Every time the Muppets think they're out, Hollywood pulls them back in.
This time, it's ABC that's calling Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie and their many pals for a return to the glory days. Well, hopefully.
According to TVLine, ABC is developing a new edition of The Muppet Show, tentatively titled Muppets 2015. A pilot is being prepped in late April for presenting to ABC's brass at a later date. The intention is for the Muppets to return to TV airwaves with a fall debut.
It's assumed that Muppets 2015 will use a similar "variety show" format to its counterparts from yesteryear, but little else is known. The show's preliminary logline describes the pilot as appropriately meta: "The Muppets excitedly gather at ABC for a meeting about the new Muppet Show. However, the show will not move forward unless Miss Piggy signs on."
The creative team behind the Muppet revival includes Bill Prady, co-creator of The Big Bang Theory, and Anger Management's Bob Kushell. Prady will co-write and co-produce while Kushell will co-write and serve as showrunner.
In addition to Anger Management, Kushell's resume includes stints on Suburgatory, Samantha Who?, Malcolm In the Middle and 3rd Rock From the Sun. Prady's credits list Big Bang, Gilmore Girls, Dharma & Greg and Dream On among his experience. So between them, they've written for pretty much every trendy sitcom of the last 20 years except Friends.
Prady also boasts a lifelong love affair with the Muppets, having worked on five Muppets specials over the years dating back to 1988, in addition to writing a few episodes of Fraggle Rock before that.
A new Muppets TV show could put the big-screen career of Jim Henson's creations in limbo. Disney (which owns both ABC and the Muppets) has made a go at reviving the Muppets brand over the last five years with a pair of big-screen movies, but no third entry has yet been announced.
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