The Muppets ended its first and possibly only season last night, ending on a cliffhanger plot line of whether or not Kermit and Frog and Miss Piggy would get back together.
You know something, Kermit? Getting back together with that pig is a terrible idea.
Episode 10 came the closest to looking like a classic episode of The Muppet Show. There was still some connections to the current series’ ongoing plots and characters, but there was also a complete lack of jerkass Kermit while the show’s climax was a big Muppet musical number with the episode’s guest star Mindy Kaling.
But the best moment may have been a rather dramatic emotional one.
One of my biggest complaints for the new Muppets series has been the treatment of Kermit the Frog. Kermit is, above all, usually depicted as a very nice guy. At worst, the others treat him like a doormat. He may get frustrated, but he never gets mean.
The new show has, on occasion, tossed that idea out the window. We’ve seen Kermit, perhaps out of jealousy, break up Piggy and Josh Grobin, and rob the rest of the crew of good times after they had too much fun at karaoke. We’ve seen him lie to Fozzie about the bear’s quality as a writer, though in that case it was to prevent from hurting the sensitive bear’s feelings and he did confess the truth later.
So, this episode may have been a step in a better direction. Episode SPOILERS after the cut.
The Muppets continues to chug along, and last night we finally saw the return of Kermit’s new girlfriend, Denise the pig.
That may actually be one of the more troubling parts of this new series.
Last night, we learned that Fozzie Bear is a nicer person than Kermit the Frog. Fozzie has a hit stand-up routine about his human girlfriend Becky’s sweatiness. When he learns how hurt she was (after she gets revenge on him), he removes it from his act. Would Kermit have done the same thing? Not this incarnation of Kermit. Kermit just wants to put on a good show, and if he has to manipulate Piggy and the crew, then by Henson, he will.
But this week, Reese Witherspoon was the celebrity guest, and I want to address that a bit behind the cut.
Gabbing Geek contributor Greg has been rather baffled about how anyone (let alone Jimmy, Jenny, or myself) could possibly be enjoying The Muppets. It hasn’t been working for him. He’s been wondering what he’s been missing, is there something wrong with him, or with the rest of us, and why hot dogs come in packs of ten but hot dog buns come in packs of eight.
I don’t have answers for any of those questions, but let me attempt to address his concerns while discussing last night’s episode after the cut.
I complained a bit last week that Gonzo has, thus far, had very little to do so far. He’s one of the classic Muppet characters, he’s performed by the only one of the original Muppeteers still working with the characters, and he’s in the freakin’ promos. Thus far, he’s been little better than a side character making comments on the action.
He got a whole subplot this week. SPOILERS for last night’s episode after the cut.
The Muppets continues to chug along, showing the more mature side of our childhood friends. Yeah, there’s always been that undercurrent, but now the undercurrent is the overcurrent.
How’d they do this week? SPOILERS for the episode.
The Muppets premiered this week on ABC, with a promised “more adult” sensibility. That was enough to gain a boycott from One Million Moms, but not from three of Gabbing Geeks finest, Jenny, Jimmy and Tom. What did they think? See after the cut.
Continue reading A Review Of “The Muppets” For The Lovers, The Dreamers, And Me.
If you haven’t seen the Muppet’s pilot pitch, then you’re missing out. I didn’t think they could reel me back in, but they did! I mean – The Muppets are on a roll. After the resurgence of “The Muppets” in 2011, and then another successful hit with “The Muppets Most Wanted” in 2014, pigs, frogs, bears, and weirdos everywhere should rejoice, because the Muppets are back in full force.
We have the 10 min. pilot pitch after the break – and we are so excited to see this show in the fall. My favorite part of all of this – adult humor! Yes – it’s witty, it’s topical, and it’s Muppets. What more could you ask for?
Continue reading The Muppets Pilot Pitch Is Adorably Awesome
Gabbing Geek 