Wow! Puppeteers Unite just uncovered a bit of early Muppets which I never knew existed.
The Orson Welles Show was an unsold television talk show pilot. It has never been broadcast or released. Filming began in September 1978 and the project was completed around February 1979. It ran 74 minutes and was intended for a 90 minute commercial time slot.
Shot partly before a live audience, Welles interviewed Burt Reynolds (taking several questions from the audience,) Jim Henson and Frank Oz performed Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear.
Part of what makes this totally fascinating is that the puppeteers are in full view of the audience and only masked by shadows.
Of course I love this. I love that he had them on.
You know what? Had you not mentioned the puppeteers, I never would’ve noticed!