‘The Muppet Show’ Review: Sabrina Carpenter Leads a Promising, Delightful Comeback Special

Despite the logistical challenges of puppetry-based characters, the Muppets have proven to be remarkably versatile entertainers over the years, equally adept at road-trip comedy, retelling classic literature, teaching children or occasionally shilling for various products. But for some fans, and seemingly some of the creative forces behind the characters, it’s hard to beat the idea of the Muppets using that versatility to put on an old-fashioned variety show. Specifically, to put on “The Muppet Show,” the 1976-1981 worldwide phenomenon that helped launch Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and other signature creations of Jim Henson and his partners further into the all-ages mainstream.

Strangely, though, subsequent efforts to…