George RR Martin's New Book Is Hiding Muppet Easter Eggs

Although some fans of George RR Martin's work are straight-up furious with the author for still not releasing the next book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, there might be at least one good reason to read his newest companion novel, Fire and Blood (despite its decidedly mixed reviews). Namely: Muppets!

While the book is meant to be a much deeper exploration of the House Targaryen—giving the family an entire history—for some readers, the most enjoyable part of reading the book is spotting the references to some of Jim Henson's most beloved fuzzy creations. ​​Redditor​ IDELNHAW shared one particularly fun bit. While describing House Tully, Martin writes:

"Then as now, the riverlords were a fractious, quarrelsome lot. Kermit Tully, Lord of Riverrun, was their liege lord, and nominally commander of their host … but it must be remembered that his lordship was but nineteen years of age, and 'green as summer grass,' as the northmen might say. His brother Oscar, who had slain three men during the Muddy Mess and been knighted on the battlefield afterward, was still greener, and cursed with the sort of prickly pride so common in second sons."

Any of those names sound familiar? Kermit Tully is no doubt inspired by Kermit the Frog, and Oscar is seemingly Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street. While this could seem like just a coincidence, ComicBook.com points out that Martin has previously included characters inspired by Jim Henson. In earlier books, characters Lord Paramount Grover Tully, Elmo Tully, and Kermit Tully have all been introduced.

This is definitely some comedic relief while we wait for The Winds of Winter, but it might not be enough. While Martin still hasn't confirmed when the next book in the series will debut, we at least now know that Game of Thrones's final season will kick off in April 2019.