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.

Jim Henson: 25 Years Later

Celebrating Jim Henson

Jim Henson passed away 25 years ago today. Jim and his creations have meant so much for so many people. Since the debut of Sam & Friends, it seems that Muppets have always been a part of our lives.

We are so very grateful for Jim Henson and his creations, from Sesame Street to the Muppet gang, they have touched our lives and the lives of many generations. Everyone has a favorite Muppet, though some may be loathe to admit it. Whether it's Elmo or Ernie, Miss Piggy or Bean Bunny. These characters are adored and admired by so many. Sometimes we forget that these characters came from an idea. Jim said this:

"As I try to zero in on what's important for the Muppets, I think it's a sense of innocence, naivete - you know, the experience of a simple person meeting life. Even the most worldly of our characters is innocent. Our villains are innocent, really. And it's that innocence that I think is the connection to the audience."

Jim always wanted to make a difference in the world. And he did. He inspired us and continues to do so. He made us ambitious and follow our dreams. We'll never forget you, Jim!

So today, watch your favorite Muppet production. Do something creative! Be ridiculously optimistic! Celebrate life!

We miss you, Jim, but we know you'll always be with us. Thanks for making the world a better place.

The Muppets Teaser Breakdown

The internet went Muppet today. Yes, it went Muppet all over the place. You can use Muppet that way, go ahead and try it. The new teaser for the much talked about ABC series had a wonderful trailer that is quickly winning people over with it's humor and close look at the unknown personal lives of the Muppets. However, I would like to add this idea of the Muppets' personal lives is not a new one. The backstage sequences of The Muppet Show were basically the personal lives of the characters. This time we get to see them in a contemporary setting dealing with contemporary problems. And it's just as delightful as expected.

Here's a breakdown of the trailer:

 

Opening shot with a bunch of Muppets and Mahna Mahna playing. Muppet fans love group shots! Look! There's Lew Zealand, the Swedish Chef, Floyd, Animal, Behemoth, Gonzo, Sam Eagle, Walter, Big Mean Carl, Sweetums, a penguin, Dr. Teeth, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Spamela Hamderson, Pops, and Kermit!

 Lower case title card. Nice. And it's a statement. It's what every Muppet fan wants to hear!

Kermit is sitting in traffic. He is just like us!

Rowlf and Scooter discuss Rowlf's surgery . . . and the cone of shame. Scooter is sporting some new threads. There's Uncle Deadly and Janice, too!

Fozzie has a girlfriend! It seems there's some hesitation with her family about interspecies dating. What would Emily Bear think? Fozzie's also wearing a different tie!

Floyd thinks handheld cameras and cut-aways to characters talking is a great idea for the show.

Gonzo, not so much. Until we cut back away to a wide shot. A great bit of humor here. There's Rizzo in the background, eating as usual.

Piggy must be shooting a show or a movie because goodness knows she wouldn't choose to wear this in public. Also, she can't remember anyone but Kermit. That blue guy on the left is Gary.

 

Kermit likes Pigs. He says it and we know it. I mean this is the second time we see Spamela Hamderson in the teaser! Look and there's Zoot and Crazy Harry!

We get to see rare and obscure Muppets?! Thank goodness! Here's Angel Marie, Sunshine (or the Thingy Thing), Chip (a muppet parody of Bill Prady, last seen in the Jim Henson Hour and Muppets From Space) some sort of Frackle-ish muppet, and Beautiful Day.

 In no way is that statement ambiguous. The Muppets are back . . . on television. It's always interesting that Disney keeps saying that the Muppets were gone. They've never been gone, just doing different things.

Uncle Deadly, Sweetums, Kermit, and the Newsman. It's great to see so many characters in just this 2 minute and 41 second teaser.

The Swedish Chef, no doubt working on a dish using power tools. Perfect.

Just look at all of those Muppets!!! Squeeeee!

Bunsen and Beaker are back! So is Wayne and Wanda!

Nothing's funnier than Miss Piggy's big moment ruined by something, in this case a pane of glass. It's also nice to hear her say that the Muppets are her family. A family in which she can't remember anyone's name. You know, except the Tooth Guy.

The band is all here!

Including that blue guy. Don't tell Piggy, but his name is Zoot.

Piggy saving face while Gonzo over hears. Also, Gonzo drinks coffee and still enjoys his chili pepper shirt!

Kermit must have let Fozzie type these title cards. Didn't he learn after Harry Belafonte was on the show? 

The Muppets are back Tuesdays, this fall. In case you had trouble reading.

More Spamela Hamderson! Also Janice! Piggy comes in and takes over this scene promptly, knocking Spamela out of the way. Good for her! Kermit mentions that perhaps Piggy has
"made my bacon-wrapped life a hell on earth." Adult indeed.

And what's a Muppet show without everyone's favorite hecklers, Statler and Waldorf! 

Clocking in at 2 minutes and 41 seconds, this teaser is jam-packed with Muppet goodness for new and old fans alike. If this is any indication of what is to come, then bring it on! It'll be fun seeing the Muppets on television again and bringing laughs to a whole new generation. It's time to play the music and it's time to light the lights this fall on ABC.

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 Muppet Show is officially back!

It's time to play the music! It's time to light the lights!  It's time to get things started on the new Muppet Show tonight!  ABC has green lit the new Muppet Show for television and we'll be seeing the first season soon!

"The recent pilot presentation, we’re told, received a standing ovation when it screened for ABC executives a couple weeks ago." - Entertainment Weekly

Dr. Bunsen, Beaker, and Brushing

Ever wonder why food tastes really bad after you brush your teeth? Especially orange juice! Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker are here to answer that question with a little help from Youtube star Elliot of Mental_Floss. Meep, Meep, Meep!

The Muppets are "The Cool Kids"

The Muppets have teamed up with Youtube Space LA for a ton of new videos being released throughout the year! All this week we’ll showcase those videos from the Muppets and Youtube’s top talent! Watch as Mike Tompkins and The Muppets sing Echosmith's "The Cool Kids." We can't wait to see what else The Muppets will do in this unique showcase.

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.

Muppets on PS Vita

The Muppets will be coming to the video game world once again this fall with Disney's The Muppets Movie Adventures (the pluralization of Muppet really bothers me here). This game will be for the PS Vita and feature the Muppets in movie genre based levels, costumes, and missions.

We have pirates, sci-fi, the old west, and gladiators represented by this character line-up.

Looks like we may have some rather interesting appearances of fan favorites as villains, such as Uncle Deadly above, seen here with Miss Piggy.

Look here! It's Timmy Monster as a bad guy with Miss Piggy!

We'll be sure to keep you updated as we find out more about this Disney The Muppets release.