Jim Henson had been shopping a primetime project for his Muppets for years, after Jimmy Dean's ABC variety show had ended. In 1974, ABC took a chance with a primetime special that brought together the gang from Sesame Street with the cast of The Electric Company, plus guests Elliott Gould, Barbara Eden (ex-I Dream of Jeannie), & Carol Burnett, plus a cameo by ABC newsman Bill Beutel.
Out to Lunch aired two weeks before Christmas. Unfortunately, no video footage is available, just some audio clips. Basically, the Muppets (i.e. Bert & Ernie, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Big Bird) take over ABC to do some movie, TV, & commercial parodies.
While the network takeover gimmick didn't fly with network suits, Henson tweaked the idea, and, with help from Lord Lew Grade at ITC, launched The Muppet Show, with Kermit now joined by a new troupe of Muppets. The series ran for 5 years.
The emergence of the audio clips and accompanying promo advertising is a case of perfect timing, since a new Muppet series is set to launch next week on ABC and Disney+, looking to recapture the spirit of The Muppet Show as it marks its 50th anniversary.
Now, if only someone would find the videos.......
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