Could a Muppet Universe Work? | Some Boi Online

Muppets Mayhem co-creator Adam F. Goldberg recently asked fans which characters they'd like to see get their own series as part of his proposed "Muppetverse". Is this a good idea and how could it actually work?...
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[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I'd love more Muppet projects, but I think a canonical universe kind of goes against the chaotic nature of the gang (like how Kermit tells Robin that the Muppet Movie is "sort of approximately" how it all happened). If good shows are written to play to the Muppets strength, then I'm all for it, but I don't want them to turn the shows into homework you need to watch in order to follow a different show.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Some great points, as that's essentially what the MCU has become. Barely anyone can keep up with it. The primary focus should always be the quality of the show itself.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

@@SomeBoiOnline I think what the Muppets really need is another big ensemble movie in the vein of Xmas Carol and Treasure Island. Adapt another classic British book and cast it with good actors who can play it straight. Like maybe Pride and Prejudice with Kermit and Piggy as Mr and Mrs Bennett with human daughters.

[@gojirafan0577]

Yeah non of the muppet movies are really canon per say as there are a lot of 4th wall breaking moments and the characters would usually say to the audience that the film they are about to watch is all fiction and that they are putting on a show

[@thatsastick13]

I need a spin-off show about Uncle Deadly. For no particular reason; I just like his voice and character design.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Yes Deadly is great, love what they've done with the character in recent years.

[@gojirafan0577]

I would love to see a series that centers around uncle deadly i have loved what they have done with him particularly his dynamic with miss piggy i absolutely love their interactions and how they play off each other so well

[@tavvyprods1275]

I have two potential character based spin offs featuring the Muppets. How Robin the Frog followed his uncle Kermit to Hollywood to become a star just like him. Clifford and his absence from the Muppets since the mid-2000’s.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Totally agree, love these characters and the idea of explaining their time off-screen over the years.

[@wavejumper3]

New idea: make one big cinematic multiverse for everything. Rowlf? Plays piano in the Tatooine Cantina. Beaker? He works for Tony Stark now. That random guy that tried to sell an 8 to Ernie? Make him the son of a crime boss, why not. Throw some Fraggles into the phineas and ferb reboot, why not. Watching a disgusting mush of every franchise at once would be better than whatever they're doing now. "We bought all the shows, were gonna use all the shows"

[@SomeBoiOnline]

I always used to envision weird stuff like this as a kid, now it's actually happening with the likes of Spider-Verse, so who knows!

[@foodiansinc.6411]

It would be nice to have a show about Johnny Fiama and Sal that could have guest appearances from the muppets tonight cast

[@SomeBoiOnline]

I'd love that, with the addition of Muppets Tonight on Disney+!

[@jagerzaku9160]

YES JOHNNY AND SAL!

[@petros6013]

I would like to see a spin-off about Clifford. We could see what he did after the Muppets Tonight and maybe he career playing bass. I also think a Walter show could work where we could find out that he regularly goes back and visits Gary.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Agreed! I'd love to see a return of Clifford in general, if Gary returned alongside Walter that would be peak.

[@Patpatrick647]

I wanna see a show about Nigel, the muppet conductor.

[@tavvyprods1275]

He was the original host of the Muppet Shown until Kermit The Frog took over because of how audiences thought he was too dull.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Poor Nigel, I can imagine Kermit taking his place in The Muppet Show as his villain origin story.

[@snic5143]

Nigel: "You took everything from me!" Kermit: "I don't even know who you are!"

[@dillonohlemiller401]

I want to live in the good timeline where The Muppets (2011) kickstarted a new era for The Muppets and we got more movies than just Most Wanted. It’s depressing because the franchise COULD be great if Disney would just listen to the fans. It’s obvious that Disney doesn’t see The Muppets as profitable. If they did they’d be doing as much with them as Marvel and Star Wars. It’s just frustrating

[@SomeBoiOnline]

This does seem to be the cycle we've been stuck in since Disney purchased the Muppets. They're reluctant to give them a chance as previous projects are so hit and miss.

