From the Jan. 31, 1979, edition of Variety


The most sensational, inspirational, celebrational …

“The Muppet Show” was a genius idea for a celebrity variety show that was rejected by U.S. networks, so Jim Henson hopped the pond and found backing for it from the U.K.’s ITC Entertainment. Lew Grade, for the win!

https://variety.com/gallery/tv-ads-rare-variety-star-trek-freaks-and-geeks-sopranos-dawsons-creek-west-wing/univision-3/