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O.O WHAT?!Like would Jim have approved of this image?
To me it's kind of awkward. Don't get me wrong, it's better than the Zoot "joke", but it's just weird. I have no problem with the Muppets dabbling in adult humor, but at least let it be tasteful and genuine. Jim would've done it right; he knew quality.
That's what I said earlier: when you bring in outside writers from other shows to try to make a new show, they're going to rely on the formulas they're familiar with from the shows they worked on: VMX had Simpsons-esque humor because they broguth in Simpsons writers; this show feels like THE OFFICE and MODERN FAMILY because they broguth in writers from those shows. It's like we can't rely on actual Muppet writers anymore, because somehow the Muppets have to confrom to the devices and tropes of today's mainstream entertainment if they want to fit in with pop culture. That's why the Muppets were always so unique: Jim found these people who understood his creative vision, and were able to help turn his dreams into realities; after his death, many of these people were still around, and continued to keep the Muppets alive in a spirit that was respectful to both Jim's visions and dreams, and the characters themselves. That's not what's happening anymore, and it's a shame. The Muppets (and really, anything Jim worked on) always kind of followed the beat of their own drum, and that helped set them apart from everything else around them . . . now, if they're not like everything else around them, that somehow will doomed them to obscurity, never to be heard from again. It's a sad sign of the times.
Exactly, that's what I said too. The Muppets always had levels of adult humor, but it was handled in a mature and sophisticated manner - this is just lowbrow humor going for quick, cheap laughs. I had issues with a recent episode of the new ALVINNN!!! AND THE CHIPMUNKS series on Nickelodeon, because even though tehy're back in the hands of their original creators sincet hose poor CGI/live action movies from 20th Century Fox, hey resorted to fartand buger-eating humor in said episode, and that's beneath them too.
But it has been beneficial to the new series and also to the two recent theatrical films, however.
To an extend yes, but the Muppets where at there best when they had a head writer by the name of Jerry Juil. He understood the characters and the witty comedy that worked well. It has been said that Jim Lewis understood and wrote a lot like Jerry,and because of that and other reasons I would love to see him as a writer on this show.
Looking at the production credits for The Muppets there are five people credited as executive producers (For shows filmed in L.A. all staff writers receive some sort of producer credit. Whether they wrote the actual script of that episode or not). Bill Prady and Bob Kushell who are the show runners - the head writers and coordinators of all the freelance and group writing. Randall Einhorn who is the director, so he may not have any writing duties, but perhaps in the filming of a scene he has to alter or add a line - well there's his credit. Bill Barretta whom we all know. I would guess he's the advisor/writer to try and keep the characters in character. Debbie McClellan of The Muppets Studio probably in a role similar to Bill. Three are listed as co-executive producers - Dave Caplan, Nell Scovell and Greg Mettler. I am guessing these guys and gal are the writing staff. And of course not all of these people may be involved in the writing of any particular episode as that would surely be a situation of one or two too many cooks. The Muppet Show - classic? (it's going to be hard to distinguish productions as half of them seem to have the same names) Had three writers who were with them all five seasons: Jerry Juhl, Jim and Frank. Jack Burns and Mark London were also there season one only. Joseph A. Bailey season 2 only. Dave Odell and Chris Langham seasons 3-5. And certain season 4 episodes had Don Hinkley and Jim Thurman. So at times there were conceivably 7 people contributing to a script and with this new show it seems there could be 8. So we will see if this new groups gels the way they did in the 70's. Because for me I don't think it matters how many writers there are but as long as they work well together and serve the characters and the story. Oh and networks often demand 1 freelance writer if it's a thirteen order run and 2 if it becomes the full 22. So there may be some other names floating around as writers.
Ugh. You know, I was going to bring that up. I disagree. That's worse. MUCH worse than the Zoot thing. The Zoot thing has the angle of "there's one in ever office" and, remember, in context the joke was that the rest of the cast was reviled with what he did. That poster is just "Hey 20 year old college kids. Private parts joke!" And that was something Henson did. Yep. Back when Henson was still in control.Like would Jim have approved of this image?
