To: Matthew Soberman, Could 13, 2016
From: Matthew Soberman, February 3, 2026
Hey, bud. How are you? Don’t fear, I already know the reply. You’re not completely satisfied as a result of ABC simply cancelled The Muppets after one season. And also you’re feeling fairly pissed off {that a} present that really tried to do one thing new with the characters you’re keen on failed simply because it was beginning to discover its footing. And also you’re beginning to really feel offended at most of the people that didn’t tune in, so that you’ve posted one thing on the ToughPigs Discussion board to get these feelings out:
“As I’m studying an increasing number of reactions to the present’s cancellation, one recurring remark is basically beginning to tick me off…
‘Disney ought to cease goofing round and simply remake The Muppet Present. No new title, no new format, simply The Muppet Present. That’s all we need to see.’
Now I prefer to assume I’m a reasonably open-minded man, however that must be one of many stupidest concepts I’ve heard…
Now don’t get me mistaken: nostalgia is usually a nice inventive instrument: it’s how we received stuff like Grease and Again to the Future. However currently, I’m seeing a disturbing pattern of lazy nostalgia. As a substitute of letting the previous affect the inventive works of right this moment, studios appear content material with letting the previous take over fully. Forgive me, however I’d relatively see the following Muppet Present, not the final one… Reviving The Muppet Present can be the sign that the powers that be have given up.
So far as I’m involved, The Muppet Present led to 1981. I’d prefer to see it keep that means.”
Now, I get the place you’re coming from, however I’ve received some surprising information for you: I simply watched a brand-new episode of The Muppet Present. Granted, it’s solely a particular, however I’ll let you know, it’s fairly darn good. Now I get your concern, and also you’re not mistaken about mainstream tradition’s present arrested improvement, however there was one small factor you didn’t take note of: {that a} revival doesn’t must fully be the identical outdated factor. There may be room for creativity and new concepts within the format. It may be suddenly comforting and never only a “biggest hits” present. I do know it as a result of I’ve seen it.
It helps fairly a bit that there are creatives on the market that occur to care concerning the Muppets simply as deeply as you do. (Nicely, perhaps to not the purpose of assembling a playlist of “Bizarre Al” Yankovic songs that The Electrical Mayhem ought to cowl, however they do care rather a lot.) They usually like arising with new stuff too! Not solely can we get classics like “Muppet Labs,” however some contemporary takes on the present’s format. It seems and seems like The Muppet Present, but it surely’s not a carbon copy, and that’s to its profit. We additionally get to see some characters get the highlight that don’t at all times get showcased. It feels each traditional and modern.
One other asset is the visitor stars they’ve. 2016 Matthew, are you aware Sabrina Carpenter? From Woman Meets World? She goes on to greater issues. (Additionally, it’s possible you’ll need to purchase inventory in espresso machines.) And it seems she’s a pure match for the Muppets! She’s humorous, but additionally is aware of when to enrich her costars. In fact, she spends most of her time with Miss Piggy, and the 2 play off of one another effectively. I suppose that’ll occur when divas work collectively. However we additionally get different superstar cameos from Seth Rogen and Maya Rudolph. Rudolph particularly has a memorable second that almost steals the entire present.
However gosh, it does really feel simply so darn good to be again within the Muppet Theatre once more, greater than I ever thought it could be. This isn’t an ideal particular, as not each joke lands and among the bits really feel rushed to suit the runtime, however that additionally leaves me wanting extra. There are rumors that this may develop into a collection, and if this is a sign of the extent of high quality we may get regularly, it makes me hopeful that this might fulfill each those that need the acquainted and people who need one thing new.
So 2016 Matthew, I need you to know that your worst fears about The Muppet Present returning didn’t come to go. This doesn’t imply they’ve given up. Removed from it! There’s no laziness to be discovered right here, simply an total love and affection for the Muppets and the collection that made them superstars. Is there nostalgia? Certain, however that’s not at all times a foul factor. That is the nice type of nostalgia, one which takes what we already know and runs with it into the twenty first century. And for a venture like this, that’s a dream come true.
(That mentioned, a few of your different worst fears do come true in 2016. However the Muppets persist, so at the very least you’ve gotten that to sit up for.)
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by Matthew Soberman – [email protected]
