Improv tips from the Muppets
Grateful if Disney/Jim Henson Company don't sue me for this totally unofficial commentary on what the Muppets can teach us on improvising well. I love them so much
I love the Muppets. You should too.
My wife and I can virtually recite verbatim The Muppets’ Treasure Island and Christmas Carol, the latter of which is now an annual tradition for us to visit the singalong at London’s Prince Charles Cinema. Highly recommend… also Save the Prince Charles.
The Muppets are now responsible for 70 (SEVENTY) years of impossibly wholesome family fun, delivered by totally real felt-based lifeforms that absolutely aren’t operated by human beings just out of a shot. SHUT UP!
Like any good sitcom, or indeed improv scene, the Muppets character points-of-view are so clear and relatable. There’s also a healthy slice of chaos before things slip into being too sincere and saccharine. Whatever jeopardy the Muppets face, it’s always met with general positivity and teamwork. I think Gen Z call this ‘a vibe’ (shrugs in millennial). I like their vibe.
That’s basically all there is to this post. A general sense that it’s good to aim for a similar vibe to The Muppets.
Here’s some of my favourite Muppets, just because. And I guess if you squint hard enough, there’s some kind of useful improv comedy takeaway for them:
CLUELESS MORGAN
The rollcall scene in the Muppets Treasure Island slays me literally every time I see it, which is approx every 3-4 years, long enough to forget about it and be delighted by it again. 3-4 years is also the length of time it is acceptable to do a ‘callback’ in your Harold show by the way, stop forcing it in search of a blackout.
Anyway, the scene is literally just a list of names and reveals (Key and Peele’s College Bowl sketch about 20 years before they did it). Apparently, the Clueless Morgan puppet later went missing, which is the reason this is his only on-screen appearance in the Muppets canon. I’m sad about this because he’s an excellent character, completely stupid, in the moment and desperate to be in a crew.
THE CHRISTMAS CAROL VERSIONS OF GONZO & RIZZO
Whoever decided Gonzo would be an omniscient Charles Dickens in this is a very smart human/muppet. Whoever then decided to give him Rizzo the rat as a sidekick is smarter still. Just joyful. LIGHT THE LAMP NOT THE RAT!
ANIMAL
Animal is the drummer for the excellently named Muppets House Band Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. He basically just loves drumming, very loudly and enthusiastically. That’s all there is to Animal. We love watching him drum, the tension is constantly building whenever he isn’t drumming. Perfect improv character.
BEAKER
With the very considerable constraint of only being able to say versions of ‘MEEEEEP’, Beaker is a great case study in really simple emotional and physical reactions to the utter idiots who he’s routinely surrounded by. Mostly Dr Bunsen Honeydew, his kindly but ultimately mad scientist friend. Wide-eyed, open-mouthed, quick to panic in response to other characters. Be more like Beaker. His Ode to Joy bests Beethoven’s and it’s not even close.
STATLER AND WALDORF
These guys shouldn’t work. Two old dudes sitting on the sidelines in the good seats, dressed like Wall Street stocktraders, commentating on how poor the rest of the show is. You would not want your improv teammates doing this, and yet it works for The Muppets. I guess you need someone to watch out for Fudge McGirk, he went berserk.
KERMIT
Obviously. Not much more than a sock with frills on it, the depth of Kermit is pretty astonishing. The world accepts him as a real kindly soul, trying and mostly succeeding to keep the whole show together. I’m honestly not sure what he sees in the needy Diva Miss Piggy, or what exact affront to God is going on with their kids in the Christmas Carol, but their decades-long on-off romance is a core part of The Muppet universe’s heart. His hilarious lockdown facial workout is now a core part of my pre-show routine, and this is one of the most beautiful little ballads of all-time. Kermit is a king.
Alright, let’s have it. I want to know your favourite Muppets and why? Go!
ENDNOTES
Yea, it’s just more Muppet content:
This will be in your head for at least a week (sorry) MAHNA MAHNA
Seymour and Pepe, they’re two of a kind. Does Pepe have to explain everything to you people? UNBELIEVABLE.
YES!!!!! The Muppets is the perfect look at both the sitcom-characters of comedy, but also just general improv vibes and archetypes. They all have the same goal, just a different approach. The conflicts always come out of their relationship and wants with one another, but some external force that feels artificial. They love each other, they need each other, even at times when they feel they don't.
Who knew Kermit would be a left handed banjo player!