I prefer these shaded Gonzo performances to the usual schtick we get from Piggy. Her character has become flat. I think the Mayhem was wonderful and I loved that Scooter was included in this special. He was gone for so long that I cherish every new moment when he's on screen.
This is exactly my feeling. Watching it last night, I thought to myself "Well, this isn't great and I really expected it to be a special with some sort of plot/structure/narrative like the other Holiday Specials the Muppets have done. But one thing I personally find so so great (and made me literally beam a big smile) is the fact that Scooter and Rowlf are up there in the foreground, dancing with the others at the very beginning of a holiday special that is pretty much mainstream, or national!!" I think this even happened more than once in the show, if memory serves me right.
To me, that just completely cemented the fact that the "main" or "core group" of Muppets is now and will always be Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Scooter and Rowlf again - and this time, joined by Walter. That, their SNL appearance in 2011, and
this musical number in the upcoming movie just prove it (I know Piggy isn't with them in two of these examples, but still.) It looks like it will stay that way now and I couldn't be happier about that. I much prefer it this way than the way it used to be: Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and Pepe (usually joined by Animal) being the main group to show up in major TV appearances. More people are going to be seeing more of characters like Scooter, Rowlf, Lips and Lew Zealand and I think that's just wonderful!
I couldn't help but think that just a few years ago, I never thought that would ever happen again and we'd be lucky to see Scooter and Rowlf say just one or two lines, or appear in one or two scenes. I think they both were used pretty well in this special. Also, I don't think that any of us thought the Muppets would do a national, prime-time, special like this, so I am thankful for both things here. Even if the finished result could've been better. I think this time, it won't come as complete surprise if they do something like this again and you never know, there's still a chance to do more and better specials
.
I hope that doesn't sound backhanded in any way. I really am trying to make it come off as positive and optimistic and I know there are still some people who loved the special.