Has Disney Recast Kermit the Frog? Is This the End of the Muppets? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

R.jsheedy · 09-06-2009, 01:42 PM

Long time Muppet fans had a rude surprise on Wednesday night when Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy performed a duet on America’s Got Talent.

As we all know, Kermit the Frog was created and performed by Muppet creator Jim Henson. Though Kermit began as an ensemble player in early Muppet projects, he soon became the puppet troupes’ lead character. When Henson died unexpectedly some 19 years ago, it was speculated that Kermit might not continue without him.

Happily, the role of Kermit was awarded to Steve Whitmire, a longtime Muppeteer who’d been performing alongside Henson for more than 10 years. His regular characters up until that point included Rizzo the Rat, Wembley Fraggle, and Bean Bunny.

Interestingly, prior to his death, Henson had been thinking about asking Whitmire to replace him as Kermit on occasions. In a 1999 interview with Muppet Central, Whitmire recalled, “I have been told that Jim had said something about it to Frank [Oz]. Not that I would perform Kermit when he died, but that he would need somebody else to do Kermit some of the time because he was so busy.”

Though it took Whitmire some time to get fully comfortable with the character, he has made Kermit his own. While the Muppet interviews and appearances are scripted, it’s not uncommon for the performers to have to make things up on the spot. That’s part of what makes the Muppets unique.

In an interview at the TV Land Awards, Whitmire commented, “If you play my voice next to Jim’s voice, they’re not the same. They’re very close, and the attitude is very close. And because I had the experience of working with Jim very closely, and knowing him, I think I gained some insight into where this character came from, from within Jim. So the number one goal in trying to continue a character like Kermit was making sure the character was the same and consistent, but didn’t become stale and just a copy. We wanted him to continue to be able to grow a bit, but also have this foundation of where Jim started… We’ve always been dubbed the ‘Muppet performers,’ and it involves acting and it involves the puppetry, and all those skills combined.”

In 2004, Disney bought the Muppet characters from the Henson company. While many fans were hopeful that the Muppets wouldn’t change, they couldn’t help but be nervous that the corporate and very cost-conscious “House of Mouse” would be making some changes — particularly when it came to the Muppet performers.

In an interview at the TV Land Awards, Whitmire commented, “If you play my voice next to Jim’s voice, they’re not the same. They’re very close, and the attitude is very close. And because I had the experience of working with Jim very closely, and knowing him, I think I gained some insight into where this character came from, from within Jim. So the number one goal in trying to continue a character like Kermit was making sure the character was the same and consistent, but didn’t become stale and just a copy. We wanted him to continue to be able to grow a bit, but also have this foundation of where Jim started… We’ve always been dubbed the ‘Muppet performers,’ and it involves acting and it involves the puppetry, and all those skills combined.”

In 2004, Disney bought the Muppet characters from the Henson company. While many fans were hopeful that the Muppets wouldn’t change, they couldn’t help but be nervous that the corporate and very cost-conscious “House of Mouse” would be making some changes — particularly when it came to the Muppet performers.

http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/d...nd-of-muppets/

catlover79 · 09-06-2009, 02:07 PM

In my opinion, the end of the Muppets happened when Jim Henson died. Happily, the first 3 seasons of the Muppet Show are on DVD as are the movies. My 3-year-old nephew loves them almost as much as I do.

Retro4Life · 09-06-2009, 02:16 PM

^
As much as I hate to say it, I agree. There are some characters and shows that really are so intertwined with their creators it's almost impossible for them to continue once the creator dies.

I think the Muppets might be one of those cases. I don't hate what's been done with them post-Henson, but honestly, it's not the same and to be fair, can't be. Henson was a truly unique person and his vision for the Muppets can't be duplicated. They were reflections of his character and soul; I'm afraid all we're left with is memories of his work and of course, the DVDs and tapes he's left behind.

catlover79 · 09-06-2009, 02:28 PM

^ You hit the nail right on the head. I liked Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppets In Space but the soul went out of the franchise with the passings of Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, and several other behind the scenes geniuses.

comedyfreak · 09-06-2009, 02:46 PM

That's a darn shame and I say shame on Disney for being greedy and replacing the main voice actors just to save a buck, they should do the right thing and pull the plug before the characters are completely ruined.

catlover79 · 09-06-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

That's a darn shame and I say shame on Disney for being greedy and replacing the main voice actors just to save a buck, they should do the right thing and pull the plug before the characters are completely ruined.

I'm sorry to say it, but I think that ship has already sailed.

Retro4Life · 09-06-2009, 06:29 PM

Here's the first "post Sesame Street" original Muppets production I remember watching...I still have great memories of it. Monika, perhaps your nephew would enjoy it...though I'm not sure if it's on DVD or not yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nguB6wLxicU

catlover79 · 09-06-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Here's the first "post Sesame Street" original Muppets production I remember watching...I still have great memories of it. Monika, perhaps your nephew would enjoy it...though I'm not sure if it's on DVD or not yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nguB6wLxicU

Thanks!!

Marvo301 · 09-06-2009, 10:39 PM

When Jim Henson died we lost the rainbow connection!

catlover79 · 09-06-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

When Jim Henson died we lost the rainbow connection!

So true!!

I have the song on my iPod. Did you know The Carpenters did a version of it as well?

Marvo301 · 09-06-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

So true!!

I have the song on my iPod. Did you know The Carpenters did a version of it as well?

