In this week’s The Muppets on ABC, "The Ex-Factor," Kermit asks Piggy to help him pick out a present for his new girlfriend. Will Piggy seize the opportunity for friendship, or will she sabotage the relationship just for spite? Find out in today’s recap.
Kermit is getting the show ready to roll and Denise shows up. She asks him to introduce her to Kristin Chenoweth, who is standing with Piggy. Kermit doesn’t want to because it would be awkward and Denise starts to leave. Denise then turns and runs for the stage, interrupting Piggy to introduce herself to Kristin. Kristin thinks Denise is sweet, but Piggy is not amused. Kristin says Piggy handled herself beautifully.
Piggy and Kristin do a duet on Piggy’s show. While the number is on, Yolanda comes to Kermit and tells him she made a lunch reservation for him and Denise for Denise’s birthday tomorrow. She asks if she was supposed to pick up the gift too, but Kermit says Denise didn’t want a present. Yolanda tells him that means Denise is expecting a gift. Kermit says he’s a terrible gift giver.
After the show, Kristin thanks the band and tells them she’s always wanted to perform with them. They ask her to perform for Floyd’s parents’ 40th anniversary party the next night. She agrees.
Kermit holds a meeting with his staff members to get ideas for birthday gifts. They all have terrible ideas. Gonzo suggests asking Piggy because she’s great with gifts. Scooter suggests painting something for Denise at Color Me Mine. He said his mother loved what he made for her there. Kermit decides to try it.
Kermit says he might try painting a unicorn statue for Denise. Scooter says that’s the advanced wall and suggests a salad plate. Scooter is a regular. He tells Kermit there’s no rules, but then tries correcting everything he tries to do. He throws Kermit’s first plate in the “whoopsie bin.” Kermit’s next plate is a painting of his first date with Denise. Scooter thinks the table is a hippo and the Denise figure looks like a giraffe. He convinces Kermit to throw that plate in the ‘whoopsie bin” as well.
Back at the studio, Kermit is desperate and asks Piggy for help. When she finds out the gift is for Denise, she asks Kermit for personal details, but works in little digs about Denise for all of his answers. She asks what Kermit and Denise’s song is. She reminds him that theirs was “You are the Sunshine of My Life.” Piggy tries to take Kermit shopping, but Yolanda reminds him that he has a meeting, leaving Piggy to shop alone.
In the tour bus, the band and Kristin are headed for the desert. She tries to make conversation and asks how long Floyd and Janice have been together. Janice says she’s not anyone’s lady and Floyd is upset. Dr. Teeth tells Floyd not to try to tie her down and mentions that he used to date Janice as well which upsets Floyd even more. Dr. Teeth says he doesn’t have to explain himself; that this is his band. This starts an argument between all the band members.
At Denise’s birthday lunch, Kermit calls Piggy from the bathroom to ask where she is with the gift. He tries to drag out lunch until she shows up, but Denise says she needs to leave for a meeting. He says he needs to at least sing to her and starts making up a 52 verse intro. Then he spots Piggy through the window and tells Denise to wait. Piggy hands him the bag that has a jewelry box made of Georgia’s state tree with a charm bracelet inside that has a silver ketchup bottle because Denise puts ketchup on everything. Kermit thanks her and Piggy gives him her receipts for the gift and her lobster lunch for him to reimburse.
Back out in the desert, the band has stepped out of the bus to argue. Kristin tries to calm things down, but they blame her for starting the fight and leave her to fend for herself while they drive away.
Denise loves her gifts and notices a switch on the jewelry box. It plays “You are the Sunshine of My Life” which unnerves Kermit. The camera pans to Piggy outside. She says she’d do anything for Kermit because they’re friends, but asking your ex to buy a gift for your girlfriend is messed up. She thinks he understands that now.
Rizzo and Pepe meet Scooter at Color Me Mine. Rizzo is painting with his tail and Pepe is hitting on the female patrons. Scooter says his happy place is now soiled. He goes home to be with his mom.