Top 10 Times Family Guy Referenced the Muppets
#10: Everyone Sings Muppets Theme Song
“The Marrying Kind”
Because of its often brutal satire, “Family Guy” isn’t the most heartwarming show out there. But this moment definitely warms the cockles of every Muppets fan’s heart. When Peter arrives late at the Drunken Clam because he was watching “The Muppet Show” with Stewie, it isn’t long before he starts singing its earworm theme song. Eventually, the whole bar joins in, because it is that catchy. What’s delightful about this moment is how faithful it is to the original theme song, ram’s horn and all. The show’s respect for the Muppets is genuine, and it shows.
#9: Stewie Interrogates Kermit
“Brian Does Hollywood”
Stewie has always been a criminal mastermind trapped in a baby’s body. But this must be his most depraved fantasy yet. In his play, he has a Kermit the Frog doll tied up for interrogation. Apparently, Kermit has tried to play the hero and foil Stewie’s plans for world domination. To make him talk, Stewie gets dirty and threatens to assault his high-strung significant other, Miss Piggy. It’s a pitch-black humor this series is renowned for, as disturbing as it is hilarious. It’s so wrong, yet we laugh anyway.
#8: Stewie as the Human Resource Director for the Muppets
“Brian’s Play”
Speaking of overly sophisticated babies, here is some in-character Stewie lore. In one of the series’ cutaway flashbacks, we learn Stewie used to be the HR director for the Muppets, professionally grilling Beaker and firing him. It turns out Beaker has been stealing supplies to make and sell illegal substances. One of his big customers? None other than Big Bird himself, looking worse for wear. Given that Beaker is a lab assistant, this joke is apropos for this very adult twist. Also, the voice acting for Beaker is top-notch. More HR-director-for-the-Muppets gags, please.
#7: Meg Accidentally Calls Big Bird
“A Picture's Worth a Thousand Bucks”
Poor Meg is almost always the butt of the joke in “Family Guy.” Here, though, she does discover a hitherto unknown talent: She is an unexpectedly good bird caller. So much so, in fact, that she unintentionally summons the biggest bird of all. Big Bird is disgruntled to learn the calling had been accidental. As it turns out, he can’t fly, so he had to get across town the old-fashioned way. Honestly, he’s lucky Peter didn’t wail on him for being yet another bird with a chip on his shoulder. This show’s vendetta against yellow birds must really be studied. We hope it never ends.
#6: Kermit in “Round Table”
“Mother Tucker”
The series’ parodies are often top-notch, but they become even better when the Muppets are involved. This parody of political and celebrity talk shows features Al Michaels, Harold Ramis, Ray Romano, and Kermit himself, arguing about zoning laws and constantly interrupting each other. The fact that the real-life Michaels, Ramis, and Romano contributed their voices to the episode is fantastic. But also, Seth MacFarlane’s Kermit voice is really spot on. His thick voice’s similarity with Michaels, Ramis, and Romano’s voices is especially side-splitting. We wish the Muppets could have had Kermit arguing about zoning laws.
#5: Bert & Ernie in a Cop Drama
“Mind Over Murder”
The idea of “Sesame Street” roommates Bert and Ernie being a covert couple has been the subject of numerous jokes throughout the years, not just in “Family Guy.” But this may be the most radical interpretation yet. In this episode, Peter watches a crime drama version of “Sesame Street,” with Bert as an angry, booze-guzzling cop to his long-suffering life partner, Ernie. This is an effective parody of most cop dramas, made all the better by the good voice acting. We appreciate the effort on display here beyond just an obvious gay joke. Living on this Sesame Street is not easy.
#4: Wrong-Sounding Muppets
“The Tan Aquatic with Steve Zissou”
“Family Guy” is uneven when it comes to voicing parodies of the Muppets, sometimes spot-on and other times deliberately off. This joke fully embraces the latter. When Stewie worries about waiting out his benign tumor, he references Jim Henson’s real-life death from a bacterial infection in his throat. Since Henson was the voice of several Muppets, other actors took over the roles after his death. As usual, “Family Guy” goes even further in its satire and shows the Muppets with completely incongruous voices. Fozzie Bear is by far the most radical—and funniest—change of all. Wakka, wakka indeed.
#3: Elmo’s Accuser Recanted
“The Woof of Wall Street”
No offense to the monster community intended. In this episode, Stewie’s calling Brian a monster draws the ire of “Sesame Street” characters Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Herry Monster. When they push back against the appellation, arguing for their wholesomeness, Stewie hits Elmo where it hurts. This is a reference to Elmo’s real-life puppeteer, Kevin Clash, who was accused of having sexual relations with an underage boyfriend and of sexual abuse. “Family Guy” parodies this real-life scandal with its trademark vicious wit. It may be a low-hanging fruit, but “Elmo no comment” is definitely high on our list.
#2: Kermit in Louisiana
“Stewie Loves Lois”
Nothing is sacred to “Family Guy,” not even this classic 1979 “Muppet Movie,” with Kermit the Frog in a swamp with his banjo, singing “The Rainbow Connection.” That is the butt of this short but effective cutaway when Peter mentions seedy people lurking in Louisiana swamps. One of those is Kermit himself, who wastes no time “helping” a lost person with his shotgun. No rainbow connection here. It’s an unexpected departure from Kermit’s squeaky-clean wholesomeness that never fails to elicit a laugh. And once again, that Kermit voice is really well done.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Seven Sex Workers, "P*****ed"
“Sesame Street”-Style Counting for Adults
Cookiebook, “Back to the Pilot”
Cookie Monster Would Have Definitely Made a Better Mark Zuckerberg
Stewie on the Phone with Grover, “Model Misbehavior” It’s the Multiple RP-Accented “Grovahs” for Us
Statler & Waldorf’s Box, “Petergeist”
It’s Funny Because They Don’t Care for Most Things
Pigs in Space, “And I'm Joyce Kinney”
Miss Piggy Wears the Pants in This Relationship, & “Family Guy” Knows It
#1: Cookie Monster in Rehab
“Model Misbehavior”
Literally no one would have been able to resist this. In 2005, rumors circulated that “Sesame Street” was talking about changing Cookie Monster’s name to Veggie Monster to encourage healthy eating habits in children amid a childhood obesity epidemic. Cookie Monster has since learned that “Cookies are a sometimes food.” Naturally, this change attracted all the trolls to the yard, including “Family Guy.” In this cutaway, Cookie Monster is in rehab to beat his cookie obsession, but of course, recovery is a long and difficult journey. It’s such an obvious joke, but executed very well. This is definitely the most effective adult parody of the cookie-loving Muppet yet. Kudos.
Which other “Muppets” reference in the show makes you lose it every time? Let us know in the comments down below!