2023 was a wild 12 months to be a Muppet fan.  We had been elated that The Muppets Mayhem was nice, however then deflated when Disney cancelled it for some silly purpose (critically, the present simply gained an Emmy, what the hell, Mickey?).  We had been weirded out by the numerous unusual issues Sesame Road determined to do, and we mentioned no because of Fraggle NFTs.  Additionally, my 2023 simply kinda stunk personally too, so I’m glad to see the again of it and look to the longer term!

However what does that future appear like?  Properly, I don’t know, I’m not a Time Lord like some grouches we all know.  However I do know what I’d love for 2024 to appear like within the Muppety world, and I’d wish to share these hopes and needs with you now.

Sesame Road Will get Higher

I’ll freely admit I’m not the target market for Sesame Road.  I’m a 34 12 months outdated man and never a 4 12 months outdated little one.  I do know what comes after the letter L (it’s M) and I understand how to depend to 100 if somebody helps me by way of the 70’s half.  However I’ve an actual nostalgia for the present, and a real want for it to do nicely!  Certain, probably the most I might even see of Grover nowadays are fast clips on TikTok, however that doesn’t imply I need his furry blue face off tv.

Sadly although, Sesame simply retains on making odder and odder choices.  The present is slowly firming down the monsters for extra humanoid characters, and whereas I perceive it’s essential for kids to see themselves mirrored on the tv, does it should be to the detriment of the characters we all know and love?  Let’s not neglect that Muppets like Huge Chook, Cookie Monster and Oscar carried the present for 50 years.  Certain, let’s make room for characters like Wes, however let’s be sure we’re nonetheless maintaining with Child Bear.

Sesame Road must be humorous AND academic, not one or the opposite.  They’re barely even humorous anymore, and maybe the introduced change to a extra serialised format might enable extra room for this type of factor.  Granted, we’ll do not know what that appears like this 12 months as Season 56 isn’t scheduled to start out till 2025, so come again subsequent 12 months and we’ll in all probability point out it once more (Hey Siri, remind me to speak about that once more in 12 months.  The Sesame serialised factor.  No, don’t order me cereal.  Truly, some Fortunate Charms can be good.)

And let’s keep in mind what Sesame Road has stood for, and eliminate partnerships with NFT firms or that god terrible Cameo-AI atrocity they started a couple of months in the past.  I do know you need Cookie Monster to say hiya and ‘eat your greens’ to your nephew, however let’s not do it like this.

Extra Muppet Mayhem

No, no more Muppets Mayhem (though I actually wouldn’t say no to that #RenewMuppetsMayhem), however extra Muppets basically!  It’s at all times regarding when Disney doesn’t renew one thing The Muppets have carried out.  It locations them again on this bizarre type of limbo, the place they’re relegated to brief social media movies and the odd look on some ABC recreation present.  Final 12 months’s Muppets Mayhem actually proved that The Muppets may very well be nice once more beneath the fitting circumstances, in truth I’d argue the previous couple of years (since Muppets Haunted Mansion) have been one of the best beneath Disney’s reign.

Disney Plus is a superb dwelling to let The Muppets run wild, and I’m hoping the latest Emmy win in addition to the essential acclaim that got here with The Muppets Mayhem have proven Disney that they’ve a viable franchise on their arms. The present workforce at Muppets Studio are a beautiful bunch of people that appear to need the performers extra concerned within the inventive aspect of the enterprise, which might solely imply nice issues.  Adam Goldberg and Jeff Yorkes are a enjoyable addition to the inventive workforce, so partnering them up with Invoice Barretta or whoever else may desire a crack is an thought I’d like to see occur this 12 months.

Might I recommend a Mr Curly Twirly spinoff, anybody?  I’ve had some concepts…

Fraggle Rock: Again To The Rock Season 2 Is Superior

I can solely assume we’re getting Season 2 of Fraggle Rock: Again To The Rock this 12 months as manufacturing concluded near 12 months in the past.  Season 1 was genuinely fantastic, and I’m actually anticipating quite a bit from Season 2, which I’m certain I gained’t be disillusioned by.  John Tartaglia appears to have thrown his total coronary heart into making it, which is actually joyful realizing how a lot he cares.  Karen Prell and Dave Goelz are again, Donna Kimball will proceed doing superb issues with Mokey, and Jordan Lockhart will, I’m certain, proceed to astound with how good his Wembley is.

I hope they don’t rely an excessive amount of on visitor voices although.  That was my least favourite a part of Season 1, having Kenan Thompson or Ed Helms voice numerous creatures.  I discover it extraordinarily distracting and it by no means fairly labored correctly.  That mentioned, Season 2 appears to be like prefer it consists of Brett Goldstein and Catherine O’Hara they usually’re each rattling treasures, so whereas I’ll not essentially love the execution, I’m certain I’ll love the trouble.

…How would Moira Rose pronounce ‘Gobo’?

Extra Enjoyable On ToughPigs

What a foolish web site we’ve got, full of informative information items and opinionated critiques and enjoyable interviews.  Of all issues on my 2024 Hopes listing, that is the one one which’s a given.  The workforce listed below are already planning a myriad of nice content material, which embody some very thrilling new podcast concepts.  What else will likely be provide you with?  Who is aware of!?

Perhaps Matthew Soberman will write an article about how that one character from that one factor is admittedly humorous!  Perhaps Shane Keating will write a information piece about some information that will get introduced!  Perhaps Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe will remind me that I used to be supposed to write down that article that I forgot about!  Perhaps Becca Petunia will proceed to be the ethical voice of purpose!  Perhaps that one character you like is perhaps doing promo for one thing and allow us to discuss to them!  All that and extra (in all probability) on ToughPigs in 2024!

By Jarrod Fairclough – Jarrod@ToughPigs.com

Click on right here to get a Mr Curly Twirly spinoff on the ToughPigs Discord server!