So I was chatting up some friends the other day, and the conversation turned to the silly subject of nicknames. We have all received the email about how to find out your porn name, (Erin Edler) your star wars name, (Katsebring of Ortho-novum 777) and your captain underpants name (Flunky Giggle-Chunks)

And while this is all in good fun, and usually a good laugh, I think my favorite is not so much looking at yourself, but looking at the others in the world around you and deciding on the Inner Muppet.

What is an inner muppet you ask? Well simply put, it is the Muppet character you most relate to. Some people are a Fozzy Bear, always telling unfunny jokes, but in such a loveable way. You wouldn’t blink an eye if the Fozzy Bear in your life suddenly said “wacka wacka wacka”… because for Fozzy, that is normal.

My inner Muppet is a two-parter. I myself identify more with Statler (or Waldorf) the old geezers who heckle the show from the balcony. This fits me to a tee.

However my fried Jodi says I remind her of Dr. Teeth.
WHO? The Leader of the Electric Mayhem band. We meet him in the original Muppet Movie. He is sweet, he is loud, and he has a huge smile…. Just like me.

Some people are able to identify their own Muppet, others need to have it pointed out to them my friend Jodi, who is a gifted pianist and voice teacher… her Muppet? Rowlf the dog of course.
One of the people I work with is a very stern and conservative all American man…. Anyone have a guess? Sam the eagle.

Others aren’t as obvious as those two. You have to know the person, spend some time with them before you discover they are Big Bird, or Gonzo, or Beaker, or Oscar.

Sometimes other people have to point out your inner Muppet to you. My wonderful husband was a little stunned when I first dubbed him to be Scooter. He sat there looking at me with this hurt puppy look, then in a sound described only as utter defeat he said
“ Man! I really am scooter aren’t I”?

It is a silly idea and a fun one too. Imagine if we all wore our inner Muppet on out outside. Look around your office today, or a school, or the next family gathering, instead of seeing your usual co-worker Phil, you see Sweetums, your brother Michael, is now Crazy Harry, and your friend Pete just ran by screaming in full on Animal style “joy to the world give me presents!”

Look around see if you can find your Inner Muppet.