Muppet Match-Up #4!

These match-ups are getting going to the birds! 

I give you round 4 of:

First, let's recap the rules:

1. The episodes are selected at random. 

2. The only caveat to rule 1 is that a season of The Muppet Show may be picked, but again the episode itself must be random. Once a season has been picked - it's out of play. 

3. Once an episode has been selected, it's out of play and can't be selected again. (yes I know these means only 16 episodes (so far) of The Muppets vs 120 episodes of The Muppet Show.)

Round 4 features a country novelty songwriter crooning while the Muppets turn into chickens vs a pig doing aerial acrobatics. You can't make this stuff up folks!

The only real similarities to be found are that both episodes features Muppet transformations:

In the Roger Miller episode, the Muppets (save for Gonzo) turn into chickens when a plague of Cluckitis spreads through the theater. While in Got Silk? Gonzo, Rizzo, and Pepe are transformed from lowly writers into sharp dressed men thanks to an infusion of brain washing product placement by Pinkberry.

You can watch the Roger Miller episode here. 
(We wish Disney would release it on DVD!)

And Got Silk? below:

My take: The Roger Miller episode is The Muppets are their most comically absurd, while Got Silk? features some actual character growth from Miss Piggy while searching for a best friend. This one is like, totally, going to go the muppets.

But, now it's your turn. Vote for which episode you think should come out on top. The poll  will be open for one week and voting is done on the top right hand side of the page. 

Muppet Match-Up #3 Results!

The results of our third Muppet Match-Up are in, and it seems that Brooke couldn't shield herself from the pigs in a blackout!

This was a fairly close match, but that makes three consistent wins for ABC's The Muppets and zero forThe Muppet Show. Stay tuned to see who our next competitors will be. 

Muppet Match-Up #3!

These match-ups are getting curiouser and curiouser! 

I give you round 3 of:

Let's review the rules:

1. The episodes are selected at random. 

2. The only caveat to rule 1 is that a season of The Muppet Show may be picked, but again the episode itself must be random. Once a season has been picked - it's out of play. 


3. Once an episode has been selected, it's out of play and can't be selected again. (yes I know these means only 16 episodes (so far) of The Muppets vs 120 episodes of The Muppet Show.)

Round 3 features child star taking on a classic tale and a former child star taking meditation classes.

At first glance I thought these two competitors couldn't be more different, but after watching them back-to-back I realized both:

• Feature a child, or former child star
• Have an invention of Bunsen's that doesn't work properly
• Reference The Wizard of Oz
• Miss Piggy has a wardrobe issue
• Statler and Waldorf join in a song
• and have Kermit placing Scooter in change and him failing. 

However:
Otherwise, the two couldn't be more different. The Brooke Shields episode revolves around the retelling of Alice and Wonderland, while Pig's in Blackout revolves around Kermit taking a break from the stress of show by taking a meditation retreat. It even utilizes the exact opposite members of The Electric Mayhem: Floyd and Dr. Teeth in Brooke Shields, while Animal, Janice and Zoot - who aren't even in the Brooke Shields episode, each have lines in Pig's in Blackout.


Verdict: Brooke Shields is a Muppet Show classic, while Pig's in a Blackout has some great Kermit & Rowlf moments, and culminates in The Rainbow Connection. This a tough one, but  I see this one going for the muppets.

Now it's your turn. Vote for which episode you think should come out on top. Polling will be open for one week, and you can vote as many times as you wish!

Muppet Match-Up: #2 Results!

The results of our second Muppet Match-Up are in, and the tail has prevailed!

That makes two wins for ABC's The Muppets and zero forThe Muppet Show. Stay tuned to see who our next competitors will be. 

Muppet Match-Up: Paul Williams vs A Tale of two Piggies!

The people spoke and last week's pervieced champion, The Muppet Show's "Lola Falana" lost to the muppets' "Little Gren Lie." 

It's time for round 2, and we have two new challengers!

But first, let's review the rules for those that want to play at home:

1. The episodes must be selected at random. 

2. The only caveat to rule 1 is that a season of The Muppet Show may be picked, but again the episode itself must be random. Once a season has been picked - it's out of play. 

3. Right down things you find interesting about the episode while you're watching it, then do the same for the next episode and see how they compare and contrast. 

