the muppets "Bear Left then Bear Write"
In the third episode of the muppets, we are introduced to a few new things: Rowlf's Tavern, which is across the street from the studio, Gonzo is trying online dating (where's Camilla?), and Miss Piggy does not like being embarrassed on live tv (no matter how funny).
This episode felt more muppety than the first two. It showed a lot more muppet interactions and story lines. Christina Applegate makes a great guest star and has a story line that doesn't just fizzle out like the Nick Offerman story. Gonzo also gets a complete story as well. It seems that the show can handle two guest stars, but when they hit three, things start getting a little off-balance.
It seems weird to make the conscience decision to not include chickens and penguins and talking food in this muppet universe. Those characters, especially Camilla, are integral to the Muppets. We all known Gonzo has a girlfriend named Camilla and we're okay that she's a chicken. I'm not sure it makes it any more of a funny plot line if Gonzo is online dating. Why can't he just be dating on a Chicken Website or something? Anywho, Gonzo and Camilla have been together for a long time and it's a little odd not to get an explanation of why they Camilla has just disappeared.
I like Rowlf's Tavern a lot. It's fun to see Rowlf and the other Muppets outside the studio. Can't wait to see more of it! I also really liked seeing the pie revenge with Miss Piggy and Scooter. It's always fun to see more Scooter. The introduction of Chip was also really funny and brought a lot of simple humor to the show.
Overall, I felt this episode captured the Muppet humor more so than the first two episodes. However, there is still one thing that has not changed. Kermit is still not Kermit. Why would he lie to Fozzie? He cares about his friends. It doens't take a life-changing situation to get Kermit to care. Let me share this, "Underneath the zaniness or perhaps standing next to it, there was a sense of decency that the characters had, about the world and to each other. [. . .] But at the core, there was always a sense of social values and decency." Jerry Juhl, one of the head writers for the Muppets, said that. I think that's what is missing from the new show.
Let's get these characters back to their core values. They can be funny and zany and goofy and pop culture icons and still be caring and decent to one another.
