Tumbleweed is the part of some plant species that when dried out, detaches from its root and forms a ball which is blown by the wind. Tumbleweed in film became synonymous with Westerns and other narratives set in the desert, abandoned ghost towns, and other desolate locales. Eventually, they became a trope to signify the absence of excitement in a scene, and for comedic effect in locations where tumbleweed would not typically be present.
Oscar imagines being the only resident on Sesame Street in Episode 1225; a couple of lone tumbleweeds make their way down the sidewalk.
Abundant tumbleweed in The Muppet Movie Ghost Town, tumbling slightly in one shot
Tumbleweed in the abandoned Doorknob World in "Gonzo and the Great Race"
Kansas tumbleweed blows past Dorothy in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
Tumbleweed blows by on the streets of Hollywood in Muppets Most Wanted
Tumbleweed blows by in the desert in The Muppets episode "The Ex-Factor"
Tumbleweed blows by Fozzie's comedy act in a Warburtons ad
Tumbleweed crossing the road in The Muppets Mayhem "Break On Through"
A sentient tumbleweed (saying "Tumble, tumble, tumble...") blows through the Gorgs' garden during a dust storm in the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock episode "Lost and Found Fraggles"
Notes[]
- Despite the Muppets having covered the song "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" three times, none of the versions include any tumbling tumbleweeds.