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Sabrina Carpenter Returns to Disney roots in Muppets’ 50th-Anniversary spectacular
Sabrina Carpenter meets Miss Piggy in The Muppet Show's’ 50th-Anniversary comeback
After 45 years away from the stage, The Muppet Show made a triumphant return on Wednesday night (04.02.26), with a 50th-anniversary special on Disney+.
Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie, and the rest of the beloved gang reclaimed their vaudeville theatre, and pop star Sabrina Carpenter stepped in as the perfect guest, bringing musicality, comic timing and star quality.
For the Espresso superstar, it was a full-circle moment. Having first made her name on Disney Channel in Girl Meets World, she returned to familiar territory as if no time had passed, stepping effortlessly into the Muppet fold and blending her modern star power with the ensemble’s timeless charm.
For long-time fans, the episode was a welcome reminder of what made the original series - which ran from 1976 to 1981 - such a phenomenon. Executive producer Seth Rogen, who also makes a cameo, cites the show as his childhood favourite, and it’s easy to see why - a seamless blend of backstage chaos, sketches, and musical numbers that appeal across generations. Unlike 2015’s estranged-Kermit sitcom or the tonal misstep of 2020’s Muppets Now, this special remains faithful to the classic formula, delivering the kind of carefully orchestrated mayhem that feels timeless.
Miss Piggy with Elton John on the Muppets Show in 1977 / Credit: AVALON
Sabrina Carpenter fits into the world of the Muppets with surprising ease. Her interplay with Miss Piggy is a standout when she admits, “I’ve basically modelled my whole style after you,” Piggy’s crisp response “My attorneys have taken note”- elicits knowing chuckles from adult viewers while remaining entirely family-friendly.
Carpenter also shone in Pigs in Wigs, a Bridgerton-inspired sketch that showcased her ability to play off Piggy’s diva energy without overshadowing it, while contributing her own musical talents to the mix.
Sabrina performing at the 2025 BRIT Awards / Credit: Getty Images
Backstage, the classic chaos was in full effect. Fozzie delivered his signature groan-worthy jokes, Gonzo attempted gravity-defying roller-skating stunts, and Beaker’s eyeballs popped out during one of Professor Bunsen Honeydew’s experiments. Rowlf returned to the piano, Animal wreaked delightful havoc on the drums, and Statler and Waldorf grumbled from the balcony as only they could. The sole concession to modern life, a brief nod to excessive screen time, reminded viewers that even after five decades, the Muppets’ appeal remained remarkably universal.
The special also paid homage to the show’s storied history. From Kermit’s humble beginnings in 1955, when Jim Henson fashioned him from a coat and table tennis balls, to the British-produced series that became a global sensation, the Muppets had long combined comedy, music and character-driven storytelling in ways few franchises could match. Yesterday’s episode honoured that legacy, delivering chaos, heart and humour in equal measure.
More than a nostalgic celebration, the 50th-anniversary special reaffirmed the Muppets’ enduring charm and uniquely orchestrated chaos, while Carpenter stepped back into the spotlight with the same playful, musical ease that first made her sparkle.
