Steve Whitmire continues to weigh in on getting fired by Disney as the voice of Kermit the Frog after 27 years.
Whitmire, who announced earlier this month that Muppets Studio replaced him by Matt Vogel, told CNN on Tuesday that he felt “absolute shock” when he learned that he was losing his job.
“It was exactly the same feeling as the moment I was told [Muppets creator] Jim [Henson] had died,” Whitmire said. “It was the worst thing that could happen to this character. It’s not the worst thing that could happen to me, although it’s pretty bad.”
The performer said he was never given an inkling that the studio was considering letting him go: “If anything had been framed to be as your career’s on the line over any particular event, then I would have paid attention.”
Whitmire acknowledges that many fans might not be able to tell that Kermit has a new voice.
“I think there are people who will notice — I think Disney knows that the vast majority of people probably won’t,” he continued. “I think if it jumps around on the screen, and it’s green, and it says the right catchphrases, unfortunately, people are going to see it as Kermit.”
Muppets Studio released a statement last week saying that the puppeteer was fired for “unacceptable business conduct.” Brian Henson, who is Jim’s son and chairman of the Jim Henson Company, told the New York Times that Whitmire sent messages “attacking everyone, attacking the writing and attacking the director,” during his time as Kermit.
13 Best Evil Kermit the Frog Memes (Photos)
Kermit the Frog first made waves in meme form in 2014 where he was pictured sipping on tea and minding his business. Now, the Muppet is back again, but this time he's made his return as your evil conscious.
"Me: It's time for work get up.
Inner me: Hit that snooze you got 5 more minutes."
Instagram
"Me: He apologized. I should just say okay and let it go.
Other me: Bring up that thing that pissed you off 3 weeks ago too. Finish him."
Twitter
"Her: These past few weeks with bae have been great. I love him so much.
Her to her: You're way too happy right now. Go through his phone."
Twitter
"Me: I just got paid, I should save money and stay in this weekend.
My mind: You realize you get paid again in 2 weeks, GET LIT!"
Instagram
"Me: I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this.
Me to me: "Overreact."
Instagram
"Me: Sees a fluffy dog."
Me to me: Steal him."
Twitter
"Me: Don't make a scene in front of all these people.
Me to me: aaaaaaaaand ACTION!"
Twitter
"Me: It's not even worth it. I'm letting it go."
Me to me: Get petty.
Twitter
"*Gets a piece of bread*
Me to me: Now close it without the twist tie."
Twitter
"Me: I'm so over him. Me to me: No you're not, you should text him. Me: Really? Also me to me: Blow his phone up."
Twitter
"Kanye: So many people hate me...
Kanye to Kanye: But not ALL the people hate you...make all the people hate you..."
Twitter
"Me: He would make the perfect boyfriend.
Me to me: Friend zone him."
Bossip
"Me: *sees my siblings being quiet and minding their own business* Me to me: hit them"
Twitter
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Prepare to meet your inner Kermit
Kermit the Frog first made waves in meme form in 2014 where he was pictured sipping on tea and minding his business. Now, the Muppet is back again, but this time he's made his return as your evil conscious.