As a young kid growing up in the late 70s and into the early 80s, two of my all-time favorite franchises then and still today, is Star Wars and The Muppets! Both of these storied franchises will be celebrating 50th anniversaries in 2026 and 2027. Although the Muppet show aired 2 pilot episodes, one in 1974 and one in 1975, the official first episode debuted on September 5, 1976. And as we all know, Star Wars released in theaters on May 25, 1977. Both franchises have stood the test of time and are true icons of not only retro pop culture but remain prevalent in the world of pop culture to this day. The Muppet Show most recently aired a “revival special” on February 4, 2026, and Star Wars has released its first movie in theaters in 7 years with The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, 2026!
Now, let’s go back to say…February 25, 1980. The Muppet Show was nearing the end of its run. The final season ended in 1981, and the original Star Wars had been known for almost 3 years now, with The Empire Strikes Back set to release in May of 1980. I was just about a month away from turning 6 years old and had maybe having just seen Star Wars on HBO. I was also a huge fan of the Muppet Show and had no idea of what I was about to see! This episode comes to us in Season 4, Episode 17.
THE MUPPET SHOW STAR WARS EPISODE
SONGS/SKETCHES
- “Rama Lama Ding Dong”
- Muppet News Flash: “National Sheep Dog Trials”
- Angus McGonagle and Mark Hamill sing “Summertime”
- UK Spot: “Three Little Fishies”
- “Six String Orchestra”
- Pigs In Space: The Star Wars Cast Board the Swinetrek (Part 1)
- Muppet News Flash: “The Swinetrek Has Landed”
- Pigs In Space: The Star Wars Cast Board the Swinetrek (Part 2)
- “You Are My Lucky Star”/”When You Wish Upon A Star”
CAST
Guest Stars:Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker(Mark Hamill), C-3PO(Anthony Daniels), Chewbacca(Peter Mayhew), and R2-D2 (Himself).
Muppets:Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Scooter, Statler and Waldorf, Angus McGonagle, Shepherd, Shepherdess, The Newsman, Animal, Robin the Frog, Link Hogthrob, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Eel, Fish, Shark, Sheep
Background Muppets:Beauregard, Floyd Pepper, Janice, Zoot, Nigel, Koozebanians, Whatnots
Summary of Episode
The 1980 Star Wars episode of The Muppet Show became one of the series’ most memorable pop-culture crossovers, bringing together the humor of the Muppets with characters from a galaxy far, far away. Mark Hamill appears both as himself and as Luke Skywalker, joined by C-3PO, R2-D2, and Chewbacca, who unexpectedly and unapologetically take over the Muppet Theater while searching for the kidnapped Chewbacca—and, in hilarious Muppet fashion, stumble into an increasingly ridiculous adventure. The episode mixes the actual Star Wars characters and costumes with classic Muppet comedy, including a wonderful skit of “Pigs in Space” spoof that turns the segment into a gloriously out of this world space-opera parody. Airing just months before The Empire Strikes Back arrived in theaters, the episode perfectly captured the enormous cultural excitement surrounding Star Wars while showing how naturally its larger-than-life universe could blend with the always unpredictable, anything-can-happen world of the Muppets.
Final Thoughts
For the last 46 years, this episode still remains my all-time favorite episode of The Muppet Show! I can still remember the feeling of excitement and almost not believing that 2 some of my favorite characters were together on one show! How was it possible? Kermit and Luke interacting? My 6 year old mind was blown! Gonzo hilariously playing the role of Darth Vader named Dearth Nadir..Classic! And of course, the classic Muppet Show skit Pigs In Space was probably the show’s most popular sketch. If you’ve never seen this episode, do yourself a favor and watch it streaming on Disney Plus. It’s a good time and will take you back to those days of childhood, when we didn’t have a care in the world. Thanks for reading everybody! Catch you on the next one! KEN
Chad