They missed a possible gag in the episode which could have run as follows: Rowlf: What would you like me to play? Nureyev: Do you have some music by Bach? Crazy Harry: [entering, with a TNT plunger] Вы говорите, что вам нравится “бабах?” [subtitled: “You say you like “babakh”?] Nureyev: Нет! НЕТ! [subtitled: “No! NO!”] [KABOOM!] Waldorf: I didn’t know Crazy Harry spoke Russian. Statler: Well, when he turns up everyone’s Russian to the exits! Statler & Waldorf: DO-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
I have always loved Ballet and I have always wished to see Nureyev dance but never had the opportunity, however many years ago I was in London to see the show EVITA at a matinee and was on my way to the station to go home when I saw a queue of people at a stage door I asked a man what was the queue for and he told me that Nureyev was signing autographs. I was so excited and joined the queue. I always carried my autograph book with me and could not believe my luck. I got inside the stage door and HE was sitting on a stool in the stage door keepers office and people were just passing their papers for him to sign but no one spoke to him. I decided I had to speak to him,he was the greatest dancer in the world and I was determined to speak to him so as he signed my book I said " Thank you Mr Nureyev,it is so kind of you to sign my book"" He looked up at me with that beautiful face and deep blue eyes and smiling at me said " Its a pleasure " and we both smiled and I walked out with a big smile on my face. I was thrilled and even though it was many years ago I still feel wonderful when I think about him. What an amazing talent he had and how he is missed. We will never see his like again. Thank you Rudi xxx
I was lucky enough to see him in Don Quixote with the Australian Ballet, when I was in my teens. A wonderful performance. It was filmed, but I haven’t been able to find the recording.
Hands down, whoever is in the pig costume, is a true genius. Also, can we all agree that the Muppet Show had a guest list most late night show hosts still turn green with envy..?
qhsperson They can indeed! It's not very common, partially because the point of pointe is to look weightless and etherial and men aren't usually looking to look that way, lol. There's also the weight issue, male dancers weigh a lot more and that's a lot of added pressure on such small bones. So it's a lot of stress to create a look that's opposite to traditional male ballet roles. But there are lots of men who've done it (professionally and recreationally). There's even a ballet troupe where all the men dance en pointe, Les Ballet Trockadero. They're very funny, you should check them out!
I never realized what perfect comedic timing and demeanor Nureyev had. His facial expressions, movements, everything -- perfect. I was fortunate enough to have seen him perform live and it was a joy. But this is a side of him I never knew about. Brilliant. What a loss that he's gone.
Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, Jenna Elfman, Rita Rudner, and Teri Garr all had two things in common - they were great comic actors and also had a heavy duty background in dance. (It could be due to timing.)
Love how Nureyev totally commits to his roll. Also agree with everyone else that the choreography is super and whoever is dancing Miss Piggy does a marvelous job. And aren't the scenery and costumes great? And how about that clever editing? Okay, guess this is just a stellar bit all around. Thanks for posting.
Just the fact that he didn't take himself so terribly seriously was a great testament to who he was as a person and as a performer. I can't imagine many male ballet dancers being willing to dance this role.
This is one of the funniest and most charming videos on RU-vid. I've seen it many times, and I'm entertained and amused every time. That very serious gentleman, Mr. Nureyev, was such a good sport. He obviously had a great sense of humor in addition to his talent and grace.
I remember seeing this on The Muppet Show when I was a kid. I loved Rudolph Nureyev before this - I absolutely adored him after. Superhuman talent AND a sense of humor!
I wonder who danced the female part? It's hard enough to do those moves, let alone doing them swaddled in layers of latex under stage lights. Brava, Madame!
+Jane Stahl I was just thinking that :-) I can just visualise some ballerina being told "The good news is that you're going to be partnering Rudolph Nureyev in Swan Lake. The bad news is that you're going to be doing it in a fat suit dressed as a pig." But whoever she is, she did a good job and gets bonus points for sheer bravery, imho
+ChooseYour Poison Graham Fletcher was my ballet teacher before I went to a vocational school and he just as good of a teacher as he was dancer. At quite a young age without realizing I went to see him as Mr. Mistoffelees in the musical Cats, long before he taught me, and embarrassingly I sent him a fan letter saying how much I wanted to dance the part. Brilliant man. Brilliant Teacher.
+Joe Massey I envy you to have had such a wonderful teacher and mentor. I stopped dancing at 12 and never danced classical ballet, but to dance this in toe shoes, wrapped in latex and with the added pressure of not injuring Nureyev; I can't even imagine. Are male ballet dancers taught how to dance on pointe?
