“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 as the Muppets and the 50th anniversary of the original Muppet Show, the gang is back with a nostalgia filled special and the hopes to be developed into full series.

Streaming on Disney+, produced by Seth Rogan, and featuring Sabrina Carpenter, the special sees a modern spin on the variety show format of the original show. The revival utilizes their guest star very well, with Carpenter creating a bridge between new viewers and the chaotic world of the Muppets through both musical numbers and quirky yet endearing interactions with the characters.

The best parts of the special are reminiscent of the 70s series. Seeing the backstage portions of the show is incredibly fun with a running gag about Oscar winners being surprisingly hilarious. The return of Muppet Labs is entertaining but what steals the show is Statler and Waldorf jeering from their balcony.

To say the special is bizarre is an understatement, it is easy to see how people unfamiliar with the concept of the original show can get lost in the mix. With a run time of only 33 minutes, it is incredibly fast-paced, making it easy for new viewers to feel overwhelmed. The show constantly jumps from things like a musical number featuring rats performing the Weeknd, to the death and subsequent revival of famous comedian Maya Rudolph, and a legal battle between Carpenter and Miss Piggy.

Even through the chaos, it is still incredibly enjoyable to watch and even gets emotional at the end.

The Muppets have struggled finding an audience since the death of their creator Jim Henson, and the characters are very upfront about their lack of relevance in today’s media. The special concludes with an honest conversation from the characters to us the viewers: there’s an understanding that the special isn’t perfect but there is an honest effort and if given the chance to develop into a full series, there is an opportunity to grow.