Alleged new Muppet pilot is in the works?

[Muppet Master]

I did post a thread about this a few weeks ago but quickly deleted it because it felt like little more than a rumor.

I agree with some of the sentiments above. I've also had a hard time with Vogel's Kermit and am displeased with Disney's handling of the franchise. However, I'm still excited for new Muppet content. It has been quite a while since we got anything, and I'd rather have something over nothing.

 

[Grumpo]

I hope they won't do it, at least not as "Muppet Show with fresh twist" as the rumor claims. So far it looks like every attempt to modernize Muppets "with a modern twist" detracts from the familiar characters that people know and love all along, and ultimately fails to hold the viewers. The "tribute to themselves" performances at Hollywood Bowl are received so much better.

As for Kermit -- theoretically speaking, of course -- IMHO, short of bringing Steve back to do proper Kermit personality, the only way to save the show would be to admit that Kermit (was?) retired -- maybe guest-star him for a couple of minutes to show younger viewers that nothing too tragic is going on -- and then allow Constantine to recover his mole and host the rest of madcap series as himself.
Then everyone on stage can finally breathe out, relax, let themselves be spontaneous, and have as much fun with the consequences as the consequences allow. Imagine J.P. Grosse coming to take back the theater - and finding he has Constantine to deal with, now.

They won't do it, of course -- like Mickey, there is too much Kermit memorabilia to be sold to retire him. Plus there will be public outcry and the show will lose the viewers, again. Which brings me right back to the start of this message =)

 

[LittleJerry92]

Sure, I’m always up for new Muppet content like any fan out there.

What’s just infuriating is this annoying routine of a new series coming out, it’s lucky to have a full season…… and bam. Cancelled. Then there’s nothing but filler ads and an occasional special here and there till the next idea comes….. repeat.

 

[Muppet Master]

Yeah, in the last 40 years, we've had 6 different Muppet shows, and none of them made it past 22 episodes.

- Little Muppet Monsters
- The Jim Henson Hour
- Muppets Tonight
- The Muppets
- Muppets Now
- Muppets Mayhem

 

[sootyfan]

Speaking for myself, I have to admit that I’m still not sold on Matt Vogel performing as Kermit at all. Don’t get me wrong—I do think he’s a talented performer, but I just don’t think he’s the right person for the role. He struggles to capture the personality and charisma of the character that both Jim Henson and Steve Whitmire conveyed so well.

Ngl, you took the words right outta my mouth.

 

[LittleJerry92]

Yeah, in the last 40 years, we've had 6 different Muppet shows, and none of them made it past 22 episodes.

- Little Muppet Monsters
- The Jim Henson Hour
- Muppets Tonight
- The Muppets
- Muppets Now
- Muppets Mayhem

“Muppets Tonight” and “The Muppets” I really think had more potential to shine a couple more seasons - they just unfortunately REALLY got the short end of the stick with low ratings.

Anything afterwards is just Disney being a bunch of cheapskates.

 

[Muppets12]

In regards to Frank Oz, how do you all feel about him not being involved anymore with the Muppets?
I don’t think he would be against being involved again if asked, and the Muppets could really use someone like him to help give creative input on what they need to do.

 

[LittleJerry92]

I mean from what I can gather, it was his choice to step away from Muppet projects because he didn’t want to just be known as a guy who does Muppet stuff for a living.

In the end it was sad to see him go but I find all his successors (especially Eric Jacobson) have done a great job with his characters. And it’s always a treat whenever he does come back every now and then.

 

[Muppets12]

In the end it was sad to see him go but I find all his successors (especially Eric Jacobson) have done a great job with his characters.

I agree, Eric Jacobson has done a great job taking over Frank Oz's characters.

And it’s always a treat whenever he does come back every now and then.

Indeed, it was always nice when Frank Oz made return appearances on Sesame Street. I think we can both agree that the "Outrageous Makeover: Home Addition" insert with Grover and Mr. Johnson was one of the best things to come out of the show in the last 20 years.

 

[Muppet Master]

In regards to Frank Oz, how do you all feel about him not being involved anymore with the Muppets?
It’s definitely a shame, in my opinion, and I don’t think he would be against being involved again if asked. After all, even after his characters were recast, he continued to make return appearances on Sesame Street for as long as he was asked to come back, until around 2012. He also came close to directing The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made! during the 2000s, only for Disney to decide to go in a different direction, of course. The Muppets could really use someone like him to help give creative input on what they need to do.

It would be great if we could see Frank perform his Muppet Show characters again, even for just a one-off showing. However, I understand that he has largely moved on from the Muppets. Things just felt off in the '90s when he would dub in his voice and have someone else puppeteer, so it's good that his characters have a regular doing both now.

As crazy as it sounds, I believe Eric has now performed Fozzie, Piggy, Animal, and Sam for just as long as Frank did.