The Muppet Show is coming back to TV
Adult take on cross-generation classic has fans excited, eyebrows raised
It's time to light the lights. The green lights, that is. ABC has announced the return of The Muppet Show on TV.
A pilot reboot for the much-loved, cross-generational show has been greenlit after ABC executives in the U.S. reportedly gave the pilot presentation a standing ovation.
The original Muppet Show aired from 1976 to 1981. It was revived in 1996 with ABC's Muppets Tonight, which aired 10 episodes.
The franchise has seen a resurgence in popularity, however, after two recent movies, The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted were a hit with audiences.
Some loyal fans have high expectations
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/ABCNetwork">@ABCNetwork</a> if you ruin <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMuppets">@TheMuppets</a> it's a rainbow connection between my fist and your face <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Muppets?src=hash">#Muppets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MuppetShow?src=hash">#MuppetShow</a> <a href="https://t.co/145wmvnTMO">https://t.co/145wmvnTMO</a>
—@VoteForReyThis time around, the show is being billed as a more adult take on The Muppets. Shot in a documentary format, the new series will explore the Muppets' relationships, romances, desires and disappointments, Entertainment Weekly reports.
'Adult' take on kids classic?
I love the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/muppetshow?src=hash">#muppetshow</a> but this looks like The Real World Muppets and that sounds bad. <a href="https://t.co/qVg0LgwRY4">https://t.co/qVg0LgwRY4</a>
—@ASFreedDo We Need A “More Adult” Muppet Show? <a href="http://t.co/fFshdhhjMY">http://t.co/fFshdhhjMY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Screen?src=hash">#Screen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MuppetShow?src=hash">#MuppetShow</a>
—@DrJays_comBig Bang Theory producer Bill Prady will be at the helm of the comeback, and the general feeling on social media in response to Friday's news was one of giddy excitement.
Overwhelmingly positive response
Yeah! ♫♫ Mana mana ♫♫ > 'The Muppets' is officially coming back to TV <a href="http://t.co/oZInCDHjo4">http://t.co/oZInCDHjo4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MuppetShow?src=hash">#MuppetShow</a> <a href="http://t.co/Fd3zj2RnGj">pic.twitter.com/Fd3zj2RnGj</a>
—@PhilVdGwhole country is discussing which <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/muppetshow?src=hash">#muppetshow</a> will run it! . favourite muppet? mine is kermit always will be ! <a href="http://t.co/T4EvYZUO64">pic.twitter.com/T4EvYZUO64</a>
—@frazzledbeautyi'll support gonzo in anything he does...up to burying a body of an uppity pig <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/muppetshow?src=hash">#muppetshow</a> <a href="http://t.co/RodVwPfjLL">http://t.co/RodVwPfjLL</a> …
—@XquisiteBurritoBring on The Muppets throwbacks
I can hear Animal now "GREENLIGHT! GREENLIGHT!! Hahhhh hahhhh mmmm!" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/muppetshow?src=hash">#muppetshow</a> <a href="http://t.co/uATN1k4FjJ">http://t.co/uATN1k4FjJ</a>
—@drdarsciGonzo: "You'll live to regret this!" Waldorf: "That's the plan!" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MuppetShow?src=hash">#MuppetShow</a>
—@JediKnightJoshKeep your hat on, and get your hot sauce from <a href="http://t.co/ISiqx3l62u">http://t.co/ISiqx3l62u</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/swedishchef?src=hash">#swedishchef</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spicyfood?src=hash">#spicyfood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/muppetshow?src=hash">#muppetshow</a> <a href="http://t.co/8rs6orp6RQ">http://t.co/8rs6orp6RQ</a>
—@LaTienditaUKIn other Muppet news this week
Some Muppet stars took on an A Cappella version of Echosmith's Cool Kids with Canadian A Cappella superstar Mike Tompkins: