Minor TV Mentions

The following is a list of Muppet Mentions made in TV shows outside of the Henson/Sesame fold, which are too brief or minor to constitute having their own page in the TV Mentions category. Spinoffs and other related shows are included on the main series article. See also: Minor Movie Mentions. For game shows, talk shows, etc., see Non-scripted TV Mentions.

Episode titles

Over the years, episodes of TV shows have referenced Muppet characters or projects in the titles only.

Ben 10: Ultimate Alien"It's Not Easy Being Gwen"
season 2, episode 9

Bunsen Is a Beast"Cookie Monster"
season 1, first half of episode 12

Ned and Stacey"The Muffins Take Manhattan"
season 2, episode 4

Odd Squad"Oscar the Couch"
season 1, second half of episode 35

Raven’s Home"It's Not Easy Being Green"
season 3, episode 13

DOTA: Dragon's Blood"The Monster at the End of This Book"
book 1, episode 4

6teen

An animated sitcom set in the fictional "Galleria Shopping Mall" and starring an ensemble cast of six sixteen-year-old friends as they explore their first part-time jobs and lives as teenagers.

• In the episode, "Boo, Dude," Jen Masterson has to dress up as a pig for Halloween at her job and one guy says, "Yo, Miss Piggy, digging the snout, man."

According to Jim

• In the season 8 episode "Two for the Money," Jim tells Cheryl that he took the twins to the art institute and mentions some exhibits they saw. Andy pulls Jim aside and asks him where he knows all that stuff from. Jim tells him that Elmo and Big Bird from Sesame Street went to the museum.

Connections

• Dan Aykroyd played Danny Michalski
• Erik Estrada played himself
• Brad Paisley played Chad
• Kimberly Williams Paisley played Dana
• Tara Strong voiced crying babies in "Separate Ways" and "The Blankie"

Alexa and Katie

• In the first season episode "Support Group," a nurse (speaking as Kermit the Frog), talks to Michelle: "Hey Michelle, Kermit the Frog here to take you to your room!"
• In the same season episode "The Role Play - Part 2," Katie asks Ryan "And what is that accent that she's doing for Lady Montague?" and he replies: "I have no idea! It's like British with a hint of Muppet, you know?"

Alice

• In the second season episode "The Sixty Minutes Man," Alice asks Mel Sharples if he watched that episode of 60 Minutes on a mobster, and Mel replies, "And missed the Muppets."

Connections

• George Burns appeared in "Oh! George Burns" (1978)
• Art Carney appeared in "My Cousin, Art Carney" (1979)
• James Coco played Dr. Harvey Gordon in "Alice and the Devoted Dentist" (1984)
• Joel Grey appeared in "Alice at the Palace" and "Joel Grey Saves the Day" (both 1982)
• Florence Henderson played Sarah James in "It Had to Be Mel" (1983)
• Linda Lavin played Alice Hyatt and co-directed a number of episodes
• Philip McKeon played Tommy Hyatt
• Thad Mumford co-wrote "Cabin Fever" (1979)
• Robert Picardo played Officer Maxwell (1983–84)
• Doris Roberts played Mona Spivak in "Alice's Big Four-Oh!" (1981) and "Alice's Turkey of a Thanksgiving" (1982)
• Dinah Shore appeared in "Mel's in the Kitchen with Dinah" (1979)
• Gary Shimokawa directed "Carrie's Wedding" (1980)
• Jerry Stiller played Gordy in "Do You Take This Waitess?" (1982)
• Nancy Walker directed three episodes (1983-1985)
• Tom Whedon wrote a number of episodes
• Daniel Wilcox co-wrote "Cabin Fever" (1979)

All Rise

• In the episode "Sweet Bird of Truth," Lola tries to solve a crossword puzzle clue: "Name a supreme who appeared on Sesame Street." Sherri thinks the answer is Diana Ross, but Lola figures out the real answer, Sonia Sotomayor.
• The name Elmo is used in a question for Ness' bar exam in the episode "Leap of Faith".

Connections

• Ben Browder played Ephraim in "My Fair Lockdown"
• Jere Burns played Adam Pryce in "Fool for Liv" and "Bette Davis Eyes"
• Eugene Byrd played Detective Taylor in "Maricela and the Desert"
• Nicole Sullivan played Bea Greer in "Bette Davis Eyes"
• Lesley Ann Warren played Samara Strong in "Bette Davis Eyes"

Alone Together

• In the pilot episode after Benji's sister fires her for being an escort, Charlotte meets up with Benji, and they agree to have vodka, she tells him she'll have a vodka cranberry and he'll have a "vodka vodka," he replies "vodka vodka vodka," she looks confused and he informs her "it's a Fozzie Bear joke."

Ash vs. Evil Dead

The Starz series picks up 30 years after the events of the Evil Dead movies.

• In the second season episode "Delusion," Ash (Bruce tries to escape an asylum. When he opens the cell door to where Kelly (or rather an illusion of her) is held, she says "What the Fraggle Rock is that thing?" referring to the Ash puppet that Ash is holding.

• In the following episode, "Ashy Slashy," the real Kelly is trapped with the animated Ashy Slashy puppet inside the same room where Baal held Ash. When it attacks Kelly, it attaches itself to her arm. Kelly then says "Ah, why am I talking to a Muppet?" The puppet is shocked and says "Muppet?! Uh, well, you're awfully judgmental for a..."

At Home with Amy Sedaris

• Several episodes of Amy Sedaris' truTV series use footage from The Muppets Take Manhattan for her studio audience.

Connections

• Fred Armisen appeared in "Anniversary"
• Stephen Colbert appeared in "Gift Giving"
• Rachel Dratch appeared in "Entertaining for Peanuts"
• Paul Giamatti appeared in "TGIF"
• Neil Patrick Harris appeared in "Holidays"
• Ellie Kemper appeared in "Anniversary"
• Jane Krakowski appeared in "Holidays"
• Rick Lyon puppeteered in "Anniversary"
• Christopher Meloni appeared in "Nature"
• Susan Sarandon appeared in "Anniversary"
• Peter Serafinowicz appeared in "Making Love"
• Michael Stipe appeared in "Murdercide"

Atlanta

• In the season 4 episode "The Goof Who Sat By The Door," "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" plays over an animation titled "The Lil Prince."

Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens

• In the season 3 episode "Too Hot to Survive," Nora is cast on an MTV reality show. One of the contestants introduces himself: "So my name is Ah-z, you know, rhymes with Fozzie, like the bear who is my personal hero, because he wears a hat, a scarf, with no pants, which means that doink is out. You feel me? Ha ha."

• In the season 3 episode "Bad Grandma," Nora criticizes Grandma's shoes she's wearing: "You got little high-heeled booties on, click-clacking like Big Bird out here."

Connections

• Awkwafina plays Nora Lin, and writes and executive produces for the series
• Michael Bolton played Kevin in "Love & Order"
• Wai Ching Ho played Li-Wei
• Margaret Cho played Mother Jupiter in "The Simple Life" and "Home"
• Lea DeLaria played Alfur the Elf in the season 3 episode "þetta reddast"
• Ken Jeong played Dave Lee in the season 3 episode "Too Hot to Survive"
• Kathleen Kim played ToeKnee in the season 2 episode "Nora Meets Brenda" and Cloaked Person in the season 3 episode "Car Fished"
• Ming-Na Wen played Aunt Sandra in the season 1 episode "Vagarina"
• B. D. Wong plays Wally

Back to You

• In the series pilot, Marsh McGinley recalls one wild time when he and Chuck Darling hung out with two skater girls with gorgeous legs, who were dressed up as characters on Sesame Street on Ice. Marsh recalled that Chuck banged Bert and Chuck replied, "That particular night was brought to you by the letter O."

Connections

• Ty Burrell played Gary Crezyzewski
• Josh Gad played Ryan Church
• Kelsey Grammer played Chuck Darling
• Fred Willard played Marsh McGinley

Better Off Ted

• In the episode "Change We Can't Believe In," Veronica (Portia de Rossi) calls scientists Phil (Jonathan Slavin) and Lem (Malcolm Barrett) "Bunsen" and "Beaker."

The Big Comfy Couch

• In the season 4 episode "Hit Parade," Granny Garbanzo gets a package from the Puppet of the Month Club. She mentions getting a green frog last time before unboxing "Punch and Moody" puppets.

Connections

• Alyson Court played Loonette the Clown
• Rob Mills performed Wuzzy and was a writer, producer, and director
• Wayne Moss directed episodes (1992-1994)
• Fred Stinson played Major Bedhead and performed Andy Foley
• Bob Stutt performed Molly, Snicklefritz, and Fuzzy
• Karen Valleau was production and character designer
• Cheryl Wagner was the series creator, producer, and writer

The Bill Engvall Show

• In the episode "Car Trouble," Bryan Pearson gets in a fight at school, and tries to get his parents to not call the school because they'll embarrass him. Lauren Pearson points out that he has an Elmo lunchbox yet is worried that his mother will embarrass him. Bryan retorts that "The Muppets are timeless!"

Connections

• Brian Doyle-Murray played Mr. Faulkner
• Leslie Odom Jr. played Mr. Pratt

Bless This Mess

• In the pilot, Rudy tells Rio about his friend Bun having a nightmare about his ex-wife having sharp teeth and dressed like Big Bird.

Connections

• Rita Moreno played Theresa in "The Estonian Method," "The Grisham Gals" (2019), and "The Letter of the Law" (2020)
• Dax Shepard plays Mike and is co-executive producer

Blockbuster

A sitcom that premiered on Netflix in 2022, set at the only remaining Blockbuster store.

• In the episode "King of Queens," Percy muses about having a Freaky Friday situation with various celebrities, including Jim Henson. He adds, "I wonder how Kermit's vibing in heaven right now."

Connections

• Olga Merediz plays Connie
• Randall Park plays Timmy

Brockmire

• In the first season finale "It All Comes Down to This," Charles asks Brockmire "So, this, uh.. this apartment your'e getting in New Orleans. I am assuming it's a two-bedroom, 'cause I don't know if I can handle a Bert and Ernie, twin-bed situation."

• In the season two premiere episode "The Getaway Game," Brockmire refuse to recognize the local mascot performer as a superstar. Instead, Brockmire describes him as "...a mime in Muppets' clothing."

Connections

• Utkarsh Ambudkar played Raj (5 episodes, 2018)
• Hank Azaria plays Jim Brockmire
• Toby Huss played Johnny the Hat (5 episodes, 2015)
• Richard Kind played Gus Barton (6 episodes, 2019)
• Linda Lavin played Lorraine in "Banned for Life" (2019)
• J. K. Simmons played Matt Hardesty (4 episodes, 2019)
• Tyrel Jackson Williams plays Charles

Bunheads

• In the season one finale, "A Nutcracker in Paradise," Weezer's cover of "Rainbow Connection" from The Green Album plays during Boo's speech to Carl and their dance.

Connections

• Sutton Foster plays Michelle

California Dreams

• In the fourth season episode "Two Too Much," Tiffani Smith introduces her date, Bruce, to her friend, Jake Sommers. Bruce replies that they only have a few minutes because they have expensive tickets to "Muppets on Ice." Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus are mentioned in dialogue.

Call Me Kat

• In season 3, episode 3 "Call Me Thor", Carter refers to horror film doll Chucky as "like a Murder Me Elmo".
• In season 3, episode 22 "Call Me A Donut Wall," the series finale, Kat explains that she's an "open book" about her life. "For example, I once had a sex dream about Beaker from the Muppets."

Carol & Company

A half-hour series with an elongated sketch, starring Carol Burnett with a supporting cast including Richard Kind.

