The Muppet Show Returns After 40 Years to Rave Reviews

Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and the gang are officially back on your screen, and critics say the 50th anniversary special proves these beloved puppets still know how to put on a show.

The 30-minute episode dropped on Disney+ this Wednesday, marking the first new Muppet Show content since 1981. Pop star Sabrina Carpenter, comedian Maya Rudolph, and actor Seth Rogen (who also produced the special) join the felt friends for a return to the chaotic variety show format that made the original a hit.

The special stays true to its roots while winking at modern audiences. A running gag has Carpenter facing mock legal action from Miss Piggy for allegedly stealing her signature look, with both appearing in matching outfits throughout sketches. There's also a Bridgerton parody starring Miss Piggy that reviewers loved.

Original puppeteers like Dave Goelz, who has performed Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew since the beginning, returned to bring authenticity to the production. The show balances slightly risqué humor with family-friendly chaos, from Beaker losing his eyeballs in a science experiment to Gonzo sporting flaming roller skates.

Most critics awarded the special four or five stars. The Times praised its "return to basics," while the Financial Times celebrated its "carefully measured pinch of naughtiness." One reviewer wrote they "laughed more than I can count" in just 30 minutes.

The Bright Side

While some reviewers noted Kermit's new voice (performed by Matt Vogel) sounds different, and wondered if younger viewers would connect with the format, the overwhelming response has been warm. One critic tested the theory with their 10-year-old son, who enjoyed it despite finding it "a bit random."

The special appears designed to test whether audiences are ready for a full series revival. Empire magazine gave it five stars, describing it as "a warm, felt-based comfort blanket" that goes back to what made The Muppets special: an array of bonkers sketches held together by genuine heart.

Previous Muppet reboots have struggled to capture the original magic, sometimes veering into parody territory. This time, Seth Rogen's loving recreation of his childhood favorite seems to have found the right balance between nostalgia and freshness.

Even Kermit himself seems cautiously optimistic. "Maybe we're a little rusty," he muses during the show. Based on critical reception, that rust wore off quickly once the curtain went up.