The MUPPETS return: Real 'sex and violence'?

James Hibberd with Entertainment WEEKLY is credited with an exclusive story running today about the MUPPETS revival on ABC.. Days ago, the network announced that the program was coming back after several decades dormant. The kids of yesterday are now all grown up with kids of their own--me included.

Hibberd's reporting indicates that the kids of yesterday may not know the MUPPETS of today when it finally airs.

From the EW story:

ABC’s pilot presentation—which the network is considering for a straight-to-series order—follows Jim Henson’s iconic characters behind the scenes as they launch a new TV show. The presentation from Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady and Anger Management writer-producer Bob Kushell is described as having a 30 Rock feel. The series will be shot mock-documentary style, like Arrested Development and The Office.

Even more interesting: In what’s being billed as a first for The Muppets, the personal lives of the characters will be explored. ABC’s official new logline reads: “The Muppets return to prime time with 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; a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages.”

More 'adult' for kids of all ages...

If anyone has see the newest incarnation on the Cartoon Network of LOONEY TUNES, they understand what adult may mean.. girlfriends, relationship squabbles.. allusions to sexuality..

And suddenly with this EW story today, a political firestorm has erupted in the comments thread on the site.. People proclaiming the 'gay agenda.' Others decrying the perversion of today..  I personally think these are silly and divisive talking points.  But it's also apparent that children are quite often not permitted to just be children anymore.. From an early age, violence blood and sexuality is thrown on them.

As far as the new MUPPETS show?  I am just waiting to see the way things settle .. Kermit and Miss Piggy already had their relationship aired. But this go around, it would seem the dirty sultry laundry may also be aired  a soap opera version.

The EW article also points out that the pilot of the MUPPETS was named 'sex and violence.'  But that show was a parody of the proliferation of sex and violence on TV in 1975.

Now they bought into the culture, if we'd believe the negativity regarding today's EW article.

And why not.
The kids of today and the adults of yesterday all concur: Sex sells.
But maybe the MUPPETS won't.  Unless there is a solid storyline behind the 'adult' themes for 'kids of all ages.'   Whatever that means.