Joan Baez is the guest star, just in time for the rats of the Muppet Theater to make their move. Kermit tells Beauregard to "take care of" them. Beau takes it literally, giving the rats all the food they can eat. (This is Rizzo's first major speaking role.)
Songs and Sketches
- "Man Smart, Critter Smarter", sung by various woodland animals.
- "Honest Lullaby", sung by Joan Baez.
- Pigs in Space: Rizzo tries to join the Swinetrek crew.
- UK Spot: "Blackbird", sung by Floyd and Janice.
- "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", sung by Joan.
- Fozzie's Act: Fozzie tries some nature jokes.
- "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", sung by Joan and the Muppets.
This episode has examples of
- Animal Jingoism: The pigs are implied to not like rats, due to the fact that Strangepork yells, "Emergency! Emergency! I've just found out there's a rat aboard!", and Link screams, "A rat! A rat!" when Rizzo, in a Pigs in Space costume, shows up. When Rizzo says he wants to join the crew of Pigs in Space...Link: [grabbing Rizzo] Listen, rat, you could never be in the crew of Pigs in Space!
Rizzo: Why not?
Link: Well... you're... you're too short.
Miss Piggy: Why didn't you just say he wasn't a pig?
Link: Well, I didn't want to hurt his feelings. - Crashing Dreams: Lampshaded by Kermit after Beau wakes up from his nap on the floor of the backstage area.Beauregard: Kermit, Kermit, I had a dream, and it was so real! What does it mean when you dream people are walking on your head?
Kermit: It means you're sleeping on the floor! - Eek, a Mouse!!: Link has this reaction when Strangepork tells him there's a rat aboard the Swinetrek, and doubly so when Rizzo shows up.
- Hostile Show Takeover: The rats are planning to take over the show, even asking Joan if she wants to be an honorary rat. Joan tells Kermit, who's skeptical until they rush him offstage and Rizzo enters, wearing a collar like Kermit's. At the end, Statler and Waldorf have also been replaced with rats.Rizzo: That's all for now. We'll see you next time on The Muppet Show. YAAAAY!
[Kermit runs in, trying to shoo the rats away.] - Literal-Minded: Kermit tells Beauregard to take care of the rats. Beau thinks that means he's supposed to keep them provided with food.
- My God, What Have I Done?: When Beauregard hasn't gotten rid of the rats, Kermit angrily lays down the law, telling him that either the rats go, or he goes with them. Beau, practically crying, chooses to quit. Kermit tries desperately to defend his firmness to Fozzie, but very quickly breaks down in remorse.
- Obsessed with Food:Kermit: Listen, Beau, I gotta introduce Joan Baez. Uh, would you just take care of these rats?
[Kermit walks off, leaving the rats staring uneasily at Beau.]
Rats: Uh-oh...!
Beauregard: Well, okay, rats. I'm supposed to take care of you. Now, what would you like?
Rizzo: Food!
Rat #2: And bicarbonate of soda!
Rat #3: And more food! - Smelly Skunk: After the "Man Smart, Critter Smarter" number, Kermit asks if the critters had to blow up the factory that was in the background. A skunk asks if he could smell the pollution.
- Taking Advantage of Generosity: Beau finds the rats trying to raid the refrigerator, but they're too small to open it. Taking advantage of Beau's kindness and lack of wit, Rizzo tells him that they've just elected him their president.Beauregard: Me? President?
[The rats cheer.]
Rizzo: Yep! And your first duty as president is to declare this refrigerator officially open.
Rat #2: Yeah!
Beauregard: Okay. [Opens the fridge.] I declare this refrigerator is open!
[The rats cheer, then start raiding the fridge.]
Beauregard: Boy, this president job is fun!
- [Two rats have replaced Statler and Waldorf in the box. They chatter in gibberish and laugh.]
