Is The Muppets Mayhem safe for kids? Is The Muppets Mayhem show OK for children? Read The Muppets Mayhem Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new streaming 10-episode television series on Disney+ , starring Lilly Singh. No spoilers! #TheMuppetsMayhem May contain commissioned links.
The Muppets Mayhem Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
They built this series on Rock and Roll…and a little mayhem.
While the Muppets have been mostly family friendly over the years, the latest round of The Muppets show reboot in 2015 included a more adult-centric, innuendo, and crude humor TV-PG rating that was definitely for watching AFTER the kids went to bed.
In The Muppets Mayhem Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full TV-PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2023 Muppets TV series parents guide to the new 10-episode show streaming exclusively on Disney Plus. A no-spoiler parent review of The Muppets Mayhem, should this band have stayed back in 1975? Or is it worth the reunion tour?
The Visuals
Think Muppets. Focusing mostly on live-action acting and puppeteering (a sadly dying artform) and very little on CGI and visual enhancements, this nostalgic take on a 1975 Muppets band certainly has a Muppets visuals feel. Don’t expect to be wowed by the almost 50-years of visual technology enhancements. It’s still The Muppets.
Photosensitivity Warning. Episode 5 of The Muppets Mayhem does have some possible photosensitive scenes including bright flashing green sparks, fire and some psychedelic camera movements that may be nausea including and/or epilepsy inducing. Watch with caution.
The Story
The Muppets Mayhem 2023 is a 10-episode all-new Muppets streaming series developed and written by Adam F. Goldberg (“The Goldbergs“), along with Muppets veteran Bill Barretta and Jeff Yorkes. Cast includes Muppet pros Matt Vogel as Floyd Pepper, Bill Barretta as Dr. Teeth, Peter Linz as Lips, Dave Goelz as Zoot, David Rudman as Janice, and Eric Jacobson as Animal alongside human acting of Lilly Singh (“The Bad Guys“) as Nora, Tahj Mowry (“Kim Possible“) as Moog, Saara Chaudry (“Odd Squad“) as Hannah, and Anders Holm (“mixed-ish“) as JJ.
This all-new 10-episode Muppets series follows The Electric Mayhem Band as they go on an epic musical journey to finally record their first studio album. Featuring famous musical cameos, familiar rock n’ roll sing-a-longs, and general Muppets mayhem in a modern day society, this easy-to-digest less than 30-minutes per episode exclusive series on Disney+ is definitely yet another reboot of a 1975 Muppets band who has long left the spotlight – and who would do anything for love from a new generation of Muppets fans.
You can tell that this is a Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem passion project fueled by the original band members. There’s Muppets positivity, pop culture references, and fun catching up an almost 50-year old band with a little bit of backstory added in for hardcore fans. And I appreciate the diversity and inclusion. But without much relatability to families of 2023 (I only remembered Animal as a part of the band), some may say that this band should have stayed in the 70’s and 80’s – where the hardcore Muppets fans live. And we need to talk about the innuendo…
The Muppets Mayhem TV-PG Rating Explained
Is The Muppets Mayhem safe for kids? Another Disney+ series that’s rated TV-PG? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same.
As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option. PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is The Muppets Mayhem rated TV-PG? In The Muppets Mayhem Review | Safe for Kids?, this 10-episode 2023 Muppets show is rated TV-PG for “some mild action, innuendo, and crude humor.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like The Muppets Mayhem is kid friendly. Is The Muppets Mayhem too crude for families to watch? Let’s breakdown that TV-PG age rating in this The Muppets Mayhem parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. It’s a Muppets show. Thankfully, violence and suspense are minimal to none – and mostly for comedic effect. Expect mayhem (including lots of broken things), and a few Muppets flying in the air. There are scenes of car sickness including burping and retching noises (implied vomiting).
Adult Themes. The Muppets and sensual innuendo? Yup, sadly the sexual references for punchline laughs are back for this 10-episode show, similar to the The Muppets 2015 late night show. Innuendo goes deep, even for these old 1970’s Muppet rockers. Multiple references and inferences to being nudity including “pants free hot yoga,” “naked in a hot tub,” “swimsuits optional.” and “bosom.” Dating, romance and relationships come to the forefront including consensual unmarried adults asking to “move in.” Discussions about kissing and referring to objects as “sexy.”
Alcohol and drug verbal and visual references such as holding cocktails, referring to “daquiri o’clock,” eating food then acting slow/dizzy/intoxicated. Other adult themes include grief and loss of family, broken family dynamics, healing old relationships, mental health and self-worth. There’s also use of social media and online gaming references. There are also spirituality discussions and visuals including karma, holistic health and cult followings.
Language. Overall, the foul language and profanity in The Muppets Mayhem is minimal and very on par with the TV-PG rating. While no direct swear words are used, milder insults and bad language phrases include: “h*llscape,” “go beep yourself,” “imbecile,” “dang,” “butts,” “idiots,” “shut up,” “screw it,” “diss,” “dumb,” “hate,” “geez,” and “oh my g-d.”
The Muppets Mayhem Age Rating for Kids
With a runtime of 30 minutes or less per episode, this live action Muppets streaming series is definitely an easy watch, especially for kids and young families. Addition of songs, small side gags, and colorful characters may perk interest.
While being able to stream at home is a plus, I worry about short attention spans and lack of relatability. Without having a connection to the The Electric Mayhem Band and a love for the Muppets, the slow paced story, the more adult humor, and lengthy dialogue may go over the heads of young kids.
This 2023 Disney+ Muppets show is most comparable to The 2015 Muppets Show meets 1996 Muppet Treasure Island. The Muppets Mayhem caters to the old school 1975 Muppets fans with familiar rock songs and musical cameos.
This 2023 Disney+ original series has 10 episodes for Season 1 starring the Muppets Electric Mayhem Band.
This 10-episode 2023 Muppets show streaming on Disney Plus is rated TV-PG for “some mild action, innuendo, and crude humor.“
Yes! All 10 episodes have a very short 5-seconds or less end credit scene. So Muppet fans be sure to fast forward to the end for a laugh.
Based on The Muppets Mayhem parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend The Muppets Mayhem series to kids younger than the age of 6-7 years old.
Considering the full TV-PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend The Muppets Mayhem TV series to kids younger than the age of 6-7 years old. The Muppets Mayhem TV-PG rating is pretty spot on and easily comparable to the Muppets movie series ratings.
With adult innuendo, crude humor, old rock n’ roll references and catering to a niche Muppet fandom, I encourage parents to prescreen the show for appropriateness of adult themes, humor and innuendo for young kids.
The Overall
It’s a walk down memory lane for Muppets fans. But without an easy way to connect almost 5 generations to a band that most kids have never even heard of – it’s just a fan-service for a very, very small niche of a Muppets loving crowd.
Is it watchable? Sure. Even my kids appreciate The Muppets in some respects. The Muppets Mayhem has nods to modern day pop culture, fun cameos, and overall positive Muppets vibe. But with short attention spans and endless streaming possibilities to fill up your very precious time in a day, I don’t think The Muppets Mayhem would even be in my family’s first 20 choices for a show we’d pick to watch. And that’s being kind to my Muppets friends.
Mic drop.
Follow The Muppets Mayhem on social media:
- Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/the-muppets-mayhem
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyPlus/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyplus
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneyplus/
- #TheMuppetsMayhem
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Muppets Mayhem, the all-new 10-episode season 1 will be available for streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen the episodes 1-10 of the new 2023 The Muppets Mayhem television series in exchange for The Muppets Mayhem Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
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