Disney’s Muppets Studio has denied that a revival of Jim Henson’s classic variety series The Muppet Show is in the works.
“The Muppets Studio is not in production at this time on any new Muppets series, based on The Muppet Show or otherwise,” a Muppets Studio spokesperson exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, May 7.
Deuxmoi reported in April 2025 that Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear and their friends were likely returning for a reboot of the classic Muppet Show format in 2026 — complete with celebrity guests and zany comedy sketches. The outlet reported the Muppet Show revival was in its early stages, with no firm filming plans or celebrity guests lined up.
While the Muppets have many celebrity superfans — Jason Segel, Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Jack Black to name only a few — it appears as if the Muppet Theatre won’t be opening its doors again any time in the near future. Still, there’s plenty for Muppet fans to be excited for as the franchise is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025.
Henson debuted his unique brand of puppetry in 1955 while he was still a college student. He coined the term “Muppet” as a portmanteau of “marionette” and “puppet.” The Muppets made their first appearance in the show Sam and Friends in 1955 for local TV station WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.
Henson produced two Muppet Show pilot episodes for ABC in the mid-1970s but both were rejected, so he partnered with British producer Lew Grade to bring the project to ITV in the U.K., instead. The Muppet Show premiered on U.K. TV on September 5, 1976 and would later air in the U.S. in syndication.
The meta-narrative of The Muppet Show revolved around host Kermit the Frog trying to put on each week’s variety show despite numerous backstage calamities. Each episode started with Kermit and gang singing about getting ready for air time in “The Muppet Show Theme,” which would have new lyrics each season.
Every new episode also featured a celebrity guest appearing in sketches with the Muppets. Mark Hamill, Sylvester Stallone, Christopher Reeve, Diana Ross, Carol Burnett, Liza Minnelli, Alice Cooper and Roger Moore were among the many guest stars to appear on the comedy show throughout its run.
The Muppet Show aired for five seasons between 1976 and 1981, during which time it received 21 Emmy nominations and won three awards. Henson’s last attempt at a weekly primetime Muppet series was 1989’s The Jim Henson Hour, which ditched the variety show format in favor of mini-movies. The Jim Henson Hour never attracted high ratings and was cancelled by NBC after one season.
Henson died in May 1990 at age 53 from toxic shock syndrome, related to the bacteria streptococcus pyogenes. He had been complaining to loved ones about a sore throat for weeks before his sudden death, but resisted taking time off work to focus on his health.
The Jim Henson Company continued on following its founder’s death, with his son Brian taking over in 1991. Brian now serves as chairman and sister Lisa is the CEO, while their siblings Cheryl and Heather are active members of the Henson Company’s board of directors.
ABC attempted to revive a Muppet Show-like format with 1996’s Muppets Tonight, where Kermit and friends put on their own talk show. Like The Muppet Show, the ABC series integrated backstage calamities as Kermit and friends tried to get each week’s show on air. ABC cancelled Muppets Tonight in 1998 after two seasons.
In February 2004, The Henson Company sold the rights to The Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House to The Walt Disney Company, with Disney subsequently forming Muppets Studio to develop future projects.
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