Reporter Kermit
From Muppet Wiki
Reporter Kermit is the journalistic version of Kermit the Frog. Kermit's most famous role as a reporter was on Sesame Street as a news correspondent for the Sesame Street News Flash segments. Kermit has appeared in Reporter attire, including suit, trench coat and fedora, in several productions and merchandise over the years.
The personality and identity of Kermit do not conflict with his reporter role and it is more likely an occupation or alternate persona of the frog, rather than a detached alter ego. However, Kermit has not mentioned or referenced a reporting career when outside of the reporting situations and costume.
The casting history has been consistent with Kermit the Frog. Jim Henson originated the role in 1971 and continued it until his death in 1990. Steve Whitmire continues the role to this day, picking up the trench-coated puppet for the first time in 1996.
A common running gag with the Reporter Kermit role was the introduction, which would usually include the camera cutting to him while he was talking to someone off-screen or facing the wrong way before realizing the camera is on. Kermit would begin reporting with his classic "Hi-ho, Kermit the Frog here".
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Sesame Street
With microphone in hand, Kermit's reporting duties were first established on Sesame Street in the Sesame Street News Flash. Each skit featured an breaking news report from the frog on the street as he interviewed various characters, including Don Music, Dr. Nobel Price, assorted storybook characters and historical figures.
Early on, Kermit appeared as a reporter in an impromptu Muppet & Kid Moment on the street. In the segment he interviewed a little girl about the sounds animals make, however Kermit is not amused by her "Wiggit! Wiggit!" frog call.
Kermit appeared as a Reporter in the film Follow that Bird. The frog gave a news report about Big Bird's planned return to Sesame Street. Although it was not specifically stated, it is probable that he was reporting for a news program other than "Sesame Street News" (evident by the fact that the newscaster mispronounced "Sesame Street" as "Se Same Street" when announcing the fact that Big Bird was planning on returning to Sesame Street).
In Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting, three new Sesame Street News segments were created, featuring Kermit on location to ask the question of the day, "Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?"
In 1996, in Elmo Saves Christmas, Kermit appears in a brand-new Sesame Street News Flash with the frog reporting on the Christmas shopping craze, eventually leading to a man trying to purchase his microphone.
In 1998, Slimey the Worm traveled on a space mission, and Kermit reported on the worm's moon landing.
Kermit's last news report on Sesame Street was in 2001, when Kermit teamed up with Al Roker to report on a hurricane that came to Sesame Street in a five-part episode.
Kermit has also appeared in a few sketches in his reporter attire but apparently not giving any news reports or coverage. These segments include a skit from the 1980s in which Kermit rode on an elevator operated by Count von Count, the song "Subway", and a cameo in the song "Forty Blocks From My Home".
The Muppet Show
Kermit appeared on The Muppet Show seven times in reporter garb. His attire was the same as his other reporter stints, except without his illustrious fedora. Kermit brought breaking news reports to viewers from the Planet Koozebane and interviewed characters portrayed by some of the guest stars.
Kermit covered the courtships of the male and female Koozebanian creatures, and in the process covered the first televised Koozebanian mating ritual, the Galley-oh-hoop-hoop in episode 107, which was later shown in illustrated form in The Muppet Show Book.
In episode 116, he covered the battle between Sir Avery of Macho and The Monster of the Moores.
As a reporter, Kermit interviewed the Koozebanian Phoob in episode 205. The Phoob blends in as fast as he can, and quickly turns into Kermit, even wearing the exact same trench coat.
Reporter Kermit appeared again to interview the Koozebanian Spooble, a creature who is made entirely out of liquid, in episode 223.
Kermit appeared in reporter attire in episode 121.
In episode 423, Kermit interviewed Cecilia Sisson, former silent movie star (played by Carol Channing).
The only time on The Muppet Show that Kermit appeared in his reporters attire and wore his hat was when Liza Minelli guest starred. However, in this role, Kermit was a detective, not a reporter.
Other Appearances
In The Muppets Valentine Show, Kermit reported on the Galley-o-hoop-hoop on the Planet Koozebane. In this appearance, his trench coat had a fur collar, but otherwise it was the same.
In The Great Muppet Caper, Kermit played the role of a crack investigative reporter for the Daily Chronicle. Accompanied by fellow journalist (and twin brother) Fozzie Bear and their photographer Gonzo, Kermit investigates the theft of Lady Holiday's valuable diamond necklace. Although not a television news correspondent, Kermit is seen wearing his reporting suit, trench coat and fedora. However, in this movie, his tie is a blue bow tie, instead of a neck tie.
In 1987, Reporter Kermit appeared in a public service announcement for the National Wildlife Federation. In the spot Kermit presented some experts on clean air: Mount Rushmore.
An animated version of Kermit appeared in the television show Little Muppet Monsters. Although he dressed identically to his reporting alter ego (complete with trench coat and fedora), Kermit was a private eye detective and not a journalist.
In 2006 Kermit donned his reporter trench coat to do live backstage reporting from the TV Land Awards. The backstage coverage, which was hosted by Kermit and Tom Arnold, was available online at TVland.com following the show.
Merchandise
A Reporter Kermit Sigma mug was produced. The mug was in the shape of Kermit's head, with a reporters' hat, a trench coat collar, and microphone in hand. The slip in the hat said "Muppet News". Another company made a plastic cup, with his hat as a removable lid with a straw.
In 1981 a Reporter Kermit plush doll was produced by Fisher-Price. The Kermit doll wore a trench coat and blue necktie.
An exclusive figure of Reporter Kermit was made by Palisades Toys in 2004. The figure wears the famous reporter outfit as seen on The Muppet Show. Originally, Palisades Toys was not allowed to make a news reporter Kermit Action Figure as part of its Muppet Show line because reporter Kermit is more associated with Sesame Street. However, Palisades was later allowed to make one under the conditions that it was dressed exactly as Kermit wore his news outfit on The Muppet Show (i.e., no hat and a different microphone) and he be included with some stuff relating to the Planet Koozebane.
Filmography
- Sesame Street (1969-2001)
- The Muppet Valentine Show
- The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence
- The Muppet Show
- The Great Muppet Caper
- Follow that Bird
- National Wildlife Federation commercial
- The Sesame Street Special
- Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting
- Elmo Saves Christmas
- Cinderelmo
- 2006 TV Land Awards
