The Muppet First Look! Must Watch!

Here it is! Our first look at the return of The Muppets, this fall on ABC. Join Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo, Miss Piggy? and the rest of the gang as they head into primetime with all the crazy antics you have come to love. Join as we celebrate the most sensational, celebration, Muppetational Muppets!

The Muppets go Mockumentary

Following the news that ABC is producing a new Muppet Show, Entertainment weekly has released more details about the revival. EW states that the show will be a mockumentary-style show in the style of The Office and Parks & Rec. It is also described as having the same feel as 30 Rock. Interestingly enough, Tina Fey said she loosely based 30 Rock off the Muppets and The Muppet Show, which brings the whole cycle full circle.

The concept so far is that the Muppets are trying to launch a new show and do what they do best, a variety show. The official statement from ABC is as follows:
ABC’s official new logline reads: “

The Muppets return to prime time with a contemporary, documentary-style show that—for the first time ever—will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires; a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages.”

One can only speculate what "adult" issues the Muppets would tackle in their new show. We already know Walter's history from Disney's The Muppets. Kermit's life is pretty well documented, from his early years in Kermit's Swamp Years to how he became the famous frog he is today in The Muppet Movie. We met Fozzie's family in A Muppet Family Christmas. Gonzo had is own movie in Muppets from Space and he is the Prince of Plungers. Piggy, well, we don't know a ton about Miss Piggy besides she is a model, speaks French (somewhat), UN interpreter, perfume expert, etc.

We'll just have to wait and see what ABC has in store but hopefully they will return the Muppets back to their roots as a variety show breaking bounds and appropriate for all ages.

Robin the Frog

Name: Robin the Frog
First Seen: The Frog Prince (1971)

Robin the Frog is Kermit's nephew. A kind, gentle, and often overlooked member of the Muppet troupe. Literally overlooked, he's very tiny and this made for some great jokes on The Muppet Show as well as extremely touching moments. Robin, who was performed by the amazing, gifted, and incomparable Jerry Nelson, also had a wonderful singing voice and performed some great songs including, "Just One Person," one of Jim Henson's personal favorite songs, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and the hit song (in the UK) "Halfway Down the Stairs."

Robin gets along with all the Muppets, but is usually seen hanging with Sweetums - the small and the mighty. They sing together, laugh together, and top the christmas tree together.

I personally think that Robin has some of his best moments in A Muppet Family Christmas. He gets to sing with his Uncle Kermit and meet the Fraggles! Not to mention, he looks great in that little red jacket.

Robin is probably best known to most folks as Tiny Tim from The Muppet Christmas Carol, which is probably one of his best performances. "Bless Us All" is a delightful song and Robin's innocence and  charm really wraps the song in a nice little bow.

Robin also got to star in a PS One game entitled Muppet Monster Adventure. His goal was to change the Muppets, who had been turned into monstrous versions of themselves, back to normal. It was a fun little game with another song for Robin.

Besides having some supporting roles in numerous Muppet productions, Robin disappeared for a little while. He appears in The Muppets for a few brief moments and has one critical line in Muppets Most Wanted. He is now performed by Matt Vogel.

Robin is a critical member of the Muppet family. He adds a nice balance to many of the characters, has some interesting relationships and problems, and is just so darn likable. I would love to see Robin come to to forefront more often.

The Lautrec Sisters

The Lautrec Sisters

First Seen: The Muppet Show Episode 208 (Steve Martin)

The Muppet Show always has unique acts, especially when holding auditions. One of those auditions was a team of dancing rats called the Lautrec Sisters. This team of four rats, dressed to the nines, perform the "The Garbage Can-Can." They perform it quite well, leaving Kermit enthusiastic about the act and Fozzie a little nervous.

Gaffer the Backstage Cat

Name: Gaffer the Backstage Cat
First seen: The Muppet Show Episode 419 - Lynda Carter

The Muppets always have the most interesting characters in the background. These characters bring the theatre alive through their amazing performances. There is no better example of this than Gaffer the Backstage Cat.

Gaffer is simply a cat. A cat who looks like he's been lurking in the ally scrounging for food. His ear is torn, his tail has a bandage, and he wears a very stylish eye-patch. Just by looking at the this cat you know there is a story here.

Gaffer inhabits the backstage of the Muppet Show. Occasionally he found himself as part of the show. During the song, "The Cat Came Back," Gaffer played the title role. But of course, he suffered the usual onstage antics of his fellow cast mates. Gaffer was performed by Kathryn Mullen

Gaffer appeared in the later seasons of The Muppet Show and in The Great Muppet Caper. I would love to see Gaffer back in action. He's a great character and probably has a wonderful story to tell. Let's give this cat some love and see him take more of a role with The Muppets!

Gaffer the Cat

Hugga Wugga

Hugga Wugga on The Muppet Show

Name: Hugga Wugga (or Sclrap Flyapp)
First Seen: The Today Show (1963)

The Ed Sullivan Show, 1968

 The Muppet character known as Hugga Wugga has evolved much over the years. In 1963, when the sketch now known as "Hugga Wugga" aired for the first time, Hugga Wugga was known as Sclrap Flyapp (and so was the sketch). That name came from the words the character would sing. Hugga Wugga, in every incarnation, had a penchant for blowing up those who did not sing the same words it was singing. Many have fallen to the senseless blasting of Hugga Wugga.

Though its appearance has changed much, the character hasn't. This alien-like Muppet with a fuming temper and nose, is usually seen with two other alien like Muppets on a rocky planet filled with mystery (which looks a lot like dense fog). Hugga Wugga doesn't really care for free thinkers and much prefers that everyone be like it is.

Hugga Wugga was seen in The Muppet Show episode 118 (Phyllis Diller) as well as in comics and in Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff . He's definitely one of my favorite Muppets of all time. Watch the sketch below and you'll laugh. You'll be singing Hugga Wugga in no time at all.