Kermit
Kermit would beat Yoda if there was ever a show-down between the two on Spike TV’s “Ultimate Fighter” show. Simply stated, any person who grew up anytime between 1971-2001 would probably choose Kermit over Yoda.
Who in our generation doesn’t remember “Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Movie,” or “Jim Henson’s Muppet Christmas”? People love Kermit because of his optimistic outlook on life.
Kermit was always patient with other characters like Elmo, who would keep asking Kermit questions during his newscast-like segment on “Sesame Street.” Kermit thus promoted a message of patience and love to children and parents alike who would watch him on TV from the 1970s-1990s.
Kermit also became a highly relatable character because he saw his maturity as making him invisible. He went on to sing about how lots of people passed him over cult classic song, “It’s Not Easy Being Green.”
All adults mirror Kermit’s feelings. Most people feel lost in the rat race once they are forced to grow up after having children or joining the work force.
Thus, Kermit has widespread appeal. Where Yoda appealed to teen geeks, Kermit warmed the hearts of parents and children alike.
Not to mention, good-hearted, middle-class Kermit also appealed to celebrities. Kylie Minogue sang a duet with Kermit, Kermit appeared on an April Fool’s Day episode of CNN’s Larry King Live in 1994, and he guest-hosted for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show on April 2, 1979.
Appealing to a wide fan base, Kermit also has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And has starred in several Super Bowl commercials for a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid car, Pizza Hut, and for UPS.
On Kermit’s 50th anniversary from the date his first episode airs, the United States Postal Service also released a series of stamps with him and several other Muppets and one with Kermit sitting on Henson’s lap looking at Henson.
Today Kermit’s celebrity has been popularized by a number of character parodies on “Family Guy,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and by a “Sad Kermit” fan video on YouTube. In 2003 Jim Henson’s alma mater, the University of Maryland, College Park also erected a statue of Kermit with Henson on campus to commemorate Henson’s death.
During his career Kermit appeared on 28 individual TV shows and inspired love in the hearts of millions of Americans/people everywhere. His character will not easily be forgotten and people will continue to love Kermit for generations to come.-Alyssa Capili
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Yoda
Since the release of Episode V, the world has been in love with Yoda. Not only is he at one with the Force but he is globally loved and accepted as the most kick-ass backwards-speaking puppet in this galaxy and the one far, far away.
For those of you who don’t know who Yoda is, shame on you. Additionally what rock have you been living under for the last 30 years? I’ll play nice and help you out a bit so you don’t feel out of the loop.
Yoda first made his appearance on the big screen in 1980, with the release of Star Wars Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Luke Skywalker accidentally happens upon Yoda (as he was expecting a teacher a bit more human) and his less-than-desirable swamp of a home.
Nevertheless, Luke finally has a teacher so he may begin his Jedi training. But before his training is complete Luke must leave Yoda behind to save his friends and bring Darth Vader to an end, in which he learns more about his origins than he had bargained for.
But enough with Luke, the spotlight is on Yoda. Yoda is a tinted green puppet with an abundance of knowledge, even if he dispenses it all backwards. Frank Oz is the voice and puppet master behind Yoda for Episode V, VI, and I.
Even though all of the Yoda interaction in the II and III movies was CG animation, many fans find it very honorable that they kept the original voice. And weren’t bothered (too much) by the fact that he was redesigned with computer animation.
Yoda also has a wide fan base and following. Younger viewers had an easier attachment to the character, but his allure and lovability sees no age, or gender I might add.
If you run a Google search on the word Yoda, a cornucopia of Yoda information will appear before your eyes. Whether you’re looking for forums to chat about Yoda, searching for audio clips of his comical lines, or looking for video files of his Jedi skills, you can find it all.
While I’m sure Yoda would have nothing against Kermit, it’s obvious that the better green puppet is by far Yoda. He was one of the first to master the force, he served as Grand Master for the Jedi council, he was a crucial part of the Republic, and later the Rebellion.
Above all else Yoda is a pillar of wisdom in the Star Wars community; which just goes to show you can be wise and peaceful but still rock a lightsaber.
As the old master would say, “Better than Kermit, Yoda is.”-Britney Caro-Dominquez
