Sam Eagle
| Sam the Eagle | |
|---|---|
| The Muppet Show character | |
| First appearance | 1975 on The Muppets Show |
| Created by | Jim Henson |
| Voiced by | Frank Oz (1975-1999) Eric Jacobson (2005-present) |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
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Sam the Eagle is a character from the syndicated television show The Muppet Show, performed by Frank Oz. The name "Sam" is possibly derived from Uncle Sam. The Bald Eagle is the official symbol of the United States.
Background
Sam's patriotic spirit differentiates him from the rest of the Muppet cast, as does his general stuffiness and pomposity. Because of this, it has been a running gag in either The Muppet Show, or Muppet movies, that shows his patriotism towards the United States. In The Muppet Christmas Carol, the fourth wall was broken when Sam (playing Scrooge's former headmaster) tells the young Scrooge that he will love business because "It's the American way". Gonzo, playing Charles Dickens, as well as the narrator, whispers in his ear that the line is, "It's the British way," because the story takes place in Great Britain.
Character traits
Sam often rallied 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. 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 DVDs.
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 conservative 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. When informed that ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev would be the guest star (Episode 213), Sam declared Nureyev as his favorite opera singer. Also when Nureyev arrived, Sam didn't recognize him and ejected him from the theater. 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."
Film appearances
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.[citation needed]
In the 2011 film, Sam is seen doing a segment on news TV called "Everything Stinks" during a montage of getting The Muppets back together; he is then pulled offscreen with a cane.
Muppeteers
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.
