The Muppet Show is a variety sketch comedy television series starring the Muppets. It is presented as a variety show, featuring recurring sketches and musical numbers interspersed with ongoing plot-lines. Jim Henson produced two pilot episodes for ABC in 1974 and 1975, but neither went forward as a series. Five seasons, totalling 120 episodes, were broadcast on ATV and other ITV franchises in the UK and in first-run syndication in the U.S. from 1976 to 1981.