• In "No News is Bad News" (season 2, episode 10), Divorce Court Gladiators producer takes over a news television program. Carol Burnett's character is shocked by the hire's age, remarking "You're kidding. The Muppets are older than you."

Codename: Kids Next Door

Codename: Kids Next Door was an animated show on Cartoon Network which aired from December 6, 2002-January 21, 2008.

• In "Operation R.A.B.B.I.T.," the first graders' magical pet bunny is named Mr. Fluffleupagus, a reference to Mr. Snuffleupagus.

Connections

• Dee Bradley Baker voiced Numbuh 4
• Ben Diskin voiced Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 2
• Brian Muehl co-wrote "Operation: B.R.I.E.F."
• Cree Summer voiced Numbuh 5
• Lauren Tom voiced Numbuh 3
• Tom Warburton is the show creator
• Mo Willems was the head writer for four seasons

Comedy Bang! Bang!

Comedy Bang! Bang! (2012-2016) is a television series created and hosted by Scott Aukerman, featuring his co-host/bandleader Reggie Watts (seasons 1-4) and "Weird Al" Yankovic (season 5). The mock talk show aired on IFC and features farcical humor often delivered in a deadpan manner.

• In the episode "Sarah Silverman Wears a Black Dress With A White Collar" (season 2, episode 8), during a series of rapid-fire questions, Scott is asked what his favorite thing to tickle is; he answers "Elmo."

Connections

• Jessica Alba appears in "Jessica Alba Wears a Jacket with Patent Leather Pumps"
• Jason Alexander appears in "Jenna Fischer Wears a Floral Blouse & Black Heels"
• Aziz Ansari appears in "Aziz Ansari Wears A Charcoal Blaze"
• Fred Armisen appears in "Fred Armisen Wears Black Jeans & Glasses"
• Will Arnett appears in "Seth Rogen Wears A Plaid Shirt & Brown Pants"
• Todd Barry appears in "Paul Rudd Wears A Red Lumberjack Flannel Shirt" and "Kid Cudi Wears a Denim Shirt and Red Sneakers"
• Vanessa Bayer appears in "Patton Oswalt Wears a Black Blazer & Dress Shoe"
• Jack Black appears in "'Weird Al' Yankovic Wears A Hawaiian Shirt" and "Jack Black Wears an Embroidered Cowboy Shirt and Ox Blood Sneakers"
• Ty Burrell appears in "Ty Burrell Wears a Chambray Shirt & Clear Frame Glasses"
• Dane Cook appears in "Dane Cook Wears a Black Blazer & Tailored Pants"
• Rob Corddry appears in "Rob Corddry Wears Tan Dress Shoes & Red Socks"
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson appeared in "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Wears a Brown Checked Shirt and Stripey Socks"
• Ben Folds appears in "Ben Folds Wears a Black Button Down and Jeans"
• Zach Galifianakis appears in "Zach Galifianakis Wears A Blue Jacket & Red Socks," "Zach Galifianakis Wears a Santa Suit," "Zach Galifianakis Wears a One-Armed Jacket," "Zach Galifianakis Wears Grey Corduroys and Brown Leather Shoes" and "Zach Galifianakis Wears Rolled Khakis and Shoes With Brown Laces"
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt appears in "Joseph Gordon-Levitt Wears a Heart T-Shirt and Blue Jeans"
• David Alan Grier appears in "Fred Armisen Wears Black Jeans & Glasses," "Maya Rudolph Wears a Black Skirt and Strappy Sandals," "Simon Helberg Wears a Sky Blue Button Down and Jeans," "Dax Shepard Wears a Heather Gray Shirt and Black Blazer" and "Skylar Astin Wears Blue Jeans and Weathered Brown Desert Boots"
• Josh Groban appears in "Josh Groban Wears a Suit & Striped Socks" and "Josh Groban Wears a Blue Blazer and Shiny Black Shoes"
• Bill Hader appears in "Bill Hader Wears A Grey Button Down Shirt & Sneakers"
• Kathryn Hahn appears in "Kathryn Hahn Wears Ripped Jeans and Black Heels"
• Jon Hamm appears in "Jon Hamm Wears A Light Blue Shirt & Silver Watch"
• Chris Hardwick appears in "Gillian Jacobs Wears A Red Dress With Sail Boats," "Chris Hardwick Wears a Black Polo & Weathered Boot," "Amber Tamblyn Wears a Leather Jacket & Black Bootie," and "Zach Galifianakis Wears Grey Corduroys and Brown Leather Shoes"
• Tony Hawk appears in "Tony Hawk Wears a Plaid Shirt & a Silver Watch"
• Ed Helms appears in "Ed Helms Wears A Grey Shirt & Brown Boots"
• Pee-wee Herman appears in "Pee Wee Herman Wears a Halloween Costume"
• John Hodgman appears in "Uzo Aduba Wears a White Blouse and Royal Blue Heels"
• Allison Janney appears in "Allison Janney Wears a Chambray Western Shirt and Suede Fringe Boots"
• Joe Jonas appears in "Joe Jonas Wears a Maroon and Gold Letterman Jacket With White Sneakers"
• Rashida Jones appears in "Rashida Jones Wears a Black Blazer & Flowered Pants"
• Sally Kellerman appears in "Stephen Merchant Wears a Checkered Shirt and Rolled Up Jeans"
• Anna Kendrick appears in "Anna Kendrick Wears A Patterned Blouse & Burgundy Pants"
• Taran Killam appears in "Jenna Fischer Wears a Floral Blouse & Black Heels"
• Joel McHale appears in "Joel McHale Wears a Navy Zip-up and High Tops"
• Michael McKean appears in "Stephen Merchant Wears a Checkered Shirt and Rolled Up Jeans"
• Christopher Meloni appears in "Aziz Ansari Wears A Charcoal Blaze"
• Bobby Moynihan appears in "Bill Hader Wears A Grey Button Down Shirt & Sneakers" and "Brie Larson Wears a Billowy Long-Sleeve Shirt and White Saddle Shoes"
• Laraine Newman appears in "Casey Wilson Wears A White Lace Dress & A Black Blazer"
• Nick Offerman appears in "Nick Offerman Wears a Green Flannel Shirt & Brown Boots"
• Haley Joel Osment appears in "Randall Park Wears Brown Dress Shoes With Blue Socks," "Jake Johnson Wears a Light Blue Button-Up Shirt and Brown Shoes" and "Kathryn Hahn Wears Ripped Jeans and Black Heels"
• Patton Oswalt appears in "Patton Oswalt Wears a Black Blazer & Dress Shoes"
• Randall Park appears in "Randall Park Wears Brown Dress Shoes With Blue Socks"
• Jordan Peele appears in "Andy Samberg Wears A Plaid Shirt & Glasses"
• Eddie Pepitone appears in "Jon Hamm Wears A Light Blue Shirt & Silver Watch" and "Mark Duplass Wears a Striped Sweater and Jeans"
• Amy Poehler appears in "Amy Poehler Wears A Black Jacket & Grey Pants"
• Kevin Pollak appears in "Patton Oswalt Wears a Black Blazer & Dress Shoe" and "Ken Marino Wears a Slim Gray Suit and Salmon Tie"
• Andy Richter appears in "Jon Hamm Wears A Light Blue Shirt & Silver Watch" and "Andy Richter Wears A Suit Jacket & A Baby Blue Button Down Shirt"
• Seth Rogen appears in "Seth Rogen Wears A Plaid Shirt & Brown Pants"
• Jeff Ross appears in "Amber Tamblyn Wears a Leather Jacket & Black Bootie"
• Paul Rudd appears in "Paul Rudd Wears A Red Lumberjack Flannel Shirt"
• Maya Rudolph appears in "Maya Rudolph Wears a Black Skirt and Strappy Sandals"
• Zoe Saldana appears in "Zoe Saldana Wears A Tan Blouse & Glasses"
• Andy Samberg appears in "Adam Scott Wears A Red Oxford Shirt & Jeans" and "The Lonely Island Wear Holiday Sweaters & White Pants"
• Horatio Sanz appears in "Rashida Jones Wears a Black Blazer & Flowered Pants," "Steven Yeun Wears Rolled Up Black Jeans & No Socks," "Schoolboy Q Wears a Patterned Bucket Hat and Glasses," and "Mary Elizabeth Winstead Wears an A-Line Skirt and Pointy Black Boots"
• Kristen Schaal appears in "Jessica Alba Wears a Jacket with Patent Leather Pumps" and "Kristen Schaal Wears Strawberry Colored Pants and a Multicolored Shirt"
• Jason Schwartzman appears in "Jason Schwartzman Wears a Striped Shirt and High Top Sneakers"
• Adam Scott appears in "Adam Scott Wears A Red Oxford Shirt & Jeans," "Gillian Jacobs Wears A Red Dress With Sail Boats," "Jack Black Wears an Embroidered Cowboy Shirt and Ox Blood Sneakers," and "Reggie Watts Wears a Purple and Yellow Quilted Sweatshirt"
• Dax Shepard appears in "Dax Shepard Wears a Heather Gray Shirt and Black Blazer"
• Sarah Silverman appears in "Sarah Silverman Wears a Black Dress With A White Collar"
• Sinbad appears in "Colin Hanks Wears a Denim Button Down and Black Sneakers"
• Cobie Smulders appears in "Cobie Smulders Wears a Black & White Strapless Dress"
• Rich Sommer appears in "Skylar Astin Wears Blue Jeans and Weathered Brown Desert Boots"
• French Stewart appears in "Chris Hardwick Wears a Black Polo & Weathered Boot"
• Dave Thomas appears in "Stephen Merchant Wears a Checkered Shirt and Rolled Up Jeans"
• Marisa Tomei appears in "Ed Helms Wears A Grey Shirt & Brown Boots"
• George Wendt appears in "Jesse Tyler Ferguson Wears a Brown Checked Shirt and Stripey Socks"
• Fred Willard appears in "Fred Armisen Wears Black Jeans & Glasses"
• Tyler James Williams appears in "Brie Larson Wears a Billowy Long-Sleeve Shirt and White Saddle Shoes"
• "Weird Al" Yankovic appears in "'Weird Al' Yankovic Wears A Hawaiian Shirt," " David Cross Wears A Red Polo Shirt & Brown Shoes With Red Laces," "Lizzy Caplan Wears All Black & Powder Blue Espadrille," "Eric Andre Wears a Cat Collage Shirt & Sneakers" and ""Weird Al" Yankovic Wears a Different Hawaiian Shirt"; he also serves as the bandleader and co-host for all 20 episodes in the fifth season.

Comedy Central's Last Laugh

Last Laugh 2005 was a TV special that aired on Comedy Central and opened with a number by William Shatner as The Devil.

• In a public service announcement sketch spoof concerning the possible threat of the Avian Flu, a red bird puppet named Burt Flu teaches viewers about the disease, how to avoid it, and what they should and shouldn't do (demonstrated by child actors and some adults). Burt then says that his brother "Big Bird" Flu will give out a list of more do's and don'ts. The camera cuts to a park where "Big Bird" Flu (full-body puppet like Big Bird of Sesame Street) is seen almost featherless, shaking, coughing and falling to the ground.

The Communist's Daughter

• In the pilot episode, "Opium for the Masses," the titular character's best friend is amazed at the list of films she hasn't watched. Along with films like Top Gun and Sixteen Candles, the list includes The Muppets Take Manhattan.

Connections

• George Stroumboulopoulos played the drama teacher

The Cool Kids

• In the episode "The Cool Kids Rig an Election," Margaret tries to help Sid run for activities coordinator in the upcoming election by trying to get Sid to be mean. Sid says he wants to be a fun and singing lizard mascot like Kermit and Margaret corrects him that Kermit is a frog.

