'Muppets Now' Episode 3 Preview: Statler and Waldorf may tank the show as part of the series' new focus group
It's been two episodes, and Kermit the Frog (Matt Vogel) is no closer to getting the show's streaming content and chaotic Muppets under control than when he started. It's time for Joe, the Legal Weasel (Peter Linz) to step in, and he decides that what the Muppets really need is a focus group. Unfortunately for the Muppets, that focus group contains the Muppets' longtime harshest critics — Statler and Waldorf.
Heckling from box seats during a live show is one thing, but if Statler and Waldorf have their way, the show's streaming content may never be the same again. Focus groups can be the death of good entertainment, and there's no one who has had more contempt for the Muppets' quality of work than Statler and Waldorf. Known for their continual crotchety comedy that comes at the Muppets' expense, the curmudgeonly critics might just cancel all creative content as we know it.
Meanwhile, the show must go on with a line-up of guest stars from Chef Roy Choi to Al Madrigal, and the return of recurring guest stars Lina Dardellini and Taye Diggs on Miss Piggy's (Eric Jacobson) 'Lifesty' segment.
The official synopsis for the episode reads, "Joe, the new legal counsel for The Muppets, interrupts the scheduled delivery of Muppets Now to announce that all streaming content must be vetted by a focus group. Things go from bad to worse when Scooter meets up with the assigned test audience - curmudgeonly critics Statler & Waldorf. The Swedish Chef collaborates with Chef Roy Choi as the two try to make a one-of-kind kalbi bowl. Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, enlist a Pizza Delivery Person (Al Madrigal) to explore velocity. Miss Piggy and her guests, Linda Cardellini and Taye Diggs, dig deep indto the workings of a healthy relationship. Pepe The King Prawn’s unbelievable game show features new contestants, new challenges, new rules, and no planning at all."
Pepe The King Prawn (Bill Barretta), no doubt emboldened by being allowed to continue his improvised game show from last episode, is introducing all-new rules and challenges that will strain the limits of possibility in a game show where anything is possible, and the only winner is likely to be Pepe himself. It appears that Pepe took the "unscripted" part of the show's description a little too closely to heart. This episode of 'Muppets Now' airs August 14, on Disney+.