Kermit the Frog
is a fictional character portrayed by Jim Henson in Sesame Street. First introduced in early 1955, Kermit the Frog is
an animated Muppet character made and first performed by Jim Henson. Kermit's
role was played by a wide range of performers, including Countenance, Brutus,
Mikey, Father Frost, and Big Bird. Also introduced in early 1955, Kermit acts
as the straight-man male protagonist of many Muppet movies, most notably Sesame Street.
Kermit was created because of a need for an animated
character who could help Muppets with their educational shows. Originally, he
was going to be called Foopy, but he was immediately cast as Kermit when the
show began. He is shown sitting in a chair in much of the earliest seasons and
often appearing as a frog.
Kermit's famous catchphrase, "Kermit, get out of the
kitchen," refers to his tendency to wander in the streets after getting
done with his usual task, cooking. In most episodes, Kermit is seen chasing the
Sesame Street Characters. For
example, in "Babylon Sisters," he chases Donatella and Elmo through
Macy's. He was also often seen chasing a large elephant in "The
Ring."
Kermit has appeared in several different outfits. Most
notably, he is dressed in a long green gown with a green tie in most seasons.
Other outfits included suits, which include blue shirts and bow ties. Most of
these dresses are depicted in a comfy orange and brown outfit.
Kermit was featured as the main character in the film
version of Sesame Street. In
this film, he was portrayed as a genie. To help him cope with working with
strange people and places, Kermit wears a large green head-piece. He uses his
magical powers to help the other characters on the show. The Genie's headpiece
appears similar to the ones worn by Santa Claus, which usually contains teeth.
Kermit can be seen wearing these on numerous occasions.
Several Muppet style costumes have also been featured in
different Sesame Street shows.
These costumes mostly consist of a red and white apron, a green and yellow
skirt, and a fluffy yellow hat. Some of these outfits include the famous turkey
suit. Kermit frequently wears these suits during parties and other events.
Kermit the Frog was one of the earliest characters to be
aired on the television program. He first appeared on the series in Season
Eight as one of the many new characters introduced by Bill Bates. Kermit was
initially introduced as a mean boy who was meant to be an employee of the G.I.
Park. However, he soon evolved into an entirely different character.
The phrase "Kermit is a frog in the grass,"
which is commonly said by Kermit in the Sesame
Street commercials, became a well known saying among Muppets who
appreciated the comedy value of the character. Kermit is truly a unique pet.
His ability to interact with children, and the audience, remain the same but
has been spruced up and made fancier through the many Muppet style costumes
that have been made.
Kermit the Frog has featured heavily throughout the
history of Muppets. His appearance on the set of the movie adaptation of him is
most notable. His role as an employee on Sesame Street gave him an extra boost in popularity. The character
became almost as recognizable as the Big Bird character on the TV series. His
presence on the street gave kids' characters something more to look forward to
when attending a Sesame Street
performance.
Kermit's popularity was further highlighted in 2021 when
he was featured in the television show's episode, The Electric Company. In this
episode, he was portrayed by Kevin Clash. This marked the first time that a
character from the TV series had made an appearance on stage. This also marked
the first-ever appearance of Kevin Clash, who was now well established in the
world of theatre. He has gone on to feature heavily in the plays, musicals, and
movies that are made by Disney.
Kermit the Frog is not the only character that has made
an appearance on Sesame Street.
Mr. Roger Philips, the voice of Bertie Wooster, is another famous face.
Although not actually a character in the show, many children are still
recognized as one. It is rumored that he may have inspired Chef Po's character
in the hugely successful film Big Food. The exact role that Mr. Roger Philips
played is unknown, but the connection is still established between Sesame Street and Chef Po.
If there is any doubt left about Kermit's popularity on Sesame Street, it is clear from the
huge following he commands. The character remains popular with children of all
ages. He entertains them and teaches them valuable lessons about tolerance,
friendship, and cooperation. He makes learning fun and teaches the viewer
valuable lesson values. Who knows, he may even become a big hit on Broadway one
day!
