Folks, it’s happening.
Per Disney, The Muppet Show is returning as a one-off special. Like, the actual Muppet Show. In the Muppet Theatre.
Details are still coming in, but you can find all of the confirmed info in bullet points below, which include confirmation that the special will air on Disney+ in 2026 to coincide with The Muppet Show’s 50th anniversary. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s being considered a backdoor pilot, so if it does well, we could be treated to a full season.
We’ve also learned that Sabrina Carpenter will be the very special guest star, and that the show is being produced by Seth Rogen’s production company. This all bodes very well!
- The iconic and Emmy Award-winning variety series “The Muppet Show” will return for a triumphant event on Disney+ in 2026 featuring special guest star Sabrina Carpenter, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking original series.
- From 20th Television, Disney Branded Television, The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures, the brand-new installment will feature Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the gang as they return to the Muppet Theatre to produce a variety show.
- “The Muppet Show” event is written by Albertina Rizzo, who also serves as executive producer. Alex Timbers will direct the episode and serves as an executive producer. Sabrina Carpenter also serves as executive producer on this variety show installment.
- Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Alex McAtee are executive producers (Point Grey Pictures); David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter and Michael Steinbach are executive producers (The Muppets Studio); Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson are executive producers.
- The original series “The Muppet Show,” created by Jim Henson, ran from 1976-81 and aired in over 100 countries and featured notable guest stars including Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Gladys Knight, Liza Minelli, Paul Simon and many others.
- During its run, the series earned Emmy, Grammy, Peabody, BAFTA and numerous other awards. In a 1978 story, Time magazine called it “the most popular television entertainment now being produced on earth.” In 2026 “The Muppet Show” will celebrate its 50th anniversary. All five seasons of “The Muppet Show” are currently available to stream on Disney+.
- Veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel will perform the majority of the iconic Muppet characters in this production, supported by a talented team of additional performers. Dave Goelz, who has performed with The Muppets for over 50 years, was one of the performers on the original “The Muppet Show” and originated the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, among many others.
Exciting stuff!!!
Stay tuned to ToughPigs for more info about the special as we hear it! And now let’s get ready to LIGHT THE LIGHTS!
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by Joe Hennes – [email protected]
