Hoppy 50th, Kermit
Hard to believe, but Kermit has been green for 50 years now. And while it hasn’t always been easy, the Muppets’ famous frog is celebrating the milestone by leaping from place to place.
“Kermit is iconic, a global character who transcends time and generational taste,” says Chris Curtin of Disney, which now owns the Muppets. “It’s rare to find a character who survives that kind of test of time.”
The original Kermit √≥ cut from an old coat belonging to Jim Henson’s mom √≥ appeared on his creator’s first TV show, a 1955 comedy called Sam and Friends.
Among the birthday activities:
ï A 15-month world tour begins Oct. 14 in Kermit, Texas, taking in 50 stops, including a USO appearance and a run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
ï The U.S. Postal Service today issues a commemorative stamp collection in honor of the late Henson and his Muppets.
ï The 1976 first season of The Muppet Show is out on DVD (Buena Vista, $39.99). Bonus features include the original Muppet Show pitch reel, plus a rare Miss Piggy-less pilot.
√Ø New this month from Hyperion is It’s Not Easy Being Green and Other Things to Consider ($16.95), filled with commentary from Henson and his characters, friends and family.
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