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| By Erin Maxwell |
The new season of mind-numbing television is underway and we are already three episodes into the new Muppet reboot. Thus far, critiques on the new, “more realistic” version of Jim Henson’s zany variety affair from the ‘70s have been mixed. While few praise the writing and real-world scenarios our furry friends are now living, many do not care for the updates.
Here. Take a gander:
“This reinvention just feels a little overthought. “The Muppets” does not need to be snarky to be smart, and there’s nothing antiquated about joy.” – Robert Lloyd, New York Times
“…There’s some laughter in the early episodes of ‘The Muppets’ and a ton of built-in affection, but the wait for a great show continues.” – Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter
“The fun-loving comedy is gone. Let’s create a Muppet movie on finding it.” – Marisa Ferandez, The Post
“A sexy, cynical adult Muppet show is the worst idea ever.” – Jonathan Bernstein, The Telegraph
To understand why so many people are disappointed in this new version of the Muppets requires a look back at what made the original The Muppet Show so great. While the premise was generally the same (a behind the scenes look at the making of an entertainment event), the attitudes and general universe for which they are set are vastly different.
In The Muppet Show, there was a madcap craziness that surrounded the show that was both surreal and hilarious. It was understood that this was a puppet show, and thusly, the real world rules didn’t apply. Issues that plagued the behind-the-scenes of the variety show included various disasters involving near-death experiences of Hollywood celebrities who appear on the show, the occasional hostile takeover by random monsters and the threat of uncontrollable monosyllabic red-headed clones (meep!).
The Muppets of yesteryear were silly. They were weird. They didn’t fit into society and they didn’t try. It wouldn’t make sense. Thus, we were visitors into their strange little world and accepted the rules of the land, whether or not they made sense or even defied physics.
But gone are the days of cannonball chickens and a soft-shoeing C-3POs.
As you’ve heard, the new Muppets are not concerned about whether or not the audience will destroy the theater in disapproval or if Liza Minnelli will get show during a dance sequence featuring “Copacabana.” They are too busy worrying about ratings, or craft services, or issues in the writing room. Elizabeth Banks has replaced Pigs In Space and small hilarious segments in dressing rooms are now references to synergy meetings.
The Muppets have become cogs. Poor schleps that answer to bosses, fetch coffee and spend the morning looking for a better parking space.
But even worse than that, things have become weird.
The romance of Kermit and Piggy has evolved over the years. On “The Muppet Show,” it was innocent and humorous, filled with jealous rampages and overzealous romantic overtures. In the movies, the romance developed a bit and there were drawn out romantic scenes of amphibians and swines romping through meadows with implied smooches.
Now we are forced to contend with Miss Piggy getting romantic with Josh Groban, Kermit’s sex drive and Fozzie’s bizarre interspecies relationship.
I have live a handful of decades on this planet without having to think about pig genitalia, and now I’m forced to contend with Piggy’s ladyparts.
Seriously, this is more of an episode of Black Mirror than it is The Muppet Show.
Just to be clear, I have no issue with puppets attacking people issues. When done right, you get Avenue Q, Ted or DC Follies. But done wrong, you end up with a clinically depressed frog who spends the day wondering if the coffee is fresh.
In the end, no one is going to fault The Muppets for not trying. The writing on the show can be very sharp and witty. I laughed. You probably did too.
And no one is going to fault the audience for not trying. Everyone tuned in, probably a few times, in an attempt to capture the love they had from their youth, be it for the movies, Fraggle Rock, The Muppets Babies or whatever franchise you grew up with.
That said, The Muppets is a bit of a let down thus far. What is Gonzo the Great if not shooting himself out of a cannon into pudding? Today, his zaniness is contained by the gaudy shirts he wears.
They are taking selfies, for Christ’s sake! SELFIES!
In the end, what we are left with is confusion and even sadness. Now that the Muppets are in the real world, they are not always so happy. Their consequences are not forgotten by the next curtain rise, but linger. Piggy and Kermit’s breakup was a subtle affair, tinged with regret. Fozzie’s bad decisions destroy career opportunities. And no one likes to work for Piggy.
I don’t want felt to remind me of the disappointment of life. I don’t want them to wax poetic about relationships gone sour, bad career moves or a general disillusionment with their lives and jobs. I want them to play the music. I want them to light the lights. I want things to get things started, because my life might suck at that moment and I want an escape.
Despite all this, I’ll continue to tune in. I’m a Muppet fan. Always have been, always will be. And the new and improved Muppets still have the potential to be great. They are a part of Americana and no matter what they are like today, they have contributed to my childhood, and probably yours. I just hope the ride gets a little easier.
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