Developing the perfect sitcom is what every writer dreams of doing. Given the legacy of the genre, getting your foot in the door can sometimes be a challenge in and of itself. But then, keeping it on the air is the battle. There have certainly been some wallops of flops over the years. Not just because you have a major name—Whoopi Goldberg, Bette Midler, even Emeril Lagasse—doesn’t mean it’s going to be a surefire hit.

But then there are the cases of really strong shows that, for reasons beyond our control, get axed well before their expiration date. Maybe it was low ratings, too much competition, a risky concept, or simply the timing; losing a beloved sitcom can be a gut punch for the creators, actors, and fans alike. It’s time to take a trip down memory lane and remember the sitcoms that got the axe before we were ready. Let’s raise a glass and give them one last hurrah as they live rent-free in our minds.

1

‘Rutherford Falls’ (2021–2022)

Image via Peacock

Being one of the first shows to help launch a streaming app is not an easy task. When Peacock first went live in 2020, it just so happened to be the same year as the COVID-19 pandemic. While we were all stuck at home, not everyone was eager to turn to something new. Especially a new streamer. Among some of the first titles to join Peacock was the severely underappreciated Rutherford Falls. Created by Ed Helms, Michael Schur, and Sierra Teller Ornelas, the series follows the unlikely friendship between history buff Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Native American museum curator Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding) in their quirky titular small town. A crisis of friendship is tested when the mayor (Dana L. Wilson) decides to move a statue of Nathan’s ancestor, the town founder, because drivers keep hitting it. Nathan embarks on an idealistic campaign to keep the statue in place. Reagan has to juggle loyalty to her friend and to her people, the Minishonka Nation. Using comedy and irony to highlight the biases that are present in today’s society surrounding Native Americans.

Rutherford Falls used a marginalized community and a white community to compare and contrast society’s views on their heritage and preservation throughout. It was praised for its authentic Native perspectives to mainstream comedy, focusing on community, identity, and everyday colonialism with heart and humor. But then, it was yanked. Despite critical praise, it was a battle between acclaim versus performance. Because of low viewership, the ultimate excuse was that Rutherford Falls was cancelled as a result of a cost-cutting measure. Ornelas attempted to shop the series around, but it didn’t pan out. The reality was that timing was everything. Perhaps if it had arrived a hair sooner or after lockdown was lifted and Peacock was more established, we’d be celebrating Rutherford Falls as a triumphant series.

2

‘The Ropers’ (1979–1980)

Image via ABC

Spin-offs are hard. Not only do you have to live up to the hype of the original series, but you also have to expand upon it and make it even better. After the massive success of Three’s Company, ABC was desperate to capitalize on the series, and fast. After the first season, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley were asked whether they would move their characters, Stanley and Helen Roper, to their own series. They passed, but the network was persistent. With Fell fearful of the series flopping and thus being out of a job and an iconic role, it eventually took some convincing, and a guarantee that he could return to the main series, The Ropers was finally born.

At first, the show did well. Feeding off the new iteration of Three’s Company, now with Don Knotts as the new landlord, The Ropers put the married couple in a new light. Having sold their apartment building, they move to Cheviot Hills, where social climber Helen attempts to fit in with the community, as Stanley does little to acquiesce. And thus, the comedy of the series. Believing it was a surefire hit anywhere ABC put it, the show was moved from Tuesday nights to Saturdays, and it bombed. Somehow, believing the show would appeal to a younger demographic, it failed, and thus, The Ropers was cancelled. While Fell tried to return to Three’s Company, the popularity of Knott’s Ralph Furley essentially prevented Stanley from returning full-time. Though the Ropers made one final appearance, the two iconic characters were forced into retirement.

3

‘Happy Endings’ (2011–2013)

Image via ABC

When your cancellation is deemed the “worst TV decision,” you know that’s worth something. Yet, that doesn’t soften the blow of having your series end before it should have. This is the story of the three-season hit Happy Endings. The series followed the antics of six best friends in Chicago: loving married couple, the overacheiver Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and perfectionist Jane (Eliza Coupe), ditzy Alex (Elisha Cuthbert), daydreamer Dave (Zachary Knighton), slacker Max (Adam Pally), and party animal Penny (Casey Wilson). As the dynamic shifts, the comedy remains. The 2010s response to Friends and How I Met Your Mother, Happy Endings was a tight relationship sitcom that still managed to be refreshing. But if there’s one type of refreshing that can kill a series, it’s when you refresh the weekly lineup.

Despite the third season earning critical acclaim, ABC took a drastic measure and moved the series from Wednesdays first to Tuesdays and then eventually the death spot of Friday night. Back in the ’90s, ABC triumphed with a Friday night block, but that heyday had been so far removed that attempting to revitalize the evening with a beloved show was simply just a risk. Even being applauded as an underrated and under-watched series, ratings are everything. As much as fans tried to get the show shopped and revived, it was of no use. Happy Endings was a great series gone too soon.

