Nearly 50 years since these mischievously scrappy muppets pranced their way onto our screens, such respite and escapist entertainment is needed now more than ever. Hollywood’s recent flood of unnecessary and disappointing reboots, sequels, and spin-offs initially clouded my judgement over this rejuvenated return of The Muppet Show. Yet the show’s formula was neither distorted nor reduced to merely mimicking the classic Muppet schtick to attract a modern audience. The format has remained timeless, with the plethora of loveable characters still persevering to put on a vaudeville-style variety show which predictably culminates in a crisis.
Produced by Seth Rogen, The Muppet Show is a one-off 30-minute special that functions more as a pitch for a new series and does so effortlessly without overworking any of the show’s original charm. Additionally, with original actor Dave Goelz who performs and voices Gonzo retuning for this reincarnation, the possibility of a new series feels more tangible.
Singer Sabrina Carpenter embodies the perfect contemporary celebrity fit for the guest star role. With her retro persona and whimsical, tongue-in-cheek sense of humour, she proves herself more than game. Yet despite her A-list presence, she doesn’t overshadow her felt co-stars, although her performance of her 2025 hit ‘Manchild’, accompanied by a chorus of hens, does come close. Carpenter meets her match with the formidable Miss Piggy, who at one point bursts into her dressing room, claiming the star has stolen her look. Unlike Slater and Waldorf, the show’s resident stoic critics, I was charmed by the pairs patter and the show’s warm naughtiness, along with its packed itinerary of silly slapstick jokes. While The Muppet Show may be an easy cash grab on nostalgia, this revival at least steers clear of parody, reuniting the muppets with what they do best: joyously entertain. As a result, it cements the legacy of our felty friends for many more decades to come.
“Kermit The Frog” by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity Photographer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.