At long last, I get to review a Christmas-themed episode! To this point in my relatively short criticism career, most sitcoms I’ve covered have not done much to do with the holidays, so The Muppets‘ holiday episode was my first true taste of that action. I generally love Christmas episodes, and I wasn’t disappointed by this one.
This week, on the fall finale of The Muppets: Fozzie gets broken up with, so he’s much too distraught to do the Up Late live Christmas special. Kermit tries to talk to him, but it’s Piggy who has more success. Yolanda organizes the Secret Santa so that everyone gives her a gift, as she was left out last year. Kermit and Scooter try to convince Mindy Kaling not to sing on the show without telling her she stinks. Sam the Eagle’s attempts with Janice are thwarted by Chip. Piggy spends time self-reflecting.
I’ll preface with this: This was not the best episode of The Muppets. However, it was not nearly the worst, either. Holiday episodes are tricky, because you have to play in the world of the show AND restrict things to the holidays. That certainly isn’t the easiest game to play. You can get goofy holiday tropes, or you can lean toward the emotional, vulnerable side of the holidays. “Single All The Way” was more the latter than the former, and the results were somewhat mixed. Don’t get me wrong at all, because I very much appreciate characters being vulnerable, and using the holidays to showcase that. It’s realistic and true to life and doesn’t go unnoticed. My only complaint actually is that they’re too real. They’re MUPPETS!! It’s okay to heighten the reality a little bit. These are serious issues that shows should tackle, but maybe they’re missing a unique, Muppet-like take on them is all.
Mostly, this episode worked. It wasn’t extraordinary, but it flowed well. There were a lot of characters and stories, but it didn’t feel overcrowded or rushed at all. It was simple, it had good funny moments, and it had Christmas! All of those things are very welcome in this day and age of TV.
I really appreciated Piggy coming down a couple of notches. The emotional side of Christmas really paid off for her character. She was much softer and likable than she’s been this season. I appreciate when this show lets side characters be a little more silly and allows for Kermit, Piggy, and the like tackle the more serious stories.
As always, here are some of my favorite quotes/moments from the episode:
- “Christmas in my belly!” You can always count on Animal eating something for a laugh.
- “Cut your nails, Ken, you’re not a Spanish guitar player.” Scooter might have my favorite recurring bit.
- “She’s obviously releasing the evil spirits from her soul.”- Janice about Mindy Kaling’s singing voice
- “I realized it when I was yellow and a half years old.” Chip sees numbers as colors.
- “It’s stuff!! Guaranteed to lift your spirits!”- Piggy, with the most poignant one liner of the night
Overall, “Single All The Way” was a little uneven but still enjoyable. It was a solid first season Christmas episode, and it set up some cool stories for the future of the show. I’m looking forward to The Muppets’ return in February! Should be a good time.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy this Christmas-themed episode? Let us know in the comments!!
The Muppets returns on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 8/7c on ABC.
[Photo credit: Nicole Wilder/ABC]
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