4

‘Better Off Ted’ (2009–2010)

Image via ABC

With the rise of single-camera comedies taking over the ’00s, every network tried to capitalize on the new fad. But that also meant exploring an array of risky concepts. Not that satire is that brazen, but alas. Created by Victor Fresco, Better Off Ted followed the titular Ted Crisp (Jay Harrington), a single father and head of research and development at the soulless conglomerate of Veridian Dynamics. With the use of narration, Ted tends to break the fourth wall for comedic purposes. A witty approach to the workplace comedy, Better Off Ted lived in a similar realm to Arrested Development, and not just because Portia de Rossi was in the main ensemble.

Critics loved the concept, noting it as ahead of its time; but that didn’t translate into viewership. Audiences didn’t tune in enough. Fresco had felt that the series was not given fair promotion or enough time to build an audience, but the bigger problem was Better Off Ted was too smart for the time slot. ABC tended to place classic sitcoms in Better Off Ted‘s space, so audiences expecting a wholesome comedy instead found a surrealistic, rapid-fire show. Though the cast has reunited from time to time, the series lives on through its cult following.

5

‘Samantha Who?’ (2007–2009)

Image via ABC

After making her name as a young actress on Married with Children, it was finally time for Christina Applegate to lead her own show. Proving that she could handle the pressure thanks to an array of guest spots, including her brilliant recurring role on Friends, she got her shot on ABC’s Samantha Who? The title went through a few name changes before settling on the final answer. The series followed Applegate as Samantha Newly, who develops retrograde amnesia after a hit-and-run. Upon awakening, she discovers that her old self was selfish and unlikeable, so she sets off on a mission to rectify her past, making amends with everyone in her life. A brilliant concept with a strong cast, which also included Melissa McCarthy and Jean Smart, Samantha Who? had all the makings of a hit, and it did. Until that pesky schedule change.

For the first season, Samantha Who? was the highest rated sitcom on television, surpassing Two and a Half Men, which had previously held the honor. As a Monday night series that had a strong lead-in with Dancing with the Stars, Samantha Who? was golden. Then, by Season 2, things changed. Moving the air slot, the series featured a new lead-in: the failed series In the Motherhood. While the ultimate excuse was the inability to slash its budget to warrant a third season, its move to Thursday destroyed the following it once had. A truly smart series with a wonderfully mature performance from Applegate, Samantha Who? deserved a longer journey on television.

6

‘Kevin Can F**k Himself’ (2021–2022)

Image via AMC

Riding high off of the success of Schitt’s Creek, it was finally time for Annie Murphy to go solo. Created by Valerie Armstrong, AMC picked up a bold and incredibly risky series called Kevin Can F**k Himself. A riff off of the CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait, which was criticized for how the lead character’s wife was written off the series, the AMC show took the incident as a jumping off point. The premise followed Allison McRoberts (Murphy), a woman struggling to redefine her life amid an unhappy marriage to her husband, Kevin (Eric Petersen), a narcissistic man-child whose treatment of Allison was borderline domestic abuse. The twist of the series was how the show was presented through contrasting perspectives. In one format, it was through a typical mutli-cam sitcom. The other, when Allison was navigating her personal struggles, was told through a dramatic single-camera approach.

By breaking television conventions, Kevin Can F**k Himself set itself apart from anything on TV. Especially what was on the network it was airing on. Perhaps the struggle was this was not the typical AMC show viewers watched on the cable channel. AMC made the decision to end the series after two seasons, similar to other series at the time. Further, it came down to a creative decision from Armstrong who felt, after Allison’s liberation, the story had concluded. Now, this did not bode well with the fans. Murphy’s star vehicle was exceptional, but in a self-contained world of television, some shows prefer not to overextend themselves to the dismay of its viewers.

7

‘Freaks and Geeks’ (1999–2000)

Image via NBC

Surely you’ve heard of the mythical teen comedy Freaks and Geeks. Maybe you didn’t watch it, but the series has been discussed for decades thanks to the individuals involved who became some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow, Freaks and Geeks was set in the fictional town of Chippewa, Michigan at a suburban Detroit high school at the start of the ’80s. Lindsay Weird (Linda Cardellini) and her younger brother, Sam (John Fracis Daley), attend the same school with different friend groups. Lindsay is part of the freaks, alongside Daniel Desario (James Franco), Ken Miller (Seth Rogen), Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel), and Kim Kelly (Busy Philipps). Sam’s friends are the geeks, comprised of Neal Schwieber (Samm Levine) and Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr). And thus, the title Freaks and Geeks. Littered with nostalgia, Freaks and Geeks was the show that never had the chance to soar.

