Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan, in unidentified film footage used on Muppet Babies

Forgetful imagines meeting a jelly bean-loving President.

The Billy Crystal Band on Muppets Tonight.

Kermit in an altered picture with Ronald and Nancy Reagan as seen in The Muppets.

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was an actor, Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, and the 40th President of the United States of America from 1981 to 1989. His film career included key roles in Dark Victory, This Is the Army, and Knute Rockne, All American. He was married to Nancy Reagan from 1952 until his death.

As President, Reagan referenced Sesame Street in a November 14, 1985 televised speech prior to the Geneva Summit where he would meet with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. Expressing a desire for Americans and Soviets to begin relating in personal ways amidst Cold War conditions, Reagan said, "Imagine if people in our nation could see the Bolshoi Ballet again, while Soviet citizens could see American plays and hear groups like the Beach Boys. And how about Soviet children watching Sesame Street?" The remark prompted a response from CTW's Fran Kaufman, "There have been no discussions or negotiations about the series going there. But we're hoping to do a special from the Soviet Union." A co-production with Russia would not happen until eleven years later with the launch of Ulitsa Sezam.

References

• A mini-arc from The Muppets comic strip in January 1982 has Miss Piggy upset that "Nancy & Ronny" didn't invite her to a White House gala.

• "President Reagan" sent roses to Miss Piggy after her performance in the May 16, 1984 edition of The Muppets comic strip.

• One of the headlines in the Daily Mouth tabloid magazine from the May 27, 1984 edition of The Muppets comic strip reads, "Will Ronald Reagan Join The Jackson Five?"

• Stock footage of Reagan, from his movie days, appeared in the Muppet Babies episode "Transcontinental Whoo-Whoo," intercut during the babies' funny face contest.

• In Episode 2478 (1988) of Sesame Street, Forgetful Jones has a close encounter with the Martians. Forgetful imagines such an event would make him worthy of meeting the President. Although the President is not mentioned by name and not shown fully onscreen, Forgetful's imaginary scenario features the President riding in on a horse and offering Forgetful a handful of jelly beans (referencing Reagan's affinity for both the animal and snack treat). Martin P. Robinson voices him offscreen, doing a distinct Reagan impersonation.

• In episode 105 of The Jim Henson Hour, Link Hogthrob finds himself on a game show where the host asks him, "What request did Oliver North make of President Reagan?" A confused Link replies, "Pardon me?" making him the new champion.

• In Muppets Tonight episode 103, Ronald Reagan (played by an uncredited impersonator) appears as part of The Billy Crystal Band with fellow lookalikes Queen Elizabeth II, Bill Clinton, Clint Eastwood, and Boris Yeltsin.

• In the fourth season Farscape episode "Kansas," John Crichton arrives back on Earth in 1986, and hears an audio transmission which quotes President Reagan's concerns over the situation in Nicaragua.

• An altered picture of Kermit the Frog with Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev hangs in Kermit's office in The Muppets as well as a picture of Kermit with Ronald and Nancy.