The Monitor

Muppets Taking Over in 2008: 31 Lists of December

Day Three belongs to Jim Henson's greatest creation.

Posted on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 12:00 PM
by: Jane O'Donnell

Tagged as: Muppets , FAO Schwarz , Today Show , Sesame Street , The Daily Show , Viral Video , 31 Lists of 2008 , On The List , Movies

Photo: Muppet Wiki

We're on a mission to post one best-of-2008 list each day in December. That's 31 lists, reviewing all of the greatest, worst and most memorable entertainment moments of the year. Day three is dedicated to the puppets we can't — and wouldn't want to — avoid.

The Muppets are nothing new (Kermit the Frog is more than 50 years old), and you can't exactly call it a comeback when millions of kids have watched "Sesame Street" consistently for 39 years. But we saw the Muppets in a lot of unexpected places this year. Is this the sign of a takeover? We surrender.

1. Statler & Waldorf on "The Daily Show"
On October 30, 2008 (seven years after the greatest Moment of Zen ever), Jon Stewart returned to the Muppets, noting the similarities between a Larry King/ John McCain interview and our favorite crotchety old hecklers.

2. Bert & Ernie "Ante Up"
Our favorite viral video mashup of 2008 is a great pick-me-up (almost as effective as "Danny Boy"). Who knew that these two had gangsta rap crossover potential?

3. The Muppets' "Today Show" Takeover
Shows like "The Soup" and "Best Week Ever" poked a lot of fun at the racy situations the Muppets got into on the morning show last month. (It was pretty creepy when Meredith Viera put the moves on Bobo the Bear.) But with soap operas going the way of the quagga, it takes a pig puppet to spice up daytime TV.

4. "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"
Jason Segel is working on a new Muppets movie, but he got a bit of head start. Not only does his "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" character play a tearful rendition of the super-cheery "Muppet Show" theme in a fit of heartbreak, but his Dracula musical puppets came from Jim Henson's Creature Shop.