Man you need more subs. The content you're making is like it's made by a team of people. Keep it up 👍

My main issue is how cruel they were to him. They didn't just fire Steve, they ruined his reputation.

Steve: "Maybe Kermit should react this way" Disney: "Fuck you, you're fired"

Steve was MY Kermit as well as others. He was Kermit for OUR generation. I thank him for being part of my childhood

The brilliance of Kermit is that he is humble and relatable. He's a very normal person with genuine feelings who just happens to be a green frog puppet. You can't fake that or commodify it.

I SO agree with Steve... the reason that the Muppet characters remained so timeless is the way that Henson studios treated them as truly existing in their own right.. If you look at the credits of the Muppet movies, they are actually billed as themselves (ie, Kermit the Frog as Bob Crachit).

At this point, almost all the Muppets have been recast. Jim Henson, Richard Hunt and Jerry Nelson are dead, Frank Oz is retired from the Muppets...Dave Goelz is the only original muppeteer from the Muppet Show era still performing his original characters.

He wouldn't sign their NDA and lie. He even spoke about it. They aren't hiring him back. To me it feels like Disney poisons everything it touches lately.

I think Walt Disney and Jim Henson would be turning in their graves knowing how the new generation of idiots has ruined Disney and the Muppets, a Fantastic documentary by the way I was hooked from start to finish.

For many of us, Steve was our Kermit. I didn't see much of Jim Henson's Kermit until well after becoming a fan of movies like Muppet Christmas Carol or Muppet Treasure Island. I didn't watch the Muppet Show until after I had watched Muppets Tonight. He made a huge impact on my childhood and showed the world the value in entertainment is more than just explosions and body counts, it's in the heart of the programming. I watched some Muppets Now, and while I got a few chuckles out of it, the show feels soulless. Like it's just trying to jump on the pop-culture bandwagon. You'll be missed, Steve. In my eyes, you are now and always will be Kermit the Frog.

Hearing Kermit sing "Rainbow Connection" is pure magic to me. Such a beautiful song, and Kermit sings it so well. And yeah, the new guy (Vogel) doesn't really sound like the Kermit I love.

Firing Whitmore was one of disneys biggest mistakes. From there on it seems like they don't know what to do with the franchise.

i literally just found out about this today, when i saw that interview here on KZfaq in my recommended. I was stunned and shocked by it. He should be rehired. No one can do Kermit's voice like Steve.

A characters voice is THE CHARACTER itself. Why do I love the genie from Aladdin, because of Robin Williams. Why mushu from mulan. Because of Eddie Murphy, donkey from shrek. Homer Lisa Bart Simpson? So many characters that would destroy the “character” changing the voice.

Honestly this video almost had me in tears, it’s just so sad. Steve carried on amazingly after Jim’s passing. They did him so wrong. Steve is the Kermit I know and my kids too, since they’ve never actually seen those short KZfaq clips. They’ve seen The Muppets films though. It really must not be easy being green...poor Kermit. 💔

Calling all muppet fans there is a petition out to bring back Steve Whitmire as Kermit

I grew up with both Henson's and Whitmire voicing Kermit. Both of them are Kermit to me. Whitmire did such an amazing job respecting Henson's character. This new voice has corporate written all over it and I can't imagine Henson ever being okay with that.

I know I'm coming in late here, but it was obvious to me from the very beginning that the Disney execs were desperate to pin their own failures on someone else. Steve Whitmire understood Kermit's personality and played him faithfully to that for decades, but it was Disney that said they wanted not just Kermit, but all of the Muppets, to be depressed, bitter, and broken characters in their sitcom. When everyone hated it, they had to blame someone else or admit that they'd screwed up. And Disney never admits they've screwed up. So Steve just happened to be a convenient scapegoat, as though somehow we're to believe that he was running entirely off script during the filming of that show and influencing everyone else's performances as well.

So many people do a convincing Kermit... Seth McFarlane does it all the time... Did they even try?

