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Seeking_the_Grail t1_jdw83w7 wrote

Reply to comment by DrengisKhan in First Look: "The Muppets Mayhem" - Disney Plus series by LyingPug

Is that really why it failed? I remember liking it was was bummed it was dropped so soon. The first few episodes where rough, but I fel like it picked up.

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AlanMercer t1_jdwn44s wrote

The protests from the parent groups were just dumb. It was three kids in a trench coat trying to look important. People had forgotten that there were racy jokes on the Muppet Show and even some stuff on Sesame Street that they used to throw in for the parents.

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DisturbedNocturne t1_jdx8wyv wrote

When that show debuted, it was definitely a little frustrating to hear people talk about how awful it was that they were gearing the Muppets more towards adults... as if that wasn't how they were initially. One of the earliest Muppet specials was titled Sex and Violence, because they wanted to make it clear that it was geared more towards adults.

Though, I suppose, it just goes to show you how Disney has bungled their ownership and how much they frequently misunderstand them.

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KiritoJones t1_je1kd6g wrote

So weird because growing up I always thought muppets = for adults and sesame street = for kids. Maybe that's just because sesame street was something I actively watched and the only reason I knew what muppets was was because my mom had some old muppets merch. It's strange but not surprising that soem group would get all up in arms about it though, especially since it was still just a ABC sitcom, so it's not like it was that vulgar.

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JohnnyAK907 t1_jdwvhxi wrote

No. The fact that the ratings were dogshit for a series of that pedigree and a production/promotional budget of that scale is why it was cancelled.

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OneGoodRib t1_jdx1vpa wrote

I don't think so, those angry parent groups were complaining about it before it even aired and it went on for 15 episodes. It just wasn't pulling in viewers.

I mean if ABC pulled every show that had angry parent groups upset, there'd be nothing on the network.

Muppet productions are expensive - the Muppets themselves cost a lot to make and maintain, not to mention if they need different costumes - and if the show just isn't pulling in ratings it's not worth it to keep it on the air.

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