Over the decades since viewers in the Washington, D.C., area first saw Kermit the Frog in the 1955 sketch series Sam and Friends, there have been numerous shows. Kids in the 1980s grew up watching Muppet Babies. A short – lived 2015 sitcom, simply named , told the story of Miss Piggy’s time as a talk – show host in the trendy mockumentary style of The Office. But to be honest, there has only ever been one truly great Muppet Show—and most Muppet TV projects, from Muppets Tonight in the 1990s to the single – season Disney+ variety show in 2020, have been thinly veiled attempts to bring it back. This raises the question: In this era of endless reboots and sequels, why not just revive The Muppet Show?
Well, it’s finally happening. On February 4, ABC and Disney+ will present a program that actually calls itself The Muppet Show—and, more importantly, it recaptures both the format and the essence of the original from the 1970s. For this remarkable achievement, we can thank a team of executive producers that includes , who is on a roll after , as well as many veterans from the Jim Henson Company and late – night shows. The guest star is (also an executive producer), whose Miss – Piggy – meets – Betty – Boop persona makes her the perfect current celebrity for this role. All the beloved characters are back. The revival is so satisfying that I only have one gripe: There’s too little of it. The single half – hour episode is billed as a special event to mark the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show. The public wants more Muppets!
Of course, that’s exactly the reaction Disney seems to be aiming for. Our host and the showrunner of the Muppets’ show – within – the – show, Kermit, wryly admits as much in an anxious opening monologue that promotes the characters’ return to the original Muppet Theatre: “We’re so thrilled to be back on the very stage where it all began, then ended, and might be starting again, depending on how tonight goes.” (I won’t ruin the sarcastic banter between Statler and Waldorf that follows; just know it happens and it’s great.) Some smart executive clearly realized that it would be more effective to increase demand for a full season by airing one outstanding episode that leaves viewers craving more, rather than adding The Muppet Show to ABC’s weekly schedule and having it get lost among 9 – 1 – 1 spinoffs.
If that was indeed the plan, then it’s been executed cleverly. Maybe the key was to not try to fix what wasn’t broken. The balance between variety acts and behind – the – scenes antics is very similar to what it was in the original series. The segments are mostly well – known crowd – pleasers, from the Great Gonzo’s clumsy daredevil stunts to the crazy science of Bunsen and Beaker. Carpenter gets several musical numbers, an obvious but fun love triangle with a shy Kermit and an extremely jealous Miss Piggy, and plenty of chances for self – aware, PG – 13 humor. (Kermit: “We’re still ironing out a few wrinkles.” Carpenter: “That’s okay. I like a wrinkle.”) Instead of filling the special with too many celebrity cameos, we have appearances by Rogen and , who appeal to a wide audience and are always a joy to watch (though it does seem a bit of a waste to book Rudolph for this kind of show and not have her sing).
A few changes have been made to make the show work in 2026. The sketches are a bit more snappy and the backdrops are more detailed, but not in a way that ruins the Muppets’ rough – around – the – edges, analog charm. The cultural references are up – to – date enough to feel fresh, with minimal pandering to the internet. This subtle approach seems smart. Muppets Now tried to update The Muppet Show for the streaming era, and while it did a good job, it really wasn’t necessary. The original series took inspiration from vaudeville, which was definitely not a cutting – edge genre in the disco era. But those tropes felt classic, not outdated; half a century later, they still do. And it’s comforting to revisit them, paired once again with a couple dozen timeless marionettes that have been part of the family – entertainment landscape for as long as most viewers have been alive—especially in the depths of this winter when we’re all feeling a bit down.
It’ll be difficult to maintain the quality of the special over a full season, but I really hope Disney gives this group of producers a chance to try. Because they clearly understand, as well as any caretaker of the franchise has in the decades since Jim Henson’s death, that The Muppet Show is timeless. Muppets now? No, Muppets forever.