They’re Back
The Office Meets The Muppets
You know you haven’t quite lived until you’ve seen Kermit and the gang dance on stage to “Single Ladies”. This was the scene among many other hilarious and unscripted moments at The Muppets D23 EXPO panel in Anaheim, California this past August. I mean seriously, it was pretty epic, and perfectly timed to promote tonight’s premiere of The Muppets on ABC. That’s right, they are back to primetime, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I always loved watching The Muppets as a kid, and seeing them live was absolutely incredible. And after viewing the screening, well let’s just say it’s the Muppets we’ve grown to love, but even funnier.
The Muppets Panel at D23 EXPO
The Muppets D23 EXPO panel gave a pretty good sample of what you can expect from tonight’s premiere on ABC at 8pm EST. The panel brought the show’s cast five ‘muppeteers’ of The Muppets royalty:
- Steve Whitmire (Kermit, Beaker)
- Bill Barretta (Rowlf the Dog, Pepe the King Prawn)
- Eric Jacobson (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear)
- Dave Goelz (Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew)
- Matt Vogel (Uncle Deadly, Floyd Pepper)
The panel gave the audience a taste of the adult humor we can expect on ABC’s new series, The Muppets, which revolves around a talk show called “Up Late with Miss Piggy” and adopts a similar mock-documentary style format like The Office and Modern Family. The show follows muppet characters on and off the in-series show.
After a short Q&A the panel ended with a couple audience guests who were invited on stage to get a lesson in muppeteering. This included a dance and sing-a-long to “Single Ladies” and “Sexual Healing”. It was definitely D23 EXPO history quality and had the entire audience in pieces.
On Miss Piggy and Kermit Working Together
“It gives them tension,” Jacobson of the still-sensitive post-break-up Miss Piggy and Kermit, who have to work together, she as the star – of course! – and he as her executive producer.
On Getting the Gang Back Together
Once in a while it feels like it’s the right people in the right place at the right time,” Goelz said in response to a question about how it feels to have the gang all together again. “This is one of those times.”
See the Pitch that Convinced ABC to Make the Show:
https://youtu.be/x2B5d-8H588
The Muppets Premieres Tonight on ABC at 8pm (Tuesdays)
All The Muppets famous antics are back in this behind-the-scenes show about Miss Piggy’s talk show. Can we say shenanigans! The drama of Kermit and Miss Piggy’s relationship (and Miss Piggy’s forever on going diva-drama) and the overall clumsy craziness of the gang mixed with laugh-out-loud humor should leave viewers on the floor. Special guests on the show will include Reese Witherspoon and the band Imagine Dragons.
Watch The Muppets Trailer here:
https://youtu.be/pfJkusicBa4
No doubt, The Muppets will be everyone’s new favorite show. Catch the premiere tonight at 8pm and every Tuesday night EST.