Chalk-full of dad jokes that will provoke your most violent and self-conscious guffaws, “The Muppets” are back to lighten your life.
Not tailored to a Sesame Street-shaped audience, “The Muppets” represent the more mature end of puppetry, delving into the complex industry of television production and its influences on the personal lives of those involved. The newest show from the ABC lot reveals the most intimate aspects of the film industry, featuring workplace havoc, inter-species dating, and, most of all, vulgar quips.
The stars never change — Kermit is still running the place. Ms. Piggy is still the insane, controlling caricature of acting divas. Fozzie Bear hasn’t stopped cracking his well-timed, uninspired jokes. And Waldorf and Statler are still sitting in the audience, heckling.
Unique to “The Muppets” is the access to the talent in Hollywood. Guest stars relevant to the modern day still present a draw. Today’s Josh Groban has replaced yesteryear’s Julie Andrews. Imagine Dragons appeared on the latest show, offering Animal a bunk on the road which he begrudgingly refused because of his lack of self control.
Recognizable faces add to the well-spun web of the Muppet world. Muppets date celebrities, stretching the boundaries of equality.
At the heart of the show is that inexpungeable Muppet-brand humor. Unfiltered yet unoffensive, nearly every pitch is a hit. There’s almost not enough time to catch your breath from the last body-wracking laugh before the next joke comes around.
Adapted to the new age, “The Muppets” updated their topic matter without altering the personalities of the cast.
Since 1976, The Muppets have presented 120 episodes, eight movies, two direct-to-video releases, and two television films. After all this time, they haven’t lost their touch. “Frozen” may have replaced Muppet-Vision 3D in Disney’s California Adventure, but Jim Henson’s dream will live on in each reincarnation of these not fabricated pieces of fabric.
Disney, in its entirely appropriate handling of the show, may have gone overboard with the marketing. The promotional website features interviews with the not-entirely-flesh-and-bones cast, notably Ms. Piggy, who spills on dating tips and gracelessly fumbles between exaggerated cuts in the tape.
Nothing less than crude humor should be expected from a cast of animals.
5 / 5 stars
