Backstage:
Scooter and Muppy the Dog approach Kermit about performing the song "Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Dog" as the final number in that night's show. Kermit is naturally reluctant, until Scooter invokes his status as nephew of the theatre owner after which the frog allows the number.
However, Muppy is the ultimate canine prima donna, and throughout the episode Scooter keeps giving Kermit the dog's ultimatums - Muppy wants his own dressing room, star billing and the name of the show changed from "The Muppet Show" to "The Muppy Show". When Kermit fails to comply with this last term Muppy refuses to go onstage, leaving Scooter in costume and in the lurch. Then, as if on cue, Fozzie shows up complaining to Kermit about not having a spot on that week's show. The number is salvaged, with Fozzie going on in Muppy's place.
Musical Numbers: Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear: Dressed as a ringmaster or showman and accompanied by Rowlf on piano, Scooter performs the number he was supposed to perform with Muppy, with Fozzie standing in for the dog.
Skits: none
Goodnights: none
Misc:
Like the rest of the major characters of The Muppet Show, Scooter made his debut in this episode. He then promptly dropped from sight until he was properly introduced in the Jim Nabors episode.
Backstage:
Scooter makes a brief appearance backsate at the beginning of the episode, shoving a large crate into the backstage area. After using the old "my uncle owns the theatre" bit to get Kermit from removing it, Scooter opens the box to reveal a robotic television host - that just so happens to resemble Kermit the Frog. Robot-Kermit shoves the real Kermit into the crate and proceeds to wreak minor havoc in the theatre.
Musical Numbers: none
Skits: none
Goodnights:
Scooter is among the Muppets who tickles Ruth Buzzi.
Backstage:
An orange-skinned, glasses-wearing, enthusiastic young kid comes into the theatre and introduces himself as Scooter, Kermit's new go-fer. As the show is presently having budget problems, Kermit tries to tell Scooter nicely that he doesn't have a job for him. Then Scooter utters five magic words: "My uncle owns this theatre". Just like that Scooter is hired, with a salary of $30 a week.
After getting the job, Scooter proceeds to follow Kermit around the theatre until he's foisted off on George. George proceeds to talk trash about the theatre owner until Scooter mentions he's the owner's nephew...after that, George has nothing but good things to say. Scooter also does a bit of ego-stroking for Fozzie, telling the bear he's the best comedian he's ever heard. However, "lucky for him his uncle owns the theatre" according to the bear, as Scooter fails to first get a joke Fozzie tells him.
Suffice it to say, Scooter has endeared himself to pretty much everyone at the theatre by the end of the show. Even guest star Jim Nabors has nothing but nice things to say about him.
Musical Numbers: none
Skits: none
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out onstage after Kermit mentions his name, and shows off the "accent" he picked up from Jim. As the closing theme starts to play Scooter stays and talks with Jim while Kermit chases Fozzie around.
Misc:
This episode is Scooter's "official" introduction as go-fer and the theatre owner's nephew. Although given the name "Benny VanderGast" in this episode, Scooter's uncle would officially be named "J.P. Grosse" in Season 2 when he makes his first appearance on the show.
Backstage:
When he finds out that Fozzie's material for the night is on the War of 1812, Scooter suggests an alternative for Fozzie's act - the classic "Telephone Pole" sketch. Fozzie is all for it...until Scooter mentions that the two of them would be doing it together. The bear maintains that he is a stand-up comic who does his jokes alone; Scooter responds that Fozzie won't be doing any jokes, since he'll be the telephone pole. Kermit's response: "Cute. Cute idea."
Later on Kermit catches Scooter reading through (or snooping through) a note book and shoos him away. He asks if Scooter and Fozzie are really going to do the Telephone Pole bit, and when Scooter confirms Kermit's suspicions the frog wishes them luck. At that moment Fozzie shows up and backs out. Scooter tries to assure him that they'll do fine, but Fozzie is convinced that they'll die on stage.
Musical Numbers: Sad Song: Scooter is a member of the background chorus during this number, along with Janice, Gonzo, George, Hilda, Wanda, Piggy, and the Guru.
Skits: Silence - A Poem By Rowlf: During Rowlf's poem, Scooter is one of the noisemakers. He walks onstage listening to his transistor radio, with the sound turned up. The Telephone Pole Sketch: Fozzie stands onstage dressed as the base of a phone (like you'd see in a phone booth). Scooter, wearing a brown hat, asks Fozzie, "What's your name?" When Fozzie answers "Mike Oznowizcki" Scooter delivers the punchline - "Oh! So you're the telephone pole!"