Connections

• David Alan Grier plays Hank Henderson
• Phill Lewis directed "The Cool Kids Rig an Election"

Deadloch

• In season 1, episode 7, a murder investigator surmises, "Whatever she has planned next will make this pile of dead men look like A Muppets Christmas Carol [sic]."

Degrassi: The Next Generation

• In the episode "Ghost in the Machine, Pt. 2," Ashley Kerwin and Craig Manning are having a discussion about their rock band and fellow bandmembers.

Ashley: You know, you guys should try going a little more post-Emo. Still punk, but less mopey.

Craig: I don't think the other guys even know what regular Emo is. Spinner probably thinks it's a Muppet.

• In the episode "Ladies' Night," Anya tricks Holly J. Sinclair into devouring a double chocolate chip cookie during a fast for charity, during which Holly is also secretly videotaped and shown to an auditorium. Later when Holly J. comes to speak in the auditorium, Anya introduces her with "It's the Cookie Monster!" A student in the audience taunts her in a gruff monstery voice, "Holly J. hungry!"

• In the episode "99 Problems, Pt. 1," while studying the scarcity paradigm, Riley says, "Look, there's Jess T, Jess M, Jess B, and then there's Fiona." Drew replies, "Wow! One of these things is not like the others."

Dexter

• In the episode "Crocodile," Rita (Julie Benz) serves Dexter (Michael C. Hall) a plate of cookies and tells him that he is "snarfing them down like the Cookie Monster."

Connections

• John Lithgow played Arthur Mitchell
• Mary Mara played Valerie Hodges in three episodes
• Jimmy Smits played ADA Miguel Prado
• Malcolm-Jamal Warner played Rita's lawyer in "Seeing Red"

Diagnosis Murder

• In the second part of the fifth season episode "Retribution," Canin is counting backwards when Steve surprises him. "I guess watching Sesame Street finally paid off for you, Canin. You count real pretty."

Disenchantment

• In the episode "For Whom the Pig Oinks," Elfo is mistaken for Elmo.

Connections

• Maurice LaMarche voices Odval, Big Jo and Leavo

Dispatches From Elsewhere

• In the first season episode "The Boy," the titular character watches the beginning of the Steve Martin episode of The Muppet Show. Later the character says to Jason Segel, "If you need to write another Muppets movie, I'll be back."

Connections

• Sally Field played Janice
• Jason Segel created, co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the show

Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23

• In episode 6, "It's Just Sex," June donates some stuff of Chloe's to the rummage sale, and the woman at the desk finds love letters from a celebrity and says, "I had a suitor myself - Frederick Spitz." When June looks puzzled, she says, "The famous puppeteer. His hand manipulated a Muppet for 40 years."

• In episode 13, "Sexy People," Chloe states that if People put Fozzie Bear on the cover, June would find him sexy (since she follows every "Sexiest Man Alive" issue).

Connections

• James Van Der Beek plays a fictionalized version of himself

The Drew Carey Show

In the season six episode "Drew Pops Something on Kate," Drew has lost his job and is unable to make payments on his engagement ring. He tells his friends Lewis and Oswald, "All Kate needs to see is me drinking a beer every morning and watching Sesame Street. Nothing like a drunk guy in his underwear singing about the letter E."

Connections

• Diedrich Bader played Oswald Harvey
• Wayne Brady appeared as himself in "Drew Live" and "Drew Live II"
• Dan Castellaneta played Stan in "Two Drews and the Queen of Poland Walk Into a Bar"
• Carol Channing appeared as herself in "New York and Queens"
• Jamie Lee Curtis played Sue in "Playing the Unified Field"
• Micky Dolenz played Mr. Metcalf in "Drew and the King"
• Daffy Duck appeared in "My Best Friend's Wedding"
• Craig Ferguson played Nigel Wick
• Seth Green appeared in "That Thing You Don't"
• Jay Leno appeared in "Drew Live II"
• Hal Linden appeared in "Brotherhood of Man"
• Jenny McCarthy appeared in "Drew Carey's Back-to-School Rock 'n' Roll Comedy Hour"
• Caroline Rhea played Bonnie
• Penn and Teller appeared in "Drew Meets Lawyers"
• "Weird Al" Yankovic appeared as himself in "Drew Between a Rock and a Hard Place"

Drew Carey's Green Screen Show

In the first episode, during a game of "Freeze Tag," performers Greg Proops and Julie Larson appear to form a letter L. Jeff Davis reports to the camera, "Sesame Street has been brought to you by the letter L." Drew Carey then replaces Davis and adds, "Advanced Sesame Street has been brought to you by the isosceles triangle."

Duncanville

• In the season 2 episode "Annie Oakie," daughter Jing chants "Dead Elmo, dead Elmo" to induce crying on demand.
• In the season 3 episode "Plumbdog Millionaire," Jack creates a television ad for his plumbing business. After it airs, he and Annie both answer calls. Jing answers a call on her toy phone: "Oh Oscar, the whole can? No wonder you're a grouch. How's two o'clock?"
• In the season 3 episode "She Snoops, She Scores!", after Yangzi develops a phone addiction but then experiences nature in the real world, he wonders why he never noticed this before. Mia says that Yangzi was too busy following the Twitter fight between Olivia Rodrigo and Oscar the Grouch. Wolf says that Oscar called her trash and she didn’t know it was a compliment.

Connections

• Ty Burrell voices Jack
• Alice Cooper voices himself
• Rachel Dratch voices Sandra
• Dave Grohl voices Ronnie D
• Joan Jett voices Cheryl
• Rashida Jones voices Mia Abara
• Riki Lindhome voices Kimberly
• Kathy Najimy voices Jen
• Bebe Neuwirth voices Patricia
• Nick Offerman voices Zeb
• Aubrey Plaza voices Nina
• Amy Poehler voices Duncan and Annie
• Kyla Pratt voices Allison
• Adam Scott voices Nick
• Horatio Sanz voices Douglas
• Jason Schwartzman voices Stan
• Jessica Simpson voices herself

The Edge

A single-season sketch comedy show on Fox (1992-1993).

• All episodes included "Right This Minute", which looks at the current activities of notable people. In the episode "Show 5", the announcer intones "here's what ALF is doing right now," before showing a stuffed toy of the character (implied to be the puppet) lying inanimately on an alleyway garbage can. After another clip, they look at what Oscar the Grouch "is doing right this minute." Showing the same trash can, he says "get the hell out of here, ALF."

Emeril

Emeril Lagasse's short-lived sitcom included a reference in its second episode. Melva retorts at a colleague "well listen here, Mr. Rainbow Connection."

Connections

• Sherri Shepherd played Melva LaBlanc

The Eric Andre Show

A comedy/talk show on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block, starring Eric Andre and Hannibal Buress.

• In the 2012 special "The Eric Andre New Year's Eve Spooktacular," when comparing his appearance to that of guest Demi Lovato, Eric says, "Next to you, I, at best, look like Jar Jar Binks if he was a burn victim, and Hannibal looks, at best, like Bunsen from The Muppet Show if he was in blackface."
• The Season 2 episode "Wink Martindale; Sarah Burns" opens with Eric Andre announcing that Kevin Clash was fired for touching children.
• The final scene of the Season 5 finale episode "The 50th Episode" parodies the Rainbow Connection finale from The Muppet Movie, specifically starting from the "Life's like a movie, write your own ending" verse.
• In the Season 6 episode "Rim the Reaper," Andre refers to guest Jon Hamm as a "Guy Smiley-looking motherfucker."

Erica

A PBS needlework series hosted by Erica Wilson, produced from 1971-72 and 1975-76.

• In the episode "Graphics A to Z" (9 November 1971), Wilson enters by announcing that "Today's program is presented by the letters E and W, in other words, super graphics."

Eureka

• The 12th episode of season 3 is titled "It's Not Easy Being Green." After members of a bowling team are turned green as a prank by the opposing team, Tess Fontana says that it's a pretty color. Sheriff Jack Carter replies, "Yeah, if you're a Muppet." Later during an argument, a bowler calls one of his green opponents, Kermit.

Connections

• Colin Foo played a retired scientist in "Dr. Nobel" (2006)
• Matt Frewer played Jim Taggart (2006-2007, 2009)

Extras

A British sitcom about film extras, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

• In episode 2.4, Darren Lamb and Barry discuss Crazy Frog.

Darren: I'd have thought he's probably the second-richest frog in the world, after Kermit.

Barry: Kermit, yeah! There was his nephew, Robin...

Darren: Ah, Robin was good.

Barry: Looked set to take over the empire for a while, didn't he.

Darren: Oh yeah, he was a very good actor, and singer.

Barry: "Halfway Up the Stairs."

Darren: Good song.

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

• The episode "Cookie Dough" shows Frankie's obsession with Madame Foster's cookies; in one cutaway, she is seen devouring boxes of cookies, screaming "Cookie, cookie, cookie! Me love cookies!"

Connections

• Tom Kane voiced Mr. Herriman
• Phil LaMarr voiced Wilt
• Tim McKeon was a writer on the series and the special "Destination: Imagination"
• Tara Strong voiced Terrence
• Kirk Thatcher wrote two episodes, "Make Believe It or Not" and "Something Old, Something Bloo"

Farzar

• In the episode "Flammily Reunion", Renzo calls Splammy, a "Sesame Street Fighter".
• In the episode "The Great and Powerful Ozner", Renzo was in the form of a frog and introduced Fichael, followed by shouting "Yaaaay!" and flailing his arms about, similar to how Kermit the Frog introduced guest stars in The Muppet Show.

Connections

• Maurice LaMarche voiced Eterna-Head, the Announcer and Skull Person in the episode "Baz, Bangs and Brains"

The Freak Brothers

Animated series on the streaming service Tubi based on the underground comic by Gilbert Shelton.

• In episode two "Squatters Rights", narcotics agents tell the Freak Brothers they don't have permits to grow marijuana, to which Fat Freddy responds "like Permit The Frog!"

Connections

• John Goodman voices Fat Freddy Freakowski
• Tiffany Haddish voices Kitty and is a co-executive producer
• Maurice LaMarche provided voices in the first two episodes
• Phil LaMarr voices Noah Switzer

Get a Life

• At the beginning of the pilot episode, Chris realizes he's missed Fraggle Rock soon after he wakes up in the morning.

Ghosts

A British sitcom about a young woman trying to repair an old country house she's inherited with her husband, only to find it's haunted by ghosts of individuals who have died there over the years. An American adaptation premiered in 2021.

• In the 2021 Christmas special, "He Came!":

Mike: All right, don't make me feel like what's his face, "You, boy, what day is it?" Uhh... Michael Caine.

Alison: You do know there's a non-Muppet version of that story?

Mike: Yeah, but it's not as good.

Connections

• Utkarsh Ambudkar plays Jay in the U.S. version
• Jennifer Saunders played Lavinia in "He Came!"

Girls

• In the sixth season episode "Gummies":

Hannah: Have you seen my mom?

Elijah: You lost Loreen?

Hannah: Elijah, she's high on pot gummies, okay? She left all my laundry on the stoop. Look, this is her dress! She could be being sex-trafficked for all I know!

Elijah: What is this, The Muppets Take Manhattan?

Connections

• Carlo Alban played an employee at a rehabilitation center in "Females Only"
• Lisa Bonet played Tandice Moncrief in "Love Stories" and "Homeword Bound"
• Judy Collins appears as herself in "It's Back"
• Donald Glover played Sandy in “It’s About Time” and “I Get Ideas”
• Carol Kane played Cloris in “It’s Back”
• Zosia Mamet played Shoshanna Shapiro
• Ben Mendelsohn played Jessa's father in “Video Games”
• Bobby Moynihan played Thadd in “She Did”
• Chris O'Dowd played Thomas-John in Series 1 and 2
• Tracey Ullman played Ode Montgomery in “Painful Evacuation”
• Rita Wilson played Evie Michaels

Glitch Techs

A Netflix series about teenagers who fight video game glitches.

