The Muppet Show Returns: Sabrina Carpenter Headlines a Nostalgic Disney+ Event

Reel Perspectives

February 3, 2026

Disney

Get ready to reconnect with your childhood as Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the beloved Muppets ensemble are back with a brand new special event. Music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos are bound to ensue when The Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre.

Jim Henson's original series, which ran from 1976 through 1981, featured numerous celebrity guest stars, including Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Liza Minnelli, and Paul Simon. The variety show quickly became a staple of pop culture, earning the series accolades including Emmys, Grammys, a Peabody, BAFTA, and numerous other awards, spawning feature films, specials, and spinoffs.

Sabrina Carpenter will headline the special event, along with Executive Producer Seth Rogen and Guest star Maya Rudolph. The Muppet Show makes its highly anticipated return on Disney+ and ABC on February 4, however D23 Gold Members can enjoy a special advance screening in the D23 Gold Theater virtual event series, which will be available to watch here on Tuesday, February 3 at 6 PT / 9 p.m. ET.

Disney

Veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel will perform the majority of the iconic Muppet characters in this production, supported by a talented team of additional performers. Dave Goelz, who has performed with The Muppets for over 50 years, was a performer on the original The Muppet Show and originated the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, among many others. 

The new series brings back everything that made the original iconic, with enthusiastic sketches and musical numbers interspersed with backstage plotlines and running gags featuring Kermit, Ms. Piggy, Scooter, Gonzo, and all the main lovable characters. The reboot reminds us why we fell in love with the original, filled with genuine humor, a vibrant mix of music, laughter, and delightful mayhem.

For older fans, it's the ultimate nostalgia and a delightful trip down memory lane. Watching Ms. Piggy, after all these years, being her most brattiest, diva-ish self, is the ultimate high. For new fans who need to catch up, all five seasons of The Muppet Show are currently available to stream on Disney+.

Maya Rudolph is fantastic and Sabrina Carpenter belting her hit songs bridges the gap between nostalgia and contemporary, making the entire event charming, vibrant, and wholesome good fun.

The Muppet Show premieres on Disney+ and ABC on February 4.