[@eggplantjr2716]

I want to see a "Statler and Waldorf" spinoff as they go through their day, mocking things that are happening around them. Going shopping, sitting in the park, playing Bingo at the old folks home, and ultimately going to the Muppet Theater at the end of the day, where we see them riffing on one particularly bad segment of the stage show. I'd love to see a consistently changing in-universe reason they have to keep returning to viewing the Muppet show at the end of the day - like a show they actually wanted to see being canceled, or their jalopy breaks down in front of the theater. I would even like to see hints that they secretly want to see the show, but can't admit it to the other.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

That sounds perfect, I love it! ❤️

[@tre-engines]

I think it would be really cool to see other Jim Henson related characters show up again in Muppets projects like the Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street, and Wilkins Coffee characters. How Disney would be able to get the rights to use those characters is a mystery on its own. Seeing the other Jim Henson characters interact with the Muppets in the 1970s and 80s is really interesting to me and I think it made moments like in the magic store ending song really special!

[@SomeBoiOnline]

That does seem to be what everyone wants, unlikely but never completely impossible!

[@geoffreyrichards6079]

The question is whether certain distributors will be willing to lend their characters to a business competitor. I recall that Elmo wasn’t allowed a cameo in “The Muppets” since Warner Bros. refused to license him for it.

[@SharpnessKnightStudios-ep3iy]

I asked ChatGPT your question about a "Muppetverse", and here's what it had to say: Creating a shared universe for The Muppets is indeed an interesting idea and could potentially be a creative way to expand the Muppet franchise. While the concept of a "Muppetverse" might require careful execution, it offers several opportunities for engaging storytelling and character exploration. Here are some ways this idea could work and its potential benefits: 1. Diverse Spin-Offs: The Muppet characters are rich and diverse, each with their own unique personalities and story potential. Creating spin-off series that focus on individual Muppet characters or groups could allow for deeper exploration of their backgrounds and adventures. This would let fans get to know their favorite characters on a more personal level. 2. Interconnected Stories: A shared universe would provide the opportunity to interconnect various Muppet stories and characters. Cameos, crossovers, and references could create a sense of continuity and familiarity for viewers while still allowing each series to maintain its own distinct tone and style. 3. Expanding the Universe: Introducing new Muppet characters and settings could help expand the Muppet universe, keeping the franchise fresh and relevant for both existing fans and new audiences. 4. Different Genres: The Muppets are versatile enough to fit into various genres, from comedy to drama, adventure, mystery, and more. Each spin-off could explore a different genre while still retaining the humor and charm that define the Muppet brand. 5. Showcasing Lesser-Known Characters: While characters like Kermit and Miss Piggy are well-known, a shared universe could shine a spotlight on lesser-known characters, giving them a chance to take center stage and develop their own fanbase. 6. Creative Collaborations: Collaborating with different writers, directors, and creators for each spin-off could bring fresh perspectives to the Muppet universe, leading to innovative storytelling and visual styles. 7. Fan Engagement: Allowing fans to participate in discussions and polls, as Adam F. Goldberg is doing, can generate excitement and anticipation for potential spin-offs. Fan input can also help gauge interest and shape the direction of the shared universe. However, there are also challenges to consider: 1. Maintaining Consistency: While a shared universe allows for creative freedom, maintaining consistency in tone, character traits, and overall brand identity is crucial to keep the Muppets recognizable and relatable. 2. Avoiding Over-saturation: Too many spin-offs at once could potentially dilute the quality of storytelling and viewer engagement. Careful planning and staggered releases would be necessary to prevent over-saturation. 3. Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation: The Muppets have a nostalgic appeal, but it's important to strike a balance between nostalgic elements and innovative storytelling to attract both old and new fans. 4. Ensuring Quality: While expanding the Muppet universe is exciting, ensuring that each spin-off maintains a high level of quality and doesn't dilute the overall brand reputation is crucial. In summary, the idea of a Muppetverse with interconnected spin-offs is intriguing and could be successful if handled well. It could provide new layers of depth to the characters, offer various storytelling opportunities, and engage both longtime fans and newcomers. The key lies in maintaining the core spirit of the Muppets while exploring new horizons. P.S. I suggest starting the "Muppetverse" with a Kermit the Frog story. Then, you'll work your way up from there. Also, I'd like to see lesser-known characters like Spamelda Hamderson and Denise get their own story someday. I mean, they have potential.

