The new Kermit the Frog makes his debut
Last October, Steve Whitmire, who had voiced Kermit the Frog since creator Jim Henson died in 1990. was let go from The Muppets Studio and Disney. Whitmire was just the second puppeteer who had voiced and operated the beloved Muppet, so fans were understandably nervous about who would go on to voice the little green guy.
Turns out, longtime Jim Henson Company puppeteer Matt Vogel would be taking over. He made his debut as Kermit the Frog on the Muppet's official YouTube channel, sharing a Muppet Thought of the Week.
"Dreams are how we figure out where we want to go," he opines. "Life is how we get there." Take a look and listen.
Vogel has a pretty long list of Muppet characters under his belt, so he's certainly qualified to take on the enormous responsibility of voicing the world's favorite frog.
On Sesame Street, Vogel voiced Big Bird, Count von Count and Ernie, and has voiced a plethora of characters on the TV show The Muppets, as well as in multiple Muppet movies and Sesame Street. Many are praising Vogel for sounding like Henson, while others think the new voice will take some getting used to.
Kermit the Frog has a new voice. I like it. Sounds closer to the one I grew up with. Some people are upset. #itainteasybeinggreen.
— Ben Brugler (@BenBrugler) August 31, 2017
"New" Kermit voice sounds very similar to Jim Henson's. Couldn't get used to Steve Whitmore's Kermit for the last 27 years. Happy again!
— Tanya Mah (@tanyamah71) August 30, 2017
After a few listens, I think Matt Vogel makes a pretty good Kermit. It'll take getting used to, but he's not bad by any means.
— Mat Lippiello (@LimeTH) August 28, 2017
what have you done pic.twitter.com/57UPIWOsJc
— Jack Nix (@nixwjack) August 28, 2017
Kermit is like my guidance counselor
— Goten (@The_NewGatsby) August 28, 2017
You can catch Kermit and other original Muppets beginning next week, when Decades airs The Best of the Ed Sullivan Show! Henson and his creations were frequent guests of Ed. See them on episodes of The Best of Ed Sullivan on September 6, 20 and 28.