It’s not easy being Code Green.
By Matt Fowler
Warning: Full spoilers for the episode follow…
I wouldn’t say that the second episode of ABC’s The Muppets was a vast improvement over the first, but I will say that the show seems to be quickly finding its groove as it pertains to celebrity guests portraying heightened parodies of themselves. Whether the roles are big or small (this week, Josh Groban “hogged” a lot of the spotlight as Miss Piggy’s new highly influential boyfriend), the series has a good handle on how to bring in stars and feature them in funny ways. In fact, my favorite part of “Hostile Makeover” was probably Laurence Fishburne’s drive-by “your show sucks!” harassment of Kermit. Which I’m still sort of giggling about.
And since I’m listing things that I found outright funny this week, that screaming temp Muppet, who bought the cookies and then barked “I’m new and I don’t understand the politics around here!” before scarfing down the entire box was great. As was Animal falling asleep while lightly playing the drums as part of Groban’s new acoustic house band suggestion.
So there are laughs to be found on The Muppets, surely. But there’s also a sort of an unwelcome dread. I mean, how many times can we be told about Kermit’s off-screen stress-crying? Or the fact that his job’s so taxing that he’s woken up in the morning by his own sleep screams? It’s just weird, off-putting humor that stands as a disservice to this group. And sadly, it turns them into players on other standard workplace comedies. Well, that and the fact that there was a dick joke within the first 30 seconds.
Yes, Groban, Fishburne, Lea Thompson (who looked like she was creepily ready for whatever Kermit had in mind in that elevator), and Jay Leno were used well this week – though Leno’s side story involving Fozzie’s undying worship of the former late night host and subsequent need to steal was probably the weakest part of this one. Though it should be said that Leno offering Fozzie an opening act spot at an upcoming gig, given how ham-fisted and corny Fozzie’s jokes are, did not go unnoticed. To those who consider a lot of Leno’s humor to fall into the same category, that is.
Josh Groban was the true nucleus here though, as the man who sought to softly control the Piggy and undermine Kermit. And Kermit’s ultimate plan to ditch him was a good one. As was Kermit whispering “bye bye”at Groban behind Piggy’s back when she saw a new altered poster for her show featuring Josh’s name in big letters. So it was handled well. Less satisfying though was Bobo deciding to sell all his cookies to the band because they’re always “happy” now. “Legally so,” was the unsubtle hint that they’re all perpetually stoned and craving munchies. The joke behind the Electric Mayhem is that they were stoned without having to specifically mention it, so when you fully bring it up, it just erases the joy.
The Muppets has a good sense of playfulness when it comes to celebrity guests, but it still insists on painting a rather dreary “industry” portrait of Kermit and company’s lives. I doubt the show will ever dial back the sexuality (Josh Groban and Lea Thompson were this week’s interspecies objects of desire) but it should at least take steps to make everyone’s existence less morose.
