The days of The Muppet Show might be over, but Jim Henson's creatures of fur and felt are still alive and well. One thing that definitely hasn't changed in the years they've been on the screen is their ever-adapting gift for parody. If it's a book, an Oscar-winning film, or even a theme park ride, the Muppets know how to view it through a comedic lens.
As beloved as their takes on A Christmas Carol and Treasure Island were, the Muppets haven't branched far enough into modern media. While The Muppets was a cult favorite Office parody on ABC, they haven't ventured into anything similar since. And the opportunities are certainly there.
Downton Abbey
This might not sound like a successful avenue at first, but consider how much the Muppets love taking high-brow entertainment like opera and symphonies and dragging them through the proverbial mud with gags and jokes galore. There's no better target for Muppet-styled slapstick than the illustrious halls of Downton Abbey.
In a perfect world, Sam the Eagle would be at the center trying to give a proper tribute to his favorite/guilty pleasure show. Of course, the likes of Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo would be waiting in the alcoves to muck it up with pie-throwing, chickens, and exploding fish.
Better Call Saul
One thing that seems to happen in a variety of Muppet media is the presence of at least one human cast member, usually a very big star. Following in the footsteps of Michael Caine and Tim Curry, Bob Odenkirk would have his acting chops put to the test if he were surrounded by a cast of furrier clients.
Gonzo and Rizzo might not be getting involved with a Mexican drug cartel or laundering away thousands of dollars from The Muppet Show, but there's a wealth of comedic possibility with a character like Saul Goodman dealing with Muppet problems. A self-aware approach would probably be both the most appropriate and the one with the most comedic opportunity.
Star Trek: Picard
Given the fact that their ship is called the Swine Trek, a Pigs in Space crossover with the crew of the Enterprise is long overdue. Picard is perhaps the incarnation of the show currently with the most potential, mainly due to the return of Sir Patrick Stewart to the franchise and the titular role. There's no way he wouldn't say no to a Muppet special that honored and parodied his most iconic role.
Even if the cast of Pigs in Space isn't joined by the rest of the Muppets, the sci-fi lampoon potential is simply too great to pass up. Someday they just might boldly go where no Muppet has gone before.
What We Do In The Shadows
Granted, a take on What We Do In The Shadows will have to have a tonal change, but if the Muppets' take on the Haunted Mansion is any indicator, they can definitely handle a walk on the dark side. Though a guest appearance from the Count as Afansas would be called for.
If a true Muppet-version is to work, it needs to embrace the ridiculousness. The show itself is already pretty far out there, but a version starring Kermit and his friends would have to really push the envelope. It might not be the first series to get the Muppet treatment, but there's a chance it could make for some creepy comedy.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Seeing Fozzie Bear getting to rub elbows with the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel would be an absolute delight. Even if the entirety of the situation takes place in a comedy club, the setup is far too golden to turn down. Throw in characters like Statler and Waldorf in the audience and it's a recipe for comedy gold.
Fozzie's routines have always been hit and miss, but a little guidance from Midge Maisel could go a long way. As for the two elderly hecklers undoubtedly giving unsolicited commentary, there's no way Mrs. Maisel won't put them in their place.
Law And Order
On one hand, a parody of the modern Law and Order series would undoubtedly be a challenging feat to pull off correctly. But seeing as how the Muppets have tackled similar settings in sketches for Muppets Tonight and The Jim Henson Hour, experience would be their greatest aid.
It's not very likely fans would see Kermit and Piggy stepping into the roles of SVU's detectives, although seeing Ice Cube alongside them would be hysterically surreal, a crime drama starring the Muppets would definitely be on the table. If the crimes being committed are as silly as the cast, such as Gonzo's beloved Camilla going missing or a mysterious shipment of boomerang fish being stolen, there's no reason it wouldn't work.
The Walking Dead
If Sesame Street can get away with parodying The Walking Dead there's no way that the Muppets can't do the same. With the marvelous work seen from Jim Henson's Creature Shop, a zombie outbreak would be exceptionally stylistic and over-the-top. Although, the horror elements would have to be pulled back.
That all being said, seeing the Muppets take on zombies would be a strange, but not unwanted, move. However, given the fact that they've tried to lean in a more overly-family-friendly direction in recent years, this concept might be next to impossible.
The Witcher
There's no doubt that if Henry Cavill were to play Geralt amongst a party of Muppet adventurers, he would play it as seriously as a stroke. That would be the beauty of it. The image of Geralt, sword in hand, duking it out with some outlandish felt-covered fiend would be hysterical.
Swap out Jaskier for Pepe the King Prawn and Yennifer for Miss Piggy, and the jokes and gags could write themselves. Although it wouldn't be as visceral as its inspiration, the fans would still eat it with the voraciousness of a Bruxa.
The Mandalorian
Since the Muppets have been owned by the house of mouse for years now, it's about time they did something Star Wars focused. While it's true that Mark Hamill and his companions from A New Hope made their appearance on The Muppet Show, it's been a while since anything further has developed.
While it doesn't necessarily have to be a Mandalorian parody, there's no denying that Kermit or his nephew Robin swapping places with Grogu would have bountiful comedic opportunities. Even if they're the only Muppets in the scenario, it would still be hilarious seeing a felt-made frog amongst the various Star Wars creatures and monsters of the galaxy far, far away.
Stranger Things
A Muppet version of Stranger Things would be a dream come true for a character like Gonzo. Since the Muppets are already quite a strange group of characters, a trip to Hawkins might be one of the biggest opportunities they've had since their close encounters in Muppets In Space.
It can be a fully-puppeteered cast or it could feature appearances by series regulars, but watching them battle an interdimensional threat would certainly be entertaining. While not as dark as the show itself, a confused Demigorgon coming face to face with Eleven and a handful of Muppet companions would be one of the funniest images in or out of the Upside Down.