I haven't had a chance to comment on this episode yet and even though I'm a week late (and will soon be commenting on "Pig Out") I think it's worth offering some thoughts.
From where I sit, this installment arguably did more to add layers to an existing Muppet relationship than any of the other three (although Piggy-and-Kermit in the first episode and Fozzie-and-Statler in "Pig Out" come close).
The way the writers and especially Steve and Eric as the performers handled the Kermit-and-Fozzie dynamic not only made me laugh out loud at several points but felt so true to the chemistry that the frog and the bear have had for the past 39 years. Kermit desperately doesn't want to hurt Fozzie's feelings but he also doesn't want the show to tank because of Fozzie's lousy sketch. That plotline could have come from pretty much anytime in the past 40 years. It shows that the writers and producers care about these characters and want us to keep caring about them, too.
So many wonderful little moments came out of that whole story - K&F "You the man!," Kermit trying to help Fozzie turn off his phone, "Hopefully if I hide in here, he'll think I'm a baseball trophy," "Maybe I can use THESE to look for my hat," "Once I licked my cousin and the walls started melting..."
And Fozzie jumping for the food in the woods! Seriously!!! I felt like I could watch that one 10-second clip hundreds of times. Just one more example of how amazing the puppetry and filming has become on this show. (Speaking of amazing, I tweeted that very same thought and Bob Kushnell favourited my tweet.)
Good use of the guest stars in this episode too. Liam Hemsworth spoofing his matinee-idol status, Christina Applegate pretty much killing every single scene she was in (echoing another MC post on this topic: I, too, would watch a buddy-comedy movie with her and Scooter), and Nick Offerman making ridiculous demands. I would have liked to see more of him but then I just miss
Parks and Rec, particularly Ron Swanson, so maybe I'm a bit biased.
Scooter is emerging as an early-season MVP. I'm so happy that he's gotten some of the best lines after playing such a minor role for so many years. "The only thing embarrassing about that video was how I said 'Awww' as I watched it alone in my apartment." (I'm smiling again even as I type that line. Even though I don't like the thought of Scooter being alone. But it's early yet...)
And, one of the best things about this episode: We DVR'd it eight nights ago and Mrs. Otter insisted that we hang onto it instead of erasing it right away. (I desperately hope ABC/Disney is a lot faster in putting this show on DVD/Blu-Ray than they've been with TMS' last two seasons and MT's entire run.)
Obviously this show still stirs up high emotion on either side of the Muppet fandom but, from where I sit, so far, so GREAT!!!