TV Guide

Kermit the Frog

It seems likely that the latest visitor to TV Guide Magazine's "Cubicle Confessions" would need his office chair lowered quite a bit -- and he might also require some mopping up afterward. After all, he was a frog. And not just any old frog: Kermit the Frog.

Kermit sat down with the magazine for a cheerfully hilarious chat (timing out with the release of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on Blu-ray), sitting behind a desk in New York City with a Miss Piggy bobblehead at his side (and a black-and-white glamour shot of her hanging behind him) and fielded a few salient questions.

He noted that back when he lived in a swamp, "Probably the worst job I ever had was having to clean up the pond scum.... It's one of those things you do when you're just coming out of tadpole-hood, just as your tail falls off."

Turns out there are many things we didn't know about Kermit: He can handle a chainsaw, and considers himself a handyman; he prefers non-fancy hotels because they're full of bugs and flies, which negates room service, and his favorite shows include "Homeland" and "Duck Dynasty." "It's only because I know so many ducks," he admitted.

Miss Piggy loves the Kardashians, but has a bit of trouble with the food shows, which surprised Kermit. That said, "You know, Piggy and I are both appetizer items on some menus, so you have to be careful."

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Mick Tsikas / EPA

Kermit the Frog

Kermit has run afoul of Germany's media authorities. ZAK, the federal commission charged with regulating the German airwaves, found Kermit guilty of illegal product placement in an appearance last year on commercial network Pro7.

The channel used the famous frog to present its so-called Disney Day of programming, which featured several family-friendly films. But Kermit also mentioned the theatrical release of Disney's "The Muppets." Because the promo was not marked on screen as an ad, Pro7 violated German media law, which bans product placement unless clearly identified as such. Pro7 has admitted the error.

In its most recent session, the ZAK also ruled against pay TV group Sky Deutschland for showing ads of sports betting site bwin during its broadcasts of German league soccer matches. Sky violated the German ban on gambling ads on television, ZAK ruled. Sky has argued the gambling ban does not apply to on air references to bwin, which are not traditional ad spots.

The media commission can not directly fine broadcasters for breaking advertising laws, so it is unclear whether the violations will have any legal consequences.

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Dave M. Benett / Getty Images Contributor

 Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will present at this year's 84th annual Academy Awards, it was announced Friday.

The appearance marks the Muppets' fifth time at the yearly movies kudosfest, taking place Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

Additionally, 30 Rock star and Saturday Night Live alum Tina Fey has been added to the growing list of presenters.

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They join previously announced presenters Halle Berry, Rose Byrne, Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, Ellie Kemper, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph, Ben Stiller, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig.

The Academy Awards will be broadcast live coast-to-coast on ABC.

All things considered, it's wisest not to mess with The Muppets.

Specifically, Miss Piggy.

Readers may recall how Eric Bolling of FOX Business' "Follow the Money" took "The Muppets" to task last December as an example of how "liberal media" tries to "brainwash our kids" against big business -- specifically big oil.

Well, at a recent press conference in the United Kingdom to promote the film, frog and pig fought back. Asks Kermit: "If we had problems with oil companies, why would we have spent the entire film driving around in a gas-guzzling Rolls Royce?"

But Piggy took the sharpest shot: "(The brainwashing charges are) almost as laughable as accusing Fox News of being ... news."

After which, Kermit predicted correctly that, "Boy, that's going to be all over the Internet!"

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Joshua Roberts / Reuters

First Lady Michelle Obama reads "The Night Before Christmas" with Kermit the Frog during the lighting of the National Christmas tree in Washington on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Mr. Kermit goes to Washington!

With his career now back on top thanks to a hit movie, everyone's favorite Muppet (sorry, Elmo) was invited to D.C. on Thursday to help the first family light up the White House Christmas tree.

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And while the Black Eyed Peas, country music star Rodney Atkins and, of course, Santa were all in attendance, it was the green guy who definitely stole the spotlight.

Upon joining first lady Michelle Obama for a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," Kermit quickly made a connection.

"You can call me Michelle," President Barack Obama's better half told her new felt friend.

"That's really nice of you," replied Kermit. "I have to call Miss Piggy 'Your Majesty.'"

You're a king in our book, Kermie!

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