5. Ray Liotta – Muppets in Space (1999)
As the gang try to break into a research facility to rescue Gonzo, they must get past a scary security guard. And when it comes to unhinged, scary dudes in Hollywood, good fella Ray Liotta is your go-to (wise) guy. So to see him smile, wave and compliment Fozzy Bear’s tie is a pretty unique moment in cinema and an absolute hoot.
Such a winning smile.
4. Madeline Kahn & Telly Savalas – The Muppets Movie (1979)
Kermit and crew’s first cinematic outing is chock full cameos from of A-List megastars like Richard Pryor, James Coburn, Mel Brooks, even Orson Welles. Here’s a two-fer with one of the funniest women in all of film Madeline Kahn, practically reprising her role of Lili Von Shtupp from BLAZING SADDLES, and Kojak himself, Telly Savalas. A short scene in one shot, it displays the quick fire wordplay we’ve come to expect from Jim Henson and his team.
As a bonus from the same film, have some Richard Pryor. He sure gives good face.
3. Gregory Hines – Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
Perhaps one of the least well known folk to pop up, Hines was a gifted singer, dancer, actor, choreographer and all round talent factory. Like with Madeline Kahn, his scene in Central Park is all in one shot and lets the man, the frog and the piggy shine with their comic timing and physicality. No editing or tricks, just funny folk, one of whom just likes to run around in shorts. See also the finest gag about the UN in any family film.
2. Quentin Tarantino – The Muppets Wizard of Oz (2005)
When I was a kid I had a friend whose favourite saying was ‘That’s as likely as Quentin Tarantino being in a Muppets film.’ Then it only ruddy happened. In a cleverly meta-sequence, the action cuts from The Muppets version of The Wizard of Oz to the big chinned maniac pitching his ultra-violent ideas to Kermit in his office. The poor frog looks absolutely petrified as The QT lays out his blood-soaked vision and we realise that the whole movie is actually being described by Tarantino, including the first time anyone says the word ‘nipples’ in a Disney film. Fun fact.
1. Steve Martin – The Muppets Movie (1979)
With a joke about wine that tops anything from SIDEWAYS, Steve Martin is perfect as the waiter from Hell. This is ‘The Wild and Crazy Guy’ from THE JERK and THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS and his histrionics are juxtaposed wonderfully with the subtleties of Kermit and Piggy’s downplayed performances. If there is a funnier example of a frog smelling a bottle cap, I’d like to see it.
THE MUPPETS MOST WANTED is out this Friday in the UK and already showing in the US. Read our review here.
