The Muppet Show Returns With New Special Event on Disney+ and ABC — Here’s What to Know
- Streaming Team
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
Hi-ho, nostalgia.
After decades of curtain calls and cult devotion, The Muppet Show is officially back — not as a full season (yet), but as a brand-new special event that brings Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the entire Muppet gang back to the original Muppet Theatre, exactly where it all began.
The newly released teaser trailer confirms that The Muppet Show special will premiere February 4 on Disney+ and ABC, featuring music, comedy, and controlled chaos — with pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter as the special guest.
This isn’t a reboot.
It’s a homecoming.
What Is the New Muppet Show Special About?
According to Disney’s official synopsis, this special event reunites Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the beloved Muppet ensemble for a one-night-only performance on the original Muppet Theatre stage.
Expect:
Musical performances
Fourth-wall-breaking comedy
Classic backstage chaos
A modern pop guest who actually fits the Muppet spirit
Sabrina Carpenter steps into the long tradition of celebrity guests who don’t just appear — they survive the Muppets.
The tone, as teased, leans heavily into self-awareness. The show openly acknowledges that this is the stage where The Muppet Show once ended… and might now be starting again — depending on how the night goes.
That blend of sincerity and absurdity is exactly what made the original iconic.
Why This Muppet Return Actually Matters
This special isn’t happening in a vacuum.
In 2026, The Muppet Show officially turns 50 years old — a milestone few television properties ever reach, let alone with relevance intact. Disney clearly understands that you don’t celebrate that legacy by reinventing it beyond recognition.
Instead, this event:
Returns to the original theatre
Uses veteran Muppet performers
Preserves the classic variety-show format
Updates the guest star energy for a new generation
It’s designed to honor the past without embalming it.
A Legacy Few Shows Can Match
Created by Jim Henson, The Muppet Show originally ran from 1976 to 1981, airing in over 100 countries and redefining what family entertainment could be.
During its original run, the series:
Won Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, and Peabody Awards
Featured legendary guests like Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, and Paul Simon
Was called by Time magazine in 1978 “the most popular television entertainment now being produced on Earth”
All five seasons of the original series are currently streaming on Disney+, making this special event both a continuation and an invitation.
Who’s Behind the New Special?
The creative team suggests this is a carefully handled revival, not a novelty stunt.
Director and Executive Producer
Alex Timbers
Executive Producers
Seth Rogen
Evan Goldberg
James Weaver
Alex McAtee (Point Grey Pictures)
David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter, Michael Steinbach (The Muppets Studio)
Sabrina Carpenter
Matt Vogel
Eric Jacobson
The involvement of both The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures signals a blend of classic structure with modern comedic sensibilities.
The Performers Keeping the Muppets Alive
One of the most important details: this special uses veteran Muppet performers, not replacements.
Returning performers include:
Bill Barretta
Dave Goelz
Eric Jacobson
Peter Linz
David Rudman
Matt Vogel
Notably, Dave Goelz, who originated Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and has performed with the Muppets for over 50 years, is part of this production — directly connecting the special to the original series.
That continuity matters more than any modern update ever could.
When and Where to Watch
Title: The Muppet Show – Special Event
Premiere Date: February 4
Platforms: Disney+ and ABC
Format: One-night special event
Whether this leads to more Muppet projects remains to be seen — but the door is very clearly open.
This isn’t a reboot chasing relevance.
It’s a celebration that understands why The Muppet Show mattered in the first place.
By returning to the original theatre, honoring Jim Henson’s format, and pairing the Muppets with a guest who actually embraces the chaos, Disney is making a smart, respectful move — especially with the 50th anniversary on the horizon.
On February 4, the lights are back on.
The music is playing again.
And once more, it’s time to raise the curtain.
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