Half a century after The Muppet Show first took the stage, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy sit down to talk about the fame, friendship and finely tuned chaos that built an entertainment empire.
Fifty years ago, The Muppet Show premiered, introducing audiences to a gloriously chaotic backstage world anchored by producer-host Kermit the Frog and his indomitable leading lady, Miss Piggy. Surrounding them was a repertory company for the ages: Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Scooter, Statler and Waldorf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew — with later arrivals like Beaker, Rizzo the Rat and Pepé the King Prawn adding their own brands of mischief and mayhem.
Over the decades, the troupe has carried that anarchic spirit across multiple series, feature films and television specials — from The Muppet Movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan to The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppets Most Wanted — cementing their place as one of entertainment’s most enduring ensembles. The Muppet Show (1976–81) alone racked up 21 Emmy nominations and won four, including a 1978 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series (which it won in a race against Saturday Night Live and The Carol Burnett Show).
Earlier this year, the cast returned to its roots with The Muppet Show, a special event for Disney+ and ABC executive-produced by Seth Rogen (The Studio) and featuring singer Sabrina Carpenter and special audience member Maya Rudolph (Loot). In it, the gang once again gathers at the iconic Muppet Theatre — facing backstage hubbub, onstage spectacle and, of course, reliably scathing commentary from Statler and Waldorf — to deliver a show for longtime fans and a new generation alike.
In celebration of the anniversary and the special, Kermit and Miss Piggy sat down with emmy editor Sarah Hirsch to talk pre-show rituals (bubble baths! lily-pad tea!), the perks and pitfalls of fame and how Kermit manages to stay upbeat amid the madness. “I guess I always think it’s better than the alternative,” he says. “I like to think that even when things are hard, it can always work out.”
First off, congratulations on the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show! Many of our readers grew up watching you, so I'm sure they were thrilled to see you return with a new special this year.
KERMIT THE FROG: Gee, thanks! That’s very nice to hear.
MISS PIGGY: Awww, that’s so sweet. Now, I assume your readers must be very young and cool if you are highlighting moi? I know Gen Z loves magazines. In order, it’s TikTok, Instagram, then emmy magazine.
Yes, I've heard that, too. So, how did this special come together? Who approached whom?
KF: We’ve always wanted to bring the show back. Then we found out Seth is also a huge fan and wanted to bring it back, so it felt like a natural collaboration. You know, he knows people.
MP: Yes, and he’s a huge fan of moi.
KF: Yes, we know.
MP: He told me.
KF: Okay.
MP: It’s true!
KF: Okay!
What were those first days like, being back together again?
MP: Oh, it was wonderful! I love the theater. The lights, the stage, the much-too-small dressing room.
KF: It’s the same dressing room, Piggy.
MP: I know, and it’s too small! You gotta take inflation into account.
There were so many great moments in the special. Do any standout as personal favorites?
The Muppets take the stage with special guest Sabrina Carpenter.
KF: Singing a duet with Sabrina Carpenter was pretty great. And getting to do the big finale number with everyone was —
MP: — and I also sang with Sabrina.
KF: Uh, yes. You did.
MP: It’s really the moment most people talked about. Wouldn’t you agree?
KF: I mean …
MP: It is.
It was definitely a memorable moment. What did she bring to the special as the featured guest?
MP: She was so fun and verrrry collaborative! In fact, we agreed she’d bring the fun, and I would bring all the talent, so it worked out perfectly!
KF: Well, to be clear, Sabrina brought in a lot of talent, too.
MP: Yeah, but she doesn’t need PR like I do.
And what was it like collaborating with Seth Rogen?
MP: I love having him around! He actually asked me for a bit of advice. You know, just talking shop about showbiz, which big projects I would be good for.
KF: He did? I didn’t see you two interact that much.
MP: Well, darling, that’s because you’re obviously a Hollywood outsider.
KF: Right.
You and Kermit have been friends and colleagues for decades. What's the secret to sustaining a long creative partnership?
KF: Patience.
MP: What’s that supposed to mean?
KF: Nothing.
MP: Don’t get smart, frog. The voters read this.
The Muppet Show is executive-produced by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Alex McAtee, David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter, Michael Steinbach, Sabrina Carpenter, Albertina Rizzo, Matt Vogel, Eric Jacobson and director Alex Timbers. The special is a production of 20th Television, Disney Branded Television, The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures.
The complete version of this article can be found in emmy magazine, issue #8, 2026, under the title "It's Time to Meet the Muppets."
