Jack and the Muppets

[Lookit]

Thanks for the recent item in the Jack Benny Times about Jim Henson's idea for the Tax Day Special that eventually became The Muppet Show! It was amazing to read this because my wife and I have talked for the last 20 years about how Jack would have been the perfect guest star on The Muppet Show, and now to find out he inspired the whole thing...

Makes it even more tragic, though, that he didn't survive long enough to be a guest.

[Jhammes]

>> Makes it even more tragic, though, that he didn't survive long enough to be a guest.


Too true. Thankfully, Jack, Jim Henson, and Kermit DID gather on Johnny Carson's 01/23/74 Tonight Show. Take a look-see:

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Jack_Benny

I've mentioned before, this is the closest we have to Jack and the Muppets "performing" together, albeit as guests on a talk show.
Still, as Carson would always say " ... good stuff! ". Even better,
the video of this Tonight Show episode actually DOES exist, and even pops up from time to time online.

[Jhammes]

Come to think of it, wasn't Gonzo giving a nod to Jack, during that "cold opening" segment
of The Muppet Show episode with George Burns ("... Gonzo fiddles while George Burns!")?

Gonzo dreamed up many preposterous ideas and stunts, but was this the only time he played
a violin (rather badly, I might add ) ?