The Muppet Show: 50 years of magic and mayhem

It's been 50 years since The Muppet Show first hit TV screens around the world, and for one Australian puppeteer, it was the adventure of a lifetime. Richard Bradshaw, the only Australian to ever appear on The Muppet Show, has shared his incredible journey with us.

A chance encounter

Bradshaw's journey to The Muppet Show began in 1976 when he received a letter from Muppets creator Jim Henson. The letter, dated March 8, 1976, was an invitation for Bradshaw to join the show.

"Dear Richard, So, how the hell are you? We're embarking on a rather interesting project. We're doing a series of 24 half-hour television shows which will be syndicated in the US and around the world. The show is called The Muppet Show."

Bradshaw, a mathematics and geology graduate, had been teaching and performing as a puppeteer in Australia. He had even appeared on Play School and had gained recognition for his shadow puppetry skills.

A magical moment

In 1974, Bradshaw met Jim Henson in New York City, and the two men quickly became friends. Bradshaw was invited to spend a weekend with the Henson family, which included Jim, Jane, and their children.

"Jane, Brian, Heather and I were in the car waiting to leave, outside my window, there was Jim, Carol and Frank Oz and they said goodbye to each other in the voices of Ernie, Big Bird, and Bert," Bradshaw says.

The weekend took an unexpected turn when Jim's basement flooded, and Bradshaw helped Henson and Frank Oz fix the pipe.

A silver Kermit

Two years later, Henson invited Bradshaw to join The Muppet Show in London. Bradshaw spent a week with Henson, filming segments for the show.

"At the end of the show, just before we went home, Jim said, 'We usually give our guest artists a little silver Kermit to hang around their neck. But I haven't got one, so you can have this one.' And it was the one he was wearing on his neck," Bradshaw says.

Bradshaw's segment aired in 1977 as part of the 22nd episode of The Muppet Show, with Broadway star Ethel Merman as the celebrity guest.

A legacy

The Muppet Show ran for 120 episodes over five seasons, winning numerous awards, including four Emmy Awards and three BAFTAs.

Bradshaw's appearance on The Muppet Show was a highlight of his career, and he still treasures the silver Kermit necklace that Henson gave him.