The cunning Darci Lynne has woven a hilarious story arc in the intervening months. It was quickly revealed to a panel of joyful judges that Simon neglected to call Edna after her declaration of love on stage, and the crotchety old woman had developed something of a complex about it.
“I heard you guys are touring your show and that’s terrific!” Rowlf the Dog commented, whilst expertly playing a jazzy background number on his piano. “It’s so, so exciting,” responded Darci, as Edna shook her head. “She says she can’t sing anymore,” Darci revealed.
“What’s the matter, ventriloquist got your tongue?” Rowlf quipped, to the delight of the audience.
Cue Edna’s feisty response: “I’ll tell you what the problem is,” she barked. “People don’t call you back when they say they’re gonna call you back!” Purposefully misunderstanding, Rowlf retorted: “Gee, I don’t even think I’ve got your number …”
“Not you!” Edna barked back. “Him! It’s that Simon fella!” Darci’s loveable old lady puppet thrust her cane in the direction of a bemused Simon sitting on the judges’ panel, taking a sip of water from his takeaway cup. “He doesn’t call me anymore!” Edna shrieked. “I believe I’ve lost him, for good.”
“I can’t breathe,” the lovesick puppet continued, the audience in peals of laughter having cottoned on to the storyline by now. “I can’t eat, I can’t find my dentures! I can’t … I can’t smile without him!”
Edna’s last comment, beautifully dramatized by a grinning Darci Lynne, led seamlessly into a meandering piano-accompanied rendition of Barry Manilow‘s “Can’t Smile Without You.” Rowlf mastered the keys and sang along with a suddenly invigorated Edna.
The old lady finished the song with an emphatic line: “I just can’t smile without you … Simon!”
Darci’s clever story arc, the beloved Muppet cameo, and Edna’s hilarious performance had the audience on their feet. A standing ovation, once again: Darci, you are a revelation. But it wasn’t over yet. Simon, to the surprise of everybody in the auditorium, got out of his chair and walked purposefully up to the stage.
“I actually love you,” said the enraptured judge, approaching a gobsmacked Edna. Simon then planted a huge kiss on Edna’s fuzzy face, and apologized: “And I’m sorry I haven’t called.”
Edna’s jaw hung open in disbelief as the ever-professional Darci looked on, giggling, but nonetheless still delivering a perfect performance. Edna dropped her head onto Darci’s shoulder in a dramatic faint.
“Edna, how do you feel?” asked host Terry Crews. “I think she passed out,” replied Rowlf, dryly. Slowly regaining her composure, Edna finally found the words: “He makes my heart flutter! I love you Simon!”
“I love you too,” came Simon’s authentic response, floating across the ether from the judges’ panel.
This was one hilarious team of puppets, one extraordinary puppet master, and a finale performance worth its weight in gold. Darci, results notwithstanding, you will always be a champion in our eyes!
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