They’re lighting the lights again at “The Muppet Show,” but there’s a difference — the Muppets aren’t a ragtag bunch of performers just trying to make it.
Now, with several movies and big league guest appearances to their credit, they can’t really play wannabes with conviction — and that’s where this outing, produced by Seth Rogen, stumbles.
Producer Seth Rogen and Fozzie Bear are shown on the set of "The Muppet Show."
The 50th anniversary special, which airs on Disney+, should have emphasized their status and given us something that doesn’t seem forced. This hits all the hallmarks — from Statler and Waldorf to the frazzled backstage crew — but doesn’t find anything new in the process.
Director Alex Timbers should have moved them to a new theater with highly skilled stagehands at their disposal. The disconnect would bring a degree of humor that isn’t predictable.
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Here, they play with guest stars — like Sabrina Carpenter, who’s made for this world — deal with old-world problems and pivot.
Disney’s “The Muppet Show” stars Sabrina Carpenter and the original Muppet cast.
Miss Piggy fares best because she has never abandoned her status as the ultimate star. Never mind the setting — she reigns. And that’s the way the rest of the half-hour should have been. Kermit seems hamstrung (sorry!) by the traditions and doesn’t get an opportunity to break loose. There’s a hint of his illustrious past, but it doesn’t materialize. Rowlf, who served as his piano player, is snarkier here than we remember but isn’t elevated in ways he should. He’s an original who bears the scars of time.
Rogen, who has taken plenty of animated shows and twisted them for another audience, could do the same for a possible reboot of “The Muppet Show.” He hints at it with a Piggy performance and a few well-placed ad libs.
On the O.G. “Muppet Show,” there were moments that sent you to the refrigerator, but they never got you to change the channel.
If this is supposed to be a big anniversary special (and not a backdoor pilot), it could have used appearances from past guests. It’s a great reminder of what we used to see, but it needs to be a look at what it could be.
“The Muppet Show” airs on Disney+.
