It's Not Easy Being Pink (Slipped)

Here is the latest in the skirmish over longtime Muppeteer Steve Whitmire being removed from the role of Kermit the Frog. The folks who made the decision claimed he had been hard to deal with and there's a line in there from Jim Henson's daughter about Whitmire being difficult in contract negotiations.

This whole thing feels very creepy to me…like we're reading something that whatever its outcome, should have been handled in private. We have a little bit of each side of the story but probably not enough to really decide who's right or wrong.

And yet, I found a lot to think about in Mr. Whitmire's recent blog post, "The Muppet Performers are not Interchangeable." Much of what he says is true but the very title of the piece may pinpoint the problem. In a company like Disney, everyone is interchangeable. A valuable asset like Mickey Mouse continues on, or is supposed to carry on, long after everyone involved with him in one era is gone. Kermit is supposed to thrive long after Whitmire expires. It's not a matter of if Steve Whitmire will be replaced but when.

I have no opinion on whether now, when he's still able and eager to continue in the role, is the right time, nor do I feel qualified to make that judgment. I just wish this was not happening.