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 Snarl (early version of Gonzo), Skippity the Christmas Elf, Snerf Greg Antonacchi as Gloat
Additional Muppets performed by Cary Antebi, John Byrum, Marilyn Sokol, and Byron Whiting.
Songs "We're Happy Little Christmas Elves" "I Want to Help" "A Bundle To Be Made" "It's Christmas Time" "Rock Music" "It's Christmas Time (Reprise)"
References
External links Muppet Wiki: The Great Santa Claus Switch