Rita Moreno's Iconic "Fever" Performance on The Muppet Show: A Entertaining Masterpiece

Rita Moreno's extraordinary performance of "Fever" on The Muppet Show in 1976 remains one of the most memorable moments in television history. At 45, Moreno's ageless appeal and comedic timing shone brightly, leaving fans in awe and stitches.

In this unforgettable segment, Moreno belts out the sultry lyrics: "Never know how much I love you. Never know how much I care. When you put your arms around me, I get a fever that's so hard to bear. You give me fever when you kiss me. Fever when you hold me tight. Fever in the morning. Fever all through the night. Yeah, yeah, yeah." Her voice effortlessly navigates the challenging song, imbuing it with passion and spontaneity.

The comedic brilliance of the performance is underscored by her interactions with Animal, the Muppet drummer known for his wild antics. Commenters have noted that Animal's antics had Moreno in stitches during filming, leading to numerous retakes. One fun fact shared by viewers is that Moreno struggled to keep a straight face, and her nostrils flaring towards the end of the performance added to the comedic effect. The crew had to remind her that they were running out of film, urging her to keep it together for one final take.

Fans have expressed their admiration for Moreno's timeless beauty and talent. One viewer reflected, "So... She was 45 in the Muppet clip. She could pass for 25. I'm 42 and she's making me reevaluate my statement and life choices." Another shared a personal story, saying, "I remember seeing this on TV when it aired back in the day. She was my first female crush, and I kinda forgot about it until eons later when I kinda had a lightbulb moment that I’m probably not as straight as I might think and was in to other women waaaaay earlier than I realized."

Among the comments, there are also nods to other celebrities and shows. One user mentioned, "Electric Company was Morgan Freeman's first narration job. He's been doing narration for over 50 years now, since 1971." Another highlighted the difficulty of performing "Fever," stating, "It's all but tuneless, the rhythm seems to stagger around a bit - and yet if you are not rock solid with every note, every beat, and still imbue it with sexy passion and make it seem spontaneous - the whole thing falls to pieces and there's no saving it. Rita makes it sound effortless."

The entertaining and touching performance has clearly left a lasting impact. One commenter humorously noted, "Is it hot in here? I think I may have... an elevated body temperature." Another fondly recalled, "That's Animal, SHOW 'EM WHAT YOU DO ANIMAL! HA-HA-HA-HA EAT DRUMS! EAT DRUMS! No no Animal, BEAT drums BEAT drums!"

Rita Moreno's rendition of "Fever" on The Muppet Show is a timeless piece of comedic and musical art, cherished by fans old and new. Be sure to watch this iconic performance and experience the magic for yourself!