The Muppets are returning to primetime, one of three new comedies picked up by ABC on Thursday evening.
ABC also has picked up “The Real O'Neals” and “Dr. Ken” to series. But really… “The Muppets”!
All official programming details will come with ABC's upfront presentation on Tuesday (May 12), but here's what we know for now:
*** Longtime “Big Bang Theory” showrunner and Muppets guardian Bill Prady and Bob Kushell are co-writers on what is described as “a contemporary, documentary-style show that, for the first time ever, will explore the Muppets” personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires.” This is “a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages” and it remains to be announced which Muppets will take part. For purposes of the art with this story, I'm assuming Kermit.
*** “Dr. Ken” was written by Jared Stern, Ken Jeong and Mike O”Connell and stars Ken Keong as a brilliant physician with no bedside manner. His good intentions often cause trouble with his family and with his patients, but his therapist wife (Suzy Nakamura) helps keep him in line. The pilot also stars Tisha Campbell-Martin, Dave Foley, Jonathan Slavin, Albert Tsai and Krista Marie Yu.
*** “The Real O'Neals” was written by David Windsor and Casey Johnson and focuses on a seemingly Catholic family whose lives are turned upside down, but not in a bad way, when some secrets come to life. Martha Plimpton, Jay R. Ferguson, Noah Galvin, Matthew Shively, Bebe Wood and Mary Hollis Inboden.
All three comedies come to ABC at least in part from ABC Studios. “The Muppets” is, of course, produced by The Muppets Studio, while Sony Pictures TV is also producing “Dr. Ken.”
Any of those sound good?