How was Kermit originally developed?

[chris987]

Hi
Does anybody know, how Jim Henson got the idea to develop Kermit? Why did he choose a frog (or rather that sort of lizard at "Sam and Friends")? Thanks for any "insider" information! ;-)
chris

 

[SundownMotel]

The history I've always heard is that Jim made the original Kermit out of one of his mother's coats when he was quite young, fell in love with the basic idea/design, and kept it with him. Pretty close?

 

[Buck-Beaver]

I think personality-wise Kermit evolved over several years. He was originally really just a generic puppet without a specific gender or species. He started to come in to his own and develop more of personality in the late 1960s, but he was clearly always a favorite puppet of Jim's. He hosted all of the various incarnations of "Tales From Muppetland" in the late 60s/70s.

You might want to check out this editorial for a little more info on old Muppet projects with Kermit.

 

[Benjamina]

Yes, I have read that Kermit was made from Jim's mother's coat. I have also read that Jim had gotten the name "Kermit" from a friend in school... is that correct?

 

[Phillip]

Yeah, Kermit was named after one of Jim's close friends that apparently lived nearby. He would be a neat guy to track down and do an interview with someday.

 

[Benjamina]

yeah, that would be something!

 

[Super Scooter]

I know Kermit was named after one of Jim's friends (not Kermit Love. hehe), but I also heard somewhere that he always hated the name Kermit, and wanted to name his puppet that so if he ever got famous with him, people would stop naming their children "Kermit."

I read that in a book somewhere... I can't remember which one.

 

[Benjamina]

Well, I guess his mission was accomplished...who would name their kid Kermit? Everyone knows Kermit the Frog! If you remember where you read that, let me know. I'd like to look that up.

 

[Beauregard]

Well, I have a sister called Miss Piggy (Just kidding!!!)

Hey, Scoot. Who is that guy in your avator?

 

[Benjamina]

Very funny, Beauregard...that's Richard Hunt...