The Great Santa Claus Switch

The Great Santa Claus Switch
Directed by	John Moffitt
Produced by	Lori Forte
Written by	Jerry Juhl
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
Edited by	Ken Champin
Distributed by	CBS
Release dates	December 20, 1970
Language	English

The Great Santa Claus Switch was a musical Christmas special featuring Jim Henson's Muppets. It first aired on CBS on December 20, 1970. 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 - Santa Claus, Cosmo Scam
• Ed Sullivan - Himself

Muppet performers

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

Additional Muppets performed by Cary Antebi, Greg Antonacchi, 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

External links

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