The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora

[Duke Remington]

Just because they don't use an established/veteran character in a certain way in a new production does not always make it bad.

For example: just because this is a cooking show does not instantly mean that it has to have the Swedish Chef as a host or co-host.

Also, in continuing other conversations here, Kermit was not always the "straight man" that he is today. Even Jim himself said that Kermit "used to be more of a comic" and didn't become a straight man until they started doing The Muppet Show.

And from some of the 1960's era Muppet footage I've seen (The Muppets on Puppets, the Ideal Muppet dolls commercial, etc.), I've kinda gotten the vibe that Rowlf was the lead Muppet character/straight man of the group back then.

That, in a way, kinda makes the whole "Kermit's role should've never been usurped by another character" idea moot, since Kermit (even though he too already became an established character before the mid-1970's) pretty much usurped Rowlf's role in the 1970's, as well as usurping the roles of Wally and Nigel (the hosts of the two TMS pilots).

 

[frogboy4]

Also, in continuing other conversations here, Kermit was not always the "straight man" that he is today. Even Jim himself said that Kermit "used to be more of a comic" and didn't become a straight man until they started doing The Muppet Show.

And from some of the 1960's era Muppet footage I've seen (The Muppets on Puppets, the Ideal Muppet dolls commercial, etc.), I've kinda gotten the vibe that Rowlf was the lead Muppet character/straight man of the group back then.

That, in a way, kinda makes the whole "Kermit's role should've never been usurped by another character" idea moot, since Kermit (even though he too already became an established character before the mid-1970's) pretty much usurped Rowlf's role in the 1970's, as well as usurping the roles of Wally and Nigel (the hosts of the two TMS pilots).

While that's partly true, Kermit's almost always been the leader, not necessarily the straight man. He was central to Sam & Friends, the early days of Sesame Street, the Muppet Show & Movies, the Henson Hour and the majority of projects. The reason why he didn't host the Muppet Show's Sex & Violence pilot was reportedly due to a legal tug-of-war with the character rights with CTW. It's still kind of odd to see Nigel in that position, but I like him okay. Very Muppety design too.

Still, I don't mind less Kermit in these kitchen clips. I like the ensemble and I like new Muppets too. Just not a fan of Angelo.

 

[Drtooth]

Well, even if Angelo had to be in the series and was created anyway, they really aren't giving him a chance to really develop into anything more than the standard cooking show sidekick. I think Tyler's having as much fun with the role as they'll let him. But I want to see him, if they ever ever have another TV show, as one of the kitchen crew (similar to Gladys) only with a deep seated rivalry with the Swedish Chef. And the Chef doesn't quite dig him either, since Angelo has secretly been the one the gang had been going to get edible food for years. They really don't get along, and the Swedish Chef accuses his Italian accent of being fake... something along the lines of that. And Angelo would also be very emotional, where if a large monster asks for bigger portions he then takes the food out of the monsters hands, throws it on the floor and cries about it. You know, basically a chef who's food means much more to him than it should.

You know... something funnier than assistant with only vauge verbal humor.

Oh... and he should be blue, if not a warm purple type color.

 

[Duke Remington]

Just not a fan of Angelo.

Well, you just might become a fan of his in the future. You never know...

Also, I don't think I'd necessarily want to see a "rivalry" between Angelo and the Swedish Chef, since it has already been very well-established that Angelo has great respect for everyone's favorite Swede and they both seem to be on pretty good terms anyway, as demonstrated in the "breakfast" episode.

 

[Drtooth]

So basically, you're saying the character doesn't need to be interesting...

Still, I think being an overly emotional Chef that takes his work a little too seriously would work perfectly. Sort of like that Chef on the Curious George cartoon. he's happy one minute, and if something's supposedly wrong with his cooking, he vows never to cook again.

 

[Mupp]

...it has already been very well-established that Angelo has great respect for everyone's favorite Swede and they both seem to be on pretty good terms anyway, as demonstrated in the "breakfast" episode.

Yes, that's true.

 

[beaker]

Just because they don't use an established/veteran character in a certain way in a new production does not always make it bad.

For example: just because this is a cooking show does not instantly mean that it has to have the Swedish Chef as a host or co-host.

