YAAAAAY! That’s the sound Kermit the Frog is making around the Up Late With Miss Piggy offices because ABC has picked up The Muppets for a full season. Well, almost a full season.
ABC did announce on Twitter (through Kermit’s page) that the show has received a full season. However, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that it didn’t receive a full 22-episode season. Instead, the episode order is only for three more, bringing its first season episode count to 16.
The likely reason for a back order that was only a third as big as usual orders is because ABC has a big roster of midseason shows coming up, including two new comedies: The Real O’Neals with Martha Plimpton and Uncle Buck with Mike Epps.
The Muppets was developed by The Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady and 3rd Rock From The Sun’s Bob Kushell. It centers on Kermit and Miss Piggy’s rocky relationship as Kermit produces Piggy’s show.
The series is conceived as a more adult version of The Muppets, and so far, it has done well attracting viewers (at least compared to the show ABC aired in the same timeslot last year, the ill-fated Selfie). The most recent episode had 4.3 million viewers and a 1.4 18-49 rating, notes The Wrap.
ABC has also picked up Dr. Ken and Quantico for full seasons.