ABC/Eric McCandless
As ‘The Little Mermaid Live!’ aired on ABC Tuesday night, November 5, viewers watching at home took to Twitter with memes and hilarious reactions.
The show was at its best when seamlessly transitioning back and forth between the original animated Disney feature and the live performances given by a star-studded cast in a packed theater. Nevertheless, there were several times when the show just didn’t quite live up to its potential, especially when it came to costuming.
Shaggy, who played Ariel’s crab friend Sebastian, was the subject of a number of hilarious jokes and memes. When he made his entrance to the stage for “Under the Sea,” fans compared his red leather outfit (which looked not at all crab-like beyond its color) to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” costume.
I’m trying to figure out if Shaggy is supposed to be a crab or Michael Jackson!!! #TheLittleMermaidLive
Twitter user Tori Burns used a gif from one of Shaggy’s best-known songs to make a joke about the recording artist taking on the role of Sebastian the crab.
This is the only explanation for Sebastian not wearing a crab costume 😂
Shaggy: “I ain’t wearing that shit”
@WEB_DemBois came up with a possible conversation between Shaggy and the show’s creative team that would explain why his “crab” costume was nothing more than a red jacket, red pants, and fingerless red gloves. The Twitter user joked “This is the only explanation for Sebastian not wearing a crab costume. Shaggy: “I ain’t wearing that shit.”
King Triton: who let Ariel go to the surface?
Sebastian:
#TheLittleMermaidLive
During “Part of Your World,” a puppet version of Flounder made a brief appearance and Twitter was quick to laugh about the low-quality puppet.
What I think I look like vs. what I actually look like #TheLittleMermaidLive
When you order online vs when it comes in the mail #TheLittleMermaidLive
Unsurprisingly, John Stamos, who performed one song to add comic relief to the live show as Chef Louis, was proven to be rather meme-worthy too.
This new Jesse and the Rippers song is unlike any of their old stuff but I’m still a fan. #TheLittleMermaidLive
Some eagle-eyed viewers noticed that, during “Under the Sea,” there was one underwater character on the stage that didn’t quite fit in with the others.
Why do I feel like this lady just snuck on set? #TheLittleMermaidLive
But at the end of the day, in spite of its flaws and unintentionally comical moments, the live presentation was full of nostalgia and Disney magic. For the “adults” watching as it aired live, this meme feels the most relatable:
Me watching the little mermaid live like the adult that I am #TheLittleMermaidLive
