Gene Kelly is under the impression that he's just been invited to watch the show, not perform. Meanwhile, Beauregard believes that the world is coming to an end.
Segments and Songs:
- Song: "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" — Seals and Penguins
- Backstage: Scooter uses his fortune-telling cards to read Beauregard's fortune, then tells him that the world is coming to an end.
- Sketch: Kermit and Gene tap dance to the melody of "Frere Jacques" and "The Worry Song".
- Backstage: Beauregard is giving all his things away due to the world coming to an end. Gene thanks him again for the sponge mop.
- Sketch: Veterinarian's Hospital — Beauregard tries to convince Dr. Bob, Nurse Piggy, and Nurse Janice that the world is ending.
- Song: "Fit as a Fiddle (And Ready for Love)" — Two Muppet Poodles
- Backstage/Song: "You Wonderful You" — Gene sings to Miss Piggy until Gonzo tells her that she has to get ready for "Pigs in Space".
- Sketch: "Pigs in Space" — The End of the Universe (Part 1)
- Sketch: Muppet News Flash — The Newsman announces that the meaning and purpose of life has been revealed. He then realizes he's misplaced his papers.
- Sketch: "Pigs in Space" — The End of the Universe (Part 2)
- Backstage: Kermit tells Lubbock Lou and his Jughuggers that he doesn't have room for a jug band number. He changes his tune when Gene does not want to do "Singin' In the Rain".
- Song: "Cool Water" — Lubbock Lou and his Jughuggers
- Backstage: Gene Kelly talks to Kermit about why he doesn't like doing "Singin' in the Rain" anymore.
- Song: Classic Gene Kelly medley — Gene Kelly
This episode provides the example of:
- End-of-Series Awareness: While it wasn't aired last, this was the last episode filmed, and the episode's B-plot features Beauregard thinking that the world is ending, and the "Pigs in Space" sketch is about the crew of the Swinetrek reaching the End of the Universe.
- Frying Pan of Doom: When Gene compares him being expected to sing and dance at the show while he's the special guest to being expected to cook when you're invited over to someone for dinner, Pops asks him if that's an offer, since they "could use a good cook around here." Cue the offended Swedish Chef showing up to knock Pops out with a frying pan.
- I Resemble That Remark!: Beauregard is not amused by the Vet's Hospital gags implying that he's The Ditz. His denial of Dr. Bob's criticism, though, only validates the statements.Beauregard: There you go again, treating me like I was subferior!
- Re-Cut: "Fit as a Fiddle (And Ready for Love)" was only shown in the UK.
- Series Finale: Zig-zagged. This was the final episode to be filmed, which is reflected in Beauregard's fears of the end of the world, but it wasn't the final episode aired, as that honor belongs to Roger Moore.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: The surprise closing act was supposed to be Gene Kelly reenacting his famous dance sequence from Singin' in the Rain, complete with an exact duplicate of the set. However, Gene no longer has any interest in performing the number, since he's come to realize that it's a Tough Act to Follow, so the Muppets hastily invite Lubbock Lou and his Jughuggers to perform "Cold Water" on the Singin' in the Rain set. After the number, Rowlf tries to get Gene to sing the song by playing a vamp, but each time he does so, Gene sings a different song. Eventually, the Muppets finally get him to sing the song they wanted, and Gene picks up his umbrella and heads on stage, ready to perform "Singin' in the Rain" in earnest. However, by the time he gets there, it's stopped raining on the Singin' in the Rain set, leaving Gene to awkwardly walk off into the distance.
- Sign of the Apocalypse: During the Vet's Hospital sketch:Beauregard: The world is going to end, and there'll be a sign: something will happen here that's never happened before.
Nurse Janice: You mean, like if Dr. Bob actually cured a patient?
Dr. Bob: [indignant] Or Nurse Janice kept her mouth shut? [chuckles]
Nurse Piggy: Or if we got one honest laugh?
Dr. Bob: Well, if the world is waiting for that, it's gonna be around a long time.
Nurse Piggy: Eh. - Signs of the End Times: Scooter uses his fortune-telling cards to read Beauregard's future, and they say, "The seven of lumps is in the ascendency with the beginning of the drowning refrigerator," which Scooter misinterprets to mean the end of the world is coming. Throughout the episode, Beau believes in Scooter's prediction, but at the end of the episode, Gene corrects him, as it turns out his fortune was that his laundry would come back gray and dingy.Beauregard: You're trying to make me feel better, but I know — the end is near!
Kermit: Uh, no, the end is now. We'll see you next time on the Muppet Show! - The Teaser: Starting with this episode, a guest star will enter through the stage entrance. This episode also marks the debut of Pops the Doorman, who will ask, "Who are you?", prompting the guest star to tell Pops who they are.
- The Unreveal: In the "Pigs in Space" skit, the Swinetrek arrives at the End of the Universe, where the meaning and purpose of life is about to be revealed. Just then, the dinner bell goes off, and the pigs decide to leave for dinner instead. "You wait for the meaning and purpose of life!" Miss Piggy tells the viewer before running off. Moments later, the show is interrupted by a News Flash, announcing that the meaning and purpose of life has been discovered. The Newsman, however, has misplaced the papers that tell what the meaning and purpose of life is. We return to the Swinetrek, where we learn that the crew missed it as well. The narrator claims that he saw it, but instead of telling them, he just taunts: "I know something you don't know!"
- You Said You Couldn't Dance: When Gene refuses to go onstage and perform, Kermit says he'll have to go on instead and that he can't dance. Gene offers to teach Kermit, explaining that he used to be a dance teacher, and asks where he should give the lesson. Kermit leads him to the place—and then the audience begins applauding as the curtain rises. Gene realizes he's been tricked but graciously agrees to dance with Kermit to the melody of "Frere Jacques" and "The Worry Song".
- Waldorf: Are you ready for the end of the world?
Statler: Sure! It couldn't be worse than this show!
