Mutter the names Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear and you might well elicit some strange looks. But, to those in the know these are the names of the Muppets from the legendary 70s and 80s entertainment franchise. And now they are back in a fresh new format, thanks to Disney+.
Acknowledging a general fear that the reboot may seem dull in comparison with the classic original, The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan delivers some good news, saying: “It is immensely cheering to report, then – possibly even worthy of a small burst of Kermitty arm-waving enthusiasm – that new streaming service Disney+ has come splendidly close to reproducing the magic.”
Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times seems to agree, calling the show “delightful”, and saying: “I hope these half-dozen episodes are a token of more to come; I want to see where else they take it.” Maybe it will be the celebrity element they’ll ramp up? Ed Cumming said in the Independent that the idea of mixing Muppets with our favourite celebs is a good one, and that “on the evidence of the first few half-hour episodes available to reviewers, they sometimes make good on this promise.” However, he does say that whilst the show is entertaining, it “doesn’t quite hang together.”
Not everything works in Muppets Now, but It is an opportunity to sit down with your kids / parents (delete as required) and enjoy a moment of nostalgia. Of course, the big test is whether a newer generation take it to their hearts as those who grew up in the 70s and 80s did.
First shown July 2020. You can watch the trailer by pressing play on the show image, or by clicking here.