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out after Kermit says goodbye, and chats with Thog and Paul.
Misc:
Scooter shows up in the theme song when Paul Williams is introduced as the guest star, crowding around Paul on the Talk Spot set with a bunch of other Muppets.
Backstage:
After being told by Kermit to find a manager, Gonzo finds one - Scooter, who "understands the soul of a true artist". The go-fer assures Kermit that he can manage Gonzo while still handling his duties as go-fer, and declares that he'll change Gonzo's entire "repetoir-e". The first new act that they show Kermit is a rock act - Gonzo beats on rocks with a sledgehammer while saying "Art! Art!"
The next act Scooter tries out for Gonzo is female impersonation - an act that has Hilda rushing to Kermit to complain about the two of them going through the wardrobe. Scooter claims that female impersonation is an art. Kermit proclaims it to be the dumbest act Gonzo's ever done...until Scooter casually mentions that his uncle loves female impersonation. After that, Gonzo is set to go on after the dancers.
Later on Kermit summons Scooter to make sure that everything is ready for the closing number. At that time Scooter breaks the news that he's not managing the Great Gonzo anymore. When Kermit asks why Scooter explains that he gave Gonzo the standard managerial contract...and Gonzo ate it.
Backstage:
Scooters comes up to Kermit while the frog is at his desk and remarks about how great it is to be in show business. Kermit agrees but reminds Scooter that it isn't an easy job, and that sometimes you have to be "ruthless, merciless and cruel." When Scooter asks him how, Kermit tells the go-fer that he just cut Piggy's song from the show, because there's no way Piggy could follow the great Lena Horne.
After Kermit leaves the desk, Piggy approaches and remarks to Scooter on how great Kermit is because he didn't want her to overshadow Lena Horne. Scooter corrects her by telling Piggy what Kermit told him, and gets a karate chop to the gut for it. "Kermit never told me about this part," he gasps. Piggy delivers another karate chop.
Musical Numbers: none
Skits: none
Goodnights: none
Misc:
Scooter shows up during the theme song when Lena Horne is introduced, crowding around her with a bunch of other Muppets next to the piano (set used for the "Sing" number).
Backstage:
Scooter asks Kermit to get him Peter Ustinov's autograph, because Peter is Scooter's favorite. When Kermit comments that last week he was Scooter's favorite, Scooter replies, "We grow, Kermit. We progress!" Scooter also states that when he grows up, he wants to be just like Peter Ustinov. Kermit says that last week Scooter wanted to grow up to be just like him; Scooter states that he was wrong. After Kermit walks away Scooter comments, "Hope I didn't hurt his feelings."
Musical Numbers: Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song: Scooter pops up as part of the chorus during this number.
Skits: none
Goodnights:
As the credits begin to roll, Scooter comes out onstage with a bunch of other Muppets (including Fozzie and Hilda) to chat with Peter, Kermit and The Hatrack.
Misc:
Out of all the Muppets fawning over Peter Ustinov in this episode, Scooter was the only one who seemed concerned with Kermit's feelings or who noticed the frog's jealousy.
The Hatrack received a writing credit for this episode.
Backstage:
While Fozzie is onstage doing his act and closing with the famous "Bananna Sketch", Scooter walks by as Kermit mentions Fozzie's new gag-writer, Gags Beezley. Scooter immediately gasps and asks, "You mean the legendary Gags Beezley?".
Musical Numbers: Try to Remember: Scooter joins the Muppet Monsters, George, Zoot, Nigel and Wayne as part of the chorus for Sandy's closing number.
Skits: none
Goodnights: none
Misc:
In his intro for the opening number "A Girl Like Me", Kermit mentions that the number was staged by "our very own go-fer Scooter". Kermit goes on to say that the number could be a bomb, but... He never gets to finish the sentence because Crazy Harry pops up at the word "bomb" and sets off another explosion, so we never get to hear Kermit's complete opinion of Scooter's work on the number. Too bad, because I thought it was a pretty good number.
Backstage:
After being subjected to Fozzie's "______ for Kermit the Frog" running gag, Kermit attempts to try it on Scooter. However when Scooter comes through, he tells Kermit he'll have to read the letter later since he's busy running errands for Candice Bergan. This cracks Fozzie up.
