How the Muppets are Having Another Moment, Thanks to the Emmys and the World Cup
The Muppets are enjoying a fresh surge of popularity, buoyed by six Emmy nominations for Disney+'s revival of "The Muppet Show", an appearance at the FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, and the opening of a new theme park ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Variety's Michael Schneider argues this renewed visibility matters because the franchise has cycled repeatedly between hits and misses since Jim Henson's death, and he hopes this latest "moment" signals a lasting comeback rather than another brief revival.
The Emmy nominations include one for variety special (pre-recorded), while the World Cup halftime performance saw the Muppets share the stage with Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber. Producers Eric Jacobson and Leigh Slaughter say the franchise has strong momentum, though the article traces a chequered history since 2011, including a well-received film, a poorly received sequel, an unsuccessful 2015 ABC series, a scrapped Disney+ limited series, and the short-lived "Muppets Now". Disney fully acquired the Muppets in 2004, excluding the "Sesame Street" characters, which went to Sesame Workshop.
- Muppets earn six Emmy nominations for Disney+'s "Muppet Show" revival
- They also performed at the FIFA World Cup Final halftime show
- Writer hopes this marks a lasting revival, not another brief resurgence
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The Muppets are a group of comic puppet characters created by Jim Henson, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Disney acquired the franchise in 2004; Sesame Street characters are separate and belong to Sesame Workshop.
Since Henson’s death in 1990, the Muppets have had periods of renewed attention as well as projects that found smaller audiences. A well-received film in 2011 was followed by a less successful sequel, and later television projects had mixed fortunes.
The characters now appear across television, live events and Disney parks. Their changing visibility matters to Disney and the people who make Muppet productions, as well as to audiences interested in whether the franchise can sustain interest over time.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Muppets' latest revival demonstrates genuine momentum grounded in measurable success: six Emmy nominations, high-profile appearances with global stars at the World Cup, and Disney's substantial investment in new theme park attractions signal serious industry confidence and commitment. The producers' assertions about strong franchise momentum, backed by concrete recognition from the television academy, suggest that The Muppet Show revival has tapped into something that resonates with contemporary audiences and creators alike.
The case against
The Muppets' history since 2011 offers little reason for optimism; despite multiple high-profile attempts—a well-received film, failed sequel, television series, and streaming projects—the franchise has consistently failed to sustain momentum beyond initial launches. Emmy nominations and festival appearances may generate temporary visibility, but the pattern of repeated false starts suggests this latest moment is likely to follow the familiar cycle of boom and bust rather than represent enduring cultural relevance.
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