The Muppets: 6 Highlights And 4 Lowlights From The Pilot

Celebrities have always been a major part of the Muppets franchise, and that's still the case in the new series. So far, The Muppets is using its guests remarkably well, allowing them to be as funny as the actual characters and to interact with the storyline in some fun ways. The presence of Elizabeth Banks in the pilot isn't just a cheap cameo to draw in viewers. It's a major part of the plot, and she's given plenty to do like when she fights with Scooter outside. The guests might not be singing and dancing with the Muppets as much anymore, but being silly with them behind the scenes works too.

The highlight has got to be Tom Bergeron, though. Who would have thought he'd be the funniest thing about the episode? He's like the Jerry Gergich of this first half-hour, as when Kermit insults him while he's still pretty close by. "No problem," he enthusiastically says. "I'll still do it!" Later on, Kermit realizes nobody remembered to cancel on Tom, since he was only booked as a replacement for Elizabeth Banks. He looks on at the show he was bumped from and walks way with his head down like Charlie Brown. The series already knows how to work in the celebrities effectively, not just having them pop in for a quick line and then disappear.