• In the second season episode "BUDS," Bergy's roleplaying character Dark Christa is a reference to The Dark Crystal.

Connections

• Dee Bradley Baker voices Miko's dad
• Jane Lynch voices Joan
• Cree Summer voices Geraldine Lawson

GLOW

A Netflix series built around the 1980s women's wrestling circuit.

• In the second season episode "Rosalie," Bash Howard mentions The Muppets Take Manhattan to Debbie Eagan. He brings this up with the intent to start a whispering campaign to save the show, much like the rats did with Kermit at Sardi's. After their efforts appear to have worked, Debbie says she would like to send Jim Henson a fruit basket.

Connections

• Kimmy Gatewood played Stacey Beswick

Good Girls

• In the episode "Egg Roll," Annie says that, as a kid, she wanted to spend Saturday mornings with "nine bowls of cereal and Muppet Babies."
• In the episode "Nana," Sara says Harry wrote a poem about famous married people for Ruby and Stanley's wedding anniversary that starts with Bert and Ernie.

Connections

• Mary Jo Catlett plays Dorothy
• Christina Hendricks plays Beth Boland
• Matthew Lillard plays Dean Boland
• Nicole Sullivan played Ms. Jackson in "One Night in Bangkok"

Grace and Frankie

In the season six episode "The Trophy Wife," Frankie describes her outlandish outfit by saying, "I was going for a Thunderdome meets Floyd Pepper from the Muppets vibe."

Connections

• Elliott Gould played Dr. Rogers
• Michael McKean plays Jack
• June Diane Raphael plays Brianna Hansen
• RuPaul played Benjamin Le Day
• Martin Sheen plays Robert Hansen
• Mary Steenburgen plays Miriam
• Lily Tomlin plays Frankie Bergstein
• Sam Waterston plays Sol Bergstein

The Great North

A Fox animated series centered around the Tobins, a family living in Alaska.

• In the season two episode "Beef Mommas House Adventure," Henry mentions that Moon once said that building a hot air balloon for his Miss Piggy hand puppet wouldn't work. Moon notes that it didn't.
• In the season three episode "Pa-shank Redemption Adventure," Beef uses "wocka wocka" as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, imitating Fozzie Bear as he says it.
• In the season four episode "The Mighty Pucks Adventure," Judy gets the Puckchuckers to do an improv exercise where they imagine themselves as an animal. Santiago says he's Miss Piggy.

Connections

• Margaret Cho played Jan in "Brace/Off Adventure"
• Phil LaMarr plays Louis Shaw
• Jane Lynch plays Dirt Tobin
• Alanis Morissette plays a fictionalized version of herself that exists in Judy's imagination
• Megan Mullally plays Alyson Lefebvrere
• Nick Offerman plays Beef Tobin
• Chelsea Peretti played Lara Silverblatt in "Avocado Barter Adventure"
• J. K. Simmons played Tusk Johnson in "Tusk in the Wind Adventure" and "From Tusk Till Dawn Adventure"
• Jenny Slate plays Judy Tobin

Halt and Catch Fire

• AMC drama about the rise of the computer industry. In the second season premiere "SETI," Joe MacMillan mentions that he got Big Bird during a game around a campfire.

Hang Time

• In the third season episode “Sexual Harassment,” Minnie asks Danny, Teddy, Michael and Vince if they want tattoos of Kermit or Big Bird.

Connections

• Anthony Anderson played Teddy Brodis (Season 2-3)
• Kobe Bryant appeared in “The Hustlers”

Happy Endings

• In the season two episode "You Snooze, You Bruise," gym bully Corey insultingly calls a patron in a yellow shirt "Big Bird."

• In the season two episode "Cocktails & Dreams," Jane reminds Brad of the time he had a sex dream about "Fran Sinclair, the mom dinosaur on the TV show Dinosaurs."

Connections

• Rob Corddry played Lon "The Car Czar" Sarofsky in three episodes
• Randall Einhorn directed "Dave of the Dead"
• David Alan Grier played Terry in "In the Heat of the Noche"
• Julie Hagerty played Mrs. Kerkovich in two episodes
• Phil LaMarr played Phil in "Makin' Changes!"
• Riki Lindhome played Angie in "The Code War"
• Michael McKean played Big Dave in two episodes
• Bobby Moynihan played Corey in "You Snooze, You Bruise"
• Megan Mullally played Dana Hartz in three episodes
• Andy Richter played Roy in "Bros Before Bros"
• Paul Scheer played Avi in two episodes
• RuPaul played KrisJahn in "The Incident"

Heroes

• When Claire researches her birth parents in the first season episode "The Fix," she and her friend Zach find a newspaper article from Kermit, Texas. When Zach wonders why that sounds so familiar, Claire replies, "`Cuz of the frog?"

Connections

• Kristen Bell played Elle Bishop in twelve episodes
• Eugene Byrd played Nathan's campaign manager in four episodes
• Jesse Corti played the LAPD police captain in "The Fix"
• Christopher Eccleston played Claude in five episodes
• Ellen Greene played Virginia Grey in three episodes
• Stana Katic played Hana Gitelman in two episodes
• Stan Lee played the bus driver in "Unexpected"
• Hayden Panettiere played Claire Bennet
• Zachary Quinto played Sylar
• Eric Roberts played Thompson in five episodes
• Richard Roundtree played Charles Deveaux in four episodes
• George Takei played Kaito Nakamura

Hollyoaks

• On the November 19, 2019 episode, Sienna Blake argues that the best Christmas movie of all time is not Die Hard but The Muppet Christmas Carol. In a post-credits scene, she sits down to watch the film and remarks "The Ghost of Christmas Past is such a creepy child..." This is a nod to actress Jessica Fox, who plays Sienna's rival Nancy Hayton and provided the voice of the Ghost of Christmas Past in the film.

Connections

• Jessica Fox plays Nancy Hayton

The Hollywood Puppet Sh!t Show

• In the premiere episode, the Wilmer Valderrama puppet explains that he's a marionette, not a puppet. He then says "You ever seen Kermit do this?" while doing a dance move with his groin.

Connections

• Terry Crews appeared in episode 6
• Joe Jonas appeared in episode 4
• Gina Rodriguez appeared in episode 5
• Lilly Singh appeared in season 2, episode 1

Hope and Faith

• In Season 3, Hope gets mad at Charley for letting Justin watch The Exorcist, and states that he still has nightmares from Elmo in Grouchland.

Connections

• Lynda Carter played Summer
• Kathie Lee Gifford played Marge
• Susan Lucci played Jacqueline Karr
• Jenny McCarthy played Mandi
• Andrea Martin played Madame Elizabeth
• Regis Philbin played Handsome Hal
• Kelly Ripa played Faith Fairfield

Hustle

BBC series about a team of grifters and their con games.

• The fourth episode "Cops and Robbers" (2004) features Robert Vaughn's character standing in front of a store with a Tutter doll in the window display.

Connections

• Bill Bailey played Cyclops (3 episodes)
• Frances Barber played Clarissa in "A Designers Paradise " (2007)
• John Barrowman played Dean Deville in "Eat Yourself Slender" (2012)
• Roger Blake played a CID officer in "Picture Perfect" (2004)
• Paul Brooke played Benny in "Eye of the Beholder" (2005)
• Sheila Hancock played Dolly Hammond in "Picasso Finger Painting" (2012)
• Philip Jackson played Arthur Bond in "The Last Gamble" (2004)
• Mac MacDonald played an American plane passenger in "The Last Gamble" (2004)
• Mark Williams played Dale Ridley in "Ding Dong That's My Song" (2012)

Indebted

• In the episode "Everybody's Talking About Neighbors," Dave says that being a part of a community being an important part of life sounds like something he's heard throughout the years on Sesame Street.

Connections

• Fran Drescher plays Debbie Klein
• Richard Kind played Artie in "Everybody's Talking About Doctor Uncle" and "Everybody's Talking About Shiva"
• Phill Lewis directed episodes

Jann

• In season 2, episode 3, Jann Arden is filling out a form on a celebrity-only dating website. Asked for her favorite animal, she types "the one on the Muppet Show". (Shown matches, she remarks "Feist? She had her chance.")

Connections

• k.d. lang appears as herself in "Drop the Single"

K.C. Undercover

• In the Season 3 premiere "Coopers on the Run," the Coopers take a mission to detain an illegal bird smuggler who goes by the nickname "Big Bird."

Connections

• Kadeem Hardison plays Craig Cooper
• China Anne McClain plays Sheena
• Raven-Symoné plays Simone Deveraux in "Runaway Robot" parts 1 and 2
• Sherri Shepherd plays Agent Beverly
• Bella Thorne plays Jolie in "Spy-anoia Will Destroy Ya"
• Zendaya plays K.C. Cooper

The Kids Are Alright

• In the pilot, Timmy sings the Sesame Street song "Sing."

Connections

• Paul Dooley plays Cecil Dunne
• Tim Doyle created the show and narrates
• Kris Eber is producer
• Randall Einhorn is executive producer and director
• Ken Jeong appeared in "The Love List"
• Matt Sohn directed five episodes
• Kirk Thatcher directed "Mailbox"
• Lea Thompson directed "Mass for Shut-Ins"

Kids in the Hall

• In one sketch from season 5, a little boy is waiting for the Chicken Lady (Mark McKinney) to finish riding a quarter horse at the mall. He asks "Are you Big Bird?" and the Chicken Lady replies, "No, but I want to meet him, 'cause the Bearded Lady says they call him Big Bird 'cause he's got a really big--" at which point the boy's mother prevents the Chicken Lady from finishing the sentence.

Connections

• Fred Armisen appears in season 6 (2022)
• Samantha Bee appears in season 6 (2022)
• John Blanchard directed episodes
• Denise Dickin was costume designer for the first season
• Mark Hamill appears in season 6 (2022)
• Robert Hackborn did set design
• Eddie Izzard appears in season 6 (2022)
• Erica Lancaster played Wally's daughter in Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996)
• Frank Meschkuleit puppeteered the cat in the 2010 miniseries Death Comes to Town.
• Lorne Michaels served as executive producer from 1989 to 1995.
• Catherine O'Hara appears in season 6 (2022)
• Gary Pearson animated the series title
• Dan Redican served as a story editor and producer.
• Tracee Ellis Ross appears in season 6 (2022)
• Kenan Thompson appears in season 6 (2022)

Kim's Convenience

• In the episode "Appa's First Text," Mr. Mehta offers to send Appa some GIFs to his new smartphone. Appa waves this off, claiming he's already seen "Kermit drinking tea."
• A 2021 episode was titled "Cookie Monster."

Connections

• Simu Liu played Jung
• Sugith Varughese played Mr. Mehta

The Knights of Prosperity

• "Pilot" - When Eugene wants to enter the building to find out which key fits Mick Jagger's apartment, Esperanza has to distract the doorman that stays behind, while the other doorman goes for a cup of coffee. When he leaves the building, this is referred to as "Big Bird has left its nest."

The L.A. Complex

• In the episode "Help Wanted," Nick Wagner refers to his boss Scott Cray, who allowed him to take the blame for bringing drugs to work and get fired for it, as "...a Muppet without its fur."
• In the episode "Make It Right," Raquel Westbrook refers to the two filmmakers Cam and Kevin as "Bert and Ernie."

Connections

• Krista Allen played Jennifer Bell

The Last Man on Earth

• In episode 6 of season 2, Carol lists the pros and cons of having a baby in the new post-apocalyptic environment. One of the cons she lists is "No Sesame Street."

