Kermit The Frog Interview
If Kermit was tired from bantering with reporters, the genial star didn’t show it, as he settled into a quiet booth in the hotel’s courtyard lounge. He was looking trim, despite confessing earlier in the day to a weakness for fried chicken in addition to typical frog fair like flies and worms.
We made a bit of small talk. Then suddenly, the world’s most famous frog shooed his handlers away for a private and often-candid chat.
Q: Would you like a coffee or something before we start?
A: Oh no, I’m okay, thanks. I had a Red Bull earlier, although in the swamp we have a special version: Red Bullfrog.
Q: May I ask how old you are?
A: Believe it or not I am 55, but I always tell people that’s people years and not frog years.
Q: You look terrific. Have you had any work done?
A: I have had no work done. I just try to stay in really good shape. I think frogs age well, as long as I stay moist. I think that’s the key.
Q: It’s also important for a Muppet to just remain him or herself, isn’t it?
A: Sure, that’s very true. That’s my hope for everything we do, is to just stay true to who we are.
Q: Do you have a website?
A: Well, I have webbed feet.
Q: There’s been some controversy that this new Muppets movie may not be true to the spirit of the Muppets. What do you say about that?
A: I think the spirit’s there completely. It’s a typical story for us where we all gather together to triumph over some adversity and that’s what we do here. We’re trying to save our theatre. The movie talks about us being separated from each other for some time. But that’s just the story — that’s not our real lives. I’m an actor in the movie who is also Kermit the Frog in real life.
Q: Has it gotten any easier to be green?
A: It has. I will tell you that it’s much easier than back when I first sang that song (“It’s Not Easy Being Green”). Nowadays everybody talks about whether it’s easy to be green because it’s about the environment. Back when I sang that song it was about being comfortable in your own skin.
Q: Are young people better today about being comfortable in their own skins?
A: I hope so. That’s hard to say. That’s a really serious question. I don’t think I can give a silly answer to that because I hope they are. I hope young people can find a way. It’s a weird world. If I can help out with that, I’d love to.
Q: The Muppets is a musical with lots of new tunes alongside the Muppets theme and your big hit, “Rainbow Connection.” Would you do any hip-hop?
A: I’m more hop than hip. I sort of brought the hop to hip-hop. It’s a frog thing.
Q: Speaking of “Rainbow Connection,” why are there so many songs about rainbows?
A: I think because they’re beautiful things and there’s a kind of magic about them, all those colours in the sky.
Q: You get back with your longtime girlfriend Miss Piggy in this movie. Why do you keep going back to her? She doesn’t treat you very well.
A: Well, you know, we’re familiar. We’ve been together a long time. I think the success of a Hollywood romance is just to not rule out being together out of the question. Plus, I don’t think the Muppets would be the same without her.
Q: Were you surprised the script has her landing at Vogue Paris as plus-sized editor?
A: Truly in real life, I don’t think Miss Piggy would ever be a fashion editor. She can read; she’s literate. But she can’t type.
Q: How do you two spend your time when you’re not working?
A: It’s fraught with difficulty. I am a pretty down-home guy. I like to go back to the swamp and hang out with the family and Piggy’s not so swamp-oriented. She doesn’t care much for it. It’s odd, her being a pig. I mean, pigs wallow in the mud. But she’s not that comfortable with her swinehood.
Q: What do you like to do when you have a day off?
A: I like to read. I like to stay active. I have my yoga practice. I ride my bike. I don’t own a motor vehicle at this point. I like to sing. I keep the pipes working.
Q: Who do you pal around with from the Muppets gang?
A: Fozzie and I hang out a bit. Of course, this time of year, Fozzie goes into hibernation so I won’t see him until the spring. I don’t see a lot of Gonzo when we’re not working. He and Camilla have moved to Northern California and they have a free-range egg farm.
Q: You’re not the only character with a movie from the Muppet crew. There’s the documentary Being Elmo. Is there any professional jealousy?
A: No, no. Listen, Elmo’s terrific. I think he fills a big gap in the world. He’s a sweet little guy.
Q: If there is a sequel to The Muppets, where would you go next with the story?
A: What we wanted to do with this film was reintroduce the Muppets to folks who may not know who they are. I hope we do something that concentrates on our core group.
Q: What’s on your iPod?
A: I like books on tape.
Q: Boxers or briefs?
A: Neither. That’s the great thing about being a frog. Also, it’s hard to find my size: extra small, extra spindly.