The Wild and the Free

The Wild and the Free is a 1980 TV movie, centering on Professor Rafelson, who works with chimpanzees and has taught them human behaviors and sign language. However, the professor's college has decided to use the chimps for medical experimentation and inject them with cancer cels. Rafelson convinces a Jane Goodall-style naturalist, Linda Davenport, to take the chimps to her African compound.
After Davenport initially refuses Rafelson's request, the scene cuts to his home, where the chimpanzees are seen watching The Muppets Go Hollywood on television. A clip from the ending shows Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, while Rafelson shuts the door on the chimps' bedroom as Gonzo asks "Are we really stars?" "Well, close enough." 
The scripted situation of the chimps parallels that of Nim Chimpsky, who two years later would be sold for experimentation (but saved due to protests, including by those who saw Nim on Sesame Street). 
==External links==
*BBC TV listing, with role identifications
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Category:Movie Mentions