Critics take aim at Muppets new 'cynical' style

Early reviews of The Muppets reboot have been mixed, with reviewers calling the show too cynical

The Muppets are back but their return is less than triumphant, with reviewers unsure whether the reboot's cynical humour suits the family show.

Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Fozzie star in the remake, which uses a mockumentary style to show the goings-on behind the scenes of "Up All Night With Miss Piggy," a fictional late night talk show.

Early reviews are mixed, and while most critics have said they're willing to give the show the chance to find its feet, many were put off by the mean spirited portrayal of the Muppets, and Miss Piggy in particular.

The show is "self-referential, low-energy, and a little jaded, perfectly promising qualities in a new sitcom, unless that new sitcom stars a green frog beloved for self-identifying as a 'lover and dreamer'," writes Willa Paskin of Slate.

"The Muppets turns the rainbow connection grey."

Paskin's criticisms of Miss Piggy's newer, more neurotic portrayal were echoed by Maureen Ryan at the Huffington Post.

"TV can always use more imperious divas, but as depicted in The Muppets, Miss Piggy isn't magnificently and amusingly self-absorbed - she's simply mean, and not compellingly so," says Ryan.

"Part of the show focuses continually on Kermit's point of view, as he nervously reacts to her displays of unreasonable pique and rampant jealousy, and it's a dynamic that both gets old fast and denies the full comic potential of Miss Piggy's insecurity and grandiosity.

"It's strange that a comedy that wants us to peek into the minds under the felt allows one of its most famous characters to be so one-dimensional."

HitFix reviewer Alan Sepinwall also bemoans the "awfully cynical and bitter" reincarnations of the characters, but holds out hope the show's creator, Bill Prady (Big Bang Theory) will take early criticisms on board.

"There are a few funny moments here, and Prady's both a smart writer and a flexible one" Sepinwall says.

"If you compare the Big Bang Theory pilot to any episodes made after Amy and Bernadette became regular characters, they're practically two different shows.

"Given his history with the Muppets, and the fact that this show was a bit rushed in development (the final pilot wasn't made available to critics until a few days ago), I hope he ... will be able to figure this one out."

- nzherald.co.nz