Wow. I really never appreciated the fact that holiday specials were scripted until now. We know The Muppets are talented—no argument there. And we know that Lady Gaga is talented—no question about her raw talent. So how can there be just...nothing going on on stage? The interactions between and among the actors were amazing stiff and awkward--the only exception was "Baby It's Cold Outside."
This was just...odd. Weird and disjointed and totally like The Muppets and Lady Gaga have nothing at all in common. Nothing. (Well, maybe Beauregard, who likes both of them.) And the songs, while interesting to watch, were just sort of strung together with no introduction. The Muppets participation in the songs was irrelevant—they added nothing. They weren't bad or embarrassing or anything—they just didn't have any more to do with the song or with LG than a fan dancing in their own living room in front of the television. The could have been smurfs or minions or little ponies for all the uniqueness they brought to the song.
There was a huge missed opportunity here—two of the world's biggest divas are in the same room, on the same special and we got over halfway into the show before they even interacted. In the first scene together, other than an off-hand “Oh, hello Piggy,” Gaga didn't acknowledge that Piggy was even there. Let's be blunt—there isn't a diva in the world who hasn't channeled Miss Piggy at one time or another—and to waste this opportunity to have two larger-than-life superstars who could be playing off each other, singing with/against each other—it's just flat out a travesty.
I'm hoping that this isn't an indication of the reboot of The Muppets franchise. It's unworthy of them.
The duet: Kermit should not be talking about how big the stage is, then how small the world is. His ad-libbing—and I am assuming that it's adlibbed because it would be embarrassing if this were scripted and were still this lame—was neither unique or interesting. And Kermit is singing “Gypsy” instead of Piggy? Couldn't Piggy have come out dressed in something old-style gypsy—scarves and gold hoop earrings, etc., and then, when they correct her mistake, transform into an incredible big-haired show-stopper to sing along with Gaga? Really? When Kermit sang, “I don't want to be alone forever”--no Piggy arrived at his side as though beckoned? And she wasn't there to sing, “I can't be denied.” This could have been an amazing part of the show with this song—it is a song that would have worked remarkably well. The Muppets know—as well as any performer anywhere—that the life of an entertainer is often a life on the road, with holiday in hotels and filming schedules that keep you from spending time with family. This could have been a poignant song, a moving song—but Kermit just chuckled his way through the whole thing like a total goofball. I am at a loss to explain it.
The scenes where they asked groups of muppets (including The Electric Mayhem and the chickens and Gonzo-and-Rizzo [who were the high point]) were really lame. Was there NOONE who could come up with some funny, witty lines for the Mayhem? Although it was nice to hear them all talk, it would have been better if they'd actually had something to say. (The shots of Dr. Teeth playing the keyboard in the first song were cruelly enticing—a promise of something to come that never arrived.)
I am just...wow, totally sad and bummed by the mess this special was. I cannot believe I'm saying this—truly I can't—but I liked Gaga better impromptu in the Kermit-dress—it was at least unexpected and interesting.
Bring back Cirque du soLamé. And while you're at it, please bring back The Muppets—the real muppets, please.
I am beginning to be VERY WORRIED about the new movie....
Ruefully, Ru
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