The series’ ability to lampoon adolescence was a major draw into the show’s success. Even with Emmy nominations and critical praise, if you’re a victim of erratic scheduling, there’s little hope of remaining on screen. Compared to the network’s massive hits like Frasier and Friends earning double the viewers, Freaks and Geeks was an easy target to give cancellation to. Further, having to compete with the juggernaut game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, it was near impossible to have any safety net. The direction of the series did not align between network and creator, so they cut the chord. While many sitcoms have come and gone, essentially being lost to time, the legacy lives on thanks to the success of the individuals involved. As Apatow put it, “Everything I’ve done, in a way, is revenge for the people who cancelled Freaks and Geeks.”

8

‘Two Guys and a Girl’ (1998–2001)

Image via ABC

I like to believe I have an eye for talent because I was obsessed with Ryan Reynolds on Two Guys and a Girl, or Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place as it was originally titled. Unlike some titles on this list, Two Guys and a Girl did have a decently healthy run. However, when you end on a cliffhanger, the devoted fans will riot. I know I certainly did! Let’s back up to the premise. The original premise follows Pete (Richard Ruccolo), Berg (Reynolds), and Sharon (Traylor Howard), three friends in their twenties, as they navigate life, love, and careers in Boston. Starting at the pizza place they worked at during college, the series eventually expanded to focus on their post-collegiate lives, including the expansion of recurring characters, Johnny Donnelly (Nathan Fillion) and Ashley Walker (Suzanne Cryer).

Built upon the extraordinary chemistry of the lead trio, Two Guys and a Girl was a major hit during its run. But then, like other titles, ABC decided to move the series to the Friday night death spot, where it had a steep decline in ratings. After the shock result, the network tried to place it back to Wednesdays to restore its former glory, but it was too late. The series finale ended up being an episode called “The Internet Show.” It was an interactive show in which the fans of the show voted on the outcome online. The premise of the episode led to four different endings in whch each of the women believed they might be pregnant. The hope was to have the winner, who was Ashley, give birth by the end of Season 5. But that season never came to fruition as the show was canceled. It was a major blow, but that’s the business!

9

‘Pushing Daisies’ (2007–2009)

This one still stings. It’s time to discuss the uniquely whimsical Pushing Daisies. Created by Bryan Fuller, the series followed Ned (Lee Pace), a pie-maker with the ability to bring things back to life with his touch. Of course, this power came with a stipulation. Alongside his formerly deceased childhood crush Chuck (Anna Friel), co-worker Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth), and private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride), Ned and co use his special ability to solve murders. With a cast that also featured Swoosie Kurtz as Lily, Chuck’s agoraphobic birth mother, and Ellen Greene as Vivian, Chuck’s aunt, the brilliant ensemble helped make the series wonderfully charming and aesthetically delightful. But after two seasons, Pushing Daisies died, and it was unable to be brought back to life by Ned.

Timing is everything, and because of the 2007–2008 writers’ strike, Pushing Daisies suffered from fully coming to fruition. With the first season being impacted, Fuller went on to focus on the ordered second season. But when ratings declined, presumably due to the aftermath of television limbo, ABC opted not to order additional episodes beyond the second season’s initial pick-up. With so many more stories to tell, Fuller had hoped to expand the series into other media, but it never happened. A quirky and distinct series, Pushing Daisies truly never had its time to blossom.

10

‘Sports Night’ (1998–2000)

Image via ABC

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One of the greatest entertainment writers of all time is Aaron Sorkin. If there is one thing he knows how to do, it’s write a story about the inner workings of a workplace. Before The West Wing or Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip or The Newsroom was Sports Night. Pulling the curtain back on a SportsCenter style show, Sorkin’s series focused on the professional and personal lives of the on and off-air staff producing a live nightly cable sports news show. Centering on anchor duo Casey McCall (Peter Krause) and Dan Rydell (Josh Charles) and executive producer Dana Whitaker (Felicity Huffman), Sports Night was notorious for Sorkin’s infamous “walk and talk,” as well as his fast-paced dialogue that captured the thematic elements of journalism ethics and the navigation of network pressure. A brilliant series that featured a dynamite ensemble that also included Joshua Malina and William H. Macy, it seemed as if ABC had a hit on its hands, but when the new millennium arrived, Sports Night departed.

Even through its smart writing, stellar cast, and unique direction, Sports Night struggled to find a devoted and dedicated audience. Because audiences expected a laugh riot and received something more in line with a dramedy, there was a disconnect. Perhaps it was ahead of its time or even on the right network. Sorkin did have the opportunity to move the series to another network, including Showtime; yet, he opted to dedicate all of his time to The West Wing on NBC. History tells us that it was the right decision, but the reality remains that Sports Night was one of Sorkin’s greatest projects.

