If you want better emotional impact
Choose Young Sherlock, Season 1. It scores 5.0 vs 4.4 for emotional impact, with a 4.0 overall score.
The Muppet Show (2026) Review
Bottom Line
Choose it for a warm, funny return to the classic Muppet variety-show formula, especially if nostalgia and Sabrina Carpenter appeal to you. Skip it if Kermit’s changed voice, rapid pacing, or a few adult-leaning jokes are likely to bother you.
Best for
Longtime Muppet fans, families comfortable with a few grown-up winks, and viewers who enjoy old-school variety comedy with musical guest stars.
Not for
Viewers who strongly dislike nostalgia-driven revivals, are sensitive to Kermit’s changed voice, or want a slower, more story-focused episode may be less satisfied.
Verdict
The Muppet Show’s 2026 special wins reviewers over by resisting reinvention. Its strongest asset is how confidently it restores the old theater, backstage chaos, musical numbers and character-driven comedy while letting Sabrina Carpenter fit naturally into the ensemble. Most critics describe the result as joyful, funny and surprisingly timeless, with strong practical puppetry and an immediate desire for more episodes. The tradeoffs are concentrated rather than fatal: Kermit’s newer voice remains distracting for some longtime fans, the roughly half-hour runtime leaves favorite characters underused, and several jokes or sketches feel rushed or underpolished. Even reviewers with those complaints generally see the special as a convincing proof of concept for a full revival.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
45 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.014 (31%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.427 (60%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.43 (7%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.41 (2%)
Pros
-
Sabrina Carpenter is repeatedly singled out as an unusually natural guest, while the human cameos generally support rather than overpower the Muppets.
-
Across the set, the special is repeatedly called fun, delightful and easy to enjoy; even several mixed reviews still find plenty to smile or laugh at.
-
Most reviewers laugh often and praise the character comedy, slapstick and wordplay, but several note flat sketches, uneven punchlines or jokes that need another pass.
-
The rebuilt theater, backstage spaces, props and stage presentation earn strong approval for making the special look convincingly rooted in the classic show.
-
Maya Rudolph and Seth Rogen are generally enjoyed as brief additions, with Rudolph in particular earning repeated laughs without pulling focus from the Muppets.
-
Demand for more is emphatic across the reviews: many explicitly ask for additional specials or a full series and describe the one-off format as the biggest limitation.
Cons
-
One reviewer specifically criticizes the compressed final musical number, saying its cut-down form makes the cadence feel awkward.
-
The only explicit language concern is light profanity, treated as a minor part of an otherwise restrained family-oriented special.
-
The short runtime cannot fully serve such a large ensemble. Several reviewers specifically want more Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal, Electric Mayhem and other favorites.
-
Veteran Muppet performers draw strong praise for puppetry and character work, but Kermit’s changed voice is the most persistent performance complaint.
Cast & Creators
-
PerformerCarpenter is the clearest human standout: reviewers repeatedly call her a perfect or ideal fit, praising her comic timing, musical performances and chemistry with Miss Piggy.
-
ActorRudolph’s audience cameo becomes a recurring comic highlight, with reviewers calling her contribution delightful and especially funny.
-
RizzoFreeman’s Rizzo work earns direct praise, with reviewers calling his puppetry spectacular and saying he is doing an excellent job with the character.
-
ProducerRogen is credited with understanding the classic Muppet formula, and his brief on-screen presence is generally treated as a fun addition rather than a distraction.
-
RowlfBarretta’s brief Rowlf material is positively received as a fun early beat.
-
Miss PiggyJacobson’s Miss Piggy work is praised for making the character funny beyond her diva persona.
View all 45 feature scores and cast & creators
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other TV Shows, this product is above average in character consistency, family friendliness, age appropriateness, near average in emotional impact, visual style, below average in editing quality, main cast performance.
Comparison summary
43 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher24 (56%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts17 (40%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower2 (5%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| character consistency | 4.6 | 2.9 | +1.7 |
| family friendliness | 3.6 | 2.3 | +1.3 |
| editing quality | 2.0 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
| age appropriateness | 3.9 | 2.6 | +1.3 |
| violence level | 4.8 | 3.3 | +1.6 |
| episode length | 4.2 | 3.2 | +0.9 |
| main cast performance | 3.4 | 4.5 | -1.1 |
| plot clarity | 4.0 | 2.9 | +1.1 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better main cast performance
Choose Dark Winds, Season 4. It scores 4.9 vs 3.4 for main cast performance, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better production design
Choose How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Season 1. It scores 5.0 vs 4.5 for production design, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better genre satisfaction
Choose What It Feels Like For A Girl, Season 1. It scores 5.0 vs 4.1 for genre satisfaction, with a 4.1 overall score.
FAQ
Is the 2026 special faithful to the original The Muppet Show?
Yes. Reviewers overwhelmingly say it restores the classic theater, variety-show structure, backstage chaos and character dynamics rather than reinventing the formula.
Is it family-friendly?
Mostly, but several reviews flag mild slapstick, a few darker gags and subtle adult innuendo. Some recommend extra parental awareness for younger children.
How is Sabrina Carpenter in the special?
She is one of the strongest points of agreement. Reviewers repeatedly praise her comic fit, musical numbers and chemistry with Miss Piggy.
What do reviewers think of Kermit’s voice?
It is the most recurring performance complaint. Some adjust to Matt Vogel’s take, while others find it noticeably or jarringly different from earlier Kermit performances.
Does the half-hour runtime work?
It keeps the episode brisk, but many reviewers think it is too short to give the large Muppet ensemble enough time and say it leaves them wanting more.
Does the special work as a possible pilot?
Most reviewers think so. They describe it as a promising proof of concept and repeatedly express interest in more specials or a full series.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
Article Reviews
pshspawprint.com
“It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights, it’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show Tonight!”.Celebrating 70 years...
- Review score
- 3.8
voicemag.uk
It's time to play the music and light the lights as Kermit and the gang return to Disney+ with very special guest star Sabrina Carpenter!
- Review score
- 4.7
movieguide.org
Is THE MUPPET SHOW TV Special family friendly? Find out only at Movieguide. The Family and Christian Guide to Movie Reviews and Entertainment...
- Review score
- 4.2
littlebitsofgaming.com
When I was a kid, I adored The Muppet Show (still do now that I'm almost 50). For 30 minutes once a week, I would be silent, sitting in front...
- Review score
- 4.4
thepopbreak.com
The Muppet Show special featuring Sabrina Carpenter was a perfect revival of the beloved Jim Henson series.
- Review score
- 4.6
Top TV Shows to Consider
Choose The Pitt Season 2 for a gripping, realistic medical drama with superb acting and emotional depth. Skip it if graphic procedures, unresolved arcs, or slower character-driven pacing bother you.
Pros: episode structure, main cast performance
Cons: age appropriateness, plot clarity
Choose Kylie for a heartfelt, candid music documentary with rich archives, sharp editing, and big emotional payoff. Skip it if you need a fully exhaustive career chronology or dislike authorized...
Pros: episode pacing, season finale quality
Cons: episode structure, season pacing
Best for heartfelt family drama, strong performances, natural faith themes, and an easy binge. Skip it if you need fast pacing, strict doctrinal portrayals, or a satisfying romantic resolution.
Pros: season finale quality, screenplay quality
Cons: character consistency, continuity
Best for exceptional performances, heartfelt family chemistry, and a humane take on motherhood and sex work. Skip it if you need gritty realism, fast setup, or perfectly cohesive tone.
Pros: episode structure, dialogue quality
Cons: plot twists, season finale quality