The Muppet Show special premieres February 4 on Disney+, and airs at 9pm on ABC.
By Elazar Abrahams
Life’s pleasures are few, but Kermit and the gang are one of them. In honor of The Muppet Show’s 50th anniversary, Disney has blessed us with a one-off special that I’m thrilled to report is delightful.
It’s hard not to have a huge grin on your face during the entire half-hour. The episode is basically just another episode of the classic seasons from the 70s, with the same variety show structure. Think celebrity guests in sketches, musical performances, and other segments with the felt troupe, while backstage chaos threatens to derail the entire production. The pacing is perfect, with a surprising amount of bits fitting into a lean 30 minutes. For example, Sabrina Carpenter crooning with Camilla the Chicken, Gonzo attempting some wild stunts, Dr. Honeydew and Beaker getting up to some shenanigans in Muppet Labs, and Statler & Waldorf roasting the whole affair.
It’s joke-dense, and no single section overstays its welcome. A sketch lands, cue laughter, and we’re on to the next. The formula works, and no change is necessary. There are plenty of background Easter eggs for diehards and lots of characters to spot, but this Muppet Show is really not leaning on nostalgia or a lazy “remember when?” factor. It really is just another episode of a fan favorite, not a celebration of what has come before.
Miss Piggy, the diva that she is, steals the show. Carpenter was a great choice for a celebrity guest, and she pairs so well with Piggy. Kermit’s new voice, well, the less said about that, the better. But the entertainment here is good enough that it doesn’t matter.
Really, one cannot stress enough how joyous this whole thing feels. It is so optimistic and cheerful, really quintessential, sensational, inspirational, Muppetational content. If Disney were smart, the vision won’t stop here. Here’s hoping this is a backdoor pilot for something more. It’s what the franchise deserves.
I give The Muppet Show an A.
TV and City 