The Muppet Show has endeared a solid audience since its premiere on February 4, delivering nearly 8M total viewers within eight days of multi-platform viewing across ABC and Disney+, Disney said Friday.
That’s more than double (+147% to be exact) the 3.07M viewers that tuned in for the initial airing on ABC.
Along with the data, Disney also released a special “Thank You” video from Kermit the Frog, which you can watch below.
From 20th Television, Disney Branded Television, The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures, the brand-new installment included Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the gang as they return to the Muppet Theatre to produce a variety show.
The special, which marks the 50th anniversary of the original series, featured not only the beloved Muppets ensemble but also executive producer Seth Rogen and special guest stars Sabrina Carpenter and Maya Rudolph.
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The variety special was designed to serve as a backdoor pilot that, in success, would spawn a new Muppet Show television series. No news yet on whether this is a good enough start to get Disney on board for more.
The special is written by Albertina Rizzo and directed by Alex Timbers. The two serve as executive producers alongside Carpenter as well as Rogen, Goldberg, James Weaver and Alex McAtee for Point Grey Pictures; David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter and Michael Steinbach for The Muppets Studio; and Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson.
Veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman and Matt Vogel return to reprise the majority of the iconic Muppet characters in this special, joined by additional performers. Goelz, who has been with The Muppets for over 50 years, has been part of the cast since the first The Muppet Show and originated the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, among many others.