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Sunrise is prominently known for iconic anime such as Cowboy Bebop and Gundam, but the studio is also acclaimed for producing one of the best-written sci-fi dramas of all time! While 2024 marked the first North American exposure and global release of Makoto Yukimura’s cult classic anime adaptation Planetes, Crunchyroll’s addition of science fiction to its library has sparked celebration and new attention to the forgotten show that redefined the space genre. In 2026, the series is still streaming on Crunchyroll (and via the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel), though it’s now locked behind a subscription after the free trial.

Unlike the typical narrative in space — often featuring larger-than-life battles or alien encounters — Planetes takes a grounded, realistic approach to the cosmos. Airing in 2003 and set in the year 2075, the series follows members of the “Debris Section” on DS-12 Toy Box as they carry out the dangerous, thankless task of clearing space junk orbiting Earth. The 26-episode anime has earned a devoted following over the years for tackling “blue-collar” themes with romance, humor, and psychological depth.

‘Planetes’ Is a Blue Collar Story of the Humanistic Lives of Space Debris Collectors

Image via Sunrise

By focusing on the external and internal challenges that space poses for ordinary people, Yukimura’s Planetes holds a unique place in anime history. One of anime’s most defining features is its commitment to portraying space with the working class! In contrast to Vinland Saga‘s pacifist adventure, Planetes is set in 2075 and follows the lives of the “Debris Section” of the Technora Corporation. The team, often nicknamed “Half Section” due to its lack of funding and low status, is tasked with removing dangerous space debris from Earth’s orbit. Although it’s an unglamorous job, their work is essential to the safety of other space missions.

The plot centers on Ai Tanabe (Satsuki Yukino), a rookie recruit who believes in the power of love and teamwork, and Hachirota “Hachimaki” Hoshino (Kazunari Tanaka), a jaded and ambitious debris collector who dreams of owning his own spaceship. As they navigate the physical and emotional challenges of their job, they confront issues like loneliness, fear, and existential questions about their purpose in space. Other key characters include Fee Carmichael (Ai Orikasa), the chain-smoking section manager who cares deeply about environmental problems, and Yuri Mihairokov (Takehito Koyasu), a calm, thoughtful astronaut haunted by the loss of his wife in a space accident. Together, they deal with corporate bureaucracy and office romance, all while facing personal growth and the struggles that come with life in orbit.

Instead of centering on elite astronauts or daring explorers, Planetes puts the spotlight on an often-overlooked aspect of space: the maintenance workers. This focus on the blue-collar heroes of space offers a refreshing perspective that is rarely explored in the sci-fi genre. By depicting the lives of everyday workers, each character brings a unique perspective and motivation to the job, from Hachimaki’s dream of owning his own spaceship to Fee’s fierce dedication to her family and underappreciated job. Hachimaki, he is mostly driven by ambition and a desire to make a name for himself, yet his journey as a debris collector forces him to confront his worst fears. His arc, which includes a profound existential crisis, explores what it truly means to find direction in life.

Planetes doesn’t just ask what it takes to balance work and private life, but what triggers people to explore it! In doing so, the anime is given a slice-of-life feel rather than high-stakes heroics. Moreso, the show dazzles twice as brightly because of its interactive setting and forward-thinking art style.

‘Planetes’ Art Style Focuses on the Authenticity of a Space World in 2075

The visual style of Planetes further reinforces its realistic tone with an art style that prioritizes authenticity in an imaginary 2075. The designs of spacecraft, space suits, and stations are grounded in current technology, lending a sense of believability to the series’ depiction of space. The animators took care to represent the effects of zero gravity accurately, with characters floating, maneuvering carefully, and using handholds and tethers. This attention to technical detail adds to the show’s immersive quality, allowing the viewer to escape through the open society of Technora Corporation firsthand.

Directed by Gorō Taniguchi, author Yukimura’s imagination blooms in a full circle. What makes Planetes feel so alive is that it depicts a futuristic world where humans can be born and live on the moon (these types are called Lunarians), who operate like any ordinary person. The show backs up the possibility of this bizarre community by creatively showing space workers going about everyday business like shopping, hanging out at cafés, and even renting a motel for a private rendezvous. Just like the characters, the lived-in concept is well fleshed out to a convincing scale, which makes the show much more addictive.

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Sound design also plays a crucial role in Planetes, with silent scenes capturing the eeriness of the vacuum of space and moments of intense quiet emphasizing the isolation the characters feel. Combined with the evocative music score composed by Kōtarō Nakagawa, this careful sound design brings a cinematic aesthetic to the series that can rival the allure of Cowboy Bebop‘s space background.

