The Evolution of Kermit the Frog

Kermit the Frog was first voiced and puppetered by Jim Henson but has also been managed by Steve Whitmire and eventually Matt Vogel. 3 distinct personas that each brought something new and different to the frog as well as their own life experiences.

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[j.demarco]

Yeah...my dude, you can't undercut what Steve did for the Muppets for 40 years and play him off as just a thorn in the collective side of Micheal Eisner & Bob Iger.

C'mon now, you're better than that.

[gordonschnick]

I disagree with what you say about Steve. He was perfect, he was asked by the Hensen's themselves. I think he was in the right and deserved to be Kermit, he knew Disney milks every property they acquire, Steve not listening to Disney might have saved Kermit tbh, Disney isn't good with creative decisions on anything other then what they created themselves. Steve should fight for Kermit Matt just isn't feeling like Kermit.

[plushbros]

Steve was an amazing performer. They shouldn't throw shade on him.

[shadicTPZ]

Steve was just defending the Muppets, and was fighting back, because of the current characterisation of the Muppets not being the ones Jim had envisioned. Disney doesn't know how to handle them anymore. While Steve's Kermit was still flawed, he at least tried to steer it back towards the originals.

[FreeSpiritPaulette]

I know I’m very late, but honestly the tone of Steve’s voice especially earlier on in the 1990d was much closer to Jim’s than Matt Vogel’s. In my opinion, the only thing better about Matt is that is voice is lower. Also, Steve Whitmire was hand picked by Jim Henson to do the voice of Kermit when he died, and even if it’s not exactly like Jim Henson’s, it’s still really good and it’s a lot of people’s childhood’s. But overall, Steve’s really did sound more like Jim’s it just needed to be lower, that’s it. Plus if you want to hear Steve’s Kermit voice in 1990, look it up. You’ll agree it sounds closer.

[Asukenick]

Its just not fair what happen to Steve. Rizzo is one of my favorites.

[brosefers]

I really respectfully disagree with how you portrayed Steve in this video. Steve Whitmire was incredible as Kermit and lived and breathed for the Muppets. It was so clear how passionate he was about it in any interview or panel or any other form where you see him perform the characters. He truly did know what was right for the character, not just having some ego trip like you set him out to have, and his Kermit was pretty darn successful, he helmed the character for over 25 years and is the Kermit most people these days grew up with and know and love. There’s a reason he was hand picked by the Hensons.

[fokii]

I don't really like how you portrayed Steve Whitmire in this video. Also you didn't mention how rough Vogel's Kermit started out.

[Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

I don't think if it's fair to pin the decline of the Maples on Steve Whitemire as this video seems to be implying. The Muppets lasted 26 years with Steve and it achieved some of it's most successful and incredible highs during the that time. I also think Kermit's characterization doing this time was especially strong, no doubt due to Steve's performance.

There is absolutely a point to be made about the Mappets not resonating as much with the modern audience in the modern age but none of that blame should fall on Steve's performance as Kermit because that was arguably the strongest and most consistent aspect of the Muppets these last 26 years.

[Herowebcomics]

Yeah, Steve was NOT the problem with Kermit or the Muppets!
Remember what ALSO happened when the Muppets were the least popular!

[pieku]

My favorite Muppet is the aliens on Sesame street who struggle to identify common objects.

Yep yip yip yip yip yip yip... ahh ha. ahh ha.

[patnt_mx]

Steve: * Changes one line or two in the script *
Disney: *So you've chosen death.*

[quietdemon]

While I respect the research and presentation for a majority of the video I think you painted Steve as a villain, come on dude imo the Henson children and Disney forced him out because they were jealous of the attention Steve was getting for being the main muppet and inheriting their fathers alter ego, Matt does a good job and treats the character with respect but at the end of the day is an impersonation of Jim instead of presenting a new element of his personality

[skylersandoval]

I love Kermit! He truly is like Mickey or Snoopy in the sense that he brings me this indescribable childlike joy the instant i see him. I am so glad you guys appreciate the Muppets. 💚❤🐸🐷

[simonmacomber]

My favorite Muppet is, and always has been, Gonzo.

[thedoogles]

Sadly Matt’s version lacks depth. It is so rigid and comes across more as an impression of Jim Henson’s Kermit which Matt struggles to maintain. You can tell it’s an impression because when he sings it sounds very close to Jim’s Kermit, but when he performs Kermit now that’s a different story... Steve had the advantage of working with Jim Henson, he understood who Kermit was through Jim Henson’s eyes. Steve went on to further extending the character and the performance was natural. Disney sadly do not understand The Muppets nor the importance between performer and character, they are not like theme park characters that can be paraded around by anyone.

[dionkelly]

Of course NO ONE can ever perform Kermit better than Jim Henson did it because they're just not Jim Henson. Steve Whitmire did what he could. Matt Vogel is close, but you still notice a difference.

[neftalyruiz]

Why are there so many songs about rainbows

And what’s on the other side

Rainbows are visions but only illusions

And rainbows have nothing to hide

So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it

I know they’re wrong wait and see

Someday we’ll find it the rainbow Connection

The lovers the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered

Wished on the morning star

Somebody thought of that and someone believed it

Look what it’s done so far

What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing

And what do we think we might see

Someday we’ll find it the rainbow Connection

The lovers the dreamers and me

All of us under it spell

We know that it’s probably magic

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices

I’ve heard them calling my name

Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailor

The voice might be one and the same

I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it

It’s something that I’m supposed to be

Someday we’ll find it the rainbow Connection

The lovers the dreamers and me

La da da di da da ooh

La da da da da di da ooh

[evangeliaiscoolscrewu]

I have hope for Matt’s Kermit. His voice is a bit odd but I’m more about his personality. I wish good luck for him

[HerooftheWild]

To me, Jim and Steve were the definitive voices for Kermit
Matt Vogel ain't it, he cannot voice Kermit but I'm not hating the man, the only ones to blame are Disney and Jim Henson's ungrateful children
Hopefully Matt Vogel can improve his Kermit coice but the role should've gone to Peter Linz since he's voicing Ernie and both Kermit and Ernie sound similar