Where is Steve Whitmire Petition

[Fozzie Bear]

That's fine; but, if it were me I'd never divulge information. I know stuff even now that I'll never share simply because i don't want it going back down the grapevine from me to who it was and cause them any grief.

I wasn't snapping at you and I apologize if it seems that way. It was just a suggestive advice kind of thing. I wouldn't want anybody to get into the same situation I once did long ago, y'know.

If she's cool with it, then that's fine.

 

[muppetperson]

I think we need to make another important rule-NO DEBATING! Say you dont agree once,and just pretend that there are no right or wrong answers, and no counter replies to try and win.Sorry if I sound harsh, but we need to all get along, without hating someone because they think differently.

 

[Luke]

I think we need to make another important rule-NO DEBATING! Say you dont agree once,and just pretend that there are no right or wrong answers, and no counter replies to try and win.Sorry if I sound harsh, but we need to all get along, without hating someone because they think differently.

This is a forum ... it encourages debating. You can't just stop debating, just because you might not like someones counter argument shouldn't stop them from making it.

 

[frogboy4]

Ultimately this goes to several questions:

Does anyone know if Kermit has been recast permanently?
NOBODY KNOWS (so far)
Do you agree that Kermit should be recast?
Personally I think Steve has been doing just fine.
Do you think that Kermit should have an alternate performer?
Personally I think every Muppet should have only one performer ever (unless dubbed -as a last resort - or possibly the Disney Parks Mobile-type Muppet Attractions).
Do you think the substitute performer did a good job?
Personally, no. D, but I don't blame him. It's a tough gig and he did better than I could have done.
Why?
Personally, I felt Kermit was stiff in voice and movement, unable to improv, he was voiced in monotone (especially when singing) and it seemed like a puppet impression of Kermit rather than the spark and wit of a character performance.
Have you or would you like to sign the Steve Whitmire petition or make your own respectful inquiry into this situation?
Personally, I signed the Steve petition and I'm waiting to hear more information come to light.

Other than answering these questions the case (but not the thread) should be closed until official information comes forth and can be attributed to an actual source. All of those questions follow the rules of Muppet Central Forums.

 

[muppetperson]

A forum is for lots of things.....telling people News, keeping in touch with friends as well as expressing opinions.It encourages debates, but we should try and keep it under control by keeping in mind that we should not keep debating once we have said our piece.If we keep debating, we will keep getting these problems.Now that I have said this, I shall do as I say, and not post on this.It is up to MC if they want to act on it.

 

[dwayne1115]

This really is a huge mess and i feel for you Kevin on what should be done. I don't think this thread should be closed but i do think that some people need to take a few steps back, and chill out.

I mean you could ban people but then where would the freedom of speech.

Why can't we all just agree that if Steve have been replaced or whatever for whatever reason that as Muppet fans we will have to accept what Muppet Studios is going to do.
Right or wrong we all have a specail place in our heart for Kermit and want him to be who he is, that may changing a little but he will still be the frog.
I think we need to kind of get the focas off of Steve and more on Kermit.

 

[dwmckim]

Can we come up with a coordinated plan of action based on the theory that Steve is being replaced as Kermit for reasons of business?

i.e.
Lets turn this "petition" idea into a letter-writing campaign that seeks to show support for Steve Whitmire, the Muppeteer as the best option for the health of the Muppets in general!

Anyone who doesn't mind, or doesn't believe that there is any possibility of Steve being replaced need not participate.

Whaddy'all think?

I do think a letter-writing campaign is in order (and i think this thread could use the steering in a more positive proactive direction since that was the intent behind its beginnng!) I've had this idea kicking around in my head for awhile now and have kind of sat on it as i was holding on for hopes of new information coming out.

