Project Runway showcases Miss Piggy | Preview

We'll be the first to admit that Project Runway, the delicious design competition that (almost) justifies the existence of reality TV, has had us on a roller coaster. Though it's been on a sad decline in recent seaons, the series teased us with a likely return to its early heights when its producers announced its first full season with returning designers. But when Project Runway All Stars kicked off two weeks ago, its supermodel host, Heidi Klum, and mentor extraordinaire, Tim Gunn, were nowhere to be seen. Yikes! How can you call a show Project Runway All Stars without Tim Gunn?!

But now, in addition to once again filling our TV screens with some of our favorite designers (Mondo! Austin!), the third episode of the show, airing Thursday, January 19, completely justifies its all-star status with a guest-star appearance from one of the greatest fashion divas of modern times: Miss Piggy. (It's no secret we're big Muppet fans around here.) Not only is the onetime  Vogue Paris editor (you did see the new Muppet movie, right?) going to be a guest judge, but the entire challenge is built around her. That's right—we're going to get an hour of watching some of fashion's most inventive minds (and some of its craziest misfits) frantically design for Miss Piggy, who'll be more than ready to rip apart the train wrecks after they sashay down the runway.

Some families already love watching Project Runway together. Even if you've never seen the show before, this episode sounds like appointment TV to us. Check out the preview pics above, watch the teaser below, and then get your popcorn ready and get your butts on the couch at 8pm Thursday—or, if you don't have cable, look for it Friday on Lifetime's site.