It’s Time to Raise the Curtain on The Muppet Show Again

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It’s been a tough year for the Muppets. Their theme park ride was removed and is being replaced with Pixar-themed attractions. John Mayer purchased their historic studio lot, and their Broadway show closed quickly after opening, despite not being the main attraction. Even Sesame Street faced instability, constantly moving between streaming services after funding for public broadcasting was severely cut. To make matters worse, Kermit the Frog’s voice sounds consistently congested, as if he has a bad cold.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Thank Frog for The Muppet Show. This new half-hour special, available on Disney+, feels like a fresh start for Jim Henson’s beloved characters (or, as Miss Piggy might say, their younger selves!). It’s exactly what the franchise needed. Produced by Seth Rogen, the show closely resembles episodes of the original Muppet Show from 50 years ago – from the iconic theme song and practical effects to the familiar heckling of Statler and Waldorf, who even joke about how faithfully it recreates the original. Despite being owned by Disney, the Muppets risk being overshadowed by bigger franchises like Star Wars and Marvel. So, if this special feels like Kermit and the gang are trying to impress Disney executives, that’s a good thing! The Muppets are at their best when they’re the underdogs, and they deliver a fantastic performance.

The classic Muppet Show was known for having celebrity guests who could playfully interact with the Muppets, and this new special continues that tradition with Sabrina Carpenter, who’s proven she’s up to the task. Carpenter, who impressed on Saturday Night Live, is a natural fit for the show and happily plays along with the Muppets, especially Piggy. She kicks off the episode with a fun sketch performing “Manchild” in a lively bar filled with bird customers and chicken waitresses. While this isn’t even her only performance of the song this week, the sketch perfectly captures the behind-the-scenes energy of The Muppet Show. Like the original series, the show blends sketches, backstage moments, and the chaos of putting on a live performance. This leads to escalating silliness throughout the episode, culminating in a funny visual gag: a wind machine mishap leaves Carpenter’s backup dancers featherless, and a Muppet wardrobe assistant has to painstakingly glue feathers back on one by one.

The episode continues its nostalgic feel with a duet between Carpenter and Kermit, featuring impressive puppetry and special effects. This segment culminates in a playful argument with Piggy, who accuses Kermit of copying her performance. She sweetly scolds him, saying, “It’s called copyright infringement, sweetie.” While some fans have debated the current voice of Kermit (Matt Vogel), Eric Jacobson delivers a flawless performance as Piggy, especially nailing her signature “Hiii-ya!” After watching, I think Miss Piggy would be perfect for a role in Oh, Mary! if she could fit it into her already packed schedule.

What always made The Muppet Show special was its ability to showcase the entire cast, not just the celebrity guests. It’s great to see that same energy in this new special, giving everyone a chance to shine. Like the original show introduced audiences to the Muppets through segments built around their unique personalities, this revamp is a perfect way to introduce a new generation, those who might be outgrowing shows like Elmo and Abby, to the Muppets’ brand of playful chaos. Maybe recent Muppet projects like Muppets Now and Electric Mayhem didn’t quite connect because we need a solid foundation of classic Muppet fun first. A Muppet Labs segment is a particularly good way to get kids into the Muppets’ humor – Bunsen and Beaker’s physical comedy is timeless, like Itchy & Scratchy but with science! There’s a unique type of slapstick that only works with puppets – seeing a character’s eyeballs literally pop out of their head is hilarious, and it really works here. Plus, the special features a fantastic recurring cameo from Maya Rudolph as a human Muppet.

The Muppets are known for their classic slapstick comedy, but they also have a clever, showbiz-savvy side. This special captures that broad appeal with a signature Muppet bit: a wild stunt by Gonzo. The segment serves two purposes: it showcases Gonzo’s typical chaotic energy and includes a funny, contemporary joke referencing popular trends on social media. In the stunt, Gonzo attempts to ride rocket-powered skates while listing all the winners of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Predictably, things go wrong, and throughout the episode, he comically zooms across scenes yelling out names like “Olympia Dukakis!” and “Dianne Wiest!”

This new Muppet Show special feels less like a complete overhaul and more like a loving renovation of a classic. While everything is updated and fresh, it carefully preserves the charm and spirit of the original. What’s so great about it is that it doesn’t try to be self-aware or constantly reference modern trends like streaming or TikTok. The Muppet Show was already a nostalgic nod to old-time variety shows when it first aired 50 years ago, so leaning into that nostalgia now feels natural and satisfying. It’s wonderful to see Henson’s characters and humor from the 1970s still work so well today – even Janice’s quirky personality feels current! Not every joke lands perfectly – Fozzie’s jokes are still famously bad – but the characters are so beloved and the show is so energetic that it’s easy to forgive any missteps. I even found myself happily listening to the laugh track! And visually, the special is stunning, thanks to director Alex Timbers. The warm lighting and vibrant colors really bring Henson’s creations to life, and it’s a beautiful presentation that some big-budget movie musical directors could learn from.

This Muppet Show special convincingly demonstrates that a full reboot could be a hit in 2026, if Disney approves it. Whether it will capture the attention of today’s kids who are busy with Minecraft and Cocomelon is uncertain. However, it definitely provides a comforting and entertaining experience for adults—especially as things get stressful. The show culminates in a fantastic, full-cast performance of a Queen classic, reminiscent of The Muppet Show’s best moments, and serves as a clear message from Kermit and the gang to Disney: let them continue!

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2026-02-06 17:55