Your Thoughts: Kermit and Miss Piggy on America's Got Talent

[Drtooth]

I don't think Disney intends to replace any of the puppeteers here, and I still think this was a case of last minute (too late to cancel the appearance last minute) understudy. I actually want to see what the deal is with the commercials... I think that somehow they're performing a with a sync track... either a prerecorded skit with all the muppet performers, or some sort of music and narration that goes with a montage of them walking around the park.

That is to say, if they were replacing them, I don't see why they would have used Eric for the performance if they could get someone else. The truth shall be revealed soon enough, and then we'll know what really went down.

 

[Luke]

I mean, who wasn't thrilled to see this Sesame picture on Tough Pigs? That sort of thing becomes meaningless with substitutions. It's not just the visual of the performers with the characters, it's the assurance of quality. The Muppet Show characters need this too. I'm still thinking of this latest appearance as an unintended misstep.

I agree totally, the whole focus of the Muppet and Sesame brands are that they are quality, evergreen properties that have been around from one generation to the next. The Disney connection should make it even more special. They need to upkeep this image of them - not just in terms of performers but writing, recognising their heritage and the actual choice of projects they do. To take any other approach is just to cheapen them to a Pokemon.

Albeit the main Muppeteers seem to be absent or maybe only just out of shot, but at least the visual of the Muppets riding through the theme park and just that Disney has chosen them to be the focus of such an important campaign hopefully means they do think of them as somewhat "special".

 

[theprawncracker]

I was looking through the Disneyland pictures in question... and I really think it's Steve holding up Kermit and Gonzo. The hair looks very Steve-ish to me. I also don't see the picture in question with a grey-haired man holding up Piggy in Fozzie, so I can't speak on that one. But under Kermit and Gonzo looks to be a very much Steve-y person!

And Rizzo is there in one of the shots (barely) so we have to assume that Steve is there for him, at least.

 

[Luke]

Ah, all may be ok then ... Lets hope so!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdKHgG4zv0U

grey haired guy is about 17 seconds in. Anyone know who he is? Maybe Erics assistant since its two of his characters.

I haven't seen the one of Kermit, wheres that?

 

[theprawncracker]

Ah, all may be ok then ... Lets hope so!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdKHgG4zv0U

grey haired guy is about 17 seconds in. Anyone know who he is? Maybe Erics assistant since its two of his characters.

I haven't seen the one of Kermit, wheres that?

Hmm... yes, you're right, that isn't Eric. That's odd. Kinda looks like David Rudman, but I don't think it's him. *shrug* Who knows. You're probably right--most likely he's got both because it was both Piggy and Fozzie.

The pictures I'm talking about are here. The second and third from the bottom. I see Steve's head.

 

[Luke]

Yea deffo Steve methinks ... well, thats a relief at least! I like the new little LCD monitors they using. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Vic Romano]

Maybe I'm just shamelessly promoting my old threads today, but I came across this topic I posted a while back and was reading through again, and I really admired some comments people made in comparing Steve with Jim, their initial reactions, and how they feel now. It's great food for thought.

From that thread:

The way I see it, when I hear the name Steve Whitmire, I think of Kermit. When I hear the name Kermit, I think of Jim Henson.

 

[Drtooth]

The thing that we all have to agree is that we're gonna have to wait for these ads to air before we know what's what.

 

[Beauregard]

Yea deffo Steve methinks ... well, thats a relief at least! I like the new little LCD monitors they using. Thanks for the pics.

I agree -- as a Swaehbian -- that there is something most recognisable about the sweep of that hair from the guy who (I assume) mistook the word "muppet" for "mullet" and went with that look

 

[tomahawk]

Was wondering... Since the Halloween special has been cancelled, maybe Steve is now working on the Fraggle Rock and Dark Crystal movies. Maybe these would be keeping him from doing the T.V. spots. Hope he is well. If anything I hope he and his family are fine.