If The Muppet Show returns to primetime, we want a revival of these 7 musical numbers
ABC’s upfronts are this May, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, we may be getting a sneak peek at a revival of The Muppet Show!
THR is reporting that The Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady is contributing to the script for the pilot presentation and if *fingers crossed* everything shakes out, the show might go direct to series. Bob Kushell (3rd Rock from the Sun) is co-writing and will serve as showrunner.
This marks the first time the Muppets will be featured in primetime since Muppets Tonight on ABC in 1996 (and syndicated reruns on Disney Channel through 2000). We’re PUMPED!
To celebrate, here are our favorite musical numbers that we wouldn’t even be a little bit mad to have updated for the new show:
There’s nothing better than Elton on keys with Animal on drums. This is a classic performance (and definitely the height of Elton’s “Liberace” phase) and nearly unanimously everyone at Fusion’s favorite performance. Alice Cooper, “SCHOOL’S OUT”
This is how I like my hard rock: with seemingly benign giant monsters in metallic shorts dancing around the lead singer of The Alice Cooper Band. Harry Belafonte, “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”
This is when The Muppet Show is at its best, when they’re performing songs that aren’t really about anything too heavy and kids can get in on the fun. The Muppets really take it to the next level with their interruptions. Lena Horne, “Sing a Song”
I can’t prove that Lena Horne is an actual angel, but her voice is beautiful, and she is beautiful, and this whole number gives me the happy tingles. Just look how happy Fozzie bear is belting next to her. Florence Henderson, “So Happy Together”
Straight up, who the fuck is Lizard? I know so many Muppets and I have no idea who this one is. Still, his duet with Florence Henderson from “The Brady Bunch” fame is incredibly endearing. Plus, this song is forever delightful.
Did you know there were Muppet bands that didn’t need the help of actors and singers? Yeah, well Dr. Teeth and his band “The Electric Mayhem” straight-crushed Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” in this performance. Sylvester Stalone, “Bird in a Gilded Cage”
I don’t know what’s happening here, but now that I’ve seen it I feel like everyone else should have to, too.
Akilah Hughes is a comedian, YouTuber, and staff writer and producer for Fusion’s culture section. You can almost always find her waxing poetic about memes and using too many emojis.