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).
