Everything Is Awful, But At Least We’ve Got Muppets

Published: January 22, 2025
Categories: Commentary, Feature

Well folks, things are not good out in the real world at the moment.

The fascists have taken power again. Global warming is out of control. Southern California is literally a fiery hellscape. LGBTQI+ rights are at risk. Reproductive rights are at risk. Heck, all of our rights are at risk. Incoming tariffs are about to make things a lot more expensive. School shootings are still a common occurrence. All of our favorite social media apps are imploding before our eyes. Oh, and the Nazis are back.

Truth be told, I’m having a little trouble coping with all of this stuff. It’s truly overwhelming. I’m beyond whelmed. I can’t look at the news without getting depressed or terrified, nor can I bury my head in the sand without feeling hopeless. I can’t even talk about it because then I can’t stop the panic spiral. What’s a Muppet fan to do?

Unfortunately, the answer is: Not much. But for now, we just need to worry about today. So the real question is: What can a Muppet fan do today?

With all the panic of the world coming down on us, the #1 priority for most of us in the short term is going to be to take care of ourselves. We can’t change the world – or even participate in it – if we can’t care for our mental health first.

If you’re looking for a distraction, there’s literally thousands of hours of Muppet content at your fingertips. From your old Muppet Show DVDs to Muppet movies streaming on Disney+ through countless clips on YouTube, you’ll never reach the end. So put something fun on your screen, turn up the volume, and just enjoy the weirdness. May I recommend starting with Gonzo singing “Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues”? For no other reason than to see Gonzo in a tiny car. See? We’re forgetting about our worries already!

What if you need a little hope in humanity? Well, humans seem to be messing things up more than anything else these days, so let’s shift our attention to the Fraggles. Fraggle Rock seems positively utopian, what with their lack of dictators (or, at least any that inflict actual harm – thankfully the Gorgs have bad aim) and attempts at mutual understanding, cohabitation, and preservation. It’s an ideal world to get lost in and maybe pretend we actually live in. If you feel like you don’t have access to Fraggle Rock or the exceptional sequel series Back to the Rock, you can get a free 3-month trial to Apple TV+ and watch it all. Go ahead, you deserve it.

I don’t know about you, but I find it far too easy to get caught up in doomscrolling when left to my own devices. The best way to stop is… get rid of your devices. Okay, I’m not gonna throw out my phone, but it’s a good reminder to leave your home and get out in the real world once in a while. Need someplace to go? How about your local comic book shop? Not only can you support a local business, but you can also check out the new “Jim Henson Presents” comic book, which features stories from Fraggle Rock, Farscape, The Dark Crystal, and more!

One thing I’m a little worried about is the future of social media. Look, it might actually be a good thing to have less social media in the long run, but I’m selfishly panicking a bit about the future of ToughPigs. Chances are you found our little website via a social media site, but with social media sites suffering fascist ownership, the removal of fact checking, or outright bans, how will our fellow Muppet fans find us and join in on the fun? If you’re having similar stresses, maybe check out Bluesky, which so far has been a fun replacement for the other sites. And while you’re at it, maybe follow ToughPigs if you wanna!

Okay, so most of the stuff I mentioned above is all to help distract, which really can be useful. But for some of us, we won’t feel better unless we’re actively helping. And believe me, there are plenty of ways to help without allowing the panic take over. There are a lot of organizations that could use your donations, such as the ACLU, The Trevor Project, or the California Wildfire Relief Fund. Heck, spend two seconds to Google whichever crisis you feel most strongly about and you’ll get dozens of options for charities that could use your monetary assistance, no matter how small. Sure, the preceding paragraph isn’t exactly Muppet-related, but I have found that the Muppet fan community is full of kind, supportive, forward-thinking folks, and I believe we can help make a difference. (Plus, keep an eye on ToughPigs for upcoming fundraisers!)

There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and it is without a doubt overwhelming. But remember that you’re not alone – we’re here for you, and so is the rest of the Muppet fan community. And our shared love of the Muppets isn’t just for laughing at the silly frogs and pigs and bears and weirdos. The Muppets can help our mental health, give us hope, and help keep us moving forward, especially at a time when forward momentum is the most important thing for all of us.

And if all else fails, you have our permission to punch Nazis. It’s what the Muppets would do, after all.

Click here to look to the helpers on the ToughPigs Discord!

by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com

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Written by Joe Hennes

Co-owner and Editor-in-Chief.
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