• In the season three episode "The Spirit of St. Lewis," just before Lewis is about to take his first flight, Phil tries to encourage Lewis by saying famous people's names and puts Lewis name at the end: "Nelson Mandel, Jim Henson, Hamilton, the guy who did Hamilton and Lewis."

Connections

• Fred Armisen played Karl (4 episodes, 2017-2018)
• Jack Black played Roy Billups in "M.U.B.A.R." (2017)
• Laura Dern played Catherine in "Got Milk?" (2017)
• Jon Hamm played Darrell in "General Breast Theme with Cobras" (2016)
• Kristen Schaal played Carol
• Martin Short played a man in an SUV in "Karl" (2018)
• Mary Steenburgen played Gail
• Jason Sudeikis played Mike Miller

Last Man Standing

In season 7 episode "Cards on the Table," Joe (Jay Leno) loudly announces the number of cards he's dealt each poker player. Mike Baxter (Tim Allen) snarks "what, are we playing poker on Sesame Street?"

Connections

• Tony Hawk appeared as himself
• Nick Jonas appeared as Ryan
• Jay Leno appeared in 28 episodes as Joe
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas appeared in three episodes as John Baker, and one as Randy

Legacies

• The 10th episode of this season 2 Vampire Diaries spin-off is titled "This is Why We Don't Entrust Plans to Muppet Babies." At one point in the episode, one character says it of another when they can't get their magical powers to manifest.

Life in Pieces

• In the third season episode "Waffles Permission Kidless Boyfriend," Tyler (who had his hair straightened at the mall) is told by a friend that "You look like a Sesame Street character."

Connections

• Leslie Carrara-Rudolph played a puppet monkey in "Pageant Bike Animals Jerky" (2018)
• Josh Groban played Ian in "Tattoo Valentine Guitar Pregnant"
• Liz Hara wrote nine episodes (2018)
• Donna Kimball played the puppet Susan B. Anthony in "Pageant Bike Animals Jerky" (2018)
• Tim Lagasse played a puppet shark in "Pageant Bike Animals Jerky" (2018)
• Joey Mazzarino played puppet Mr. Lobster in "Pageant Bike Animals Jerky" (2018)
• Megan Mullally played Mary-Lynn in "Annulled Roommate Pill Shower" (2016)
• Nick Offerman played Spencer in "Annulled Roommate Pill Shower" (2016)
• Jordan Peele played Chad (3 episodes, 2015)

The Listener

• In the episode "Lockdown," Osman "Oz" Bey comforts the daughter of a quarantined patient with food. Leaving her with the plate, he suggests: "Can you keep an eye on them, make sure there's no Cookie Monsters running around?"

Liv and Maddie

• In the episode "Sleep-A-Rooney," Liv is supervising Parker's sleepover and tells Parker's friends to come outside. Parker replies, "Okay, but if there is someone out there in an Elmo suit, I'm gonna lose it."

Connections

• Kristen Bell appeared in "Ask-Her-More-a-Rooney"
• Erik Estrada played Mr. Bustamante in "Friend-A-Rooney"
• Kevin James played Mr. Clodfelter in "Cook-A-Rooney"

Living Biblically

• In the episode, "Pilot," Chip Curry confessed to Father Gene that when he gets stoned, he eats a bunch of ice cream and Cheez-Its in Muppet style. Chip pretends to munch making the om nom nom sound.

Connections

• Johnny Galecki is executive producer of the show

Living Single

• In the episode "Stormy Weather," Max is watching television and shouts, "I will tell you how to get to Sesame Street. You take Puke-Avenue."

Connections

• Kim Fields played Regina Hunter
• Gladys Knight played Odelle Jones in "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "One Degree of Separation"
• Queen Latifah played Khadijah James
• Phill Lewis played J.T. in "U.N.I.T.Y."
• Ed McMahon appeared in "Crappy Birthday"
• Sam McMurray played Marco McCulloch in "Misleading Lady" and "To Catch a Thief"
• Isaiah Washington played Dr. Charles Roberts in Season 4
• Flip Wilson appeared in "Crappy Birthday"

Locke & Key

• In the episode "Small World", Bode is seen watching an episode of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Both series aired on Netflix.

Lopez vs Lopez

• In the episode "Lopez vs. Anxiety", Chance ate some artificial blue sweets and says, "Look, I ate Cookie Monster." He shows his tongue is blue and says "Now that fool knows how cookies feel."

Connections

• George Lopez is co-creator, executive producer, and plays himself

The Loud House

Comparison of the original storyboard panel by Jordan Koch and the final animation. (Twitter post)

• In the episode "Resident Upheaval," Lincoln and Bernie attend an opera performance. While Lincoln browses the auditorium through his opera glasses, two elderly men in a balcony seat are briefly seen, a reference to Statler and Waldorf.

Connections

• Dee Bradley Baker supplies animal noises, including for the family pets Charles and Cliff, and voices several minor characters
• Eric Bauza voices various minor characters
• Wayne Brady voices Harold McBride
• Jessica DiCicco voices Lynn and Lucy Loud
• Sonia Manzano voices Rosa Casagrande on the main series and its spin-off The Casagrandes
• Rob Paulsen voices Seymour and other minor characters
• Cree Summer voices several minor characters
• Stephen Tobolowsky voices Principal Huggins
• Lauren Tom provided voices in two episodes
• Fred Willard voices Pop-Pop

Love, Victor

• In the season 2 episode "Table for Four," Pilar admits her feelings about Felix to Rahim, saying "He's like a sweet, goofy Muppet." Later on in the episode, Rahim asks her "Are you sure you just see him as a sweet, goofy Muppet?" To which she replies "You're right. I think he's a sexy-ass Muppet. He's basically Gonzo." Rahim cocurs with "There it is!"

Connections

• Andy Richter plays Coach Ford

Luther

• In Series 2, Episode 2, Alice Morgan tells John Luther they can travel the world as a duo: "Yin and Yang. Bonnie and Clyde. Bert and Ernie."

Luxury Comedy

• In "King Tutta," Noel calls Smooth "Fraggle."

Make It Pop

• In the episode "Summer Splash," Sun Hi says "We're just musical puppets. And I'm no one's Muppet!"

Connections

• Nancy O'Dell appeared in "Summer Splash"

Man With a Plan

• In the episode "Hotel Hanky Panky," Kate asked her parents if she can invite her friends, Shelby and Winslow, over to the house and Adam replies, "The two old guys from the Muppets?"

• In the episode “Adam and Andi See Other People,” Don suggests Adam for couples dinner that they go to a jug band concert and names certain instruments in the band. Adam replies “So any instrument a Muppet would play?”

Connections

• Phill Lewis directed "The Three Amigos"
• Sherri Shepherd played Joy (4 episodes, 2017-2018)

Maron

• In the second season episode "Desert Road Trip," Marc Maron tells his friends that he's going to be a guest on Charlie Rose, and Andy Kindler mentions that Kermit the Frog has been interviewed by Rose.

Connections

• Edward Asner played Marc's dad (unaired pilot)
• Chris Hardwick played himself
• Judd Hirsch played Larry
• Sally Kellerman played Toni
• Denis Leary appeared as himself
• Conan O'Brien appeared as himself
• Eddie Pepitone played Stu Carbone
• Caroline Rhea appeared as herself
• Ray Romano appeared as himself
• Sarah Silverman appeared as herself
• Danny Trejo played Manny

The Mary Tyler Moore Hour

A Mary Tyler Moore vehicle which ran in 1979, and after the failure of Moore's variety show Mary, attempted to meld variety with a sitcom format ala The Mary Tyler Moore Show (even using the theme song), as TV star Mary McKinnon and her staff try to put on a show with a celebrity guest each week.

• In the first episode, producer Harry Sinclair, relieved his wife's not pregnant, says "I'm too old to be watching Sesame Street!"

Connections

• David Axlerod wrote for the series
• Mike Douglas appeared in episode 1
• Bonnie Franklin appeared in episode 3
• Michael Keaton played Kenny
• Gene Kelly appeared in episode 5
• Linda Lavin appeared in episode 9
• David Letterman played Gus in episode 9
• Hal Linden appeared in episode 8
• Johnny Mathis appeared in episode 6
• Mary Tyler Moore played Mary McKinnon
• Howard Morris played Benny Baxter in episode 2
• Doris Roberts played Crystal in episode 2
• Dick Van Dyke played himself in episode 4
• Nancy Walker played herself in episode 10
• Paul Williams played himself in episode 11

The Millers

• In the episode "The Mother Is In," the Miller family is about to watch a movie on TV, but their father hasn't ordered a movie yet. If he didn't pick, Debbie Miller's daughter, Mikayla, would make them watch The Muppets for the twentieth time. Debbie says Mikayla is too young to see Gonzo's nose. Somehow, Mikayla got the TV remote and the family had to watch The Muppets. The father replied that it is OK since the green frog is a hoot.

• In the episode "Sex Ed Dolan," Carolyn talks about how she made Tom look good. "I learn how to dress him and how to steer him towards his best jokes. It's basically the technique that Jim Henson used to turn a pig into a movie star."

Connections

• Will Arnett played Nathan Miller
• Roseanne Barr played Nathan's co-worker's mother in "Walk-n-Wave"
• Sean Hayes played Kip Finkle in Season 2
• Phill Lewis directed "You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings, Man"
• Andy Richter played Nathan's co-worker in "Walk-n-Wave"
• Molly Shannon played Miss Pam in "Diggin' Up Bones"
• Jeffrey Tambor played Ed in "Tomlandia" and "Sex Ed Dolan"

Monsters vs. Aliens

The 2009 Halloween special Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space, spun off from the animated feature Monsters vs. Aliens.

• When a little girl sees the Missing Link, she says "Look, mommy, it's Kermit!"

Connections

• Reese Witherspoon voiced Susan/Ginormica
• Will Arnett voiced The Missing Link
• Adam Goldberg wrote the special
• Hugh Laurie voiced Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.
• Seth Rogen voiced B.O.B.
• Jeffrey Tambor voiced Carl Murphy

Mr. Show with Bob and David

• In a sketch from the first episode, co-creator/actor David Cross breaks character to complain about the sketch, claiming that "HBO spent more money on Fraggle Rock."

Mr. Sunshine

• In the pilot episode, Roman asks Ben if he knows the song "The Rainbow Connection."

Connections

• Allison Janney played Crystal Cohen

Mythic Quest

In the episode "Juice Box", Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao) sings "Rainbow Connection" to Ian (Rob McElhenney) in the hospital. Willie Nelson's cover of the song plays over the end credits.

Connections

• F. Murray Abraham plays C.W. Longbottom
• William Hurt played Peter Cromwell in "Peter"

Negima?!

Anime series (2006-2007). In episode 15, Zazie Rainyday says "Mah Na Mah Na" and Konaka Konoe replies "Do do do do do." Zazie and Mana Tatsumiya go on to say "Mah Na Mah Na."

The New Normal

The New Normal (2012-2013) is an American television comedy series in which a single mother is the surrogate for a successful gay couple.

• In the pilot episode (originally aired on September 10, 2012), Jane Forrest launches a tirade explaining that Clay Clemmons' excuses had forced her to take drastic measures and seek a divorce.

Jane: (aiming what appears to be a lighter in the shape of a gun) You, Hello Kitty out.

Clay: Hey, that is a toy right?

Jane: You know something Clay. I have put up with you for the past nine years. I put up with your ridiculous Fozzie Bear impersonations, with your self diagnosed narcolepsy.

Clay: No, that's real, it's not just naps.

The Newz

The Newz (1994-1995) was a sketch comedy series that aired new episodes each weeknight. Its cast included Brad Sherwood, later of Whose Line Is It Anyway? It was filmed at Universal Studios Florida.

