News from the Natural World: Kermit the Frog is exhausted and in rehab after being exploited for endless memes.
Everyone’s favourite muppet and the worlds best-loved frog, Kermit, has announced that he has had to enter rehab after a breakdown. Kermit was the star of the Muppets, a popular TV series created in 1955. He served as the main protagonist in numerous Muppet productions, most notably Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. Kermit also embarked on a musical career and released hit singles “Bein’ Green” in 1970 and “Rainbow Connection” in 1979. His iconic look and instantly recognisable voice launched him into worldwide popular culture. He was also crowned “Amphibian of the Year” in 2004. Further fame followed when he published his bestselling memoir “Before You Leap: A Frogs Eye View of Life’s Greatest Lessons”. But all this fame came at a cost to our beloved frog.
As Kermit’s star rose the pressure on him mounted. He had to be front and centre at every award ceremony, premier or event. In addition, his commitments mounted up, adverts, brand launches, movies, TV series, albums and even plays. Kermit the Frog was in high demand. The animal kingdom watched on nervously as one of their icons was ravaged and exploited by the human world. Not only the amphibian community but all animals were behind Kermit. They had always thought he was different, he alone could make it in the human world. But there was one final straw that broke Kermits back. That straw was when the memes started.
Kermit the Frog in rehab
Millions of memes flooded the internet. One after another they were mocking Kermit. They just wouldn’t end. Everywhere Kermit looked he was the subject of ridicule and jest. A meme is an idea, behaviour, or style that spreads by means of imitation from person to person within a culture and often carries symbolic meaning representing a particular phenomenon or theme. In Kermit’s case, the meme’s were widespread and covered hundreds of themes. Kermit at a raining window = meme. Talking to a Sith Lord = meme. Kermit drinking a cup of tea = meme. Kermit the Frog had gone viral and he couldn’t take it. It was the end of the line for Kermit and he has checked himself into rehab to spend some time in the rehabilitation pond.