Disney+ and ABC premiered a one-night special revival of “The Muppet Show” on Feb. 4 as a way to celebrate the original series’ 50th anniversary. The special united special guest Sabrina Carpenter with the Muppet gang for a variety show filled with music, comedy, and the usual Muppet chaos.
The special was teased within the show to be a possible pilot of a revival of the series, with the character Kermit the Frog saying that the Muppets were “back on the very stage where it all started and then ended, and is maybe starting again, depending on how tonight goes.” Industry sources also indicated that Disney was using the special to test audience response before committing to additional seasons.
The Muppets were originally created by Jim Henson, with the original series running from 1976 to 1981, and lasting five seasons. Many of the original performers have passed away, but Dave Goelz, best known for creating the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, returned for the 2026 special.
Following the end of the original series The Muppets switched to movies, but ABC did not give up on trying to revive the show. The 2026 special shocked audiences and came out of the gates strong, debuting with a 100% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“It’s definitely a return to basics, and all the more joyous for it,” Ben Dowell of The Times shared.
John Nugent of Empire Magazine mentioned executive producer Seth Rogen, saying, “Hardly reinventing the wheel, but Seth Rogen clearly understands that the Muppets wheel doesn’t need reinventing.”
“The heart of ‘The Muppet Show’ was always the Muppets themselves and the writers understand that, keeping the focus where it belongs,” said Tony Bravo of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Muppets have clearly returned to their roots, and hopefully the special will serve as a jumping-off point and earn a greenlight for the revival of the series.
