The Muppets make me cry now. They are at once avatars of childhood, evocations of simpler, better times filled with simpler, more readily available joys (and intimations of mortality, too). Whereas we are now all Oscar the Grouches in a bin of our own making instead of arm-wavingly enthusiastic Kermits creating an eternally vibrant show out of the chaos of existence. And, yes, this fact can make you want to weep. Or, if already weeping, add another layer of weeping on top.
But this is not fair on the Muppets. Despite now being owned by Disney, they are still a good and pure thing in this world and deserve to be approached with clear minds and uncankered hearts so they can exercise their talents and their magic to the full once again. If you can settle yourself down enough to make a start on new Disney+ show The Muppets Mayhem, the return of some of its characters will get you the rest of the way there. There’s lead singer Dr Teeth (Bill Barretta) – though he “does not subscribulate” to the notion of frontman status – and fellow bandmates, including murmuring trumpeter Lips (Peter Linz) and – of course – ungovernable drummer Animal (Eric Jacobson).
Dr Teeth et al comprise, as I’m sure you remember, the Muppet Show’s house band the Electric Mayhem. They have been gigging ever since, on their “Long and Winded” tour. But, when Nora (Lilly Singh), a young A&R executive at Wax Town Records discovers that the Mayhem still owe the label an album, which could transform the failing company’s fortunes, she makes it her business to get them into a studio to record the hoped-for hits. As you can imagine, given the band’s – uh – disposition, this does not go smoothly. It’s not that they are actively trying to thwart “the Label Lady’s” (as Dr Teeth calls her) plans. It’s just that, as they explain to the increasingly infuriated exec, their vibe is more “no plan is the plan”. I am old enough now to feel for Nora.
This is a family show and there are plenty of hijinks to keep young children entertained, while throwing in lots of other gags for the older ones – and a few that only parents will fully appreciate. They combine nicely in the opening episode when Nora gives them the key to The Shack, where they used to write all their songs in the early days. They go wild redecorating the old haunt while reminiscing. “I made Meat Loaf his first loaf of meat here!” says Janice (though she is now a vegan and wellness practitioner, which allows for some gentle fun at that industry’s expense later in the series). “Pink Floyd built that wall,” Dr Teeth recalls. “I hired the Carpenters,” says someone else, followed bya response that’s only more cheering for its inevitability, “the Who?” “No, man, the Carpenters.” And they are of course painting the wrong place. “Whose house did we psychedeliate?” wonders Dr Teeth. We may never know.
In fine Muppet tradition, many stars cameo as themselves – from Tommy Lee to Paula Abdul via “Weird Al” Yankovic, Lil Nas X and people I had to look up because they were born so very long after I stopped listening to music by popular beat combos. They all look delighted to be in the presence of felted greatness.
The Muppets are great too. As funny and believable as ever, brilliant as an ensemble and apart – and there is even a small but monstrously touching backstory for Animal that may just start you crying again, even after all your hard work.
Among the human elements, things are less successful (aren’t they always?). There is a lightly sketched love triangle between Nora, Mayhem groupie Gary “Moog” Moogwski (Tahj Mowry, first seen being given a cymbal by the band – a cymbal of their affection for him. Thanks folks, they are indeed here all week and nine more, except all at once because modern streaming). Its third participant is JJ (Anders Holm), Nora’s ex who has become rich by inventing an app and wants to buy Wax Town Records before Nora has a chance to make it successful again. There is also sibling love and rivalry between Nora and her sister Hannah (Saara Chaudry). It’s all fine but uninspired – and further dragged down by Singh, who has a heavy, hammy touch that stands out amid the deftness elsewhere.
But the Muppets are as glorious as ever. Let Mayhem commence.
• The Muppets Mayhem is on Disney+