Later Scooter is standing with Gonzo and Hilda, listening to Fozzie telling them about the topper for his running gag bit. They then watch as Fozzie tells Kermit there's a "flower" for him, then dumps a sack of flour on the frog. Presumably Scooter is also watching as Piggy decks Fozzie in retribution.
Musical Numbers: It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish: Every time Rowlf finishes this song, Scooter comes out to tell him to sing it again. The first time is because he sang it too quick and still has some time left onstage. The second time it's because it's Scooter's uncle's favorite song and he wants to hear it again, but this time Rowlf only has 20 seconds to sing the song. As Rowlf speeds through the song Scooter stands by the piano, keeping time on his watch. When Rowlf finishes with the line, "And I'm gonna finish on time!", Scooter rebutts with, "Barely." You've Gotta Have Friends: Scooter shows up as part of the chorus for this closing number with Candice.
Skits: none
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out onstage with Piggy, Gonzo and Hilda as the credits start rolling to chat with Candice.
Misc:
Scooter shows up in the theme song when Kermit introduces Candice Bergen as the guest star, gathering around her with a group of other Muppets.
Backstage:
As the Electric Mayhem comes offstage after their "gentle" number "Tenderly", Scooter compliments them on the performance. He adds that his grandmother will love it.
Piggy comes by next, obviously wanting something from the go-fer. She tells him that she has given her love to Kermit but he has not returned it, so Scooter deduces that he wants her to go and get her love back from Kermit and asks, "Where does he keep it?" Piggy looks at the camera and remarks, "Amusing little twit, isn't he?" After breaking the fourth wall Piggy corrects Scooter and tells him that she wants to make Kermit jealous. She tells Scooter to tell Kermit that guest star Avery Schrieber is mad about her. Scooter summarizes, "You want me to lie," then asks what will happen if he refuses. Piggy not-so-subtley threatens Scooter with bodily harm. Scooter immediately scurries off to do her bidding.
Later Kermit summons Scooter to tell him to tell Avery to get ready for his next number. Scooter companionably tells Kermit that there's nothing he wouldn't do for him. "I would climb the highest mountain, I would swim the widest river, I would walk across burning coals!" But he won't get Avery Schreiber, because Avery and Piggy are in Avery's dressing room and they don't want to be disturbed. When Kermit claims that Avery wouldn't touch Piggy with a ten-foot pole, Scooter counters that Avery was touching her with his hands and whispering sweet nothings into her ear. He then proceeds to whisper sweet nothings into Kermit's ear, an act that sends Scooter scurrying away after Kermit yells at him.
After Piggy succeeds in her plan to make Kermit jealous, Scooter is seen backstage hollering for Fozzie to standby. In the foreground Piggy and Kermit are talking, and Kermit confesses he wasn't jealous because Scooter told him it was all a trick. Piggy then shouts for Scooter to standby, and karate chops him. Kermit compliments, "Nice punt".
Musical Numbers: none
Skits: none
Goodnights: none
Misc:
This marks the first time that Piggy uses Scooter in an attempt to get more attention from Kermit. This also marks the first time that Scooter breaks her confidence and confesses the whole thing to the boss-frog.
Backstage:
While Fozzie is stick in a magician's magical box, Hilda tries to comfort him by saying the show is dying without him. She assures him that she's telling the truth, only to be rebutted by Scooter and Gonzo. Gonzo claims that the audienced loved his act (?!) and Scooter agrees saying it's the best show they've ever done.
Backstage:
Scooter compliments the jugband as they come offstage, telling them the "Mississippi Mud" number was very believable. He then runs after them yelling because they didn't wipe their feet.
On the stairs Hilda talks about what a nice lady Phyllis Diller is, and how young she looks. When she asks Scooter if he thinks Phyllis has had a facelift, Scooter responds that she jokes about it all the time. Hilda exhults that people should stay young and vibrant as long as possible, and claims her age to be 35. When she walks away Scooter asks Fozzie if it's possible Hilda is 35. Fozzie counters, "Only around the waist".
Musical Numbers: none
Skits: none
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out onstage after Fozzie falls through the trapdoor, and looks down it along with Hilda and Piggy.
Misc:
Scooter shows up in the theme song when Kermit introduces Phyllis as the guest star.
Backstage:
After the opening number, Scooter approaches Kermit about someone wanting to audition. It's not exactly a he or a she, it's sort-of a they - a three-headed monster. Later he has to remind Kermit that the "triple header" is still waiting to audition.
Musical Numbers: none
Skits: none
Goodnights: none
Misc:
This episode marks the first appearance of Uncle Deadly, although he wouldn't officially be introduced until the Twiggy episode.
When getting fed up with Scooter's evasiveness, Kermit threatens that the "go-fer is about to become a gone-fer."
Backstage:
When Statler's African berry bush starts running amok (growing amok?) backstage, Scooter is one of the Muppets attempting to get away from it.
Musical Numbers: Broadway Baby: Scooter is among the crowd of Muppets watching Valerie Harper at the end of her number.
Skits: none
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out and stands onstage with Valerie while Fozzie and Kermit manhandle Statler (and his freak plant) off the stage.
Misc:
Scooter is one of the Muppets gathered around Valerie Harper in the intro.
Backstage:
After the opening number, Scooter comes up to Kermit and tells him he thinks there's a phantom of the Muppet Show. Kermit tells him, "you're kooky, you're crazy" (because Scooter had begun his sentence with "Call me kooky, call me crazy"). Scooter insists that he's serious, and that he saw a goulish face in the closet of the guest star's dressing room. Hilda drops by and tells Scooter it was her, hanging up the wardrobe, but Scooter claims it was after Hilda left. The go-fer, shaking like a leaf, tells Kermit he thinks there's something going on that needs to be looked into, to which Hilda replies, "Yes, your head!" Kermit tells Scooter they'll keep an eye out, but they're all busy and he thinks Scooter's been using his imagination too much. That's before Wanda comes screaming out of the guest star's dressing room about a "phantom in the wardrobe".
Later on (following the Vendaface Machine bit), Scooter is talking to Kermit about how the frog still doesn't believe them about the phantom. Kermit insists there are no such things as ghosts, goblins, phantoms, etc. The conversation is interrupted by a scream from Hilda in the dressing room. She claims to have seen a face in the closet, but it turns out to belong to Gonzo who was hiding from the phantom. Scooter asks Kermit if he believes them now, but the frog doesn't. At least, until Uncle Deadly shows up...
After Deadly delivers his ultimatum - "Leave or be doomed!" - to Kermit, Scooter, Gonzo and Hilda tell Kermit that the phantom bit was just George the Janitor trying to scare everyone. But then if George is down on the ground floor, who's that up by the dressing rooms?...THE PHANTOM OF THE MUPPET SHOW!!
Musical Numbers: none
Skits: none
Goodnights: none
Misc:
Scooter is one of the Muppets gathered around Twiggy during the theme song.
Interestingly enough, Deadly is now a member of the Muppet Show cast, hanging with the Muppet monsters and portraying the villain in the melodrama skits. Guess "doomed" doesn't get you much these days...
Backstage:
After the "Java" number, as Fozzie is talking to Kermit about his agent stopping by, Scooter pops over to tell Kermit that everything is ready for the next number. Kermit actually pays the go-fer a compliment this time, saying "the boy's doing a great job."
Musical Numbers: Ethel Merman Medley: Scooter sings with Ethel and Gonzo on a short bit from "De-Lovely", then joins the gang and Ethel at the end for "Mutual Admiration Society". There's No Business Like Show Business: Scooter is one of the Muppets drawn out as Ethel sings this song to Fozzie. Later he comes out onstage as part of the chorus line dancers, then as part of the chorus at the finale.
Skits: none
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out onstage to chat with Ethel Merman as the credits roll.
Misc:
When Kermit introduces Ethel Merman as the guest star during the theme song, Scooter is one of the Muppets gathered around her on the set for "There's No Business Like Show Business".
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out onstage to try and break up the fight between Miss Piggy and Kaye Ballard.
Misc:
Scooter is one of the Muppets gathered around Kaye Ballard on the Talk Spot set during the theme song.
Aside from the theme song cameo and the appearance during the goodnights, Scooter doesn't make any other appearances during the entire episode.
Because of the band's feelings regaring the show's theme song, the end theme is played completely by Rowlf on the piano and conducted by Nigel. The ending shot is of the entire band backstage just staring at the camera.
Musical Numbers Mr. Bassman: Scooter takes center stage for this one, singing with Floyd (the "bassman") about how he wants to be a bassman just like him.
Skits: none
Goodnights:
Scooter comes out as the credits roll to say hi to the Mummenschanz.
Misc:
Scooter shows up with a bunch of Muppets crowding around the Mummenschanz on the set for one of their skits.
Another minimal appearance episode for the go-fer.