As a Cult Classic, ‘Planetes’ Also Tackles Environmental Issues and Corporate Exploitation

If you thought Planetes couldn’t get any deeper, think again. Sunrise’s underrated classic highlights the environmental impact of human activity. The duty of the Toy Box employees is a clear allegory for pollution on Earth, emphasizing humanity’s tendency to neglect ecological responsibility. By tackling this subject, Planetes calls for the need for eco-friendly practices even beyond our planet, reminding us that our actions have consequences, no matter where we go.

Planetes also examines issues of class disparity and corporate exploitation in space exploration. In the anime, space travel is largely controlled by powerful corporations and wealthy nations, leaving poorer countries and individuals at a disadvantage. This unequal distribution of resources is evident in the Debris Section’s limited funding and the dismissive attitude toward its workers. By exploring the socio-economic inequalities of its fictional workspace, Planetes offers a commentary on the real-world challenges of globalization and corporate power. These themes make the anime relevant, reflecting real concerns about opportunity in a future where space is the new frontier.

Most importantly, the critical success of Makoto Yukimura’s Planetes has become a beloved cult classic and a sci-fi darling rooted in love. Its realistic approach, focusing on blue-collar workers, and exploration of ethical and existential questions helped pave the way for other sci-fi works that emphasize the human condition. The anime demonstrates that stories set in space can instead find beauty and meaning in the everyday struggles and dreams of ordinary people. For fans of moving storytelling, Planetes is an incredible honor for such a heartwarming journey that redefined what science fiction anime can achieve.

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Release Date

2003 – 2004-00-00

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  Kazunari Tanaka

  Hachirouta Hoshino

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Planetes is available to stream on Crunchyroll now!

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 29 seconds ago

Long before I found my passion for digging up movies that play better than their critical reputations suggest, Kevin Smith made a little horror comedy in 2014 called Tusk that I completely wrote off and forgot about thanks to its 45 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. Having since spent years reviewing movies with single-digit scores that I feel are better than some of their critically acclaimed counterparts, I finally decided to give this one a go. In my mind, 45 percent probably translates to at least a B minus based on how I personally rate films.

I’m admittedly a bit squeamish when it comes to body horror, though I’ll still check out films like Possessor and Stopmotion if the synopsis sounds compelling enough. And let me tell you something. Justin Long getting transformed into a walrus sounds pretty compelling for one very specific reason.

I used to hate Justin Long because he always plays a jerk. After watching movies like Barbarian and The Wave and thoroughly enjoying them for this exact reason, I’ve come to appreciate that this is where his talent really lies. Given how much fun he seems to have playing a jerk in nearly every project he’s in, I’ve started to believe he’s probably disproportionately nice in real life and living vicariously through his characters. Add Kevin Smith’s twisted sense of humor to the equation, and Tusk becomes essential viewing for anyone who loves violent and bizarre B-movie schlock.

Starts With A Podcast

Justin Long’s Wallace Bryton, sporting his best Anthony Kiedis mustache, is introduced through his offensive podcast, The Not-See Party, where he and his cohost Teddy Craft (Haley Joel Osment) roast viral videos. Following a lead about a Manitoba-based, katana swinging teenager known as the Kill Bill Kid, Wallace is disappointed to discover that the subject of the video committed suicide, meaning he traveled to Canada for nothing.

In an attempt to salvage his trip while still generating content, Wallace hears about a man named Howard Howe (Michael Parks), whose flyer claims travelers can live with him for free so long as they listen to stories about his life. Driving out to the middle of nowhere, Wallace prepares for what he believes will be the interview of a lifetime. Instead, he’s drugged and slowly stitched into a human sized walrus suit.

Production Values That Transcend Its Budget

Despite its meager, three million dollar production budget, the practical body horror effects in Tusk are more than solid. We get graphic closeups of Wallace during and after his transformation, and they’re absolutely nauseating in the best possible way. Justin Long’s look of bewildered distress really sells the entire ordeal. He starts the movie overly confident and smug, only to end up as a man trapped inside a walrus’s body.

Since I’ve personally never been sewn into a lifelike walrus suit made from scraps of my own amputated limbs against my will, I can’t say how I’d react in a similar situation. What I can say is that Long sells it convincingly, so credit where it’s due.

The best part of Tusk, though, is Johnny Depp. It feels like the role of Guy LaPointe was written specifically for him, even though reports suggest it was originally written for Quentin Tarantino, who passed on it. Depp is enthusiastic, eccentric, haunted by his past, and driven by his obsession with Howard. He carries himself like a flask-swigging, hard-boiled private detective who’s well past his prime.

While I enjoyed Tusk well enough before his arrival, Johnny Depp’s presence and ability to command every scene he’s in is what truly sealed the deal for me.

An interesting take on body horror mixed with comedy, Tusk isn’t for everyone, but I’m glad I finally got around to watching it. It has the same sick sense of humor you’d expect from Kevin Smith, but it’s focused squarely on this specific genre, showing his range in ways that characters like Jay and Silent Bob simply can’t. Once again haunted by the realization that I could have watched this movie over a decade ago and enjoyed it just as much, it’s another reminder of why you should always take what critics say with a grain of salt.

