A review of The Muppet Show (2026), directed by Alex Timbers. ABC and Disney+, 2026.

“We’re doing the show again, frog!”

-Rowlf, The Muppet Show (2026)

At some point in every cinophile’s life, one encounters The Muppets. Whether one’s first experience with Jim Henson’s marrionette/puppets was The Muppet Show (originally premiering in 1976, fifty years ago), 1979’s The Muppet Movie, 2011’s The Muppets or its 2013 sequel, or any of the various, adaptation-focused Muppet properties (for example, The Muppet Christmas Carol or The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz), nearly every fan of film has, at one point in time, heard of The Muppets. The Muppets function within pop culture as celebrities, and one may be hard-pressed to find someone who has not heard of Kermit or his iconic associated voice, originally performed by Jim Henson (now offered by Matt Vogel).

On Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, The Muppet Show (2026) was released on Disney+ and ABC. This special event – spearheaded by executive producer Seth Rogan (one of the twelve executive producers for this special) – is a spiritual continuation of Jim Henson’s late ’70s The Muppet Show. And it is glorious! Everyone’s favorite bowling pin-shaped, felt, green frog lives again!

This event is so connected to The Muppets’ past. One of the core tenets of this February 4th presentation, stated by Kermit in an opening monologue, goes as follows: “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.” The Muppet Show (2026) takes place in the same in-universe theatre as the 1970’s Muppet Show; the 2026 Muppet Show is so connected to its past! The show opens with a hallway shot, full of portraits of Kermit and his fellow Muppets (portrayed in The Muppet Show by longtime Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and more…) posing with some of their 1976 Muppet Show guest stars. It is clear that The Muppets know where they’ve come from, but they’ve also innovated incredibly within 2026’s special presentation.

The Muppet Show (2026) feels like a meshing together of the 1976 The Muppet Show and the 2015 The Muppets sitcom series. The format of this most recent Muppet Show feels inspired by the setting of the ’70s and vaudeville; however, the comedy within this special seems incredibly inspired by The Muppets’ more recent mature outings. Sabrina Carpenter is a brilliant choice for a guest star; she works to bridge together this blended genre of Muppet culture, combining family-friendly maturity and comedy. Appearing less than a minute into the special, Carpenter steals the show, echoing a mature theme, opposing her Muppet guest stars. From Disney Channel to the music industry to Fortnite to Netflix and, finally, to The Muppets, Carpenter has gone on quite a journey to be here; her image has shifted across time… she knows it, and so do The Muppets. Her presence within this special brings out some of the best Muppet moments from the last decade.

Ten seconds before the fourth minute of the special, Carpenter begins a rendition of “Manchild” from her most recent album, Man’s Best Friend. Every lyric within “Manchild” remains the same, but her backing chorus becomes populated by felt chickens (led by Camilla the Chicken). Every scene Carpenter has within this special is full of Muppet humor, but there is, again, a sense of incredible adult humor here, as well. In one scene between her and Kermit, Kermit notes to Carpenter that he is “So sorry about the mishap earlier. We’re still working out a few kinks.” Carpenter responds, “Oh, that’s all right. I love a kink.” The human elements within this special play gorgeously against their Muppet co-stars!

“I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it / It’s something that I’m supposed to be”

-Kermit, Rainbow Connection

Will this restructuring of The Muppets lead to new action moving into the future? Perhaps not. However, it should! It, in fact, needs to! The Muppets are ever-present within culture, and even if this rendition of The Muppet Show does not take off, it will be forever recorded in the culture as a segment of their franchise.

This laugh-out-loud special is a beautiful introduction to The Muppets! New viewers may take a shot at these felt creatures due to the presence of Sabrina Carpenter. And while The Muppet Show (2026) is not perfect, as every act included within this special presentation is not standout – “Pigs in Space” and “Rizzo’s Blinding Lights,” for example, are not the best acts ever put forth by The Muppets – this special offers The Muppets a chance to reconnect with their roots in front of the public eye. I can’t imagine leaving The Muppet Show (2026) with anything but a smile on my face.