More than four decades after they first took over television screens with felt, foam, and fearless wit, The Muppets are back—if only for one glittering night. On Wednesday, February 4, ABC invites viewers to tune in for a prime-time celebration that revives one of the most beloved television phenomena of the 1970s, reminding us why these characters became cultural icons in the first place.
The story of The Muppets begins not with decades of puppetry tradition, but with a young creative mind obsessed with one thing: television. Jim Henson didn’t grow up steeped in puppet lore, nor did he possess any formal training in puppetry when he started out. What he did have was a laser-focused determination to work in TV. When a local television station expressed interest in airing a puppet show, Henson saw his opening—not to become a puppeteer, but to become a television professional. The puppets were simply the means to the end.
Armed with curiosity, experimentation, and an unshakable belief in what he was creating, Henson developed the creatures that would eventually be known as the Muppets. They were expressive, subversive, musical, and unlike anything audiences had seen before. Yet when The Muppet Show was pitched to every major broadcast network in the United States, it was rejected—across the board. The idea was deemed too strange, too adult, too confusing, or simply too risky.
Ironically, it was across the Atlantic where opportunity finally knocked. A British television partner offered The Muppets a prime-time slot, a gamble that paid off spectacularly. The show returned to American homes through first-run syndication, but by then it was already something bigger: a global sensation. At its height, The Muppet Showreached an estimated 230 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most-watched television programs on the planet.
During its original run in the late 1970s and early 1980s, The Muppet Show earned 21 Emmy Award nominations, winning four. It also claimed a Peabody Award, a BAFTA Award, a Writers Guild of America Award, and a Georgie Award—a rare sweep that underscored both its creative brilliance and its universal appeal. Comedy, music, satire, and warmth blended seamlessly, making it a show that spoke to children and adults alike.
ABC’s one-night return promises all the familiar chaos and charm fans remember. Expect the usual suspects to take the stage: Kermit the Frog as the long-suffering host, Miss Piggy as his glamorous foil, along with Scooter, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (yes, including Animal), Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Camilla, Floyd, and—looming above it all—Statler and Waldorf, ready to deliver their signature balcony commentary.
This revival also leans firmly into the present. The episode’s Very Special Guest Star is Sabrina Carpenter, bringing modern pop energy into the classic Muppet mayhem. Behind the scenes, the episode is produced by Seth Rogen, so viewers would be wise to keep an eye out for a cameo or two—Henson would have appreciated the meta humor.
ABC has already hinted that this is more than a nostalgia exercise. If ratings are strong—and how could they not be?—the network says the special could lead to a full series pickup. In an entertainment landscape where reboots and revivals are often greeted with skepticism, this one feels different. Yes, Disney knows how to rinse and repeat a successful property, but unlike splitting Wicked into two films, The Muppets returning to prime time is the kind of throwback audiences are eager to welcome.
For one night, at least, it’s time to play the music, light the lights, and remember that sometimes the most enduring television magic comes from a handful of puppets and one man’s determination to get on TV.
Take this opportunity to go back, if just for a short time. Back to a time when television was by appointment. You watched it when it aired or prayed it would rerun in the summer. This was before VCR’s. Gas prices were our big concern, and we were looking to escape all that was the outside and spend some time with the family. We would sit together and watch these silly, funny little “Muppets” sing, do sketches, and each week with a different A-list celebrity. They made us laugh, and, more importantly, they did make us forget all that was out there. They brought families together in one room to enjoy a shared interest. So get your family or family of choice together and take a trip back in time. Give in to the nostalgia and enjoy this celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original show, the way we did in the 70’s. The new Muppet Show special, featuring guest star Sabrina Carpenter, airs on Wednesday, February 4, at 8/7c on ABC and will also be available on Disney+ the following day.
