Yet again, another series I don't remember hearing of nor knowing about growing up, but I wish I had and watched it, even if I wasn't a teen yet when this hit the air and I probably may not had been as interested in it nor appreciative as much back then. But if that were to be the case, I am now. This isn't your typical nor average teen show. Unlike the bigger, others in its genre, such as Saved By The Bell, this show was truly unique and stood out in that it featured lesser known Muppet characters. There weren't any other teen shows like it, so this may well be considered innovative or groundbreaking, as well as rather unusual. Not only was this a new, different side to teen-oriented programs, but to the Muppet franchise additionally. After reading about this online, I had to do a Youtube search for the show and watch it, which I did some months back and most of the episodes were available on that show's channel. But I got around to watching only a couple of them before, for some jacked and dumb reason, they were all pulled prior to me getting to see the rest last I checked on there. Currently, it's hard to find viewing it on other video sites and it should have more exposure again, as I say it deserves it.
Set in some New York location, this program follows an ethnically diverse circle of friends who are eight high school students (half of them boys, the other half girls) as they face and go through the typical issues of the juvenescence. However, in between the moments with them, there are also cutaways to moments with this series's Muppets, such as the Rastafarian philosopher Dread and his pigeon sidekick, Bird; the trio of Muppets that live Inside The Head: Libido, Lieutenant, and Captain; and the gossipy Dirt Sisters, Trish and Toya. Even though they're never seen interacting with the human characters, the Muppets are known to be there to the viewers to act as representations or metaphors to help with whatever difficulties, dilemmas, or obstacles any teens may be facing along the way. Because of the explanation and aforementioned, these Muppets may be seen as side characters, but regardless, they still fit into and jell well with the situations at hand.
Speaking on the technical aspects of this show, the first thing I must mention is the theme song. This rap or hip-hop tune is one of the best I've heard and has since become a favorite. The musical numbers in each episode such as "Heal The World", from "Rooftop Thanksgiving", are as great and so eclectic. The writing is well-handled in how the episode plots tackle serious, everyday problems while at the same time, blending that with the solutions and the humorous points to them. Both the humans and Muppet characters are have plenty of likability to them, as they're very well-rounded. The cinematography in this just fine for television, nothing too cheaply filmed. I'm familiar with only little of the cast, including Dule Hill, who would later go on to star in Psych. But they all seemed to act well enough in their roles. Intriguingly enough, one of the theme's composer's, Malik Yoba, would go on to star in New York Undercover the following year. Several of these Muppets would later appear in other shows.
This project was a collaboration or co-production between Jim Henson Productions and the charitable organization, the CityKids Foundation. Haplessly, after a single season, this would fall by the wayside, due to a lack or shortage of viewership. That right there convinces me this is one of the less notable series in the Muppets franchise and what I consider to be underrated. I hardly found any commentary on it anywhere on the Net, but I think it had potential and deserved to go farther than it did. I just can't praise this show enough, I believe it should've been nominated and won some Emmy. One of the most overlooked T. V. series of the '90s. In all of the Muppet franchise, I think this is my most favorite Muppet-related series. I'm just so fascinated by it and its concept. I think this one grabs me the most. I would like to own it on DVD if it were to be brought to home video. One of the best, it would be relevant to today's teens. It's worthy of watching and not a disappointment, as it doesn't talk down to viewers nor treat them with less than intelligence. As the stories are intelligently written. Recommended.
