Fans of Jim Henson's iconic troupe the Muppets have watched the franchise barrel through various struggles and successes over the last few decades. Most recently, the characters were rebooted with a pair of movies, though the second wasn't quite as financially successful as some had hoped. Rather than try for a third, the characters will instead return to television for a new show on ABC.
According to a new report from Entertainment Weekly, the show will correct the movies' problems of trying to win over both children and adults by striking a more adult tone. It's said to have a similar tone to 30 Rock and Arrested Development, and will also employ a mockumentary style not unlike The Office.
ABC's official description of the show reads as follows:
"The Muppets return to prime time with a contemporary, documentary-style show that—for the first time ever—will explore the Muppets' personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires; a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages."
Anyone whose ever seen any iteration of the Muppets knows that the show has literally always followed the character's personal lives and relationships, but ABC is promising that it'll reach new, soap opera-like heights, comparable to their hit shows like Scandal and Grey's Anatomy.
Basically, they're comparing the new Muppet reboot to a bunch of other successful TV shows. Hopefully the actual end product will live up to these claims.
The new Muppets show is being helmed by Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady and Anger Management writer-producer Bob Kushell. ABC is considering a straight-to-series order for the show.
The Muppets' last television series was Muppets Tonight, which ran from 1996 to 1998.
According to a new report from Entertainment Weekly, the show will correct the movies' problems of trying to win over both children and adults by striking a more adult tone. It's said to have a similar tone to 30 Rock and Arrested Development, and will also employ a mockumentary style not unlike The Office.
ABC's official description of the show reads as follows:
"The Muppets return to prime time with a contemporary, documentary-style show that—for the first time ever—will explore the Muppets' personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires; a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages."
Anyone whose ever seen any iteration of the Muppets knows that the show has literally always followed the character's personal lives and relationships, but ABC is promising that it'll reach new, soap opera-like heights, comparable to their hit shows like Scandal and Grey's Anatomy.
Basically, they're comparing the new Muppet reboot to a bunch of other successful TV shows. Hopefully the actual end product will live up to these claims.
The new Muppets show is being helmed by Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady and Anger Management writer-producer Bob Kushell. ABC is considering a straight-to-series order for the show.
The Muppets' last television series was Muppets Tonight, which ran from 1996 to 1998.