changed the name of a local bridge to "The Rainbow Connection" in honor of Henson on what would have been his 75th birthday. Henson had lived in Leland and played near that bridge as a child. On April 25, 2020, Kermit released a new performance of the song (recorded by Matt Vogel) on social media to lift spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic. On January 14, 2022, during Epcot's Festival of the Arts, Spaceship Earth was joined by The Muppets in singing Rainbow Connection. Charts Year-end charts Other versions The following artists have also recorded the song: Appearances in other media The song was featured in the 1994 episode "Cold Spell" of the TV show Picket Fences. The Carpenters cover of "Rainbow Connection" was used as the opening theme for the 2001 TBS Japanese TV drama Koi ga shitai Koi ga shitai Koi ga shitai. In the 2006 episode "The Convict" of the television show The Office, Ed Helms sings "Rainbow Connection". Paul Williams performed the song on the preschool show Yo Gabba Gabba! in the 2008 episode "Weather". The television show Legion featured the song in a 2017 episode. In the 2021 episode "Juice Box" (season two episode 8) of Mythic Quest, the Willie Nelson version of the song was played at the end, alongside Charlotte Nicdao singing. The 2022 episode "Walk of Faith" (season two episode 4) of the Netflix show Sweet Magnolias features a duet of "Rainbow Connection" with both Katie and Ty on guitar. On October 26, 2022, on Season 8 of The Masked Singer, Kermit was joined by Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Ken Joeng, Nick Cannon, and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg for Muppet Night. References External links "Rainbow Connection" lyrics Kermit the Frog Joins National Recording Registry Muppet Show - episode 9, season 5. Story behind the song: Rainbow connection 1979 singles 1979 songs 1970s ballads The Muppets songs Pop ballads Songs written for films Songs with music by Kenneth Ascher Songs written by Paul Williams (songwriter) Film theme songs Kermit the Frog Atlantic Records singles CBS Records singles United States National Recording Registry recordings