[@SGT_ZTM]

You know what would be clever? Is if some sort of project was made in which the muppets from the original muppet show somehow discover the multiverse of themselves in all the different movies and series like muppets take Manhattan and muppet babies.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Spider-Verse style!

[@nullfilename]

why is every CEO obsessed with every franchise being a "cinematic universe"

[@SomeBoiOnline]

It was a trend that was clearly profitable for Marvel, so others followed suit. But it's now being overstretched to such an extent that it seems to be damaging Marvel as a brand.

[@MicRofono3324]

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Mario Cinematic Universe, The Muppet Cinematic Universe; How many MCUs do we need?!

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Many apparently!

[@stephenhad8555]

When Muppets Most Wanted released the world of cinema was way different. In this day and age where Marvel and Star Wars are in their downfall, I’m sure Disney could actually start making theatrical Muppet movies again since The Muppets are way more known today than in 2014 because of the rise of Kermit memes. I know it sounds stupid but think about it.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

I definitely think Kermit continues to be recognisable through his prominence in meme culture. But this raises another issue, being that his current performance doesn't match what audiences might expect of the character.

[@stephenhad8555]

@@SomeBoiOnline good point, also I would like to add to the part where you said that if another show comes out it doesn’t have to be in the style of The Muppets Mayhem but it will be in the same universe, for example kinda like Wanda Vision compared to Spider Man No Way Home.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Yup, WandaVision was unlike any other MCU project at the time.

[@philipkippel3615]

Those still crying for Steve Whitmrie to come back to the Muppets and perform Kermit again are so annoying! They need to get over it, move on and give poor Matt Vogel a chance to get better as Kermit!

[@Asukenick]

​@@philipkippel3615I kind of agree. Steve was still amazing and I hope he's always remembered for his work.

[@gojirafan0577]

I would love to see more muppet projects maybe we could see more adaptations of classic stories like Robin Hood or the three musketeers or even like what muppets mayhem did like giving other muppet characters their own spin off shows or movies I think those could work too overall I would say a muppet universe does have a lot of potential and the recent show muppets mayhem definitely did open the door to that idea

[@DinosaurBytes]

Justice for Clifford!

[@kianbarker6781]

I dont think the muppets are suited for a cinematic universe. They're designed to be an ensemble and they all work best when they bounce off each other. I just want a fun, solid series that appeals to adults. Kind of like the office style show, that was really funny.

[@elizabeth37902]

Well idk if they should call it the MCU, but I would like to see a new adaptation since the last few series haven’t felt like the muppets. They have to find something that works for them and actually stick with it and not change the story completely in the following movie or tv show. If it does work out I would like to see characters that are rarely seen anymore like Wilkins & Wontkins, Bean bunny, Nobody, Robin, or the pigs in space.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Definitely, great opportunity to explore such obscure characters.

[@tyreekanimations]

7:20 I love this idea so much

[@CommonTerry1280]

i think a biopic parody about kermit the frogs life would be good. another idea i have is a show about rowlf becoming a famous musician

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Kermit and Rowlf are my two favourites, so I'd love to see both of these!

[@mattb6522]

Good video! I had no idea this was actually a proposed idea. I've loved the Muppets since I was a little kid, but for like over twenty years, the Muppets have seen a lot of ups and downs to their brand with some of these revivals. In theory, yeah, that would interesting to see a focus on specific Muppets and what they do outside of the Muppet world. However, The Muppets just have been incredibly inconsistent for many years and I would hate to see another failed Muppet rebranding. The thing is The Muppets usually work best as a unit as they play off each other like in the Muppet Show or movies. They would need a really strong cast of well-written, likeable human characters that wouldn't necessarily take too much time away from the Muppets' wacky antics. If it says "Muppets" on the tin, I expect the Muppets to get the lion's share of screen time (even if they need to create new characters to fill in as part of the cast).

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Agreed, the Muppets can absolutely work alongside human characters, but as with any film or TV show, they have to be likeable and well written, so the audience actually care about them.

[@Its_hoekin_time]

a Sam and friends comeback would be cool

[@SomeBoiOnline]

I imagine they could play around with the 1950's aesthetic, that would be cool to see!