As of this writing, Tusk is streaming on Netflix.

James Van Der Beek
Bought Texas Ranch 1 Month Before Death

Published
February 13, 2026
5:30 PM PST

The Muppet Show recently made its grand return in the form of a Disney+ special, and by all accounts, it was a major success. In addition to bringing back fan-favorite Muppets like Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear, The Muppet Show also featured incredible guest stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen; it also skyrocketed in ratings, proving the Muppets still hold a place in people’s hearts and in pop culture. However, this praise is marred by controversy over Disney’s decision to use generative AI in an image promoting The Muppet Show.

The Muppet-themed podcast Kermitment was the first to notice the use of generative AI in Disney+’s header for The Muppet Showand posted a lengthy thread on Twitter breaking down inconsistencies, including Miss Piggy appearing without gloves. For any Muppet fan, that would set off warning bells, since it’s a large part of her character, and soon fans took to the internet to voice their displeasure. Disney would eventually remove the image, but the damage was done, and it points to a concerning trend in Hollywood that’s only beginning to grow.

‘The Muppet Show’ Works Because of Its Practical Effects, Not AI

Image via Disney+

The biggest draw of The Muppet Show, beyond speculating which movie could work if you replaced the actors with Muppets, is the creative energy that goes into bringing the characters to life. The late, great Jim Henson used a combination of puppetry and practical effects that made each Muppet feel like a distinct character; that creativity even extended to the voices, since his performance as Kermit influenced future performers. Henson’s signature style was a major influence on The Muppet Show director Alex Timbers, who discussed how he used the same tricks as the original Muppet Show to bring his special to life with the Los Angeles Times​​​​​​.

“If you’re dealing with a Muppet to Muppet scene, everything has to be in 3/4 scale. If there’s a human in the scene with the Muppet, it’s a 7/8 scale. There are all these little tricks to make sure that a mug feels the right size for Kermit and for that desk to feel the right height…The math of it is really challenging, but also really rewarding.”

By using generative AI in its marketing for The Muppet Show, Disney is either deliberately or unconsciously downplaying the effort that went into bringing the special to life. Given that previous shows on ABC and Disney+ were short-lived, and the classic MuppetVision 3D attraction at Walt Disney World was recently shut down, it’s looking more and more like the House of Mouse has no idea how to use the Muppets. The AI controversy isn’t helping, but it might not be the only time you hear “Muppets” and “AI” in the same sentence.

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Disney Embracing AI Goes Against The Muppets’ Creative Vision

Disney recently made waves when it announced a $1 billion deal with OpenAI, allowing users to use OpenAI’s Sora platform to generate images of its characters. The idea of Kermit and friends being shoved through an AI generator feels unsettling, but that’s the least of Muppet fans’ worries. In an interview with Variety, Disney board chairman James Gorman revealed that newly minted chief creative officer Dana Walden plans to incorporate AI into future movies and TV. Combined with the revelation that newly hired CEO Josh D’Amaro also intends to push AI, it feels like Disney is going in the opposite direction from what makes the Muppets special. You can’t replicate the magical mix of puppetry and effects with AI, no matter how Silicon Valley might sell it.

The Muppet Show thrived for 50 years because of the hard work behind the scenes, and the only way it can continue thriving is for that work to continue. Instead of spending money on AI, Disney should market The Muppet Show as aggressively as possible.

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Release Date

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February 4, 2026

Director

Alex Timbers

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Writers

Albertina Rizzo, Kelly Younger, Jim Henson

Producers

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Matt Vogel, Seth Rogen, Alex McAtee, Eric Jacobson, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Sabrina Carpenter, Michael Steinbach, David Lightbody

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

Recently, Starfleet Academy released an episode intended to celebrate Deep Space Nine legend Benjamin Sisko, complete with holographic character SAM taking a virtual trip through the Sisko Museum. The museum is filled with artifacts important to the Starfleet officer’s life, including the baseball that he always kept in his office on the station. One of those artifacts is the typewriter owned by Benny Russell, and while this is a great way to honor the episode “Far Beyond the Stars,” this particular tribute to the captain and Sisko actor Avery Brooks makes no sense whatsoever.

First, some context: in “Far Beyond the Stars,” Captain Sisko begins receiving strange visions from the Prophets in which he is a 1950s sci-fi writer named Benny Russell. The writer’s crowning achievement is a series of stories set on a space station named Deep Space Nine, but as a Black man, he is having trouble publishing these stories due to the rampant racism of the time period. His story is ultimately suppressed by the sci-fi magazine that he writes for because it features a Black man as its hero, and Benny collapses, only to pop up in an asylum in a later episode.

