The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years is a one-hour special starring Jim Henson's Muppets. It was shot in Toronto, Ontario in 1985 and aired January 21, 1986 on CBS. Various Muppets from "The Muppet Show", "Sesame Street", "Sam and Friends", Uncle Traveling Matt and Sprocket the Dog from "Fraggle Rock", and other Muppet-related characters host a banquet to celebrate their thirtieth anniversary by presenting a retrospective of their film and television appearances. After a montage of various Muppet clips dating from 1955 to 1984, and overlaid with Ethel Merman singing "There's No
The Muppets conception. At the start of the Muppets' formation, Jim and Jane Henson were the group's only performers. In 1961, Jane retired to focus on raising their children. Seeking additional performers, Jim came into contact with Frank Oz that year. Although interested, Oz initially declined due to his youth and commitment to high school, and instead suggested Jerry Juhl, who worked alongside Oz at the Vagabond Puppet Theater in Oakland, California. Upon graduating, Oz subsequently joined in August 1963. By the time "The Muppet Show" began, the primary cast of performers grew to consist of Henson; Oz; Dave Goelz; Jerry Nelson;