Wilkins Micawber is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's 1850 novel David Copperfield, known for his optimistic belief that "something will turn up." Micawber faces financial challenges, leading to his incarceration in debtors' prison, and relies on the support of his devoted wife, Emma. His actions cause a major financial setback to another character, Tommy Traddles. Despite these hardships, Micawber eventually exposes his deceitful boss and emigrates to Australia, where he becomes successful. Micawber's character has become synonymous with hopeful expectation, inspiring the "Micawber Principle" and entering general English as a noun and adjectives. The character has been portrayed in various adaptations, including by W.C. Fields, Bob Hoskins, and Peter Capaldi. Wilkins Micawber's resilience and optimism continue to resonate through memorable quotations and cultural references, making him a timeless figure in literature and popular culture.

Wilkins and Wontkins were characters created by puppeteer Jim Henson for the Wilkins Coffee brand, produced by John H Wilkins & Company in Washington D.C. Wilkins, a coffee enthusiast, and Wontkins, a non-coffee drinker, were used in advertising campaigns. Jim Henson was hired in 1957 to create commercials using early Muppet characters, running until 1961. The ads were immensely successful, with Wilkins and Wontkins becoming iconic figures. Despite their popularity, Wilkins Coffee began to decline in the face of increasing competition and ceased operations in 1997. In recent years, the Wilkins Coffee ads have gained viral status online. The characters were also featured in ads for other brands. The legacy of Wilkins and Wontkins lives on, and their impact on advertising and pop culture remains significant.