Rita Moreno — [s1e1]

The episode is famous for several iconic sketches that pitted Moreno against the Muppets' most volatile characters:

Perhaps the most famous segment in the show's history, Moreno attempts a sultry rendition of "Fever" while Animal backs her on drums. As Animal's playing becomes increasingly frenetic and loud, a frustrated Moreno eventually settles the score by bashing his head between two cymbals. [S1E1] Rita Moreno

Moreno performed a stylized, violent "Apache Dance" (a French street dance) with a life-sized Muppet partner, highlighting her skills as a professional dancer. The episode is famous for several iconic sketches

The episode featured a running gag where Fozzie Bear answered a series of increasingly bizarre phone calls, and Moreno had a memorable conversation with Kermit the Frog that was interrupted by the giant monster Sweetums . The EGOT Achievement The episode featured a running gag where Fozzie

For those interested in her broader life story, the 2021 documentary Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It on PBS American Masters provides an in-depth look at her 70-year career, including her battles against typecasting and industry sexism. "The Muppet Show" Rita Moreno (TV Episode 1976) - IMDb

Airing on September 20, 1976, this episode served as a massive introduction for many viewers to the chaotic, vaudevillian world of Jim Henson’s Muppets. At the time, Moreno was already a superstar, known for her Oscar-winning role in West Side Story and her work on the PBS children's series The Electric Company . Her performance on The Muppet Show showcased her versatile talent for slapstick, singing, and comedic timing.