Lady Gaga & the Muppets Holiday Spectacular

Context & Trivia

This 2013 Thanksgiving television special marked Lady Gaga's second collaboration with ABC for such a special, following "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving" in 2011. Gaga had previously worked with the Muppets on several occasions, including bringing Kermit the Frog as her date to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and featuring Jim Henson's Creature Shop pieces on her Monster Ball Tour (2009–2011). The special aired on November 28, 2013, and served as a promotional tie-in for both Lady Gaga's "ARTPOP" album and the film "Muppets Most Wanted," in which Gaga made a cameo appearance. While receiving mixed reviews, some praised Gaga for being relatable in the show, while other reviewers were disappointed with its lack of production ideas beyond promoting the album. The special was acquired by Channel 5 in the United Kingdom. The Muppets featured in the special include Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal, Scooter, Statler and Waldorf, the Swedish Chef, Beaker, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Rowlf the Dog, Pepe the King Prawn, Sam Eagle, Walter, Camilla the Chicken, Floyd Pepper, Lips, Zoot, Janice, Rizzo the Rat, Bobo the Bear, Lew Zealand, Big Mean Carl, Albert the Rabbit, and Norman the Sheep.