10 Hilariously Meta Moments From The Muppets Franchise

Exposition is an awkward thing to write. Characters need to relay information to the audience that will be important later, but in a way that feels like it's a natural conversation. That's especially difficult in a kids film, as everything really needs to be spelled out so children can follow. For The Muppets, the writers decided to lay out the exposition in a super clunky, obvious way, and then have that be the joke.

While in Kermit's office, Walter overhears a dramatic and important conversation, and that's something you've seen in movies a whole lot: the protagonist hears something at just the right moment. Statler and Waldorf explain to Tex Richman that in the contract he's about to sign, there's a clause that states if the Muppets can raise $10 million to buy the building, they'll get their studio back. 

That's quite obviously what the plot of the movie is going to be, and it doesn't make much sense that this is the first time they're talking about it, but that's why it's so funny. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were reciting some sort of an important plot point," Statler says. Waldorf simply responds that he hopes so, because otherwise the audience would be bored to death by dialogue that isn't significant. Only the Muppets could make explaining crucial information so hilarious.