‘The Muppet Show’ Returns And Stays True to Its Roots

A familiar face is back on screen and he looks just like folks remember him.

Kermit the Frog and the rest of the Muppets returned in February for a 50th anniversary special of The Muppet Show, and one thing stood out right away: they didn’t try to change it.

In a time when many classic shows are reworked for modern audiences, this one leaned the other direction. The format, the humor, and even the pacing closely mirror the original series created by Mississippi native Jim Henson.

That decision has drawn attention.

Instead of faster edits, updated themes, or major changes to characters, the new special keeps the same variety-show style , a mix of short sketches, musical performances, and the kind of simple, character-driven humor that made the show popular decades ago.

For many viewers, that was the point.

Early reactions have been largely positive, especially among longtime fans who grew up watching the original. The special drew strong viewership in its opening week and has sparked conversation about whether a full revival of the series could follow.

There has also been some debate about how the characters are portrayed today, particularly Kermit. As with many long-running characters, different performers have taken on the role over time, and not everyone agrees on how closely the current version matches the original.

Still, the bigger story has been the show’s choice to stay familiar rather than reinvent itself.

That approach carries extra meaning in Leland, where Jim Henson spent part of his childhood and where the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Exhibit continues to draw visitors each year. Known as the “Birthplace of Kermit the Frog,” Leland remains closely tied to the character and the creative legacy behind him.

For a town that takes pride in that history, seeing the Muppets return without major changes is a reminder of what made them work in the first place.

Simple characters. Good humor. And a style that didn’t need much updating to begin with.