No I did not know that. But I like The Carpenters and I bet their version of the song sounds really good!

catlover79 · 09-06-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

No I did not know that. But I like The Carpenters and I bet their version of the song sounds really good!

It does!! It's available on the Carpenters' compilation CDs Gold: 35th Anniversary and As Time Goes By, plus the track is also available on iTunes. It's awesome!!

Marvo301 · 09-06-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

It does!! It's available on the Carpenters' compilation CDs Gold: 35th Anniversary and As Time Goes By, plus the track is also available on iTunes. It's awesome!!

Cool. Thanks for the info.!

catlover79 · 09-06-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Cool. Thanks for the info.!

Actually, I just emailed it to you. Enjoy!

Schmoopie · 09-06-2009, 11:46 PM

There is no voice better for Kermit the Frog than Jim Henson!

09-06-2009, 01:42 PM	#1
R.jsheedy Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2008 Posts: 1,035	Has Disney Recast Kermit the Frog? Is This the End of the Muppets? Long time Muppet fans had a rude surprise on Wednesday night when Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy performed a duet on America’s Got Talent. As we all know, Kermit the Frog was created and performed by Muppet creator Jim Henson. Though Kermit began as an ensemble player in early Muppet projects, he soon became the puppet troupes’ lead character. When Henson died unexpectedly some 19 years ago, it was speculated that Kermit might not continue without him. Happily, the role of Kermit was awarded to Steve Whitmire, a longtime Muppeteer who’d been performing alongside Henson for more than 10 years. His regular characters up until that point included Rizzo the Rat, Wembley Fraggle, and Bean Bunny. Interestingly, prior to his death, Henson had been thinking about asking Whitmire to replace him as Kermit on occasions. In a 1999 interview with Muppet Central, Whitmire recalled, “I have been told that Jim had said something about it to Frank [Oz]. Not that I would perform Kermit when he died, but that he would need somebody else to do Kermit some of the time because he was so busy.” Though it took Whitmire some time to get fully comfortable with the character, he has made Kermit his own. While the Muppet interviews and appearances are scripted, it’s not uncommon for the performers to have to make things up on the spot. That’s part of what makes the Muppets unique. In an interview at the TV Land Awards, Whitmire commented, “If you play my voice next to Jim’s voice, they’re not the same. They’re very close, and the attitude is very close. And because I had the experience of working with Jim very closely, and knowing him, I think I gained some insight into where this character came from, from within Jim. So the number one goal in trying to continue a character like Kermit was making sure the character was the same and consistent, but didn’t become stale and just a copy. We wanted him to continue to be able to grow a bit, but also have this foundation of where Jim started… We’ve always been dubbed the ‘Muppet performers,’ and it involves acting and it involves the puppetry, and all those skills combined.” In 2004, Disney bought the Muppet characters from the Henson company. While many fans were hopeful that the Muppets wouldn’t change, they couldn’t help but be nervous that the corporate and very cost-conscious “House of Mouse” would be making some changes — particularly when it came to the Muppet performers. In an interview at the TV Land Awards, Whitmire commented, “If you play my voice next to Jim’s voice, they’re not the same. They’re very close, and the attitude is very close. And because I had the experience of working with Jim very closely, and knowing him, I think I gained some insight into where this character came from, from within Jim. So the number one goal in trying to continue a character like Kermit was making sure the character was the same and consistent, but didn’t become stale and just a copy. We wanted him to continue to be able to grow a bit, but also have this foundation of where Jim started… We’ve always been dubbed the ‘Muppet performers,’ and it involves acting and it involves the puppetry, and all those skills combined.” In 2004, Disney bought the Muppet characters from the Henson company. While many fans were hopeful that the Muppets wouldn’t change, they couldn’t help but be nervous that the corporate and very cost-conscious “House of Mouse” would be making some changes — particularly when it came to the Muppet performers. http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/d...nd-of-muppets/

09-06-2009, 02:07 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	In my opinion, the end of the Muppets happened when Jim Henson died. Happily, the first 3 seasons of the Muppet Show are on DVD as are the movies. My 3-year-old nephew loves them almost as much as I do.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-06-2009, 02:16 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^ As much as I hate to say it, I agree. There are some characters and shows that really are so intertwined with their creators it's almost impossible for them to continue once the creator dies. I think the Muppets might be one of those cases. I don't hate what's been done with them post-Henson, but honestly, it's not the same and to be fair, can't be. Henson was a truly unique person and his vision for the Muppets can't be duplicated. They were reflections of his character and soul; I'm afraid all we're left with is memories of his work and of course, the DVDs and tapes he's left behind.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

09-06-2009, 02:46 PM	#5
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	That's a darn shame and I say shame on Disney for being greedy and replacing the main voice actors just to save a buck, they should do the right thing and pull the plug before the characters are completely ruined.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

09-06-2009, 10:39 PM	#9
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	When Jim Henson died we lost the rainbow connection!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-06-2009, 02:28 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	^ You hit the nail right on the head. I liked Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppets In Space but the soul went out of the franchise with the passings of Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, and several other behind the scenes geniuses.

09-06-2009, 06:29 PM	#7
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Here's the first "post Sesame Street" original Muppets production I remember watching...I still have great memories of it. Monika, perhaps your nephew would enjoy it...though I'm not sure if it's on DVD or not yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nguB6wLxicU

09-06-2009, 11:46 PM	#15
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	There is no voice better for Kermit the Frog than Jim Henson!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019