The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence

While not as great as the show it helped launch, it did show a glimpse of what was to come and for that, I have it to thank. The pilot is basically a muppet show episode, Albert slower paced and with more hit or miss jokes and skits. Funny to think how Kermit wasn't the original host. If you want to see the muppets history and how they got their show, I'd point you to this.