit down to discuss the legendary voice and persona of Ethel Merman, while also debating whether any movie would be good without sound editing, and possibly putting to rest the season-long investigation as to whether the Muppet Show knows it's being broadcast on television. Also: thrill to the debate about if Pete … Continue reading Guest-starring Ethel Merman!
Guest-starring Phyllis Diller!
Pete and Ben hunker down in the Sadness Café and try to tickle the ivories and make them laugh more than Phillis Diller did. They also talk about how authentic a stand-up comedian needs to be, how great of a sax player Zoot is, and whether it's time to join the great Spotify exodus. https://audioboom.com/posts/8044259-henson-perspective-guest-starring-phyllis-diller … Continue reading Guest-starring Phyllis Diller!
Guest-starring Twiggy!
Ben and Pete hit the catwalk with a twirl and a smize and discussions about whether this episode was produced all at once or cobbled together later, how to reconcile that the show only sporadically engages in continuity, and whether one can ever get used to the weight and movement of long hair. https://audioboom.com/posts/8039588-henson-perspective-guest-starring-twiggy Sources … Continue reading Guest-starring Twiggy!
Guest-starring Vincent Price!
It's February when this drops, late from a January anniversary airdate, featuring footage from Spooky Season and an featured skit that takes place on New Year's Eve. And that doesn't even include the number of moments that Ben and Pete feel are out of order within the episode itself! Join them to untangle the chronology … Continue reading Guest-starring Vincent Price!