The Muppet Show Is Exactly What We Need Right Now. Give Us More of It!

by

Since Kermit the Frog first appeared on television in Washington, D.C., in 1955 with the show Sam and Friends, there have been numerous Muppet programs. Many grew up watching Muppet Babies in the 80s, and a 2015 sitcom called The Muppets humorously followed Miss Piggy as a talk show host, similar to The Office. However, most agree that there’s only been one truly great Muppet Show. Many later Muppet projects, like Muppets Tonight in the 90s and the 2020 Disney+ show Muppets Now, felt like attempts to recapture that original magic. This begs the question: with so many reboots and sequels happening now, why not simply bring back The Muppet Show itself?

After a long wait, a new version of The Muppet Show is arriving on February 4th on both ABC and Disney+. And it’s not just a new show with the same name – it successfully brings back the feel and format of the classic 1970s series. This impressive revival is thanks to a talented team of producers, including Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, along with experienced folks from The Jim Henson Company and late-night television. Singer Sabrina Carpenter, who also produces, is a perfect fit as a guest star, bringing a playful energy reminiscent of both Miss Piggy and Betty Boop. All our favorite Muppet characters are back, and the show is so good, my only complaint is that there isn’t enough of it! This single half-hour episode is a special celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show, and it’s clear everyone wants more!

Disney is clearly hoping for this kind of reaction. Kermit, who hosts and runs the show-within-a-show, nervously points this out in the opening monologue, happily announcing the Muppets’ return to the original Muppet Theatre: “We’re thrilled to be back on the stage where everything began, then ended, and now might be starting up again – it all depends on how tonight goes.” (I won’t give away the funny comments from Statler and Waldorf, but trust me, they’re great!) Someone at Disney smartly decided it would be better to create excitement for a full season by releasing one fantastic episode that leaves viewers wanting more, rather than simply adding The Muppet Show to ABC’s regular lineup where it could get overlooked amongst all the 9-1-1 spin-offs.

You know, after seeing this, I think the filmmakers made a really smart choice. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, they just… didn’t. It feels remarkably like the original series, striking that perfect balance between the actual performances and all the fun backstage chaos. We get all the classics – Gonzo’s hilariously disastrous stunts, Bunsen and Beaker’s wacky experiments – and it’s just comforting. And they’ve given the ever-reliable Ed Carpenter a lot to do, including some great musical numbers and a genuinely funny love triangle with Kermit and a very possessive Miss Piggy. There’s plenty of that knowing, slightly edgy humor too. (“We’re still working out a few kinks,” Kermit quips, to which Carpenter replies, “That’s all right. I love a kink!”). What I appreciated most was the restraint with celebrity cameos. Rogen and Maya Rudolph are fantastic and appeal to everyone, though I admit I was hoping Rudolph would get to sing! Still, it’s a solid, enjoyable experience that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not.

I’m really excited about the new version of the show! They’ve updated a few things for a modern audience, making the sketches faster and the sets a little fancier, but thankfully, it still feels like the Muppets. It’s not overly reliant on current internet trends, which I appreciate – they’ve struck a really nice balance. I remember Muppets Now trying to do something similar for streaming, and it was good, but honestly, it felt a bit unnecessary. The original Muppet Show wasn’t about being super modern either; it took inspiration from old vaudeville acts, and that worked perfectly! Those classic bits still feel great today, and it’s so comforting to see them again. Especially now, it’s just wonderful to revisit these familiar characters – these puppets feel like family, and they’ve been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Keeping the quality of this new show consistent throughout a whole season will be a challenge, but I really hope Disney lets these producers continue. They seem to ‘get’ what makes The Muppet Show so special – something few have understood since Jim Henson passed away. It’s not just Muppets now; it’s Muppets always.

Read More

2026-02-03 17:06