It’s not easy being back: A skeptical review of the Muppet’s comeback

As soon as the Muppets announced their comeback show, “The Muppet Show,” I received at least 10 messages from family and friends. I’ve been an above casual Muppet enjoyer for a majority of my life, much to the dismay of my puppet-fearing younger brother.

Despite this, I was a little skeptical about their return. . It was not going to be directed by a Henson — neither Jim, who originally created the Muppets in 1954, nor his son Brian, who continued the legacy with “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Muppet Treasure Island” — so I felt some hesitation going in. To my pleasant surprise, director Alex Timbers did the Muppets justice.

Timbers has previously directed several comedy shows, including “John Mulaney: Baby J” and “Alex Edelman: Just for Us.” This, to me, proved evident in “The Muppet Show.” The comedic cuts, the jokes and the overall vibe of the show add a comedic touch while staying true to the Muppets.

Timbers seems to have understood the monumental task he was undertaking by bringing the Muppets back. They are certainly not small shoes to fill, and yet Timbers manages it with grace. He even pays a subtle yet meaningful homage to Jim Henson, where a shooting star flies past Kermit while he sings in the rowboat, a tribute that has been recreated several times after Jim’s death.

This alone made me believe in the future of the show, as it was an acknowledgement of Henson without being too overbearing and making it too much about Timbers now having directive control over the Muppets.

A staple of “The Muppet Show” was the constant movement. The chaos backstage both reminded me of my high school theatre memories, and of the very foundation of the muppets. It’s supposed to be a variety show — everyone sharing an act. I had worried that the core idea might have been updated to make the reboot feel fresh.

As well as staying true to the general aesthetic and vibe of the original Muppets, the jokes did in fact still land. I worried that they would be taken to one extreme or another, either trying too hard to be current with their jokes, or too hard to stay in the past. I will admit that I strongly exhaled from my nose several times and laughed a couple more.

No one come for me, but I am not the biggest fan of Sabrina Carpenter, and her being the featured guest added to my list of reservations. Much to my pleasant surprise, I think she did a great job, especially with Miss Piggy.

Besides Carpenter, Seth Rogen and Maya Rudolph get some time in the spotlight. I was not the biggest fan of Roudolph’s appearance; I think her interactions with the Muppets were somewhat strange. That being said, it did make me laugh.

On the other hand, Rogen’s short time in the spotlight was hilarious. Him alongside Fozzie is a duo I could get behind in the future.

Overall, despite my hesitations going into it, “The Muppet Show” did a good job at bringing back the magic of the Muppets, without needlessly dating it. Even though the star-studded cast of celebrities has changed, this was a step in the right direction of keeping the love alive.

Rating: 8/10