I Muppet

First of all, this is a show for a VERY niche audience: people that love the Muppets, but won't feel like their childhood is ruined if they do some dirty jokes. It's also not necessarily as family friendly as the other Muppet shows, but it's not...Avenue Q. Kids might just not like it because they won't get the jokes, but it's not super raunchy or anything. Basically, I'd feel more comfortable letting a kid watch this than something like "Family Guy."

Basically, Miss Piggy has her own late-night talk show, and her ex-boyfriend Kermit is the producer, with all the other Muppets working on the show in some form or fashion. It's filmed mocumentary style, like The Office or Modern Family, which works...okay? Tbh, you could've just filmed this show normally and it would've been fine.

The jokes are all very modern and have to do a lot with topics like micro-aggression, office politics, relationships, gender, sexuality, and even drug use. My favorite being a little nod to the members of The Electric Mayhem being "medically happy" and buying all of Bobo's GirlScout cookies.

I basically went in expecting the worst thing in the world, but it was actually pretty good! But don't get me wrong, I totally see why this was canceled. This is just a very odd combination of material. It's weird seeing Kermit and Piggy have real relationship conversations, it's weird when the show alludes to Bunsen and Beaker possibly spending the night together, and it's weird watching Piggy make-out with Josh Groban. Like, I dig it ALL, but it's also just plain weird.

I gotta throw out my favorite line of the whole show, however, and it is this: Fozzie: "Kermit, have you ever been hit with a tranquilizer?" Kermit: "No, but I once licked my third cousin and the walls started melting, so I feel you, bro."

Several weeks back, I caught the first episode of this new series. I was pretty let down by the results. But I decided to stick with it for a little while, seeing that sometimes it takes a few episodes for a show to find its groove, and because my love for the Muppets goes way back to when I was a child.

I've now seen several more episodes, and to be quite frank, the show doesn't seem to have improved. One of the big problems with the show is that the Muppets on this show don't seem like the Muppets that we once knew. Kermit is now a spineless wimp. Miss Piggy is very mean- spirited and without a vulnerable side. Fozzie Bear now has a human girlfriend, and it's hinted he has sex with her.

That last observation about Fozzie Bear brings up another problem with the show - trying to have an adult "edge". I can't speak for everyone, but I think the show's attempts at adult innuendo is, well, both wrong and weird. References to drugs, sex, alcohol, and other such topics seem out of place for these characters. I can understand wanting to appeal to adults, but the ironic thing is that the original Muppet show back in the 1970s appealed to both kids AND adults even though it was squeaky clean.

Actually, I might have accepted the more adult tone and the changed characters had the show been funny, but it isn't. While I have occasionally laughed at one of this show's gags, most of the attempts at humor have been lame and obvious. One reason for this may be that the show is more cynical in nature and seems reluctant to have the joy and innocence the original show had. The downbeat nature makes it hard for the writers (or audience) to have any fun.

Worst of all, my favorite Muppet, Rowlf, has been demoted to a bit part! Anyway, as I said in my summary line, this show is a real disappointment. I won't be surprised if it's cancelled at the end of the season.

As someone that grew up with the Muppets and loved them just as enthusiastically through adulthood I found the show to be a breath of fresh air. I was laughing out loud within the first few minutes and that's something I haven't done with any 'comedy' show in a very very long time. There's something about seeing all my favorites on the air again that makes me feel like a kid again, but the adult humor (and I mean that in a sort of mild way, because it's not remotely what I would personally consider raunchy) kept it fresh and suited for the adults as well. The more adult humor was there, yes, but as innuendo. In my opinion it's always been there, subtly under the banter only now it's more noticeable for those of us that want to see it. And those instances were scattered.

Was it flawless? No, but it's the Muppets and I for one am more than grateful to ABC for giving them new life because I missed them with all my heart.

The background shenanigans of Miss Piggy's show that's produced by Kermit.

Packed with gags and celebs, the personalities and voices are thankfully on point. The backstage set up works perfectly and the Muppets are always centre stage, where they should be.

Each episode gets better and better the Christmas one is particularly notable -every fun episode is sharp, witty and visually interesting.

All the main character's return, including Scooter and Rolf (the late Jim Henson usually voiced/puppeteered) and they have been omitted or reduced to appearing briefly in the past, it nice to see the characters back in full swing

Highly recommend.

The point of this show is that the muppets grew up with us. Sure, it's not as innocent as the original, but the content isn't vulgar or inappropriate in any way. These just aren't the muppets of 1976, and they shouldn't be. Even if the muppets are fuzzy and ridiculous, I need to relate to them or the comedy won't resonate. I don't want the muppets I loved as a kid. I want the muppets I can love now.

Regarding the controversy over the portrayal of Ms. Piggy, there's nothing inherently wrong with any character, male or female, having shortcomings, or even being betrayed in a negative light. Kermit isn't portrayed as a beacon of virtue either. By laughing at these grown up muppets with grown up problems who have to learn how to find peace with themselves and others, I get a good healthy laugh at myself.