Review: The Muppets "Pig Girls Don't Cry (Pilot)"

 The Muppets came back to television this past week with a prime time series called the muppets. This time around we see the characters putting on a late night show called Up Late with Miss Piggy. Piggy is, of course, the star of the show. Kermit is the executive producer, Gonzo is a writer, Scooter is a talent scout, Uncle Deadly is wardrobe, and The Electric Mayhem is the show's band. All your other favorite Muppets are there doing things, too. Don't worry.  The show is a documentary style series looking at the personal lives of the Muppets as well as behind-the-scenes of the show within a show.

The pilot episode begins right in the thick of a putting on a episode of Up Late with Miss Piggy with Elizabeth Banks as a guest and Imagine Dragons as the musical act. We're introduced to some of the roles of the characters and what they will be doing for the show. We're also given some idea of a few of the characters personal issues, such as Fozzie dating a human and Miss Piggy and Kermit's break-up.

As for overall plot of the pilot, it was a little mixed. The balance between personal life scenes, backstage scenes, and Up Late with Miss Piggy scenes seemed a little jumbled. There wasn't necessarily a overall plot, besides trying to find another guest star to take Elizabeth Banks' spot, as Miss Piggy didn't want her on the show. This was a device used mostly to get to the break-up scene.

The break-up scene was unexpected. I think Piggy gave one of her best performances ever. You could see the hurt in her every movement. The uncertainty of what just happened, and what will happen to her, was evident. She deeply cares for Kermit.

What I liked about the show:

• Seeing the Muppets putting on a show once again
• Humor was almost spot-on for these characters 
• I particularly liked Sam's role as head executive of broadcast standards and practices, especially when Kermit says, "My life is a bacon-wrapped hell on earth."
• It strikes a good balance between adult and family
• The characters were all there with roles (though this may prove to be troublesome)
• Seeing the Muppets in the real world doing real things with people
• Tom Bergeron was used quite effectively

What I didn't like, or hope is just pilot jitters:

• Denise's dead eyes
• Characters being stuck in roles (will Gonzo get to perform? or is he stuck at the writer's desk?)
• Sketches - we almost had one with Dancing with the Czars
• Characters not seeming to care for one another, except Piggy
• Guests stars used as plot devices (Elizabeth Banks) and musical guests relegated to the end credits (Imagine Dragons)
• Kermit seems like such a downer again here, he seems more stressed out then ever

 I enjoyed the pilot enough to keep watching to see what happens to these characters. My concerns are the longevity of the documentary style show and if we'll ever get to see sketches, songs, and stunts the Muppets are so well-known for, the Piggy/Kermit break-up sub-plot driving the show, and the inclusion of too many guests. We'll see where the next few shows go! I look forward to spending my Tuesday evenings with the muppets.

My other major concern is an idea I have brought up before . . . what happened to the good guys the Muppets used to be? I feel like the sense of caring and respect for one another is gone. Jim Henson said, "There is a sense of our characters caring for each other and having respect for each other. A positive feeling. A positive view of life. That's a key to everything we do." I'd like to see this idea be more forward and prominent in the show. They were always putting on a show and even though things didn't go as planned, the characters helped each other out and took what they had and ran with it with a smile and a song. I'm not saying they can behave like real people who have bad days, we're all entitled to it. But these characters always rose above that and made you feel that even though things are bad or don't work out, there's always something to laugh and smile about when you're with your friends.

Happy Birthday, Jim!

Happy Birthday to Jim Henson! 

Celebrate Jim's birthday today by doing something different, something fun, something nice, and something silly. Sing a song, play a game, make a friend, watch the clouds. Imagine. Laugh. Create. Design. Work Together. Celebrate.

Disney Infinity Characters Released Today

If you've been patient and have been waiting for the release of the retail exclusives, then today you can celebrate by going out and getting them! As of today, all of the retail exclusives are now available in all stores.

That includes Fear, Mulan, Ezra, Kanan, Zeb, and Sabine. Each figures retails for $13.99. Amazon doesn't seem to have any of the exclusives up besides their own (Fear), so be mindful when making purchases.

Happy Collecting and Gaming!

 

 

First Impression: Disney Infinity 3.0

Disney Infinity 3.0 launched on Sunday and we couldn't be more excited! We couldn't wait to add Star Wars characters, themes, and vehicles to the ever expanding universe that is the Toy Box. After D23, we had some more ideas of what the came would contain, as well as a sneak peek at some fun items that would be joining the game.

These are just some first impressions of the game, as we've only scratched the surface. At this point, it's worth mentioning that one of our favorite aspects of the game is the inclusion of nostalgia inducing toys. So, without further ado, here's some of our first impressions!

1. The Introduction made us smile wider than a kowakian monkey lizard! It was a perfect blend of the new and the classic. Seeing the classic trilogy Star Wars characters come together felt like Christmas . . . and now they can be played with our favorite Marvel and Disney characters. Yoda and Stitch team-up is a go!
2. So many new toys! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which comes with a goat) is not a static set piece. It has falling dust that helps make for a more dynamic world-creating and playing experience. Gravity Falls has a lot more toys, too! Can't wait to add a Gobble Wonker to a world!
3. The expansion of town sets. Halloweentown can now become an actual town. Including pieces like Finkelstein's Lab, Jack's House, some gates, and other exciting buildings. Sugar Rush ca also be expanded to fill up your Toy Box with sweet treats.
4. Characters are amazing. Besides having beautiful sculpts, the few we played play well and fit perfectly into the universe. We're so happy to see Yoda be a nice mesh between classic Yoda and Clone wars Yoda. Let him sit for moment, you'll see.
5.  Vehicles - this is one of the best improvements. Many of the vehicle power discs have music upgrades. This is a small detail, but an important one. Some of the music was just bland and did not fit thematically with the piece. Now when you play Darkwing Duck's Ratcatchter, you get to hear the Darkwing Duck theme song! The Electric Mayhem bus has it's music back, which for some reason was lost in DI2.0. We highly encourage you to try all of your vehicles, as the music changes make for a more fun gaming experience.
6. The Boom Box now includes an amazing set list. We get most of the music from DI2.0 plus some fantastic new ones. I'm very happy to see that The Electric Mayhem Bus music can now be selected (so glad the Muppets are still being included in some small way!). You can now add a bunch of new classic John Williams scores to your Star Wars Toy Boxes. I can't wait to make a Dagobah themed toy box with Yoda's Theme. 
7. Star Wars themes and new Disney themes for the Toy Box. The inclusion of such classic art from Sleeping Beauty is wonderful. We love playing with the sky and terrain themes!
8. Packs and Tools has some new items, too. Our favorite by far is the Ewok Glider! We've never been a fan of the glider pack, but now I think it's safe to say that this pack will always be on our characters! It's one of those fun fan items that make the care and love that is put into every game shine and take the limelight. It reminds us why we're fans and why we love the game!
   
   Those are just a few of the things that we love about the game so far! Check back as we put up more impressions of the game, like Toy Box Takeover, Twilight of the Republic playset, characters, and more!