Miss Piggy and Kermit in The Muppets
When writing the script for the new Muppets movie, actor and star Jason Segel was, apparently, given a number of instructions. The main one was that you must never refer to the Muppets as puppets or make any suggestion that they’re not real.
Interestingly, when in the presence of Kermit and (eventually, as befits a genuine diva) Miss Piggy, this is remarkably easy to do. It also, as Kermit points out, gives them an edge over certain Hollywood rivals. “If you were talking to me and I was, say, Woody from Toy Story this would be your interview.” He ducks under the table. The suggestion that Shrek is making it easier being green gets a similar reaction. “You should ask him yourself. Of course you can’t...”
Nor, to be fair, can we ask Miss Piggy anything about this. “Last time I saw her she was leaving the bar,” explains Kermit. “I’m not saying she was drinking, I’m just saying she was leaving the bar...”
Miss Piggy’s temporary absence is, however, a good opportunity to ask Kermit about their relationship. Has it matured over the years. “Matured?” Kermit nods in contemplation. “Interesting word...”
The new film, the first for 12 years, sees the Muppets reunite in a tale of the Muppets reuniting for the first time in years – with, of course, lots of celebrity cameos.
“We all made new friends on this film, and that’s always the best part of being with The Muppets,” says Kermit. “It is always wonderful to get back together with all the gang, all the different personalities, their little quirks.”
On the subject of quirks, it’s a good time to bring in the latecomer. So, Piggy, why so late?
“Well, you know, moi is something of a diva, and proud of it. I just wanted to keep everyone waiting a little longer.” It’s also been a punishing schedule.
“At Harrods, Covent Garden, Camden Market...” adds Kermit.
“That’s hard work,” explains Miss Piggy. “Sometimes the escalator goes off and you have to actually climb the stairs...”
Talk of fashion leads neatly into Piggy’s role in the film. When Kermit is trying to track down the old gang, he finds Miss Piggy working as the Plus Size editor for Paris Vogue.
“No, no, no, no, no, no,” interrupts Piggy. “Moi is not plus size, the editor is not plus size, the department she edits is plus size.”
With such an obvious love of fashion, does she have a tip for what the plus size girls will be wearing next year?
“I think everyone, next winter, will be wearing coats. You heard it here first...”
With a trotter so firmly on the pulse, it seems like a good time to ask about some topical issues, particularly the backlash by Fox News. The film posts an oil baron as the bad guy which, apparently, means the Muppets have “a dangerous liberal agenda” and are “brainwashing” children. So, how do they react to accusations of being communists?
Piggy snorts. “It’s almost as laughable as accusing Fox News of being, you know, news...”
And how do they feel about the phone hacking scandal?
“I probably should refrain from any serious comment,” says Kermit. “Which I do on most subjects.”
Piggy is more forthcoming. “I have no problem with wire tapping, tracking individuals. I actually have a GPS chip implanted on Kermit.”
Are they not concerned though that their phones might have been hacked?
“Usually when you say the word hacked about The Muppets, it’s usually something that one of the dogs did,” explains Kermit. Piggy just looks nervous. “Wow. I never thought of it working the other way around...”
Finally, Saga gets to ask a question of Hollywood’s most durable leading lady. As a publication aimed at the mature readership – the snout starts to curl – we wondered how she remains looking so youthful? Piggy tosses her head. “Moi?” she giggles. “Thank you so much. I just decided a long time ago that I wasn’t going to get any older. Ageing wasn’t for me.”
The Muppets is on general release from Friday, February 10, 2012.