The Alan Arkin episode is vintage Muppets. I understand some people didn't like the level of violence in this episode, which actually isn't that bad. The Muppets isn't supposed to be Sesame Street, anyway. The whole plot revolves around Arkin (and later Kermit) taking some of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's Jekyll and Hyde potion, which turns them into monsters. Arkin goes berserk both on Beaker (natch), then the bunny rabbits in the "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" sketch, which allows some quirky physical humour. And, Kermit is rather funny looking as Hyde.
Before Arkin shows up, the Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah number is plenty good in Muppet-style, but the big highlight of this episode is the Muppets' take on the great song, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, which tells the story engagingly and is fantastic in its puppetry and effects. The Devil shows up later in another number, this time set in heaven, and this is also highly enjoyable. Again, the Muppets isn't Sesame Street, and as with what we saw in the Alice Cooper episode, The Muppets isn't afraid to get Satanic once in a while.
There are some other numbers in this episode not quite as memorable. The Alan Arkin episode is worth its place in the Muppet canon, though, for the Devil sketches alone.
Before Arkin shows up, the Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah number is plenty good in Muppet-style, but the big highlight of this episode is the Muppets' take on the great song, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, which tells the story engagingly and is fantastic in its puppetry and effects. The Devil shows up later in another number, this time set in heaven, and this is also highly enjoyable. Again, the Muppets isn't Sesame Street, and as with what we saw in the Alice Cooper episode, The Muppets isn't afraid to get Satanic once in a while.
There are some other numbers in this episode not quite as memorable. The Alan Arkin episode is worth its place in the Muppet canon, though, for the Devil sketches alone.
