Loretta Lynn guest stars, but since the theater is being fumigated, this episode of The Muppet Show has to take place at the train station!
Songs and Sketches
- "You're Lookin' at Country", sung by Loretta Lynn
- "All Alone", sung by Miss Piggy
- Muppet News Flash: Mail strike.
- Fozzie's Act: Fozzie is interrupted by a train.
- At the Dance
- UK Spot: "Sentimental Journey", sung by Gonzo and Kermit
- "Oh, Lonesome Me", sung by Loretta Lynn
- Veterinarian's Hospital: Train Conductor
- Muppet News Flash: Chickens declare war.
- "The Rhyming Song", sung by Fozzie, Scooter, Annie Sue, and Link Hogthrob
- "One's on the Way", sung by Loretta Lynn
This episode has examples of:
- Cynic–Idealist Duo: Kermit and Gonzo's performance of "Sentimental Journey" reflects this, as the former interjects with complaints about having to take a handcar back to the station, while the latter is looking on the bright side of things.
- From Bad to Worse: Doing the show at the train station was awkward enough as it was, but then Kermit and Gonzo end up getting stuck on a departing train, forcing the show to go on without the host.
- Handcar Pursuit: Kermit and Gonzo have to take a handcar back to the station. Gonzo is enjoying the trip so much, he sings "Sentimental Journey". In short, everything is going fine, until they have to outrun an oncoming train.
- Hope Spot:
- During the second handcar scene, fresh off evading one train, Kermit muses a light means they're almost back at the station. Gonzo says it's another oncoming train, forcing them to speed away back in the direction they came. A later phone call with Scooter indicates they ended up getting hit by that train.
- A performance of "The Rhyming Song" is one for Statler. Since it was considered so desperate to do that song in the first place, he hopes it means the performers will just run away rather than continue the show. However, the show goes on for one more number.
- Irony:
- Miss Piggy singing "All Alone" is ruined by a large crowd constantly walking back-and-forth to try to find the right train.
- Waldorf observes the train station is somehow cleaner than the theater. Statler also finds sitting on luggage more comfortable than the theater seats.
- Lame Pun Reaction: A pair of hobos hop into the box car used for the At the Dance sketch.Hobo #1: These folks're dancin' and tellin' jokes!
Hobo #2: Well, they're dancin'. - Plot-Based Voice Cancellation: The one time Fozzie tells a guaranteed hilarious joke, he gets drowned out by a passing train.
- Railroad Tracks of Doom: Kermit and Gonzo, while trying to get back to the station on a handcar, have to outrun an oncoming train.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: The manager of the train station tells Scooter he is happy to host the show for an episode.
- Script Swap: During the end credits, Rowlf notes the music is off-key and realizes why: "We're playing a timetable!"
- Special Edition Title: Due to taking place at the station, the theme song is done with hastily-made props at the station.It's time to meet the Muppets at the railroad track tonight.
It's time to make up scenery, let's hope we do it right. - Subverted Rhyme Every Occasion: Not one lyric in "The Rhyming Song" actually rhymes.Scooter: [singing] I was hungry, now I'm not.
All: The Rhyming Song, the Rhyming Song!
Scooter: 'Cause I ate some beans and grapes.
All: The Rhyming Song!
- Scooter: [singing] This is not "The Rhyming Song"!
All: The Rhyming Song, the Rhyming Song!
Fozzie: I know it's not "The Rhyming Song"!
All: The Rhyming Song!
Fozzie: [does a Facepalm] Oh, brother!
- Tempting Fate: Gonzo assures Kermit that the train car they're both standing on is out of service. Cue it pulling out of the station.
- Variations on a Theme Song: The theme song is tweaked to reflect that the group is performing from a train station this week.
- You Are in Command Now: While being pulled out of the station, Kermit puts Scooter in charge.
- Waldorf: Well, what do you think?
[A train passes by, rattling the both of them.]
Statler: Well, a bit shaky.
