ABC
I understand the debate surrounding ABC’s new incarnation of The Muppets. But I agree with fellow HOTCHKA writer Chuck Duncan in that I’m really enjoying watching The Muppets discuss and explore more adult-themed issues. I enjoy seeing which celebrities will grace the show, and this week didn’t disappoint with guest stars Josh Groban, Jay Leno, Lea Thompson, Reza Aslan and Laurence Fishburne.
Working with a diva such as Miss Piggy is not an easy task. Poor Kermit and the rest of the crew at her talk show have devised a color coding system that gauges Miss Piggy’s violently unpredictable mood swings. It ranges from green (calm) to yellow (Miss Piggy’s crying), orange (Kermit’s crying) and red (nobody make eye contact with Miss Piggy, seriously avoid her at all costs). Kermit notes there has never, ever been a Code Green because Miss Piggy is never happy or calm. The crew decides what she needs is a date worthy of her red carpet status and stat. Luckily, as her ex-boyfriend, Kermit is privvy to remembering every celebrity on Miss Piggy’s “free pass list,” and the crew busily begins working at booking at least one of them as an upcoming guest on the show. The lucky winner ends up being Josh Groban and watching Kermit work at getting the two to fall in love while performing together is nothing short of hilarious. There was a moving stage, a glittering chandelier and even fake falling snow outside the window.
ABC
Much to everyone’s relief, Groban ends up being just what Miss Piggy needed. While Miss Piggy is calmer thanks to Groban’s soothing presence, Kermit ends up becoming annoyed at how much she changes under his influence. Because Groban has producer experience, he begins making critiques of the show, which ends up affecting everyone’s duties. He convinces Miss Piggy to change the band’s format to a more pleasing acoustic version (despite their name being Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem for a reason!) and has her interviewing authors such as Reza Aslan in order to make herself sound more cultured and sophisticated. Overall, I felt it was a clever commentary on how some people allow themselves to be changed as the result of a relationship. Some people end up becoming hollow shells of their former selves, completely altering their personalities and interests to please their partners. Why do we do this? Everyone would be a lot happier if they continued to be themselves and unafraid to let their true selves show. I’m happy to report that Miss Piggy does not allow herself to remain under Groban’s spell long-term.
Once Kermit realizes the show needs the old Miss Piggy back in all of her resplendent diva glory, he plays up to her enormous ego and makes her realize that she is a strong, independent pig and she needs to retain control of her show because she’s no longer calling the shots. Honestly, that’s a refreshing lesson for anyone to learn, whether they’re an adult or a member of the younger audience the controversy swirls around. If you remain in control of your life, your relationships will likely be healthier and more prosperous for all involved. Unfortunately for Josh Groban, he is unceremoniously dumped. The jury remains out on whether or not the world would in fact be a better place if everyone were a little more like Groban. He comes off hilariously – and believably – as a jerk in his several encounters with Kermit.
Another subplot this week involved Fozzie being so excited about being invited to a party of Jay Leno’s that he finds himself stealing random objects from Leno’s home as souvenirs to remember his days there. The other subplot involved Bobo the Bear discouragedly trying to sell cookies for his daughter’s troop and The Newsman repeatedly beating him at the cookie-selling game. He fails miserably until he’s reminded that the band is always happy with the munchies (legally now). I felt all three main storylines reinforced the idea of just being yourself and being rewarded for such.
Two people on the show who never seem to have a problem being themselves are Waldorf and Statler. When the band switched to an acoustic format, they fell asleep as their scathing commentary on the situation. The only thing that made me chuckle more than that were the two scenes with the Swedish Chef popping up to make seemingly nonsensical commentaries. When Miss Piggy was getting a hot stone massage, the Chef made a remark something to the effect of, “Somebody cookin der bacon?” The Muppets continues to satisfy me on several levels. I, for one, am happy that they’re back on prime-time TV in a refreshing, new format I can enjoy as a kid in an adult’s body.
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Awesome review!