With my arms waving in the air ala Kermit, I gotta say, "Yeahhhhh!". This is the one all real muppet fans have been waiting for and it does not disappoint. Click the Explore link above to read the great reviews and a full line-up of guest stars and songs, etc. In a nutshell, this set includes:
- All 24 episodes from the 1976 season completely restored and remastered
- The original pilot, "Sex and Violence!"
- The original pitch reel of the show
- Muppet morsels viewing mode with fun facts about the Muppets
This beauty needs its own page! Just feast your tired eyes upon the treasures below. Someone has been listening to our prayers, 'cause in the first of what we hope will be a series of goldmines (NOTE: Vol. 2 will be released this fall), they've opened the treasure vaults and brought forth five (almost) full episodes (the premiere ep for each of the first five seasons) and many of the extras we've been begging for. Some songs from the original airings had to be cut due to copyrights (check the Muppet Central article for the exact cuts), but there's still plenty to wallow in.
Here are merely some highlights from the set:
Original Sales Pitch (25 minutes, well worth watching!)
Track listing from Muppet Central, which includes the info that you'll see nearly 20 minutes of classic Rowlf the Dog clips previously unreleased since the '60s:
Wabash Cannonball (Show Opening) - Jimmy Dean
She Thinks I Still Care - Eddy Arnold
Medley: Bouquet Of Roses; Any Time; I Really Don't Want To Know; You Don't Know Me; The Cattle Call - Eddy Arnold
You're A Real Good Friend - Eddy Arnold and Jimmy Dean
Song And Dance Man - Jimmy Dean and Rowlf
Beautiful Brown Eyes - Jimmy Dean and The Chuck Cassey Singers
Sweet Temptation - Molly Bee and Jimmy Dean
Just A Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long Way) - Eddy Arnold
Columbus Stockade Blues - Eddy Arnold, Molly Bee and Jimmy Dean
My Heart Skips A Beat - Buck Owens & The Buckaroos
Foolin' Around - Buck Owens & The Buckaroos and Jimmy Dean
Love's Gonna Live Here - Buck Owens & The Buckaroos
Midnight - Molly Bee and Jimmy Dean
Gotta Travel On - Molly Bee, Buck Owens & The Buckaroos and Jimmy Dean
Burning Bridges - Molly Bee
Let Me Go, Blubber - Homer & Jethro
Among My Souvenirs - Homer & Jethro
Swinging On A Star - Jimmy Dean and Rowlf
"Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 2 (1974-1979)" (2007)
Sesame Street
If the first volume in this set is anything to go by, strap yourselves in for even more magical memories. When I get my mitts on the set (and I have NO choice, the kid's honestly wearing out Volume 1!) I'll be able to expand on what's included, but for now here's some info from Genius Products, Muppet Central, their review here, and a review on Amazon.com:
Over 8 hours of classic Sesame Street from the 1970's.
Well-known guest stars will take center stage such as Paul Simon, Judy Collins, Lily Tomlin and Henry Winkler.
* Includes the first Sesame Street test episode ever created, which has never been nationally broadcast!
* A 12-page booklet packed with behind-the-scenes information and photos
* A special collectible animation cell from "Pinball Number Count" which made its debut on Sesame Street in 1977
* Contains the premier episodes from each of the 5 seasons (1974 - 1979) completely restored
* The first episode from Season 5 features the debut of Roscoe Orman in the role of Gordon
* Includes 57 bonus segments
Episode content includes ... the first appearance of Muppet characters Rodeo Rosie, Oscar's trashman Bruno, the Two-Headed Monster and Barkley the Dog. Famous songs include "What's The Name Of That Song?" and "A Song From Kermit" with celebrity appearances by Judy Collins, Henry Winkler (as the Fonz), Paul Simon, Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor, Ray Charles and others.