The Muppets worried me for a little while tonight. I was worried that the new format of the show was not going to be sustainable. This episode, for a little while, worried me that they might’ve lost their identity. But just when I thought it was lost, they showed me what I needed to see. Miss Piggy was insufferable in the first half of the season, and I was worried they were headed down that road again. Fortunately, they took the correct fork in said road, and instead my heart was warmed.
This week on The Muppets: Miss Piggy realizes that the show is using less of her and more of the others, so she seeks comfort in her friends. Unfortunately, this leads to the realization that she has no friends, so she seeks some out. Meanwhile, Kermit and Pizza (Pache) battle over doing a product promotion in the show. Pizza tries to bribe the writers with new suits, but Kermit knows how to battle. RuPaul and Ingrid Michaelson guest star.
Miss Piggy having no friends is with good reason. She’s self absorbed and rude, and the worst part is she has no clue. I’ll admit that she has been much more bearable in the show’s “new format”, but I previously attributed that to screen time. However, just when “Got Silk?” was about to convince me to hate her forever, something crazy happened. I identified with her. I felt bad for her. I know that none of these characters are human, but she actually felt human to me. I’m totally in awe of the miracle this episode pulled off in making me care for her. Bravo!
Miss Piggy didn’t exactly bring the laughs, but she added the heart and growth, something that is crucial to the survival of the modern sitcom. Just “funny” doesn’t cut it anymore. However, I find just about everything Pepe, Rizzo, and Gonzo do hilarious. They’re not the deepest characters, but they really rain down the one liners and goofy scenarios. They make this show so much fun for me to watch.
The single best improvement that The Muppets has made this season is the small, throwaway sketches. Fozzie quizzing Bobo, and Lew Zealand subsequently throwing fish, was absolutely hysterical. Then, the sketch at the end with Pepe impersonating “people who wear suits”. Hilarious. No matter the content (which was honestly pretty good this week) the sketches and throwaway bits are becoming the highlight of the show. They really started and ended this week’s episode with hearty chuckles.
As always, here are some of my favorite quotes/moments from the episode:
- “Appendix girl is NOT your friend.”- Uncle Deadly
- “I’m all thunk out.”- Kermit
- “Just a few too many bad family stories involving vats of hot water.”- Kermit
- “You’re a rat. I’ve seen you eat garbage.” “Not with PINEAPPLE on it!”
- “I’ve called every casino, race track, and Dave and Buster’s in town.”- Kermit, searching for his missing writers
- “And please, could you always wear your pants in the office?” “Okay Mr. Naked!” Rizzo’s commentary on frog hypocrisy
- Just wanted to send up “people who wear suits” one more time. Hilarious.
This might not have been the funniest episode of The Muppets, but it still had a collection of strong, funny moments. Miss Piggy showed some real growth, and the new format held really well. I’m really looking forward to watching the show each week, and that certainly wasn’t always the case.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know!!
The Muppets airs Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on ABC
Follow Us
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
Visitor Rating: 4 Stars