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What is happening with the Muppets? Recently, Steve Whitmire addressed his unexpected departure from the long-running Disney franchise.
Earlier, we reported that Whitmire is no longer working with the Muppets. The performer began working on The Muppet Show in 1978 and after Jim Henson died in 1990, he became the voice and puppeteer for two of the Muppets’ most legendary characters—Kermit the Frog and Ernie from Sesame Street. Whitmire’s other Muppet characters include Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, and Statler.
While Disney did not explain Whitmire’s exit, the performer recently posted a blog where he revealed that he was fired from the franchise:
As I am sure you can imagine, I have experienced every possible emotion since October 2016, when I received a phone call from The Muppets Studio’s executives to say they were recasting. Through a new business representative, I have offered multiple remedies to their two stated issues which had never been mentioned to me prior to that phone call. I wish that we could have sat down, looked each other in the eye, and discussed what was on their minds before they took such a drastic action.”
Whitemire added:
I have remained silent the last nine months in hopes that the Disney company might reverse their course. Doing what is best for the Muppets is the lens through which all my interactions have been filtered. Given the opportunity I remain willing to do whatever is required to remedy their concerns because I feel my continued involvement with the characters is in the best interest of the Muppets. …
Please forgive any faux pas as I have not been active in social media previously and have a serious learning curve. I just want you all to know that I am sorry if I have disappointed any of you at any point throughout our journey, and to let everyone know that I am devastated to have failed in my duty to my hero.”
What do you think? Are you a fan of Whitmire’s performances with the Muppets? Do you think Disney should bring him back?
I’ve been watching the muppets since I was a kid and I continued on into my adulthood. I can’t believe the executives at Disney thought this was a “good idea” because it’s not!!! Whitmire is the only voice that I associate with Kermit the Frog. He’s irreplaceable. When I first heard the news I thought he had possibly passed away, not been let go. Hopefully whoever made this “dumb decision” at Disney will come to their senses and realized what they have done.
Shows a cute why Disney should not be operating this franchise! Why in the heck are they doing this for political correctness? Or are they becoming way too conservative? This is getting disgusting what’s going on with this network is doing to this franchise sell the damn thing! I’m getting so sick and tired of hearing this miss management of this franchise is been nothing but a nightmare since the network to public! Enough is enough!
I don’t like this idea either but I don’t see how it has to do with “political correctness” unless they change Kermit in some way. I’m getting sick of Disney seeming to own so much; I didn’t even know they had anything to do with the Muppets. Unless he has done something really horrible which I haven’t heard anyone say then he should get his job back. so many things I like seem to be somehow owned by Disney.
He knows he under the eye since child related programmingdealing If he did something that didn’t hurt anyone …..then no reason let do this to him.He in the business of children programming mostly. Hence it’s more about other issues it seeems. Since muppets became under control abc been nothing but problems. Since abc will not say why, it’s more noticeable that he let go because of other facts unrelated to abusive etc.
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If they allow this type of aabsive content . Why release him since people on other show did much worse.