Muppet TV Show a disaster?

BriarRose0708;2470776 wrote: We have really enjoyed the show so far, I seem to be in the minority here. We haven't laughed that hard at a sitcom since Parks and Rec!

I'm with you! I'm really surprised at all the hate. Other than the h-e- double hockey sticks, I think most of the "adult" jokes will go right over kids' heads. And, hate to break it to you all, but the Muppets of the 70s weren't always as innocent as your nostalgia would lead you to believe. Most people who have been around these boards for a while probably know i'm something of a Muppet fanatic. I have seen every single episode of the Muppet Show, some quite a few times. Youtube Miss Piggy and Rudolf Nureyev singing Baby it's Cold Outside and tell me how family friendly that is. I could give you plenty more examples. Jim Henson loved adult humor. The one thing I will agree with is that I could see the humor being totally lost on kids, not necessarily in that it is not kid-friendly, more so that it's just not "kid" humor. I also think you have to like the talking head/mockumentary format, which we do. So far, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and so are all of the Muppet fans I know (granted- none of them are watching with families).

Also not sure why people feel the voices are really off, unless you haven't watched any recent Muppet productions. They are the same voices from the recent two movies not to mention quite a few TV productions. It was hard for me to get used to them at first, but now I am.

BriarRose0708;2470776 wrote: We have really enjoyed the show so far, I seem to be in the minority here. We haven't laughed that hard at a sitcom since Parks and Rec!

PirateLover;2470826 wrote: I'm with you! I'm really surprised at all the hate. Other than the h-e- double hockey sticks, I think most of the "adult" jokes will go right over kids' heads. And, hate to break it to you all, but the Muppets of the 70s weren't always as innocent as your nostalgia would lead you to believe. Most people who have been around these boards for a while probably know i'm something of a Muppet fanatic. I have seen every single episode of the Muppet Show, some quite a few times. Youtube Miss Piggy and Rudolf Nureyev singing Baby it's Cold Outside and tell me how family friendly that is. I could give you plenty more examples. Jim Henson loved adult humor. The one thing I will agree with is that I could see the humor being totally lost on kids, not necessarily in that it is not kid-friendly, more so that it's just not "kid" humor. I also think you have to like the talking head/mockumentary format, which we do. So far, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and so are all of the Muppet fans I know (granted- none of them are watching with families).

I think the two of you hit on what my problem with the show is. The adult humor didn't bother me but I feel like I could be watching Park & Rec or the Office or any other similar show but just with Muppets. So it doesn't have anything making me say "I must watch this. " Which I suppose is strange because I loved the promos for the show. We are recording the episodes so maybe I'll give it another try.

As 2 old folks we enjoy this version of the Muppets. I completely agree with Marianne, the old TV show was not as innocent as a lot of you remember it.

I've been giving this a lot of thought since last night because I was so surprised at the comments, but with the new morning I think I can understand the disappointment a tad more. I am quick to defend it not because I'm a fan girl (I don't like a few of the what I call in between movies like Muppets From Space, Muppet Wizard of Oz etc) but because I really do think it's a good show thus far. But yes, it's a different kind of humor than what we are used to from them. I think people are missing the slapstick element. The jokes have been mostly verbal, not visual. The old show had a better mix. While the adults may enjoy The guest stars and musical numbers, kids could get a kick out of Gonzo attempting another stunt, Marvin Suggs banging his mallet on his muppephone heads etc. so far the new show doesn't have that. I appreciate things like Uncle Deadly being in charge of wardrobe and Lipps finally getting a line but that kind of stuff is lost on a general audience. I do hope in the future we get to see more musical numbers. One last thought I will leave you with is that Frank Oz (who hasn't been involved with The Muppets in over a decade) hated the Jason Segal movie because it was too over the top with the warm-and-fuzzy. I liked the movie, but I think it provides an interesting perspective.

Watched the first two episodes & was not impressed at all. Looks like they're trying to go "mainstream" with the humor, relying on the standard unfunny sitcom setups & conflicts. Yawn. :wait:

The reason we Muppets fans ARE fans is because the writers, creators, et al DID'NT sink to that level! Gimme those totally absurd situations, gimme those wacky production numbers, gimme Pigs In Space! :tv: That's the stuff that made me tune in week after week with the old show! I think unless they start injecting some of that into the show, it's doomed. :skull:

I'm gonna give it 1 more week, then I'm done. 3 strikes & you're out.

OK, my :twocents: is finished.

PirateLover;2470879 wrote: I've been giving this a lot of thought since last night because I was so surprised at the comments, but with the new morning I think I can understand the disappointment a tad more. I am quick to defend it not because I'm a fan girl (I don't like a few of the what I call in between movies like Muppets From Space, Muppet Wizard of Oz etc) but because I really do think it's a good show thus far. But yes, it's a different kind of humor than what we are used to from them. I think people are missing the slapstick element. The jokes have been mostly verbal, not visual. The old show had a better mix. While the adults may enjoy The guest stars and musical numbers, kids could get a kick out of Gonzo attempting another stunt, Marvin Suggs banging his mallet on his muppephone heads etc. so far the new show doesn't have that. I appreciate things like Uncle Deadly being in charge of wardrobe and Lipps finally getting a line but that kind of stuff is lost on a general audience. I do hope in the future we get to see more musical numbers. One last thought I will leave you with is that Frank Oz (who hasn't been involved with The Muppets in over a decade) hated the Jason Segal movie because it was too over the top with the warm-and-fuzzy. I liked the movie, but I think it provides an interesting perspective.

