It’s time to play the music and light the lights—but for how long?
Following the massive success of the recent The Muppet Show special, which premiered on February 4, The Walt Disney Company has revealed that the variety show revival has officially charmed nearly 8 million viewers (7.58 million) across ABC and Disney+ in its first eight days.
The special, which saw the gang return to the original Muppet Theatre alongside guest star Sabrina Carpenter and executive producer Seth Rogen, hasn’t just captured eyeballs; it’s captured the zeitgeist. On top of the viewership surge, the special is currently “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes with a near-perfect 98% critical score.
But as Kermit the Frog himself celebrated the news in a viral social media video (Watch the video below), fans are asking the million-dollar question: Is 8 million views enough to turn this one-night-only event into a full-time series?
The Power of the “Backdoor Pilot of The Muppet Show”
While Disney officially billed the Sabrina Carpenter-led episode as a “special event,” industry insiders have long whispered that the production served as a backdoor pilot. In the world of modern streaming, a multi-platform reach of nearly 8 million viewers is a formidable metric, especially when paired with the 125 million hours of legacy Muppet content fans have consumed on Disney+ in recent weeks.
“The momentum underscores the enduring popularity of the franchise,” Disney said in a statement. For a brand that has spent the last decade experimenting with mockumentaries (The Muppets on ABC) and short-form content (Muppets Now), the overwhelming response to the classic variety format suggests that what audiences want isn’t a reinvention—it’s the original recipe.
Why the Odds are in Kermit’s Favor
Several factors are pointing toward a full series greenlight:
- The “Carpenter” Effect: Bringing in a modern powerhouse like Sabrina Carpenter bridged the gap between nostalgic Gen X-ers and “Zillennial” viewers, proving the Muppets can still attract a broad demographic.
- Production Readiness: Reports suggest that the creative team, led by director Alex Timbers, may already be drafting scripts for future installments.
- Cost vs. Engagement: While Muppets aren’t “cheap” to produce, the high engagement levels and the ability to drive viewers to a deep library of existing content make it a high-value asset for Disney+.
The “Chaos” is Just Getting Started
In the special, the Muppets proclaimed they were “back on the very stage where it all started and then ended and is maybe starting again.”
With viewership numbers that rival major network hits like Abbott Elementary, the “maybe” is looking more like a “definitely.” While Disney has yet to officially announce a full season order, the combination of critical acclaim, massive social media engagement, and 8 million satisfied fans suggests that the Muppet Theatre’s doors won’t be staying closed for long.
As the special’s synopsis promised: music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos are bound to ensue. If the numbers are any indication, the world is ready for a lot more of it.
You can stream ‘The Muppet Show‘ special and all five original seasons now on Disney+.
Can 8 Million Views Be Enough to Bring ‘The Muppet Show’ Back Full Time?
