Whose idea was the Vaudeville theater format?

[Mad Man Mooney]

So, having watched "Sex and Violence" on the Muppet Show Season 1 DVD, I have to wonder whose idea was it to use the Vaudeville theater format? It's brilliant - the perfect forum for Muppet mania (as we all know). But whose idea was it to go from a Laugh-In or SNL type show to one that resurrected the hoary old conventions of the Keith-Orpheum Circuit, with Kermit as the MC?

 

[Rowlf+Buster]

My guess is either Jack Burns (head writer for season 1) or Jim Henson. Could be anyone though