We are extremely saddened to learn that British jazz singer Cleo Laine has passed away. Among her many accolades and accomplishments, we remember her best for appearing in a memorable episode of The Muppet Show.
Laine appeared in the second season of The Muppet Show, making it one that I personally watched many times, thanks to the DVD release. If you watched it a million times as well, you’ll remember it as the one that introduces Fozzie Bear’s mother, who sits silently in the audience while Fozzie attempts to insert himself in every sketch (including a series highlight, the phrenology sketch). But just as memorable is Cleo Laine, who appeared in numbers like…
“It Don’t Mean a Thing” with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem!
“You’re Just in Love,” a rare musical number with The Swedish Chef!
“If,” accompanied by puppets by Bruce Schwartz!
What range! What diversity! What an episode!
In return for being welcomed onto The Muppet Show, Laine also invited Rowlf the Dog onto her short-lived show Cleo in 1978, singing “I Want a Simple Song,” which seems to be spoofing Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.”
What a joy to include Cleo Laine among those who’ve worked so closely with the Muppets. She will most definitely be missed.
Click here to help us remember Cleo Laine on the ToughPigs Discord!
by Joe Hennes – [email protected]
