This article in the L.A. Times [might make you register] discusses how the Disney folks are trying to resuscitate the popularity of Kermit, Miss Piggy and other Muppet characters. They'll be in two new commercials on Super Bowl Sunday.
The reporter probably didn't intend it as such but there's a sentence in the article that may nail the problem. It's the one that goes, "Every division at the company is contributing ideas to the renewal project." I have no inside info on what's going on over there but I do have some experience of seeing great characters get battered about in intra-corporate custody battles. The main problem those characters face is that they will never have another person as creative as Jim Henson guiding their fortunes. Even if someone that brilliant did come along, he'd never get the kind of authority and control that Henson had.
Speaking of Muppets: You may recall that last December, we noted here that the Internet Movie Database said that I had played the role of Ernie in his brief cameo in The Muppet Movie. I sent the folks there a message that said quite clearly that I had nothing whatsoever to do with that fine film and that the puppet (which did not speak in the movie) was operated by my friend, Earl Kress. Well, I'm pleased to note that the Internet Movie Database has changed their listing. Unfortunately, they've changed it to say that I just did the voice while Earl operated the puppet. In light of this, I'm going to do what any reasonable, sane person would do in such a situation. I'm going to give up.