The internet loves return visits, but that’s it they like one with puppet fur and impeccable comedic timing. Case in point: The Muppet Show special, which returned to the Muppet Theater on Feb. 4 in a one-night event on Disney+ and ABC — and it quickly took over everyone’s feed.
Seriously. I didn’t know I needed Rizzo the Rat’s cover of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” until I saw it, and now I don’t want to live in a world without it.
The Muppet Show originally ran from 1976 to 1981, paving the way for variety with a mix of vaudeville silliness, celebrity guest spots, and backstage mayhem backed by the perpetual calm of Kermit the Frog. The new special revives that spirit with all the familiar faces, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and Statler and Waldorf, along with an array of contemporary guests, from Maya Rudolph and Seth Rogen (who also serve as executive producers) to pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
But the clips sent fans and group chats into a frenzy, proof that the Muppets understand how to play the internet better than most human celebrities.
Mashable Trend Report
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Leading the pack is a truly unexpected cover: Rizzo belting out The Weeknd’s “Blind Lights” on rat-infested streets. The contrast between the sleek, synth-pop hit and Rizzo’s nasally bravado is instant comedy, and social media has embraced it wholeheartedly.
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Then there’s Sabrina Carpenter’s take on “Manchild,” which has been making the rounds for its playful integration into the Muppet universe. Rather than feeling like a regular guest, the performance leans towards the show’s fantasy, allowing Carpenter to grapple with the chaos around him – including a flock of singing chickens.
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Then there is the press. Kermit and Miss Piggy have been appearing together in interviews (including a hilarious episode of Vanity Fair‘s Lie Detector Test), ranted like a married, divorced, remarried couple, and trained by the media for decades. Their chemistry feels timeless.
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Long before algorithms and engagement metrics, Kermit and company mastered the art of attention. So, in fact, the Muppets were built for virality long before the concept of virality existed. The Internet is their latest platform.
