The
Muppet Show (1978)
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The
Muppet Show was famous for having popular guest stars. I think it was
inevitable that Danny would appear on this show because he was so good at
children's entertainment.
The show begins with Scooter entering Danny's dressing room only to find him asleep. Scooter wakes Danny up and tells him, "15 seconds to curtain." Danny assures Scooter it's all right, but then as he realizes how little time he has left, Danny begins to rush about trying to get ready. He ends up knocking his head into the wardrobe, falls back into his chair, and goes to sleep. Scooter's response, "I wonder if that's how he took his first nap."
Later in this particular episode Danny is scheduled to sing a song with Miss Piggy. Their practice happens to be my favorite scene. Of course, they don't actually get the chance to practice as you'll find out. Danny ends up saying the wrong thing to Miss Piggy and a feud ensues. They end up performing their song -- "Cheek to Cheek" -- and later Danny does a scene with the Swedish Chef, pretending to be his Swedish uncle.
Statler and Waldorf, usually sitting in their balcony seats, spend this episode out back. They thought that the guest star for that day was Manny Kaye, the tuned clam player, whom they think is the worst performer on earth. When they find out it was actually Danny Kaye, they're sorry that they missed it; they love Danny Kaye.
DANNY:
Miss Piggy? Miss Piggy. Well, well, well. Hello, Miss Piggy.
MISS PIGGY: Mr. Kaye, can I call you Danny?
DANNY: I couldn't wait to get here to work with you because I have wanted to do this for a very long time.
MISS PIGGY: Danny, Daniel, I wanted to do it with you.
DANNY: No, I wanted to do it with you.
MISS PIGGY: No, I wanted to-- (both break off into indistinguishable babblings) Tell me...
DANNY: Yes?
MISS PIGGY: Why is that vous wanted to do this particular song avec moi?
DANNY: Well, there's a very good reason for that. You see, Piggy dear, I heard you sing this song once before. Thank you. I heard it--Oh, that's nice. Some time ago I heard you sing this song and I thought the way you did it was absolutely memorable.
MISS PIGGY: That's funny. I don't remember that.
DANNY: Oh well that was years and years and years ago.
MISS PIGGY: Oh?
DANNY: I think I said something wrong. What I meant was way back when you were thin.
MISS PIGGY: (clears throat) I see. Way back then, huh? When you had your nose done?
DANNY: Oh, yes. I had it made a little larger.
(mock laughter)
ROWLF: Listen, are you guys going to rehearse this song or we wanna talk about it?
MISS PIGGY: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. All right.
DANNY:
Piggy dear, why don't you practice
the song and I'll go and change my clothes.
MISS PIGGY: Daniel, dear.
DANNY: Yes?
MISS PIGGY: Yes, a true professional doesn't need to rehearse.
DANNY: Well in that case, I'll go and practice changing my clothes.
(Piggy growls)
SCOOTER: Stand by for cheek to cheek.
MISS PIGGY: Oh, yes, yes.
DANNY: I'll see you on...
MISS PIGGY: ...the battlefield.
DANNY: You're beautiful when you're angry.
(Piggy growls)
ROWLF: Years and years ago when you were thin, huh?
(Piggy hits the piano)