A new series has absolutely no chance of happening, especially if it's the same format as the 1970's version. Roger Langridge managed to take the source material, even improve upon it for the comic book version (which I can't stop recommending and then cursing Disney for ending it prematurely)... but the variety show format is going to be lost on anyone who wasn't a fan of the original series. Plus, I've said often, there's no place for them on television in this age... even back in the 70's, the networks wouldn't touch the Muppet Show. Had it not been for syndication, we might never have had the series or the movies. We don't have that kind of vision to give a show like that a chance today. Even the Jim Henson Hour had problems on Network TV. Had JHH been syndicated like TMS was, I'm sure it would have lasted a full season.I'm not very enthralled about the negative comments about the new 'Muppet Movie'. I've really been looking forward to it. What we need is a new tradtional series.
Great point that.A new series has absolutely no chance of happening, especially if it's the same format as the 1970's version. Roger Langridge managed to take the source material, even improve upon it for the comic book version (which I can't stop recommending and then cursing Disney for ending it prematurely)... but the variety show format is going to be lost on anyone who wasn't a fan of the original series. Plus, I've said often, there's no place for them on television in this age... even back in the 70's, the networks wouldn't touch the Muppet Show. Had it not been for syndication, we might never have had the series or the movies. We don't have that kind of vision to give a show like that a chance today. Even the Jim Henson Hour had problems on Network TV. Had JHH been syndicated like TMS was, I'm sure it would have lasted a full season.
Yes, but also the fact that Variety Shows aren't relevant anymore. Anyone who tries one automatically fails. If it was more a sketch comedy thing it could work on the level of SNL or something... I'd say a retooled Muppets Tonight like show with classic characters (since we have most of them recast by now) could work... but I don't think it would work anywhere but cable. And again, Disney Channel is stuck with its demographic, ABC Family's stuck with its slightly older, but essentially the exact same demographic. If a Muppet Show were on Disney, it would be like EVERY episode would have to be Studio DC.Great point that.
"The Muppets" for all of their winking and nodding to adults, still have too much innocence in them for today's television. Now, if we could throw in a sex-charged love triangle between Piggy, Kermit, and Gonzo, and get Fozzie Bear addicted to heroine, and kill a character off in every explosion-charged season finale, THEN we could get the Muppets on modern TV.