With few exceptions, The Muppets have always been presented as real living characters within the universe of their productions. The Muppet characters have also made many appearances as "real" characters on real-world, non-fiction programs, often appearing as celebrity guests or acts on talk shows, variety shows, game shows, cooking shows or documentaries. But rarely have Muppet characters appeared in programs of fiction, such as sitcoms, dramas or films. In many cases when they are referenced in outside fiction, they are presented just as they are in real life -- as a group of fictional puppet characters performed by puppeteers. (One exception is Greg the Bunny, where they are frequently referenced as real living characters.) However, there are some instances in which the Muppets have been featured as independent living characters in outside fiction.
Muppets presented in fiction as real living characters[]
- The Electric Company β In separate appearances in different episodes, Big Bird meets Fargo North, Oscar the Grouch sings with Crank, and Grover meets Crank and Vi at Vi's Diner.
- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium β Kermit the Frog appears as a patron of the magical toy store.
- Marvel Comics β Sam the Robot appears as a sidekick in "Spidey Super Stories #32".
- Mister Rogers' Neighborhood β Big Bird appears as a character in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
- Between the Lions β Bert, Ernie, Big Bird and Elmo made guest appearances during the second season.
- Reading Rainbow β LeVar Burton finds Kermit the Frog in the pig section of the library mysteriously.
- 30 Rock β Kermit the Frog appears as a part of Jack's eulogy to his mother; Miss Piggy appears in a magazine picture from an apparent event she attended.
- Portlandia β Oscar the Grouch coaches Fred Armisen's character who has been diagnosed with Grouchiness.
Muppets presented in fiction as characters of a famous puppet act[]
- Rocky III β The Muppet Show appears.
- Kids Like These β A character in the movie appears on Sesame Street with Big Bird.
- Soul Man β Big Bird appears as himself.
- The West Wing β Sesame Street Muppets as themselves.
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian β Oscar the Grouch comes to life at night with other Smithsonian exhibits.
Muppets presented in fiction as famous characters in personal fantasies[]
- The Torkelsons β Elmo appears as a brought-to-life Elmo doll in a dream sequence.
- The Cosby Show β Muppets appear as characters in a dream sequence.
- Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue β Baby Kermit, Piggy, and Gonzo appear as brought-to-life toys, posters and merchandise alongside other fictional cartoon characters.
- Cosby β Elmo appears in Griffin's imagination on the double-length fourth season episode "Superstar."
- Scrubs β Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, Grover and Ex Ray appear in fantasy sequences.
- Good Luck Charlie β Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Animal, and chickens appear in Teddy's dream.
Muppets hired to play other characters outside their own franchise[]
- The Wonderful Winter of Oz β Kermit the Frog played the role of the Wizard.
- Big City Greens β Fozzie Bear is credited as voicing Dr. Enamel. Eric Jacobson gets a separate credit as "Fozzie Bear's Personal Handyman".
- Amphibia β Kermit the Frog was marketed as guest starring as the voice of Crumpet the Frog (although Matt Vogel received on-screen credit).