Also, in continuing other conversations here, Kermit was not always the "straight man" that he is today. Even Jim himself said that Kermit "used to be more of a comic" and didn't become a straight man until they started doing The Muppet Show.

And from some of the 1960's era Muppet footage I've seen (The Muppets on Puppets, the Ideal Muppet dolls commercial, etc.), I've kinda gotten the vibe that Rowlf was the lead Muppet character/straight man of the group back then.

That, in a way, kinda makes the whole "Kermit's role should've never been usurped by another character" idea moot, since Kermit (even though he too already became an established character before the mid-1970's) pretty much usurped Rowlf's role in the 1970's, as well as usurping the roles of Wally and Nigel (the hosts of the two TMS pilots).

Yeah my mom loved seeing Rowlf on the Jimmy Dean show as a kid herself in the early 1960's. Amazing how many people have been touched or entertained by the Muppets in the last 55 years. But yeah the Muppets until the Muppet Show were essentially Kermit, Rowlf and a revolving roster of 'made for tv commercial' characters and other oddities.

In the S&V Muppet Pilot, we see Nigel as the MC of the show. Soon following, Thog, Mildred, Droop and Pops were the main characters on Valentines Special. But there's always been something special about Rowlf, and seeing his "times have been ruff" comment on Muppets Kitchen is kind of bitter sweet.

 

[Convincing John]

Still, I think being an overly emotional Chef that takes his work a little too seriously would work perfectly...he's happy one minute, and if something's supposedly wrong with his cooking, he vows never to cook again.

I see future work for a once-retired, anguished pianist who felt the same way. Just replace the piano with some potatoes...

"OH! I'll never get these baked potatoes to come out right! NEVER NEVER NEVER!" (the chef slams his head down, smashing the potatoes).

Kermit: (face crumples) "Now they look more like potato pancakes."

Chef: "Why...why that's it! Potato pancakes! Yes! That's even better than baked potatoes!"

(Little Crissy and the Alphabeats pop up in the background and sing with the chef to the tune of 'Yankee Doodle')

"Want to have a tasty dish
That's made from flat potatoes?
Then sit right down and get some ketchup
Made from fresh tomatoes!

Have some pancakes! Eat 'em up!
Made from flattened 'taters!
We fry 'em now and serve 'em hot
So eat 'em now, not later!"

Kermit: "Sheesh."

Convincing John

 

[Luke]

Just because they don't use an established/veteran character in a certain way in a new production does not always make it bad.

For example: just because this is a cooking show does not instantly mean that it has to have the Swedish Chef as a host or co-host.

Also, in continuing other conversations here, Kermit was not always the "straight man" that he is today. Even Jim himself said that Kermit "used to be more of a comic" and didn't become a straight man until they started doing The Muppet Show.

I think it kinda does, the way the Muppets are marketed now and the way they have had their roles within the Muppet "group" so clearly defined over many many years i think its a bit late to start changing things. Especially as Disney's whole angle is bringing back the "classic" Muppets, how they used to be. Kermit may have not been the "straight man" very early on but i think the amount of years he has been has kinda meant that role is permanently his now. Two Chef's confuses kids who have only just seen the original Chef in his viral video .. and this new one doesn't have a strong enough character to make it actually worth changing how things are. Why mess about with the core Muppet group for a web video series when a big movie is coming out?

 

[frogboy4]

I think it kinda does, the way the Muppets are marketed now and the way they have had their roles within the Muppet "group" so clearly defined over many many years i think its a bit late to start changing things. Especially as Disney's whole angle is bringing back the "classic" Muppets, how they used to be. Kermit may have not been the "straight man" very early on but i think the amount of years he has been has kinda meant that role is permanently his now. Two Chef's confuses kids who have only just seen the original Chef in his viral video .. and this new one doesn't have a strong enough character to make it actually worth changing how things are. Why mess about with the core Muppet group for a web video series when a big movie is coming out?

I agree. Maybe having two chefs is okay, but they made no real effort to connect them somehow. What's next, Freddy the Fish-Slinging Muppet or Melvin the Muppet xylophonist? I agree that a chef is more of a mainstream profession, but when someone says Muppet Chef they don't think of a Muppet in a chef's hat...they think of the Swedish Chef. It's my feeling they should continue to do so. I still think that Angelo was a miscalculation.