The Muppet Show Theme Song
Animation Theme Song Archive

The Muppet Show Theme Song

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Song TitleThe Muppet Show Theme
ComposerJim Henson & Sam Pottle
CreatorJim Henson
Premiere Date5 September 1976
Total Episodes120 (5 Seasons)
GenreVariety / Sketch Comedy / Puppetry

The Muppet Show Theme Song Lyrics: It’s Time to Play the Music

It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights It’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight! It’s time to put on makeup, it’s time to dress up right It’s time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight! (Why do we always come here? I guess we’ll never know. It’s like a kind of torture to have to watch the show!) But now let’s get things started, why don’t you get things started? On the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational… This is what we call the Muppet Show!

Behind the Music: Meaning & Story

The The Muppet Show Theme Song is more than just an intro; it is the front door to a wacky world of variety entertainment. Co-written by the legendary Jim Henson and musical director Sam Pottle, the song was designed to mimic the grand openings of old-school vaudeville theater. It perfectly sets the stage for the chaotic, high-energy mix of puppetry and celebrity guest stars that made the show a global phenomenon starting on 5 September 1976.

The show was a unique joint effort between production companies like ATV, Henson Associates, and ITC Entertainment. Interestingly, while the Muppets are an American staple, the series was primarily filmed at ATV Elstree in Borehamwood, England. This facility allowed the team to utilize a sophisticated multi-camera setup, which was essential for capturing the complex puppetry “mayhem” from multiple angles simultaneously, giving the variety show its fast-paced, professional polish.

Over its 120-episode run, the theme song became synonymous with the Muppet brand. Each version of the intro featured a different “zany” closing gag involving Gonzo the Great and his trumpet, or a biting remark from the balcony critics, Statler and Waldorf. Broadcast through ITV in the UK and syndication via CBS in the US, the theme’s cheerful melody invited millions into the whimsical world of the Muppets, cementing its place as one of the most recognizable musical pieces in television history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the two old men at the end of the song?
Those are Statler and Waldorf, the show’s resident hecklers. They traditionally sit in a theater box and provide comedic insults directed at the performers, often appearing during the theme song’s finale.
Was the theme song always the same throughout the seasons?
The core melody remained the same, but the visuals and the final “Gonzo gag” changed frequently. The lyrics also evolved slightly between the pilot episodes and the final seasons.
Where was The Muppet Show filmed?
The show was filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, England. This location was chosen because American networks were initially hesitant to pick up the show, but British producer Lew Grade saw its potential.
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Editorial Note: Content for The Muppet Show has been verified by the ThemeSong.info Editorial Team. We ensure that credits for Jim Henson, Sam Pottle, and the Jim Henson Company are accurately maintained.