Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud The Muppets are back, and the symphony and pro-wrestling are the perfect marriage
Feb 5, 2026
Sonya Ballantyne, Swampy Cree filmmaker and wrestling fan who reviewed Brawl at the Hall. Kira Hall, CBC Kids puppeteer who performs as Cottonball the Cat. Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture culture critic. They talk Muppet nostalgia and why tactile puppetry still delights. They discuss Seth Rogen’s take on the franchise. And they describe a pro-wrestling match scored by a live symphony and its theatrical effects on the crowd.
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Earnest Failure Drives Muppet Comedy
- The Muppets work because they play earnest characters who fail, which heightens the comedy.
- Kathryn says treating characters like real celebrities (e.g., Miss Piggy) makes their absurdity believable.
Why Recent Muppet Reboots Failed
- Attempts to modernize the Muppets by making them mimic contemporary TV formats often fail.
- Kathryn argues they need a literal stage and to parody celebrities, not simply reflect modern shows.
2015 Muppets Felt Too Real For Gags
- Kira Hall liked the 2015 Muppets sitcom for its edge but warned higher stakes reduce gag effectiveness.
- She felt the show became too "real" for the Muppets' payoff style to work.