TL;DR
- Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are producing a Disney+ special reviving The Muppet Show in 2026 to mark the show’s 50th anniversary.
- Sabrina Carpenter will guest star and co-executive produce.
- Longtime Muppet performers—Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel—will return as the characters.
- The special is being framed as a backdoor pilot, meaning it could lead to a full series revival depending on reception.
In celebration of the show’s 50th anniversary, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are producing a Disney+ special reviving The Muppet Show in 2026. This one-off event will see Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and the rest of the ensemble returning to the Muppet Theatre to produce a variety show format. Sabrina Carpenter will be guest starring and co-executive producing as well.
It’s being treated as a backdoor pilot, with the hope that it may lead to a full-series revival if the special performs well.
Cast & Production Team
- Guest Star / Co-Executive Producer: Sabrina Carpenter
- Producers: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Point Grey Pictures) will executive produce the special.
- Writers / Director: Written by Albertina Rizzo, directed by Alex Timbers.
- Returning Muppeteers: Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel—veterans who perform many of the classic characters will reprise their roles.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The Muppet Show is a cultural icon; its variety show format combining comedy, music, sketches, and guest stars has resonated for decades. A revival taps into both nostalgia and a demand for feel-good, family-friendly entertainment.
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg bring a fresh comedic voice; their recent work (e.g. The Studio) signals they can handle both satire and heart, which might help update The Muppets for modern audiences without losing its charm.
Having Sabrina Carpenter onboard may help attract younger viewers as well as longtime fans, bridging generational gaps.
Disney has tried various Muppets projects over the years—Muppets Now, The Muppets Mayhem, etc.—but none have led to an ongoing revival of the classic variety format. This could be the most direct return to the original Muppet Show style in decades.
Bringing back The Muppet Show is no small feat. It’s a balancing act between honoring the nostalgia, retaining the warmth and humor that made it a classic, and updating the format enough to feel fresh for today. With a credible team behind it—Rogen, Goldberg, seasoned Muppeteers, and Sabrina Carpenter—this revival special has a real shot at doing more than just being a love letter to the past.
FAQs
It’s official. Disney+ has announced a 2026 special produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg that will be a revival of The Muppet Show.
Sabrina Carpenter is guest starring and co-executive producing. Longtime Muppet performers (Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, Matt Vogel) will perform the classic characters.
It’s a special or standalone episode intended to test audience interest; if it’s successful, it can lead into a full series. This revival is being framed as such.
It’s set for 2026, but the exact release date has not been announced yet.
The revival coincides with the show’s 50th anniversary. There is also renewed interest in variety-show formats and comforting, familiar franchises. Producers seem to believe there’s an appetite among both longtime fans and newer viewers for the classic Muppet style.