The Dreamer And The Dream

This vision had a profound impact on Benjamin Sisko: moved by the notion that he is “both the dreamer and the dream,” he is inspired to stay on Deep Space Nine and lead the fight against the Dominion. Because of this, you might think the presence of Benny Russell’s typewriter in the Sisko Museum would make perfect sense. But it’s actually crazy for many reasons, including the fact that, until a few years ago, there was no real Benny Russell in the Trek canon!

In Deep Space Nine, Benny only appeared to Sisko in visions, first by the Prophets and later by the Pah-Wraiths. We never see Sisko look up the historical Benny, implying that he doesn’t exist; in fact, the Star Trek Encyclopedia entry for Benny Russell claims that he “may have existed in an alternate reality, or perhaps only in certain reaches of Ben Sisko’s mind.” The fact that Benny didn’t previously exist is likely what Jake Sisko actor Cirroc Lofton was referring to in a recent TrekMovie interview, where he declared that the typewriter in the museum “technically…does not exist.”

The Dream Suddenly Became Real

However, Strange New Worlds retconned Benny Russell into existence by revealing that he wrote a book, The Kingdom of Elysian, that Dr. M’Benga liked to read to his daughter as a bedtime story. At the time, this was more of an Easter egg than anything else. The fictional tale had to be written by someone, so why not choose a beloved character known for writing sci-fi stories?

This brings us up to Benny’s typewriter appearing in Starfleet Academy, something that seems more impossible now than ever before. You see, it’s easy enough to accept that he was a real writer within the fictional canon of Star Trek. But how would Benjamin Sisko have gotten the actual typewriter from a failed writer who died centuries ago? 

The Most Confusing Museum In The Galaxy

Of course, whether Benny failed as a writer is something of an open question. On Deep Space Nine, we see him as a man who goes crazy after his sci-fi masterpiece isn’t published, and he gets committed to a psychiatric hospital after a delusional breakdown. It’s never made clear exactly how he went from being someone who couldn’t publish his magnum opus to a published, respected writer whose works are still being enjoyed centuries in the future.

Even if you can accept that Benny Russell was real (like, did all of his friends actually look like the entire cast of Deep Space Nine?) and that he became famous and successful, there’s still one last question: how does anyone know about any kind of relationship between Sisko and this relatively obscure 20th-century writer? In DS9, it was implied that the only person he told about Benny Russell was his own father, Joseph Sisko; maybe he told Dr. Bashir, but this information would presumably been protected by doctor/patient confidentiality.

One More Thing About Sisko That Makes No Sense

It’s possible that Sisko filed a report about this to Starfleet, but that seems unlikely; after all, he would be admitting to having the equivalent of a mental breakdown while he was spearheading Starfleet’s war with the Dominion. That would be a bad look for anyone, and we know that Sisko doesn’t have a problem with keeping information from Starfleet. That’s one of the big lessons of “In the Pale Moonlight”: that he’s not afraid of omitting information, especially in the name of the greater good.

All of this adds up to the typewriter in Starfleet Academy being something of a paradox: longtime Star Trek fans understand its importance, but it’s unclear how Sisko would have obtained it, much less why the museum would have displayed it as one of his most prized possessions. Still, it makes for a fun Easter egg, one that continues to keep the fandom talking. Now, those fans are left with one final question: what else will we learn about Benny Russell that completely changes what we know about Star Trek?

Amber Heard
All Smiles In Spain As Johnny Films Hollywood Return

Published
February 13, 2026
6:00 PM PST

The FBI and Pima County police are reportedly investigating new footage of a possible intruder approaching a home near where Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, disappeared.

TMZ has obtained Ring camera footage that showed a goateed person approaching the front door of a home located 6.5 miles away from where Nancy lives in the Tucson, Arizona, area. The footage — which was apparently shot one week before Nancy’s disappearance — shows a person backing up to the door before turning around to seemingly tamper with a security camera.

The security video was reportedly recorded at 5 a.m. PT on January 23. The homeowner posted the footage on Ring’s Neighbors app and wrote that the alleged intruder rang the doorbell before ultimately fleeing when a dog started barking.

A law enforcement source connected to the Guthrie case told TMZ that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are aware of the footage and are actively investigating it. While there is no definitive link between this possible intruder and the suspect in the Guthrie case, both appeared to have similar facial hair. (Separate security videos showed that the suspect in the Guthrie case had visible facial hair even while wearing a ski mask.)

Related: Nancy Guthrie’s Neighbor Reacts to ‘Terrifying’ Surveillance Video

Nancy Guthrie‘s neighbor is speaking out after the FBI released surveillance footage of a possible subject amid the search for Savannah Guthrie‘s mother. “It was startling and a bit terrifying,” Laura Gargano, who has lived around the corner from Nancy, 84, for over a decade, told CNN on Wednesday, February 11. “But I immediately went […]

Us Weekly has reached out to law enforcement for comment.

