Abc Finally Decides To Pick Up Muppets

ABC has ordered 13 episodes of a new half-hour Muppets series from Jim Henson Productions for midseason. ABC failed to pick up the original “Muppet Show” series after airing the pilot 20 years ago.

“The New Muppet Show” will feature most, but not all, of the characters from the original “The Muppet Show” series. The original show ran in syndication for 120 episodes from 1976-81, and launched spinoffs including the animated “Muppet Babies” and “The Jim Henson Hour.”

Some characters played by Frank Oz, including Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy, will appear on an occasional basis and new characters will be introduced, said Brian Henson, CEO and chairman of Jim Henson Productions and son of the Muppets creator.

The show is considered a prime candidate for the Sunday 7-8 p.m. hour, where ABC will start the 1995-96 season with two half-hour “America’s Funniest Home Video” telecasts.