Kermit the Frog is hitting the late-night circuit to drum up excitement for a major milestone in Muppet history. In a recent sit-down on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the world’s most famous amphibian shared the first look at an upcoming variety special that brings the whole gang back to their roots. This new production, simply titled “The Muppet Show,” is scheduled to air on February 4 across both ABC and Disney+, marking a high-profile return to the classic variety format that made the characters global icons.
The upcoming special finds Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo reclaiming the stage at the original Muppet Theatre. Adding some modern star power to the felt-filled chaos, Sabrina Carpenter will join the cast as the guest star. Carpenter is taking on a heavy lift for this project, serving as an executive producer alongside industry heavyweights like Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The production is being helmed by director Alex Timbers, with a familiar crew of Muppet performers—including Matt Vogel, Eric Jacobson, and Dave Goelz—bringing the characters to life.
While chatting with Kimmel, Kermit touched on his legendary career, from his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to his days guest-hosting for Johnny Carson. He even shared some lighter moments about his life off-camera, including run-ins with Kaley Cuoco and spending time on Magic Johnson’s yacht.
This revival isn’t just a random return; it serves as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original Jim Henson creation, which first captured hearts in 1976. Though currently billed as a standalone special, industry insiders are looking at this as a potential “backdoor pilot” that could lead to a full-time series revival if it performs well. To round out the celebration, a fresh recording of the iconic “The Muppet Show Theme” will drop on Feb. 4, produced by the award-winning Bill Sherman.