Muppet performer Jerry Nelson was unavailable during the taping of the special. This was because of his daughter Christine Nelson's declining health, resulting in her death occurring the same month the special aired.
Muppet performer Steve Whitmire makes a cameo in the bottom left-hand corner as a back-up singer during Miss Piggy's musical salute to the year.
Tony Clifton (Andy Kaufman) sings a medley including "Sing, Sing a Song" from 'Sesame Street.'