The Muppet Show (2026)

The 2026 revival of The Muppet Show is a genuine return to form, capturing the spirit of the original series in ways recent Muppets projects have struggled to manage. The sets are different and Kermit's voice still feels slightly off, but the rhythm, warmth, and chaos that made the classic show work are undeniably back.

What really stands out is how much this feels like The Muppet Show rather than the modern sitcom awkwardly starring Muppets. The sketches are fun and the return of the variety format is treated with the respect it deserves. It feels playful instead of desperate. We also get several Statler and Waldorf cuts, which are always welcome.

It's gratifying to see Muppets Tonight alumni finally getting their due as well. That era was unfairly labeled a failure, but here its performers and sensibilities are folded back into the franchise naturally, proving the problem was never the talent, just the timing.

Not every legacy element makes an appearance. A Pigs in Space sketch would have been welcome, but what we get instead is original, clever material that balances nostalgia with progression. The show never leans hard on legacy or tries anything so new it feels out of character.

If anything, this special makes a strong case for how the franchise should move forward. It does not need to be weekly. It just needs to exist when a good script is ready. Let the Muppets be funny on their own schedule. Twice annual, once a quarter. Whatever the timing may be that allows large scale celeb cameos (Sabrina Carpenter is fine but lacking in the cute charisma of some of the celebs from the original run) and quality writing to shine, so be it.

The movies and attempts at reboots have been varying in levels of enjoyment, but the muppets have been sidelined and afterthoughts for too long. This revival feels like a long overdue peek back into their world, one that respects the past without being trapped by it.