My god I miss steve. He was the reason that kermit the frog lived on after 1990. Kermit defined my childhood. When I first heard Steve got fired, I literally cried because of so many memories starting fading away due to Disney's lack of care for performers who made childhoods great.

The worst part is that Vogel isn't even that bad of a performer! He took on well to Jerry Nelson's characters like Count von Count and Floyd, and even does some good full body work like with Big Bird and Sweetums

Another move by Disney to take away our childhoods

I miss Kermit's old voice ;-;

Disney:KERMIT YOUR FIRED Kermit: bruh

"Who could turn down the role as Kermit the Frog?" Someone who sounds nothing like Kermit the Frog?

I'm glad I got to meet Steve at comic con a few years ago. He was very nice and even gave me and my friend a photo for free. I'll always prefer him over Matt Vogel, who just kinda sounds like Constantine impersonating Kermit again.

I met Steve at Rhode Island Comic con, and he was such a swell guy- he asked if he could use the some of the space in the room my company had to film some stuff for his Cave-in webshow. A very sweet and friendly and thankful man

I sure miss Jim Henson as he was my childhood, he was a lot of our childhood and when he passed we all died just a little bit... and seeing that clip of Jim Hensons episode it made me cry again and reminded me when we lost him.

Kermit was a big part of my childhood. It’s not right what Disney is doing. A voice like kermit just can’t be replaced unless there is absolutely no choice. ie: death. I’ll miss you my green little friend. You were my best friend.

its not just the voice, his personality is gone, poor show disney

I think too many people exaggerate Kermit’s voice. They make him sound like a Minnesotan with a cold. But Kermit was simply just Jim Henson doing a slightly higher version of his normal voice.

Loving these muppet documentaries! I feel like Disney just doesn’t know how to do them justice. Muppet’s Now is way too watered down...

2014: Matt Vogel plays Constantine, a character who spends nearly the entire movie doing a bad Kermit impression. 2017: Vogel is cast as Kermit's permanent performer. Update: 2014, not 2011. Thanks Dillon Ohlemiller for noticing.

The moment I heard the new Kermit voice, I felt something die inside. I even thought "who is this random guy voicing Kermit? I've heard hundreds of people doing Kermit Impressions sound better than this!"

The new Kermit sounds like his talking through a filter, a Disney filter

I grew up with the original "Kermie," Mr. Jim Henson, and Kermit has never been the same. Steve did a great job though, and it's so sad to see what they've done. 😢 Thank you for making this informative and respectful tribute. 💐👍❤️

As weird as I found Whitmire doing Kermit to begin with (I was 15 when Jim died and wept like a baby), he understood the character. Whitmire gets it, he clearly gets what Henson believed in, how the performers try to make each other laugh, how the characters were formed, how they were extensions of the performers' own character (Oz said that Piggy is a truck driver in drag but just doesn't know it). The characters are now gone, rendered "safe" by a vast corporation only interested in the bottom line. Once we lose Goelz, or he retires, then that's it. The Muppets will be gone. Which is heartbreaking. They're not intended to be corporate tools, they're intended to be source of joy and universal understanding.

Jim Henson will always be Kermit to me. Sesame Street is only a few months older than I am, so I grew up with Henson's voice. After he died, I understood of course, Kermit would sound different. But at least Whitmire sounded more like Kermit than this new guy.

Thank u! Never saw kermit acting the way he's described by the company. It's bs. Pushing kermit to be a divorcee that lies to his kids rather than parent them with compassion and honesty. Disgusting. Very disney. #bringSteveback!

It sucks that Vogel’s Kermit doesn’t work for people, after getting to meet him in person, he seems to be a really passionate guy that has such heavy respect for the character

I truly loved Jim Henson. His characters were awsome to me, an adult. When he died at 53 it was so sad and such a young age. He had so much more to do. Seeing how this country is going to heck maybe he is better off. Hope you are having lots of fun in Heaven Jim ♥️♥️♥️

What a brilliantly put-together video. Utilising ‘The Muppets’ soundtrack in the background was a nice touch. It’s a shame things had to end the way they did. Steve and Matt are both incredible performers. It’s also a shame some people can’t at least be dignified and civil towards others who share different opinions to those of their own.

