Part 7/12:
Oz was also critical of Disney’s handling of performer replacements, especially regarding Kermit the Frog. He recounts that Disney’s approach was more about "vectoring" multiple backups for characters rather than valuing performers as artists, which contrasted sharply with how Jim Henson envisioned the characters—as authentic expressions of real performers’ talents. When Steve Whitmire replaced Henson as Kermit, he became territorial and resistant to Disney’s corporate environment, which further reflected the disconnect between the creators' vision and Disney’s corporate management.