In one episode, Presidential candidate Bert (Tommy Blaze) is confronted by Ernie (Dan O'Connor). After the failure of Ernie and Cher: The Roadshow, he pressures Bert to choose him as his running mate. Bert has already The Count, while Big Bird is his foreign policy advisor. Ernie reveals that he has pictures of Bert selling secrets to the electric company. The skit is behind a wall, and Bert has arm rods. Oscar and Snuffy are also referenced.

Nobodies

• In the episode "Page One Rewrite," Rachel says Ethan reminds her of Bert "from Bert and Ernie, because Bert's a bummer and you're a bummer."

Connections

• Jason Bateman guest starred
• Kristen Bell guest starred
• Sarah Chalke guest starred
• Cedric the Entertainer plays himself starting with the episode "Tape Night"
• Cheryl Hines guest starred
• Allison Janney guest starred
• Melissa McCarthy played herself (8 episodes) and executive produced
• Maya Rudolph guest starred
• Sia guest starred

Not Dead Yet

A sitcom centered around Nell Serrano, an obituary writer putting her life back together following a bad breakup, when she discovers she can communicate with the ghosts of the people whose obituaries she writes.

• In the episode "Not Just Yet," Lexi insults Edward, saying "you look like a human Muppet." When Edward responds, she adds, "you're the height of Big Bird, but with none of the charisma."

Connections

• Margaret Cho played Miss Cassandra in "Not Scattered Yet"
• Martin Mull played Monty in "Pilot," "Not Moving On Yet," and "Not Scattered Yet"
• Rhea Perlman played Janice in "Not A Fairytale Yet"
• Gina Rodriguez plays Nell Serrano
• Brittany Snow played Piper in "Not Out of High School Yet"

Not Going Out

A British sitcom, debuted in 2006.

• In the episode "Plane," Lee mistakes an air marshal for a hijacker. In their faceoff, in which Lee is wielding a banana, the air marshal counts, "von, two, three." Lee replies, "Has anyone ever told you, you sound like that vampire off Sesame Street?"

Off Centre

• In the second season episode "Love is a Pain in the Ass,” Euan says “It’s not like she’s the first woman to tickled me Elmo.”

• In the second season episode "P.P. Doc II: The Examination Continues,” Dr. Barry Wasserman, a urologist, refers to Euan’s private part as Snuffleupaguses.

Connections

• Jason Biggs played Rick Steve in "The Good, the Bad and the Lazy"
• John Cho played Chau Presley
• Carmen Electra appeared in "M. Night Shyamalan's Unflushable"
• Zachary Quinto played Smudge in "Diddler on the Roof"

Oh Madeline

Short-lived 1983-84 ABC sitcom starring Madeline Kahn.

• In the episode "Ah, Wilderness," Madeline and her husband Charlie are stuck in the woods at night. They hear the sound of a bullfrog, which they affectionately refer to as "Kermit."

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes

• In the episode "Parent's Day," Enid's mom makes a stew that has Kermit the Frog in it.

Connections

• Diedrich Bader voiced Cupid
• LeVar Burton voiced Kwame in "The Power Is Yours"
• Jim Cummings voiced Lord Boxman
• Carol Kane voiced Ginger
• Robbie Rist voiced Gnarlio, Frat Boy, Corn Shepherd
• Tara Strong voiced Ben Tennyson, Raven and IIana in "Crossover Nexus"
• Russi Taylor voiced Phantasma in “Monster Party”

Only Murders in the Building

• In the second season episode "The Tell," Oliver namedrops The Muppets Take Manhattan in a list of New York-centric movies.

Connections

• Jimmy Fallon appeared in "To Protect and Serve" (2021)
• Tina Fey plays Cinda Canning
• Selena Gomez plays Mabel Mora
• Nathan Lane plays Teddy Dimas
• Jane Lynch plays Sazz Pataki
• Andrea Martin plays Joy
• Steve Martin plays Charles-Haden Savage
• Paul Rudd plays Ben Glenroy
• Amy Ryan plays Jan Bellows
• Martin Short plays Oliver Putnam
• Ali Stroker plays Paulette

Perfect Couples

• In the first episode of the NBC comedy series, Amy attempts to play "Celebrity" on game night, and immediately bombs after giving a clue: "He's a Muppet ... he's a frog ..."

Perfect Harmony

• In the episode "No Time for Losers," Jax says he calls Sesame Street "It's Okay if You're Gay if You Don't Acknowledge It." Ginny then asks Arthur "Were Bert and Ernie gay?" To which he says "totally."

Connections

• James Monroe Iglehart played Keith in "Regionals"
• Joshua Malina played Torston in "Know When to Walk Away"

The President Show

A 2017 Comedy Central program, featuring President Donald Trump (Anthony Atamanuik) as a talk show host.

• On the November 2, 2017 episode, Trump plays "Six Degrees of Hillary Clinton." "Tremendous idiot George Papadopoulos pled guilty to lying to the FBI about communicating with Russia, during my campaign..." he begins, arriving on Clinton's email server, concluding "Look at that. George Snuffleupagus didn't lie to the FBI, it was Hillary Clinton."

Q-Force

• In the episode "Greyscale," after a successful karate kick, accompanied by a "Hi-yah!" scream, Twink remarks "Miss Piggy taught me that move!"

Connections

• Eric Bauza voices several supporting characters
• Sean Hayes voices Agent Steve "Mary" Maryweather
• Allison Janney voices Sheriff Globuchar in "WeHo Confidential"
• Jane Lynch voices Judy in "Greyscale"
• Wanda Sykes voices Agent Deb

Queer as Folk

• In the U.S. episode "The Art of Desperation," Michael ask Brian what he is on and Brian replies, "Oh, E, K, G.H.B. Most of the letters on Sesame Street.

Connections

• Rosie O'Donnell played Loretta Pye in Season 5

The Ranch

• In the episode "Merry Christmas (Wherever You Are)," Colt is putting up Christmas lights because his father hates that. Colt says to Abby he is like Bob Cratchit to his Ebenezer Scrooge. Abby is impressed and says he is reading more on Dickens. Colt replies “Dickens wrote The Muppet Christmas Carol?”

Connections

• Conchata Ferrell played Shirley in five episodes
• Lou Diamond Phillips played Clint in "One of Those Nights"
• Thomas Rhett appeared in "Wrapped Up in You"
• Dax Shepard played Luke Matthews
• Debra Winger played Maggie Bennett

Reba

• In the episode "The Good Girl," when Barbara Jean claims that she put a scratch in Van's car, and is worried about what he will say, Kyra says "It's true! He gets this look on his face where his two eyebrows merge together, and he looks like that Muppet who lives in the Trash Can!" (referring to Oscar the Grouch).

Connections

• Nell Carter played Dr. Susan Peters in three episodes
• James Denton played Dr. Morgan in two episodes
• Reba McEntire played Reba Hart
• Dolly Parton played Dolly Majors

Reboot

Reboot is a live action Hulu series that premiered in 2022.

• In the first episode "Step Right Up," Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock is on a list of series reboots.

• In the third episode "Growing Pains," Gordon mentions that one of his old comedy writers, Alan, worked on Dinosaurs.

• In the seventh episode "Baskets," Bree pitches to the writers a chef who spills food everywhere. Writer Azmina responds, "I think they did that on the Muppets."

Connections

• Rachel Bloom played Hannah Korman
• Keegan-Michael Key played Reed Sterling
• Paul Reiser played Gordon Gelman

The Righteous Gemstones

• In the second season episode "Interlude II", Dr. Eli Gemstone has an argument with his accountant, Terry, about spending too much money. Eli fires the accountant. When Terry asks why, Eli responds, "Because I need to find me an accountant that don't look like Jim Henson."

Connections

• John Goodman played Dr. Eli Gemstone
• Mike Ostroski played Terry in "Interlude II"
• Eric Roberts played Junior Marsh
• Jason Schwartzman played Thaniel Block

Robotomy

Short-lived Cartoon Network series that aired from 2010 to 2011.

• In the episode "Playdate", Thrasher has his sister Mechajodie and Maimy's brother Terrabyte play with "Tickle Me Psycho" (a parody of Tickle Me Elmo).

Connections

• Gilbert Gottfried voiced Tickle Me Psycho in "Playdate"
• Jack McBrayer voiced Frenemy in "Frenemy"
• Kate McKinnon voiced Additional Characters
• Patton Oswalt voiced Thrasher

Rugrats

Animated television show that first aired on Nickelodeon in 1991. This series focuses on the point of view of a group of babies, including Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Phil and Lil DeVille, and Angelica Pickles.

• In the episode "Toys in the Attic", Tommy's grandparents, Boris and Minka, argue over which one of them will turn on the TV show "Sesame Seed" (Sesame Street).

Connections

• Craig Bartlett was a writer on the series during the show's initial 1991-1993 run
• Justine Bateman voiced an art patron in the episode "Opposites Attract/The Art Museum" (1999)
• Abraham Benrubi voiced Serge in The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Gregg Berger provided voices
• Nancy Cartwright voices Chuckie Finster (2001-present)
• Dan Castellaneta voiced a lawyer in "Pickles vs Pickles" and Jonathan in "Jonathan Babysits"
• Kim Cattrall voiced Melinda Finster in "Mother's Day" (1997)
• Christine Cavanaugh voiced Chuckie Finster (1992-2000)
• Margaret Cho voiced Lt. Klavin in The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Peter Chung directed episodes
• Tim Curry voiced Rex Pestor in The Rugrats Movie (1998), a sumo singer in Rugrats in Paris (2000), and Nigel Thornberry in Rugrats Go Wild (2003)
• E.G. Daily voices Tommy Pickles
• Rick Gitelson wrote episodes
• Len Glasser was an animator
• Whoopi Goldberg voiced Ranger Margaret in The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Scott Gray wrote episodes
• Jonathan Greenberg wrote episodes
• Jameela Jamil played Lady De-Clutter in "Lady De-Clutter" (2021)
• David Jeremiah voiced the plumber in "Tell-Tale Cell Phone" (2001)
• Mitchell Kriegman wrote episodes
• Cyndi Lauper sang the song "I Want a Mom That Will Last Forever" in Rugrats in Paris (2000)
• Katie Leigh provided voices
• Lisa Loeb performed the song "All Day" for The Rugrats Movie soundtrack (1998)
• John Lithgow voiced Jean-Claude in Rugrats in Paris (2000)
• Danny Mann provided voices
• Michele Mariana voiced Mrs. Chesapeake in "Momma Trauma" (1991)
• Garry Marshall voiced Fred in "Club Fred" (2002)
• Andrea Martin voiced Aunt Miriam in the series and in The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Patricia Marx wrote episodes
• Art Mawhinney was a storyboard artist
• Michael McKean voices Lou Pickles in the 2021 series
• Phillip Namanworth wrote songs for the series
• Mark Palmer wrote episodes
• Pat Paulsen voiced the garbageman in "Feeding Hubert/Spike the Wonder Dog" (1993)
• Lou Rawls voiced a newborn in The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Paul Reubens voiced Hermie the Elf in "Babies in Toyland" (2002)
• Kevin Michael Richardson voiced a sumo singer in Rugrats in Paris (2000)
• Dawn Robinson voiced a newborn in The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Pat Sajak voiced himself in "Chuckie is Rich" (1993)
• Susan Sarandon voiced Madame Coco LaBouche in Rugrats in Paris (2000)
• Jamshied Sharifi scored The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Ashley Spillers voices Didi Pickles in the 2021 series
• Tara Strong voiced Dil Pickles and Timmy McNulty
• Cree Summer voiced Susie Carmichael
• Patric Verrone wrote episodes
• Henry Winkler voices Boris Kropotkin in the 2021 series
• Hattie Winston voiced Lucy Carmichael
• Paul Williams voiced the train conductor in "Murmur on the Ornery Express" (2002)
• Bruce Willis voiced Spike in Rugrats Go Wild (2003)

Running Wilde

• In the episode "One Forward Step," Steve suggests to Emmy that she use the laundry chute in the house, saying "You know there are people at the bottom of that thing? They've got their own subterranean world, kinda like Fraggle Rock."

