William Tell

William Tell was a legendary figure from Switzerland who was renowned for his ability with a crossbow. The most well-known portion of his story derives from a moment in which he failed to show respect to the newly appointed protector of a village. Insulted, the Vogt punished him by forcing him to shoot an apple off the head of his son, Walter, or else they would both face execution.

On The Muppet Show the father and son team appear in episode 307 to perform their act. Here, William Tell is a jittery, almost elderly man, who instills very little confidence in his ability to perform the feat. While on stage, a number of stray arrows make their way backstage to where Alice Cooper is trying to get Kermit to sell his soul. One arrow, defying precision, tacks the satanic contract to stair post. As the pair make their way backstage, it is revealed that Walter has been struck in the head with one of his father's strat arrows. Shouting, undoubtedly does make him nervous.