New Muppet Stuff
America’s Funniest Home Videos
May 8, 2005: The Muppets appeared on the season finale of America’s Funniest Home Videos, to help give away $100,000 to an undeserving family who did nothing but turn a video camera on while their dog scratched itself. It’s not the classiest gig they’ve ever had, but they were promoting Muppets’ Oz, so that’s all right.
The show starts with host Tom Bergeron sharing some of his hilarious videos with the Muppets. Gonzo seems especially taken with them, but he’s not known for his good taste. Speaking of taste, Animal chows down on a videotape. |
Fozzie introduces the show… |
Tom asks Kermit for some advice on being a TV host. Kermit advises him not to anger the pig. |
Kermit wants to show Tom one of the Muppets’ funny home videos — the tape from Miss Piggy’s birthday party. Piggy rushes on stage, and tells him that the tape is too embarrassing to show. |
Inspired by the crazy stunts on some of the videos, Gonzo shows off one of his own stunts, smacking himself against the camera. |
Kermit plugs the Muppets’ Wizard of Oz, showing a clip of Dorothy and her friends inviting the Tin Thing to come with them. |
Fozzie introduces a commercial break, and makes a mess of things. |
Piggy hears that tonight’s winner would get $100,000, so she insists that they show the tape of her birthday party. Tom tries to explain that she’s not eligible, but Piggy shouts, “Roll the tape!” |
| In the home video, Pepe is filming the preparations for Miss Piggy’s surprise party. Pepe shouts at a penguin, who’s helping himself to the refreshments… | |
| Pepe
|
Get away from the cake! I can’t believe it, you are punching holes in the cake! I don’t believe, okay. They’re coming everyone, come on, come on! |
| Pepe
|
Gonzo… what is that? |
| Gonzo
|
It’s a rake, for Miss Piggy. |
| Pepe
|
Why? |
| Gonzo
|
It’s her birthday! |
| Pepe
|
Ach, come on, come on… Fozzie, why are you mopping the floor? |
| Fozzie
|
I’m cleaning up my act! Aaaaa-aaaaah! |
| Pepe
|
Funny… wait, they’re coming! Sssh, ssshh! |
| Gonzo
|
I think I hear them! |
| (As the door opens, Piggy is telling Kermit that she’s had a wonderful time tonight.) | |
| Kermit
|
Yeah, well, me too, Piggy. |
| Everyone
|
SURPRISE!!! |
| Piggy
|
Oh! OH! |
(Delighted, Piggy runs into the apartment… and slips on the wet floor. She falls forward…) |
(… face-first into the cake.) |
| (Everyone gathers around, and tries to help.) | |
| Kermit
|
Are you okay? |
| Piggy
|
Oh, my dress… Oh, look at this… Oh, Kermie, this is so embarrassing… Oh… |
| (Everyone is horrified, but Pepe is chuckling away.) | |
| Pepe
|
Heh heh heh… It’s on the tape, everyone! |
| Piggy
|
What? |
| Pepe
|
It’s on the tape… |
| Piggy
|
GIMME THAT CAMERA! |
| (Piggy lunges for the camera.) | |
| Gonzo
|
Watch out for the — |
| (WHACK!) | |
| Gonzo
|
— rake. |
(The rake handle smacks Piggy in the face, and she falls backward.) |
| Kermit
|
Uh… I think we’re gonna need some ice. Uh. Uh. Where’s the ice machine!? |
The crowd cheers for the video. Piggy thanks them, and tells Tom that she’ll be back soon to pick up the $100,000 check. |
Statler and Waldorf make smart remarks. |
Piggy returns to accept her check, but Tom explains that as a guest, she’s not eligible to compete. Predictably, she karate chops him. |
Tom tries to have a moment with the penguins, but he’s stumped by the fact that they don’t talk. |
The winning family is awarded the prize. The Muppets celebrate with the winners. |
by Danny Horn
