A Muppet Family Christmas

Genre	Christmas special
Created by	Jim Henson
Written by	Jerry Juhl
Directed by	Peter Harris
Starring	Jim Henson Frank Oz Jerry Nelson Richard Hunt Dave Goelz Steve Whitmire
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of episodes	1
Production
Executive producer	Jim Henson
Producer	Diana Birkenfield
Editor	John McManus
Running time	48 minutes
Production company	Henson Associates
Original release
Network	ABC
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A Muppet Family Christmas is a Christmas television special starring Jim Henson's Muppets. It first aired on ABC on December 16, 1987. The special features characters from The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and Muppet Babies.

Plot

The story begins with Fozzie Bear driving his friends to his mother Emily Bear's farm for Christmas. Unbeknownst to Fozzie, Emily Bear is planning to go to Malibu for the holidays and has rented out her farmhouse to Doc and his dog Sprocket from Fraggle Rock. Upon the Muppets' arrival, Emily decides to stay and host the entire group for Christmas.

As the Muppets settle in, they are joined by characters from Sesame Street, who arrive to celebrate the holiday together. The special includes various musical numbers and comedic sketches, showcasing the interactions between the different groups of characters.

Throughout the special, the Muppets engage in various holiday activities, such as decorating the house, singing carols, and preparing a Christmas feast. The special also features a subplot where Fozzie builds a snowman that comes to life and performs a comedy act with him.

The special culminates in a heartwarming scene where Jim Henson himself makes a cameo appearance, washing dishes in the kitchen and expressing his joy at seeing everyone together for the holidays.

Cast

• Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, Swedish Chef, Waldorf, Ernie
• Frank Oz as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam the Eagle, Bert, Cookie Monster
• Jerry Nelson as Robin the Frog, Statler, The Count, Gobo Fraggle
• Richard Hunt as Scooter, Janice, Beaker, Don Music
• Dave Goelz as Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Boober Fraggle
• Steve Whitmire as Rizzo the Rat, Wembley Fraggle

Production

A Muppet Family Christmas was directed by Peter Harris and written by Jerry Juhl. The special was produced by Henson Associates and featured a large ensemble cast of Muppet performers. The special is notable for bringing together characters from different Muppet franchises, including The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock.

Reception

The special was well-received by audiences and critics alike for its heartwarming story and the seamless integration of characters from various Muppet productions. It has since become a beloved holiday classic and is often praised for its humor, charm, and the nostalgic value it holds for fans of the Muppets.

Home Media

A Muppet Family Christmas has been released on various home media formats, including VHS and DVD. However, some releases have been edited due to music rights issues, resulting in the removal of certain songs and scenes.

Legacy

The special is remembered fondly by fans and is often included in lists of top Christmas specials. It is celebrated for its unique crossover of Muppet characters and its ability to capture the spirit of the holiday season.

External Links

• [IMDb page for A Muppet Family Christmas](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251282/)
• [Muppet Wiki page for A Muppet Family Christmas](https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/A_Muppet_Family_Christmas)