I have watched a ton of interviews with frog and pig both pre-publicity and post-movie release, and I do remember Kermit saying, "Oh yes. We're together." Once, I happen to remember that they were holding hands when it was said, and when the audience erupted into cheers and clapping and stuff, then they both nodded and smiled. I also remember them admitting, post- Letters to Santa, I think--that they were a couple. THAT was when Kermit really began to own up to being half of a twosome. Sometimes he still jokes about it--"Well, I have to say that we're together, you know--no, really. I have to. It's in my contract." (I'm paraphrasing, not quoting.) And sometimes it's implied that he is only saying it because Piggy might damage him if he doesn't, but even that has been done sortof gently.
For a long time (and you could probably track it archeologically from my posts here at MC), Kermit wasn't just, "Well, we date but we're not married." He was downright vicious and insulting--the kind of guy that all the women and most of the smart men avoid at the bar. He treated Piggy with amazing disrespect and implied that is was astonishing to him that anyone would even think that he could be attracted to her. As a long-time (life-long) muppet fan, that was when I called FOUL, because while Kermit had often been a reluctant lover (just like he is a reluctant leader), he owned up to his genuine attraction to Piggy from the first part of The Muppet Show. As early as the Avery Schreiber episode, Kermit is shown to be jealous and possessive of Piggy's attention. This is not to say that he does not entertain serious doubts about the intelligence or safety of such a relationship, but he pursued it doggedly (or froggedly, as the case may be) for a long time.
And guys--THIS is what makes it interesting--watching Kermit struggle with what his heart (and body) wants, and what his brain and his sense of self-preservation tell him to do. Frog meets Pig and likes her isn't really that interesting. Frog meets Pig and dislikes her is not really that interesting, either. Frog meets Pig and is wildly attracted to her both because she is a zaftig, over the top, glamorous, sexy, unreasonable, demanding diva and in spite of it, is. The fact that Kermit is mortified by the way his, er, urges betray him and by discovering his ushy-gushy (and completely impractical) insides is a story worth seeing.
When The Muppet Movie was filmed, they were obvious meant to be viewed as a viable couple, and even the off-screen chit-chat from BOTH of them indicates that they could (and sometimes DO) see a future together. It was particularly ingenuous of Kermit to try to sell too opposite points of view at the same time: (1) Only a fool would believe I could ever be attracted to Piggy and (2) You guys in the audience must be fools, because she's the only leading lady I choose and you all buy it.
Not that it's impossible to make my long answer short, let me reiterate. I cannot (at this moment) quote chapter and verse of when he actually said, "Yes, we're a couple," but you can be darn sure I was looking for it. I can't remember exactly what he said and when he said it, but I know his admission filled me with an amazing sense of relief that order had been restored to the universe.
If I must, I will dig around this weekend and find the interviews I watched to prove my point, but--as the Spirit of Christmas Present said, I'm usually trustworthy....
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