The Muppets Return: Seth Rogen & Disney+ Reboot the Original Show
- After decades of attempts to recapture the magic, the Muppets are back – and this time, they’re leaning into what made them iconic in the first place.
- For many, previous attempts at a Muppets reboot – like Muppets Tonight in the 1990s and The Muppets from the 2010s – failed to replicate the chaotic energy...
- The special features a star-studded lineup, with Sabrina Carpenter as the official guest star – the first since Shirley Bassey appeared 34 years ago.
After decades of attempts to recapture the magic, the Muppets are back – and this time, they’re leaning into what made them iconic in the first place. A new special event, reviving the original format of The Muppet Show, premiered today, , on both Disney+ and ABC.
For many, previous attempts at a Muppets reboot – like Muppets Tonight in the and The Muppets from the – failed to replicate the chaotic energy of the original series, which ran from to . This latest iteration, spearheaded by Seth Rogen and director Alex Timbers, appears to be a deliberate effort to avoid reinvention, instead opting to bring back the Vaudeville-inspired spirit of the show for its anniversary.
The special features a star-studded lineup, with Sabrina Carpenter as the official guest star – the first since Shirley Bassey appeared . Rogen himself appears in the special, alongside Maya Rudolph. Kermit the Frog, in a meta-commentary on the show’s history, reportedly quipped, “We are so excited to be back where it all started, and then ended, and then is maybe starting again…depending on how tonight goes.”
Beyond the celebrity guests, the special promises a return to the classic Muppet ensemble. Viewers can expect appearances from Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew & Beaker, Rowlf the Dog, the perpetually critical Statler & Waldorf, and Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem. The special is directed by Alex Timbers, who also serves as executive producer.
The production team is extensive, including Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Alex McAtee as executive producers for Point Grey Pictures, and David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter, and Michael Steinbach for The Muppets Studio. Sabrina Carpenter, Albertina Rizzo, Matt Vogel, and Eric Jacobson are also credited as executive producers.
Adding to the fanfare, a new version of “The Muppet Show Theme” () performed by The Muppets and produced by Bill Sherman, a GRAMMY® and Emmy® Award-winner, is also being released today.
The original Muppet Show, created by Jim Henson, was a global phenomenon, airing in over and attracting a roster of impressive guest stars including Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, and Paul Simon. The show garnered numerous awards, including Emmys, GRAMMYs, Peabodys, and BAFTAs.
This special event represents more than just a nostalgic trip for longtime fans. It’s a deliberate attempt to recapture the essence of what made the original series so successful – a blend of music, comedy, and, as Kermit might say, a whole lot of chaos. Whether this single special will lead to a full-fledged revival remains to be seen, but the initial response suggests a strong appetite for a return to the classic Muppet format. The show’s return is being described as a “triumphant” event.
The special airs on ABC at and is available on Disney+ starting at .