It is time to play the music. It is time to light the lights. The Muppet Show has returned with a brand-new special event on Disney+ and ABC, marking the beloved franchise’s first foray back into its classic variety show format in decades. Premiering on February 4 to coincide with the show’s 50th anniversary, the special has proven to be a resounding success, pulling in 7.58 million multiplatform viewers in its first eight days and earning a 98 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as reported by Variety.

A Return to the Muppet Theatre

The special brings Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and the entire gang back to the iconic Muppet Theatre for a production that faithfully recreates the variety show format that made the original series a cultural phenomenon from 1976 to 1981. Music, comedy sketches, and the signature Muppet chaos are all present and accounted for.

Guest hosting duties fall to pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who is joined by fellow guest stars Maya Rudolph and Seth Rogen. The trio brings distinct comedic energies to the proceedings — Carpenter’s deadpan charm, Rudolph’s improvisational brilliance, and Rogen’s affable willingness to be the butt of a felt-covered joke. Both Carpenter and Rogen also served as executive producers on the special, suggesting a deeper creative involvement than the typical celebrity cameo.

Critical Praise and Audience Response

The critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus reads: “It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights — this spirited return to The Muppet Show’s roots is clever, earnest, and feels exactly right.” Reviewers have praised the special for capturing the spirit of the original series while updating its sensibility for contemporary audiences without resorting to cynicism or irony.

The viewership numbers tell an equally encouraging story. The 7.58 million viewers across Disney+ and ABC represent a strong debut for a property that, while universally recognized, has struggled to find consistent commercial footing in the streaming era. The dual-platform release strategy — debuting on Disney+ at 3 a.m. ET and airing on ABC in primetime at 9 p.m. ET on the same day — appears to have maximized the special’s reach across different audience segments, as reported by Variety.

A 50th Anniversary Celebration

The timing of the special is deliberate and meaningful. The original Muppet Show debuted in 1976, and the 50th anniversary provided both a marketing hook and a creative mandate to honor what came before. Director Alex Timbers, known for his work in theater, brings a stage-influenced sensibility that complements the Muppet Theatre setting.

The production represents a collaboration between 20th Television, Disney Branded Television, The Muppets Studio, and Point Grey Pictures. Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel bring the characters to life, continuing the tradition of puppetry excellence that has defined the franchise since Jim Henson first created Kermit in 1955.

Could More Episodes Follow?

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the special is its reported function as a backdoor pilot. Industry sources indicate that the special was designed to test audience appetite for a full revival series, meaning the possibility of additional Muppet Show episodes hinges on whether the viewership and engagement metrics meet Disney’s internal thresholds.

Given the strength of both the ratings and the critical response, the prospects appear encouraging. The Muppets have been through several reinvention attempts in recent years — including a mockumentary-style ABC series in 2015 and a Halloween special on Disney+ — but none have generated this level of combined critical and commercial enthusiasm.

For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the message from this special is clear: the variety show format that made the Muppets famous remains their natural habitat, and there is still a sizable audience hungry for the particular brand of warmth, wit, and anarchic puppet comedy that only Kermit and company can deliver.