Muppets Mania Hits NYT Connections Puzzle
Fozzie, Gonzo, and Beaker lead the blue group in today’s popular word game
Canada Wire | Published: 09 March 2026
Puzzle enthusiasts and Muppets fans found common ground this morning as the New York Times’ Connections puzzle for Monday, 09 March 2026, featured a category dedicated to Jim Henson’s beloved characters. The words ANIMAL, BEAKER, FOZZIE, and GONZO formed the “Muppets” group, colour-coded blue in the game.
The puzzle, game #1002, challenged players to sort 16 words into four secret categories. According to multiple sources, including Forbes and CNET, the “Muppets” category was identified as the blue group, considered the third-most difficult of the four sets.
“I love The Muppets so much. All of these are great, though Beaker is maybe my favourite among them,” wrote one solver in a published hint guide. The inclusion of the iconic characters sparked joy and nostalgia among players.
The other categories in today’s puzzle were “Metaphors for public scrutiny” (FISHBOWL, HOT SEAT, MICROSCOPE, SPOTLIGHT), “They can be cracked” (CODE, EGG, JOKE, SAFE), and “They feature a boss” (COMPANY, E STREET BAND, MAFIA, VIDEO GAME).
A Quick Refresher on the Trio
- Fozzie Bear: The earnest, joke-telling bear who began his career “touring small clubs where he was hit by every variety of fruit and vegetable in the world,” according to character bios.
- Gonzo the Great: The self-described “odd looking, unclassifiable alien creature” known for his daredevil stunts and unique perspective.
- Beaker: The hapless, nervous lab assistant to Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, notable for his “mee-mee-mee” mutterings. He is cited as one of the only Muppets created solely for The Muppet Show.
The puzzle’s theme highlights the enduring cultural footprint of The Muppets, decades after their debut. As one hint article noted, “Fans of the show would quickly recognise names like Animal, Beaker, Fozzie, and Gonzo.”
Sources: New York Times Connections puzzle hints and answers from Forbes, CNET, Mashable, TechRadar, and others dated 08-09 March 2026. Character background from Muppet Wiki and official descriptions.