I understand there are different types of humor, adult tiered humor, humor aimed at kids, tweens etc. But the one thing they have in common is, humor by design is supposed to be, well, humorous. I wasn't offended, suprised yes, offended no. I just didn't find any of it funny in the least.

Seinfeld, Fraser, Cheers, Friends all are great examples of humor geared towards adults, some in your face, others more subtle. Again, I only gave it 15 minutes, but what I saw wasn't funny, imo.

Maybe I'll give it a chance, without the kids around, but may need to do if fast as apparently the rating from week 1 to week 2 tanked. If it can level out, it will probably be safe, but if it keeps going down, it'll be history before I even get back to it.

I gotta say, tonight's episode with Nick Offerman, Christina Applegate and Liam Hemsworth was very funny. Love Nick Offerman! I don't know if it will make it seven seasons, but it's a good lead in for Fresh Off the Boat (one of our favorite shows for sure).

brad192;2470894 wrote: Watched the first two episodes & was not impressed at all. Looks like they're trying to go "mainstream" with the humor, relying on the standard unfunny sitcom setups & conflicts. Yawn. :wait:

The reason we Muppets fans ARE fans is because the writers, creators, et al DID'NT sink to that level! Gimme those totally absurd situations, gimme those wacky production numbers, gimme Pigs In Space! :tv: That's the stuff that made me tune in week after week with the old show! I think unless they start injecting some of that into the show, it's doomed. :skull:

I'm gonna give it 1 more week, then I'm done. 3 strikes & you're out.

OK, my :twocents: is finished.

I agree to an extent. I feel like the office environment isn't lending itself to the wacky side. It's mostly one-liners. Funny that the goofball stuff is what I LOVED about Muppets Most Wanted, but many criticized it for lacking the heart of The Muppets (Segal movie). I think we got a few wacky moments tonight, but still not enough.

The Hitchhiking Ghost;2470900 wrote: I understand there are different types of humor, adult tiered humor, humor aimed at kids, tweens etc. But the one thing they have in common is, humor by design is supposed to be, well, humorous. I wasn't offended, suprised yes, offended no. I just didn't find any of it funny in the least.

Seinfeld, Fraser, Cheers, Friends all are great examples of humor geared towards adults, some in your face, others more subtle. Again, I only gave it 15 minutes, but what I saw wasn't funny, imo.

Maybe I'll give it a chance, without the kids around, but may need to do if fast as apparently the rating from week 1 to week 2 tanked. If it can level out, it will probably be safe, but if it keeps going down, it'll be history before I even get back to it.

I totally understand what you are saying, and all of those shows you listed are favorites of ours with episodes we could watch over and over (except Friends which I just never understood the popularity of). Please don't misunderstand me. Humor can be relative. I don't think this type of humor plays to as broad of a base. I can't tell you that you're wrong for not laughing. While I'm certain that there are gags in the show that would make you laugh,if you didn't like anything about the first 15 minutes then it's probably safe to assume you won't enjoy the rest of the show.

Honestly, while I stand by my defense of the show and I am indeed enjoying it, It's not the format I would've chosen. I really think that their best bet would've been to revive the variety show format and do a handful of specials each year rather than a weekly TV show.

I've really enjoyed it so far!

OK, I watched the third installment and didn't laugh once. Didn't even chuckle warmly. I'm done, and it saddens me because there is so much potential there, if only the writers & producers could see it. Time for some old Muppet Show videos to help purge my soul...

I ran out of things to watch this weekend so I watched the first three episodes in a row to see if I like it better than when I watched the first one. Sometimes I find if do a mini marathon, I cab get into a new show more than if I watch week to week. Sadly I'd still say I'm lukewarm. If I need something to watch I would watch it but I wouldn't go out of my way.

My husband hasn't seen it yet. I'm interested to see what he thinks.

I'm not sure what I think about this....
I used to really enjoy the old Muppet show where a "real" guest star was put into the uniformly crazy Muppet world, kind of the same idea as Walt Disney's early Alice comedies. But this show seems to be a reversal of that idea, not in a good "Roger Rabbit" kind of way where cartoon characters were put into a fantasy version of reality. The Muppet characters are still true to their basic personalities but they are being put into a scenario where they are expected to deal with real world problems and situations both professionally and personally in a world where they don't really belong. I'm sure some bonehead network executives think this is a more sophisticated version of the Muppets, but it doesn't really work for me. I think the basic premise is flawed, same thinking that ruined comic books for me. I don't want the real world encroaching on my escapist entertainment! End of rant.:mad:
To end on a positive note, I am happy to see Kermit and Scooter together again!

Another good episode with Ed Helms and after work karaoke. I don't know the Muppet's name but Rapper's Delight was awesome!

That was the Swedish Chef!