Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
Be honest with yourselves: are The Muppets relevant anymore? I'm not saying if their comedy has transcended time. I'm asking if they serve any function within a contemporary setting? Yes, they haven't technically gone anywhere, but when when was the last time that you read about The Muppets when it was specifically about The Muppets? It's a trick question, considering that they're more well known nowadays for starring in mash-up videos or doing covers of songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody." Yes, sly cultural references were part of the puppets' DNA, but so was the very idea of a puppet existing in the real world. It's generally what infuriated me about The Muppets (2011 movie), which was more of a crash course for a new generation than a genuinely good movie about the gang getting back together.
Also, as sad as it is to think, I don't think that The Muppets can withstand comparisons to modern entertainment. Consider that CGI movies overthrew hand drawn animation. Consider that kids are even more invested in technology than ever. The Muppets are almost backwoods by comparison. I wouldn't change that for the world, especially since The Muppet Movie remains a genuinely fun romp that takes a look into the lives of its characters. It is a movie-within-a-movie format that may be a gimmick, but it works to their advantage. The Muppets were always best when they were at the center of their story.
Which is why The Muppets (2015 TV series) is a bit of a conflicting argument. Following movies where the characters were second bananas, it is interesting to see them back in focus. While they're borrowing the dull format of mockumentary a'la The Office and Parks and Recreation, it doesn't entirely feel like a waste this time. In fact, it helps the show to find its center. We get to hear from the characters, who are supposedly different from their show versions. They are darker and more crass in ways that have already caused complaints from Million Angry Moms. The show has always been sly about their adult humor, but this time it is likely the breaking point.
There's generally good intentions in this pilot. The celebrities are kept to a minimum in favor of establishing stories about all of the beloveds, like Kermit running a studio or Fozzie Bear and his Guess Who's Coming to Dinner-esque relationship with Ricki Limdhome. These feel like appropriate updates that in a way make this feel more like 30 Rock than a variety show spoof. I don't know if it's to the advantage, but it at least throws the show into new and interesting directions. All of the old beloved Muppets are back, and there are some genuinely good moments scattered throughout. The only question is if jokes about Alcoholics Anonymous are going to fly with you. Try as you might to justify this version as "adult," but consider that they were always "adult," they were just more clever about it.
For those traditionalist like myself, it will be hard to take a lot of what the show does seriously. Without landmark puppeteers like Frank Oz, it almost feels like a tertiary tribute. Even then, the show does well enough that they stay their welcome, even if you already feel the irrelevance based on their inability to update without sacrificing some of the charm. For instance, Kermit's new love affair with a younger pig is just an offensive plot that feels done for attention. The show already feels desperate by trying to make new characters that matter. As The Muppets (2011) proved, they just can't do it.
I think that The Muppets (2015) will suffice for the time being. Compared to a lot of other novelty shows that have premiered in the first half of the week, this is definitely one of more promise, if just because it isn't one that completely fell on its face. There's a sense that The Muppets will be given plenty of fodder to talk about this year. Yet the thing that I am most excited about is that The Muppets are front and center, not working behind celebrity actors. I am hoping it is for the best and that the kinks will work out in time. For now, it's a decent show and one that isn't without laughs. That alone makes it a rather solid update that, while not validating its relevance, at least makes it tolerable.
Also, as sad as it is to think, I don't think that The Muppets can withstand comparisons to modern entertainment. Consider that CGI movies overthrew hand drawn animation. Consider that kids are even more invested in technology than ever. The Muppets are almost backwoods by comparison. I wouldn't change that for the world, especially since The Muppet Movie remains a genuinely fun romp that takes a look into the lives of its characters. It is a movie-within-a-movie format that may be a gimmick, but it works to their advantage. The Muppets were always best when they were at the center of their story.
Which is why The Muppets (2015 TV series) is a bit of a conflicting argument. Following movies where the characters were second bananas, it is interesting to see them back in focus. While they're borrowing the dull format of mockumentary a'la The Office and Parks and Recreation, it doesn't entirely feel like a waste this time. In fact, it helps the show to find its center. We get to hear from the characters, who are supposedly different from their show versions. They are darker and more crass in ways that have already caused complaints from Million Angry Moms. The show has always been sly about their adult humor, but this time it is likely the breaking point.
There's generally good intentions in this pilot. The celebrities are kept to a minimum in favor of establishing stories about all of the beloveds, like Kermit running a studio or Fozzie Bear and his Guess Who's Coming to Dinner-esque relationship with Ricki Limdhome. These feel like appropriate updates that in a way make this feel more like 30 Rock than a variety show spoof. I don't know if it's to the advantage, but it at least throws the show into new and interesting directions. All of the old beloved Muppets are back, and there are some genuinely good moments scattered throughout. The only question is if jokes about Alcoholics Anonymous are going to fly with you. Try as you might to justify this version as "adult," but consider that they were always "adult," they were just more clever about it.
For those traditionalist like myself, it will be hard to take a lot of what the show does seriously. Without landmark puppeteers like Frank Oz, it almost feels like a tertiary tribute. Even then, the show does well enough that they stay their welcome, even if you already feel the irrelevance based on their inability to update without sacrificing some of the charm. For instance, Kermit's new love affair with a younger pig is just an offensive plot that feels done for attention. The show already feels desperate by trying to make new characters that matter. As The Muppets (2011) proved, they just can't do it.
I think that The Muppets (2015) will suffice for the time being. Compared to a lot of other novelty shows that have premiered in the first half of the week, this is definitely one of more promise, if just because it isn't one that completely fell on its face. There's a sense that The Muppets will be given plenty of fodder to talk about this year. Yet the thing that I am most excited about is that The Muppets are front and center, not working behind celebrity actors. I am hoping it is for the best and that the kinks will work out in time. For now, it's a decent show and one that isn't without laughs. That alone makes it a rather solid update that, while not validating its relevance, at least makes it tolerable.
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