The Muppets (2015 TV Series)

The Muppets (stylized as the muppets.) is a 2015 American comedy series that aired on ABC since September 22, 2015. It is set in Los Angeles and depicts the lives of the Muppets as they produce a fictional late-night talk show starring Miss Piggy.

Background
The series marks the characters' first ongoing prime-time network television series since Muppets Tonight was canceled in 1998. The Muppets was picked up by ABC, the same network that aired Muppets Tonight—as the characters, the network, and the production companies are all owned by The Walt Disney Company—on the ABC network schedule.

This marks the second time Prady has attempted to revive The Muppets. Before co-creating CBS' The Big Bang Theory, the writer-producer shot some test footage on which ABC ultimately passed. Prady's history with The Muppets dates back to his work on Fraggle Rock in 1987. His previous writing credits for Muppet productions include the Muppet*Vision 3D attraction at Walt Disney World, and the tribute special The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson, which earned Prady an Emmy Award nomination in 1991.

Executive producer Bob Kushell explained the intention behind the series; "We have the opportunity to explore these characters as individuals with their own emotional lives that are separate from each other and aren't shadowed by each other's presence, as I think they have been for the last 20 years... it's not just a behind-the-scenes look at a show, but it's the relationship-driven, emotional stories that people go through in their personal lives. Everyone in this version of The Muppets wants to push them further in a way they've never been before." Kushell added, "Rightfully or wrongfully, The Muppets became more of a kids' product over the years. We want to bring them all the way back to what they were intended to be and then some. But never so much that anyone has to explain anything uncomfortable to their kids."

Cast and characters
Main article: List of Muppets

Main cast

 * Steve Whitmire as Kermit the Frog (Until early 2017), Link Hogthrob (Until early 2017), Rizzo the Rat (Until early 2017), Beaker (Until early 2017), Statler (Until early 2017), Lips (Until early 2017), The Newsman (Until early 2017), Foo-Foo (Until early 2017), Bean Bunny
 * Eric Jacobson as Snowths, George the Janitor, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam Eagle, Marvin Suggs, The Newsman, (Since 2017)
 * Dave Goelz as Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Waldorf, Zoot, Wayne, Beauregard, Digit, Chip, Randy Pig, Elvise 4,
 * Bill Barretta as Mahna Mahna, Pepe the King Prawn, Rowlf the Dog, Bobo the Bear, Johnny Fiama, Dr. Teeth, The Swedish Chef, Link Hogthrob (Since 2017), Big Mean Carl, Bubba the Rat, Howard Tubman, Andy Pig, Elvise 1, Clueless Morgan,
 * David Rudman as Scooter, Janice, Beaker (Sincerely 2017),
 * Matt Vogel as Kermit the Frog (Since 2017), Robin the Frog (Until 2016), Crazy Harry, Uncle Deadly, Lew Zealand, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork, Pops, Elvise 3
 * Peter Linz as Walter, Robin the Frog (Since 2017), Statler (Since 2017), Gloria Estefan, Foo-Foo, Lips, Joe the Legal Weasel
 * Drew Massey as Robin the Frog (Occasionally)
 * Martin P. Robinson as Dr. Teeth (Occasionally)
 * Noel MacNeal as Sweetums
 * John Kennedy as Floyd Pepper
 * Victor Yerrid as The Swedish Chef (2016 (Occasionally))
 * Tyler Bunch as Rizzo the Rat (2017-Present), Janice (Occasionally)
 * Brian Henson as Elvise 2, Dr. Phil van Neuter, Sal Minella, Seymour
 * Artie Esposito as Kermit the Frog (2016)

Recurring cast

 * Julianne Buescher as Denise, Yolanda Rat, Debbie
 * Karen Prell as Robin
 * John Lovelady as Bong the Christmas Elf
 * Riki Lindhome as Becky, Fozzie's human girlfriend. She was previously played by Margo Harshman in the First Look Presentation.
 * Eren Ozker as Hilda, Wanda
 * Joey Mazzarino as Kirby
 * Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Spamela Hamderson, Darci, Queen Guenevere, Belle the Bubble Mom, various
 * Alice Dinnean as Camilla the Chicken (Occasionally)
 * Kevin Clash as Clifford, Leon, Bad Polly, Jeffy
 * Fran Brill as Vicki
 * Gord Robertson as Lindbergh
 * Rickey Boyd as Aart the Armadillo
 * Layla Alizada as Betty, the Hair and Makeup Specialist at Up Late with Miss Piggy.
 * Nilla Watkins as Kim, the production assistant at Up Late with Miss Piggy.
 * June Diane Raphael as Lucy Royce, the president of ABC.
 * Utkarsh Ambudkar as Pizza (pronounced "Pache"), a "branding guru" who is appointed by the network to re-brand Up Late with Miss Piggy. He previously branded Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Katy Perry, some warlord, and others. He is constantly trying to get The Muppets to do what he wants for the show, and will go as far as to sabotage them if they don't. In episode 15, however, Sweetums, Rizzo, Pepe, and a few others reform him.