I'm still trying to figure out how the show "changed" since episode 10. The media that was all the rave (well, the Muppets media) was about how The Muppets after its hiatus was going in a slightly newer direction. I keep forgetting what that newer direction is supposed to be and I keep trying to place what it is while I watch the show. Though really, that's not my job as a viewer. My main role is to see if I'm enjoying the show or not. So, I'll try to combine those two ideas now:
Once again, the last few episodes before the show took a hiatus were incredible, they were hilarious and moving, the two most important aspects that this show needs to hit in order to achieve high praise across the board, which they did earn. After break, not as much. I think the show (here comes the possible change) is trying to look a little happier, a little less dark, and the characters a little more nice to each other. That doesn't have to be the worst thing in the world but there are other slight changes that are killing the show. For example, emotions don't run quite as deep, which sounds crazy to say as this episode explores just how lonely Miss Piggy is, that's a deep topic! And it also looks at Kermit's sadness in losing Denise, double misery! So, you would think, hello, there's depth right there. Sorry, not buying it. Especially because pre-hiatus EVERYONE had issues. Sam Eagle had a desperate crush, Fozzie had a bad relationship, Scooter kept mumbling about his mom and her beau, Yolanda was scheming, lots was going on at once. It was Muppet mayhem and it was awesome. It just feels a bit more 80's sitcommy and hollow now.
The other thing that started to hit its stride but is now gone are the plethora of gags per minute. It's like they're being reduced, by a lot, and that's never a good thing. The puns are all but missing, the slapstick is too few and far between. Just not the same, man. I did get a chuckle watching Piggy fall from her silk and smiled a bit when Pepe smack attacked Gonzo, but meh. You've changed, bro, and I've noticed.
And was that un-PC racism I noticed in this episode? What the heck? I'll take edgy and all, and I'm a Donald Trump and Family Guy fan but when the Muppets go racist it's a bit weird. When Miss Piggy meets a black girl who is clearly dressed like everyone else, she offers her money and says "I'll have two towels and a water, please!" Oy. And why did Bobo the Bear, standing next to Ru Paul on their "TV Show," mutter, "I hope my army buddies aren't watching." Ouch. I may have interpreted them wrong, but still, that means anyone could also interpret it like that, and I urge anyone who wants to judge to watch it first.
Sorry for being a negative Nancy and panning everything this ep offered, but the Pizza guy seems like a Jump-The-Shark addition so that conflicts can now be external vs. internal. Seems childish. And the ending, I don't want this to be a spoiler so let's just say I found a big loophole in the big conclusion which goes a little something like "No, that's his job! He's not Smithers!"
Anything else that was positive? I did like the song at the end, Ingrid Michaelson sang beautifully, and it was good to see Gloria Estefan back as a nod to continuity, though another possible Jump- the-Shark addition. Sorry, couldn't help complaining!
Finally, it's interesting how they took out the opening theme in this episode (unless I missed it or something). Pre-break the opener was the office scrambling and Kermit not getting to have his coffee (sad, dark humor). Post-break it became he doesn't get his coffee but then Miss Piggy returns and gives it to him, awww, so happy (blech). Now, they've scraped the whole thing in this episode. Are they doing it like the Simpsons do a lot and sometimes not have their full open? Or is it a sign that they're still trying to find their stride? If it's the latter, shows that are still trying to find themselves in episode 13 amidst poor ratings can be in trouble. ABC owns them so they may give them a little leeway, but right now I'm just praying they just get shafted to cable instead of getting the axe. Then maybe they'll find themselves eventually and create amazing content. Season 3 on ABC Family here we come, wohoo!
Once again, the last few episodes before the show took a hiatus were incredible, they were hilarious and moving, the two most important aspects that this show needs to hit in order to achieve high praise across the board, which they did earn. After break, not as much. I think the show (here comes the possible change) is trying to look a little happier, a little less dark, and the characters a little more nice to each other. That doesn't have to be the worst thing in the world but there are other slight changes that are killing the show. For example, emotions don't run quite as deep, which sounds crazy to say as this episode explores just how lonely Miss Piggy is, that's a deep topic! And it also looks at Kermit's sadness in losing Denise, double misery! So, you would think, hello, there's depth right there. Sorry, not buying it. Especially because pre-hiatus EVERYONE had issues. Sam Eagle had a desperate crush, Fozzie had a bad relationship, Scooter kept mumbling about his mom and her beau, Yolanda was scheming, lots was going on at once. It was Muppet mayhem and it was awesome. It just feels a bit more 80's sitcommy and hollow now.
The other thing that started to hit its stride but is now gone are the plethora of gags per minute. It's like they're being reduced, by a lot, and that's never a good thing. The puns are all but missing, the slapstick is too few and far between. Just not the same, man. I did get a chuckle watching Piggy fall from her silk and smiled a bit when Pepe smack attacked Gonzo, but meh. You've changed, bro, and I've noticed.
And was that un-PC racism I noticed in this episode? What the heck? I'll take edgy and all, and I'm a Donald Trump and Family Guy fan but when the Muppets go racist it's a bit weird. When Miss Piggy meets a black girl who is clearly dressed like everyone else, she offers her money and says "I'll have two towels and a water, please!" Oy. And why did Bobo the Bear, standing next to Ru Paul on their "TV Show," mutter, "I hope my army buddies aren't watching." Ouch. I may have interpreted them wrong, but still, that means anyone could also interpret it like that, and I urge anyone who wants to judge to watch it first.
Sorry for being a negative Nancy and panning everything this ep offered, but the Pizza guy seems like a Jump-The-Shark addition so that conflicts can now be external vs. internal. Seems childish. And the ending, I don't want this to be a spoiler so let's just say I found a big loophole in the big conclusion which goes a little something like "No, that's his job! He's not Smithers!"
Anything else that was positive? I did like the song at the end, Ingrid Michaelson sang beautifully, and it was good to see Gloria Estefan back as a nod to continuity, though another possible Jump- the-Shark addition. Sorry, couldn't help complaining!
Finally, it's interesting how they took out the opening theme in this episode (unless I missed it or something). Pre-break the opener was the office scrambling and Kermit not getting to have his coffee (sad, dark humor). Post-break it became he doesn't get his coffee but then Miss Piggy returns and gives it to him, awww, so happy (blech). Now, they've scraped the whole thing in this episode. Are they doing it like the Simpsons do a lot and sometimes not have their full open? Or is it a sign that they're still trying to find their stride? If it's the latter, shows that are still trying to find themselves in episode 13 amidst poor ratings can be in trouble. ABC owns them so they may give them a little leeway, but right now I'm just praying they just get shafted to cable instead of getting the axe. Then maybe they'll find themselves eventually and create amazing content. Season 3 on ABC Family here we come, wohoo!
