Kermit the frog

Have you met my friend Kermit?

Kermit the Frog is a cute little Muppet who was first introduced in 1955 and is one of puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous and beloved creations. Kermit was performed by Henson until his death in 1990.

An early version of Kermit appeared in 1955, in a 5-minute puppet show for WRC-TV's Sam and Friends. The prototype Kermit was created from a green ladies' coat that Henson's mother had thrown in the trash can, and two ping-pong balls for eyes.

The early Kermit was a sort of lizard-like creature; Kermit's first appearance as a frog was in the television special "Hey Cinderella" in 1969, and he's been a frog ever since.

Kermit had his big break later in 1969 with frequent appearances on Sesame Street often as a news reporter interviewing nursery rhyme characters. One of his most memorable works was the song "Bein' Green" from this series. Closely identified with the show Sesame Street, Kermit appeared frequently enough on the show to be considered a member of the regular cast along with Big Bird.

Kermit's song "The Rainbow Connection" was also a big hit from The Muppet Movie (it is also the only movie song sung by a "frog" to be nominated for an Academy Award)

Kermit published "One Frog Can Make A Difference, Kermit's Guide to Life" in 1993. In 1996, he gave a commencement speech at Southampton College in which he emphasized his environmentalist side.

SOURCE: "The Sesame Street Book and Record".
'Green' is (c)1970 Jonico Music, Inc.



"Bein' Green"

It's not that easy being green
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold...
Or something much more colorful like that.

It's not easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
or stars in the sky.

But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean,
or important like a mountain,
or tall like a tree.

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.