One of the most beloved Muppets hasn’t always had the cheery disposition it always portrays on stage. Kermit the Frog is as iconic as Jim Henson himself, the creator of the highly successful puppetry show, The Muppets. Henson served as the voice behind Kermit for many years until his death in 1990. Steve Whitmire, who carried the role of Kermit for 27 years, was hired to replace Henson after his death. Being the most recent Kermit, Whitmire’s voice is probably what most people associate Kermit with.
Disney fired Whitmire earlier this year, citing unacceptable behavioral misconduct as the main reason. Henson’s family supported Disney’s decision, stating that Whitmire had long lost the original Kermit vision of Jim Henson. They stated that Whitmire turned Kermit the Frog into a bitter character unfit to be the leader of the Muppets. While Steve Whitmire apologized for what he claimed to be his own failure, Disney moved on to hire a new voice, one which they hope will bring back Jim Henson’s sentiments.
Matt Vogel was hired not too long after Whitmire was let go. While Kermit was silent for a few months, Disney finally released its first ever video with Vogel behind Kermit’s voice. Upon first hearing and comparison, the differences between Vogel and Whitmire’s portrayals were undeniable. You can easily hear a lighter and higher intonation with Vogel’s voice. On the other hand, it could just as easily be a tiredness in Whitmire’s approach that comes across as bitterness.
Kermit fans are divided on the matter. Reactions to the videos have been mixed, although most Muppet fans are just happy that Kermit the Frog has a voice again. Most who have heard Vogel’s new Kermit video claims to hear the differences. Some agree with Disney’s sentiment that Vogel is allowing Kermit to sound more like Henson again. Others say that Vogel does not sound like Kermit at all.
However the future plays out for Kermit the Frog and the Muppets will be the true test to how effective Vogel’s vocal approach truly is. Since Disney’s takeover of the franchise in 2004, the Muppets hasn’t found much success at all. While the Muppets continue to tour with mid-level success, they’ve also released a couple of movies that didn’t do so well commercially in addition to a Muppet TV show that’s also failed in all respects. Fans are hoping that with this recent dramatic change in characters, Disney might be setting up a plan to re-establish the Muppets again.
Disney will need to attract the youngest demographic in order for this to work, and it isn’t going to be an easy task with a horde of good competition in the animation industry. Surely, Disney can make puppetry fun and engaging once again, and what better way to start than with one of the most beloved characters of all time. Kermit the Frog will always be the charming and compassionate Muppet regardless of the nuances in its voice that most children probably can’t pick out anyway. Vogel has a challenge ahead of him, and so far, he’s sounding like he’s up to the task.
Photo by Buchan/Variety/REX/Shutterstock
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