Of course, that’s precisely the response Disney seems to be seeking. Our host and showrunner of the Muppets’ show-within-the-show, Kermit, wryly acknowledges as much in an anxious opening monologue that touts the characters' return to the original Muppet Theatre: “We are so excited to be back on the very stage where it all started, and then ended, and then is maybe starting again, depending on how tonight goes.” (I won’t spoil the derisive Statler-and-Waldorf banter that follows; just know that it happens, and it’s delightful.) Some savvy executive clearly realized that it would be more effective to juice demand for a full season by airing one stellar episode that leaves viewers wanting more than to add The Muppet Show to ABC’s weekly schedule and let it get lost in a sea of 9-1-1 spinoffs.