THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410180039
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CRAIG A. SHAPIRO, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
IT'S NO big deal - getting some star on the phone for a few minutes. But when you're talking about Kermit the Frog, you do the interview his way.
Movies, television, records. The amphibian has been on the go since he popped up on local TV in Washington, D.C., in the 1950s. He went national in '56 with a shot on Steve Allen's ``Tonight Show.'' ``Sesame Street'' came along in 1969; ``The Muppet Show'' arrived seven years later.
There have been four Muppet films and last year's book, ``One Frog Can Make a Difference: Kermit's Guide to Life in the 90's.'' The frog has guest-hosted CNN's ``Larry King Live'' and met Queen Elizabeth. A Kermit balloon floats in Macy's Thanksgiving parade.
His album ``Kermit Unpigged'' (including duets with Vince Gill and Don Henley) came out last month; his recipe, Shoofly Pie for Humans, is included in the new book ``Entertaining With Regis & Kathie Lee.''
Harrison Ford doesn't see that kind of action.
Whose name, by the way, came up in our interview about Kermit's new project, ``Muppet Classic Theater,'' a set of six fairy tales told the Muppet way, coming out on video next week.
Well, a sorta interview. We did it '90s-style: My questions were faxed out to Burbank, and Kermit's answers were sent back to Norfolk. Here's how it went:
KidVid: What's your favorite fairy tale? Why?
Kermit: I actually like ``Rumpelstiltskin.'' A lot of people assume my favorite is ``The Frog Prince,'' but to be honest, I like to finish a story the same species I was when I started it.
KidVid: What's all this about frogs turning into princes? Would you want to turn into Prince?
Kermit: The whole frog-prince thing is a myth. I don't remember any frog ever turning into a prince. . . . Well, there was a rumor once about Prince Charles, but it was never confirmed. And I don't think I want to turn into Prince - purple is not really my color. Actually, shouldn't that be ``The Artist Formerly Known as Prince''?
KidVid: Is it really hard being green?
Kermit: I never said it was hard being green. I said, ``It's not easy being green.'' I really enjoy being green - not that I have a choice - but sometimes it isn't easy.
KidVid: What is it like working with a great comedian like Fozzie Bear?
Kermit: I'm sorry, this must be a bad connection. It sounded like you said ``great comedian like Fozzie Bear.'' Fozzie is a wonderful bear and a great friend. Let's just leave it at that.
KidVid: Where do things stand now between you and Miss Piggy?
Kermit: We are two mature individuals in a professional working relationship. Well, at least one of us is mature.
KidVid: What is it with Gonzo and chickens?
Kermit: I've never asked him. And frankly, I don't really want to know. It's sort of a don't-ask-don't-tell poultry policy.
KidVid: Do flies get old? Can you order flies at Spago?
Kermit: Flies do get old . . . if they're not refrigerated properly. And, unfortunately, no, Spago doesn't serve flies. At least they don't serve any on purpose.
KidVid: People say frog's legs taste like chicken. What do you think they taste like?
Kermit: Can we skip this question? I'm suddenly not feeling very well.
KidVid: Does the Swedish Chef have a recipe for frog's legs?
Kermit: Nope, and if he wants to keep picking up a paycheck every two weeks, he'd better not get one.
KidVid: There doesn't seem to be much work for frogs outside The Muppets. Are you being typecast?
Kermit: Yes. It's a shame, but it is true. I never get offered the first-class film roles like the ones Harrison Ford and Tom Hanks get. Just once, I would like people to think of me as an actor first and a frog second. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
Kermit starred with Miss Piggy in the movie ``The Muppet Christmas
Carol.''
KEYWORDS: INTERVIEW MUPPETS by CNB