The Fourth of July is this week, and for those of us stateside, that means fireworks, cookouts, closed post offices, and tiny flags. Yes, it’s Independence Day, and we Americans sure do love America, don’t we?? Of course, it’s not the best time in history to be proud of this country, so we’re struggling to come up with anything to cling onto and appreciate about the holiday.
So of course, we’re talking about the Muppets. (I mean, come on. You’ve been to this website before.)
The Muppets have a long history of American appreciation. From their reenactments of our Founding Fathers to the many impersonations of Presidents, the Muppets and America are basically synonymous. Beyond that, I believe they’ve truly captured what’s most important about the USA in their films. Let’s go through each one and see how they hold up as American symbols! Why not?? What else do you have to do today?
The Muppet Movie
The Muppets’ connection to Americana practically begins and ends with The Muppet Movie. From the swamps of Florida, through Bogen County, into the deserts of the southwest, and straight on to Hollywood, this classic road trip spotlights so much of this country. With a very quick stopover in Saskatchewan.
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: As the Muppets’ resident embodiment of the good ol’ USA, Sam the Eagle acts as a gauge for measuring the American-ness of any of these films. Unfortunately, Sam only appears at the very beginning and very end of The Muppet Movie, and at no point says anything about life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness.
American Stars: 
* *
The Great Muppet Caper
You may think that this movie, which mainly takes place in London, may not have much to do with America. Oh my friends, how wrong you are! You see, The Great Muppet Caper is secretly all about the American experience, both as a tourist visiting a foreign country (as evidenced by the travels of Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo) and as expats (basically, everyone living in the Happiness Hotel). They all have an appreciation for all things British, but they remain American at heart. Plus, the movie ends with them all returning home where they belong. They probably just missed the barbeque.
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam only pops in a couple times in this movie, but he makes it count by proclaiming to the residents of the Happiness Hotel – nay, the entire United Kingdom – that it’s times like these he’s proud to be an American.
American Stars: * * * * *
The Muppets Take Manhattan
New York City is often thought of as the representative of the United States, as it’s our most populous city and the hub for both art and finance. And those are the things our Muppety heroes encounter in Muppets Take Manhattan – the perils of poverty, the pursuit of artistic endeavors, and overpopulation (at least, when it comes to bus station lockers). But more importantly, this movie is all about the American Dream. Even a frog, a pig, a bear, and a whatever can find happiness and fortune if they work hard enough and make friends with the son of a famous Broadway producer.
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam pops up at the end just to suggest that Kermit and Piggy’s wedding might be able to continue without the bride or groom. Not his most American moment, nor his smartest.
American Stars: * * * *
The Muppet Christmas Carol
With this movie taking place in Dickensian London, there isn’t much room for anything American, save most of the Muppets’ accents. Although it certainly seems like Scrooge and the Marleys’ greed comes straight from Wall Street (or American politics).
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam makes a memorable appearance as Young Scrooge’s teacher, and he can’t help but expound on the idea that being successful in business is the American way (before being corrected by a weirdo from the future).
American Stars: * * * * * * *
Muppet Treasure Island
With the entirety of the action taking place near the UK and off the coast of South America, they just don’t make it close enough to Detroit to give this film even an ounce of American culture.
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam plays a pretty big role in this film, but his only connection to his country of birth is in his wardrobe, as he dresses like an American flag threw up on him.
American Stars: * * * * * * * *
Muppets From Space
I am required to point out that outer space is not technically a part of the United States. YET.
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam’s big scene here involves him ogling a woman’s bare midsection. So, I guess unwarranted hypersexualization counts as an American resource.
American Stars: * * * * * * *
The Muppets
They say that those who don’t remember their history are doomed to repeat it. Well, that happens with those who over-remember their history too. Much like The Muppet Movie, The Muppets begins in a generic, undisclosed location (this time, in Smalltown, USA), contains a cross-country road trip (complete with a brief international layover), and ends in Hollywood.
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam only pops up a couple times, once as a TV news pundit (which, I guess is sadly an American concept) and once as a member of a barbershop quartet (which is pretty damned American… we love haircuts in the USA!).
American Stars: * * * * * *
Muppets Most Wanted
The Muppets leave America as soon as humanly possible in this film, and for some reason, it doesn’t feel like they’re acting as tourists as they did in Great Muppet Caper. Maybe it’s because they’re on a world tour, and that seems more like work than fun. Or that they don’t really soak up the culture like they did in London all those years ago – instead, they’re just riding a train and putting on a few Muppet Shows without as much interaction with the locals. Besides, all of the new characters enforce the idea of internationalism – they’re Russian, British, and French (even if the actors themselves are American).
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam gets his biggest role in this film, representing the CIA in the manhunt (er, froghunt) for an international jewel thief. So yeah, an American officer on the hunt for justice with a disdain for tiny cars and “badge envy”? Yeah, that fits.
American Stars: * * * * *
Bonus: Follow That Bird
In my humble opinion, Follow That Bird is the most American of all the Muppet movies. It’s a veritable tour through everything that makes this country great: Big cities, small towns, farmland. Also, circus life, the birthplace of aviation, unnecessary parades, a faulty adoption process, and the utter destruction of a German car. Plus, Oscar the Grouch sings an entire song in front of the American flag!
Where’s Sam the Eagle?: Sam does not appear in this Sesame Street film, but Follow That Bird arguably features an even more American bird: Big Bird. Big Bird is a national icon, and an ambassador whenever he travels, be it to China or Japan, or when visiting his giant bird counterparts in other countries. We should just replace all the eagles on our money and official seals with Big Bird.
American Stars:
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the Americana of Muppet films. Have a great 4th of July, whether you’re a domestic or international Muppet fan!
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by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
