Word on the streets is that this is the worst Fall TV lineup since, well, since ever. Critics are panning almost every new show premiering this week. But I, my fellow Gen X-ers and hopefully a whole new fan base will be tuning into The Muppets tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC for a glimmer of hope in an otherwise lame season.
The new series updated itself from the original Muppet Show, which if you are not familiar with, I don’t think we can be friends. This time instead of being centered on a variety show hosted by Kermit the Frog, we are given a modern talk show hosted by Miss Piggy. Fozzie Bear acts as the audience warm up guy, and Statler and Waldorf are planted in the audience ripping everyone apart, as we love them to do.
The show is presented in documentary style with behind the scene interviews and glimpses into the Muppets real lives, à la The Office. Gonzo, Uncle Sam, Scooter and the rest of the gang — including my new favorite Walter, whom we met in the 2011 feature film The Muppets — are all present and ready for screen time.
NPR’s Fresh Air TV critic, and my personal go to source for what to watch, David Bianculli praised the show saying “…this week, if you see only one new TV series — and to be honest, that's about all you should see — make it "The Muppets." Even if Bianculli didn’t tell me to watch, I’d be tuning in anyway. The Muppets have been a part of my life since I was in diapers and I’m not giving up on them. Even after Muppet Treasure Island.
This article appears in Sep 17-23, 2015.