The Muppets have the staying power of one of those metal cubes being enveloped by metallic ooze. It seems like those lovable Jim Henson creations will always have a presence in the entertainment world, and based on their next project, that's probably a good thing. While not all of their latest projects have been smash hits, there's still something endearing and exciting about the announcement of a new one.
In this case, it may be something Muppet fans have been wanting for quite some time, even more than the Fraggle Rock revival. As that one insurance commercial featuring Animal has demonstrated, certain aspects of the franchise are arguably timeless. Apparently, one such aspect is the music of The Muppets, or at least the band who makes the music. The latest project set to come from this classic group of felt-clad performers aims to focus on exactly that, and it's got a special guest along for the ride.
Disney Plus has officially greenlit The Muppets Mayhem, a new series centered on Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, which many fans will recognize as the band seen in countless Muppets projects all the way back to The Muppet Show in the '70s. The show will follow the Electric Mayhem as they shoot for that big milestone of finally recording their first studio album. Apparently, they've got a real knack for being fashionably late.
The series will also star Lilly Singh (A Little Late with Lilly Singh) as a young executive trying to deal with all the chaos inevitably following in the Electric Mayhem's wake. Anyone familiar with the band will already know that the name is a fitting moniker. This won't be the first time the group has dealt with a big celebrity, as past highlights have seen them perform with huge names like Elton John and even featured Animal in a drum duel with Dave Grohl. Singh, however, will set herself apart from that trend by playing a character rather than appearing as herself.
The Muppets Mayhem will be helmed by The Goldbergs creator Adam F. Goldberg, with longtime Muppets performer and collaborator Bill Barretta contributing as puppeteer and executive producer. Barretta has been the voice (and hands) of characters like Pepe the King Prawn and Swedish Chef throughout his time with The Muppets, which began in 1991. He also took over the role of Dr. Teeth, the leader of the Electric Mayhem, after Henson's tragic passing.
The surprisingly fun Muppets Haunted Mansion proved that the franchise still has more to offer. Plus, Goldberg is a proud Muppets enthusiast, and he's more than shown his entertainment expertise with The Goldbergs. So while some might feel a bit shaky on the franchise's offerings as of late, this one clearly has some power behind it. Between him, Barretta, and Singh, The Muppets Mayhem is sure to at least offer some exciting new possibilities for The Muppets.
The Muppet Show is now available on Disney Plus.
Source: Disney