Muppets Update: Whitmire Releases Statement ; Colbert Has Ideas For Recast

This is getting a little noisier.

Hot off the heels of the shocking news this week that Steve Whitmire has been replaced as both the voice and performer of Kermit the Frog in favor of Matt Vogel, the veteran has officially posted a lengthy statement regarding the move and what his thoughts are on it.

Quite honestly, the whole thing sounds a little sad. Clearly, Steve wasn’t really expecting a switch, however, was originally given notice nine months ago in a move that really was less to do with him and more to do with management at Henson Co. From where I sit, it sounds like something monetary went down and this could’ve been done as a cost-cutting measure. It does sound like maybe a decision was made on Whitmire’s behalf that possibly he regrets now as he mentions failing his “hero” in this case, Jim Henson.

Fortunately, help showed up in the name of Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, who potentially has some ideas on who could replace Kermit the Frog if Vogel doesn’t work out.