'The Muppets' Music: How Muppetational Is It?

We evaluate whether the new songs can live up to the genius of their predecessors

November 21, 2011 3:20 PM ET

Disney

The Muppets, the first new Muppet movie in 12 years (in theaters November 23rd), features original songs written by Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie. McKenzie is hilarious, soulful and tuneful, but can he write great Muppet songs?

As an unauthorized Muppet historian, I've looked into the creative processes of the classic Muppet songwriters, the guys who gave us "Bein' Green," "Rainbow Connection," "Couldn't We Ride," "Saying Goodbye," that infectious Fraggle Rock theme, and a hundred others. I've found five PoMs, or Predictors of Muppetationality: creative freedom, radical collaboration, ability to get into a Muppet's head, full understanding of Kermit's complexity and resolve to not talk down to kids.

In the following charts, I compare the process of classic Muppet songwriters to McKenzie's. Then, I took my best guess: Will the new songs be Muppetational?

Twitter