The Great Santa Claus Switch

1970 film by John Moffitt

The Great Santa Claus SwitchWritten byJerry JuhlDirected byJohn MoffittStarringArt CarneyMuppet performers:Jim HensonFran BrillRichard HuntJohn LoveladyJerry NelsonFrank OzDanny SeagrenNarrated byEd SullivanMusic byJoe RaposoCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionProducerBob PrechtEditorKen ChampinProduction companiesSullivan Productions, Inc.Original releaseNetworkCBSReleaseDecember 20, 1970 (1970-12-20) 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.

[edit] This article's plot summary needs to be improved. Please help do so. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. (May 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) 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.

[edit] Art Carney as Santa Claus, Cosmo Scam Ed Sullivan as himself Muppet performers[edit] 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.

[edit] "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)"

Even after more than half a century, the special’s blend of slap‑stick Muppet chaos and a surprisingly tender take on the myth of Santa keeps it relevant. Kids love the bright costumes and the familiar voices of Art Carney and the early Henson crew, while adults appreciate the subtle satire of televised holiday specials that were proliferating in the late 60s. The fact that it aired as part of The Ed Sullivan Show gives it a historic sparkle – a one‑off event that feels like a hidden‑gem Christmas card from a bygone era. That mix of novelty and nostalgia is what makes it a repeatable favourite for families hunting something different from the standard re‑runs.

Treat the special as a mini‑event rather than a background filler. Gather the household, dim the lights and queue a short intro about the Muppets' early days – a quick Google search will reveal the pioneering puppetry techniques that pre‑date Sesame Street. Keep a bowl of popcorn nearby and pause after each musical number to comment on the clever wordplay; the lyrics by Joe Raposo hold jokes that land better when you catch the 1970s references. If you have younger viewers, a quick “spot the hidden character” game works well – look for early versions of beloved Muppets lurking in the background. This interactive approach turns a 30‑minute broadcast into a shared, laugh‑filled tradition.

Many assume the program is a full‑blown movie, but it’s really a 30‑minute musical segment stitched into an Ed Sullivan episode. That format means the narrative is deliberately brisk – there’s no sprawling subplot, just a tidy Santa‑switch premise that resolves in a handful of songs. Because it was produced by Sullivan Productions, the pacing mirrors a variety‑show style rather than the cinematic storytelling we expect from later Muppet features. Recognising this helps avoid the disappointment of expecting a long‑form plot; instead, focus on the charm of each vignette and the pioneering puppetry that laid the groundwork for the later, more polished Muppet TV specials.