I do think Muppet fans should flood Disney/Muppets Studio with mail - but here's some specifics of what i'd reccomend:

*** Send POSTCARDS. The benefit over letters is (a) they're quicker, shorter, and to the point (b) anyone handling or passing by them can easily see the message without having to open an envelope or intending to "read" it. Most literate people can see the writing on a postcard and see what it's conveying even if they're not making an active effort to read it. (c) of course, there's some Fraggle Rock symbolism in postcards (d) if these do get to Steve, he'll have a whole bunch of nifty cards to make a collage out of or put in a nice place at home or at work - either the picture side or the writing side. A big collection of these would be an awesome gift.

*** Since Disney is not going on the record as far as saying why Steve hasn't been performing Kermit during September, then neither should we address possible reasons/theories in the postcards. They should be kept simple, short, and sweet (the less it says, the clearer the message is and easier to see by someone handling it).

*** They should be addressed ---TO STEVE--- and say something along the lines of "WE MISS YOU PERFORMING KERMIT. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK WHERE YOU BELONG REAL SOON." You may want to throw in a 50th birthday greetings or a personal sentence or two about how much you love Steve's work but aside from very short personalizations, the basic message up there in caps should be the prominent words.

This message (a) is something personal for Steve - a flood of support/fan mail (b) by being addressed to Steve, the right thing for Disney to do is forward them to him - which means keeping in contact with him (c) assumes that the situation is temporary and that Steve WILL be back as Kermit (d) says we've noticed that someone else has been performing Kermit and that we don't feel they should be doing it in place of Steve. (e) mail gets the most attention of any other form of communication corporations receive - types of mail a little different than the standard "letter in white sealed envelope" gets noticed even more - a whole bunch of similar things coming in en masse from different people is a big attention-grabber. (f) being addressed to Steve and of a personal nature (though with undertones of also being a message for all of Muppets Studios as well) places more importance on Steve himself - the fact we're all writing to Steve as opposed to any of the leaders of Muppet Studios carries an implication of him being the most important person in all of this. Anyone could head Muppets Studio (and so far three people have) but only one person can mobilize our love and support. Addressing postcards to Steve says he belongs there; we expect him to be there. Also by addressing all these postcards to Steve says fans know and fully recognize who and what he is - he's not some anonymous guy under the frog that's easily replaceable, interchangable, or forgettable. Disney might be used to getting a lot of fan mail directed to "Mickey Mouse" - but by contrast we're not sending a bunch of mail "to Kermit the Frog" - but we're addressing by name the person who makes Kermit who he is.

Who's with me?

 

[SkeksisGirl]

::Raises hand after being away for a while and having to do the new e-mail dance.::

All I care about at the moment... is to know if Steve is alive and well.

I don't want to have another morning like my 10th birthday back in 1990. "Happy Birthday Skeksis! Jim Henson died last night."

So, I don't need any behind the scenes politics, or to delve into private lives, or whatever. I just need a yes or no:

Is Steve alive and well?

 

[unclematt]

I am with you 100%.

Another little idea is for people to buy postcards that state the City or State that they live in so that Disney can see that the postcards are coming from all over the world without having to put in much effort. Just an idea.

I would also like to say that I am very pleased with the tone of this thread. I think that we are back on track and it is very good to see.

 

[Luke]

People will have disagreements, people will answer others posts back with a counter argument, its a forum. Some of the things the Muppets do won't be that good and some people may feel negative about them and positive about other good things the Muppets do. Everyones a critic nowdays! You cannot start criticising a thread for turning negative when they do something not so good ... as long as people are GENUINE about their thoughts and don't just post to flame people or post personal stuff.

This place doesn't need any more sugar coating, its already sickly sweet sometimes. We can all try to be nice, but also honest constructive feedback is whats needed, Disney people read these forums and its pretty much a focus group for Muppet stuff, it gives a great viewpoint of what people who have known these characters for often 20-30 years think about the direction.

... for the record, i love the idea of people sending in proper mail to the Muppet Studios. Not just when something like this happens but when they you see an appearance or special you like too. From what i have seen and experienced everything regarding Muppets is being read properly and taken seriously.