The Muppets Take Over Today " The Muppets Take Over Today " is the title given to a special appearance made by The Muppets on " Today " on November 13 , 2008 . The half hour . As the Muppet half hour begins , while Matt Lauer , Al Roker , and Meredith Vieira pound on the door to be let back on , the camera cuts to Muppet Meredith and Muppet Matt on the couch , mentioning what ' s coming up on the broadcast , including two of Washington , DC ' s leading political pundits giving their take on President - elect Barack Obama ' s cabinet picks , Christopher Meloni discussing how he makes his work relationships work on - and off - the - job , and Harry Connick Jr . is set to play a song from his Christmas album . They then throw to news , after which Lester Holt ( filling in for Ann Curry ) throws to Al for the weather . Muppet Al asks an audience member where they ' re from , asking " What ' s your name , ma ' am ? " , then stating " That ' s a great name " , without giving her time to talk . He throws to local weather . Afterwards , Muppet Willard presents the Smuckers 100th birthdays , with pictures of four Muppets . Back in New York , the real Matt , Meredith and Al argue with Bobo the bear , who is working security . Bobo reads Matt ' s personal ID , asking " Is this your current address , Mr . Lawyer ? " The hosts correct him , saying " Lauer " . Hearing their correction as " Louder , " Bobo continues to mispronounce the name in a progressively louder voice , until cracking at them . In Studio 1A , the set of the show , the Muppet hosts throw to Muppet Ann , who is supposed to be in a " far flung " place , for their " Ends of the Earth " series on " Today " . Muppet Ann is in Dean & Deluca Coffee and Tea , a shop visible from the Today plaza . She explains that Bobo told her that Linny needed a pumpkin spice latte . Bill Barretta and Craig Shemin are sitting at the same table at the store . After a commercial break , the segment begins in the control room , with mostly rats at the switches . The hosts are asked to remove their shoes , as Meredith is frisked by Bobo ' s wand . She flirts with him , but he catches on , and forces her up against the wall . Muppet Ann arrives with the coffee , and is asked to pick up cupcakes . Statler and Waldorf present a " Picks for Obama ' s Cabinet " segment , offering their two cents , " which is exactly how much change we have left in our retirement accounts . " Their picks : The Muppet hosts do a teaser for Christopher Meloni ( " Law and Order : SVU " ) and Miss Piggy ( " Law and Order : E - I - E - I - O " ) . Cut to a dressing room , where Meloni says he ' s glad to meet her , but unsure why the two of them would be on together to discuss relationships ; Piggy tells Meloni about how she feels he lusts over her . Cut back to the Muppet hosts , unsure what ' s taking Meloni and Piggy so long . Cut back to Piggy , who has wrapped Meloni in crime scene tape . Cut to the actual hosts , including Al , who tackles Bobo so they can enter the studio . Cut back to the Muppet hosts , who tease Connick ' s segment , and throw to break . After commercial , the hosts meet up with Kermit backstage , who says that he ' s been waiting for them for a half hour . Pokey , signaling for Connick ' s segment , says " Take five " . The rats interpret this to mean to take a break , and scurry off . The director remarks , " there goes my Emmy . " Cut to Connick and the Muppet hosts ; Connick is sure something is different from normal , but can ' t identify what it would be . He starts to play " Winter Wonderland " from his Christmas CD " What a Night " . The hosts and Kermit enter after one verse , and Kermit eventually explains that the Muppet hosts are Whatnots , and how as supporting players , they couldn ' t resist being in the spotlight . The hosts head to a Whatnot Workshop in the studio , where they meet three featureless but moving Whatnots . Kermit describes Meredith ' s creation as a " Marty Feldman Whatnot " , due to its outward pointing eyes . ) The three Muppet hosts on the couch throw to break , but there is still time left . ( The Muppet Matt recognizes the mistake and exclaims that all he does is read the prompter . ) The hosts fill time by changing the Whatnots appearances , before the Muppet hosts throw to break again . Cast After the half hour . A yellow Whatnot , which Meredith suggested was a caricature of Linny Boyette ( a frequent audience member on the plaza ) , appears behind the barricades . Meredith mentions her tradition of kissing Linny as being the first thing she does on entering the plaza , and proceeds to kiss him and then the Muppet . Willard Scott , appearing to present the 100 + birthdays , mentions how he did commercials for Schindler ' s peanut butter , giving Kermit spoonfuls of the product . During the fourth hour of the show , Miss Piggy chats with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb . Gifford continues to insult Miss Piggy throughout her appearance , calling the diva " bacon in a dress and faux fur " . Birthday Muppets . Muppet Willard ' s 100th birthday tributes : Ida Thornbush uses the same design as Miss Weatherington ; while Zeke Stillwater is reworked from Gramps ' design .