In episode 501 of The Muppet Show, Lubbock Lou and his Jughuggers beg Kermit to let them perform in the show, but Kermit tells them that there is no room for a jugband number in the show. However, Kermit has planned on surprising Gene Kelly by having him sing "Singin' in the Rain" on a replica of the set from the movie. After Gene refuses to go on, Kermit tells Scooter to let the jugband on. Carrying umbrellas as protection against the constant onstage rain, the Jugband sings a confused Cool Water, which is about a man in a desert seeing a mirage of water.

The song was spoofed on Sesame Street as "Don't Waste Water."