If your biggest complaint about the first 10 episodes of The Muppets was “It’s not meta enough,” you’re going to like what the ABC comedy has in store for its Feb. 2 return (8/7c).
As a nod to The Muppets‘ real-life behind-the-scenes overhaul — a change of showrunner and focus were reported in November — the “network” assigns a branding guru to revamp Up Late With Miss Piggy. More specifically, he’s brought in to “make old things relevant.” (There’s talk of YouTube personalities joining the fold, an Undateable-esque shift to viewer interactivity, etc.)
Fortunately — and I don’t think this is giving too much away — the Muppets discover that the key to pleasing their audience is simply giving it more of what it loves: bits, sketches and viral videos featuring the felted freaks in all their off-the-wall glory. And isn’t that really what The Muppets was missing all along?
Having seen the newest episode, we promise that everything you did like about the series — that particular brand of nonsense that only the Muppets can truly deliver — remains in tact, enhanced by a few necessary tweaks. One crucial shift is Miss Piggy’s sunnier disposition; she’s no longer the irrational, Kermit-bashing lunatic she was in the first 10 episodes, courtesy of a restorative trip to Argentina. (There’s always the possibility that her new ‘tude will prove temporary, so enjoy the calm for now.)
The show also seems to be exploring the Kermit/Piggy dynamic more in its second half — and, honestly, did anyone think breaking them up was a good idea in the first place?
Gather your thoughts on The Muppets, including what you hope to see when the ABC comedy returns next week, and drop ’em in a comment below.
