The Muppet Show is raising its curtains once again for a special 50th‑anniversary celebration, now streaming on Disney+.
Kermit the Frog and the rest of the beloved cast return in a
refreshed take on the classic 1970s sketch‑comedy variety format – bringing a blend of nostalgia, modern humour, and the
signature chaotic charm that has defined The Muppets for generations.
Longtime Muppet performers Bill Barretta (Rowlf the Dog),
Dave Goelz (Gonzo), Eric Jacobson (Miss Piggy), Peter Linz (Lips), David Rudman
(Scooter) and Matt Vogel (Kermit the Frog) reprise their iconic roles for the
special event.
They’re joined by an exciting lineup of guest stars,
including American actress and comedian Maya Rudolph, Canadian actor, comedian
and filmmaker Seth Rogen as well as actress and pop superstar Sabrina
Carpenter. Sabrina and Seth are also credited as executive producers.
Industry speculation suggests the anniversary special might
serve as a ‘backdoor pilot’ for a full revival of The Muppet Show, which
originally aired from 1974 to 1980 across five seasons.
Seth, who has been actively advocating for the show’s
return, hinted at progress in a recent social media post.
“I’ve been working the better part of the last decade to try
to bring my favourite show back, and it looks like I’m getting close,” he said.
In an interview, Kermit the Frog explained that talks to
bring back the beloved show have been going for some time.
“I was trying to get the special off the ground, which you
know, it took a while,” Kermit told television host Jimmy Kimmel.
“It turns out that a lot of people in Hollywood say ‘yes,’
when they actually mean ‘no’,” he added.
The Muppets were created by
legendary puppeteer Jim Henson, who first introduced the characters through the
educational programme Sesame Street. After growing in popularity throughout the
early 1970s, Kermit and friends eventually won their own sketch‑comedy
series along with several theatrical films aimed at audiences of all ages.