Another time big corporations take the soul out of something we love.

There are just too many modern-day hierarchy chiefs in Disney that are dragging Walt's name down to the mud. It's not only affecting The Muppets but the whole Disney empire magic.

I have always loved Kermit the frog he was not like a mentor, he was not like a parent, he was just a friend a kind loving friend who was always there to pick me up on a sad day that just wasn’t working out, he was the kindest of all of us just like captain America, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Jack Sparrow and so many more Kermit will always live on as one of my childhood heroes

Maybe it’s just cause I’m sick and hormonal, but watching this video made me wanna cry. Both Steve and Jim were the voices of my early childhood.

For me, Henson was the only Kermit. I eventually got *used* to Whitmire, but that’s because he had great films like Christmas Carol to sink his teeth into. I mean, you sort of have to *do* things with the Muppets to make people connect with them, and let’s be honest....the Muppet brand died more than once while Whitmire was still playing Kermit. Give Vogel something to work with and maybe he can prove himself. Or are you going to tell me that toddlers have gone off Sesame Street because Vogel’s Big Bird is a bit off?

That Family Guy Muppet's skit seems more appropriate now. *"Now we have wrong sounding Muppets."*

Jim Henson was the iconic Kermit but Steve was the one that I feel that most of us are used to, and its still sad to see Kermit to get a new voice every time.

God damn this "Reasons To Hate Disney" list is getting too long to even keep anywhere

I appreciate you making this video. Steve did a lot for Kermit. I do know that pay disputes, Steve wanting more flexibility in presenting Kermit at events, and refusing to work with understudies were all factors. I think Matt is working on the voice. It took Steve a few years. I felt like Kermit's voice was weaker the last few years

Ohhhh! His new voice is disconcerting! It's like if an alien inhabited your friend's body and only partway tried to mimic their voice an mannerism.

The introduction of Steve's Kermit, In the special honoring Jim, this is such a beautiful dedication. Which contrasts how Matt's Kermit just shows up in a KZfaq video that you could miss easily. I really wish Disney would put more love an effort into these things. I really wish Steve could at least keep doing Rizzo and Wembly.

Jeez, they punched Whitmire in the face and kicked him while he was down I know Matt Vogel is trying his best, but he makes Kermit sound like his nose is plugged and has a cold

Steve is such an amazing person.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved Puppetry. Bringing something inanimate to life has always brought joy to my life. In 1969, when Kermit first appeared on Sesame Street, I can remember him as the Roving Reporter. I fondly recall "Do Bee" from Romper Room, Mr. Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose (and the ping pong balls) from Captain Kangaroo, but most of all the Muppets from Sesame Street. I think I once corrected my Dad and brother about NOT calling them Puppets. When I was 10, and the Muppet Show came on weekly, I was there. I would forgo all other privileges and do extra chores so long as I could watch Waldorf and Statler heckle the shows performances. No matter what performance took the show each week, it was Kermit who brought it all together. It was Kermit singing Moving Right Along, with Fozie , The Rainbow Connection with the iconic banjo pickin', and It's Not Easy Being Green that echo in the ears of Kids of all ages. Sadly, for me anyway, Kermit has passed away. As a kid I wanted to BE a Jim Henson Muppeteer. It broke my heart to hear that the Henson family or Muppet Powers that be sold out to Disney. Loved "Walt Disney World" show as a kid, but somewhere in the last 3 - 4 decades Filthy Lucre is the greatest an seemingly only main desire of Disney Corp. To me, they have done everything imaginable just for the sake of raking every one they can over the coals for more money. It's their right, but I don't think all their tactics are right. Again, just my Opinion. As shown in this video (AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING 'SOME BOI'), there is a great difference in Kermit's voice and mannerisms. Kermit was the voice of Kermit. Kermit had his own personality. Just as Steve Whitmire said "Their longevity is based on their consistency". A new frog character has emerged within the Muppet group, and it may even be named Kermit, but "Kermit The Frog" was laid to rest, even murdered by Disney's decision to not stick with Who Kermit IS/WAS.