An FBI spokesperson told Us: “The FBI does not provide comment on ongoing investigations.”

On Thursday, February 12, the FBI released an official description of the suspect as “a male, approximately 5’9” – 5’10” tall, with an average build. In [a newly-obtained security] video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.” Federal officials confirmed they’d received 13,000 tips from the public related to Nancy’s disappearance — and were doubling their offer from $50,000 to $100,000 for any information that led to her rescue or recovery.

“Today, the FBI is increasing its reward up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance,” FBI Phoenix announced via X on Thursday. “New identifying details about the suspect in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie have been confirmed after a forensic analysis of the doorbell camera footage by the FBI’s Operational Technology Division.”

The last known sighting of Nancy was in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31, when she had dinner with her family.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously confirmed that Nancy’s family placed a 911 call on February 1 when she failed to turn up to watch a church service with friends. A search and rescue investigation was initiated by the Pima police that same day.

President Donald Trump confirmed federal intervention in the case via Truth Social on February 4 when he announced that he was “directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal.”

“We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY,” Trump added.

On Tuesday, February 10, FBI Director Kash Patel released new surveillance photos and footage shot from Nancy’s security camera. The footage seemingly showed a masked person standing on Nancy’s porch and attempting to cover a camera.

“Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors – including the removal of recording devices,” Patel announced via X. “The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems.”

Following the release of these new images, Savannah assured the public that she and her siblings, Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie, were holding out hope that Nancy “is still alive.”

“Bring her home,” the Today host pleaded via Instagram on February 10.

On Wednesday, February 11, the NBC News journalist shared vintage home videos of Nancy via Instagram along with a message asking supporters to keep the faith.

“Our lovely mom,” she captioned the video. “We will never give up on her. Thank you for your prayers and hope.”

Three days after multiple people were found killed in Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale homes in related shootings, police in Florida have revealed that the suspect showed up to the Sarasota residence with two handguns, five knives and other weapons.

Russell Kot, 51, is suspected of killing Larisa Blyudaya, 46, and Ben Azivov, 18, at a home in Fort Lauderdale before he traveled across the state to Sarasota and fatally shot Olga Greinert, 49, Florita Stolyar, 66, Anatoly Ioffe, 61, and Yaroslav Blyudoy, 39, at a home within a gated community.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release on Friday, February 13, that they learned Kot relocated from Illinois to Fort Lauderdale in the fall of 2025.

“He was living with Larissa Blyudoy, the daughter of Florita Stolyar, until the end of 2025, when the two separated,” the press release read. “A review of Kot’s cellular phone records did not reveal any apparent triggering event prior to the shootings involving Larissa or any member of her family.”

Additionally, police said that no records indicated that Kot previously stayed at Stolyar’s Fallcrest residence in Sarasota or cared for the family’s animals in the months leading up to the fatal shooting.

Investigators also confirmed that Kot had met Greinert, the family’s housekeeper, at least once before the incident.

A search warrant was executed on Kot’s vehicle, where authorities found two handguns, ammunition, five knives, rope, tape and an axe, according to the press release. The weapons in the car were found in addition to two handguns that Kot had on him when he entered the Fallcrest residence.

“Investigators have determined that after killing Olga Greinert and Yaroslav Blyudoy, Florita Stolyar’s son, Kot sent a suicidal text message to members of his family,” the press release said. “He then remained at the Fallcrest residence until Florita and her husband, Anatoly Ioffe, returned home. Upon their arrival, both were shot and killed. Kot then shot himself.”

Police added that Crime Scene Analysts recovered more than 20 shell casings inside the residences, and it was confirmed that each victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing.

Related: Brown University Shares Plans to Reevaluates Safety Policies After Shooting

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A manhunt was launched in Providence, Rhode Island, for the person who opened fire Saturday, December 13, on the campus of Ivy League institution Brown University, killing two students and wounding another nine. While a Wisconsin student was initially detained by cops as a “person of interest” in the shooting, that person was released, and […]

Deputies responded to the Fallcrest home around 12:30 p.m. on February 10. Once they arrived, authorities found a neighbor performing CPR on a male victim in the home’s front yard. The male victim was then moved to another location, where he was later pronounced dead.

Neighbors told responding officers that the man’s wife was potentially inside the home. They then entered the residence, where they found two women and two men that were dead.

As the Sarasota deputies tried to identify the victims and potential suspect, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department contacted them to say they were working on a double homicide. At the time, the Fort Lauderdale Police said they believed the Sarasota shooting was linked to their investigation.

After police confirmed via surveillance footage that Kot drove through the neighborhood in Sarasota, the two departments were able to piece together that he committed the killings in Fort Lauderdale before he traveled to the Fallcrest address.