The Great Santa Claus Switch

The Great Santa Claus Switch
Written by	Jerry Juhl
Directed by	John Moffitt
Starring	Art Carney Muppet performers: Jim Henson Fran Brill Richard Hunt John Lovelady Jerry Nelson Frank Oz Danny Seagren
Narrated by	Ed Sullivan
Music by	Joe Raposo
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producer	Bob Precht
Editor	Ken Champin
Production companies	Sullivan Productions, Inc.
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	December 20, 1970 (1970-12-20)

The Great Santa Claus Switch is a musical Christmas special featuring Jim Henson's Muppets. It first aired on CBS on December 20, 1970, as an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show. It was directed by John Moffitt, written by Jerry Juhl, with music by Joe Raposo and puppets by Don Sahlin.

Plot

The special, narrated by Ed Sullivan, begins at the North Pole with Santa Claus and his Christmas Elves getting ready for another Christmas. However, Cosmo Scam has hatched a plan to kidnap Santa and take his place. As part of the plan, Cosmo plans to abduct Santa's Christmas Elves one by one and replace them with his evil henchmen.

Cast

• Art Carney as Santa Claus, Cosmo Scam
• Ed Sullivan as himself

Muppet performers

• Jim Henson as Fred the Christmas Elf, Lothar
• Frank Oz as Thig, Boppity, Hoppity the Christmas Elf, Snerf
• Jerry Nelson as Thog, Snivelly, Zippity the Christmas Elf
• Richard Hunt as Bing the Christmas Elf, Matchbox Frackle, Guard Frackle
• Fran Brill as Green Bird Frackle
• John Lovelady as Alarm Frackle, Bong the Christmas Elf, Scoff, Snake Frackle, Snerf
• Danny Seagren as Gloat, Snarl (early Gonzo), Skippity the Christmas Elf, Snerf
• Greg Antonacchi as Gloat

Additional Muppets performed by Cary Antebi, John Byrum, Marilyn Sokol, and Byron Whiting.

Songs

1. "We're Happy Little Christmas Elves"
2. "I Want to Help"
3. "It's Christmas Time"
4. "Rock Music"
5. "It's Christmas Time (Reprise)"

External links

• Muppet Wiki: The Great Santa Claus Switch
• The Great Santa Claus Switch at IMDb