Search - Ed Sullivan: Muppets Magic From the Ed Sullivan on DVD

Unbridled Henson

Tom Tuerff | That there Phoenix place | 09/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most people think of the Muppets from Sesame Street or their successful 70s TV show, where "Entertaining the Family, especially the kids" was the point.

Few people remember that when Jim Henson first started appearing on TV with the Muppets, the humor was very much more adult-oriented--not "dirty" adult, but slapticky adult. Things exploded. Creatures were devoured by other creatures. Still others died comically. (Remember the black and white coffee commercials, where a Muppet is asked how he likes a certain brand of coffee? He says he doesn't like it and the interviewing muppet promptly blows him away with a cannon. Then he turns the cannon to the camera and says to the viewer, "Now, what do YOU think of (NAME) coffee?")

Well, that sense of humor is prevalent on the bulk of this DVD and it's marvelous. Henson's appearances on Ed Sullivan are compiled in chronological order, starting with "Instant Rock Band," where a small furry thing expands into a full garage band before your eyes.

From there, we are treated to an early version of what would become the Cookie Monster, gleefully devouring a talking machine that gets the last laugh after it's been swallowed.

The Muppets' first performance of "Ma Nah Ma Nah," which actually became a hit record for them during the 70s after this skit was resurrected on their TV show, is here and is remarkably funny. (When the guy looks down the horn-like noses of his bovine background singers, the look on his face is hilarious.)

Of course, once Sesame Street showed up, Sullivan HAD to have Big Bird on, and it's those "crossover" skits that suffer the most. But you can skip over them.

Definitely get this. It's worth every penny. And it's worth looking into the mind of Jim Henson and what he could do when we was told he could do whatever he liked."

A Blast From the Muppet Past!

Michael J. Chrush | Kent, WA United States | 01/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sure the cover sucks, but who cares? Watching this DVD is a tour through time into the early days of Jim Henson's career for puppet sketches. Those of you real Muppet Aficionados should look carefully at the cover and try to identify some of the characters, and who they would evolve into later. Despite Kermit the Frog, an early Beautiful Day Monster design, and the obvious Sesame Street characters, watch the skits and try to notice any similarities.One of the first puppet show appearances in SAM AND FRIENDS hosts memorable skits such as "I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face" with a bewigged Kermit the Frog being taunted by the ravenous monster Yorick (who later became Cookie Monster), and the classic "Inchworm" sketch. No, not the song Inchworm, but the sketch with Kermit sitting on a bench and the worm taps him on the leg until he eats it, when the third worm appears, Kermit tries to eat it, but a giant monster appears and eats him. It was a classic sketch used later on THE MUPPET SHOW guest starring Rich Little, with Lennie the Lizard standing in for Kermit. There is also the "Java" skit from the Ed Sullivan Show, which later featured on THE MUPPET SHOW with Ethel Merman.Many of these skits look great after being preserved for so long, and it's enduring to see how the characters have evolved over the years. Those of you real fans should recognize I FEEL PRETTY, MAHNA MAHNA, and BIG BIRD'S DANCE which would also be re-enacted in shows later. I, for one, would love to see flashbacks of the product commercials which were popular around the late 1950s which lasted six seconds during each skit to sell a product and tell a joke. Who can forget Wilkins Coffee, the La Choy Dragon, Claussens Bread, or Purina Dog Chow? For more information on these rarities, I recommend Danny's Tough Pigs website or Kaptain Kidshow Memories.This is a great collectible, and I sense there will be more to follow."

An essential dvd for any Muppet/TV fan

Tom Tuerff | 06/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is a diamond in the rough. If you or anyone you know is a Muppet fan or simply loves classic TV, this DVD is a must.
These Muppet skits are a precurser to the wonderful shows and characters we all know and love. Many of these skits were recycled into Muppet Show skits years later.
My friend is always borrowing this DVD and both us watch it repeatedly and have yet to tire of it."

RARE!

Busy Lady | Seattle, WA USA | 09/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you need to laugh, babysit or just want to have something on in the background without commercials this will do the trick. I love The Muppets and have many DVD's from the collection. This one is just unusual as it has music and skits mixed together and makes for a fun time that can be enjoyed over and over. Sure beats anything from the Bratz Dolls world of child raising. Raise your kids on good wholesome TV."