OFFICIAL: The Muppet Show to return in 2026 with a new special starring Sabrina Carpenter

[GuySmileyfan]

If you guys think I’m going to say it’s the end of the Muppets for your entertainment, well, don’t count on it! I’m supporting the Muppets and I do hope this reboot of The Muppet Show will do good. Hopefully better than The Muppets 2015, Muppets Now, or Muppet Mayhem.

 

[sootyfan]

We're allowed to have our own opinions man, it's not that deep. It's cool that you're enjoying the new stuff, you do you, but don't expect everyone else to feel the same.

 

[MuppetsRule]

If you guys think I’m going to say it’s the end of the Muppets for your entertainment, well, don’t count on it! I’m supporting the Muppets and I do hope this reboot of The Muppet Show will do good. Hopefully better than The Muppets 2015, Muppets Now, or Muppet Mayhem.

Reboot of the Muppet Show? It's a one-time anniversary special isn't it? Or did I miss something?

I'm excited to see it and am hopeful that it leads to more Muppet exposure. But sadly, I'm leaning LittleJerry's way. Hope they prove me wrong.

 

[LittleJerry92]

You can be excited for something while still having extremely low expectations. That’s what I was saying in my original post.

Of course I’m excited for new Muppet material. I just hate the way Disney continually spits in our faces with how they treat the franchise.

 

[rexcrk]

I'm remaining cautiously optimistic for this. I feel like part of what makes (or, made) the Muppets so special is that it was a group of really talented performers doing like whatever they wanted. Under Disney's control, they just feel too "corporate" if that makes sense. That's not to say that Disney hasn't done anything good with them. Both theatrical movies were great, I LOVED the 2015 show (a decade later and I'm still not over the fact that it was canceled after one season lol), the Electric Mayhem show was great. But that "spark" from the pre-Disney era is missing.

I'm going to watch it with an open mind, of course. I want to like it. I just hope they manage to pull it off really well.

 

[GuySmileyfan]

I'm remaining cautiously optimistic for this. I feel like part of what makes (or, made) the Muppets so special is that it was a group of really talented performers doing like whatever they wanted. Under Disney's control, they just feel too "corporate" if that makes sense. That's not to say that Disney hasn't done anything good with them. Both theatrical movies were great, I LOVED the 2015 show (a decade later and I'm still not over the fact that it was canceled after one season lol), the Electric Mayhem show was great. But that "spark" from the pre-Disney era is missing.

I'm going to watch it with an open mind, of course. I want to like it. I just hope they manage to pull it off really well.

That post I can respect! Thank you! Of course, to be honest, I’m kind of nervous! Excited, but nervous. And yes, I know it’s a back door pilot. But I’m not giving up hope on Disney and the Muppets.

 

[LittleJerry92]

If it fails, then I’ll say it’s the end of the Muppets (Which I hope I don’t say that)!

I’m going to be real with you in the most honest and respectful way possible. I really am convinced now seeing your past history with how you’ve presented yourself with this that you just enjoy blowing things out of proportion for the attention.

 

[Muppet Master]

I'm remaining cautiously optimistic for this. I feel like part of what makes (or, made) the Muppets so special is that it was a group of really talented performers doing like whatever they wanted. Under Disney's control, they just feel too "corporate" if that makes sense. That's not to say that Disney hasn't done anything good with them. Both theatrical movies were great, I LOVED the 2015 show (a decade later and I'm still not over the fact that it was canceled after one season lol), the Electric Mayhem show was great. But that "spark" from the pre-Disney era is missing.

I'm going to watch it with an open mind, of course. I want to like it. I just hope they manage to pull it off really well.

Frank Oz had similar criticisms about Disney's handling of the Muppets. Richard Hunt was also no fan of the Disney deal when it was originally supposed to happen in 1989. They definitely took the soul out of the franchise. The Muppets of the past worked because they embraced affectionate anarchy. Under Disney, they are all affection, no anarchy.

 

[Grumpo]

From a fan point of view, the main thing may be that Disney is just too corporate for a real muppet-style anarchy. After all, they are a big company, which means they are after big hits holding millions of viewers -- not exactly in the business of making "straight to shelf" cult classics productions adored by fans, which lose money for their makers. This is simply not a valid business model to operate on.

So,

• 2009 - Choosing The Muppets 2011 (Jason Segel) over The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made (Jerry Juhl & Frank Oz).
  The Cheapest was already in the works, Frank Oz and the team doing script readings and all. Financially this may be a sound decision, but it destroyed fans chance to see what could be the last "original muppets" production.
• 2015 - The Muppets 2015. Collecting a team of writers who apparently largely ignored opinions of performers in attempt to do a sitcom. First, too sexy, next too sachharine after viewers pushback, both a bit off for muppets. By the end, it seemed that the series were getting there, but did not have enough time to find the real Muppets "tone".
• 2016 - ... Come on, that was a tragic decision. Whatever the reason was, firing Kermit because Constantine was more available did not pay off. Based on latest videos leaked by Tough Pigs, Matt is getting the nasals right now, but the personality is still not quite there. Whatever the reason was, this could and should be handled differently.
• 2019 - The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance - cut short after one season, considered too expensive to produce, alas!
• 2020 - Muppets Now. Almost there, just a bit too hasty. A bit more budget for more music, and for some common thread to the series, instead of Scooter trying to slap short video bits together (which is pretty much what it was) would have done it.
• 2021 - Muppets Haunted Mansion. Actually, pretty much Muppets Tonight-like good. The only thing that's missing is the Gonzo-Rizzo sparkling exchanges, for obvious reason.
• 2023 - Muppets Mayhem - like Muppets Tonight, cut too short. It would keep on getting better if it kept going on.

The biggest issue is probably with cutting corners on people who have the original "spark". They could have used Jerry Juhl up to 2005. Heck, they could have used Jack Burns before he died in 2020, they say he kept his abilities and wits until the very end. They could have used Frank Oz, like, anytime. They could have used Steve Whitmire and have a real Kermit and real Rizzo for 2026 series. Though these decisions may be not optimal from corporate point of view, fans would have loved those.

 

[Chilly Down]

My jaw dropped to the floor when I heard this news. Never in a million years would I expect Disney to bring back TMS after all this time!

Like many of you, I'm cautiously optimistic. The Mouse House hasn't had a great track record with Kermit and the gang, but Seth Rogen is really funny. If he's got a handle on how to avoid the mistakes of the past, this could be a lot of fun.

Also, regarding the fact that the Muppet series keep getting canceled, that's why I think it's wise to start off with a special like what they're doing. If it's not a hit, we've still at least got the special. If it is a hit, then it makes sense for Disney to order a lot more episodes.

Regarding the recent controversy over Vogel's Kermit (even though he's had the role for 8 years), I hope Disney finds some way to smooth things over. Maybe invite Steve back to play Rizzo or Bean Bunny at least. Vogel is excellent, and sometimes (such as Kermit's appearance on Sesame Street's 50th), he can really shine in the role. Let's hope the right combination of script and performance can be found.

Sidebar: It would also be great to see Kevin Clash back as Clifford or some other characters. But first and foremost, of course, make it about being funny first, rather than just "Hey, here are characters you haven't seen in a while."

Also, with Frank Oz showing more interest in the Muppets again with "Muppet Guys Talking" and being in "Jim Henson: Idea Man," it would be great if they would ask him back for at least this one time to play his characters again (with all due respect to the amazing Eric Jacobson). But I'm really not holding my breath here.

Anyway, looking forward to additional updates on this potentially exciting project!