4. Once an episode has been selected, it's out of play and can't be selected again. (yes I know these means only 16 episodes (so far) of The Muppets vs 120 episodes of The Muppet Show.)

Round 2 features and even crazier match-up as "Paul Williams" goes head to head with "A Tale of Two Piggies." 

Let's look at the contestants.

Surprisingly, both episodes have a lot in common.

Both:

• Have musical guests (Paul Williams vs Joan Jett)
• Are from the show's first season
• Feature the Newsman, Bunsen, Sam Eagle, Sweetums, and Beautiful Day Monster
• Have references to rugs (Beautiful Monster shipped to Pittsburg vs Gonzo, Rizzo, & Pepe's carpet samples)
• Houses (The Talking Houses vs the house Gonzo, Rizzo, & Pepe look at)
• and messages about body image (short vs being proud of who you are)

However:

• In this The Muppet Show episode Miss Piggy and Gonzo are mainly background characters, while on the muppets, they're the star of their own plots. 

Verdict: Paul Williams has great songs and humor, but it's A Tale of Two Piggies that packs both humor, songs, and a great social message. I see this one going for the muppets.

Now it's your turn. Vote for which episode you think should come out on top. Polling will be open for one week, and you can vote as many times as you wish!

Muppet Match-Up: #1 Results!

The ballots have been cast and the perceived champion, Lola got Folana'ed as Little Green Lied it's way to victory!

Be sure to check back on Monday when our next challengers will be revealed!

Muppet Match-Up: Lola Folana vs Little Green Lie

It's mid-March and once again the madness has begun. 

Have you heard someone say The Muppets isn't as good as The Muppet Show?

With all the bracket breaking matches going on on the word of sports we decided to match up episodes of The Muppet Show vs episodes of The Muppets and see what happens.  

The rules are simple and you can play at home as well. 
1. The episodes must be selected at random. 
    (Get out your DVD's, bootlegs, and what have you) close your eyes and point.

2. The only caveat to rule 1 is that you may pick a season of The Muppet Show, but the episode itself must be random. 

3. Right down things you find interesting about the episode while you're watching it, then do the same for the next episode and see how they compare and contrast. 

4. Once an episode has been selected, it's out of play and can't be selected again. (yes I know these means only 16 episodes (so far) of The Muppets vs 120 episodes of The Muppet Show.)

5. Watch each episode then compare, contrast, and evaluate.

Simple.

For our first match, I wanted to really make it a challenge. I picked season 4 since The Muppet Show was very established and hitting it's stride at that point. Other then that, both episodes were selected at random.

Here we have our first Muppet Match-Up:

Lola Folana: 
The plot centers around Gonzo leaving the show to to go to Bombay India pursue his dream of being a movie star, which we first learned of in The Muppet Movie. 

Guest star: Lola Folana 

The episode is incredibly well written and dare you not to tear up when Gonzo breaks down after singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way."

I noticed there where a lot of songs in the episode - almost too many it seemed at times.

Kermit and Gonzo hug.

Gonzo and Camilla have a fight.

Camilla is featured with her female chicken friends. 

Other observations:
One of Steve Whitmire's first speaking characters: Trevor the Gross

Little Green Lie: 
The plot revolves around Kermit and Piggy trying to hide their breakup while Kermit's nephew Robin is visiting. 

Guest star: Lara Spencer. 

Gonzo and Pepe hug.

Gonzo and Camilla do couples yoga.

Camilla is featured with her female friends though this time they're human. 

While they couldn't more different, the similarities of the two episodes really took me by surprise!

Similarities:

Both episodes feature Gonzo and Camilla, two Muppets hugging, Camila hanging out with  female friends, and both feature female guest stars with first names that start with "L"! (That's called small talk)

Differences:
Gonzo is central to the plot of Lola Folana but is barely the B plot in Little Green Lie. Instead of Kermit and Gonzo hugging in Lola Folana it's Gonzo and Pepe, Camila hangs out with her female friends only in Little Green Lie they're human. 

Verdict: Lola Folana packs an emotional wallop, while Little Green Lie brings the funny. Lola Folana is slowed down by the sheer number of songs, while Little Green Lie keeps things moving at a tight pace. Slight edge to The Muppet Show.

Now it's your turn. You can vote for which one you think should come out on top. Polling will be open for one week.


UPDATE: Voting can be done on the top right side of the page. Voting is now closed.