Kermit has been replaced by Constantine

Poor Steve, he has to see it all come tumbling down.

Everyone loves Kermit don't they? Hey I'm 70 years old n I still remember the weekly muppets show n I love Kermit he is the glue that holds the whole thing together. Changing his voice is sacrilegious and insulting to all that fell in love with him. I don't think Disney gets that! Kermit will always be my hero ❤️❤️❤️

Steve picked up the mantle and ran with it. The new person now is NOT KERMIT. You gotta have the voice and personality, and it just isn't there.

It's not that Disney execs take joy in destroying the heroes of you childhood imagination, but just that they want you to be as miserable as them.

And Kermit comes out, and explains in a soft, thoughtful tone, "Kids, you know sometimes you have to suck it up to your boss..."

I just realized I just watched 12 minutes of Kermit the frog And I really enjoyed it

Henson was great and the OG, but i for dure think steve is the overall best voice.

Its sad to see that the voice change and i grew up with steves voice but now i hate disney now for this

I remember reading that the Henson family (some of them) didn't like dealing with Whitmire, so I think there was more bad blood going on behind the scenes. The odds of him returning to Kermit are way lower than you let on.

I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to meet Steve and Kermit on set before the announcement. He's such a genuinely kind guy and even stayed after filming to take photos with the staff's kids.

The funny thing is Kermit is a super easy voice to sound at least decent at, yet somehow, disney made it almost impossible to tell if i don't see Kermit moving with the voice Edit: I also just wanna say I'll defend Most Wanted till the end of time, that movie slaps

Sorry to matt vogel... I've tried to get used to it, going back and listening, it just doesn't work.

For me Kermit,it was Jim Henson. Because i'm a child of the 70's. But Steve Whitmire does a good imitation close to Henson's.

Looks like Steve's life became a "bacon-wrapped hell on Earth" thanks to Disney firing him from his role as Kermit.

4:11 fun fact that was actually a redubbed version where they pitched down his voice in editing. The original version is on KZfaq though thankfully

It goes to show that Disney has done some shady and stupid stuff, to the point where it's no surprise to anyone.

He could have reacted so much worse (Steve) he is so sweet and loyal, it is clear that Disney are lying. It is interesting. Even when someone is huge and powerful and tries to crush you, if you are kind and consistent with the good person who you are, you are stronger than them and no one can make people see it differently, only few very simple minded people can believe Disney's lies

I met Steve Whitmire as kermit onset of the filming of muppets treasure Island and he was a brilliant kind man. I even wrote to him and he replied. He really is a good man and the kermit of an entire generation, picking up expertly after the untimely death of Jim Henson. The new Kermit performer just doesn't have what it takes, it's not just that he's lacking the voice, he's not a good enough puppeteer either in my opinion. I think Kermit deserves better.

We’ve had the pleasure of having Jim and Steve as our Kermie voices over the years. Furthermore proves what Disney is all about. Good take 🙂👍

Interesting that the Henson family supports Disney's decision and even outright says that Steve has been difficult. Clearly, there is more than meets the eye in this saga.

kermit the frog seems like the only voice acting job with literally zero job security, ive never met a single person that couldn't do an almost perfect kermit impression edit: cool vid btw

This is the reason why Henson took the production of *The Muppet Show* to Lew Grade's British TV station, ATV. Grade did *not* interfere with Henson's production and just let him "get on with it". The result was the show we knew, and still know around the world as *The Muppet Show* and how it worked so well. If Henson had tried to do the show in America, he'd have a bunch of fuckwitted TV executives "poling holes" in Henson's production methods and generally *interfering* with Henson's concepts in an utterly destructive manner. This interference is now all-too-apparent, as witnessed by the Disney Corporation getting their grubby hands on the Muppet franchise.

