It’s time to put on make up. It’s time to light the lights.

One might have been skeptical about Seth Rogen’s 70th anniversary revival of The Muppet Show but it’s entirely unnecessary. Serving as executive producer, Rogen’s love for Kermit and co.’s now-defunct variety show shines in every minute detail. From the moment that opening credits roll, the sets are familiar, the jokes are often corny and, thankfully, the show itself remains beautifully broken. Everything about this revival feels authentic to the grand legacy of the original. (The episode even features a classic laugh track.)

In short, it’s perfect.

Part of the joy of the Muppets is that, despite being billed as kids fare, they’re not entirely children’s programming. (Remember, the original aired just before prime time.) And certainly, that remains the case here. Jokes about such topics like ‘copyright infringement’, ‘kinks’ and death are included to remind the viewer that they’re not on Sesame Street anymore. Even so, they never push too far. The Muppets are cynical and sharp-tongued at times but also, somehow, entirely pure.

To share too much would spoil the fun but, suffice to say, the Muppets continue to blur the lines between classic and current pop culture. Featuring a mixture of songs and parodies both old and new, the series lampoons pop culture while still taking itself with the utmost seriousness. Musical numbers are funny but still feel like they’re trying to honour their source material. These aren’t ‘Weird Al’ style parodies. They’re funny but they’re meant to be endearing performances.

We are meant to enjoy the show as light-hearted entertainment but the Muppets are taking this seriously.

And that’s also why the Muppets matter. They’re insane but they’re also relatable. Kermit remains stressed when things don’t go well on his show as he tries to balance egos and chaos amongst his team members. Piggy may be a self-absorbed but she still seems under-appreciated. Gonzo is relentless, even though he’s bad at what he does. They are impossibly odd together but they’ll do anything to keep us entertained.

Now, the real question for this revival of The Muppet Show is their future. Without question, this is meant to be the beginning of a new generation of Muppets mayhem. (“What happens next relies on what happens her tonight,” Kermit muses.) The series’ old school vibe is perfectly in tune with the franchise’s 70th anniversary but will younger audiences demand more?

To be fair, Rogen’s choice of Sabrina Carpenter is both wise and deliberate in the hopes of attracting younger viewers. (Maya Rudolph and Rogen are big stars but aren’t likely to grab the attention of people under the age of 25.) And Carpenter understands the assignment. For someone so young, she seems genuinely excited to step into the legacy of characters like Miss Piggy who she watched growing up (as well as her mother and her grandmother…) Carpenter’s enthusiasm is palpable and infectious but whether that will translate into demand for more is impossible to know.

But, maybe, that’s a problem for tomorrow.

Today, The Muppets are back. And their return to the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational show on television is positively Muppetational.

The Muppet Show is available on Disney+ on February 4th, 2026.