Statler and Waldorf – Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian

I will be honest with you. I had no intentions of watching the new Muppet Show that aired on Disney. The reason for this was because I remember that terrible mockumentary style show that ABC aired in 2015. That was just painful to watch and many (including myself) were disappointed in how the characters were portrayed.

All I really knew about this new reboot was that Seth Rogan was the executive producer and that it was going to air as a special. When I think “special,” I think 2 hour movie type thing. I was surprised to see that it was simply a 30 minute show, just like the original. Then I began to see trailers which showed the original set. My interest was peaked, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to watch it when it first became available.

After the show aired and became available to stream, I started to see reviews and comments. The main complaint I heard was about how Kermit’s voice was different. Well, Jim Henson has been dead since 1990 and his voice (and other characters that he voiced) has been different since then. Ernie and many Sesame Street Muppets have had a different voice since 1990 and I don’t recall people ranting about that.

I digress. I began to see reviews of the show. I would say 98% of them were positive. Many raved about the show. Then a few of my friends reached out to ask if I had seen it. They were raving about it, too. So, I decided to check it out along with my son.

The show opened just like it did in the late 70’s – with Kermit saying, “It’s the Muppet Show with our very special guest …” followed by the instantly recognizable Muppet Show Theme. It is almost a shot for shot copy of the original opening. It was so close to the original that I got goosebumps. Kermit that comes out on stage and begins to talk about how it’s been awhile and how they have a great show. From there, it was standard Muppet Show. It easily could have aired along with episodes of the original run.

The show had the typical backstage chaos, Miss Piggy competing for more time than the female guest star, and of course, Statler and Waldorf shouting insults from the balcony. The show went from act to act and finished in a traditional Muppet finale. When it was over, I was wanting more. My son laughed a lot too.

The word is that this “special” was a trial run pilot. In other words, if the show does well, it might get picked up for an entire season or two. I really hope that they do make more. It was entertaining from both a child and adult standpoint – just like the original show. There are plenty of really great stars who I could see doing the show. I would imagine that they’d want to jump at a chance to be on the show. I know where I’d want to be if I was on the show…

The show did so well that it got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. There were more positive reviews online than negative, and the negatives were nit picking at little things. Seth Rogan did the Muppets right! Jim Henson would be thrilled at the way the new show was presented. I am one of many who loved every minute of it. So all I can say is, “More Muppets, Please!!”

Today just might be my day! According to the National Day Calendar:

National Grouch Day on October 15th sends out notices to all the grouches of the world to be their truest grouch. If you are a grouch, today is your special day. According to Sesame Street Magazine, the day celebrates all grouches and their way of life.

Sometimes grumps give backhanded compliments. “Your house looked horrible until you painted it.” Other times they don’t give them at all. Noise, silence, general activity makes a grouch generally unpleasant.

As per the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a grouch is described as:

(1) a person who complains frequently or constantly or (2) a habitually irritable or complaining person

It seems that a grouch may be happy (although they would never admit it) only when others are unhappy and grouchy. It is then that they feel most comfortable with having others share in their grumpy, cantankerous, surly world with them.

I’m sure there are people who feel I am the epitome of a “Grouch.” That may be the case in certain circumstances, however, that isn’t always the case. I started to make a list of Famous Grouches and I don’t think I’m as bad as they are!

Oscar the Grouch is probably the most famous grouch. He’s really kind of disgusting. Living in that trash can surrounded by rotting and smelly stuff would make anyone grouchy. I always loved that he used the term, “Scram!”

The Grinch is an overlooked grouch. Yes, he changed his attitude at the end of the story, but here’s a dude who wants to ruin a major holiday for everyone else just because he hates it. He found joy in making others miserable.

stern looking mature man in victorian costume carrying a cane . Model is wearing a dark suit , top hat, glasses and prosthetic make up , the look created is also similar to a Dickens victorian type character .

Ebenezer Scrooge is much like the Grinch. He has a change of heart and attitude at the end of his story, too. However, he was just a miserable man to be around. His whole disposition was grouchy!

Grumpy the Dwarf from Snow White was just an old Grump. Happy was his opposite. I’m guessing his personality would have been the same whether he was called Grumpy or Grouchy.

Speaking of Grumpy, I suppose you have to include the Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau characters from Grumpy Old Men. It is important to point out that they were happy making each other miserable, so while grumpy, not always grouchy.

Two of my favorite grumpy/grouchy old men could be found each week in the balcony of the Muppet Show. Statler and Waldorf were wonderful hecklers who enjoyed tossing insults at the acts and guest stars and offering up not so pleasant reviews and comments.

This list goes on and on…

Fred Sanford