The Muppet Show revival is universally loved — and perfectly timed for Disney

Never underestimate the star power (and the healing power) of Kermit and Miss Piggy.

Disney $DIS's revival/backdoor pilot of The Muppet Show is proving to be one of the most universally loved creations from the entertainment giant in years. The program, which premiered Wednesday night on ABC and is currently streaming on Disney+, has a score of 97% among critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 98% among viewers on that same platform.

Critics said it captured the spirit of the original show, while adding just enough modern touches that it didn't feel dated, with TV Guide writing, "It's as clear as the nose on Gonzo's face after watching this special that it is absolutely time to get things started on a new Muppet Show, immediately."

Disney may well do that. Though no formal announcement has yet been made, the company is certainly dropping hints. Merchandise for the new show began appearing at Mickey’s of Glendale, the retail shop on the company's Imagineering campus (and online), this week, with a tease of additional product drops down the road. And the show's final number — "Don't Stop Me Now" — seemed an obvious Easter Egg to anyone watching.

The time is right for Disney to turn its marketing spotlight on the Muppets. They're about to become a much more prominent part of the company's Hollywood Studios theme park. On March 1, Disney is expected to temporarily close the Rock 'n Roller coaster at the park to do away with the Aerosmith theming it has had since its opening in 1999 and replace it with a Muppet theme (specifically focusing on Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, the house band for the Muppet show that features Animal. (Scooter and the ever-present Muppet penguins will also be part of the show — and we can't imagine Imagineers not taking an excuse to include Pepe the King Prawn amongst the chaos.

Courtesy: Disney $DIS

Disney is the master of cross-pollination when it comes to marketing. As Zootopia 2 hit theaters last November, the company announced a new Zootopia themed show at the Animal Kingdom park. And at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, guests on the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run ride will see a new adventure featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu later this year, right as that film hits theaters.

But forget about corporate synergy and marketing strategy. The Muppets deserve to come back on their own merits. Wednesday's show was funny, chaotic, entertaining and a ray of happiness that everyone could agree on in an increasingly divided and bitter world.

As politicians yell at and over each other in Congressional hearings and the rhetoric from both sides of the political aisle hits stratospheric new heights daily, there's something comforting about seeing Crazy Harry shifting a stage fan from "Light Breeze" to "Hurricane!!!" in the middle of guest Sabrina Carpenter (who fit in perfectly with the show) singing one of her hits or Kermit gathering a ridiculous number of characters on stage to do a truncated Queen cover.

Americans may not be able to agree on much of anything these days, but it appears they can still agree that the Muppets are timeless.