Muppets Aren't Just for Kids...and That's Good!
2015 is a year for revivals. You find yourself looking back at the Despicable Me movies just after seeing the Minions film. Jurassic Park makes a hardcore comeback. Arnie's Terminator film surprises millions (and actually impresses the box office). And Star Wars is having a new film premiering nation-wide this Christmas.
I would also like to add that this year marks the 60th anniversary: Disneyland's Diamond Celebration. But what I am really discussing is not only Disney-related, but it is something that makes us put down our New 52 DC comics and absorb the nostalgia.
Yes, I am talking about those dearly-beloved puppets that have warmed our hearts for 60 (Diamond Celebration again!) years. They have made movies, associated with stars young and old (never forget Bernadette Peters and the memorable "Just One Person"), brought themselves back into the world with two recent films in what is the first time in forever (pardon the Frozen pun, it is Disney, you know), and even have a corner on Disney Junior.
On September 22, the Muppets will return to ABC to star in their own documentary-style sitcom featuring their "every day lives".
By every day lives meaning it is not just all hugs and sing-along songs. The Muppets are approaching more realistic issues that we can relate with, whether for a kid or an adult. We are not just talking about muppets using Instagram and updating their Facebook status (Fozzie is taken, ladies), but interacting with real life situations that we, real people, deal with.
For instance, if your beau introduces you to his or her parents, it is not going to be a walk in the park. They can be overly protective (insert shotgun joke here), or can refer to stereotype. Fozzie Bear is shown to be seeing a human girl in the recent promo, whose parents are not pleased with the relationship. Okay, maybe THOSE parents can not handle it, but if you are a middle-aged adult who has been with the Muppets pre-iPhone era, you would be the LUCKIEST parent in the world. However, for the the parents in this sitcom, they bring the humor out of stereotyping Fozzie: Since when has he ever eaten salmon before? That is a stereotype. They fear their grandkids will go to the bathroom in the woods. Fozzie does not even like hibernation as shown in Muppets Take Manhattan!
If dealing with supposed future in-laws was not realistic enough, check out Rowlf. He has just gone through an operation according to the recent promo. What brings out his inner canine is the fact he has to wear a cone (due to chewing on his stitches, yikes). He is the example of how we sometimes have to go to the doctor; not for laughs or to sing songs, but because we HAVE to.
And as we have all learned this year, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy have broken up. They claim that they are fine from the split, however, working together proves awkwardness. How many have NOT been in this situation? Our beloved icon of the Muppets is already seeing someone: a lovely pig by the name of Denise who seems promising and kind of sweet (she does not seem to harbor the aggressive attitude Miss Piggy still has, which is pretty much a step up for Kermit). Miss Piggy, however, proves that some things cannot be let go of. You thought she was obsessive before in the movies, she only joins the show to keep an eye on her former frog prince. Talk about being forever a stalker!
There will be moments where this former couple will look back at the times they had together (except for Miss Piggy because she does not remember anyone despite all all the history they created), and it might get the best of them. This is the kind of relationship every person has experienced, so let us commend the Muppets for not just taking child-related approaches, but especially adult-related ones.
After all, sometimes we feel like our lives can be "a bacon-wrapped Hell", right?
But despite our beloved Muppets situating with the times and becoming infused with our era, one thing never changes: the same spark that ignited these childhood icons 60 years ago. And the fact that Walter, the newest Muppet introduced from the 2011 film, is revealed in the promo tells us that, indeed, every Muppet we either know or have forgotten will be starring in this brand new ABC series.
Like Sam Eagle stated, "God bless America and it's magnificent broadcasting company!".