The Muppets are finally going back to their roots, and the first full trailer just proved that the chaos we’ve missed is officially back. Disney+ and ABC dropped the official look at the upcoming “The Muppet Show” special event today, and it’s a total love letter to the 1976 classic. From the moment the red curtains parted to the first note of the updated theme song, it’s clear that Seth Rogen and director Alex Timbers are aiming for pure, unadulterated Muppet magic.
The biggest surprise in today’s footage was the reveal of Maya Rudolph joining the guest list. She’ll be appearing alongside pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter, who seems perfectly game for the Muppets’ brand of “weird.” The trailer shows Carpenter caught in the middle of a classic backstage frenzy, while Kermit desperately tries to keep the production from falling apart—some things truly never change.
What makes this special feel different from past reboots is the return to the Muppet Theatre itself. We aren’t in a mockumentary office or a late-night talk show set; we are back in the vaudeville-inspired chaos where it all started. With veteran legends like Dave Goelz behind the characters, the soul of the franchise feels intact. This isn’t just a one-off celebration; it’s a test to see if the world is ready for a full-time Muppet variety show again. Based on the energy of this trailer, the answer is a resounding “Hi-Ho!”