Parents' Guide to The Muppets

This very funny exposé-style comedy is a must-see for Muppet aficionados who are mature enough to pick up on the flocked folks' masterfully witty (and often suggestive) repartee. Everything longtime fans have come to expect from the Muppets is on full display here: Miss Piggy's all-consuming egomania, Kermit's fretful attempts to appease, Fozzie's (Jacobson again) comical flops, and so on. What's more, the talk-show shtick means there's a job that's a natural fit for each personality, from Gonzo's (Dave Goelz) writing team to Animal's (Jacobson) house band and the persistent hecklers, Statler (Whitmire again) and Waldorf (Goelz again). There's so much subversive content at play that you'll want to watch with the rewind button at the ready so as to not miss a single quip. Add a bevy of big-name guest stars to the mix, and you have the makings of some great entertainment.

But much of The Muppets' appeal is nostalgic in nature, beckoning to viewers who have watched the characters' joint story evolve over the years through a classic TV show and a variety of movies. For these viewers, this series puts a modern reality spin on the working relationships and environment we saw as far back as the original Muppet Show. On the other hand, for those whose introduction to the Muppets themselves is this show, the laughs may be harder to come by, and the more overt use of mature humor calls into question its role as family-friendly fare.