Review: “The Muppet Show”

Overview:

The Muppet Show recently returned for a one-night special debuting on Disney+ and ABC in honor of the show’s 50th anniversary. Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen, and Maya Rudolph guest star, with the former also featuring as executive producers.

Our Take:

For years, viewers have seen the Muppets try to break back into show business, from their trip to Oz to their mockumentary series. Fans have witnessed the Muppet Babies come, go, and return to prominence. All the while, fans have been asking, why not go back to that old Muppet Theatre and give viewers more of the classic show? Finally, this wish has been granted with this recent special.

The special really feels like it’s designed to be what a modern episode of the classic Muppet Show would feel like. Viewers get modern touches, from special guest Sabrina Carpenter performing “Manchild” as the opening number to Rizzo performing a parody of the Weeknd. However, there are still classic sketches, like Muppet Labs and even a Muppet News Flash. One special sketch, “Pigs in Wigs” seems to be a Bridgerton parody, yet still feels like a throwback to the classic “At the Dance” sketches.

Some fans might dislike things being too modern, but the Muppets have always been contemporary, with guests often performing their big hits. Seriously, even Sesame Street used to have a disco. Besides, Rizzo could give Abel Tesfaye a run for his money with his rendition of “Blinding Lights.”

The special has the benefit of hindsight to know what fans want from the classic characters, especially when it comes to Miss Piggy. While it’s expected to make fun of her delusions of grandeur of being a star, fans don’t want things to get too mean-spirited, because she’s always a real star to them. Carpenter is nothing but gracious to Piggy, being just as much a fan as anyone. One of the final musical sketches, for example, starts as a love duet between Kermit and Carpenter. However, Piggy sneaks in, and it turns into her and Carpenter singing about how the world can handle two divas.

Unfortunately, there’s a whole lot of Muppets and not enough time to give each of them the attention fans may want. Obviously, no one was expecting a new Wayne and Wanda skit, but it’s a shame that some characters are relegated to cameos. Given how prominent Uncle Deadly’s been in recent Muppet media, some would’ve expected him to be a major player. In addition, there’s a little too much focus on the human guest stars, especially considering that there are three of them, not to mention just how long fans have been waiting to see the Muppets return.

While the Muppets have often been used in family-friendly media over the years, the original Muppet Show wasn’t always kid-friendly. After all, one of the pilots of the original 70’s show was literally called The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence. ABC’s late-night airing of the special, on a school night no less, makes clear this special is somewhat for the older fans, though it never gets too excessive. After all, generations of people have grown up with these classic characters.

Obviously, there’s a tinge of sadness over this seemingly being a one-off special. The puppetry and the voices aren’t quite the same as the original. But, in the end, it’s always best to appreciate the special for being a little something extra for fans to enjoy. Besides, no one expected to return to the vaudeville show, so there’s always hope for another rainbow connection.