Now that we’re down to an Elite Eight, things are starting to come into focus. There are fewer of the surprise performers than were in the Sweet Sixteen. (I still can’t get over Ray Liotta making it that far.)

But what would I send to the Final Four? Let’s find out.

(1) Michael Caine, The Muppet Christmas Carol vs. (2) Diana Rigg, The Great Muppet Caper: At some point, it’s going to be difficult for me to choose Michael Caine in one of these matchups. (At least, depending on who gets to move in the other matchups.) This is not that point. I’m glad we have a Sir and a Dame going head to head, but I’m going with the Sir.

(5) Mel Brooks, The Muppet Movie vs. (3) Steve Martin, The Muppet Movie: And I’m glad that in this matchup, we have two of the greatest comic minds to ever live going head to head. But I’m going with the rude waiter. No question.

(1) Charles Grodin, The Great Muppet Caper vs. (2) Jason Segel, The Muppets: As I have alluded throughout this bracket, I have grown less enamored of the 2011 Muppet movie over time, in part because it feels a lot less like a Muppet movie and more like a vanity project for its star Jason Segel, in which the Muppets serve as supporting characters. It’s fine. But I like Grodin a lot more.

(1) Tim Curry, Muppet Treasure Island vs. (6) Peter Falk, The Great Muppet Caper: I fear that this will be a close race, and it really shouldn’t be. Tim Curry as Long John Silver is one of the most inspired performances in a family film, next to Hugh Grant in Paddington 2. (You’re goddamn right I made that comparison.) Peter Falk is very funny in his two minutes of the 1981 Muppet movie, but he’s only in two minutes. Curry gets the vote.

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