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I haven't enjoyed the Muppets since Henson's death. Quite honestly, I think I'm more of a Sesame Street guy anyway. Ernie and Bert segments are some of the finest sketch comedy, for children or adults. Oz and Henson together were gold, and they never fail to get belly laughs out of me. -
Can't agree with this at all.
The old show had Miss Piggy macking on male human after male human---sexual innuendo ran RAMPANT. But it was the 1970s.
Heck, the pilot episode's title was "Sex And Violence"---that gives you an idea on what Jim and Frank were REALLY thinking regarding the "tone" of a Muppet-populated show.
That's pretty much my review.
As an adult watching the classic 1970s Muppet shows (and despite being a big fan), I still see those shows as hit & miss too. The main difference I see personally with this current incarnation is it's ambitious attempt to traverse the different tones inherent in the mockumentary aspect when they should be concerned about the writing. I want to laugh more. I know they could do better, but they seem hung up on this wide spectrum of filming techniques.
Speaking of the writing---I think anyone criticizing the show, saying it's more "adult" than the classic show isn't being fair. The old show was packed with the same level of innuendo and "adult" humor that kids couldn't see even if they were looking for it--- albeit the original show being from a different era where the audience overall was more prudish. The country has grown since the 1970s and modern family programming has to grow with it.
I think though, the main problem that overshadows everything despite my personal "laugh meter" on this particular debut episode, is that their main "watching" audience (while I agree it should ultimately be a more "family" audience) is, at this moment, a more nostalgic audience. The majority of this audience wants the Muppets to be edgier in their humor, yet there's a huge contingent almost as big who want the Muppets to "stay as they were" with no modernization.
Meanwhile, the edgier 40-somethings and the 20 and 30 something newcomers will be turned off by anything too "sweet"---and they'll also be turned off by mediocre writing--- regardless of if the show's humor is edgier or not.
If it goes off the air sooner than later, it's a shame because the show is unique and needs time to find it's audience, and vice versa....not to mention, the characters are classic, and it's a shame to see a show with such classic characters suffer mainly due to that it's a "hard nut to crack" to produce just the right tone for the show.
The thing that made the 1970s Muppet Show such a big hit, unfortunately is Muppets 2015's greatest enemy: Back in the 70s "kid shows for adults" were coming into their own and the audience was easier to contain and please. But a show like this in 2015 with roots in the 1970s is almost a full conflict of interests.
It's the same thing that makes a show like The Munsters or Batman (1966) classic nostalgia but a huge challenge to market as a new show for a new audience. It's either nostalgic reruns for shows like that, or face the big challenge that Muppets is facing now. Good luck trying to figure out how to make shows like that work today without turning them into something probably TOO edgy ala The Simpsons or something. I wouldn't want to see that. There has to be a line drawn SOMEwhere between an actual Muppets 2015, and what Robot Chicken does with the Muppets. It IS the Muppets after all.
Hopefully the Muppets will find that elusive "balance" before it's cancelled. Till then: "Good luck Muppets"!Last edited by huedell; Sep 23, '15, 2:01 AM.Leave a comment:
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Struggled through watching it. I guess I'm just so used to hearing Jim Henson and Frank Oz doing characters that the new voices kind of gave me a disjointed experience watching the show. I, too, am not a big fan of the Muppet interaction with the "real" world. It somehow pollutes and taints what always seemed wholesome, innocent and entertaining about The Muppets. I mean Fozzie "dating" a human girl and said human girlfriend's father even intimating a sexual relationship seemed not only totally weird, but also totally wrong. Put The Muppets back in their slightly shabby playhouse with visiting guest stars and maybe--maybe--I'll give it another try. In its current incarnation, thanks, but no thanks. As to what Jim Henson might be thinking---well, I'm sure he would likely be as unhappy and uncharmed as I am...Leave a comment:
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Well, I didn't watch it, (I was on a plane heading home), but there's a mother's group that's up in arms about it. They say it's too suggestive and too adult. It's not the Muppets we grew up with. If that's the case, they should probably put it on a later time slot, so it isn't on when kids can watch it. I don't think I'd really wanna watch adult themed Muppets anyway.
I wonder what Jim Hensen (RIP) would think?
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So what did you think of the new Muppets?
I thought it was okay...I had a few chuckles. Definitely more adult themed. Not sure about the "real world" aspect they're going for.
Something about the whole production seemed...off. Will give it a few more eps and see if it gels, but I have a feeling it's not gonna be around long.
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