I watched the latest movie with Haunted Mansion and it really did feel off. Even just not having Gonzo working with Rizzo totally threw me for most of the film. You cant just sub in Muppets for others and dress them up to play roles not in their character. Even the older Muppets movies that followed other stories kept the Muppets faithful to their core personalities

WHAT THE HECK?! WHY WOULD THEY CUT OFF KERMIT? HE'S A LIVING LEGEND AND AN ICON FOR THE MUPPETS!

So they fired half the staff, at least they fired the right half: *THEIRS!*

I'm glad I wasnt the only that thought Kermits voice was off, I was watching Muppets Now but just couldnt enjoy it due to Kermits weird voice

Steve should do what Jim Henson did He should teach someone to be the next Kermit, Ernie, ect. Even teach someone how to do his characters like Rizzo or Wembley Fraggle from Fraggle Rock whenever he is about to retire or if he ever passes. But I can only hope that someone who has similar voices to Steve or Jim can take the torch of The Muppets and lead them to their next big hit.

It's very bold of Disney to assume they know more about Kermit the Frog than an actor who is directly linked to Jim Henson.

I love Steve Whitmire as I have grown up with him for like 10 years until he was fired. If he isn't allowed back then I will buy Disney one day and get him back!

I feel like Jim’s and Whitmier’s Kermit are perfect in their own individual projects. For example, Jim’s voice, I think, is perfect for the OG Muppets Show/Movies. But Whitmire’s is perfect for The Muppets (2011), Most Wanted etc.

I’ll take sides. I’m not with Disney I’m with the dude who did the voice.

If you look at what was happening in Kathleen Kennedy's circle at the same time, it starts to make sense that Disney really hates the old guard and are dying to jump on any excuse to get rid of them (and look at Joe Rohde's recent "retirement," it's disgusting). And it's gotten so much worse recently, especially for Star Wars fans. I hope Steve Whitmire knows he still has plenty of faithful fans.

The thing with Steve Whitmire's Kermit is that is tried to replicate Jim Henson's voice and succeeded in doing so and that why older fans who grew up with Jim Henson's Kermit, grew to love Steve Whitmire's Kermit. The new recast doesn't sound like the Kermit we all know and it sounds like the voice actor wants to do his own take then trying to recreate the iconic voice.

Thank you so much for the video showcasing Kermit the Frog's voice history and your honest opinions regarding Steve Whitmire and Matt Vogel. You've earned another sub. 😉

Mom: who are you watching? Me:some boi online Mom: but what’s his name Me:😂

I literally can't watch anything new related to the muppets with kermit his new voice is like nails on a chalkboard too me.

Such a weird reason they gave for firing him, like they expect us to believe he came up with all his script and plot line for the abc muppets show. Hopefully they'll realise how horrible of a mistake they made and bring him back again

Feels the same to me as when Wayne Allwine passed away, and was replaced by Bret Iwin. He does a decent Mickey impression, but it has never been the same for me, and I never truly got used to it.

Whitmire is echoing what Henson has always said in interviews about puppeteering. Even Kevin Clash, who also worked with Jim Henson and once voiced Elmo says the same thing.

I grew up on Jim's Kermit, and the transition to Steve was a bit bittersweet. But I knew it was necessary, and with time I came to appreciate Steve's edgier, more sardonic Kermit. I'm certain Jim would have as well; Steve's Kermit had an entertaining, fully-formed personality, and that was Jim's benchmark of quality. The way Disney treated Steve was the same as their entire treatment of the Muppets: a tone-deaf travesty

Even if Disney sees the error of their ways and asks Steve Whitmire to come back, I hope he refuses. I mean, if a company that fired me asked if I could come back, I would refuse too.

Actually Kermit wasn't officially a frog until he appeared on Sesame Street, the Sam and Friends version doesn't have flippers (or a collar)! Muppet don't die, only the actors to play them! Autopsy needs to do a Jim Henson episode

Steve is the ultimate Kermit the Frog voice.