
Our good friends at Disney have been great in giving us passes to the upcoming Muppets movie coming out November 23rd. Their generosity has now been stepped up a level because we have a very cool one on one interview with the number one dude of the Muppets himself!
Ladies and Gentleman...
I present to you, Mister Kermit the Frog:
KERMIT THE FROG (Kermit the Frog) returns to the big screen in 2011 in Disneyâs âThe Muppets.â With 56 years in show business, he boasts countless credits in television, film, stage and online, including the recent hit viral videos featuring the Muppetsâ take on Queenâs âBohemian Rhapsodyâ (2009) and âOde to Joyâ (2008)â"both Webby winners (an award very dear to Kermitâs heart and feet). He has been honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2002), and his song âRainbow Connectionâ was nominated for an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe® in 1979. Kermit has appeared many times in the Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade. He received the Key to the City from Kermit, Texas, in 2005, and holds an honorary Doctorate of Amphibious Letters from the Southampton College at Long Island University. He was the first amphibian to address the prestigious Oxford Union at Oxford University.
Kermitâs film credits include âThe Muppet Movieâ (1979), âThe Great Muppet Caperâ (1981), âThe Muppets Take Manhattanâ (1984), âThe Muppet Christmas Carolâ (1992), âMuppet Treasure Islandâ (1996) and âMuppets from Spaceâ (1999). Heâs also had starring roles in the TV films âMuppets Wizard of Ozâ (2005) and âA Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa.â In addition to hosting and starring in the international hit phenomenon âThe Muppet Show,â which ran from 1976-1981, Kermitâs small-screen credits include âMuppet Babiesâ and âMuppets Tonight.â He has appeared on a host of variety shows, including âThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno,â âLate Night with Jimmy Fallon,â âThe Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,â âTodayâ and âLate Night with Conan OâBrian.â Kermit has also been a guest on âExtreme Makeover: Home Editionâ and âSaturday Night Live,â among many others. Kermitâs memoirsâ"âLook Before You Leap: A Frogâ s Eye View of Lifeâs Greatest Lessonsââ"were published in 2006.
Kermit resides in a swamp, where he maintains a bachelor pad.
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A CONVERSATION WITH KERMIT THE FROGâ¦
Why should audiences see Disneyâs âThe Muppetsâ?
Itâs funny, upbeat and full of laughs for everyone⦠frogs, pigs, bears⦠even people.
For new fans, itâs a chance to see the Muppets in action on the big screen. And for old fans, itâs a chance to get together with old friends⦠and get a little crazy together.
What is Disneyâs âThe Muppetsâ about?
Well, itâs the story of this incredible Muppet fan named Walter who comes to Hollywood to meet us⦠and ends up having to get all the Muppets back together to put on a show and save Muppet Studios.
I guess itâs the first Muppet movie thatâs really from the point of view of a fan. Jason Segel, who is a really big Muppet fan in real life, co-wrote the movie. He wanted to show what it would be like if the worldâs biggest Muppet fanâ"along with his brother Gary (played by Jason) and friend Mary (played by Amy Adams)â"came to Hollywood to meet us.
What is your role in Disneyâs âThe Muppetsâ?
I play me, Kermit the Frog. Iâve played other parts, like Bob Crachit in âA Muppet Christmas Carolâ and Captain Smollett in âMuppet Treasure Island,â but I think âmeâ is my favorite part.
Playing a frog named Kermit might be type casting, but there arenât a lot of great parts for amphibians, so I was happy to get the part.
In the movieâ"and in life, reallyâ"Iâm a humble frog in Hollywood who wants to get back together with his friends and keep entertaining people.
How does your life differ from the characters you play in the films?
Well, on the big screen. Iâm 16 feet tall. But in real life, itâs closer to 18 inches. So, Iâd have to say the biggest difference is more heightâ"and better lighting.
Seriously, though, my life on screen and off screen is about the same. In real life and on film, Iâm surrounded by chaos, craziness, and romantic pigsâ"just like any other Hollywood star.
Why did you want to take part in this film?
I understand they considered other actorsâ"George Clooney, Tom Hanks. But in the end, when it comes to playing short, green and amphibious, Iâm still Hollywoodâs go-to guy. According to director James Bobin, when I read for the role of âme,â I nailed it.
What is the funniest scene in the film?
I like the scene where everything goes crazy and no one knows what to do. Itâs total mad chaosâ¦..Hmm, come to think of it, that describes most of the movie.
I canât pick JUST one sceneâ"all the other scenes would get jealous. But I really do like the big finale. Lots of singing, dancing, laughing⦠and, I donât want to spoil it, but itâs happy, too.
What was it like working opposite Jason Segel?
Jason is not only a great comedian, but as a co-writer of the movie, heâs great to work with. If you forget your lines, he can make up new ones.
Jasonâs a swell guy. He really loved the Muppets before we worked togetherâ¦and he still loves us after. Thatâs a true fan. And he has such a fantastic sense of humor. He can find funny everywhere⦠even in Fozzieâs act.
 â¦Chris Cooper?
Chris plays the villain, Tex Richman, yet heâs really the nicest guy youâll ever meet. Thatâs an incredible feat: being a good guy and playing a bad guy. When it comes to acting, itâs not that easy being mean.
 â¦Amy Adams?
Amy is incredible. Sheâs so beautiful and talented and funny. Iâd love to make every movie with herâ¦. but Miss Piggy wonât let me.
Sheâs also a great actress: she can sing and dance, and she has three Academy Award® nominations. Iâm hoping she gets an Oscar® for Disneyâs âThe Muppets.â If not, Iâm willing to paint myself gold and stand on her mantle.
 â¦Miss Piggy?
I have to say: working with Miss Piggy is always a pleasure. I have to say that âcause she makes me say it.
This was a different kind of movie for us. Normally, Piggy and I are together right from the start. But in Disneyâs âThe Muppets,â Miss Piggy is over in Paris and we have to go get her. That was challenging for me. France is tough for frogs⦠with legs.
Whatâs the deal with you and Miss Piggy? Are you still together?
Miss Piggy and I have a professional relationship. I think weâre professionals; she thinks weâre in a relationship.
Actually, Miss Piggy and I are good friends, but just friends. We like each other a great deal, but we are not romantically involvedâ"despite her best efforts.
Describe director James Bobin.
James has a quirky sense of humor. Just watch his work on âFlight of the Conchordsâ and you can see this isnât someone who sees the world like everyone else. Not being normal helps when you work with the Muppets. Heâs a consummate professionalâ"and weâre not, so we really needed him.
What is your advice for up-and-coming frogs/actors?
Never say croak.
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