How the Muppets Were Brought Back to Life for the Disney Special

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How the Muppets Were Brought Back to Life for the Disney Special

Variety · 8 hours ago

Production designer Denise Pizzini, writer Albertina Rizzo and performer Matt Vogel have spoken about recreating "The Muppet Show" for a new Disney special starring Sabrina Carpenter, marking Kermit the Frog's first television episode in a decade. The special, which pays tribute to the original 1976-1981 series while updating it for a new era, has earned six Emmy nominations, reflecting the craft involved in faithfully reviving such a well-loved format for modern audiences.

Pizzini, who previously earned an Emmy nomination for her work on "The Muppets" series a decade ago, meticulously reconstructed the original Muppet Theatre set, including its arches, filigree and safety curtain, while managing practical challenges such as height-matching risers and a 36-inch walkway standard for human guest stars performing above puppeteers. Rizzo drew on 1970s variety shows and her late-night writing background to keep jokes true to each character's voice, while Matt Vogel, voicing Kermit, aimed to honour Jim Henson's original spirit. Puppet captain Bill Barretta, who has worked with the Muppets since 1991, helped troubleshoot physical stunts, including a Gonzo roller-skating sequence, as the team relied on extensive testing to keep the show's trademark fast-paced physical comedy authentic.

  • Disney's Muppet Show special earns six Emmy nominations after a decade off-air
  • Team rebuilt the original 1970s Muppet Theatre set in fine detail
  • Writers and performers worked to keep humour true to each character

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