Sam the Eagle
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Sam “Samuel” the Eagle is a character from the syndicated television show The Muppet Show, performed by Frank Oz. The name "Sam" is probably derived from Uncle Sam. The Bald Eagle is the official symbol of the United States, and Sam's patriotic spirit differentiates himself from the rest of the Muppet cast.
Sam often railed against the 'low brow' entertainment he claimed was on the show, and often tried to bring 'dignity and class' to the performances. (Usually without any real success) During the first season, Sam would introduce two Muppet characters named Wayne and Wanda who would often sing various songs that were considered by Sam to be 'normal' and 'high brow' when compared to the rest of the show and its cast. Sam rarely interacted with the human guest stars, though he did at one point take matters into his own hands and decided to have a direct confrontation with then-guest star Alice Cooper in his dressing room between 'sketches' during a halloween episode, in which Alice took Sam's comment about him being a 'degenerate, sick, barbaric, naughty freako' as a compliment, much to Sam's displeasure. In one episode the other Muppets claimed that Sam had gone on vacation to Moret-sur-Loing, France. However due to time constraints these scenes found their way to the cutting-room floor, but can be viewed in several of the newly released Muppets DVD's.
On the show, Sam acts as a censor and comments on his being under-appreciated. He often gives self-important lectures in which he complains about some liberal idea only to find himself forced to stop in embarrassment at risk of sounding like a hypocrite. On one occasion he gives a lecture about conservationism in which he reads a list of endangered animal species that he feels are the focus of misguided conservation efforts, only to sheepishly withdraw his statement when he realizes that his own species is included. In another sketch, he lectures on indecency because all people are naked underneath their clothes, leaving the podium in embarrassment upon realizing that all birds are similarly naked underneath their feathers.
Throughout the first season of "The Muppet Show," Sam introduces his favorite singing duo, Wayne and Wanda, with gushing aplomb, praising them for their appropriateness. Although they are never able to finish a song (their routines always end with slapstick violence), Sam still adores them because they appeal to his conservative sensibilities: the couple sings old standards like "You Do Something to Me" and "It's Only a Paper Moon".
Though he claims to be a cultured bird, close observation reveals that Sam knows nothing about culture, especially the culture of his own country. He has mistaken Beethoven for a playwright and hilariously believes The Sound of Music was written by William Shakespeare. Sam is often hostile toward others who do not possess similar views to his own.
Sam does not interact with the guest stars of the show as often as the rest of the cast, but he is featured prominently in several episodes. In one he throws casually-dressed guest star Rudolf Nureyev out of the building in a fit of temper, mistaking him for a bum. Although he is forgiven by Nureyev, he is still disheartened because Mr. Nureyev (whom he believes is an opera singer rather than a ballet dancer) did not live up to his expectations. Similarly, Sam makes a bet with Kermit the Frog during the Elton John episode and is forced to wear a flamboyant, albeit patriotic, costume. During the third season's Halloween episode, Sam confronts Alice Cooper. Railing against the audience and "indecency" and "low brow" humor, Sam calls Cooper a "degenerate, sick, barbaric, naughty, Freako!" Rather than being insulted by these comments as Sam was intending, Cooper takes it as a compliment and thanks Sam, to which Sam despairingly retorts "Freakos one, civilization zero."
Sam appears in many of the Muppet feature films, usually with only a brief cameo. However in Muppet Treasure Island he plays first mate Samuel Arrow and thus takes a more active role in the story.
In Muppets from Space, Sam appears at Cape Doom with the rest of the Muppets during the party the alien Muppets cause by singing Celebration. Sam is at first appalled at a girl who is dancing in a shirt which bares her midriff, but is then later seen dancing and enjoying himself. This is the first time Sam was shown in any of the Muppet films actively participating in normal youth culture—or any culture at all.[citation needed]
Sam was originally created by Muppeteer Frank Oz. Sam is currently performed by Eric Jacobson who began performing him in 2005. He was performed by Kevin Clash in 2002–2004. He was also performed by Drew Massey when he appeared in Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony.
[edit] Quotes
- Why am I here? (A Muppet Family Christmas)
- You there! You were in charge of railing dust! Thirty lashes, and then you walk the plank! (Muppet Treasure Island)
- Any man caught dawdling will be shot on sight! (Muppet Treasure Island)
- You are all weirdos. (The Great Muppet Caper)
- It's times like this I'm proud to be an American. (The Great Muppet Caper)
- Kermit, does this film have socially redeeming value? (The Muppet Movie)
- It was sick, and weird. (The Muppet Movie, after Scooter asks for his thoughts during the closing credits)
- Sam: "You'll love business, for it is the American way!"
- Charles Dickens (Gonzo): [whispers into Sam's ear]
- Sam: "Oh, it is the British way!" [thinks for a few seconds, then looks at Charles Dickens]
- Sam: (to the viewers) Do not attempt to walk while wearing your 3D glasses. You may trip and frankly you will...(Gonzo walks by with the 3D glasses on.) What are you doing?
- Gonzo: I'm just showing how you could trip if you walk with your glasses on.
- Sam: Will you stop this foolishness?!
- Gonzo: What foolishness would you like to see? (Muppet Vision 3d intro)
- Remember, don't tip the driver... (Muppet Christmas Carol)
- Ladies and Gentlemen, it is I - Sam the American Eagle. I would just like to say a few words about "nudity" in the world today. And I for one am just appalled by it. Why, did you know that underneath their clothing the entire population of the world is walking around completely naked? Is that disgusting? And it's not just people, although goodness knows that's bad enough. Animals too, even cute little doggies and pussy cats, can't be trusted. Underneath their fur - absolutely naked! And it's not just the quadrupeds either. Birds too - yes, beneath our fine feathers, birds wear nothing! Nothing at all. Abs... oh m... could someone, hand me a robe? ... Mmmhmm. -- 'Source: Second Muppet Show Cast Album', Discourse on Nudity
- To ensure that the quality and moral content of this show is beyond reproach, I, Sam the *American* eagle am proud to present the singing duet of Wayne and Wanda. Besides being tremendous singers, they're church people -- 'Source: First Muppet Show Cast Album', Wayne and Wanda - Trees
- "When you enter the theater, please walk to the end of the row filling in all available seats. Stopping in the middle is distinctly unpatriotic" (Muppet-Vision 3D Pre-Show, Walt Disney World)
