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I have written in the past about my feelings about Muppets productions. Usually, I find them pretty good, never better than that, but yet I find myself watching most of them. I watched all of Muppets Now! on Disney+, even though I thought it was a solid show at best. On occasion, something strong does emerge from the world of Muppets. I liked their Haunted Mansion special from the other year. Now, though, I think I have seen the first straight-up good Muppets TV show. That would be The Muppets Mayhem.
Now, Muppets Mayhem came out a few months ago, but I wasn’t rushing to watch it. I thought a show about Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem was interesting, but I watched the trailer and it didn’t seem great. I was not enthused to watch the show at this point, especially with my history regarding the Muppets. In time, though, I got around to it, needing something to watch. I’m glad I did.
It’s the strongest writing I can recall in a Muppets production. While the show is family friendly (drug trips replaced with hallucinations caused by eating expired marshmallows, and the like) it’s well written and actually funny. The Mayhem as a group have good comedic personas, but somehow the show doesn’t feel overstuffed. Additionally, Muppets Mayhem has managed to hit emotional beats in ways that aren’t heavy handed, even with the use of a lot of music. I’ve never found it feeling terribly cheap in terms of emotionality, and it doesn’t hit as treacle.
As to the humans around the Mayhem, I have never seen Lilly Singh in anything, but if I recall correctly she started on YouTube? I’m skeptical of YouTube stars turned actors, given that most of them aren’t talented and can’t act. Singh, though, is good on the show. So is former child star Tajh Mowry. Both have proven pleasant surprises.
I’m not saying Muppets Mayhem is the best show on Disney+, or an all-time sitcom. It is the best Muppets thing I’ve seen, though, and maybe the best puppet-related content I’ve seen. I guess that means I’ll have to keep watching Muppets stuff…for better or worse.