Vedete. ..... questa féerie quasi irragionevole è quasi assurda ma, la tavola è ben apparecchiata per gli occhi lui Nurejev è fantasticoooooo! Il duello stravagante è pieno di particolari decorato con tale grazia che riporta Molto slancio^^^^^^^^^ tutto tra estasi e meraviglia! Paco da camino segñala
Nureyev loved poking fun at the common image of him as a 'serious' artist and of ballet being a 'serious' art form. I love it when performers make fun of themselves and their art because then it shows that they're having fun and that makes it that more enjoyable.
What fun, hysterical! And see this GREAT star of ballet, with a great sense of humor and so good at comical dance timing too! I got to see him in his concert dance performance here in San Diego, many years ago, and i remember he did a comedy routine in that show as well. It was a highlight in life to see him in person. He brought so much light and grace and beauty and fun to the world. Thank you Mr. Nureyev!!! Wherever you are ;)
If anyone is wondering about the music: 0:29 - Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (Swan Theme) 1:09 - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake - 25 No. 13 Danses des cygnes d (Allegro moderato) 1:40 - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake Suite (Op.20) - Pas d'action - Part 6/8
The Muppet Show was quite good at attracting quality people. Because part of the audience was going to be young children, the writers stayed away from mean spirited comedy. It allowed Fozzy to be a horrible comedian, and everyone still loved him for trying.
I remember seeing this as a child! I haven't seen this in so long but I loved it! I was actually having a lousy day and seeing this just put a smile on my face!
I feel like there was an organized chaos feel to the original muppet show that you can't quite get back with todays squeaky clean organized television, like Muppets Tonight was the closest thing we had and it was kinda weird. (Wasn't bad but not as good as the original). I also wish they'd just bring it back instead of trying to do modern re-imaginings of the show, like Muppets Now.
@@NinjaDimes I so agree with you, just bring back the original and stope remaking. Same with the old movies, how many times do you remake it with this star of the week. But I bet some liberal moron will say the org Muppets were evil and all that crap. I think I read somewhere yrs ago that the Muppet show was watched by more adults than kids. The Swedish Chef was one of the best or when they played the YMCA song that hat me in stiches. Jim Henson died too younG ( i think if memory serves me right he died from a "simple gall bladder surgery". I can only hope he is upstairs cracking the Good LORD up with his muppets, heck if we think we all have problems, just think how many tough ones HE has in an hour!
Oh my goodness! I've never seen/watched this before as a child. This made me snort like a pig from laughing so hard, especially when Rudolph squeezed Miss Piggy's nose, and Miss Piggy shoved Rudolph with her chest. 😂😂
@@tracypaxton1054 The cut/splices are very good for a comedy skit. Also, wearing that much foam/latex the dancer had to have a way to cool down; 30 seconds dancing under the hot lights, and back into the walk-in freezer.
loved Rudolph Nureyev. thought he was fantastic. I also loved the Muppet Show but either missed this or completely forgot about this. thanks for the upload!
serious - Muppets and their scetches/numbers never getting old. Even it were (not only) a children program, it's very very clever and professionally made
OH....it's good to laugh out loud! How great they were!!!!! creating really funny dance is very difficult but this was a brilliant work. Concept - costume and execution....a true work of Art!
When they asked Nureyev who his favorite partner was, he remarked: "Miss Piggy." This is his funniest, most interesting performance. He was great at what he did. It was sad he went when he did. 'Couldn't forget his performance here--even if you tried.
How wonderful that he could have fun like this with his talent & calling! Just brilliant! How amazing is the partner, as well, having to perform in that bulky suit!!!
It is the first time I have watched this video. It was interesting to see Mr. Nureyev in this comedy act. Everything fit perfect. Congrats for his partner who did a great job. A beautiful gift for those who love dancing.
ВЕЛИЧАЙШИЙ ТАНЦОР ВСЕХ ВРЕМЁН И НАРОДОВ❣❣❣ У меня дома есть несколько кассет с балетными спектаклями, в которых танцует РУДОЛЬФ НУРИЕВ✍ СВЕТЛАЯ ПАМЯТЬ РУДОЛЬФУ НУРИЕВУ🙏🙏🙏
I remember watching this when I was a little girl. I laughed so hard, and had a huge crush on Mr. Nureyev (I couldn’t blame Miss Piggy for throwing herself at him)😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤
Huh! No word! Just fantastic! We may have language barriers but we have dance expressions of the body movements, face and of course ,musical expressions.
and my friend Sue (who is also Sue in the Muppets and yes she has blond curls) made that top that Nureyev is wearing. He liked it so much it went into his repertoire.
I just looked up who was dancing in the pig costume because I was so curious (you could tell they were *good*. Apparently his name was Graham Fletcher and he was a dancer with the Royal Ballet in the UK (at the Royal Opera House). In his later years he was a ballet teacher in the UK.
This always makes me laugh. I was lucky enough to see Nureyev at the Festival Hall way back in the 80s. I think in Coppelia. An absolute legend. Much missed.
