The Muppet Show special returns to the classic variety format

Disney’s new The Muppet Show special appears on Disney Plus as a half-hour episode that deliberately reproduces the original 1970s variety format. Sabrina Carpenter is the celebrity guest and Seth Rogen is credited as an executive producer. The special recreates the classic opening and mixes musical numbers, sketches and backstage chaos as Kermit over-books the show and a wide array of familiar and obscure Muppets appear.

It revives Muppet Labs with Bunsen and Beaker, leans on running gags, includes a romance between Beautiful Day Monster and Maya Rudolph, and gives Rizzo a modern musical moment performed by Bradley Freeman Jr., with reference to the firing of Rizzo’s originator Steve Whitmire.

Presented as a trial balloon for a reboot, the episode arrives amid debate over Disney’s stewardship of the characters and uncertain prospects for a full return.

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