NJ: Muppet Sketch

I can see why this sketch didn't get anywhere -- it's not really very topical for a start. But I still like it...

---

JUSTIN: In an otherwise positive Presidential debate performance, Mitt Romney upset some Americans when he threatened to remove funding for public television and cancel long running programme, Sesame Street. But how would the Muppets cope with unemployment? Would the Cookie Monster be forced to live on hand-outs and re-name himself "Government Surplus Cheese Product Monster"? The future, however, might not be so grim for some of the Muppets...

CIVIL SERVANT: Minister, after the recent rail franchising, uh, situation, it was considered desirable to hire a new advisor to assist senior civil servants in future procurement matters.

MINISTER: Excellent. And when will this new scapego- advisor join us?

CIVIL SERVANT: He has already started, Minister. I would like to introduce you to-

MINISTER: Good lord!

FX: CRASH OF THUNDER

THE COUNT: Greetings! I am Count von Count. AH, AH, AH!

CIVIL SERVANT: I know what you're thinking, but no, he's is not related to Michael Howard.

MINISTER: I really don't see how he can be of assistance.

THE COUNT: It is simple, yes? The Count loves to count. 1, 2, 3, no procurement mishaps for me!

CIVIL SERVANT: He really does come highly recommended... admittedly, mostly by the under-nines.

THE COUNT: 4, 5, 6, Conservatives and government do not mix! AH, AH, AH!

MINISTER: This is outrageous!

CIVIL SERVANT: Ah, perhaps we should move on. We also have a new assistant in the Department for the Environment: A Mr K Frog.

KERMIT: It's not easy being green.

(END)

Quote: crake @ October 15 2012, 9:32 PM BST

CIVIL SERVANT: I know what you're thinking, but no, he's is not related to Michael Howard.

View original

I thoroughly enjoyed everything from the crash of thunder onwards but I did find the start dense and hard to read, it didn't feel worth it for the Cookie Monster joke. Loved all the Count stuff though.

This is a really nice example of taking an idea and doing something new with it. Maybe not NJ material, but made me laugh, would quite like to see some more. If you wanted to develop it perhaps do a Ministers are Muppets series?

Thanks for the comments. I see what you mean, Die Hard, about the slow setup and the cookie monster gag that doesn't really work. I always feel like there should be an introduction bit (Justin's lead-in) for a Newsjack sketch, but it's probably best to submit a sketch without one if it isn't funny.