A hot dog is a popular dish consisting of a grilled, steamed, or boiled sausage (typically a wiener or frankfurter made of pork or beef) served inside a sliced bun and typically topped with condiments such as mustard, ketchup, relish, and onions, with regional variations that might include sauerkraut, jalapeΓ±os, or chili. The hot dog is an American cultural icon - often associated with baseball games, Fourth of July barbeques, New York City street vendors, and roasting on campfires.
The Muppets have worked with or referenced several real-world hot dog companies, including: Esskay Meats, Wilson's Meats, McGarry's Sausage, Wienerschnitzel, Oscar Mayer, and Pink's Hot Dogs.
The Muppets and hot dogs[]
The Swedish Chef prepares hot dogs (or "de hΓΈttΓ― dΓΈggΓ―s") in episode 404 of The Muppet Show. Confusion ensues after a miscommunication between the Chef and Miss Piggy, who is looking for her dog Foo-Foo.
When a canine patient is running a fever in the "Veterinarian's Hospital" sketch of episode 214, Dr. Bob suggests getting some mustard, as that's "what you always put on a hot dog."
Fozzie visits a Hollywood hot dog stand in Miss Piggy's Hollywood. Gary, Mary and Walter stop to get hot dogs from Pink's Hot Dogs while looking to find Kermit the Frog in The Muppets. A few years later, during a performance of "Mah Na Mah Na" in The Muppets Take the Bowl, Mahna Mahna also visits Pink's for hot dogs.
The Muppets' 2008 web video "Stars and Stripes FOREVER!!" feature a group of Muppets performing the patriotic song in front of such patriotic images as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, hot dogs on a grill and mustard being applied to a hot dog.
Gonzo shows a movie preview for the movie Frankfurterstein in The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora episode Movie Night starring Bunsen, Beaker and a monstrous frankfurter.
Hot dogs on Sesame Street[]
On Sesame Street, Willy sells hot dogs on the street from his cart. Bob frequently visits Willy's hot dog cart - making purchases (or just singing songs) in episodes 0136, 0158, 0209, 0222, 0272 (buying 8 hot dogs), 0354, 0386, and 0848 (buying a pound of hot dogs).
A popular spot (second only to Hooper's Store) as a place for a snack on the street, Gordon visits Willy's hot dog stand in episode 0221, Big Bird visits in episode 0372, Oscar the Grouch makes a grouchy purchase in episode 1325, David and Maria grab a bite to eat in episode 0536, and Michael Cooney makes a purchase in episode 0215. Telly Monster disrupts Willy's business in Episode 2542 and Big Bird watches over the stand in episodes 1329 and 1463.
A Muppet version of Willy appeared in a season 7 rendition of "The People in Your Neighborhood" as the "hot dog man" singing along with Bob about what he brings to the community. The Anything Muppet and his hot dog cart reappeared in other sketches in the season to follow as a background character.
Mr. Glopper brings his hot dog cart to Sesame Street in Episode 0036. Slimey opens a 1Β’ hot dog stand in Episode 1790. And Whispering Sam sells his hot dogs in Episode 2950 while his cart would reappear in Episode 3427 and Sesame Street Jam.
For a sit-down dining experience, the menu at Charlie's Restaurant also features hot dogs, as ordered.
- The Count orders multiple hot dogs from Waiter Grover in one sketch; however the Count is more interested in counting them rather than eating them. (First: Episode 0644)
- Mr. Johnson pivots to order hot dogs in a sketch where his breakfast takes too long and it's now time for lunch. (First: Episode 0408)
- Simon Soundman orders a hot dog, but he makes dog's sounds instead of saying "dog", confusing Grover. (First: Episode 0449)
Independent of Charlie's, Grover sells the processed frank on a bun to Mr. Johnson as a hot dog vendor at a ballgame (First: Episode 3784) and as a street cart vendor in the park (First: Episode 3845).
The kids sing about roasting hot dogs over the fire while camping in the song "Campfire" on the album Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch: Camping in Canada. They chant "hot dogs", "on a stick", "toast the bun", "mustard, relish", and "juicy, juicy." Big Bird cooks hot dogs on the fire during a different summer camp stint in Episode 1709, and Elmo plans to do the same while camping with Chris in Episode 4202.
In the Grouch food culture, Oscar has had hot dogs with such unusual toppings as whipped cream, chocolate sauce, sardine sauce, garlic, sweet and sour sauce, and rhubarb. Maria eats imaginary hot dogs at Hooper's store in Episode 2522.
The hot dogs of CityKids[]
The 1993 series CityKids featured a regular segment with a group of Muppet hot dogs performing various skits and songs, usually in the form of the recurring rap group Frankie Frank and the Footers, although they played other roles as well (including ancient Egyptians, lounge singers, television personalities, game show hosts, upper-class socialites, and a doo-wop group).
Beginning in 2006, the puppets resurfaced in various Jim Henson Company projects, often appearing under the Henson Alternative brand.
Hot dog vendors[]
Throughout various Muppet-related projects, hot dog vendors and stalls are a recurring theme. Several characters have sold or eaten hot dogs at carts and stands.
Hot dog characters[]
In the tradition of talking Muppet food, some characters have embodied the hot dog spirit and are literal living hot dogs.
Sesame Street films and inserts[]
Hot dogs have featured in various Sesame Street films and inserts.
See also[]
- Hot Dog! (magazine)
- Pork jokes
- Food characters