Top 10 Times the Muppets Tackled Serious Issues

Change can be scary, and in this episode of “The Muppet Show,” Gonzo makes a big change when he decides to leave the studio to make movies. The stress of new employment is something that any adult can relate to, but more than that is the idea of having to choose between two things you love. Gonzo is torn by his decision: happy where he is, but hopeful about his future. Pushing past your contentment in the present to chase a dream is a serious topic that brings even the Great Gonzo to tears.

Even though the song is laced with a laugh track, there’s nothing funny about the passing of a friend, especially when it’s “man’s best”. In this scene, Rowlf sings about the death of a dog named Trey. Other dogs join in, howling and crying. Losing a dog is one of the saddest experiences a person can go through. Rowlf captures the melancholy of loss in the performance. The lyrics sound surprisingly tragic considering they’re being sung by dog puppets. When you take out the howling and the laughing, the mournful core of the song comes through.

Jamaican-American popstar Harry Belafonte is a famous musician that brought us “The Banana Boat Song”, but he’s also an activist and humanitarian. Before his rendition of ‘Turn the World Around,’ he talks to the Muppets of the importance of understanding one another. The topic of caring for others is common in children’s television, but Harry talks about it on a global level. He reminds viewers that just trying to connect with each other can change the world. The performance itself features muppets in African tribal masks, paying tribute to the song’s origins from the continent. The song talks about how people come from the same place, and will return there. It has become one of the Muppets’ most acclaimed performances.

The unrelenting passage of time and feelings of past regret is something most children can’t emphasize with, but that didn’t stop the Muppets from singing a whole song about it. This somber, laugh-less performance starts with an old scientist Muppet who brews a potion to make himself younger. It doesn’t last, and he reverts back to an old man by the end of the song. Time was a topic Jim Henson had touched on before in his Oscar-nominated short “Time Piece”. Henson himself performed this number, and it is poignant, expressing that feeling we all share: that there just never seems to be enough time.

Kermit is often seen as the unflappable leader of the Muppet gang, but before they ever signed the Rich and Famous Contract, he had a personal journey to go through. Feeling guilty about letting his friends down, Kermit tries to rationalize the situation, saying he never promised anyone anything. In the end, he concedes that the failure was his fault. What puts this entry on our list is the complexity behind Kermit’s feelings. He talks about letting his friends down, but what he really means is that he let himself down. Children’s films often have the theme of chasing a dream, but “The Muppet Movie” dives even deeper, teaching us that you have to take responsibility for your dreams, too.

While Jim Henson is no longer with us, his humanitarian ideals continue to spread through the work of The Muppets. Conservation was an important part of his work, and in this interview with PopCulture.com, Kermit continues to spread his message while promoting a then-upcoming initiative. He talks about the effects of climate change being seen on real frogs. For the project in question, The Muppets step away from their more light-hearted work to help with a series called “Dear Earth”. This is a YouTube original about educating people on the dangers of climate change. It is definitely a serious issue and we’re glad to see even The Muppets working toward change.

The passing of Jim Henson in 1990 was a huge loss to the world. While 2 memorials were organized, “The Muppet Show” took the time to pay their own respects to the iconic Hollywood creative. In a one-hour special, the Muppets learn of Jim Henson’s death through letters from his fans. The shock they show when learning about it is potent. They don’t patronize the audience or try to lessen the blow. Instead, the grief feels very real as they read the correspondence aloud. Of course, it wouldn’t be The Muppets without a little silliness, and they end with some fun, as Jim would have wanted.

This heartfelt song from Robin the Frog might not address a specific topic, but it’s that abstract nature that makes it so meaningful. An A.A. Milne poem provides the lyrics, with the stairs acting as a metaphor, perhaps for transitions in life. The meaning is open-ended so that viewers can substitute their personal interpretations, which is a bit odd from a children’s show where we expect heavy-handed explanations. “The Muppet Show” often went this route, letting the situation speak for itself, rather than telling the audience how to feel. The earnest disposition is what makes this scene so genuine and sincere.

While it’s set up as a joke, the seriousness of online intimidation is made very clear in this video. Beaker tries to perform “Dust in the Wind”, only to be interrupted by a barrage of negative comments. We all know the fear of putting yourself out on the internet, especially as a creative. Beaker’s sad meeps drive the message home as he’s forced to give up on his performance. As an audience favorite, we’re used to laughing at Beaker’s accident-prone antics, but seeing him being insulted for a song warrants only sympathy.

Christmas is presented as being a happy time of year, especially in children’s media, but in this special with John Denver, Kermit takes a moment to acknowledge that it can be a sad holiday too. He and Denver reminisce about feeling homesick, and talk about how life can pull you away from the other things you love. Today, mental health is more easily discussed, but in 1979 it was less so, making Kermit’s confession significant. Depression wasn’t something openly talked about, especially at Christmas, but it’s a serious issue that Kermit brings to light. John Denver emphasizes, expressing his own longing for being home. More importantly, they don’t try to say that what they’re feeling is wrong; they express their sadness and accept it.