Connections

• Will Arnett played Steve Wilde
• Andy Richter played Dan Thorngood in "The Junior Affair"

A Russell Peters Christmas

• In the stop motion animation segment "Little Russell Saves Christmas," Russell Peters' mother sends him to the store for "A Loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter."

Connections

• Michael Bublé as himself
• Jon Lovitz as himself

The Sarah Silverman Program

• In the last episode of the series starring Sarah Silverman, "Wowschwitz," Brian and Steve steal a gun from a cop and replace it with a banana. Referring to him as "Banana Cop" throughout the episode, the two sing a rendition of "Mah Na Mah Na" replacing the words with "Banana Cop." The episode ends with Sarah's dog going back in time to kill Hitler, preventing the Holocaust. In the present, an old man asks, "What never happened?" Brian: "The Holocaust." Steve: "Do doo do do do!"

Connections

• Jimmy Kimmel appeared in two episodes
• Andy Richter appeared in "Fetus Don't Fail Me Now"

Secret Mountain Fort Awesome

• In the 9th episode titled "Labyrinth," Gweelok wishes that Jerry the Goblin King would come take his annoying friends away and realizes how much he misses them and has to enter the twisted world of the Labyrinth to rescue them.

$#* ! My Dad Says

• In the series pilot, Ed has to retake his test for driver's license at the DMV. When Ed has to retake his eye exam, he says to the DMV applicator, Tim, that he shouldn't have to identify letters on the chart. Ed tells Tim that he has been driving for sixty years and that he has never been rear ended by a gigantic letter E. Tim replies, "Clearly you never driven down Sesame Street."

Connections

• William Shatner played Dr. Edison Milford "Ed" Goodson III
• Nicole Sullivan played Bonnie

Single Parents

• In the episode "Raining Blood," Will says he pictured small men with hard hats, "like the Doozers in Fraggle Rock."

Connections

• Lance Bass appeared in "Lance Bass Space Cump"
• Vanessa Bayer plays Mia
• Brad Garrett plays Douglas Fogerty
• Taran Killam plays Will Cooper
• Regis Philbin appeared in "Oh Dip, She's Having a Baby"

Skatoony

In the episode, "Stoopid Santa," one of the questions was what Big Bird's color was. With the correct answer being yellow.

The Smoking Room

A British comedy first aired on BBC Three in 2004, focusing on the conversations of characters while on their smoke breaks, all shot inside their office's smoking room.

• In episode 3, "Paintball," the manager's assistant Janet is trying to get other employees to sign up for a company paintballing event:

Janet: No, what I was getting at is - I hope [the sign-up sheet] doesn’t end up covered in jokey names. According to the one downstairs, the only people planning to go paintballing are Marge Simpson, Osama Bin Laden, Barbara Windsor, and The Bear in the Big Blue House.

The Sooty Show

• In Episode 13 of the Thames-era series (1977), guest star Freddie Davies is telling the reason why he wanted to get a job on the show, as he thinks he's on The Muppet Show (which he calls fantastic). After being corrected by Sooty and others, Freddie says he was only joking.

Connections

• Ronnie LeDrew was a puppeteer on the series.

Space Force

• In episode three of the Netflix comedy, Fuck Tony says to Dr. Mallory, "Scientists are weird. It's why you're the only Muppet that speaks nonsense. Even Animal uses words."

Connections

• Diedrich Bader plays General Rongley
• Steve Carell plays General Mark R. Naird
• Jane Lynch plays the Chief of Naval Operations
• John Malkovich plays Dr. Adrian Mallory
• Patrick Warburton plays General Dabney Stramm
• Fred Willard plays Fred Naird

Speechless

• In the Season 2 episode "The H-u-s-Hustle," Dylan finds the cookies that are supposed to be the road trip snacks. Ray tries to explain that there won't be anything to eat later. Ray tells her "Allow me to explain the concept of delayed gratification." Dylan replies "Allow me to explain the concept of eating like Cookie Monster" and starts to munch the two handfuls of cookies she has while making Nom sounds.

Sports Night

• In the episode "The Apology," Casey asks Dan if the Muppets are cool. Dan replies that they are.

Connections

• Josh Charles played Dan Rydell
• William H. Macy played Sam Donovan
• Yeardley Smith played Malory Moss
• Meredith Vieira played herself

Square Pegs

• In the episode "A Simple Attachment," Miss Piggy is one of the female celebrities that Johnny Slash doesn't have a romantic interest in while hooked up to a love detector.

Connections

• Andy Borowitz wrote five episodes
• Sarah Jessica Parker played Patty Greene

Staged

• In the episode "Bara Brith," Michael Sheen comments on David Tennant's face in photos, claiming it looks like a straight line, "like a Muppet."

Connections

• Samuel L. Jackson played himself
• David Tennant played himself

State of Georgia

• In the episode "Know When to Fold 'Em," Georgia Chamberlin (Raven-Symoné) and Jo are wearing chicken mascot-style costumes; Georgia quips "We look like Big Bird's illegitimate kids."

• Another first season episode was titled "It's Not Easy Being Green."

Starstruck

• The season one episode "Christmas" involves an exchange between two characters concerning weed brownies. Rose Matafeo's character, Jessie, refuses to eat them because, "Last time I had a brownie, I freaked out and watched Jim Henson funeral videos on YouTube." One guest at the party responds, "Jim Henson's dead?" (video)

Starting Now

A television series pilot about a young woman getting her start in the television industry as a production assistant at a nationally-shown children's television series. It aired in 1989 as a special.

The series' rabbit dies in the pilot, and gets a tribute special. The series' puppeteer announces to his colleagues, "Unbelievable! They're all coming. I talked to Lamb Chop, Big Bird, Miss Piggy, ALF. He took it hard, man." His boss questions "you talked to Alf?" "Of course not. No one gets through to Alf, I talked to his agent."

Connections

• Ricki Lake played Ricki Ross
• Henry Winkler was executive producer

Station 19

In season 4, episode 2, "Wild World", four members of the Alvarez family gather for a picnic outside.

Talking about an unseen character named Sergio, Sandra Alvarez says "he can't decide if he wants to be a dental hygienist, a flight attendant, of a rolfer -- whatever that it!" Johnny Alvarez interjects, "Hey, mi amor, Rowlf was that Muppet bear, the comedian bear? You girls loved the Muppets!" "The comedian bear?" Johnny: "Yes." "Papi, Rowlf was the dog who played the piano." "The musician dog, you might say."

Connections

• Keylor Leigh played Rachel Del Río
• Ellen Pompeo plays Dr. Meredith Grey
• Kim Raver played Teddy Altman
• Brenda Song plays JJ

Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life

A 2018 Netflix comedy special starring Steve Martin and Martin Short.

At one point, Short appears as his Jiminy Glick character in the guise of Martin's ventriloquist dummy. While discussing various politicians, Glick compares Bernie Sanders to Statler and Waldorf.

Strays

Strays is a spin-off of Kim's Convenience. In season 1, episode 8 "Speak Your Truth," the animal shelter staff is in a training seminar.

Joy: "Because the Kool-Aid Man expresses violence, breaking through walls. They serve it at church, but I don't approve."

Paul: "No, no, the Kool-Aid comes from that cult guy, Jim Henson."

Kristian: "Uh, Jim Jones. Jim Henson made the puppets that are offensive now."

Paul: "See? And they did everything that Jim told them to do."

Liam: "The Muppets?"

Later, Shannon is asked by Liam, "So Ross, what did we learn?" "That it's not cool to talk like the Swedish Muppet." "Not when you're apologizing."

Studio C

A clean, family-oriented sketch comedy show. The November 21, 2016 episode in Season 7 includes a sketch called "The Cookie Diet" featuring a mock Cookie Monster puppet (Jason Gray). (YouTube)

Sunnyside

In the episode "Multicultural Tube of Meat," Griselda says Garrett has a meeting with the Times Square Off-Brand Elmos union. Later, Brady says he doesn't want to go to Moldova and hang out with "Dracula's grandkids counting all the time."

Connections

• Kal Penn plays Garrett Modi and is co-creator and co-executive producer

Superstore

In the season 6 episode "Hair Care Products," Dina says to Demetrius: "Oh, right, sorry, I forgot. You don't like to lead, you prefer to sit to the side and make snarky comments like a balcony Muppet."

Teachers

• In the episode "Face Your Peers," Chelsea sees Deb dressed as Mary Bop and thinks she's Larry. Unaware it's Deb, she calls her a furry little Muppet and asks "Can you tell me how to get to Sex-With-Me Street?"

Connections

• Lacey Chabert appeared in "Jacob"
• Rob Corddry appeared in "Hall of Shame"
• Haley Joel Osment plays Damian Adler
• Jeff Ross appeared in "Toxic Workplace"

Teen Angel

An American fantasy sitcom that aired as part of ABC's TGIF Friday night lineup about Marty DePolo, who dies from eating a six-month-old hamburger from under Steve Beauchamp's bed on a dare and is then sent back to Earth as Steve's guardian angel.

• In the episode “Living Doll,” Marty brings Katie's doll, Cindy, to life to babysit her when Steve has a date, but there's trouble when Cindy is over-affectionate with Steve in front of his girl. When Marty is about to turn Cindy back, Cindy pleads to not changed her back into a doll and says that Elmo always wants to tickle her.

Connections

• Tim Curry voiced a frog in "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog"
• Conchata Ferrell played Aunt Pam
• Gary Halvorson directed “Wrestling with an Angel," "I Love Nitzke,” and "One Dog Night"
• Melissa Joan Hart played Sabrina Spellman in “One Dog Night”
• Yeardley Smith played the biology teacher in "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog"

That 80’s Show

• In the episode “Punk Club,” Katie mentions the ‘’Sesame Street’’ song "One of These Things" to explain why Corey doesn’t belong in a club.

Connections

• Ed McMahon appeared in “Road Trip”

The Thundermans

• After Max is turned blue in the episode "Blue Detective," he blames his family. Phoebe asks, "Do you have to be so dramatic?" Max answers, "I'm the one who looks like a teenage Cookie Monster, so yeah!" He then eats a waffle similarly to Cookie.

Connections

• Chris Jai Alex played a bouncer in "Doppel-Gamers"
• Kevin Carlson was one of the puppeteers for Dr. Colosso
• Michelle DeFraites played Jade in "Exit Stage Theft"
• Artie Esposito was one of the puppeteers for Dr. Colosso
• Shannon Flynn was one of the directors
• Helen Hong played Mrs. Wong
• Piotr Michael played Destructo in "Thunder in Paradise"
• James Murray was one of the puppeteers for Dr. Colosso
• Nicole Sullivan played Doggin in "Dog Day After-School"

Toonsylvania

An animated variety series similar to Animaniacs and produced by Steven Spielberg featuring Dr. Vic Frankenstein with his assistant Igor and their dim-witted Frankenstein monster known as Phil. The show featured rotating segments with other characters like a family of zombies called the Deadmans and a bratty girl named Melissa Screetch.

• In the Night of the Living Fred episode "Bang," the Deadmans are about to have dinner when the house starts to shake and Fred shouts, "Snuffleupagus is that?"

