Ode to (Musical, Sarcastic, Ultraviolent) Joy

My wife Christina and I have an ongoing conversation about the Muppets. We're watching a lot of Sesame Street these days (during our 2 year-old daughter's asthma nebulizer sessions) and we've noticed that the Muppets on Sesame Street aren't as funny as they used to be -- at least not in that sarcastic, subversive way. I still think Sesame Street is a great show, but its creators have moved in a fuzzier, gentler direction than in the early days. (Just watch the classic "Subway" musical number for proof of that -- can you imagine these lyrics being approved for broadcast today?) There are still some great bits being done: witness the new Feist video on the upcoming season of Sesame Street -- you might recognize the tune.



Fortunately, it seems the subversive spirit at Henson Studios hasn't died -- it's gone a bit more underground and is leaking its way out any way it can. In particular it has found a home on YouTube. Great new bits like the one below have been showing up on everyone's favorite video service and they make good use of the staples that have made the Muppets so entertaining over the years: music, sarcasm, and slapstick violence. Perhaps it's a viral campaign for the upcoming Muppet movie? Is it just a way for the Muppeteers to let out some old-school wackiness? I don't care. Just keep 'em coming.