The Muppets are returning to television and it may not be just for one night only.
On Feb. 4, “The Muppet Show” will return as a Disney+ special, marking the 50th anniversary of the original series. The hope is for the special to act as a backdoor pilot for a new season of the series that debuted 50 years ago.
If the special succeeds, it could spur a new “The Muppet Show” television series, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The Disney+ special will star Sabrina Carpenter and is executive produced by Seth Rogen, who will also appear in the show.
In the special, the Muppets will return to their theater to produce a variety show. The show hails from 20th Television and Disney Branded Television.
The Muppets franchise was created by Jim Henson in 1955 and was purchased by The Walt Disney Company in 2004. “The Muppet Show” premiered in 1976 and ran until 1981. All five seasons of the original show can be streamed on Disney+.
The upcoming special will premiere on both Disney+ and ABC.
“Music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos are bound to ensue when The Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre with their very special guest, Sabrina Carpenter,” according to a press release from Disney.
A majority of the Muppet characters in this production will be performed by veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel.
Watch the teaser for ‘The Muppet Show’ special
On Friday, Disney released the first teaser for the special, giving fans their first sneak peek into the show.
“It’s the return of The Muppet Show — back on the very stage where it all started, and then ended, and is maybe starting again depending on how tonight goes,” Kermit announces at the start of the clip.
The teaser also shows special guest Sabrina Carpenter complimenting Miss Piggy backstage.
“You are an icon,” says Carpenter.
“You’re too sweet,” Miss Piggy replies before adding, “Go on.”
In November, Carpenter welcomed Miss Piggy to her show during the final stop of the Short N’ Sweet Tour in Los Angeles.
Rogen is also shown in the 30-second clip talking to Fozzie Bear.
A Miss Piggy movie is in the works
During an interview in November, Jennifer Lawrence revealed that she is joining forces with Emma Stone to produce a Miss Piggy movie.
The movie is in development at Disney with Cole Escola set to write the script. Escola is a Tony winner for their hit Broadway play “Oh, Mary!”
Lawrence added that she and Stone might also star in the film, per Variety.