Connections

• Nancy Cartwright voiced Melissa Screetch
• Sandy Fox voiced Darla Doily
• Matt Frewer voiced Deadgar Deadman (first season)
• Brad Garrett voiced Phil
• Jess Harnell voiced Deadgar Deadman (second season)
• David Warner voiced Dr. Vic

Transparent

• In the third season episode "To Sardines and Back," during a Pfefferman family dinner:

Maura: One of the things I wished for was that you people don't call me Moppa anymore. ... I just want to move away from Flopsy, Mopsy, huggable--

Shea: Like a Muppet.

Sarah's child: What do you want us to call you?

Sarah: How about Guh-guh?

Ali: Ugh. That's even more Muppety than Moppa.

Connections

• Caitlyn Jenner appears as herself in "To Sardiners and Back"
• Jeffrey Tambor played Maura Pfefferman (born Morton Pfefferman)

Two's Company

British sitcom (1975-1979) centering on American novelist Dorothy McNab and her snooty English butler Robert.

• In the third series episode "The Critic," Dorothy reads a caustic review of her books (secretly written by Robert): "Dorothy McNab's thrillers are about as spine-tingling as Julie Andrews on The Muppet Show."

Connections

• David Healy played Al in "The Picnic" (1978)
• Frank Middlemass played Freddy in "The Clergy" (1979)
• Bryan Pringle played Sid in "The Rubbish" (1977)
• Donald Sinden played Robert
• Alison Steadman played Pamela in "The Silence" (1979)

Ugly Betty

• In the first season episode "Fey's Sleigh Ride," Marc says of Betty, "The poor cow has no idea we only invited her so people could see she really exists. She's like a real-life Snuffleupagus, only hairier."

Connections

• Kristin Chenoweth played Diane in "East Side Story" (2007)
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson played Dr. Gabe Farkus in two episodes (2010)
• Lisa Howard played a dominatrix in "Plus None" (2009)
• Lindsay Lohan played Kimmie Keegan in four episodes (2010)
• Debi Mazar appeared as Leah Feldman in two episodes (2006)
• Linda Mendoza directed "Betty's Baby Bump" (2008)
• Bernadette Peters played Jodie Papadakis in five episodes (2009)
• John Tartaglia played Paolo in "Smokin' Hot" (2010)
• Vanessa Williams played Wilhelmina Slater

Undeclared

• In the episode “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” Jimmy impersonates Kermit the Frog introducing Sesame Street's "Letter of the Day" is S for shallow.

Connections

• Amy Poehler played Hillary in two episodes
• Seth Rogen played Ron Garner and wrote five episodes
• Adam Sandler appeared in "The Assistant"
• Jason Segel played Eric in seven episodes
• Ben Stiller played Rex in "Eric's POV")
• Nicholas Stoller wrote three episodes
• Fred Willard played Professor Duggan in "Oh, So You Have a Boyfriend?"

Undergrads

• In the episode "Drunks" Gimpy tells Mum to set up a discussion as to "whether Yoda sounds like Grover or Miss Piggy."

Unfabulous

A 2004 Nickelodeon sitcom, following the lives of young guitarist Addie Singer and her friends, Geena Fabianno and Zack Carter-Schwartz. Throughout every episode, Addie would sing and play her guitar to help her cope with whatever issue she's currently dealing with.

• In the season two finale "The Perfect Moment," Addie's older brother, Ben Singer gets arrested in Chinatown after attempting to get a tattoo while being underage. When his parents call him in the back of the car, he pretends he is still with his sister at home (who is also currently in Chinatown), by pretending he's watching the movie Back to the Future Part II; however, he conflates it with Back to the Future Part III. The officer corrects him once he's off the phone. At the station, a confused Ben asks "Then when did Doc and Marty take Manhattan?" To which the officer replies "That was The Muppets." Later back at the house, he tells Addie and her friends the cover story that they were watching Back to the Future Part III, and that it doesn't have Muppets in it.

Connections

• Robert Townsend directed the episode "The Quest"

The Unicorn

• In the episode "It's Complicated," Forrest wants to send a meme to his group text, and asks if Kermit sipping tea is still a thing.

Connections

• Rob Corddry plays Forrest
• Matt Sohn directed "The Unicorn and the Catfish", "Everyone's a Winner", and "Work It"

Up Here

• In the first episode, "Lindsay," the titular character decides to move to New York City. Celeste protests, "You can't just move to New York City. This isn't Muppets Take Manhattan."

Connections

• Bobby Lopez co-wrote the music for the series

The Vicar of Dibley

• In the 1996 Easter special (sometimes entitled "Easter Bunny"), Geraldine is explaining the truth behind the Easter Bunny to Alice. The vicar (while trying to break it gently to her) says: "Now at 10 your mother sat you down, and she told you that Kermit was really just an old windsock..."

• In a sketch entitled "Celebrity Party," aired as part of a Comic Relief (UK) special in 1999, Geraldine and Alice prepare for their party with Johnny Depp.

Geraldine: Johnny's spent his whole life being surrounded by exotic birds.

Alice: Yeah, like Paris and Britney and Big Bird from Sesame Street.

Connections

• John Bluthal played Frank Pickle
• Dawn French played the Rev. Geraldine "Gerry" Granger Kennedy

The Villains of Valley View

• Hartley tells Amy and Colby about Gem’s first little Valley View pageant. Hartley said Gem’s mother made Gem wear a feathery yellow dress and one of the other contestants changed her sash to say “Big Bird.”

Welcome to Sweden

• In episode 5 of season 1 ("Fitting In"), Bruce (Greg Poehler) overhears his Swedish girlfriend Emma (Josephine Bornebusch) talking with a friend about their mutual, terminally ill friend. Not understanding a word, he joins the conversation in mock-Swedish:

Greg: Ooo-dee-boo-dee-boo-dee! (laughs) That's like... that's all I hear when you guys are talking back and forth... it's just like... remember the, uh, Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show? It's like I can't understand a word when you guys are... talking... what um... were you guys... talking about?

Emma: A dying friend.

Greg: (chuckles)

Emma: (silence)

Greg: Seriously?

Emma: Yeah.

Connections

• Amy Poehler plays herself in several episodes, executive produces the show
• Björn Ulvaeus plays himself in "Homesick"

Whiskey Cavalier

• In "Good Will Hunting," Susan calls Jai and Standish "Bert and Ernie." Standish then says to Jai, "You're Bert," to which Jai says, "Bert's the hero, Ernie's just piggybacking."

Connections

• Scott Foley plays Will Chase
• Bill Lawrence is executive producer
• Tyler James Williams plays Edgar Standish

Wonderfalls

• In the episode "Muffin Buffalo," lead character Jaye is playing Pictionary with her family and her friend Pat. While Jaye's sister draws frantically, Pat shouts out guesses as to what she's drawing: "It's a frog! He's singing! 'Rainbow Connection!' "

Work It

Sitcom centered around two unemployed men, Lee and Angel, who have to pose as women in order to secure a job at a pharmaceutical company.

• In the episode "Masquerade Balls," Lee wants to figure out which famous woman he looks like. Angel asks, "Is Big Bird a woman?"

Workin' Moms

In season 3, episode 13, one woman (Juno Rinaldi) dresses a girl up with a "knife through the head" headband. Says another woman "You can't send her like this! She's going to give the other kids nightmares." "Oh, come on. How is this scarier than any of the monsters on Sesame Street? There is literally a monster who lives in a trash can."

Working Class

Sitcom centered around Carli Mitchell, a single mom from a rough and tumble background, trying to give her three kids a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb.

• In the episode "Short, Then Sweet," Carli tries to find a date on the internet to go to her boss' house warming party. When she finds out her date, Derek, is shorter than her, she feels a bit funny about going out with him. They soon open up at the party and made a few funny jokes about each other's height. In one of the jokes, Derek calls Carli "Big Bird."

Connections

• Edward Asner played Hank Greziak

Work with Me

Kevin Pollak and Nancy Travis star in a sitcom about married attorneys. In the first episode, Pollak's character is fired after being passed over for a promotion. He joins his wife's firm. The pilot includes the dialogue:

"Honey, are you sure about this? I mean, look around, this isn't exactly your style."

"Why not?"

"Well you're used to the big Wall Street firms, and this is more of a Sesame Street firm."

"Then we'll be like Bert and Ernie, but you know, without the gay overtones."

Yes Minister

British sitcom (1980-1984) focusing on government minister Jim Hacker and his scheming permanent secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. Later became Yes, Prime Minister (1986-1988) with Hacker promoted to Prime Minister.

• In the first series episode "Big Brother," when Jim Hacker asks if his wife Annie thinks he's become a Civil Service puppet, she says "Maybe you should get Miss Piggy to do your job. At least she's prettier."

Connections

• Frank Middlemass played the Master of Ballie College in "Doing the Honours" (1981) and the Yes, Prime Minister episode "The Bishops Gambit" (1986)
• Richard Vernon played Sir Desmond Glazebrook in two episodes (1980-1981) and one episode of Yes, Prime Minister (1987)
• John Wells played a TV producer in the Yes, Prime Minister episode "The Ministerial Broadcast" (1986)

Young & Hungry

In the episode "Young & Back to Normal," Josh Kaminski thinks Gabi Diamonds is talking about a drummer guy and Gabi lies by saying she is talking about Animal from the Muppets.

Connections

• Cheryl Hines played Kathy in "Young & Parents"
• Phil LaMarr played Gary in "Young & Christmas"
• Phill Lewis directed six episodes
• Linda Mendoza directed "Young & First Time"
• Kylie Minogue played Shauna in "Young & Moving"
• Jerry O'Connell played Nick in "Young & Parents"
• Carl Reiner played Bernie in "Young & Vegas Baby"
• Alfonso Ribeiro directed "Young & Part Two"
• Ashley Tisdale played Logan Rawlings and executive produced the series
• Betty White played Ms. Wilson in "Young & Valentine's Day"

Young Dylan

In the episode "Street Smart," after Charlie tries to rap, Dylan says to him "I said street smart, not Sesame Street!"

Connections

• Tyler Perry is creator, executive producer, writer, and director

Young Rock

In the season three episode "Night of the Chi-Chi's," teenaged Dwayne says he slept terribly the night before, noting "there was a drunk dude arguing with a trash can outside my window. He kept banging on it and yelling for Oscar the Grouch to pop out and fight him like a man."

Connections

• Rosario Dawson plays General Monica Jackson
• Dwayne Johnson is the creator, executive producer, star and subject of the series
• Randall Park plays a fictionalized version of himself

You're the Worst

• In the season 4 episode "Like People," Lindsay hides in Boone's garbage container, so that she can warn him that he needs to break up with Gretchen. After seriously frightening Boone by her prescence, she calmly notes "Shhh... I'm a grouch."
• In the season 4 episode "It's Always Been This Way," Lindsay discusses her conversation with Gretchen. "I made this happen! I grouched Boone." "You hid in a trash can? What did you say to him?"

Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous

• In the episode "Zach Stone is Gonna Be a Famous Chef," Zach mentions that all great celebrity chefs are famous only because of their personalities, not their cooking skill. His list includes "the Swedish one from The Muppets."

Zoey 101

• In the episode "Quinn Misses the Mark," Michael Barrett claims that a horse ate the cookies meant for Logan and James. James, annoyed, calls Michael "Cookie Monster.”

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

• In the episode "Zoey's Extraordinary Reckoning," a SPRQ Point employee calls a co-worker "Big Bird".
• The episode "Zoey's Extraordinary Goodbye" starts with most of the cast singing the song "Sing".

Connections

• Renée Elise Goldsberry plays Ava Price
• Lauren Graham plays Joan
• Bernadette Peters plays Deb
• Mary Steenburgen plays Maggie