[@ThePeelybot]

I want a spin-off show about Muppet Labs Here's my pitch: Muppet Labs has been struggling with their nearly 50 year streak of failed product presentations and falling behind in the modern era of technology. When Muppet Labs files for bankruptcy, it's up to Bunsen and Beaker to save their company by attempting to catch up with the times and make the company profitable again

[@EduardoMartinez-rs3bu]

Yes, yes it could, and I would love it

[@SomeBoiOnline]

I'd love it to work!

[@DTChannelStudio93]

I think that having a Muppetverse would be pretty awesome and a terrific idea or can be meh/idk kinda way for all of the Muppet Fans out there. Also, I would love to see any other Muppet characters Like Rowlf, Scooter, Miss Piggy, Gonzo or Bunsen and Beaker to have their own story. Plus, it would've been amazing if they could do The Muppet Show Revival, similar to the original The Muppet Show as a vaudeville act but keep in the same style with some new guest stars onto the show itself. And maybe see about making some brand new Muppet films as well. Other than that, it would've been cool to see something new and fresh like The Muppets Mayhem of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem with some good story and so much more as well. Anyways, I really enjoy your video on any Muppet related content onto your channel and keep up the great work!

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Thank you, I'd love to see all of those ideas come to life!

[@DTChannelStudio93]

@@SomeBoiOnline you’re welcome! Also, yep 👍

[@saskiagrace]

currently experiencing a power outage so this is definitely making my night much better seeing a new muppets related video from some boi online! :)

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Aw thanks, love to hear that! Hopefully your power's back on in no time.

[@TheIncredibleBiddison]

I want a spin-off of Constantine: the world’s most dangerous frog!

[@timrob12]

Maybe a movie or series that explains where Statler and Waldorf's hatred for the Muppets came from.

[@Lilpapersthe1]

Honestly I feel like the Muppets had their own universe this whole time in the way of an MCU even before the MCU where we see Kermit the frog in Sesame Street but the thing that I would love the most is seeing the Muppets meet up with the characters from Fraggle rock that would be an interesting movie to see where we’re trying to get one of the characters back to Fraggle rock and back to their world while gonzo realizes that he’s not only alien from a different planet but also from that said universe.

[@snic5143]

It have me thinking of what muppets they could geth the spot light to, like I would love to see a spin-off about Scooter and Skeeter so we can finally see a real Skeeter puppet and they can take some ideas from the comics where Skeeter's a secret agent so the show can be about Scooter getting caught up in all of Skeeter's agent business and have like a buddy cop/spy adventure I think it could be very funny and let somewhat heart felt. I would also like to see some other muppets get some love maybe not in their own shows but get something to do like Robin, Thog, Wilkins ( I know how original), rizo ,character from Sam and friends and other commercial muppets.

[@karsonbollinger8412]

There’s a series of 4 books called Tales of a 6th Grade Muppet that I think could either be 4 great movies or 4 great seasons of a show

[@wavejumper3]

A "MuCU" sounds passable. If there's a nightclub named "Cyclica", I prettymuch automatically couldn't criticise them, especially if that means finally seeing some of those unreleased tapes. For those that don't know, Jim Henson was considering opening a nightclub with all surfaces having projectors. They apparently took a lot of footage for the place, but it never went beyond conceptual stuff. If they go that deep into the deep cuts, I couldn't complain.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Fascinating!

[@wavejumper3]

@@SomeBoiOnline oh yea. The Henson rabbit hole goes deep. Cyclica is very far down. Further up, have you watched "timepiece" or "the organised mind"? Both are great experimental films, the first using no puppets whatsoever. But yea, I never hear anyone mention Cyclica. I'll put some links here if you're interested.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

I've seen The Organised Mind yeah, found it when researching Limbo for my video a while back. Very experimental indeed!

[@tobyslifetime976]

I think a back story of crazy harry and how he became so crazy as a series and as the series goes on he gets more crazier and crazier and the final episode is how he is now

[@smcphee8499]

Always wanted to see a Sam the eagle buddy cop show after watching Most Wanted.

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

I would love to see a Wilkins/Wontkins movie! If they do a Swedish Chef origin story, they better include the fact that he started out speaking mock Japanese & later mock Swedish.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Wilkins would definitely be a great character to capitalise on, given the popularity of the original 1950's ads online.

[@mathieuleader8601]

I can see a Muppet spy film with Honeydew in the role of Blofeld

[@Riprocproductions95]

I mean if you want to get technical every muppet movie takes place in the same universe

[@Riprocproductions95]

All muppet movies and TV shows are movies and TV shows in the muppet universe

[@Riprocproductions95]

Except for ABC muppets and muppets mayhem

[@theshadowdirector]

The biggest shame is how the rights to the different Jim Hensen creations are are now split up. A Muppets and Sesame Street reunion would be welcome.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Yup, big challenge given it's been split three ways I believe, between Disney, Sesame Workshop and the Jim Henson Company.

[@philipkippel3615]

@@SomeBoiOnlineExactly. Disney owns the “Muppet Show” family Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House. Sesame Workshop owns the Sesame Street Muppets. The remaining Henson works (Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, etc.) are still owned by The Jim Henson Company.

[@M567dk]

To be honest, I was never a fan of the Muppets 2010 movies as it felt more like a rehash of what came before and barely anything new. I rather go into depth on some of the characters like the Electric mAyhem band. Maybe a Rawlph mini series of the character and his history would be interesting to see. I honestly, want to see a Sam Eagle show about the character and how he deals with the ever changing landscape that is America.

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Canonising would lean far too much into marketing the product, and overshadow the drive for strong stories and character writing, potentially. Even if that marketing is to get audiences to argue, which seems to be quite the tool for corporations these days

[@DJJOHNNN]

You could possibly make a consistent timeline about the fact that every movie that is basically in a make believe setting with Un realistic stuff, is cannon sort of like most wanted due to it being a movie the muppets acted in irl

[@GeneralHewett13]

well, the Muppets getting a CU would be interesting, but like many other things it needs to be done right to be good.

[@JoshProductions07]

I watched the first episode of The Muppets Mayhem, and I thought it didn't feel like the Muppets. The humans were boring and the visuals look so dull and boring compared to the 2011 movie for an example. I'm not sure if a Muppet Cinematic Universe would work, as most people watch the Muppets to see Kermit and the other main Muppets, like me. In my opinion, the greatest era of the Muppets was definitely the Jim Henson era.

[@tavvyprods1275]

I for one thought the Muppet franchise was at its best up until the Henson Company sold them to Disney.

[@SomeBoiOnline]

I can definitely relate. Can't help but come back to the same conclusion that when Kermit is absent or doesn't feel like he should, the final product is weaker as a result.

[@megelizabeth9492]

@@tavvyprods1275 Kermit's Swamp Years?

[@tavvyprods1275]

@@megelizabeth9492 I actually liked that movie.

[@smcphee8499]

Isn’t all their movies in universe a movie that made themselves though?

[@Cybertoy00]

But the Muppets are already a universe!

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Since the Muppets have often had movies within movies and stuff, there's never really been a consistent "universe" in which all of the films and TV shows take place.

[@icecreamhero2375]

I disagree with the idea of cinematic universes being overdone. By that logic stand-alone movies are overdone. Who cares if the movies are connected as long as they are good.

[@harryabbott103]

Will you make any more Peter Kay videos?

[@SomeBoiOnline]

Yes I've got quite a few planned, if you've got any suggestions feel free to let me know!

[@CommanderFuckwit]

As nice as new Muppet content can be, not every single piece of media nowadays has to be a cinematic universe. But even with that being said, I can’t exactly imagine that many Muppets getting their own shows, let alone *good* ones. With The Electric Mayhem, that worked because, despite being somewhat minor, they still had personalities to further explore. Characters like The Swedish Chef or Bunsen & Beaker are better within the reoccurring sketch format, so them getting their own shows might not work too well (Fun Fact: the latter actually almost had their own animated series). With that being said, giving Sam the Eagle his own political news/talk show parody would be pretty funny and could hopefully bring him back to his roots of being a “screw you” to oblivious censors and higher-ups. (Why did I let myself ramble on that much about Muppets. Jesus…)